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Renewed Israeli Escalation in the Gaza Strip: 1 Palestinian man killed and another wounded, along with 8 civilians, including 4 children and 1 woman |
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt)
IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian man and wounded a second in the southern Gaza Strip.
8 civilian bystanders were wounded, including 4 children and 1 woman.
IOF continued to carry out airstrikes and land attacks on civilian objects in the Gaza Strip.
5 Palestinians were wounded, including 2 children, in shellings, east of Khan Yunis.
2 mosque minarets and a tar factory sustained damages, east of Khan Yunis.
An agricultural warehouse was destroyed and a kindergarten was damaged in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF continued to target fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
IOF opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats four times, arrested 4 fishermen, and confiscated their boats.
IOF used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Dozens of protestors sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 46 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and limited incursions in the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 8 Palestinians, including the wife of a Palestinian prisoner.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
5 Palestinians, including at least 2 children, were arrested.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
A Palestinian laborer was wounded when Israeli settlers fired at him in the West Bank.
IOF prevented the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from carrying out rehabilitation works in the Old City.
220 olive trees and 20 vineyards were destroyed in Bethlehem and Nablus.
Israeli settlers chased Palestinian farmers from their land, as they began to harvest olives for the harvest season.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (04 - 10 October 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF extra-judicially executed 1 Palestinian man and wounded a second. A total of 14 Palestinians were wounded in the Gaza Strip in the reporting period, 12 of whom were confirmed civilians, including 6 children and 1 woman. In addition, a Palestinian laborer was wounded in the West Bank when Israeli settlers fired at him. Dozens of protestors were wounded in peaceful demonstrations against the annexation wall in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF extra-judicially executed 1 Palestinian man and wounded a second. In addition, 8 civilians were wounded in the same incident, including 4 children and 1 woman, the mother of two of the injured children. On 07 October 2012, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two men dressed in civilian clothing who were riding a motorcycle, as they were passing by Taha Hussain Elementary School in the Al-Brazil neighborhood, south of Rafah. It should be noted that the attack was carried out at the end of the school day, moments before the students began to leave the school. Following the attack, the Israeli military spokesperson announced that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the Global Jihad organization (the Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem). The Israeli spokesperson claimed that the two targeted persons were planning to implement a complex military operation in Sinai in the coming period.
On 08 October 2012, IOF positioned east of Khan Yunis at the border fence between Gaza and Israel shelled the villages to the east of Khan Yunis. As a result, 5 Palestinians were wounded, among them 4 civilians from the same family, including 2 children. In addition, two minarets were damaged, those of the Ammar Ben Yasser mosque in Abassan village and the al-Hidaya mosque in Khuza'a village.
Also on 08 October 2012, IOF positioned at the border fence between Gaza and Israel launched artillery shells in the vicinity of Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah. No casualties were reported.
On the same day, IOF positioned at the border fence launched 3 artillery shells at al-Amal Tar Factory, which is located on 5 dunums of land to the northeast of Gaza Valley, 900 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the factory sustained damages. No casualties were reported.
Also on 08 October 2012, Israeli warplanes fired at least 1 missile at open land in al-Nasser village, north of Rafah. No casualties were reported.
On 09 October 2012, Israeli artillery positioned at the northern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel launched 3 artillery shells in open areas in the vicinity of the al-Ghoul area, northwest of Beit Lahia.
Also on the same day, IOF positioned in watchtowers to the northwest of Beit Hanoun fired heavily upon open areas. Neither casualties nor damage were reported. Palestinians in the areas were terrorized, especially women and children.
On 10 October 2012, IOF positioned in watchtowers to the northwest of Beit Lahia fired heavily upon agricultural land in al-Sayafa area. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
On the same day, Israeli warplanes raided a warehouse located on farmland belonging to Faraj Abu Rabee' in the al-Shayma' area in Beit Lahia. As a result, the 250-square meter warehouse was completely destroyed. Moreover, material damage was caused to Ard al-Tofola kindergarten from the northeastern side. Approximately 130 students attend the kindergarten, where approximately 12 teachers work.
In the context of the continued targeting fishermen in the open sea, on 06 October 2012, Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled. On 07 October 2012, the Israeli gunboats opened fire twice and arrested a fisherman and his 3 sons. They were transported to Ashdod seaport and kept in detention until now. In addition, their fishing boat was confiscated.
On 10 October 2012, Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire sporadically at the Palestinian fishing boats.
In the West Bank, on 08 October 2012, a Palestinian laborer was wounded by a bullet to his left hand when a settler shot at him. The Palestinian was travelling to work in Jerusalem through a mountain road in Beit Jala, near "Gilo" settlement, north of Bethlehem. Four settlers in civilian clothing stopped him and asked him where he was going. He replied that he was going to work in Jerusalem. One of the settlers called the Israeli police, leading the Palestinian man to flee the scene for fear of being arrested because he does not have a permit to enter Israel. While the Palestinian man was fleeing, one of the Israeli settlers fired at him, wounding him in his left hand.
