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A Palestinian child wounded by an Israeli air strike on Gaza, 9 September 2012 |
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF launched a number of air strikes and opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip.
3 members of the Palestinian resistance were killed in the northern Gaza Strip.
Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded by IOF in two separate incidents.
7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and two women, were injured by Israeli air strikes.
Two rooms and a container were destroyed and 26 houses were damaged.
Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.
IOF used force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 53 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 25 Palestinians, including a child, in the West Bank.
IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian 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 5 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 razed dunums[1]of land and demolished a 1,500-meter-long fence in Jourish village, southeast of Nablus.
Israeli settlers burnt 100 olives trees in Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.
An Israeli settler ran down a Palestinian child in Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (06 – 12 September 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians and wounded another 11 ones, including 5 children and two women, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 06 September 2012, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance, including two brothers, in the northern Gaza Strip.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of young men who got close to the border.
On 10 September 2012, Israeli warplanes launched 4 air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip. As a result, two rooms and a container were destroyed, 26 houses were damaged and 7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and two women, were lightly injured.
IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. On 10 and 11 September 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
In the West Bank, on 10 September 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and arrested by IOF in the center of Hebron. IOF claimed that he threw a Molotov cocktail at them.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and arrested by IOF in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, during clashes between IOF and Palestinian boys.
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, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 53 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 25 Palestinians, including a child.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
On 07 September 2012, 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 07 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Emanuel” settlement set fire to olive trees in Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. As a result, at least 100 olive trees were burnt.
On 08 September 2012, IOF moved into al-Mussafer area in the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They delivered a notice to Ahmed Isma’il al-‘Odara, 40, ordering demolition of his 150-square-meter, two-storey house.
On 10 September 2012, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into Jourish villag, southeast of Nablus. The bulldozers destroyed a 30-dunum area of land, demolished a 1,500-meter-long fence and uprooted dozens of trees that were planted in March 2011 by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees.
On 11 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Talmoun” settlement outpost, which stands on the lands of al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah, threw stones at a number of Palestinian houses in the village. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and clashed with the settlers, which left the area. As a result of the attack, a number of houses were damaged.
On 11 September 2012, IOF blocked an entrance that leads to several houses in Jaber quarter in the old town of Hebron, allegedly in application of a decision issued by the Israeli High Court.
On 12 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Etani’el” settlement, south of Hebron, stormed Meesh village. They wrote racist slogans on the walls of Salman al-Faresi Mosque, such as “Death for Arabs,” and “You will pay a heavy price.”
On the same day, a female Israeli settler ran down Hayat Mohammed Sobeh, 8, from Taqqou’a village southeast of Bethlehem, at the main road near an elementary school. The settler was traveling very fast when she ran down the child. The child was injured and her condition was described as stable.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (06 – 12 September 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 06 September 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the nearby Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. As’ad Mahmoud Marahil, 36; and
2. Fawzi Hassan Abu al-‘Adas, 35.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Roujib village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Fu’ad Ahmed Rajab, 38.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Wissam ‘Abdul Rahman al-Hassanat, 32; and
2. Jihad ‘Eissa Ma’ali, 22.
At approximately 06:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Khuza’a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land amidst indiscriminate shooting. They moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 12:00.
At approximately 07:50, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip fired an artillery shell and live bullets at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance who were in a combat mission nearly 200 meters away from the border. As a result, two members were instantly killed: Akram Sami Ahmed al-Za’anin, 21; and his brother Eihab, 26, from Beit Hanoun. A third member, Tariq Suhail Ibrahim al-Kafarna, 22, from Beit Hanoun, was seriously wounded and he died at the hospital. According to medical crews of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, they received information that there were wounded people in the area, so they immediately went there. Once they got as close as to 350 meters from the border, IOF opened fire at them, so they were forced to move back. Later, several women and young men went to the location of the incident in an attempt to evacuate the bodies and the wounded young man, but IOF fired at them. An hour and a half later, they were able to reach the bodies and the wounded young man. They took them to ambulances that were nearly 1,000 meters away from the border, which transported them to Beit Hanoun Hospitals. There, medical efforts to save al-Kafarna’s life failed.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Tirah neighborhood in the southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into the Palestinian Authority controlled areas in the center of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets and established a number of checkpoints. An Israeli intelligence officer questioned passing Palestinian civilians. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 16:00 and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:10, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip to the east of Jabalya opened fire at a number of young men who got close to the border. As a result, Mohammed Haidar Abu Khater, 20, from al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, was wounded by a bullet to the left arm. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, around 20 young me participating in the funeral procession of 3 Palestinians who had been killed by IOF got close to the border and threw stones at IOF.
