 |
Al-Bustan neighborhood, Jerusalem – A Palestinian civilian holds a demolition order of his house issued by the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, which also ordered the demolition of another 4 houses in the area |
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF launched a series of air strike on the Gaza Strip.
4 Palestinians, including one civilian, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
32 Palestinians, including a child and two women, were wounded.
A number of houses and shops were damaged.
A Palestinian was wounded at the entrance of an Israeli settlement in occupied East Jerusalem.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
A Palestinian civilian was wounded.
IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian and two human rights defenders.
IOF conducted 51 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 19 Palestinians, including 6 children.
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
3 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
IOF have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities ordered the demolition of 5 houses in al-Bustan quarter in Silwan village.
Israeli authorities approved the construction of 180 housing units in “Armona Hanatsiv” settlement, south of occupied Jerusalem.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in Bethlehem.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (21 – 27 June 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed 8 Palestinians, including one civilian, and wounded 32 others, including two women and a child, in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF.
In the Gaza Strip, on 22 June 2012, a member of the Palestinian resistance was killed when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
On the same day, another member of the Palestinian resistance was killed and two others were wounded when an Israeli drone fired a missile at them in the northern Gaza Strip.
On 23 June 2012, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, 8 Palestinian civilians living nearby houses, including a woman and a child, sustained bruises. Additionally, 5 houses were damaged.
On the same day, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the maintenance center in al-Saraya security compound in the center of Gaza City. As a result, 10 Palestinians, including 4 civilians, were wounded, and a number of buildings and shops were damaged.
On the same day, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the Palestinian resistance in Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were injured, and 6 houses and two cars were damaged.
Also on the same day, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a car in which a number of members of the Palestinian resistance were traveling. The missile went astray and damaged a number of nearby houses.
On the same day, a member of the Palestinian resistance was killed in the northern Gaza Strip when an Israeli drone fired a missile at him.
Also on the same day, a Palestinian civilian was killed and 7 civilians and two members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded, when an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike in al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza City.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats attacked opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern and central Gaza Strip on two occasions. No casualties were reported.
In the West Bank, during the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested a Palestinian civilian and two international human rights defenders.
On 27 June 2012, a 30-year-old Palestinian was seriously wounded in the abdomen when a guard of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement. An Israeli police officer claimed that the victim attempted to run down an Israeli police officer, and that officer chased him. He further claimed that the Palestinian attempted to forcibly take the gun of a guard of the settlement, but the guard fired at him.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 51 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 19 Palestinians, including 6 children.
IOF raided the office of two members of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Salfit. They confiscated some contents of the office and ordered its closure.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem:
On 24 June 2012, the Israeli police, accompanied by officials from the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, moved into al-Bustan quarter in the north of Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. They handed non-appealable demolition notices to the owners of 5 houses that area located nearly 150 meters away from the al-Aqsa Mosque.
On 26 June 2012, the Israeli district committee of planning and construction approved a plan to construct 180 housing units in “Armona Hanatsiv” on a 67-dunum area of land, which IOF confiscated in Sour Baher village and nearby Palestinian areas. The Israeli authorities are currently implementing another plan, which was approved in 2005 to build 440 housing units in the same settlement.
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 23 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers seized several water wells in ‘Ein al-Qissis are in the west of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They prevented Palestinian farmers from using the wells.
On 24 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers destroyed barbwires surrounding a tract of agricultural land belonging in Khillat al-Fahem area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (21 – 27 June 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 21 June 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Shyoukh al-‘Arroub village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Obaida Hashem al-Hadmi, 33.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hakam Mohye al-Din Murshid, 33.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Salfit. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinians:
1. Muhannad Fawzi ‘Arram, 25; and
2. Milad Hamdallah Dahdoul, 22, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces.
At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Kharabtha 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 08:00, IOF moved into Marj Na’ja village, north of Jericho. 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 Turmos’iya village, north 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 Kufor ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. 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-Janya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 22 June 2012
At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, 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.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Deir Qiddis village, northwest of Ramallah. 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 ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, nearly 1,200 meters away from the border with Israel. As a result, one of them, Ismail ‘Abdullah Hassan Ahmed, 30, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body.