IOF continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 46 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested at least 8 Palestinians, including the wife of a Palestinian prisoner.
In the Gaza Strip, on 10 October 2012, IOF moved 300 meters into al-Shoka village, east of Rafah. They bulldozed and leveled the lands adjacent to the border fence under fire. However, no casualties were reported.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel continued to impose a tightened closure of the oPt, imposing 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. Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes 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, as long as the closure is allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, 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 08 October 2012, IOF prevented workers employed by the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from continuing their work in rehabilitating historic buildings, which are located east of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron. According to the legal committee of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, the Security Officer of Jewish Settlements in Hebron came to the construction site and took photographs of the place and of the workers. Half an hour later, members of Israel’s forces came with an officer of the Israeli Civil Administration, who ordered the contractor, orally, to suspend work until they receive approval from the concerned Israeli authorities.
On 05 October 2012, approximately 60 settlers from "Kadoumim" settlement attacked farmers from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, while they were harvesting olives on the main Nablus-Qalqilya road.
On the same day, settlers began destroying dozens of olive trees and vineyards in Al-Khader village territories, southwest of Bethlehem. As a result, 100 olive trees were cut down and 20 vineyards destroyed in the al-Mastati area adjacent to bypass road 60 between "Etzion" settlement and occupied Jerusalem.
On 06 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmers and prevented them from reaching their farmlands, located near the mentioned settlement, where they were planning to harvest olives.
On the same day, a group of settlers from the "Miria" settlement outpost, which was established on the northern side of the lands of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, began throwing stones at Palestinian farmers who were harvesting the olives on their lands in the Al-Nabi 'Anieer area. Late at night, settlers cut down 30 olive trees, both old and fruitful, belonging to Jom'a Barakat Abu-Fakhitha.
On 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Bait Haji" settlement, east of Hebron, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing on bypass road 60. Anwar Hassan Ali Qaisi (46) from the Al-Shahna Valley area, south of Doura city, southwest of Jenin, sustained wounds and fractures after his car turned over due to the settler attack.
On 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Nah'eil" settlement stormed the farmlands of Bitello village, northwest of Ramallah, and started throwing stones at Al-Bazar family while they were harvesting the olive trees in Al Thahour area. As a result, Alaa' Al-Bazar (21) was wounded in her right leg by a stone, and Thabet Al-Bazar's (13) left leg was broken after he fell on the ground.
On 08 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Aily" settlement, which was established in the eastern Laban village in the far south of Nablus, attacked the house of Khaled Samih Hamed Daraghmeh. The settlers broke into the house, which is located in Al-'Ayn area on the old Ramallah road, south of the village, and attempted to destroy it and its contents.
On 09 October 2012, Palestinian farmers from Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, discovered that more than 120 olive trees, which had been planted more than 20 years ago, were cut down. It should be noted that the Palestinian owners of these trees are only allowed to visit their lands twice a year, following coordination with the Israeli authorities.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (04 – 10 October 2012)
1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 04 October 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm from the western side. They patrolled the streets to the east then continued to advance to the city center. A number of Palestinan boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers were fortified. The soldiers fired stun grenades in response, as well as tear gas bombs aimed at dispersing the stone-throwers. IOF repositioned in the northern neighborhood of the city and raided an internet café. An Israeli Intelligence Officer, accompanied by soldiers, questioned a number of boys who were in the internet café. Following this, IOF withdrew from the city. Neither arrests nor other incidents were reported.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into S’aeir village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Medhat Zidan Jaradat, 22. IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an unknown destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew from the area.
Around the same time, IOF moved into Al Baq’aa village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into ‘Aboyeen village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Qofayn village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Al-Janya village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 05 October 2012
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aor Al-Tahta village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into Kafr Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, shortly before Friday prayers. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew, positioning at the eastern entrance of village.
At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Al-‘Arqa village, west of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kharsa village, south of Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. A number of boys gathered and threw stones at the military vehicles. Immediately, the soldiers fortified within the military vehicles fired stun grenades at the boys. IOF later withdrew and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.
Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Esteya village, northwest of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Haitham Hasan Al Khatib, 27, and handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence. At approximately 23:00, IOF withdrew and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghazalah village, north of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Selfit. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Rami Yasin ‘Akel Shamlawi, 31, and handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence. They later withdrew. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Deir Abu D’aif, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 06 October 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Romanah village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The shooting terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither injuries nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kouber village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday 07 October 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Ateil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qayzoun village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Ayoub Seder, 33. IOF arrested the aforementioned man and took him to an unknown destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew from the area.
Around the same time, IOF moved into the Nemra area, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither arrests nor house raids were reported.