At approximately 14:30, 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 22:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. 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 Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:50, 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.
Friday, 07 September 2012
At approximately 10:00, 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 12:10, 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 15:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:40, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village again. 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 Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 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 20:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza Valley village arrested Ahmed Tawfiq al-Nabahin, 23, when he attempted to cross the border to search for a job in Israel.
At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 08 September 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into 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 02:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayatollah ‘Azmi Jibara, 30, and arrested him.
At approximately 05:30, 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 11:00, IOF moved into al-Surra village, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into ‘Izbat Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-‘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 22:45, IOF moved into Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Um al-Tout village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, southeast 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 Abu Ktaila area in Hebron. They raided, searched and damaged a house belonging to Fareed al-Haimouni. They withdrew from the area later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 09 September 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Adnan al-Tumaizi, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Yousef Khzaimiya, 20, and summoned him for interrogation.
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 09:00, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalailya. 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 Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 10 September 2012
At approximately 00:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. A shed and a wall of the site were destroyed and a nearby police station and 3 houses were damaged. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 00:30, 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 00:35, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a tunnel at the Egyptian border in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. Shrapnel from the missile hit nearby houses. As a result, 6-year-old Mohammed Ayoub al-Rumailat, was wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh, while he was sleeping at home.
At approximately 00:50, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an open area in the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a mobile container on a tract of land in the west of al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Two rooms on the land were destroyed and 10 olive trees and 23 houses were damaged. Additionally, 7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and two women, were wounded:
1. Hammad Mo’nes Abu Khalil, 30;
2. Jasser Hammad Abu Khalil, 6;
3. Haniya ‘Abdul Hadi Kabaja, 60;
4. Suhaib Hammad Abu Khalil, 4;
5. ‘Anad Hammad Abu Khalil, 3;
6. Reema Mohammed Kabaja, 10; and
7. Nour Sa’id Abu Nabhan, 21.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Aadi, 19, and arrested him. At the same time, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ayman Ekhlil, 18, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Lu’ai Sati al-Ashqar, 35, and arrested him. Al-Ashqar suffers from paresis because of previous detention.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Omar Abu ‘Ajamiya, 23, and arrested him.
At approximately 05:00, Kamal al-Batash, 31, from the old town of Hebron, was wounded by a bullet to the left foot fired by IOF in al-Shallala Street in the center of Hebron. According to an eyewitness, IOF fired at a number of young men in the area when it was completely quiet. IOF claimed that a Molotov cocktail was thrown at them. IOF also arrested al-Batash.
At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Orwa Sameer Abu Tammam, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 21:00, 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, 11 September 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, ‘Omar Saleh Tamimi, 25, was wounded by several rubber-coated metal bullets in the abdomen and the legs. IOF stopped the ambulance the transported him to the hospital and beat and arrested him together with Eyas Mohammed Sarhan, 26, who was accompanying him. IOF released Sarhan 4 hours later. IOF also arrested another two Palestinian civilians: Ziada ‘Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 26; and Mohammed ‘Atiya Tamimi, 28.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Milad Hamdallah Dahdoul, 22. They handcuffed members of the family and forced them out of the house. They then searched the house and arrested Milad.
At approximately 06:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land amidst indiscriminate shooting. They moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel 4 hours later and no casualties were reported.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land amidst indiscriminate shooting. They moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel 5 hours later and no casualties were reported.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at 8 Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach leaving their fishing nets, and no casualties were reported.
Also at approximately 09:0, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Jenin. 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 Bourqin village, west of Jenin. 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 Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at open areas in the northwest of Beit Hanoun. No casualties were reported.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saffa village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Muntasser Yasser Karaja, 22;
2. ‘Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Karaja, 20;
3. Tariq Ziad Karaja, 22; and
4. Yousef Tal’at Karaja, 25.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Abu Warda and arrested his two sons: Munther, 23; and Mo’men, 20.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ibrahim al-Ashqar, 21.
At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 07 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 and settlement activities and the trial of Mohammed Baraka, an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset. They moved towards areas 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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 07 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 07 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, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in protest to the confiscation of land and settlement activities in the town. The demonstrators moved towards Khillat al-Kutla area near “Karmi Tsur” settlement to the northeast of the town. Before reaching the area, Israeli soldier fired at the demonstrators and beat a number of them. As a result, Hamza Ahmed Abu Hashem, 13, sustained fractures to his feet.
