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Palestinians Passing Through Bethlehem Checkpoint on their Way to Pray at al-Aqsa Mosque |
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
In a new extra-judicial execution crime, the IOF killed a Palestinian activist and wounded another.
IOF used force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
2 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded in the Kafr Qaddoum demonstration, northeast of Jenin.
IOF conducted 36 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 17 Palestinians, including 4 children.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT, and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank and hindered the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF arrested two children at a checkpoint in the old town of Hebron.
IOF have continued to target civilian objects.
IOF fired artillery shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport, but no casualties were reported.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli settlers blew up a Palestinian vehicle in the Senjel village, north of Ramallah.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (02 – 08 August 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian activist was killed and another was wounded when an IOF aircraft targeted them in the south of the Gaza Strip. The IOF also wounded many Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders in peaceful demonstrations in protest of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
On 05 August 2012, the IOF positioned at the border with Israel near Karm Abu Salem crossing in the south of Rafa fired shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport and the eastern outskirts of Rafah. Helicopters flying in the sky of the area also opened fire for approximately two hours. The local population panicked, but no casualties were reported.
During the reporting period, the IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a journalist, Ashraf Abu Shawish (42), who sustained wounds from a tear gas canister to his right leg. The other civilian sustained wounds from a tear gas canister to his right hand. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, the IOF conducted at least 36 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, the IOF arrested 17 Palestinians, including 4 children.
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 recently declared 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 remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
The 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.
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 Thursday morning, 02 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from the “Giv'at Ariel” settlement, north of Ramallah, tried to blow up a car belonging to a Palestinian. The car, belonging to Abdul Kareem Khalil, was parked in the yard of a house. The settlers put flammable materials under the vehicle, where they also put cigarettes with matches fixed at the end; as a result, when the cigarette is finished the matches start and blow up the vehicle. The cigarette was put out and nothing happened. The settlers wrote on the walls of the house Hebrew statements that mean “Get away from our land, paying the price.”
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (02 – 08 August 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 02 August 2012
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Bartaa al-Sharqiya, southwest of Jenin, behind the annexation wall. They raided and searched a shop belonging to Shadi Kmeil. Before withdrawing, they arrested Hamza Yehya Zayoud (23), from Silat al-Harithiya, who was in the shop.
At approximately 08:30, the IOF moved into al-'Oja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, the 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.
Friday, 03 August 2012
At approximately 00:30, the IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and then they drove to the south and raided the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. They patrolled in the refugee camp for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, the IOF moved into al-Tira village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00, the IOF moved into the Bidia village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at 14:30. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:10, the IOF moved into al-Zawya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at 14:25. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:45, the IOF moved into the Azzoun village, west of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30, the IOF moved into the Beit 'Or 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 19:15, the IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 04 August 2012
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into the Bidia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 15:40. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:15, the IOF moved into the Kafr Addik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 14:45. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:00, the IOF moved into the Bitello 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, the IOF moved into the Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, the IOF moved into the Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, the IOF moved into the Marj Ghazal village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 05 August 2012
At approximately 01:30, the IOF moved into the Solwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses. Before withdrawing, they arrested 2 children - Alaa Abdul Karim al-Kharraj (16); and Ahmed Raji Ayad (17) - and transferred them to the Ofer' military detention center.
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and raided the house of Mohammed Abdul Hadi al-Baw and delivered him a notice requiring him to appear before the Israeli intelligence. The IOF withdrew later and no further incidents were reported.
At approximately 11:00, the IOF moved into the Barqa village, east of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:10, the IOF, positioned at the border with Israel near Karm Abu Salem crossing in the south of Rafah, fired shells at the vicinity of the Gaza International Airport and the eastern outskirts of Rafah. Helicopters flying in the sky of the area also opened fire for approximately 2 hours. The local population panicked, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 23:30, the IOF moved into the Taqou'a village, east of Bethlehem. They ambushed Muthallath al-Halqoum in the Taqou'a village, and arrested Ahmed Mohammed Jebril (17) and Hisham Khalil al-'Omour (19) and transferred them to the the Israeli police station in the Kriat Arbaa settlement. Jebril and al-'Omour were released the following day, 06 August 2012.