At approximately 07:40, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of the Palestinian fishermen. The shooting continued sporadically for 5 minutes, terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. The fishermen did not report any damage to their boats, and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:10, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The gunboats surrounded a Palestinian boat belonging to Majed Fadel Baker, 51, who was onboard with his 3 sons: Omran, 27, Fadi, 26, and Mohammed, 20. Israeli navy soldiers ordered the 4 fishermen to take their clothes off, jump in the water, and swim towards an Israeli boat. At that point, the gunboats took them to Ashdod Seaport in Israel. At the time this report was prepared, the four fishermen remained in detention. Their boat was also confiscated.
At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Noba village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. At approximately 18:00, they withdrew and repositioned at the main entrance of the village. IOF established a temporary checkpoint which was later removed. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Kafr Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 08 October 2012
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Riheya village, east of Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Birah area, west of Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Around the same time, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:00, IOF positioned at the border with Israel launched several shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport, the far southwest of Rafah. No injuries were reported.
At approximately 06:40, IOF positioned at the border with Israel, east of Khan Younis, opened fire and launched shells at the villages located to the east of the city. The airstrikes, which continued sporadically for more than 2 hours, caused 5 injuries and damage to two mosque minarets.
At approximately 07:15, IOF launched several shells targeting ‘Amar Ben Yasser Mosque in ‘Abasan, east of Khan Younis, caused damage to the minaret. No injuries were reported.
Around the same time, IOF launched several shells targeting al-Hedaya Mosque, east of Khoza’a, east of Khan Younis, causing damage to the minaret. No injuries were reported.
At approximately 07:50, IOF launched several shells targeting a group of resistance members east of al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis. One member of the group was injured and transferred to Naser Hospital in the city. His wounds were reported to be serious. Many shells were dropped on farmlands in the al-Farahin neighborhood in ‘Abasan, Khoza’a, al-Qarara, and New ‘Abasan. 4 civilians, including 2 brothers, sustained minor and moderate shrapnel wounds in their bodies and were transferred to the Gaza European Hospital. The wounded are all members of the same family which lives in New ‘Abasan:
1- Mahmoud Ibrahim Ali al-Daghma, 21.
2- Mohammed Mahmoud Ali al-Daghma, 12.
3- Sireen Mahmoud Ali al-Daghma, 14.
4- Mahmoud Ahmed Ali al-Daghma, 33.
During the airstrikes in the aforementioned areas, 5 schools, with approximately 1,500 students, were evacuated. The evacuated schools were: Shuhadaa’ Khuza’a high school for boys; Shuhadaa’ Khuza’a high school for girls; New ‘Abasan elementary school for boys; New ‘Abasan elementary school for girls; and Abu al-‘Alaa’ al-Ma’ari mixed elementary school in al-Qarara.
At approximately 07:15, IOF positioned at the border launched 3 shells at al-Amal Tar Factory, which is located on 5 dunums of land, northeast of Gaza valley village, about 900 meters away from the border. The airstrike resulted in damage to the inside of the factory, to the hoods of air filters and tanks of MCO material, which is used to spray roads before paving them. No injuries were reported.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli warplanes (Apache) launched at least 1 missile at vacant land, located in al-Naser village, north of Rafah. No injuries were reported.
Tuesday, 09 October 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the al-Balata refugee camp, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets for some time. They raided and searched several houses. Before their withdrawal at approximately 05:00, IOF arrested 3 civilians and transferred them to the military detention center in Howara, south of the city. The arrested were: Abdel Rahman Shaher Barham, 25, Senan ‘Antar Abu ‘Aeesa, 33, and Sameh Ibrahim al-Asmar, 30.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit al-Rawsh al-Foqa, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Qayzoun and Nemra areas, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and raided and searched the house belonging to the family of Palestinian prisoner Mohammed ‘Ateyah Abu Warda, 36. IOF arrested Noura Borhan al-Ja’abari, 34, the wife of the aforementioned prisoner, and took her to an unknown destination. The prisoner, Mohammed Abu Warda, who is serving 47 life sentences in the Israeli prisons, has one child, Hamza, 9. In recent weeks, the houses of his father and uncles have been raided and searched, and 4 of his relatives have been arrested.
At approximately 21:45, IOF positioned at the northern border between the Gaza strip and Israel launched 3 shells which fell in open areas located in the vicinity of al-Ghoula area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. Huge explosions rocked the area, terrorizing the civilians living in nearby areas. Neither injuries nor damage to property were reported.