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
05 – 11 September 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 05 September 2012 | 968 | 672 | 36 |
| Thursday | 06 September 2012 | 963 | 1,032 | 38 |
| Friday | 07 September 2012 | 310 | 145 | 41 |
| Saturday | 08 September 2012 | 928 | 667 | 34 |
| Sunday | 09 September 2012 | 875 | 787 and a corpse | 42 |
| Monday | 10 September 2012 | 972 | 618 | 46 |
| Tuesday | 11 September 2012 | 862 | 532 | 73 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
03 – 10 September 2012
Imports:
| Date | Imports | ||||||||
| Category | Amount | ||||||||
| Tons | Number | Liters | |||||||
| 03 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,364 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials | 1,567 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Cars Glass boards Parts of olive presses | 1,430 | 1,230 190 1,121 30 520 15 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 6,321 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 179.110 | | | ||||||
| 04 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,258 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 1,365 221 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Refrigerators Glass boards | 1,452 | 238 1,040 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 4,413 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 197.000 | | | ||||||
| 05 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 981 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 1,634 337 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Refrigerators Cartons of shoes Glass boards Washing machines Cars | 1,270 | 447 705 520 80 20 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 5,922 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 197.440 | | | ||||||
| 06 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,159 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 1620 232 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Glass boards Car tires | 1,178 | 710 110 1,386 512 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 5.674 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 199.640 | | | ||||||
| 09 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,021 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials | 736 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Water tanks Car tires Cars | 1,1560 | 412 109 120 641 80 29 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 6,577 | | | ||||||
| Cooking gas | 177.910 | | | ||||||
| Diesel for UNRWA | | | 151,100 | ||||||
| Benzene for UNRWA | | | 34,200 | ||||||
| 10 September 2012 | Foodstuffs | 1,128 | | | |||||
| Agricultural materials Cows | 784 446 | | | ||||||
| Various goods Cartons of Clothes Refrigerators Water tanks Peanut machines Cars | 1,032 | 423 307 240 2 31 | | ||||||
| Humanitarian aid Cars for UNRWA | 6,627 12 | | | ||||||
Notes:
On Monday, 03 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 208 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates, 448 tons of flour, 64 tons of milk and 630 tons of base course for UNRWA; 1,540 tons of construction aggregates and 11 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority; 158 tons of sugar and 32 tons of cooking oil for WFP; 120 tons of cement for USAID; and 200 tons of cement for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat.
On Tuesday, 04 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 322 tons of cement, 3,150 tons of construction aggregates, 39 tons of construction steel, 77 tons of stuccos and 416 tons of flour for UNRWA; 89 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority; 190 tons of sugar, 48 tons of salt and 18 tons of cooking oil for WFP; and 16 tons of medicines for the Palestinian Ministry of Health. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 819 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 05 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 358 tons of cement, 3,430 tons of construction aggregates, 114 tons of construction steel, 70 tons of marbles, 58 tons of cooking oil, 60 tons of milk and 4316 tons of flour for UNRWA; 77 tons of cooking oil for WFP; 11 tons of medicines for Medicin Sans Frontieres; 15 tons of cables and 22 tons of electricity towers for Gaza Electricity Distribution Company; and 26 tons of construction steel and 1,050 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 06 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement, 3,220 tons of construction aggregates, 31 tons of construction steel, 36 tons of stationery, 83 tons of milk and 221 tons of flour for UNRWA; 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for the Palestinian Water Authority; and 63 tons of cooking oil for WFP. They also allowed the entry of 350 tons of fodders, 312 tons of wheat and 350 tons of straws.
On Sunday, 09 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 410 tons of cement, 20 tons of construction steel, 3,430 tons of construction aggregates and 39 tons of stuccos for UNRWA; 341 tons of cement, 2,030 tons of construction aggregates and 72 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority; 36 tons of stationery for the Orphan House; 31 tons of medicines for ANERA; and 186 tons of flour for WFP. They also allowed the entry of 390 tons of fodders and 312 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 10 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 570 tons of cement, 12 tons of construction steel, 2,450 tons of construction aggregates, 1,050 tons of base course and 23 tons of milk for UNRWA; 2,100 tons of construction aggregates and 39 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority; 40 tons of electrical supplies for Gaza Electricity Distribution Company; 15 tons of gas cylinders for the Palestinian Ministry of Health; and 187 tons of flour for WFP. They also allowed the entry of 468 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
05 – 11 September 2012
| Date | 05 September | 06 September | 07 September | 08 September | 09 September | 10 September | 11 September |
| Patients | 25 | 23 | 4 | Nil | 48 | 30 | 29 |
| Companions | 23 | 26 | 4 | Nil | 48 | 27 | 30 |
| Personal needs | 21 | 24 | Nil | Nil | 27 | 11 | 31 |
| Arabs from Israel | Nil | 9 | 8 | Nil | 31 | 9 | 4 |
| Diplomats | 12 | 10 | Nil | Nil | 2 | Nil | 12 |
| International Journalists | 1 | 4 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil |
| International Workers | 38 | 63 | 3 | Nil | 6 | 17 | 25 |
| UN Workers | 12 | 18 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 5 | 6 |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Business People | 80 | 65 | Nil | Nil | 90 | 85 | 55 |
| Economic Meetings | 10 | 11 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 6 | Nil |
| Security Interviews | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 3 | Nil | 1 |
| VIP's | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances to Israel | 2 | 3 | 1 | Nil | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Ambulances from Israel | Nil | 1 | 2 | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil |
On Monday, 10 September 2012, IOF allowed 30 members of families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails to travel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to visit these prisoners.
