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Terrorist Zionist soldiers arrest a Palestinian in the West Bank |
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF extra-judicially executed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
IOF used force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
A Palestinian child and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded.
Dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian child was wounded during an Israeli incursion into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.
IOF arrested 7 Palestinians, including a university professor, in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 3 Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip who attempted to enter Israel.
Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats 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.
IOF arrested at least 3 Palestinian children at military checkpoints 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 prevented Palestinian farmers from working on their lands to the south of Hebron.
IOF ordered a Palestinian civilian from al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, to evacuate his land.
Israeli settlers uprooted 15 olive trees in Yatta village, south of Hebron.
7 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were injured as a result of 3 attacks by Israeli settlers.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (13 – 19 September 2012):
Shooting:
In the Gaza Strip, on 19 September 2012, IOF extra-judicially executed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one in Rafah. An Israeli warplane fired a missile at the vehicle in which the three members were traveling. IOF admitted responsibility for the attack and claimed that the targeted persons are members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas.
IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli practices in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian child and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 7 Palestinians. During house raids, a Palestinian child was injured, and IOF harassed Palestinian civilians.
During the reporting period, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel arrested a Palestinian civilian when he attempted to cross the border to find a job in Israel.
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.
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 13 September 2012, three Palestinian civilians were admitted into Rafidya Hospital in Nablus, as they were injured by fragments of glass from the window of a car they had rented. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car while the three civilians were traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road near “Shilo” settlement. The car was also heavily damaged.
On the same day, the Israeli Central Court in occupied Jerusalem ordered handing over al-Rajabi building in the center of Hebron to Israeli settlers. The settlers had been evacuated from the building in 2008 by an order issued by the same court.
On 14 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement attacked Khirbat al-Hamra area, south of Hebron, and uprooted at least 15 olive trees.
On the same day, at least 200 Israeli settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement to the east of Dura village, south of Hebron, stormed Wad Abu al-Qamra area near the settlement. They remained in the area until approximately 09:30.
On 15 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement outpost in the southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, attacked a Palestinian family while working on their land. As a result, a member of the family was seriously injured as he was attacked by an Israeli settler using a sharp tool.
On the same day, IOF positioned in al-Mussafer area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, prevented Palestinian farmers and international solidarity activists from reaching the area to work on agricultural land, claiming that it was a closed military zone. IOF and Israeli settlers attempt to seize this land in order to expand the nearby “Ma’oun” settlement, which stands on Palestinian land.
On 16 September 2012, IOF issued a notice to ‘Abdullah Mohammed Ghunaim, 75, from al-Khader village south of Bethlehem, ordering him to evacuate his land and destroy what he has planted within 15 days on his own expenses. The land is located near Israeli settlements.
On 17 September 2012, 6 Israeli settlers from “Eitamar” settlement, which stands on the lands of ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians when they were on their way back to the village from their land in Karama area, nearly 700 meters away from the village. As a result, the three civilians sustained bruises throughout their bodies.
On 19 September 2012, IOF delivered two notices to Sabri Rashad Manasra and Jom’a Yousef ‘Assaf, confiscating 75 dunums[1]of their agricultural lands at the entrance of Wadi Foukin village, west of Bethlehem. The notices were accompanied by maps and a decision to replant the lands.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Abraham Avino” settlement outpost in the center of Hebron raided a house belonging to Nidal al-‘Owaiwi, 42, in the old town. They beat his daughter and his son. They also broke windows and damaged water tanks in house. Israeli soldiers were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop this attack.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (13 – 19 September 2012)
1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 13 September 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Talfit village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1- Ahmed ‘Abdul Rahman Ahmed, 26, an engineer working in the United Arab Emirates who came to visit his family; and
2- ‘Abdul Rahman Mohammed Hajj Mohammed, 24, a university student.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Gizoun area at Beit ‘Einoun road, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’taz Shareef al-Ja’bari, 52, a professor in Hebron University. They forces residents of the house to take their clothes off for checking, and al-Ja’bari’s child, Yazan, 16, fainted. Before leaving the house, IOF arrested al-Ja’bari.
Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Khirbat Sikka village, south of Hebron. 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 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 14:10, 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 18:20, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 14 September 2012
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khalil ‘Aaref Salah and arrested him.