At approximately 23:10, IOF positioned inside watchtowers, northwest of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, fired heavily and randomly at open areas. The shooting continued for about 10 minutes, terrorizing the civilians, especially children and women, living in al-Ghazalat and Sweilem areas, about 1200 meters away from the northern border of the same village. Neither injuries nor damage to property were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rashed Abdel Rahman Rashed Ekbareya, 27, who was not at home during the raid. Captain Runi from the Israeli Intelligence ordered the family of the aforementioned man to call him on his cell phone and ask him to come home. IOF waited for about 15 minutes for him to return to the house and then handed his family a summons ordering the man to attend the IOF office in District Coordination Office (D.C.O), west of Tulkarm on 29 October 2012. IOF later withdrew and no other incidents were reported.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
At approximately 00:20, IOF positioned inside watchtowers, northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip fired heavily at agricultural areas located in al-Seifa area, northwest of the same town. The shooting continued for about 10 minutes. Neither injuries nor property damages were reported. It should be noted that farmers are unable to work on the farmlands adjacent to the border area because of the danger of attack.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm from the western side. They patrolled the streets to the east then continued to advance to the city center. A number of Palestinan boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers were fortified. The soldiers fired stun grenades in response, as well as tear gas bombs aimed at dispersing the stone-throwers. IOF repositioned in the northern neighborhood of the city and raided an internet café. An Israeli Intelligence Officer, accompanied by soldiers, questioned a number of boys who were in the internet café. Following this, IOF withdrew from the city. Neither arrests nor other incidents were reported.
At approximately 1:40, Israeli warplanes launched 1 missile at a warehouse belonging to the family of Faraj Hussein Khamis Abu Rabi’a, 42, from al-Shaymaa’ area in Beit Lahia town, in the northern the Gaza Strip. The warehouse is in the Naser project, north of the town, about 900 meters away from the northern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. This airstrike demolished the entire warehouse built on a 250 meter square area and caused material damage to a nursery and a kindergarten, called Ard al-Tafoulah, as its walls were cracked, northeast of the targeted area. The kindergarten is built on an area of 21,000m. Approximately 130 children attend the school, where approximately 12 teachers work. The missile caused a huge explosion, causing buildings in the vicinity of the targeted area to tremble. The attack terrorized the civilians whose houses are around the area, especially women and children, including the people of the Bedouin village and northern Beit Lahia.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Wad Khreisa area in Kherbet al-Baq’aa, west of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and raided and searched a number of houses, including the house belonging to Najeh Mohammed ‘Aeed (Da’aajna) al-Shawahin, 48. They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.
Around the same time, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Hanina area, south of Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Hasan al-‘Awawda, 52. At approximately 03:30, IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an unknown destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew.
Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed ‘Atallah Tamimi, 24. IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian, who is a media activist in the Popular Committee against Settlements in al-Nabi Saleh village, and took him to an unknown destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Asida area, east of Beit ‘Amer, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Jamil al-‘Alami, 23. They handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence (Shin Bet) in Kfar ‘Asyon settlement, south of Bethlehem. They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a bakery, and questioned Khader Adnan Mohammed Mousa, 33, on the spot. They later withdrew, and neither arrests nor other incidents were reported. It should be noted that the aforementioned is a leader in the Islamic Jihad Movement and was arrested by IOF, on 17 December 2011. He participated in an open hunger strike against the administrative detention policy practiced by the occupation, which he ended when a deal led to his release.
At approximately 05:00, IOF moved approximately 300 meters into al-Shoka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. They leveled land near the border with Israel, accompanied with shelling and sporadic shooting by the raiding military vehicles. Helicopters opened fire on farmlands. No injuries were reported. At approximately 08:00, IOF withdrew to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
At approximately 07:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The shooting terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither injuries nor damage to the boats were reported.
At approximately 12:00, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation when IOF launched tear gas at them during the funeral of a civilian, in the cemetery of Beit A’mer village, north of Hebron. Mohammed ‘Awad told a PCHR fieldworker that a large number of Israeli soldiers spread throughout the cemetery and at the main entrance of the village during the funeral of a civilian in the village. A number of boys threw stones at the soldiers. In response, the soldiers launched stun bombs and tear gas a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into the following villages: Tarama, Kharsa, al-Fredays, the southern side of Rajm Abu Helal, east of Dora, and southwest of Hebron. Eyewitnesses told a PCHR fieldworker that more than 40 military vehicles moved into the villages and positioned on the road of Tarama village and the road between Dora and bypass road 60 from the side of al-Fawar Palestinian refugee camp. Al-Fredays and al-Marajem area witnessed an intensive deployment of soldiers and military vehicles among the buildings and inside the farmlands. A civilian reported that military vehicles, belonging to the Israeli Intelligence Service, were in the area with persons in civilian clothes carrying maps and surveying an area located on the road between “Nigohoat” settlement and Tarama village. In the same incident, a Ford transit car with an Israeli registration plate (yellow), carrying a group of Israeli soldiers and a number of undercover units, patrolled the streets of al-Tabaqa village for approximately half an hour and then joined the rest of the military vehicles positioned at Kharsa intersection as IOF established a checkpoint there.
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 at 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 05 October 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 at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall. The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity which stressed the need to adhere to the national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and headed towards the Wall. They called through megaphones for 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 and the wounded were treated in the field.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 05 October 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 at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing 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, others sustained bruises and the wounded were treated in the field.
