Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (08-14 December 2011)
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
4 Palestinians (two resistance activists and a man and his child) were killed by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.
The two activists were extra-judicially executed by IOF.
21 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and 5 women, were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
A Palestinian civilian was killed and 5 others, including two children, were wounded.
Israeli warplanes launched a number of air strikes against the Gaza Strip.
4 houses were heavily damaged.
IOF conducted 44 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 26 Palestinians, including 5 children.
The detainees include Dr. Ayman Daraghma, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli soldiers arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli has continued efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem.
Jewish extremists set fire to a mosque in West Jerusalem.
IOF transformed Shu’fat checkpoint into an international crossing.
IOF closed Bab al-Maghariba Bridge, but reopened it later.
IOF demolished a house and a barbershop in Beit Hanina village.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF confiscated 150 dunums[1] o agricultural land in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
Israeli settlers escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians in the northern West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (08 – 14 December 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed 5 Palestinians, including a child, and wounded 26 civilians, including 10 children and 5 women in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 4 Palestinians, including a child.
On 08 December 2011, IOF extra-judicially executed two Palestinian resistance activists in the center of Gaza City. An Israeli warplane fired a missile at the car in which the two activists were traveling. Additionally, 4 civilian bystanders, including a woman, were wounded.
On 09 December 2011, a Palestinian civilian and his child were killed and 11 others were wounded, when Israeli warplanes bombarded a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the west of al-Nasser neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. As a result of the attack, two neighboring houses were destroyed over their residents. Five members of the victims’ family (3 children and two women) were among the wounded.
On 11 December 2011, 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to a Palestinian resistance activist in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
On 13 December 2011, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded by Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern and central Gaza Strip.
On 14 December 2011, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza City.
On 09 and 10 December 2011, Israeli warplanes bombarded space areas in the west of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, but no casualties were reported.
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, a Palestinian civilian was killed in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, and 4 others, including two children, were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 44 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 26 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children. The detainees include Dr. Ayman Daraghma, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, who was arrested from his house in Ramallah on 14 December 2011.
In the Gaza Strip, on 13 December 2011, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close 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 Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.
For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
For approximately 54 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
During the reporting period, IOF demolished 3 Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem, claiming that they were built without licenses. They also forced two Palestinians to demolish their houses by themselves.
On 12 December 2011, the Israeli occupation authorities completely closed the wooden bridge to Bab al-Maghariba to civilian foot traffic. The bridge’s closure was ordered by the Israeli municipality's chief engineer in Jerusalem. The engineer issued the order to close the bridge in a letter sent to the so-called "Western Wall Foundation", who holds responsibility for the site. He claimed that the bridge is in danger of immediate collapse and was a fire hazard. A statement made by the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem indicated that "the bridge will remain open only for security services when necessary." The bridge was reopened due to reactions protesting its closure.
On 11 December 2011, IOF closed Shu’fat checkpoint, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, and forced vehicles traveling to and from Jerusalem to turn to the tracks of a new crossing established between Shu’fat refugee camp and the occupied city. Later, hundreds of Palestinian civilians gathered to protest the measure, and IOF closed the crossing temporarily. The opening of the new crossing came after IOF completed the construction of cement sections of the annexation wall in Shu’fat refugee camp and its vicinity, in implementation of Israeli plans to isolate the city.
On 12 December 2011, IOF demolished a house and a barbershop in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
On 14 December 2011, a Jewish group set fire to Nabi Ukasha Mosque, which is controlled by some extremist settlers, in West Jerusalem. They also wrote statement insulting Prophet Mohammed. Baroch Marzil, an extremist Jew, claimed responsibility for burning the mosque, allegedly in response to incitement against settlers. IOF have prevented Palestinians from praying in the mosque, but have allowed settlers to establish a playground for their children on its yard.
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 08 December 2011, IOF notified Palestinian civilians in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, of the confiscation of 150 dunums agricultural land belonging to the families of Salah and Handal, located near “Daniel” settlement. In the same context, IOF handed a notice ordering the demolition of an agricultural barrack in al-‘Absiya area near “Eli’azer” settlement.