At approximately 11:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip arrested Mohammed Hussein Abu Humaisa, 15, from al-Boreij refugee camp, when attempted to cross the border into Israel. The child’s mother, Hikmat Shihda Abu Humaisa, stated to PCHR that she received a phone call from the Israeli police informing her that her child was arrested because he attempted to cross the border and he would be prosecuted.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 15 September 2012
At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp arrested two Palestinian children who attempted to cross the border into Israel: Sofian Hassan Abu Jari, 15; and Waleed Khaled So’ud, 15. The father of one of the children, Khaled Salem So’ud, stated to PCHR that he received a phone call from the Israeli police indicating that his child and another one were arrested and they would be prosecuted because of their attempt to cross the border.
At approximately 21:00, 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.
Also at approximately 21:00, 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 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
At approximately 08:00, 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 09:00, 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 19:30, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah. 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 Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 17 September 2012
At approximately 03:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Khirbat al-Koum village, south of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:30, 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.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of al-Mutawakel ‘Ala Allah Mohammed Abu Juhaisha, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into ‘Arrana village, north of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets provoking Palestinian civilians. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at the boys. As a result, ‘Alaa’ Mustafa al-Ballassi, 17, was hit by a tear gas canister to the back. IOF then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed ‘Atiya Abu Warda, 30, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the al-Tarda family and arrested ‘Abdul Karim Khalil al-Tarda, 21.
1. 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, an Israeli human rights defender and a Palestinian child were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 14 September 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. 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, Dr. Rubeh, 39, and Israeli human rights defender, was hit by a tear gas canister to the head, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 14 September 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 14 August 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, a 16-year-old child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:15 on Friday, 14 August 2012, Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada. Once they moved towards the entrance, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 3 brothers from the Ali family, including a child, and two Israeli human rights defenders, but released them at 17:00 on the following day.
Also on Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
2- Extra-Judicial Execution
On Wednesday evening, IOF extra-judicially executed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a vehicle (a White Toyota Hilux) that was traveling near Abu Taha fuel station in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. Three members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas, who work in the Ministry of Interior and National Security of the Gaza government, were traveling in the vehicle. The missile hit the car directly. As a result, two members of the group were instantly killed: Anees Mohammed Abu al-‘Einain, 36; and Ashraf Mahmoud Saleh, 33, both from Rafah. The third one was seriously wounded (PCHR keeps his name). According to Israeli media sources, the Israeli military admitted responsibility for the attack. They reported that an Israeli military source stated that the targeted persons are members of “Al-Aqsa Guards Group,” which is close to Hamas and active in Gaza. The source further claimed that the group “receives financial support from the Minister of Interior in Gaza government, Fathi Hammad.” According to the same sources, one of the targeted persons, Anees Abu al-‘Einain, “was planning for an attack inside Israel, and that he was involved in several attacks against Israelis, smuggling explosives from Gaza to Israel through Egypt and attempting to carry out terrorist attacks in several areas, including the West Bank and Jerusalem.” The source further claimed that Saleh, a former activist of the Popular Resistance Committees had been arrested and he “confessed that he had transported two terrorists to Egypt to carry out a suicide attack,” and that “he was involved in smuggling weapons to Sinai from Gaza.”
The Israeli military had already admitted in an official statement its responsibility for the attack, and indicated that was carried out in coordination with the Israeli General Security Service (Shabak). It further stated that it “will not be tolerant towards any attempt to harm citizens of the State of Israel, and will continue to act firmly against any attempts to launch terrorist attacks against Israel.” The Israeli military further held Hamas responsible for any attempts to launch attacks from the Gaza Strip.