Around the same time that Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to begin their weekly peaceful protest against the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing settlement activities. The protestors 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 protestors who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises. They were treated in the field.
Later that Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists 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. IOF soldiers arrested Garry Anglish (50), an American activist, during the demonstration and released him on Friday evening. The demonstration ended with no injuries or arrests of Palestinians reported.
Also at 13:30 that 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 at the ongoing 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.
At approximately 9:30 Saturday, 06 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders, gathered in the Center of Bait Ummar village, north of Hebron, for the weekly peaceful demonstration organized against the settlement expansion policy and land confiscation. The demonstrators headed towards Thaher Jalis area near "Kermi Tsour" settlement north of the village. Upon nearing the settlement, IOF immediately fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. According to Younis 'Arrar, an activist, Israeli soldiers tried to attack the demonstrators in an attempt to disperse them and keep them away from the area, after declaring it a closed military zone. He also confirmed to PCHR's field worker that the peaceful demonstrations will continue in Bait Ummar village, as it is the peaceful and legitimate means of resistance against the Israeli occupation's schemes in the village.
3- Extra-judicial Executions
In the most recent extrajudicial execution committed by IOF warplanes on Sunday, 07 October 2012, two Palestinians were targeted, resulting in the killing of one and wounding of the other. 8 civilian bystanders were injured, including 4 children and 1 woman, the mother of two of the children. An Israeli army spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the Global Jihad organization (The Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem).
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:10 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two Palestinians riding a motorcycle, as they were passing by Taha Hussain Elementary School in the Al-Brazil neighborhood, south of Rafah. It should be noted that the attack was carried out at the end of the school day, moments before the students began to leave the school. The targeted persons, Abd-Allah Hassan Mikawy (24) and Tal'at Khalil Al-Darbi (23), both from Rafah, sustained burns and shrapnel wounds throughout their bodies. Their condition was described as critical. Abd-Allah Hassan Mikawy was transported to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. His leg was amputated but was pronounced dead at 14:40 on Monday, 08 October 2012. Tal'at Khalil Al-Darbi was transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where his right leg was amputated, according to medical sources.
8 civilian bystanders were wounded in the attack, including 4 children and 1 woman, the mother of 2 of the wounded children. They were visiting the woman’s family at the time of the attack. The wounded were transported to Abu-Yousif Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah, and their wounds were described as moderate. The victims were identified as:
1- Sabrin Hussain Al-Qatrous (Al-Maqousi) (23), from Jabalia Camp, who was wounded inside her parents' house;
2- Bisan Muhammad Al-Maqousi, (1 month), from Jabalia Camp, who was wounded inside her grandparents' house;
3- Nassim Muhammad Al-Maqousi (2), from Jabalia Camp, who was wounded inside his grandparents’ house;
4- Malak Hisham Abu-Jazar (3), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah, who was wounded in front of her family home;
5- Bashir Mustafa Keshta (10), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah, who was wounded while walking in the street;
6- 'Awad Muhammad Abu-'Armana (30), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah, who was wounded in front of his house;
7- Juhad Housni Al-Qatrous (27), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah, who was wounded in front of his house; and
8- Abdul-Hadi Mahmoud Abu-Mor (56), from Al-Salam neighborhood in Rafah, who was wounded while on his way to the mosque attend Al-Maghreb (Sunset) prayer.
An Israeli army spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the Global Jihad organization (The Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem). The targeted men were Abd-Allah Hassan Mikawy (24) and Tal'at Khalil Al-Darbi (23). The spokesperson also alleged that the men were planning a complex military attack in Sinai that was scheduled to be carried out in the coming period.
4- Continued Closure of the oPt
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable 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 terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the 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 a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created on 04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza. They shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive Gaza's fuel needs. 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 humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the poverty line has continued to increase, 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 export of products from Gaza, especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated since Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects the quantity of Gaza 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 patients 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
03– 09 October 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 03 October 2012 | 593 | 607 | 48 |
| Thursday | 04 October 2012 | 999 | 1076 | 81 |
| Friday | 05 October 2012 | 491 | 498 | 50 |
| Saturday | 06 October 2012 | closed | - | - |
| Sunday | 07 October 2012 | 866 | 1160 | 72 |
| Monday | 08 October 2012 | 897 | 682 | 76 |
| Tuesday | 09 October 2012 | 890 including 331pilgrims | 542 | 12 |
Notes:
1- Rafah international crossing point was closed on Saturday 06 October 2012 by the Egyptian Authorities on the anniversary of the victories of the October War in 1973.
