Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (05-11 January 2012)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
A Palestinian woman was wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
3 Palestinian civilian were wounded.
IOF arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.
IOF conducted 68 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 20 Palestinians, including two children and a university professor.
IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 4 fishermen and confiscated their boat.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli soldiers arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israel has continued efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem.
IOF demolished some civilian facilities in al-‘Eizariya village.
IOF demolished some civilian facilities in al-‘Eissawiya village to establish a biblical garden.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF demolished 3 houses in al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.
Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (05 – 11 January 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF wounded 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, 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, 3 Palestinian civilian was wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.
In the Gaza Strip, on 06 January 2012, a Palestinian woman was wounded by the Israeli gunfire while she was grazing animals in the central Gaza Strip.
On the same day, IOPF fired 3 artillery shells at Palestinian areas in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians, especially women and children, were extremely terrified.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 68 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 20 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a university professor.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the north and leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
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 Sofa 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 Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population 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 55 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 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.
Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem
On 05 January 2012, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Sameer Mohammed Taqatqa. They destroyed stones whose value is 30,000 ILS, and confiscated stones whose value is 95,000 ILS. IOF demolished also a 30-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Mohammed ‘Ayad. They destroyed stones whose value is 15,000 ILS. Additionally, IOF demolished a 200-square-meter shop of junks belonging to Majed Abu Ghalia, a 30-square-meter fence and parking yard belonging to Ibrahim Abu Dhaim.
On 10 January 2012, IOF razed large areas of Palestinian land in the southeastern part of al-‘Eissawiya village in occupied East Jerusalem, to establish a biblical garden. According to local sources, IOF confiscated hundreds of dunums[1] of land in al-‘Eissawiya and al-Tour villages to establish a biblical garden. By the establishment of the garden, al-‘Eissawiya village would be completely isolated by Israeli settlements.
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 05 January 2012, IOF moved into al-Qassab area in the south of al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They demolished 3 winter houses belonging to Palestinians from Jerusalem claiming that they were built without licenses. They also handed notices of demolition of houses to a number of Palestinian civilians. They also informed of their intention to destroy a number of electricity towers and an electric transmitter.
On 11 January 2012, a number of Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. The cars belong to Palestinian civilians living in the village. The settlers also wrote hostile words on the walls of Imam Ali Mosque near the burnt mosques, such as “paying the price, lion group and Joseph’s sons.” A number of eyewitnesses reported that saw a car with an Israeli registration plate leaving the village after the attack.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (05 – 11 January 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 05 January 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Suhaib Bahjat Jom’a, 23, and arrested him. They broke the locks of doors and entered the house surreptitiously.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Dr. Mohammed ‘Ali al-Slaibi, 64, a university professor;
2. Khaled Rawhi al-Sousa, 50; and
3. Murad Subhi Jom’a, 23.
They also raided and searched Madad bookshop opposite to the old campus of an-Najah National University, which belongs to Jom’a’s cousin.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Deir vDibwan village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Qebya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested Mahmoud ‘Abdul Hafez Noufal, 28, from Halhoul town north of Hebron, as he was summoned for interrogation by the Israeli intelligence in “Kfar Etzion” settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem.
At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Yassouf village, east of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Toura al-Ghabiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and held a number of workers for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:15, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:40, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:15, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 06 January 2012
At approximately 00:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30, Israeli soldiers positioned the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip fired at Hiba Mousa Abu Sa’id, 19, while she was grazing animals. She was wounded by a bullet to the right foot.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Jericho and the neighboring ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:10, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a shop in the town. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:30, 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 19:15, the Israeli artillery stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired two shells at Palestinian agricultural areas in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. Palestinian civilians, especially women and children, were extremely terrified. ‘Aaisha Isma’il Abu Hmaidan, 47, was shocked. She was evacuated to the hospital.
At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into Um Safa village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and photographed a number of houses and the old mosques of the village. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 07 January 2012
At approximately 10:00, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen who were fishing opposite to the Egyptian coasts: Rani Sami Bakr, 29; Tal’at ‘Othman Bakr, 46; Jad ‘Othman Bakr, 35; and Mahmoud Yahia Bakr, 26. They took the fishermen to Ashdod Harbor inside Israel, but released them at approximately 00:30 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, after interrogating them. They also seized the fishing boat, which belongs to Jad ‘Othman Bakr.
At approximately 11:10, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:45, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Be’r al-Mahjar area in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wassim Saleem Abu ‘Eisha, 24, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:15, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:20, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 08 January 2012
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses ad arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Ra’ed Mahmoud Sabarna, 35; and
2. Yousef Mahmoud al-‘Allami, 25.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Burham village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Artah suburb, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:55, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and summoned a number of Palestinians who were released in the prisoners swap. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:35, IOF moved into Jayous village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and held a number of workers for some time. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Mentar area in ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the area for some time and withdrew later.
Also at approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. no casualties were reported.
At approximately 18:20, 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.