On 11 December 2011, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. They handed notices ordering stoppage of reclamation of areas of agricultural land belonging to Yousef Sa’id Mar’ei, ‘Azzam ‘Aziz ‘Aassi, Nader Mustafa Mar’ei and Sameeh Ibrahim ‘Aassi.
During the reporting period, the Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, approved the establishment of a new settlement neighborhood and a farm near “Efrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Monday, 12 December 2011, that the new settlement neighborhood and the farm would be established outside the boundaries of the above settlement, and their establishment would expand “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc. It further reported that Barak approved the establishment of the new neighborhood, which is called “Givar Hadagan,” which would include 40 houses instead of mobile homes placed by settlers in the area. The newspaper added that the plan of “Givat Hadagan” settlement neighborhood, which was approved in the 1990s, includes the construction of 500 housing units.
On 12 December 2011, more than 100 Israeli settlers from "Yizhar" settlement which is established on Palestinian lands in the east of Southern Assira village, south of Nablus, attacked Palestinian houses in Southern Assira village. The majority of settlers were wearing black clothes and a number of them were wearing green clothes. As they approached Palestinian houses, which are approximately 350 meters from "Yizhar" settlement, they threw stones and empty bottles at houses. Palestinian residents, especially children and women, were in intimidated and panicked as a result of the attack. There are 62 people, including 46 children and 7 women, living in the targeted houses. As a result of the said attack, the windows of seven of the targeted houses were smashed. Similarly, the windows of a taxi that was parked in front of one of the targeted houses were smashed. Thirty minutes later, IOF military jeeps arrived at the scene and the Israeli settlers withdrew. IOF have not taken any measures against the settlers who launched the attack.
On the same day, a group of Israeli settlers also from "Yizhar" settlement threw Molotov cocktails at the house of Jamal Abdullah Yousef Shehada in ‘Ourif village, southeast of Nablus. One of the windows in the southern walls of the house was set alight and smashed as a result. Seven individuals, including 5 children, live in Shehada's house, which is located approximately one kilometer from "Yizhar" settlement.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a car belonging to Mahmoud Majed Rayan, 28, from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit, when he was traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near “Karni Shomron” settlement. Rayan was traveling in the car together with his wife, child and father-in-law. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car near Kufor Laqef village. The front window of the car was broken and Rayan’s father-in-law was injured. His wife also fainted as she was extremely afraid.
On the same day, Israeli settlers attacked a car belonging to ‘Ouda Suleiman al-Ramadin, 37, from al-Ramadin village south of Qalqilya, when he was traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near “Karni Shomron” settlement. Al-Ramadi was traveling in the car together with his friend, ‘Ouda Salman. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car near Kufor Laqef village. Al-Ramadin was hit by a stone to the left elbow, and the front window of the car was completely broken.
On 14 December 2011, a number of Israeli settlers burnt a Palestinian civilian vehicle (Red Opel Ascona) that was parked at Hares intersection, north of Salfit. The owner of the vehicle, Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Obaid, 28, who works in a factory in “Burkan” settlement, northwest of Salfit, had always parked it in this place. According to ‘Obaid, the settlers wrote on the wall near the vehicle: “You will pay the price.” IOF have an observation tower nearly 200 meters away from the place of the attack, which suggests that they witnessed the attack, but did not stop it.
At the same time, Israeli settlers set fire to a car belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Musleh, 45, from Yassouf village east of Salfit, which he parked near his house. The car was partially burnt as Musleh was able to extinguish fire. Later, he found a statement written in Hebrew on the wall of his house, which says: “You will pay the price.”