At approximately 16:45, IOF moved into Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance near al-Khuzondar fuel station to the west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. As a result, one of them, Hammam Kamal Abu Qadous, 20, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, was killed, and two others were wounded.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
At approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) to the east of Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, 8 Palestinian civilians livinin in the area, including a child and a woman, were lightly wounded:
1. ‘Abdul Halil Mohammed al-Hilu, 50, sustained bruises throughout the body;
2. Rebhi Hassan Lubbad, 56, wounded in the left foot;
3. Haniya Mohammed Lubbad, 52, wounded in the face;
4. Salam Rebhi Lubbad, 21, wounded in the head;
5. Nasser Mohammed al-Ghawanma, 19, wounded in the right foot;
6. Ahmed Majed al-Shanbari, 28, sustained bruises throughout the body;
7. Waheed ‘Ali Saleh, 48, wounded in the neck; and
8. ‘Ali Waheed Saleh, 16, sustained bruises throughout the body.
At approximately 02:10, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the maintenance center of the Palestinian National Security Forces in the south of al-Saraya compound in the center of Gaza City. A number of nearby buildings and shops were damaged, and 10 Palestinian civilians, including 4 civilians, were wounded:
1. Ayman Yousef al-Namla, 21, a security man;
2. ‘Abdul Rahman Nayef Mahmoud, a security man;
3. Mahran Mohammed al-Shnaif, 22, a security man;
4. ‘Abdullah Mohammed Abu ‘Azza, 22, a security man;
5. Mohammed Sa’ad al-Khatib, 33, a security man;
6. Eyad Youseg Muhaisen, 26, a security man;
7. Eyad Ibrahim Qassem, 45;
8. Mahmoud Eyad Qassem, 21;
9. Mahmoud Mansour al-Louh, 20; and
10. Safwat Jameel Abu Sha’ban, 62.
At approximately 02:15, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the Palestinian resistance in the southwest of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were injured while they were inside their houses:
1. Tahreer ‘Awadallah Baraka, 31, sustained a fracture to the left shoulder;
2. Hassan ‘Awadallah Baraka, 26, injured in the nose and the ear; and
3. Ahmed Hammad Baraka, 22, injured in the face and the right hand.
Additionally, two cars were damaged.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jericho and the nearby ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 02:30, 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 09:00, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Burqa 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, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a civilian car, in which a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, near Abu Jibba fuel station in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The missile went astray and these members were able to escape. The car and a number of nearby houses were slightly damaged.
At approximately 13:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a member of the Saladin Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) on Qulaibo Hill in to the east of Sheikh Zayed Towers in the northern Gaza Strip. He was instantly killed by shrapnel throughout the body. He was identified as Khaled Nasser al-Din al-Bura;ei, 23, from Tal al-Za’tar area in Jabalya.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike on which two members of the Palestinian resistance were traveling near the campus of al-Quds Open University in al-Nasser neighborhood in the northwest of Gaza City. The missile hit the fence of the roof of an 8-storey apartment building. It then fell onto the ground and exploded. The fence of the building’s roof collapsed and killed Ussama Mahmoud Mohammed ‘Ali, 45, as a large stone hit him on them when he was walking near the building. Additionally, 9 Palestinians, including the two targeted persons and a woman, were wounded:
1. ‘Ata Bashir al-Hilu, 20, sustained bruises throughout the body;
2. Hassan Ismail Yassin, 30, wounded by shrapnel to the lower limbs;
3. Hassan Mahmoud ‘Ouda, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the left ear;
4. ‘Emad No’man Abu Nahel, 31, wounded by shrapnel to the lower limbs;
5. Ashraf Mohammed al-Masri, 32, wounded by shrapnel to the lower limbs;
6. Inshirah Harb Hamdouna, 47, wounded by shrapnel to the lower limbs; and
7. Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahim Meqbil Hamdouna, 44, wounded by shrapnel to the lower limbs.
(PCHR keeps the targeted persons’ names)
At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 24 June 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Eayd ‘Omar al-Sulaibi, 14.
At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to Jamal ‘Ali Jaber, 50, and summoned him for interrogation.
At approximately 01:50, 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 02:00, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sami Sameh Khuffash, 25, and summoned him for interrogation.