Monday, 06 August 2012
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time, and raided and searched the house of Ahmed Abdul Hamid Mohammed Aberyoush (27). Before withdrawing, they arrested Aberyoush.
At approximately 02:30, the IOF moved into the Safa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time, and raided and searched the house of Khaled Akram Zaki Mansour (30). Before withdrawing, they arrested Mansour.
At approximately 05:00, the IOF moved into al-'Oja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:20, the IOF moved into the Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 00:30. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 07 August 2012
At approximately 00:30, the IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:30, the IOF moved into the Borham village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and then raided the house of the Arram family, claiming that they were searching for Mohannad Fawzi Arram (24). Mohannad was not in the house. Before withdrawing, IOF delivered a notice to the Arram family requiring Mohannad to appear before the Israeli intelligence in the Israeli Military Liaison Office in Qalqilya. At approximately 08:30, Mohannad headed to the Israeli Military Liaison Office, where he was arrested.
At approximately 02:20, the IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets while firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinians, claiming that they were subjected to stoning. They then raided and searched a number of houses. They withdrew at approximately 03:15 and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:45, the IOF moved into the Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Before withdrawing, they arrested 3 Palestinians, including a child:
1. Mamoun Rafiq Mustafa Eshteiwi (33);
2. Moahmmed Saleh Yousef Eshteiwi (23); and
3. Qusai Marwan Mahmoud Aqel (17).
At approximately 04:05, the IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 06:00. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30, the IOF moved into al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, the IOF moved into the Bartaa al-Sharqiya village, southwest of Jenin, which is located behind the annexation wall. They raided and searched a shop selling agricultural supplies owned by Hadi Mohammed Nyaz (20). Before withdrawing, they arrested Nyaz.
Wednesday, 08 August 2012
At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into the Kafr Ra'i village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Before withdrawing, they arrested 2 Palestinians: Munib Mohammed Munib al-Sheikh Ibrahim (32); and Munjed Jamil Ahmed al-Sheikh Ibrahim (38).
At approximately 04:00, the IOF moved into the Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses. Before withdrawing, they arrested Alaa Mousa Hassan Zaaqiq (22) and Taqi Addin Abdul Fattah Jawabra (21) and transferred them to the military detention center in the Kfar Etzion settlement.
At approximately 17:00, the IOF moved into the Muthallath al-Shuhada village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a car repair workshop owned by Nabil Subuh. Before withdrawing, they arrested Subuh.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, the IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest of the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including journalist Ashraf Abu Shawish (42), who was hit by a gas canister to his right leg and another gas canister to his right hand. In addition, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 03 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They moved towards areas of the annexation wall. They called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in the 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 03 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of 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 03 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of the 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 the 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 suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
At approximately 13:15, also on Friday, on 03 August 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by the IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilian were wounded, including journalist Ashraf Abu Shawish (42), who was hit by a tear gas canister in his right leg and another tear gas canister in his right hand.
3. Extra-judicial killings
In the context of extra-judicial killings, on Sunday, 05 August 2012, the IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance, seriously wounded another member, when their motorbike was targeted in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. The IOF later declared that they targeted 2 Palestinians under the pretext of their affiliation to “Global Jihad” who were planning and implementing attacks against the IOF.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 05 August 2012, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike that was ridden by 2 Palestinian resistance members. They were close to Canada Well in Tal al-Sultan in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. As a result, Eid Nadi Eid Okal (20), from Rafah, was killed due to shrapnel wounds throughout his body and Ahmed Salem Sa'id Isma'il (22), from al-Toffah neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded by shrapnel throughout his body. Isma'il's health conditions are serious. He was transported to the Abu Yusef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but due to his serious wounds, he was transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. Medical sources in Nasser Hospital state that Isma'il sustained second degree burns and his left leg was amputated.
The IOF's statement that was published on their website mentioned that, as a result of their cooperation with the General Security Service, the Israeli Air Forces attacked a group of (terrorists) in the southern Gaza Strip who belong to the Global Jihad movement. The target was precisely attacked. That statement added that a member of the group, Ahmed Sa'id Isma'il, is a member of the Global Jihad movement in the Gaza Strip and Sinai. In addition, he participated in the attack that was carried out on 18 June 2012 at the Israeli-Egyptian borders, which led to killing an Israeli person.
4. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure 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 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.
The IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and essentially made Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing for the Gaza Strip, although it is not appropriate for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
The 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 to close al-Mentar crossing was the result 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.
The IOF have continued to impose a 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 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 to 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. The Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians continue to depend on aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, the rate of families who are living below the poverty line have continued to rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of the shutting down of the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
The IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to the undermining of any real chance to start up economic establishments again. The situation has been aggravated, especially after making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing, which negatively affects the quantity of Gazan products that were allowed to be exported last April.
For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, the IOF approved the delivery of a limited quantity of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. The IOF only allowed the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. The IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The IOF denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the crossing.
Approximately 3 weeks ago, the IOF allowed the families of Palestinian prisoners detained in prisons in Israel to visit their relatives after 5 years of denying their right to family visitation, in violation of international humanitarian law.
The Rafah crossing continued to be open for Palestinian patients seeking medical treatment abroad, Palestinian students enrolled in international universities and those who have international residency permits. Facilitations were announced to allow men above the age of 40, women of all ages and children under 18 to move via the crossing. Up to this moment, the crossing has not witnessed any normal movement reflecting the announced facilitations. The crossing has been totally closed since 06 August 2012 in the wake of incidents that took place in the Sinai, resulting in the death of Egyptian soldiers. The recent closure of the crossing has created a crisis due to the increasing numbers of persons wishing to leave Gaza, especially pilgrims and those who came from abroad to visit their relatives in Gaza. This has also affected the health of Palestinian patients who need medical treatment abroad.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at the Rafah International Crossing Point
01 – 07 August 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 01 August 2012 | 817 | 763 | 23 |
| Thursday | 02 August 2012 | 844 | 757 | 15 |
| Friday | 03 August 2012 | Weekend | -- | -- |
| Saturday | 04 August 2012 | 916 | 615 | 38 |
| Sunday | 05 August 2012 | Closed | -- | -- |
| Monday | 06 August 2012 | Closed | -- | -- |
| Tuesday | 07 August 2012 | Closed | -- | -- |
Note: The Rafah Crossing Administration did not publish a daily report on 05 August 2012 because the crossing was closed on Monday morning, 06 August 2012, and the staff members did not go to work. The Rafah crossing was closed by the Egyptian authorities in the wake of the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers and wounding of another 7 soldiers after an unknown armed group attacked an Egyptian military post near Rafah city in the Egyptian side. The members of the armed group also seized 2 armored vehicles belonging to the Egyptian army and drove them to an Israeli military post close to the Palestinian-Egyptian borders in the southeast of Rafah, southeast of the Gaza Strip. One of the vehicles exploded near the border and the other was destroyed when it was targeted by an Israeli aircraft.
Movement at the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
PCHR apologies for being unable to include the movement at the Karm Abu Salem crossing for the reporting period, due to technical problems. PCHR will include the movement at the crossing for this reporting period in its next weekly report.
Movement at the Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
01 – 08 August 2012
| Date | 01 August | 02 August | 03 August | 04 August | 05 August | 06 August | 07 August |
| Patients | 22 | 18 | 4 | Nil | 17 | 20 | 35 |
| Companions | 24 | 21 | 4 | Nil | 14 | 18 | 32 |
| Arabs from Israel | 8 | 4 | Nil | Nil | 25 | 12 | 2 |
| Diplomats | Nil | 2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 6 | Nil |
| International Journalists | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil |
| International Workers | 14 | 60 | 3 | Nil | 8 | 4 | 15 |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Business People | 82 | 92 | Nil | Nil | 100 | 98 | 88 |
| Economic Meetings | Nil | 4 | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil | 5 |
| Security Interviews | 2 | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 2 | 1 |
| VIP's | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances to Israel | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Nil | 1 |
| Ambulances from Israel | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Note: At approximately 05:45 on Monday, 06 August, the IOF positioned at the Beit Hanoun crossing allowed 54 Palestinians who have relatives detained in Israeli jails to pass through the crossing to visit their relatives in jail. It should be noted that this is the fourth group of Palestinians who have been allowed to travel via the crossing after 6 years of denial of the right to family visitation.