At approximately 02:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers set fire to two cars belonging to ‘Abdul Razzaq and Mohammed ‘Abdullah Dawabsha in al-Marj area in Douma village, southeast of Nablus. They wrote a statement on a wall near one of the burnt car saying: “A present from ‘Yits’har’ settlement to Arabs.” An eyewitness, Ameen Dawabsha, saw the settlers running away towards the nearby Allon Street.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (08 – 14 December 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 08 December 2011
At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Shareef Jaradat, 23, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wajdi ‘Eissa al-Ja’afra, 23, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Haitham Abu ‘Atwan, 25, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched two hosues and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
Mo’tassem Saleem al-Harbawi, 24; and
‘Abdullah Ahmed al-Zaghir, 25.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Toura al-Gharbiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 09 December 2011
At approximately 00:15, 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 02:00, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and his 10-year-old child and wounded 11 others, including the civilian's three children, his wife and his mother, were wounded. IOF destroyed the family's house in the early morning.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:50 on Friday, 09 December 2011, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a training site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) to the west of al-Maqqoussi buildings in the northwest of Gaza City. Two nearby houses were destroyed over their residents. As a result, Bahjat Ramadan Yousef al-Za'lan , 37, was killed, and his four children, his wife and his mother were wounded. At approximately 19:45, one of the wounded children, 10-year-old Ramadan, was pronounced dead. The other members of the family who were wounded are:
1. Sa'da Na'im 'Arrouq, 30, Bahajat's al-Za'lan's wife;
2. Halima Hassan al-Za'lan, 58, the mother;
3. Yousef Bahjat al-Za'lan, 8, his wound was described as serious;
4. Iman Bahjat al-Za'lan, 5; and
5. Ahmed Bahjat al-Za'lan, 6 months.
Additionally, another 6 civilians, including two children, were lightly wounded:
1. Marwan 'Adnan al-'Ashi, 57;
2. Tahreer Mohammed Dahlan, 22;
3. Halima Ahmed Abu al-'Amrain, 40;
4. Adham Mohammed Abu Hamda, 8;
5. Fahed 'Emad 'Afana, 21; and
6. 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Khair, 5.
It should be noted that the two houses that were destroyed in the attack belong to one of the victims, Bahjat al-Za'lan, and his brother Tal'at. The two houses, the area of which is 100 square meters, were asbestos-roofed. Seven individuals used to live in each house. The targeted training site, which was empty, is adjacent to the two houses.
At approximately 02:10, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a space area in the west of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at the boys. IOF withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mohammed Fawzi al-Sajdi, 35;
2. ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Muhaisen, 20;
3. Bassel Ussama al-‘Eissa, 20; and
4. Saber Faisal Ma’ali, 18.
IOF raided also a house belonging to the family of Anas ‘Aadel Ramadan, 23, to arrests him. As he was not at home, they handed a notice to his family summoning him for an interview with the Israeli intelligence service on 11 December 2011. When he went to the interview, he was arrested.
At approximately 02:10, Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at a space area in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. The missile landed near a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Rafat village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:50, IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:55, 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 16:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Faqqiu’a village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported
Also at approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Maithaloun village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 16:00, IOF moved into al-Jdaida village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:40, 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 22:15, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians: Muntasser and Murad Khaled al-Qadhi, 23 and 20 respectively.
At approximately 02:40, an Israeli warplane launched four missiles on a vacant house belonging to a leader of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, Imad 'Aqel, 42. The two-storey house is located behind 'Ein Jalout School in al-Zaytoon neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The four missiles directly hit the roof of the house, damaging it. A neighboring 250-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Badwan, 57, in which 17 individuals live, was heavily damaged. Because of the shrapnel scattered in the house, Ashraf Mohammed Mahmoud Badwan, 35, received shrapnel wounds to the face, and two of his children were also wounded in the incident: Sondos, 10, who was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head, and Mohammed, 8, who was wounded by shrapnel to the right leg. The two children were wounded while they were asleep on the asbestos contaminated second floor.
