Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (26 Aug. - 01 Sept.)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
- 6 Palestinian civilians and an international human rights defender were injured.
- IOF arrested 4 paramedics and two human rights defenders.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in the Gaza Strip’s border areas.
Two Palestinian workers were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 37 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem and other communities in the West Bank during the Ramadan Month.
- Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
· Israel has continued to take measures aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem.
- Israeli settlers attempted to break into al-'Ein Mosque in Silwan village.
- Israeli authorities demand churches in Jerusalem to pay water bills accumulated since 1967, although churches had been historically exempted from paying such bills.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and shepherds in Hebron and Salfit.
- Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and their cars on the main roads following an attack against settlers in Hebron.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (26 August – 01 September 2010):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, 8 Palestinian civilian and an international human rights defender were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, 7 civilians, including a photojournalist and an international human rights defender, were injured, when IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall.
In the Gaza Strip, two Palestinian workers were wounded when IOF fired at a number of workers who were collecting raw construction materials in the northern Gaza Strip.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 37 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. IOF also arrested 4 paramedics and two human rights defenders, but released them an hour later.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp. They clashed with members of the Palestinian resistance. During the clashes 3 resistance activists were lightly wounded.
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.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels only through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than three years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than three years.
· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
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 at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 630 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 - 80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
· 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, further confiscating 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 (47 out of 72 roads).
· 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 a permit issued by the IOF. These 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.
Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem:
IOF have continued to take measures at creating a Jewish majority in Jerusalem.
On 26 August 2010, Israeli settlers attempted to break into al-'Ein Mosque in Silwan villahe in East Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, at least 10 Israeli settlers attempted to break into al-'Ein Mosque in Wadi Hilwa quarter in Silwan village. The settlers were seen at approximately 03:30 sneaking into the area carrying tools to open the gate of the mosque. Palestinian civilians noticed the attempt and confronted it. Immediately, IOF arrived at the area to protect the settlers. Five hours earlier, the settlers attempted to the attack the mosque, and in the beginning of this month, Israeli settlers broke the gate of the mosque. On 30 August 2010, IOF moved into Wad Hilwa quarter in Silwan village. They waged an arrest campaign against Palestinian civilians.
The Israeli Jihon Water Company has recently sent warnings to churches and nunneries in the old town of Jerusalem demanding them to pay bills of water consumption accumulated since 1967, and threatening to cut off water supplies if due fees were not paid. It is worth noting that churches and nunneries in Jerusalem had been exempted from paying fees for water supplies over hundreds of years.
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 27 August 2010, Israeli settlers attacked Jamal, Ahmed and Mohammed al-Nawaj'a, while they were grazing animals in Sousia area, nearly 800 meters away from "Sousia" settlement, south of Hebron. The settlers used stones and canes in the attack.
On 31 August 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Emanuel" settlement, northwest of Salfit, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians who were working on a tract of agricultural land near Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.
Following an attack against Israeli settlers near Hebron on 31 August 2010, Israeli settlers launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (26 August – 01 September 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 26 August 2010
· At approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sanour village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:30, 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 03:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Omar Mitri Qassis, 25;
2. Ramez 'Abdul Rahim Wash'ha, 25; and
3. Yousef Mousa Housha, 46.
· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Tariq Nasser Matar, 21; and
2. Emile Ghassan 'Abdu, 24.
· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor 'Aqab village, south of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tha'er 'Abdul Rahim Wash'ha, 26.
· At approximately 08:55, IOF moved into al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:25, IOF moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:45, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 27 August 2010
· At approximately 00:25, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Later, IOF moved into Brouqin village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting taw construction materials on a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" used to stand in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, two workers were wounded:
1. Rami Ibrahim Ghaben, 19, wounded by a bullet to the left foot; and
2. Sharif Sa'id Ghaben, 25, wounded by a bullet to the right leg.
Israeli troops also fired at animal carts belonging to the two civilians. As a result, a donkey was killed and another one was injured.
· At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Sunday, 29 August 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Shihda Jabarin, 33, and arrested him.