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 09:00 on Friday, 07 September 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 09 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 06 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mu’wajat road been Jericho and Ramallah. At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 02 August 2012, 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 11:30on Friday, 07 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Jarba-Sanour road, south of Jenin. At approximately 23:00, 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 19:00 on Thursday, 06 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 09 September 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At the same time, 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 01:00 on Thursday, 06 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron. At approximately 23:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 08 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Douma intersection, south of Hebron. At approximately 22:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Taffouh village, northwest of Hebron. At approximately 23:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Jourat Bahlas area between Hebron and Halhoul. At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 09 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near al-Koum village, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 06:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 10 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Tabaqa village, southwest of Hebron.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:25 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. At approximately 18:50, IOF established a checkpoint under Eskaka Bridge, east of Salfit.
Harassment at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 05:00 on Sunday, 09 September 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned near Khirbat Janba village, south of Hebron, chased a number of Palestinian workers who were on their way to their workplaces inside Israel. They violently beat 3 of these workers: Firas Abu Fannar, 22; Mohammed Abu Fannar, 23; and Jamal Abu Fannar, 19.
At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 12 September 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned near Khirbat Janba village, south of Hebron, chased a car that was transporting a number of Palestinian workers who were on their way to their workplaces inside Israel. The car overturned and the workers were injured, including Ayman ‘Ata Abu Far, 31, and Taha Badawi Mohammed, 54.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, IOF positioned in the old town of Hebron arrested Ghazi Nidal al-‘Owaiwi, 12, and Nidal Shaheen, 13.
At approximately 17:10 also on Saturday, IOF arrested Mohammed Nidal Salama, 17, and Rakan Ghaleb Mash’al, 17, 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.
At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 10 September 2012, IOF positioned in al-Shallala Street in the center of Hebron arrested Nibras Barakat Bader, 14, and Ahmed Jihad Bader, 15, while they were near their houses in the area.
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 12:00 on Friday, 07 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Emanuel” settlement set fire to olive trees in Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. As a result, at least 100 olive trees belonging to Fawzi Nasser Ghanem were burnt. Asccording to Ghanem, officers from the Israeli military liaison arrived at the area and informed him that he should refer to a police station in “Ariel” settlement to submit a complaint against settlers, but he had to wait for coordination through the ICRC in order to be able to enter the settlement.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 08 September 2012, IOF moved into al-Mussafer area in the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They delivered a notice to Ahmed Isma’il al-‘Odara, 40, ordering demolition of his 150-square-meter, two-storey house.
At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 10 September 2012, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into Jourish villag, southeast of Nablus. The bulldozers destroyed a 30-dunum area of land, demolished a 1,500-meter-long fence and uprooted dozens of trees that were planted in March 2011 by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. The land belongs to ‘Ali Farhan Hamad.
At approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Talmoun” settlement outpost, which stands on the lands of al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah, threw stones at a number of Palestinian houses in the village. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and clashed with the settlers, which left the area. As a result of the attack, a number of houses were damaged.
At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012, IOF blocked an entrance that leads to several houses in Jaber quarter in the old town of Hebron, allegedly in application of a decision issued by the Israeli High Court.
At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 12 September 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Etani’el” settlement, south of Hebron, stormed Meesh village. They wrote racist slogans on the walls of Salman al-Faresi Mosque, such as “Death for Arabs,” and “You will pay a heavy price.”
At approximately 12:30 also on Wednesday, 12 September 2012, a female Israeli settler ran down Hayat Mohammed Sobeh, 8, from Taqqou’a village southeast of Bethlehem, at the main road near an elementary school. The settler was traveling very fast when she ran down the child. The child was injured and her condition was described as stable.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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