At approximately 23:20, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. 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 Artah suburb, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 09 January 2012
At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:50, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children:
1. Saqer Hussein Suleiman, 18;
2. Sameh Sameer Sultan, 18;
3. ‘Alaa’ Rushdi Daoud, 17; and
4. Ayoub Ahmed Klaib, 17.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Sirris village, south of Jenin. They summoned Islam Bassam Abu ‘Ali, 21, and Eihab ‘Adnan Samara, 18, for interrogation.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:05, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They summoned 3 Palestinians who were released in the latest prisoners swap for interrogation: ‘Odai Hamza Hussein, 25; Ahmed ‘Abdul Latif Abu Haniya, 21; and ‘Alaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Rahman Rayan, 24.
At approximately 13:45, IOF moved into Khirbat Seer village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum 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 23:45, IOF moved into Tulkarm. A number of young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. IOF patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Esniana neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Obaida Maher Abu Esnaina, 23, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hawara village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Bahaa’ Shafiq ‘Ouda, 29; and
2. Jarrah Waheed ‘Ouda, 30.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. At approximately 10:00, IOF moved northwards. At approximately 16:30, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. No casualties were reported.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Khillat al-Natish neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Musallam ‘Abdul Mo’ez Edris, 24, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Safwat Sameer Ekhlil, 25, and arrested him.
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, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 06 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, including Louisa Morgantini, former Speaker of the European Parliament, organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and support for efforts to achieve national reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah movements. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Sameer Suleiman Bernat, 35, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg;
2. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Bernat, 30, wounded by two rubber-coated metal bullets to the right leg; and
3. Kifah Mansour Mansour, 31, wounded by 3 rubber-coated metal bullets to the right leg.
Additionally, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday prayer on 06 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. A result, dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 January 2012, 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.
On Saturday noon, 07 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in protest to planned expansion of “Karmi Tsur” settlement. They moved towards agricultural land close to the settlement. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 19 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Jericho to organize a peaceful car march calling for ensuring the right to freedom of movement. The car march moved towards Ramallah through a road designed for the use of Israeli settlers only. IOF closed the southern entrance of the town to prevent the march from moving forward. They also arrested 5 participants, including a woman: Anwar Mousa, 19; Mahmoud Zawahra, 39; ‘Azmi Shyoukhi, 62; Khaled ‘Atallah al-Tamimi, 30; and ‘Omar Saleh al-Tamimi, 21.
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
04 – 10 January 2012
Day
Date
Traveling abroad
Coming into Gaza
Returned into Gaza
Wednesday
04 January 2012
604
672, and the body of a dead person
33
Thursday
05 January 2012
625
819
59
Friday
06 January 2012
--
--
--
Saturday
07 January 2012
--
--
--
Sunday
08 January 2012
771
991
51
Monday
09 January 2012
543
465
42
Tuesday
10 January 2012
645
497
41
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
03 – 10 January 2012
Imports:
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Liters
03 January 2012
Foodstuffs
807
Agricultural materials
922
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Car tires
698
464
84
264
541
Humanitarian aid
5,997
Cooking gas
181.780
04 January 2012
Foodstuffs
791
Agricultural materials
1,272
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Printing machines
Bakery equipment
Machines of plastics
1,233
802
832
2
1
16
Humanitarian aid
5,994
Cooking gas
112.940
05 January 2012
Foodstuffs
938
Agricultural materials
1,527
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Water tanks
Electricity generators
Cows
Car tires
Machines of plastics
1,419
1,518
303
62
224
162
13
294
662
5
Humanitarian aid
6,692
Cooking gas
135.490
Benzene
35,000
Diesel
116,000
08 January 2012
Foodstuffs
747
Agricultural materials
1,006
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Washing machines
Refrigerators
Glass boards
Bakery equipment
1,079
516
362
148
520
1
Humanitarian aid
132
Cooking gas
91.270
09 January 2012
Foodstuffs
794
Agricultural materials
839
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Glass boards
Cartons of shoes
Water tanks
Cars
1,128
712
54
530
750
135
20
Humanitarian aid
2,479
Cooking gas
44.220
10 January 2012
Foodstuffs
775
Agricultural materials
1,085
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Electricity generators
Electricity towers
Water tanks
1,226
553
50
168
13
218
94
Humanitarian aid
3,573
Cooking gas
23.130
Exports:
On Tuesday, 03 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 7.2 tons of tomatoes, 7.7 tons of strawberries and 71,000 flowers.
On Wednesday, 04 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 4 tons of sweet peppers, and 22.2 tons of strawberries.
On Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 19.4 tons of strawberries and 38,500 flowers.
On Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 10 tons of strawberries and 85,000 roses.
On Monday, 10 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 14.4 tons of strawberries.
On Tuesday, 10 January 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 6.4 tons of strawberries and 82,000 flowers.
Notes:
On Tuesday, 03 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 276 tons of cement, 5,600 tons of construction aggregate and 36 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 04 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 308 tons of cement, 5,460 tons of construction aggregate and 34 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tons of fodders.
On Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 398 tons of cement, 5,600 tons of construction aggregate and 82 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,365 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders.
On Monday, 09 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 396 tons of cement, 1,750 tons of construction aggregate and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 663 tons of fodders.
On Tuesday, 10 January 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 457 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregate and 54 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 897 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
04 – 10 January 2012
Date
04 January
05 January
06 January
07 January
08 January
09 January
10 January
Patients
23
19
Nil
1
46
30
40
Companions
31
18
Nil
Nil
43
29
38
Arabs from Israel
Nil
42
2
Nil
50
2
17
Diplomats
Nil
4
3
Nil
3
Nil
3
International Journalists
Nil
5
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
International Workers
3
21
10
Nil
10
8
28
Travelers abroad
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business People
95
87
50
Nil
100
115
100
Economic Meetings
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Security Interviews
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
4
Nil
3
VIP's
Nil
Nil
4
Nil
2
1
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
1
4
1
1
Nil
1
2
Ambulances from Israel
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
1
3
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. On Monday, 09 January 2012, IOF closed the road leading to the Bedouin communities of Arab al-Jahalin near al-‘Eizariya and Abu Dis towns, east of occupied Jerusalem, with cement blocks and iron barriers. Palestinian civilians living in this area will be forced to use an alternative dirt road. The closure would affect approximately 270 families living in the area, which is under full Israeli control.
Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramallah – Nablus road. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 06 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah. At the same time, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Burdos village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 07 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qebya village, west of Ramallah. At the same time, IOF established a checkpoint on Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta – Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa road, west of Ramallah. At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:40 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Saturday, 07 January 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya. At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. On Monday, 09 January 2012, IOF established 7 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 14:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on the bypass road to the east of Jenin. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 06 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 13:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Qabatya – al-Zababda road, south of Jenin. At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 07 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 06:30 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 07:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 09 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin, and another one at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of the town. At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 11 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 08:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, west of Jericho. At approximately 10:15 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 07 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:50 on Friday, 06 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yassouf village, east of Salfit. at approximately 20:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 19:55 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Brouqin – Kufor al-Dik road, west of Salfit. At approximately 08:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the western intersection of Hares village, north of Salfit.
Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday evening, 10 January 2012, IOF closed an entrance to al-Deir village, southeast of Bethlehem, with sand barriers.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 08 January 2012, IOF stationed at Salem checkpoint, west of Jenin, arrested 4 Palestinians, from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus, claiming that they were carrying home-made hand grenades:
1. Sameer Yasser Qaur’an, 18;
2. Raja Ghazi Hashash, 18;
3. Waheed Saleh, 18; and
4. Hassan ‘Abdul Rahim Abu Saleem, 18.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 09 January 2012, Israeli soldiers patrolled near the annexation wall in Zeita village, north of Tulkarm, arrested Mahmoud Ma’rouf No’man, 15, and his cousin, Kamal Jamal No’man, 19. The two detainees were released at approximately 15:00 on the following day.
4. Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem
Israeli occupation authorities have continued to make persistent efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem and expel Palestinian civilians in the city.
On Thursday morning, 05 January 2012, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Sameer Mohammed Taqatqa. They destroyed stones whose value is 30,000 ILS, and confiscated stones whose value is 95,000 ILS. IOF demolished also a 30-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Mohammed ‘Ayad. They destroyed stones whose value is 15,000 ILS. Additionally, IOF demolished a 200-square-meter shop of junks belonging to Majed Abu Ghalia, a 30-square-meter fence and parking yard belonging to Ibrahim Abu Dhaim.
On Tuesday morning, 10 January 2012, IOF razed large areas of Palestinian land in the southeastern part of al-‘Eissawiya village in occupied East Jerusalem, to establish a biblical garden. According to local sources, IOF confiscated hundreds of dunums of land in al-‘Eissawiya and al-Tour villages to establish a biblical garden. By the establishment of the garden, al-‘Eissawiya village would be completely isolated by Israeli settlements.
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 09:30 on Thursday, 05 January 2012, IOF moved into al-Qassab area in the south of al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They closed the area. At approximately 10:40, they demolished 3 winter houses belonging to Palestinians from Jerusalem claiming that they were built without licenses:
1. A 150-square-meter house belonging to ‘Eissa Maher Hawamda;
2. A 120-square-meter house belonging to Mo’tassem al-Silwadi; and
3. A 135-square-meter house belonging to Jamal Mohammed Abu Sarhan.
IOF also handed notices of demolition of houses to a number of Palestinian civilians. They also informed of their intention to destroy a number of electricity towers and an electric transmitter.
At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 11 January 2012, a number of Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. The cars belong to Palestinian civilians living in the village. The settlers also wrote hostile words on the walls of Imam Ali Mosque near the burnt mosques, such as “paying the price, lion group and Joseph’s sons.” A number of eyewitnesses reported that saw a car with an Israeli registration plate leaving the village after the attack.
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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).
Source