· At approximately 01:25, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Imad Ahmed Doula;
2. Ahmed Mohammed al-Dalu;
3. Ameer Hassan Jibara, 19; and
4. Anas Hassan Jibara, 18.
· At approximately 01:30, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 150 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Armed clashes erupted between Israeli soldiers and members of the Palestinian resistance. Soon after, IOF sent backups and shelled the area. Three members of al-Quds Brigades (the military wing of Islamic Jihad) were lightly injured.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Irsal neighborhood in Ramallah. They raided a 5-storey apartment building belonging to the Abu 'Ein family, and searched a flat on the second floor. They then arrested Yazan 'Abdul Hadi al-Shrouf, 22.
· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Later, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday, 30 August 2010
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 09:15, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, against. They raided a car maintenance workshop and confiscated 6 cars that have Israeli registration plates. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:40, IOF moved into the villages of Habla, 'Izbat al-Ja'oud and 'Izbat al-Salman, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:45, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· In the evening, following an attack launched by Palestinian resistance activists against Israeli settlers in the southeast of Hebron, IOF moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched many houses and turned a number of them into military sites. The Israeli operation the village was concluded on the following day evening.
· At approximately 23:25, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:
1. Saleh 'Imad Abu Sharar, 14;
2. Mohammed Zakaria al-Qiq, 16; and
3. Firas Zakaria al-Qiq, 14.
· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Sarta village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 01 September 2010
· At approximately 09:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the debris of destroyed buildings in the industrial zone. The workers fled and no casualties were reported.
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. As a result, 7 Palestinianscivilians were injured. Dozens of civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also 4 paramedics and two human rights defenders, but released them an hour later.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 27 August 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, including Martin Linton, Head of Palestinian Friendship association and former member of the British Labor Party, and a number of leaders and members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. They also commemorated the 9th anniversary of the death of the later Secretary-General of PFLP, Abu Ali Mustafa. They moved towards the annexation wall. Israeli troops stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded:
1. Ashraf Mohammed al-Khatib, 27, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;
2. Bassam Mohammed Hamad, 30, hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg; and
3. Haitham Mohammed al-Khatib, 34, a photographer of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bil'ein village; hit by a tear gas canister to the back.
Several demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli troops.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 27 August 2010, 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 Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, several demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises. Israeli troops also arrested 4 paramedics and two human rights defenders, but released them later:
1. Murad Khalil 'Amira, 35;
2. Mohammed Mousa Jabazi, 23;
3. Ma'ath Mohammed 'Amira, 18;
4. Tariq Hani 'Amira, 21;
5. Hamouda Sa'id 'Amira, 34, a photographer of the Israeli B'Tselem; and
6. Ms. Sirit, 39, Spokesperson of B'Tselem.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 27 August 2010, 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. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 27 August 2010, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. They moved towards areas of land where IOF intend to construct a section of the annexation wall. IOF had already closed the entrance of the village. Once the demonstrators arrived at the area, Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them, and a violently beat a number of them. As a result, 4 demonstrators, including an American human rights defender, sustained shrapnel injuries and burns:
1. Jom'a Yousef Zawahra, 40, injured by shrapnel to the right foot;
2. Mohammed Yousef Banat, 37, injured by shrapnel to the back;
3. Mahmoud Mousa 'Aladdin, 27, injured by shrapnel to the right thigh; and
4. Elika Ross, 21, sustained burns to the right hand.
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 more than 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.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to only allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than three years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Since the imposition of the closure, living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than three years.
· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities decided to open Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border in both directions without specifying a date for its closure. The Egyptian decisions came following the Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the crossing point was effectively opened and restricted categories of Palestinian civilians were allowed to travel through it.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
25 – 31 August 2010
Date
Details
25 August 2010
509 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 292 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
26 August 2010
460 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 371 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
27 August 2010
523 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 406 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
28 August 2010
599 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 350 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
29 August 2010
318 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 269 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
30 August 2010
450 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 228 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
31 August 2010
304 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 285 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
25 – 31 August 2010
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
25 August 2010
Foodstuffs
1,135
Agricultural materials
319
Various goods
1,848
Humanitarian aids
339
Cooking gas
151.490
Industrial fuel
513,500
26 August 2010
Foodstuffs
1,189
Agricultural materials
257
Various goods
2,012
Humanitarian aids
254
Cooking gas
176
Industrial fuel
604,999
29 August 2010
Foodstuffs
1,164
Agricultural materials
208
Various goods
952
Humanitarian aids
161
Cooking gas
175
Industrial fuel
335,996
30 August 2010
Foodstuffs
1,177
Agricultural materials
287
Various goods
1,096
Diesel
130,000
Cooking gas
155
Industrial fuel
285,516
31 August 2010
Foodstuffs
1,587
Agricultural materials
263
Various goods
1,357
Humanitarian aids
420
Cooking gas
89
Industrial fuel
419,971
Diesel
120,750
Benzene
38,000
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 25 August 2010, and allowed the entry of 975 tons of wheat and 2,886 tons of fodder. They also opened it on Tuesday, 31 August 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,911 tons of wheat and 2,457 tons of fodder.
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
25 – 31 August 2010
Date
25 August
26 August
27 August
28 August
29 August
30 August
31 August
Patients
23
26
1
Nil
35
38
37
Companions
23
27
1
Nil
34
38
34
Palestinians from Israel
5
3
27
Nil
34
6
17
Diplomats
1
10
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
International Journalists
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
2
International Workers
30
43
4
Nil
20
19
15
Travelers abroad
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
1
Traders
8
24
Nil
Nil
9
13
11
Business People
17
2
Nil
Nil
8
2
16
Meetings
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
1
5
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
Nil
2
Nil
1
1
2
2
Ambulances from Israel
4
3
1
Nil
3
4
3
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. On Friday morning, 27 August 2010, the second Friday in the Holy Ramadan Month, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem. Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints around Jerusalem prevented Palestinian civilians aged below 50 from entering the city for the Friday Prayer. IOF also reinforced their presence in the city. They established a number of roadblocks and checkpoints in various areas.
· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained their presence at 41 checkpoints around the town. The town has been also impacted by the construction of the annexation wall to the north and west, and large areas of Palestinian land have been isolated by the wall. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed at the 300 checkpoint (Rachel Toms), north of Bethlehem, continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians are forced to wait in queues on two routes outside the checkpoint. They are then checked by Israeli soldiers using electronic checking machines. Such checking is often prolonged and humiliating. During the reporting period, only Palestinians who have permits and those aged over 50 were allowed to travel to Jerusalem. In the meantime, Israeli troops stationed the container checkpoint imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed at the Container checkpoint imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Following an attack against Israeli settlers near Hebron on Tuesday evening, 31 August 2010, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They established more checkpoints on the main roads. They also closed all entrances to Hebron, and a number of villages near the town. Additionally, IOF banned the movement of Palestinians on bypass road #60.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 30 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint opposite to al-Tanib factory in the west of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported. On Wednesday morning, 25 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, southwest of Nablus. They also established a checkpoint at "Yits'har" intersection, south of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. on Friday noon, 27 August 2010, IOF closed Jaba' checkpoint. As a result, thousands of Palestinian civilians, who prayed in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, had to wait for long hours before they were allowed to travel back homes. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 28 August 2010, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the agricultural road located to the east of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, since 2009. The village is also separated from road #55, which links between Nablus and Qalqilya, with a barbwire fence. The fence cuts off the village from agricultural land belonging to it in the north. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 26 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 15:40 on Thursday, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 27 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:15 on Friday, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Assala village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 08:10 on Saturday, 28 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 14:20 on Sunday, 29 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Jayous-'Azzoun road, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 20:45 also on Sunday, IOF established a checkpoint at Jainsafout intersection, east of Qalqilya. Israeli troops stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 30 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:00 on Monday, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They held and handcuffed 4 Palestinian civilians for an hour. At approximately 00:10 on Tuesday, 31 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 14:45, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10 on Thursday, 26 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the northern entrance of Salfit with cement blocks and sand barriers since 2000. They have also continued to close two roads linking Marda village with agricultural land belonging to it. At approximately 19:30 on Monday, 30 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· On Thursday morning, 26 August 2010, IOF arrested Zaid Burhan Hamdallah, 19, from 'Anabta village east of Tulkarm, after summoning him for interrogation.