2- Pilgrims started to leave the Gaza Strip via Rafah crossing to the Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj on Thursday 09 October 2012. The arrangement for Gaza Strip pilgrims included 17 flights; each flight carried 165 pilgrims, a total of 2640 pilgrims. The pilgrims are leaving Gaza Strip to Egypt in four flights every day on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday except the last day, Sunday, which includes only one flight from the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
03– 09 October 2012
Imports:
| Date | Imports | |||||||||
| Category | Amount | |||||||||
| Tons | Number | Liters | ||||||||
| 03 October 2012 | Foodstuffs | 893 | | | ||||||
| Agricultural materials | 1,781 | | | |||||||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Glass boards Cows Solarium tanks Fans | 1,286 | 767 255 1,590 471 338 1,020 | | |||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 7,568 | | | |||||||
| Cooking gas | 170,250 | | | |||||||
| 04 October 2012 | Foodstuffs | 893 | | | ||||||
| Agricultural materials | 2,572 | | | |||||||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Glass boards Power generators Washers cows | 926 | 2,067 196 1,060 11 212 516 | | |||||||
| Humanitarian aid | 7,505 | | | |||||||
Exports:
On Wednesday, 03 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 10 truckloads of empty plastic cans.
On Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 4 truckloads of empty plastic cans.
Imports:
On Wednesday, 03 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of cement, 144 tons of construction steel, 2,660 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for USAID, 3,220 tons of construction aggregate for Water Authority, 975 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 190 tons of cement, 39 tons of construction steel, 4,690 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, 630 tons of construction aggregate for UNDB,80 tons of cement and 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for Water Authority, 780tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
IOF closed the crossing on 07 October and 08 October 2012, because of Jewish holidays.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
03– 09 October 2012
| Date | 03 October | 04 October | 05 October | 06 October | 07 October | 08 October | 09 October |
| Patients | 28 | 38 | 3 | Nil | 26 | Nil | 47 |
| Companions | 29 | 40 | 3 | Nil | 23 | Nil | 46 |
| Personal needs | 15 | 18 | 18 | Nil | 18 | Nil | 28 |
| Arabs from Israel | Nil | 2 | Nil | Nil | 5 | Nil | 14 |
| Diplomats | 6 | 4 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 2 |
| International Journalists | 1 | 4 | 2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 4 |
| International Workers | 19 | 60 | 6 | Nil | 4 | Nil | 23 |
| UN Workers | 12 | 21 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 5 |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil |
| Business People | 47 | 40 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 113 |
| Economic Meetings | Nil | 7 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Security Interviews | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| VIPs | 2 | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 2 |
| Ambulances to Israel | Nil | 1 | 1 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 3 |
| Ambulances from Israel | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | 1 |
On Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF allowed humanitarian cases to pass via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing from 07:30 – 13:00 under the pretext of marking the second Sukkot Jewish feast. On Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF closed the crossing completely, however, humanitarian cases were allowed to pass via the crossing marking same Jewish feast.
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.
It is approximated that there are 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 in the streets, searched and even arrested 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 08:30 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ain Yabroud village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF established another checkpoint under the bridge of Kharabtha Al-Mosbah village, southwest of the city. At approximately 20:30, IOF re-established its presence on 'Attara checkpoint on the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 9:40 Friday, 05 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. And at 18:30 the same day, IOF established another checkpoint near the intersection of Beit 'Our Al Foqa village, southwest of the city. Both checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, IOF re-established its presence on 'Attara checkpoint on the northern entrance of Bier Zait, north of Ramallah.
At 1:30 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF established another checkpoint near the intersection of Bait 'Our Al-Foqa village, southwest of the city. Both checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. At approximately 17:00 IOF established another checkpoint on the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 06:30 on Friday, 05 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance ”Al Zbaidat” village, north of Jericho.
Also at approximately 08:30 Saturday, 06 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the entrance of 'Ain Al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. All checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 23:30 Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the road linking Tiba and Romana villages, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Ya'bed village, west of Jenin, however, no arrests were reported.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the intersection of 'Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed. No arrests were reported.
Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the main road linking the towns of Ethna and Tarkoumia, west of Hebron, the checkpoint was later removed. No arrests were reported. In addition, at approximately 23:00, IOF established another checkpoint at the entrance of Tawas village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 07 October 2012, IOF stormed agricultural lands near "Adoura" settlement, west of Hebron, and prohibited the farmers from harvesting their olives, under pretext that the lands are close to the settlement's security fence. At the same time on Sunday morning, IOF established a checkpoint on the main road of Kharas village, south of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed with no reports of arrest incidents.
At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 09 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the main intersection connecting Raboud and Abu al-'Asja villages with bypass road 60. At approximately 09:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar – Sourif road, north of Hebron. They searched the Palestinian vehicles. No arrests were reported.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 09:40 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 10:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddom village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 17:15, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF stationed near the gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city of Hebron arrested two children, Ali Sami Hassan Mifleh 'Adi (16) and Mifleh Ra'ed Ahmed Jaradat (17), from Bait Ummar village, north of the city. IOF claimed that one of the children was carrying a knife. They were transported to the detention center in "Keryat Arba'" settlement, southeast of the city, for investigation.