At approximately 03:00, 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.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ras Teera village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Rafat village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:15, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:20, 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 16:10, IOF moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into ‘Anza village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 12 December 2011
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Samer Mohammed Hijazi, 35, and Hussam Ibrahim ‘Obaidallah, 37, and summoned the two civilians for interrogation
At approximately 01:25, 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 01:30, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Odai Ibrahim Masalma, 17, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Waheed Abu Ermaila al-Tamimi, 27, and Haroun Radwan Abu Turki, 24, and arrested the two civilians.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Kifah Sami Ghanem, 24, in the northern part of the town and arrested him. They also confiscated a computer set, a laptop and a mobile phone from the house. They then moved to the eastern part of the town. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Alaa’ Ziad Hammad, 24, and arrested him.
At approximately 16:20, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and arrested two Palestinian children near the annexation wall:
1. ‘Abdullah Rasheed Daoud, 17; and
2. ‘Omar ‘Emad Bakr, 17.
At approximately 20:20, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and arrested Yahia ‘Abdullah Noufal, 13, and Mousa Khaled Sabrio, 13, claiming that the two children threw stones at military vehicles. They released the two children at midnight.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef Nabeel Thawabta, 21, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jabriyat area, south of Jenin, which overlooks Jenin refugee camp. Dozens of Israeli soldiers then moved into the camp. They raided a house belonging to Sheikh Jamal ‘Abdul Salam Abu al-Haija, a leader of Hamas, who is serving a sentence to life imprisonment in Israeli jails. They blew up the door of the house and broke into it. They searched the house and arrested Abu Haija’s two sons: ‘Abdul Salam, 28; and Hamza, 19. They then raided a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud ‘Omar Matahen, 19. They took him out and interrogated him. They then released him.
At approximately 06:30, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, under the cover of intense shooting. As a result, Mohye al-Din Mas’oud Abu Jalal, 49, was lightly wounded by a bullet to the chest when he was on his agricultural land, nearly 700 meters away. IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 11:00, after having leveled areas of Palestinian land.
At approximately 07:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials in the industrial zone, northwest of Beit Hanoun. As a result, Nidal Khalil Hamdan, 14, from Beit Hanoun, was wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder. The workers were nearly 500 meters away from the crossing.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Massayef area in Ramallah. They raided a house belonging to Dr. Ayman Daraghma, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, and arrested him. Thus, the number of PLC Members who have been detained by IOF has mounted to 24. It should be noted that Daraghma was arrested in March 2009, and he was placed under administrative detention until 16 November 2010.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qarwat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and arrested Sa’id Hamad Mar’ei, 24.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza City fired at Mohammed Mahmoud al-Biltaji, 20, from al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, while he was hunting birds nearly one kilometer away from the border. He was wounded by a bullet to the right foot.
2. Extra-Judicial Execution
On Thursday afternoon, 08 December 2011, IOF extra-judicially executed two Palestinian resistance activists, and wounded 4 civilian bystanders, including a woman.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:50 on Thursday, 08 December 2011, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a car (grey Peugeot 406) that was traveling in Omar al-Mukhtar Street near the Municipal Park in the center of Gaza City. As a result of the attack, 'Essam Subhi Isma'il al-Batash, 43, a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement), and his nephew, Subhi 'Alaa' Subhi al-Batash, 20, a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, who were traveling in the car, were killed. Additionally, 4 civilian bystanders, including a woman, were wounded:
1. Na'el Jamaeel al-Qishawi, 37, from Jabalya town, wounded by shrapnel to the neck and the left foot;
2. Waleed 'Abdul Ra'ouf Hammouda, 28, from Jabalya, wounded by shrapnel to the back;
3. Mo'tassem Darwish Abu al-Khair, 18, from Gaza City; and
4. Suhair 'Awadh Haroun, 25, who was with her husband in the Municipal Park in an attempt to ease the tragedy of her child's death in a car accident a few days ago.
It should be noted that the Municipal Park was crowded by school trips. Palestinian civilians, especially children and women, who were in the vicinity of the attack, were extremely terrified.