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, the 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 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall has 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 the IOF.
The IOF have continued to restrict the access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
The IOF have completely 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 the expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
The 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 the IOF in Jerusalem and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by the IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, the IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Jerusalem: The 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. The 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.
On Friday, 03 August 2012, the IOF imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinians wanting to perform the Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli occupation police announced that they would allow Palestinians from the West Bank who are above the age of 4 to have access to the Mosque without permits. They also announced they would allow women of all ages and children under the age of 12 to have access to the Mosque. This is not applicable to Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, who are denied access to the al-Aqsa Mosque during the Holy Month of Ramada for prayers.
In this context, the IOF deployed thousands of policemen and members of the border guard to different parts of Occupied Jerusalem, especially the old town and the vicinity of the al-Aqsa Mosque and at checkpoints at the main entrances of the city. They also closed main streets and roads adjacent to the walls of the city and in neighborhoods near the city.
Ramallah and al-Bireh: The IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 03 August 2012, the IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00, the IOF established a checkpoint at the Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta intersection, southwest of Ramallah. They stopped Palestinian cars and checked passengers' ID cards. The 2 checkpoints were removed later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 05 August 2012, the IOF re-established their presence at the ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30, they established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 21:30, they established a checkpoint near the 'Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on the road between Ramallah and Nablus. They stopped Palestinian cars and checked passengers' ID cards. The checkpoints were removed later and no arrests were reported.
Qalqilya: The IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:40 on Thursday, 02 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They established another checkpoint at approximately 16:30 at the entrance of the ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. A third checkpoint was established at approximately 22:55 near the Nabi Elias village. The 3 checkpoints were established on the Qalqilya-Nablus road, east and northeast of Qalqilya. The IOF checked passengers' ID cards and searched Palestinians' vehicles and luggage. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:10 on Friday, 03 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint between the villages of al-Funduq and Jinsafout. They established another checkpoint at approximately 02:15 near the intersection of the Imatin village and a third checkpoint at approximately 14:55 at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They re-established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya at approximately 23:55. The 4 checkpoints were established on the Qalqilya-Nablus road, east and northeast of Qalqilya. The IOF checked passengers' ID cards and searched Palestinians' vehicles and luggage. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 04 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint near the Jit village. They established another checkpoint at approximately 10:30 at the intersection of the Jinsafout village and a third checkpoint at approximately 17:10 at the entrance of the Kafr Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. A fourth checkpoint was established at approximately 21:45 at the entrance of the Azzoun village. The checkpoints were established on the Qalqilya-Nablus road, east and northeast of Qalqilya. The IOF checked passengers' ID cards and searched Palestinians' vehicles and luggage. The checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
Jericho: The IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 02 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. They prevented Palestinians from moving via the entrance. They searched vehicles and checked passengers' ID cards. They created a severe traffic crisis. The checkpoint was removed later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 04 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of the Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho, while another checkpoint was established at approximately 11:30 at the southern entrance of the city.
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 05 August 2012, the IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbeidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 19:00, the IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. At approximately 21:30, the IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of the Marj al-Na'ja village. No arrests were reported.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
On Sunday, 05 August 2012, the IOF positioned at the Abu al-Reesh checkpoint near the Ibrahimi mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested 2 brothers, Mohammed 'Atef Hamdan Taha (14) and Mahmoud (13), who were transported to an unknown destination.
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, 02 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from the “Giv'at Ariel” settlement, north of Ramallah, tried to blow up a car belonging to a Palestinian. The car, belonging to Abdul Kareem Khalil, was parked in the yard of a house. The settlers put flammable materials under the vehicle, where they also put cigarettes with matches fixed at the end; as a result, when the cigarette is finished the matches start and blow up the vehicle. The cigarette was put out and nothing happened. The settlers wrote on the walls of the house Hebrew statements that mean “Get away from our land, paying the price.”
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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 to 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 the 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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