At approximately 21:00 Saturday evening, 06 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Al-Fahes road, north of Hebron. Before removing the checkpoint, IOF arrested two Palestinians: 'Arafat Mohammad 'Awni Al-Qasrawi (25) and 'Olwan Nasser Jamjoum (23), and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:30 Sunday morning, 07 October 2012, IOF, who have established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Doura city, southwest of Hebron, arrested Ahmad Salama Abu-Ras (30), and transported him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that Mr Abu-Ras was released only 3 months ago from Israeli prisons.
5- Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Friday morning, 05 October 2012, approximately 60 settlers from "Kadoumim" settlement attacked farmers from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, while harvesting olives on the main Nablus-Qalqilya road.
In his testimony to PCHR's fieldworker, Mou'taz Mahmoud Abdul-Halim (39), "At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 05 October 2012, I went with my family to harvest our olives from an area called Khelat Abu-Mjihed, east of our village, by the main road between Nablus and Qalqilya. Upon starting to work, we noticed another family harvesting too near us, by a vacant house. Suddenly, about 60 or 70 settlers attacked the mentioned family, so we ran off to protect them from the settlers attack, but were outnumbered. We went to the main road and stopped an Israeli police car, I told the officer that the settlers were attacking farmers and that he must stop them, but he did not respond. He told me: 'Today is a holiday and you must evacuate the area." I went back in a hurry, and in a while the settlers came towards us and attacked us by throwing rocks at us. Citizens passing by noticed that we were under attack, so they got out of their vehicles and joined us, we started to outnumber them as the citizens started gathering around us for protection. Nevertheless, the settlers continued throw rocks at us until an IOF unit came and stopped their vehicles between us and stopped them from coming down towards us, threatening us with gas bombs and told us that we must leave because it is a holiday. We kept working regardless of their threats, and the settlers kept provoking us by walking in our lands until we finished work in the evening."
In the evening of the same Friday, the settlers began destroying olive trees and vineyards in Al-Khader village territories, southwest of Bethlehem. According to Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the Popular Movement Against Settlement Activity and the Wall, hundreds of settlers attacked the lands of Al-Khader town and destroyed a 100 olive trees belonging to citizen Abdel-Hakim Salah and 20 vineyards belonging to citizen Younis Mahfouz Younis, all located in "Al-Mostasi" area near by-pass road No. 60, linking between "'Atsion" settlement and occupied Jerusalem. Mr Salah also reported that the settlers painted the Israeli flag on banners put by the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC) on the land of citizen Ali 'Atia Jaber in a project to rehabilitate his land. The settlers also contaminated a number of agricultural wells in the area, used by the farmers to irrigate their farms.
At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmers and prevented them from reaching their agricultural lands, located near the aforementioned settlement, to harvest olives. According to Rateb Al-Jabour, a member of the Popular Movement against Settlement Activity, in his testimony to PCHR filed worker, a group of settlers protected by IOF soldiers, attacked the Palestinian farmers while harvesting olives in their lands, which caused the farmers to leave their lands for fear of being attacked by the settlers. Mr Jabour added that this poses a great danger to the lives of the citizens, as they are dependent on agriculture, especially in the olive harvest season. It should be mentioned that IOF has declared the eastern lands of Yatta military training sites, prohibited for civilians. These lands are 18% of the total area of the city, and are located in Area C.
At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, a group of about 15 settlers coming from "Miria" the settlement outpost established on the northern side of the lands of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, began throwing rocks at Palestinian farmers who were harvesting the olives in their lands, in Al-Nabi 'Anieer area. Late that night, the settlers cut down 30 old and fruitful olive trees belonging to Mr Jum'a Barakat Abu-Fakhitha.
In his testimony to PCHR fieldworker, Mr Abu-Fakhitha's said "At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, as we were harvesting the olive trees in Al-Nabi 'Anieer area, near "Miria" the settlement outpost established on the northern side of the lands of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, a group of nearly 15 settlers, between 18 and 30 years of age, one of whom was armed with an automatic firearm, accompanied by police dogs, started throwing rocks at us. We threw rocks back at them, so they left the area. An hour later, an IOF unit came with the Security Officer of "Miria." They detained us for an hour under pretext that my son, Barakat, tried to run over a soldier with his car. After that, the unit left the area. Later that night, a group of settlers broke and cut 30 fruitful olive trees from my land, as I shockingly found out the next morning when I reached my land to continue the harvest. The trees where cut with chain saws."