3. 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, a Palestinian civilian was killed and 5 others, including two children, were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday prayer on 09 December 2011, 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 "Halamish" 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 rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. A result, Mustafa Abdul Razzaq al-Tamimi, 27, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right side of his face. Al-Tamimi fell down and he was evacuated in a Palestinian taxi which drove towards Ramallah. IOF stopped the taxi, took al-Tamimi, and transferred him to a hospital in Israel. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 10 December 2011, medical sources at Israeli hospital pronounced al-Tamimi dead. Al-Tamimi's body was transferred to Ramallah Public Hospital at around 19:00 on Saturday, 10 December. Eyewitnesses told a PCHR fieldworker that the tear gas canister was fired at al-Tamimi from an Israeli military jeep that was located approximately 10 meters from him. Additionally, another 4 protesters, including two children, were wounded:
1. Fadel Tamim al-Tamimi, 50, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
2. Mohammed Abu Samra, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
3. Bissan Naji al-Tamimi, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand; and
4. Wa’d Bassem al-Tamimi, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders 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. They also targeted the press car of Associated Press. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 09 December 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village. They moved towards the entrance, but IOF stopped them. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, Ahmed Shaker Eshtaiwi, 21, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right shoulder, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 11:05 on Tuesday, 13 December 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists who demonstrated in the east of Beit Hanoun town. According to Saber al-Za’anin, Coordinator of the Local Initiative in Beit Hanoun, at approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, about 30 demonstrators, including a number of international solidarity activists, gathered in front of the Agricultural School in Beit Hanoun. They moved towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to protest to the establishment of a buffer zone by IOF along the border. When the demonstrators got as close as to 100 meters from the border, IOF fired them. The demonstrators left the area and no casualties were reported.
4. 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
07 – 13 December 2011
Day
Date
Traveling abroad
Coming into Gaza
Returned into Gaza
Wednesday
07 December 2011
547
427
27
Thursday
08 December 2011
622
692
62
Friday
09 December 2011
--
2
--
Saturday
10 December 2011
640
564
17
Sunday
11 December 2011
499
471
36
Monday
12 December 2011
459
591
32
Tuesday
13 December 2011
453
416
30
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
07 – 13 December2011
Imports:
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Liters
07 December 2011
Foodstuffs
874
Agricultural materials
1,686
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Kerosene machines
1,038
1,653
173
19
Humanitarian aid
4,163
cooking gas
159.320
08 December 2011
Foodstuffs
839
Agricultural materials
2,112
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Glass boards
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Cars
Boxes of beverages machines
Bakery machines
Water tanks
1,743
1,588
520
109
165
20
7
25
192
Humanitarian aid
4,992
Cooking gas
159.880
11 December 2011
Foodstuffs
799
Agricultural materials
1,352
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Washing machines
1,408
2,054
107
60
Humanitarian aid
4,794
Cooking gas
179.060
12 December 2011
Foodstuffs
687
Agricultural materials
2,074
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Water tanks
Glass boards
Refrigerators
Electricity generators
Cars
1,178
1,213
1,030
338
520
76
545
20
Humanitarian aid
4,402
Cooking gas
157.740
Benzene
38,003
Diesel
139,000
Exports:
On Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 12.8 tons of strawberries.
On Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 25 tons of strawberries.
On Monday, 12 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 4.8 tons of strawberries.
Notes:
On Wednesday, 07 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 1,820 tons of construction aggregate and 80 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; 420 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP; 120 tons of cement, 910 tons of construction aggregate and 66 tons of construction steel for the ICRC; and 350 tons of construction aggregate and 24 tons of construction steel for US Agency for International Development. They also allowed the entry of 1,560 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregate and 150 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; 160 tons of cement, 960 tons of construction aggregate and 36 tons of construction steel for al-Quds Hospital; and 144 tons of cement and 350 tons of construction aggregate for USAID. IOF also allowed the entry of 1,911 tons of fodders.
On Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 340 tons of cement, 2,870 tons of construction aggregate and 280 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 160 tons of cement, 980 tons of construction aggregate and 74 tons of construction steel for al-Quds Hospital. They also allowed the entry of 1,092 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 12 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregate and 188 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 164 tons of cement, 1,120 tons of construction aggregate and 36 tons of construction steel for al-Quds Hospital. They also allowed the entry of 1,950 tons of wheat.
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
07 – 13 December 2011
Date
07 December
08 December
09 December
10 December
11 December
12 December
13 December
Patients
20
21
1
Nil
36
40
41
Companions
19
20
1
Nil
31
42
38
Arabs from Israel
1
10
Nil
Nil
6
7
7
Diplomats
8
2
7
Nil
Nil
10
9
International Journalists
3
3
2
Nil
3
1
Nil
International Workers
26
38
30
Nil
9
19
33
Travelers abroad
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Business People
22
24
2
Nil
43
43
43
Economic Meetings
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
8
Security Interviews
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
VIP's
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
2
2
Nil
Nil
1
2
5
Ambulances from Israel
2
2
Nil
Nil
3
2
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.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. On Friday, 09 December 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Saturday, 10 December 2011, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya. At approximately 11:05 on Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. At approximately 14:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 12:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Bal’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 13:00 on the same day, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00, IOF established a checkpoint near Jabira gate, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 12:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near Jibara gate, and another checkpoint near the entrance of Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. At the same time, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fa’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm, and imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 13:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Attil village, northeast of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 12 December 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrana village, north of Jenin. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 09 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 10 December 2011, 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 Sanour village, south of Jenin. At approximately 09:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jarba village, south of Jenin. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 11:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 12:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Qabatya-Misliya road, south of Jenin. At approximately 12:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Jaba’ intersection, south of Jenin. At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 12 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:10 on Saturday, 10 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. At approximately 21:15 on the same day, IOOF established a checkpoint between Kufol Hares and Hares villages, north of Salfit. At approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit. At approximately 23:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles and arrested ‘Aayed Mahmoud Khalil, 46, who was released in the context of the latest swap of prisoners between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups, together with his brothers, Ahmed and ‘Adel, 54 and 31 respectively. The two brothers were released at approximately 17:00 at Barta’a checkpoint, west of Jenin, while ‘Aayed was transferred to a prison inside Israel. He was released on Tuesday, 13 December 2011, after an amount of US$50,000 which was in his possession was confiscated. He told PCHR that the money was the price of selling gold belonging to him in Tulkarm.
On Sunday evening, 11 December 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Hassan Eshtayeh, 45, from Salem village east of Nablus. Eshtayeh is an activist of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He was released from Israeli jails two years ago after having served 7 years of imprisonment.
5. 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 Monday, 12 December 2011, the Israeli occupation authorities completely closed the wooden bridge to Bab al-Maghariba to civilian foot traffic. The bridge’s closure was ordered by the Israeli municipality's chief engineer in Jerusalem. The engineer, Shlomo Eshkol, issued the order to close the bridge in a letter sent to the so-called "Western Wall Foundation", who holds responsibility for the site. Eshkol claimed that the bridge is in danger of immediate collapse and was a fire hazard. A statement made by the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem indicated that "the bridge will remain open only for security services when necessary."
Spokesperson for the Israeli municipality, Stephen Miller, confirmed the closure of the bridge, stating that "the police and Western Wall Foundation decided to close the temporary bridge of Bab al-Maghariba following a letter sent by the municipality, which set a deadline of seven days to file a petition against the engineer’s order" to demolish the bridge.
On 23 October 2011, the Israeli municipality requested the demolition of Bab al-Maghariba's bridge. At that time, the municipality's engineer claimed that "this temporary bridge will be demolished in accordance with the law, and it will then be rebuilt using non-flammable materials under standards and criteria set by engineers." In late November 2011, the Israeli government decided to delay the demolition of the bridge to avoid protests in the Arab and Islamic Worlds.
