Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (08 -14 Sep. 2011)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Two fishermen were wounded.
IOF arrested and interrogated 8 fishermen, including two children, but released later.
IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 51 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 23 Palestinians, including 10 children.
IOF arrested and interrogated 3 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, but released them later.
Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF arrested at least 3 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF demolished an under-construction house and shop of car parts in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.
IOF handed notices to 8 Palestinian families ordering them to evacuate their farms in Hebron.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main roads, and a Palestinian civilian was injured.
Israeli settlers uprooted 222 trees.
Israeli settlers attempted to burn two cars in Burqa village, east of Ramallah.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (08 – 14 September 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF wounded two Palestinian fishermen and arrested them together with another 6 fishermen in the Gaza Strip, but released them later.
On 11 September 2011, two Israeli gunboats surrounded two Palestinian fishing boats, on board of which were 8 Palestinian fishermen, including two children, opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval troops opened fire at the boats wounding two fishermen lightly. Israeli naval troop then arrested the eight fishermen, but released them several hours later.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian civilian communities, but no casualties were reported.
On 10 September 2011, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip who attempted to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs. They interrogated the children and released them several hours later.
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, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 51 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 23 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children and two members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Soafa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.
For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
For approximately 51 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.
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 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Rachel” settlement to the south of Yatma village, south of Nablus, wrote slogans in Hebrew meaning “cultivation of fruits” on the door and walls of Yatma Mosque.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, uprooted 17 olive trees in a plot belonging to Ahmed ‘Awadh ‘Ouda al-Lahaf area nearly one kilometer away from Hawara village.
On 09 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement to the southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, uprooted and cut 45 trees in Ras al-Nakhil area.
On 12 September 2011, many armed Israeli settlers from “Maghroun” settlement, which stands on the lands of Burqa and Mikhmas villages, southeast of Ramallah, moved into Burqa village. They set fire to two Palestinian civilians vehicles belonging to Sayel Ibrahim Canaan . Members of the Canaan family were able to extinguish fire. The settlers also attempted to break into Canaan’s house and broke its windows.
On the same day, IOF handed notices to 8 Palestinian civilians in Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron, ordering them to evacuate their farms located to the east of the annexation wall, under security claims.
On the same day, at least 1,000 Israeli settlers gathered in “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalqilya, to organize a demonstration in the area. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near Jeet intersection. They then moved towards the bypass road near “Yits’har” settlement and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles there. Immediately, IOF closed the road for nearly 5 hours.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karmi Tsur” settlement, north of Hebron, uprooted 160 grape trees belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Aqel, from Haloul, nearly 170 meters away from the settlement’s fence.
On 13 September 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, surrounded an 80-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to ‘Eissa Nasser Ekhlil at Hebron-Bethlehem road. They demolished the house. It should be noted that Ekhlil obtained a license to build the house 16 years ago, but IOF later ordered him to stop the construction.
On the same day, IOF demolished a car parts shop belonging to Saber Zamel Abu Maria in the same area. According to Abu Maria, his loss is estimated at about 25,000 ILS.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers set an ambush for Palestinian civilian vehicles near “Gliad” settlement at the bypass road linking Nablus-Qalqilya road with Nablus-Ramallah road. An armed settler stood in the street. When he saw Palestinian civilian vehicles coming, he pointed to the other settlers who immediately threw stones at the vehicles. As a result of this attack, a Palestinian civilian was injured below the right eye.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (08 – 14 September 2011)
1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 08 September 2011
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1- Murad Waleed Qaddoumi, 24;
2- Mohammed Radhi Abu Sa’da, 24; and
3- Rassem Sameer al-Sheikh, 24.
At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Mohammed Balsha, 27, and arrested him. A few hours later, he was presented as an evidence witness in the case of a Palestinian detainee. He was released at 14:30 on the same day.
At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:45, IOF moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. 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 Kharbtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:20, IOF moved into Habla 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 16:20, IOF moved into Ras ‘Atiya 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 16:20, IOF moved into ‘Izbat Salman village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, 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.
Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Ramin village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 09 September 2011
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. 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 Kharbtha al-Misbah village, southwest 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 Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:40, 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 14:50, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. 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 Nabi Elisa village, east of Qalqilya. They arrested 4 Palestinian children claiming they threw stones at Israeli vehicles traveling on Qalqilya – Nablus road:
1- Saleh Majd Mustafa, 16;
2- Ayham Ra’fat Saleh, 16;
3- Wissam Akram Radwan, 14; and
4- Yazan Akram Radwan, 15.
At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into the east of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They fired flash bombs in the area. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema cillage, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the children. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Moneeb Jahed ‘Alqam, 19, and arrested him.
At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 17:30, 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 19:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at 3 Palestinian children who infiltrated through the border. Israeli soldiers ordered the children to stop with their hands up and arrested them. The children were interrogated and they said that they infiltrated through the border to search for jobs in Israel. They were released on the following day morning:
1- Mohammed Nabeel Abu Halib, 17;
2- Mousa Ghazi Abu Lihya, 17; and
3- Ahmed Younis Abu Lihya, 14.
At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kufel 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 20:30, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, north of Slafit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00, 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.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Be’r al-Mahjar neighborhood in the north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fares Yasser al-‘Owaiwi, 25, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1- ‘Ali Bassam Ekhlil, 17; and
2- Nadim Rassem Ekhlil, 20.
At approximately 06:15, two Israeli gunboats surrounded two Palestinian fishing boats, on board of which were 8 Palestinian fishermen, including two children, opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli naval troops opened fire at the boats wounding two fishermen lightly:
1- Khader Hassan Bakr, 29, wounded by shrapnel to the left hand; and
2- Mohammed Suhail Bakr, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the right thigh.
Israeli naval troop then arrested the eight fishermen, but released them at approximately 18:00:
Hassan Khader Bakr, 53;
Khader Hassan Bakr, 29;
Ja’far Hassan Bakr, 27;
Mohammed Hassan Bakr, 21;
‘Allam Nasser Bakr, 16;
Khalil Jouhar Bakr, 21;
Mohammed Majed Bakr, 19; and
Mohammed Suhail Bakr, 17.
At approximately 08:00, 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 09:30, 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 11:00, IOF moved into Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-Fundoq village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:00, 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 17:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:50, IOF moved into Kufor Thuluth village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:25, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired two artillery shells at a space area to the north of the Bedouin village in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
Monday, 12 September 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 schoolchildren:
Ghassan Ibrahim Abu Hashash, 17;
Mo’ayad Ibrahim Barakat, 17;
Mohammed ‘Abdul Jawad Selmi, 15;
‘Abdullah Tayseer al-Hassanat, 24;
Akram Mohammed Abu Shamiya, 22; and
Mohammed ‘Abdul Fattah Shawabka, 46.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Abu Ektaila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nidal ‘Omran al-Qawasmi, 26.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Aassef Nayef Jaradat, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 07:45, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Juhor al-Din village in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at the east of the village. A number of bullets hit a house belonging to Jaber Abu Sa’id, in which 14 individuals live, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:10, IOF moved into Baqat al-Hatab village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
At approximately 00:40, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Naji Mofeed Radwan, 17, and Jihad Riadh Hussein, 17, and summoned the two children for interrogation.
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.
At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian fishermen were forced sail back to the beach, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 20:30, 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.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children:
1- Mohammed Bassim Radwan, 20;
2- ‘Abdul Rahman Muhannad Dahbour, 15; and
3- Maher Sameer Abu Haniya, 14.
They also summoned 3 civilians, including a child, for interrogation: Jihad ‘Abdul Rahman Hussein, 17; ‘Abdul Halim Muthanna Hussein, 22; and Qussai Hamza Hussein, 23.
2- Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 09 September 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. They moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. The demonstrators also used megaphones to call on Israeli settlers living in “Mitityaho Mizrach” settlement to leave it. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 September 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 09 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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
07 – 13 September 2011
Day
Date
Traveling abroad
Coming into Gaza
Returned into Gaza
Wednesday
07 September 2011
849
424
10
Thursday
08 September 2011
758
921
13
Friday
09 September 2011
--
--
--
Saturday
10 September 2011
736
560
14
Sunday
11 September 2011
861
638
14
Monday
12 September 2011
834
957
19
Tuesday
13 September 2011
820
863
10
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
06 – 13 September 2011
Imports:
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Liters
06 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,151
Agricultural materials
Cows
1,370
542
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Car tires
Glass boards
Printing machines
1,152
664
525
2,898
1,040
6
Humanitarian aid
4,241
cooking gas
183.340
07 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,074
Agricultural materials
1,151
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Water tanks
Glass boards
Electricity generators
718
600
1,576
309
122
126
520
2
Humanitarian aid
3,346
cooking gas
181.280
08 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,323
Agricultural material
Cows1,067
702
Various goods
Cartoons of clothes
Cartoons of shoes
Glass boards
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Printing machines
948
470
1,940
520
356
72
2
Humanitarian aid
2,167
Cooking gas
179.710
11 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,322
Agricultural materials
1,717
Various goods
Cartoons of shoes
Washing machines
Electricity generators
973
1,458
132
10
Humanitarian aid
3,893
cooking gas
158.210
12 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,161
Agricultural materials
Cows
2,416
480
Various goods
Refrigerators
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Washing machines
Gas ovens
Electricity towers
Cars
1,012
150
1,396
1,400
220
672
67
30
Humanitarian aid
4,107
cooking gas
182.000
13 September 2011
Foodstuffs
1,014
Agricultural materials
Cows
1,021
477
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Car tires
Electricity generators
1,184
480
1,350
80
2,602
10
Humanitarian aid
3,727
cooking gas
158.690
Notes:
On Tuesday, 06 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 3,570 tons of construction aggregate and 140 tons of construction steel for UNRWA, and 240 tons of cement for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,326 of fodders.
On Wednesday, 07 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 352 tons of cement and 23 tons of construction steel for UNRWA, and 80 tons of cement and 2,660 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 195 tons of fodders, 780 tons of wheat and 406 tons of straws.
On Thursday, 08 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement and 1,960 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,053 tons of fodders.On Sunday, 11 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 600 tons of cement, 2,520 tons of construction aggregate and 142 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,560 tons of fodders.
On Monday, 12 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 402 tons of cement, 3,360 tons of construction aggregate and 120 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 2,340 tons of fodders.
On Tuesday, 13 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 1,260 tons of cement, 1,890 tons of construction aggregate and 167 tons of construction steel for UNRWA, and 106 tons of cement for UNDP.
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 September 2011
Date
07 September
08 September
09 September
10 September
11 September
12 September
13 September
Patients
23
28
4
Nil
46
42
39
Companions
24
25
4
Nil
43
39
39
Arabs from Israel
1
12
7
Nil
14
29
2
Diplomats
4
5
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
8
International Journalists
Nil
5
4
Nil
1
2
4
International Workers
27
56
10
Nil
18
16
36
Travelers abroad
Nil
5
4
Nil
1
2
4
Business People
89
85
Nil
Nil
88
87
92
Economic Meetings
2
2
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
7
Security Interviews
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
3
VIP's
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
3
Nil
1
Nil
1
1
2
Ambulances from Israel
1
Nil
1
Nil
2
2
1
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 08 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Bitounia – Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa road, west of Ramallah. At approximately 15:40, they established a checkpoint on ‘Obwin-‘Aaroura road, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30, IOF established a checkpoint near Silwan intersection, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00, they established a checkpoint near Rantis village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 10 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00, they established a checkpoint near ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramallah-Nablus road. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 11 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:10, they established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 10 September 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints on Qalqilya Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 08 September 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 18:00, IOF established another checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Bzaria intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 11 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpint near Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 21:15, they established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm. At midnight, they established a checkpoint at Qiffin intersection, north of Tulkarm, and another checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of the town.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 08 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint Kfiret intersection, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 10 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at al-‘Araqa intersection, west of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:50 on Friday, 09 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 20:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint near at the southern entrance of Jericho.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 09 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. At approximately 15:20 on the same day, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 18:55, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 10 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Eskaka village, east of Salfit. At approximately 10:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint on the road linking between Kufor al-Dik and Deir Ballout villages, west of Salfit. At approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawat Bank Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint between Brouqin and Qarawat Bani Zaid villages, west of Salfit
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
On Monday morning, 12 September 2011, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested two Palestinian university students who were traveling from the West Bank towards Yemen: Fu’ad Bader Qar’ish, 21; and Wa’d Mohammed Qar’ish, 20, both from Yatta village south of Hebron.