At approximately 10:10, 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 11:00, IOF moved into ‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:10, IOF moved into ‘Izbat al-Tbib village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 25 June 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Ra’ed Ahmed ‘Aadi, 35; and
2. Mohammed Ahmed ‘Aadi, 54.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed Sa’id Saleem, 17.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Samer Mohammed al-Ja’ba, 19.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Burham village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Budros village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
At approximately 22:25, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jafna village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:25, 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.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zawia village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:
1. Ihsan Ahmed Mawqida, 16; and
2. ‘Adnan Saleh Doufash, 16.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian brothers:
1. Muneer ‘Ezzat Doufash, 21; and
2. Hatem ‘Ezzat Doufash, 24.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing nearly 1.5 nautical miles away from Deir al-Balah seashore in the central Gaza Strip. They also sprinkled water on some fishermen. An hour later, they allowed the fishermen to sail back to the beach and threatened to arrest them next time.
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:
1. Hamza Salem Jebril, 16; and
2. Ahmed Yousef al-Sabbah, 15.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Aadel Abu Bakr, 28;
2. Shadi Mohammed Shaheen, 24; and
3. Kareem Mohammed Shaheen, 36.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Salfit. They raided the office of ‘Omar ‘Abdul Raziq and Nasser ‘Abdul Jawad, Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas. They also raided the house of ‘Izziddin Zabaidiya Fattash. Fattash stated to a PCHR field worker:
“At approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 27 June 2012, at least 30 Israeli soldiers raided and searched my house. They confiscated two laptops. An officer told me that some Israeli soldiers were in the deputies’ office and they confiscated some files and two computers. He further told me that they would leave the office’s door open and that I must go to it to arrange things there. He added that I must not open the office again and to tell ‘Abdul Jawad, who would be released on the following day not to enter the office again. I refused this and stated to the officer that I would not convey the message to ‘Abdul Jawad as I would not convey a message from an Israeli soldier to a Palestinian. I debated with him regarding his right to close the office and raid my house. He told me that it is a decision that must be implemented.”
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Barakat Zayoud, 20, and Mohammed Jameel Tahaina, 22. They released the two detainees a few hours later after interrogating them.
At noon, a 30-year-old Palestinian was seriously wounded in the abdomen when a guard of “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement. An Israeli police officer claimed that the victim attempted to run down an Israeli police officer, and that officer chased him. He further claimed that the Palestinian attempted to forcibly take the gun of a guard of the settlement, but the guard fired at him. The Palestinian has not been identified so far.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian and two international human rights defenders.
Following the Friday Prayer on 22 June 2012, 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 settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. 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 22 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 22 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:20 also on Friday, 22 June 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a 40-year-old demonstrator was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot. Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
On Saturday morning, 23 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They moved towards Palestinian lands, which are threatened to be confiscated by IOF, near “Karmi Tsur” settlement. Immediately, IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also arrested 3 demonstrators: Younis ‘Arar, 42, Coordinator of the National Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Beit Ummar; Dolir, 24, a US human rights defender; and Benjimmy, 22, a German human rights defender.
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.
GazaStrip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 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.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately five 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 traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 59 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.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
20 – 26 June 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 20 June 2012 | 732 | 1,109 | 58 |
| Thursday | 21 June 2012 | 828 | 1,315 | 18 |
| Friday | 22 June 2012 | -- | -- | -- |
| Saturday | 23 June 2012 | 834 | 966 | 79 |
| Sunday | 24 June 2012 | 254 | 515 | 20 |
| Monday | 25 June 2012 | 1,228 | 618 | 26 |
| Tuesday | 26 June 2012 | 1,004 | 1,094 | 42 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
20 – 26 June 2012
Imports:
| Date | Imports |
| Category | Amount |
| Tons | Number | Liters |
| 20 June 2012 | Foodstuffs | 666 |
|
|
| Agricultural materials | 1,408 |
|
|
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Air conditioners Glass boards Electricity generators Cows | 1,302 |
2,581 264 1,202 337 1,040 69 337 |
|
| Humanitarian aid | 4,797 |
|
|
| Cooking gas | 159.510 |
|
|
| Industrial fuel from Israel |
|
| 113,602 |
| Industrial fuel from Qatar |
|
| 184,690 |
| Diesel for UNRWA |
|
| 38,000 |
| 21 June 2012 | Foodstuffs | 605 |
|
|
| Agricultural materials | 1,939 |
|
|
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Air conditioners Cartons of shoes | 1,353 | 1,630 98 30 1,496 |
|
| Humanitarian aid | 4,435 |
|
|
| Cooking gas | 158.130 |
|
|
| Industrial fuel from Israel |
|
| 220,616 |
| Industrial fuel from Qatar |
|
| 239,510 |
| 24 June 2012 | Foodstuffs | 616 |
|
|
| Agricultural materials | 2,086 |
|
|
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Glass boards Cars | 997 |
780 241 534 520 30 |
|
| Humanitarian aid | 3,481 |
|
|
| Cooking gas | 181.100 |
|
|
| Industrial fuel from Israel |
|
| 105,113 |
| Industrial fuel from Qatar |
|
| 181,620 |
| 26 June 2012 | Foodstuffs | 804 |
|
|
| Agricultural materials | 1,257 |
|
|
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Car tires Water tanks Glass boards Fans Cows | 1,257 | 1,532 452 1,514 151 1,040 360 245 |
|
| Humanitarian aid | 3,599 |
|
|
| Cooking gas | 203.180 |
|
|
| Industrial fuel from Qatar |
|
| 179,620 |
Notes:
On Wednesday, 20 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 4,270 tons of construction aggregates and 80 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 468 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 21 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry 320 tons of cement, 3,920 tons of construction aggregates and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 24 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 400 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat.