This wooden bridge was temporarily established in 2004 following the collapse of the main bridge used by non-Muslims and Israeli security services to reach al-Aqsa Mosque.
On Sunday evening, 11 December 2011, IOF closed Shu’fat checkpoint, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, and forced vehicles traveling to and from Jerusalem to turn to the tracks of a new crossing established between Shu’fat refugee camp and the occupied city. Later, hundreds of Palestinian civilians gathered to protest the measure, and IOF closed the crossing temporarily. The opening of the new crossing came after IOF completed the construction of cement sections of the annexation wall in Shu’fat refugee camp and its vicinity, in implementation of Israeli plans to isolate the city.
According to local sources in Shu’fat refugee camp, due to the completion of the annexation wall in the area and the opening of the new crossing, more than 50,000 Palestinians living in Shu’fat refugee camp; in the suburbs of Ras Shihada, Ras Khamis and al-Salam, and a part of ‘Anata village, who hold Jerusalemite identity cards, will be completely isolated from occupied Jerusalem. IOF had started to build the crossing at the entrances of Shu’fat refugee camp in 2009, in anticipation of the completion of the annexation wall around Jerusalem.
PCHR stresses that the establishment of this crossing is designed to impose a total closure on occupied Jerusalem from the other major centers of Palestinian life in the West Bank, and expel as many of its Palestinian population as possible, with the ultimate aim of creating a strong Jewish majority in the city.
On Monday, 12 December 2011, IOF demolished a house in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. According to information collected by PCHR, in the early morning, IOF, accompanied by officials of Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, surrounded a 74-square-meter house belonging to Caesar ‘Adnan ‘Aqel in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied Jerusalem. They forced ‘Aqel’s wife out of the house, vacated the furniture and demolished the house.
Soon after, they demolished a 30-square-meter barbershop belonging to Muyassar Najib, which in rented by Sufian Hadia over its contents, whose value is estimated at 60,000 ILS.
On Wednesday morning, 14 December 2011, a Jewish group set fire to Nabi Ukasha Mosque, which is controlled by some extremist settlers, in West Jerusalem. They also wrote statement insulting Prophet Mohammed. Baroch Marzil, an extremist Jew, claimed responsibility for burning the mosque, allegedly in response to incitement against settlers. IOF have prevented Palestinians from praying in the mosque, but have allowed settlers to establish a playground for their children on its yard.
6. 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.
On Thursday, 08 December 2011, IOF notified Palestinian civilians in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, of the confiscation of agricultural lands belonging to the families of Salah and Handal. According to Mr. Mahmoud Abdullah, member of the local council of the village, the notice, which was placed on the advertisement board in the headquarters of the Israeli “civil administration” in “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, confiscates 150 dunums of agricultural land in Ras Salah area near “Daniel” settlement. In the same context, IOF handed a notice ordering the demolition of an agricultural barrack belonging to Mohammed ‘Ouda Salah in al-‘Absiya area near “Eli’azer” settlement.
At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 11 December 2011, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. They handed notices ordering stoppage of reclamation of areas of agricultural land belonging to Yousef Sa’id Mar’ei, ‘Azzam ‘Aziz ‘Aassi, Nader Mustafa Mar’ei and Sameeh Ibrahim ‘Aassi.
During the reporting period, the Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, approved the establishment of a new settlement neighborhood and a farm near “Efrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Monday, 12 December 2011, that the new settlement neighborhood and the farm would be established outside the boundaries of the above settlement, and their establishment would expand “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc. It further reported that Barak approved the establishment of the new neighborhood, which is called “Givar Hadagan,” which would include 40 houses instead of mobile homes placed by settlers in the area. The newspaper added that the plan of “Givat Hadagan” settlement neighborhood, which was approved in the 1990s, includes the construction of 500 housing units.