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 six 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.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
12 – 18 September 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 12 September 2012 | 902 | 594 and a corpse | 51 |
| Thursday | 13 September 2012 | 1,032 | 990 | 51 |
| Friday | 14 September 2012 | -- | -- | -- |
| Saturday | 15 September 2012 | 1,117 | 1,008 | 46 |
| Sunday | 16 September 2012 | 1,040 | 712 | 59 |
| Monday | 17 September 2012 | 866 | 630 and a corpse | 62 |
| Tuesday | 18 September 2012 | 679 | 631 | 60 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
11 – 18 September 2012
Imports:
| Date | Imports | ||||||||
| Category | Amount | ||||||||
| Tons | Number | Liters | |||||||
| 11 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,440 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 945 460 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Car tires | 945 | 690 180 765 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 6,231 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 90.690 | | | ||||||
| 12 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,436 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 819 475 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Refrigerators Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Cars | 886 | 669 1,243 1,320 30 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 6,366 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 67.060 | | | ||||||
| 13 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,923 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 1,572 399 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Refrigerators Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Packing machines Washing machines Cars | 871 | 237 709 705 6 324 30 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 6,392 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 182.180 | | | ||||||
Notes:
On Tuesday, 11 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 600 tons of cement, 2,170 tons of construction aggregates, 1,190 tons of base course and 16 tons of chocolate for UNRWA; 196 tons of flour for WFP; 146 tons of cement, 1,820 tons of construction aggregates, 36 tons of stuccos and 19 tons of construction steel for the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility; and 38 tons of construction steel for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 663 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 12 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 3608 tons of cement, 3,570 tons of construction aggregates, 92 tons of construction steel, 45 tons of marbles, 28 tons of chocolate, 43 tons of biscuits and 69 tons of cooking oil for UNRWA; 141 tons of flour and 43 tons of peas for WFP; 120 tons of cement, 1,680 tons of construction aggregates and 70 tons of construction steel for the Costal Municipalities Water Utility; and 80 tons of cement for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 13 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 336 tons of cement, 5,250 tons of construction aggregates, 571 tons of construction steel, 36 tons of cooking oil, 350 tons of base course and 29 tons of biscuits for UNRWA; 140 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority; 76 tons of peas and 118 tons of flour for WFP. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders, 312 tons of wheat and 392 tons of straws.
IOF closed the crossing on 16, 17 and 18 September 2012 because of Jewish holidays.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
12 – 18 September 2012
| Date | 12 September | 13 September | 14 September | 15 September | 16 September | 17 September | 18 September |
| Patients | 35 | 32 | 2 | Nil | 36 | Nil | Nil |
| Companions | 34 | 31 | 3 | Nil | 32 | Nil | Nil |
| Personal needs | 29 | 35 | 22 | Nil | 4 | Nil | Nil |
| Arabs from Israel | 12 | 12 | 24 | Nil | 20 | Nil | Nil |
| Diplomats | Nil | 12 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| International Journalists | Nil | 1 | 2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| International Workers | 21 | 73 | 5 | Nil | 8 | Nil | Nil |
| UN Workers | Nil | 15 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | 4 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Business People | 78 | 65 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Economic Meetings | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Security Interviews | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| VIP's | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances to Israel | 2 | 3 | 1 | Nil | 2 | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances from Israel | 1 | 2 | 1 | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil |
IOF closed the crossing partially on Sunday, 16 September 2012, and completely on Monday and Tuesday, 17 and 18 September 2012.
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:
Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:40 on Friday, 13 September 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 14 September 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 15:30 on Monday, 17 September 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 18 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Khrabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 13 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marj Na’ja village, north of Jericho. At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 13 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jalboun village, northeast of Jenin. At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 14 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Bazaria intersection on Tulkram-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 14:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 18:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm. At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 18 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm.
Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint in Muthallath al-‘Aqaba area, south of Hebron. At the same time, IOF closed the main gate leading to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, but reopened it at approximately 08:00. At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 16 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint in Tarousa area, south of Hebron. At approximately 05:00, IOF established a checkpoint on Halhoul – Hebron road. At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 17 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Tarousa road, south of Hebron. At approximately 04:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Karma village, south of Hebron. At approximately 06:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Khirbat Aizoun village, north of Hebron.
Harassment at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 16 August 2012, IOF positioned in the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, detained teachers of Janba School. They released them several hours later.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 13:40 on Friday, 14 September 2012, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian brothers from ‘Azzoun village east of Qalqilya, after they had participated in a sit-in in the nearby ‘Izbat al-Tabib village, in protest to an Israeli decision to demolish the service building in the village. The detainees are: Bahaa’, As’ad and Mohammed Hussein Shbaita, 20, 23 an 26 respectively.
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.
At approximately 03:05 on Thursday, 13 September 2012, Nidal Ahmed Nazzal, 25, Tha’er ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Nazzal, 26, and Salam Khaled Nazzal, 19, all from Qalqilya, were admitted into Rafidya Hospital in Nablus, as they were injured by fragments of glass from the window of a car they had rented. Israeli settlers threw stones at the car while the three civilians were traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road near “Shilo” settlement. The car was also heavily damaged.