On Tuesday, 26 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 166 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
20 – 26 June 2012
| Date | 20 June | 21 June | 22 June | 23 June | 24 June | 25 June | 26 June |
| Patients | 31 | 25 | Nil | Nil | 31 | 22 | 50 |
| Companions | 32 | 25 | Nil | Nil | 32 | 20 | 46 |
| Arabs from Israel | 4 | 3 | 2 | Nil | 16 | Nil | 6 |
| Diplomats | 3 | 4 | 2 | Nil | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| International Journalists | 3 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| International Workers | 42 | 51 | 20 | Nil | 12 | 19 | 18 |
| Travelers abroad | 5 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 4 | 9 |
| Business People | 91 | 72 | 21 | Nil | 115 | 108 | 101 |
| Economic Meetings | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil |
| Security Interviews | 3 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 3 | 2 |
| VIP's | Nil | 6 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 |
| Ambulances to Israel | 2 | 1 | 3 | Nil | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ambulances from Israel | 1 | 2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | 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.
There are approximately hundreds of 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.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
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 young Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 21 June 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 22 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 14:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 23 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah, and another one at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of the town. At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 21 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jainsafout intersection, east of Qaqlilya. At approximately 21:35, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. On Saturday evening, 23 June 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints on Qalqilya-Tulkarm road. At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 25 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the road linking between ‘Azzoun and ‘Izbat al-Tabib villages, northeast of Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 22 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanour village, south of Jenin.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 21 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 22 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 19:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the Dead Sea intersection. At approximately 08:20 on Saturday, 23 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
On Friday morning, 22 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at the Tunnels checkpoint near Beit Jala arrested Jihad Mohammed Zawahra, 22, from al-Ma’sara village south of Bethlehem.
On Saturday morning, 23 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint in Wadi al-Bathan area, northeast of Nablus, arrested Yousef ‘Ali Walwil, 27, from al-Fara’a refugee camp, south of Tubas.
On Tuesday evening, 26 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint near Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin, arrested ‘Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Subaih, 22.
4. Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem
Israeli occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.
On Sunday, 24 June 2012, the Israeli police, accompanied by officials from the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, moved into al-Bustan quarter in the north of Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. They handed non-appealable demolition notices to the owners of 5 houses that area located nearly 150 meters away from the al-Aqsa Mosque. These houses belong to the families of Abu Rajab, ‘Abdul Majid, al-Tawil and ‘Owaida. According to Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of the committee to defend al-Bustan quarter, these demolition orders are part of a wider plan to demolish the whole quarter in order to established a biblical park.
On Tuesday, 26 June 2012, the Israeli district committee of planning and construction approved a plan to construct 180 housing units in “Armona Hanatsiv” on a 67-dunum area of land, which IOF confiscated in Sour Baher village and nearby Palestinian areas. It is worth noting that Palestinian civilians appealed the plan, especially as IOF have confiscated at least 2,000 dunums of lands in the village. The Israeli authorities are currently implementing another plan, which was approved in 2005 to build 440 housing units in the same settlement.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Saturday, 23 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers seized several water wells in ‘Ein al-Qissis are in the west of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They prevented Palestinian farmers from using the wells.
On Sunday, 24 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers destroyed barbwires surrounding a tract of agricultural land belonging to Ibrahim ‘Ouda Salah in Khillat al-Fahem area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
…………………………………………………
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.
…………………………………………………………
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).