Approximately 00:15 on Monday, 12 December 2011, more than 100 Israeli settlers from "Yizhar" settlement which is established on Palestinian lands in the east of Southern Assira village, south of Nablus, attacked Palestinian houses in Southern Assira village. The majority of settlers were wearing black clothes and a number of them were wearing green clothes. As they approached Palestinian houses, which are approximately 350 meters from "Yizhar" settlement, they threw stones and empty bottles at houses. Palestinian residents, especially children and women, were in intimidated and panicked as a result of the attack. There are 62 people, including 46 children and 7 women, living in the targeted houses. As a result of the said attack, the windows of seven of the targeted houses were smashed. Similarly, the windows of a taxi that was parked in front of one of the targeted houses were smashed. Thirty minutes later, IOF military jeeps arrived at the scene and the Israeli settlers withdrew. IOF have not taken any measures against the settlers who launched the attack.
The attacked houses belong to:
1. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ahmed. Twelve individuals, including 8 children, live in the house. Israeli settlers also destroyed the windows of a taxi owned by Ahmed.
2. Basem Mohammed Hassan Saleh Hammad. Nine individuals, including 7 children, live in the house.
3. Jamil Abdullah Hamdan Saleh. Five individuals, including 3 children, live in the house.
4. Khalil Mohammed Mahmoud Saleh. Nine individuals, including 7 children, live in the house.
5. Ibrahim Mohammed Suleiman Makhlouf. Eight individuals, including 6 children, live in the house.
6. Rasem Abdul Fattah Mohammed Abdul Rahman. Eleven individuals, including 9 children, live in the house.
7. Abdul Baset Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ahmed. Eight individuals, including 6 children, live in the house.
At approximately 01:15 also on Monday, a group of Israeli settlers also from "Yizhar" settlement threw Molotov cocktails at the house of Jamal Abdullah Yousef Shehada in ‘Ourif village, southeast of Nablus. One of the windows in the southern walls of the house was set alight and smashed as a result. Seven individuals, including 5 children, live in Shehada's house, which is located approximately one kilometer from "Yizhar" settlement.
At approximately 21:00 also on Monday, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a car belonging to Mahmoud Majed Rayan, 28, from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit, when he was traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near “Karni Shomron” settlement. Rayan was traveling in the car together with his wife, child and father-in-law. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car near Kufor Laqef village. The front window of the car was broken and Rayan’s father-in-law was injured. His wife also fainted as she was extremely afraid.
At approximately 21:40 also on Monday, Israeli settlers attacked a car belonging to ‘Ouda Suleiman al-Ramadin, 37, from al-Ramadin village south of Qalqilya, when he was traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near “Karni Shomron” settlement. Al-Ramadi was traveling in the car together with his friend, ‘Ouda Salman. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car near Kufor Laqef village. Al-Ramadin was hit by a stone to the left elbow, and the front window of the car was completely broken.
At approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 14 December 2011, a number of Israeli settlers burnt a Palestinian civilian vehicle (Red Opel Ascona) that was parked at Hares intersection, north of Salfit. The owner of the vehicle, Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Obaid, 28, who works in a factory in “Burkan” settlement, northwest of Salfit, had always parked it in this place. According to ‘Obaid, the settlers wrote on the wall near the vehicle: “You will pay the price.” IOF have an observation tower nearly 200 meters away from the place of the attack, which suggests that they witnessed the attack, but did not stop it.
At the same time, Israeli settlers set fire to a car belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Musleh, 45, from Yassouf village east of Salfit, which he parked near his house. The car was partially burnt as Musleh was able to extinguish fire. Later, he found a statement written in Hebrew on the wall of his house, which says: “You will pay the price.”
At approximately 02:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers set fire to two cars belonging to ‘Abdul Razzaq and Mohammed ‘Abdullah Dawabsha in al-Marj area in Douma village, southeast of Nablus. They wrote a statement on a wall near one of the burnt car saying: “A present from ‘Yits’har’ settlement to Arabs.” An eyewitness, Ameen Dawabsha, saw the settlers running away towards the nearby Allon Street.
………………………………………………
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 an 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).
[1] One dunum is equal to 1,000 square meters.
Source