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Nah'eil" settlement stormed the agriculture lands of Bitello village, northwest of Ramallah and started throwing rocks, cursing and approaching Al-Bazar family and threatening to attack them, while they were harvesting the olive trees in Al Thahour area. The family went ran back to the village, Ms Mariam Khalil Al-Bazar called Mr Mohammad Samir Redwan, Driector of Administration in Al-Itihad municipality, and told him what happened. Immediately, Mr Rodawn and two other municipality employees came to the village. Clashes erupted between a number of Palestinians and the settlers. One of the settlers started shooting fire at the Palestinians, while a number of settlers set fire to the olive trees. An hour and a half later, a number of IOF units and the Israeli police came to the scene and declared the area a closed military zone. As a result of the attack, Alaa' Al-Bazar was wounded in her right leg by a rock, and Thabet Al-Bazar's (13) left leg was broken after he fell to the ground.
At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from "Bait Haji" settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian vehicles passing on bypass road No. 60 with rocks. Citizen Anwar Hassan Ali Qaisi (46) from the Al-Shahna Valley area, south of Doura city, southwest of Jenin, sustained wounds and fractions after his car turned over due to the settlers attack. Mr Qaisi was transported by an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society to the Al-Khalil governmental hospital for treatment. In his testimony to PCHR field worker, Mr Qaisi's father said that his son is in a critical medical condition, and suffers from a fracture in his rib cage and may need surgery. He also added that IOF did not interfere to save his injured son after his car turned over after he was attacked by the settlers with rocks.
At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF prevented workers employed by the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from continuing their work in rehabilitating historic buildings, east of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city of Hebron. In the legal committee of Hebron Rehabilitation Committee's testimony to a PCHR field worker, the Security Officer of Jewish Settlements in Hebron came to the construction site and took photographs of the place and of the workers. Half an hour after he left, an IOF unit came with an officer of the Israeli Civil Administration, who ordered the contractor, orally, to suspend work until they receive approval from the concerned Israeli authorities. It should be noted that the area of the Ibrahim Mosque is subject to Israeli violations on a daily basis. IOF established a fence isolating neighborhoods east of the Ibrahimi Mosque, as well as the attempt to extend a water transmission line in the neighboring Jaber quarter, and closed sub-roads to houses attached to the Mosque which belong to the families of Al-Slayma, Jaber and Al-Owaiwy.
At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, a settler shot at Sakher Hussain Muhammad Al-'Alami (26), from Beit Amer, north of Hebron, and wounded him in his left arm. According to Mr Al-'Alami's testimony to PCHR's field worker, he took a mountain road in Bir 'Ouna area in Beit Jala, near "Jilo" settlement, north of Bethlehem, on his way to his work in occupied Jerusalem. He walked past 4 settlers, in their thirties, in civilian clothing; they stopped him and asked him where he was headed, and he told them that he was going to work in occupied Jerusalem. One of the settlers used his cell phone and called the Israeli police. The Palestinian laborer ran off for fear of being arrested because he doesn't have a work permit to enter Israel. He is not allowed to enter Israel based upon a decision issued by an Israeli court, but the decision has been since suspended. As he was trying to escape, one of the settlers shot at him and wounded him in his left arm. He managed to escape and reach Beit Jala governmental hospital where he received treatment. His wounds were described as moderate.
At approximately 21:30 on Monday, 08 October 2012, a group of settlers, from "Aily" established on the eastern Laban village, the far south of Nablus, attacked the house of Khaled Samih Hamed Daraghmeh. The settlers broke into the house, which is located in Al-'Ayn area on the old Ramallah road, south of the town, and attempted to destroy the house and its contents. In Mr Daraghmeh's testimony to PCHR's field worker, he said: "At approximately 21:30 Monday, 08 October 2012, while I was in an olive filed 200m away from my house located in Al-'Ayn area on the old Ramallah road, south of our town, south of Nablus. My house was vacant in case of a settlers attack, as they attack it regularly. At the mentioned hour, I saw more than 11 settlers car advancing towards "Aily" settlement, established on a part of the town's eastern lands and stopped by the house. More than 35 settlers came down from the vehicle, using the light of cars and torches, and started yelling in broken Arabic: Khaled Daragmeh open the door. They looked for me around the house and inside it for half an hour. When I noticed that, I escaped on foot towards the village, and sought rescue from other civilians, but they were afraid for their lives, especially that it was late in the night. When the sun came up, I went to the house and found out that the settlers had broken the door and turned the contents of the house upside down after completely destroying the furniture inside, even the plants around the house were attacked as well."
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, 09 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian farmers from Qariout town, southeast of Nablus, were on their way to their farms in Marah Bassam, Karam Al-Gharbi and Batisha areas in the western side of the town to harvest olives. The farmers had coordinated with the IOF to obtain permission to access these lands, as they can only enter twice a year, during harvest and plowing seasons. When they reached their land, they discovered that settlers from "Aily" settlement had destroyed and cut down more than 120 fruitful olive trees, each more than 20 years old, belonging to: Youssif Raja 'Azzem, Thaher Khalil, Nihad Al-Haj Ahmed, Faiz Rateb Al-Boum, Samir Abdul-Jawad Theeb and Adeeb Isa Khalil.
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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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