At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 13 September 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned in the southern part of Hebron arrested Zain al-Din ‘Abdul Jabbar Karaki, 49.
4- Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Thursday morning, 08 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Rachel” settlement to the south of Yatma village, south of Nablus, wrote slogans in Hebrew meaning “cultivation of fruits” on the door and walls of Yatma Mosque.
Also on Thursday morning, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, uprooted 17 olive trees in a plot belonging to Ahmed ‘Awadh ‘Ouda al-Lahaf area nearly one kilometer away from Hawara village.
On Friday noon, 09 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement to the southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, uprooted and cut 45 trees belonging to Mohammed Shukri ‘Ouda in Ras al-Nakhil area.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 12 September 2011, many armed Israeli settlers from “Maghroun” settlement, which stands on the lands of Burqa and Mikhmas villages, southeast of Ramallah, moved into Burqa village. They set fire to two Palestinian civilians vehicles belonging to Sayel Ibrahim Canaan . Members of the Canaan family were able to extinguish fire. The settlers also attempted to break into Canaan’s house and broke its windows.
On Monday morning, 12 September 2011, IOF handed notices to 8 Palestinian civilians in Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron, ordering them to evacuate their farms located to the east of the annexation wall, under security claims. These civilians are: As’ad ‘Abdul Rahman al-‘Amla; ‘Abdul Rahim ‘Amru al-‘Amla; ‘Eissa ‘Abdul Hafez al-‘Amla; Yousef Khaled al-‘Amla; Murad Ahmed al-‘Amla; Mohammed ‘Ouda al-‘Amla; Sameer Ahmed al-‘Amla; and Fayez ‘Abdul Ghani al-‘Amla.
At approximately 17:00 also on Monday, at least 1,000 Israeli settlers gathered in “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalqilya, to organize a demonstration in the area. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road near Jeet intersection. They then moved towards the bypass road near “Yits’har” settlement and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles there. Immediately, IOF closed the road for nearly 5 hours.
On Monday noon, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karmi Tsur” settlement, north of Hebron, uprooted 160 grape trees belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Aqel, from Haloul, nearly 170 meters away from the settlement’s fence.
At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 13 September 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, surrounded an 80-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to ‘Eissa Nasser Ekhlil at Hebron-Bethlehem road. They demolished the house. It should be noted that Ekhlil obtained a license to build the house 16 years ago, but IOF later ordered him to stop the construction.
At approximately 04:30 on the same day, IOF demolished a car parts shop belonging to Saber Zamel Abu Maria in the same area. According to Abu Maria, his loss is estimated at about 25,000 ILS.
At approximately 20:00 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers set an ambush for Palestinian civilian vehicles near “Gliad” settlement at the bypass road linking Nablus-Qalqilya road with Nablus-Ramallah road. An armed settler stood in the street. When he saw Palestinian civilian vehicles coming, he pointed to the other settlers who immediately threw stones at the vehicles. As a result of this attack, a Palestinian civilian, Eyad Mohammed Sanaqra, 40, was injured below the right eye.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4- PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5- PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6- PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7- PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8- In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9- PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10- PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11- PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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