· At approximately 23:00 on Friday, 27 August 2010, IOF arrested Ahmed Rasheed Basheer, 20, from Jainsafout village east of Qalqilya, when he was going to his work in "Emanuel" settlement.
· At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 29 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested 'Abdul Rahim Mohammed Daoud, 23.
· At approximately 16:00 also on Sunday, IOF arrested Mohammed Mashour Salim, 15, and Yousef Mahmoud 'Edwan, 15, both from 'Azzoun village east of Qalqilya, claiming that they threw stones at Israeli cars traveling on bypass road #55 north of the village.
· At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 30 August 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Hani Mohammed Mas'oud.
· At approximately 17:30 on Tuesday, 31 August 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and arrested Jalal Ameen Samara.
4. Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem
Israel has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in order to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlighting violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.
· On Thursday morning, 26 August 2010, Israeli settlers attempted to break into al-'Ein Mosque in Silwan villahe in East Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, at least 10 Israeli settlers attempted to break into al-'Ein Mosque in Wadi Hilwa quarter in Silwan village. The settlers were seen at approximately 03:30 sneaking into the area carrying tools to open the gate of the mosque. Palestinian civilians noticed the attempt and confronted it. Immediately, IOF arrived at the area to protect the settlers. Five hours earlier, the settlers attempted to the attack the mosque, and in the beginning of this month, Israeli settlers broke the gate of the mosque.
On Monday morning, 30 August 2010, IOF moved into Wad Hilwa quarter in Silwan village. They waged an arrest campaign against Palestinian civilians. They arrested Su'ad Abu Ramouz and her brother Jawad. They released the woman a few hours later, but kept her brother in custody. They also attested Fadi Siam, 28, his brother Nour, 20, and Adam Samrin, 68, the guard of al-'Ein Mosque, but released them at noon.
· The Israeli Jihon Water Company has recently sent warnings to churches and nunneries in the old town of Jerusalem demanding them to pay bills of water consumption accumulated since 1967, and threatening to cut off water supplies if due fees were not paid. It is worth noting that churches and nunneries in Jerusalem had been exempted from paying fees for water supplies over hundreds of years.
5. 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 14:00 on Friday, 27 August 2010, Israeli settlers attacked Jamal, Ahmed and Mohammed al-Nawaj'a, while they were grazing animals in Sousia area, nearly 800 meters away from "Sousia" settlement, south of Hebron. The settlers used stones and canes in the attack.
· At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 31 August 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Emanuel" settlement, northwest of Salfit, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians who were working on a tract of agricultural land near Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. The settlers chased Yousef Mohammed al-Qaissi, 17, Sharaf Daoud 'Obaid, 18, and 'Odai 'Azzam 'Obaid, 18. They caught al-Qaissi as he fell down. They insulted him and warned him of being in the area again.
· At approximately 20:00 on the same day, following an attack against Israeli settlers near Hebron, a number of Israeli settlers gathered near Jeet intersection, east of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Qalqilya road. A number of vehicles were damaged. The settlers also violently beat Nasser Nafe' Mansour.
· On Tuesday evening, a number of Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, gathered at the entrance of the settlement and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on a bypass road linking between Hawara intersection, south of Nablus, and Jeet intersection, southwest of the city.
· At approximately 22:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrance of the settlement and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Qalqilya road.
· On Wednesday morning, 01 September 2010, a number of Israeli settlers gathered at the entrance of "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on a bypass road linking between Hawara intersection, south of Nablus, and Jeet intersection, southwest of the city.
· At approximately 12:00 also on Wednesday, at least 50 Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a house belonging to Younis Mohammed Edris in al-Jalajel area, using stones and empty bottles. They also set fire to grass near the house. The house was damaged.
· At approximately 17:30 on the same day, Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed a 15-donum area of land belonging to 'Ata 'Abdul Jawad Jaber, and started to establish a settlement outpost. IOF held Jaber's family in their house, which is located only 150 meters away from the targeted land. The settlers and IOF remained in the area until 22:30.
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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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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