At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 13 September 2012, the Israeli Central Court in occupied Jerusalem ordered handing over al-Rajabi building in the center of Hebron to Israeli settlers. The settlers had been evacuated from the building in 2008 by an order issued by the same court. In it decision, the court claimed that evidence documents presented by the plaintiff were not sufficient, and order him to pay 50,000 NIS as court fees. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers had seized the house in 2007, and the court ordered their evacuation in 2008.
At approximately 06:00 on Friday, 14 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement attacked Khirbat al-Hamra area, south of Hebron, and uprooted at least 15 olive trees belonging to the Reb’ei family. Israeli settlers attempts to seize lands in the area to expand “Ma’oun” settlement.
At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 14 September 2012, at least 200 Israeli settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement to the east of Dura village, south of Hebron, stormed Wad Abu al-Qamra area near the settlement. They remained in the area until approximately 09:30.
At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement outpost in the southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, attacked a Palestinian family while working on their land. As a result, a member of the family, Akram Tayseer ‘Ouda, 40, was seriously injured as he was attacked by an Israeli settler using a sharp tool. In his testimony to PCHR, Akram Tayseer ‘Ouda stated:
“At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 15 September 2012, my family and I went to our land in the south of Qasra village to take out woods and levers from the land after we had established a well on the land. Half an hour later, I hear members of my family talking and looking at ‘Yish Kodesh’ settlement outpost, nearly two kilometers away from our land. I looked there and I could see 3 Israeli settlers wearing white clothes coming towards us. They were nearly 150 meters away from us. They threw stones at us and ordered us to leave our land. I told them that this my land and they must leave. I contacted some people in my village to come to help us, and dozens of them came. They continued to throw stones at us and we did the same against them. Soon, and Israeli military jeep arrived at the area and Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at us, so we fled. As I suffered from asthma, I ran away from other people to avoid inhaling tear gas. Soon, an Israeli settler caught me. He hit me with a sharp tool and I lost consciousness. The ringing of my mobile phone awoke me. When I picked up the phone, I told the caller that I was injured and described my location to him. Soon, a number of young men arrived and evacuated me in a civilian car to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. There, I knew that the sustained a fracture to my left hand and bruises and cuts to the right eye and ear.”
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 15 August 2012, IOF positioned in al-Mussafer area to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, prevented Palestinian farmers and international solidarity activists from reaching the area to work on agricultural land, claiming that it was a closed military zone. IOF and Israeli settlers attempt to seize this land in order to expand the nearby “Ma’oun” settlement, which stands on Palestinian land.
On Sunday, 16 September 2012, IOF issued a notice to ‘Abdullah Mohammed Ghunaim, 75, from al-Khader village south of Bethlehem, ordering him to evacuate his land and destroy what he has planted within 15 days on his own expenses. The land is located near Israeli settlements.
At approximately 18:30 on Monday, 17 September 2012, 6 Israeli settlers from “Eitamar” settlement, which stands on the lands of ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians when they were on their way back to the village from their land in Karama area, nearly 700 meters away from the village. These civilians are: Maher Hashem Bani Jaber, 37; ‘Omar Hashem Bani Jaber, 28; and Hafez Nazem ‘Otaiwi, 24. The settlers beat them for more than half an hour. As a result, the three civilians sustained bruises throughout their bodies.
On Wednesday, 19 September 2012, IOF delivered two notices to Sabri Rashad Manasra and Jom’a Yousef ‘Assaf, confiscating 75 dunums of their agricultural lands at the entrance of Wadi Foukin village, west of Bethlehem. The notices were accompanied by maps and a decision to replant the lands. According to the chairman of the local council of the village, Ahmed Sukkar, since the beginning of 2012, IOF have confiscated at least 200 dunums of lands in the village for the purpose of settlement expansion.
At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 19 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Abraham Avino” settlement outpost in the center of Hebron raided a house belonging to Nidal al-‘Owaiwi, 42, in the old town. They beat al-‘Owaiwi’s child, Sally, 8, and his son, Sa’id, 20. They also broke windows and damaged water tanks in house. Israeli soldiers were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop this attack.
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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