Weekly report on israel’s terrorism against the State of Palestine

Weekly Report

Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) 

(12 – 18 May 2016)

Jerusalem – Israeli Forces Demolish House in Sho’fat Village, 8 Civilians Rendered Homeless.

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• About 30 olive trees were burnt at the eastern entrance to Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.

• Israeli forces continued to open fire at the Gaza Strip border area.
• A farmer was wounded in the east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

• Israeli forces conducted 57 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
• 36 civilians, including 5 children, were arrested.
• 8 of them, including a child, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Among the arrested was a PLC member and the former Minister of Prisoners.

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.
• Israeli forces arrested 12 fishermen, including 3 children, and confiscated 2 fishing boats and drowned a third.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• 3 houses were demolished in al-Sowana neighbourhood and Shu’fat village, leaving 30 civilians homeless.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9^th
• Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
• 13 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (12 – 18 May 2016).

Shooting:

Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Four of them were wounded in the West Bank and the 4 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of the use of forces against peaceful protests, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained bullet wounds to the lower limbs while participating in peaceful protests near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij. The wounded were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital to receive the necessary medical treatment. In addition, 2 of them were transported to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Concerning targeting border areas, on 18 May 2016, Essa al-Ejla (19), sustained a bullet wound to the right leg when Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, opened fire. The aforementioned person was working in his farmland that is about 500 meters away from al-Muntar (Karni) crossing.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea, on 12 May 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.

On 15 May 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off Beit Lahia shore, north of the Gaza Strip. Three Israeli gunboats surrounded 10 fishing boats, including 3 children, all from al-Remal and Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Israeli navy officers arrested all of them and took them to Ashdod seaport, in addition, confiscated 2 fishing boats and drowned a third. The next day, Israeli forces released 8 fishermen and kept 2 others In custody. On the same day also, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah shore in the Central Gaza Strip, opened fire around fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.

On 16 May 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Beit Lahia shore, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at fishing boats. A gunboat approached a fishing boat manned by 2 fishermen. The Israeli navy forces arrested both of them and confiscated their boat.

In the West Bank, regarding the use of forces against peaceful protests, 2 Palestinians were wounded while participating in Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya. The first (18) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and the second (26) sustained a sponge-tipped bullet to the head. Moreover, a child (15) sustained a bullet wound to the right knee while participating in a protest around “Psagot” settlement, east of Ramallah, marking the Nakba Day.

During those protests, Israeli forces arrested Abdullah Abu Rahma (43), coordinator of the popular committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, and an Israeli activist. Moreover, as a result of Israeli forces firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters, about 30 olive trees at the eastern entrance to Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.

On 15 May 2016, Israeli forces opened fire at 32-year-old male while attempting to sneak into occupied Jerusalem, heading to his workplace. As a result, he sustained a bullet wound to the head. His injury was classified as moderate.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 57 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 36 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.  Eight of them, including a child, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Among the arrested was Abdul Jaber Foqaha’ (50), a PLC member from the Change and Reform Bloc, Ra’fat Nasif (50), a leader in Hamas Movement, and Wafi Qabha (55), a leader in Hamas Movement and the Minister of Prisoners in the tenth Palestinian government.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tight 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 closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

Jewish Majority:

Concerning house demolitions, on 17 May 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished 2 houses in al-Sowana neighbourhood, east of Jerusalem’s Old City in application of the Central Court’s decision to demolish the 2 houses for being built on lands classified as “National Parks” without license.

On 18 May 2016, Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to Rajeh Hawareen in Shu’fat village, north of occupied Jerusalem for the interest of establishing a settlement road. It should be noted that the house was built in 2001 and used to shelter a 7-member family.

Details

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 12 May 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amr Ibrahim al-Deek (15). At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces arrested the abovementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Kherbitha al-Mosbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Arafat Ali Mesleh (23). Israeli forces arrested the abovementioned person and took him to “Ofer” prison in Betonia village, west of the city.

• At approximately 17:30, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. The Israeli shooting continued for 30 minutes, so the fishermen were forced to flee to the shore and no casualties were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Samou’a, Abu al-‘Asjah villages, south of Hebron and Hewara village, south of Nablus.

Friday, 13 May 2016

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Rafat village, west of Salfit; Dura, Halhoul and Nobah villages in Hebron; Jaljilia village, north of Ramallah and Kherbitha Ben Hareth village, northwest of the city.

Saturday, 14 May 2016

• At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Safa area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Naser Abdul Halim Abu Maria (19) and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Majd, al-Burj and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

Sunday, 15 May 2016

• At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Odai Mahmoud Salim ‘Assaf (18) and arrested him.

• At approximately 12:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah shore, in the centre of the Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The Israeli shooting continued for 30 minutes, so the fishermen were forced to flee to the shore and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 19:00, while a number of Palestinian fishing boats were sailing within 3 nautical miles off northern Gaza shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli gunboats stationed near the fishing boats heavily opened fire and fired dozens of shells at the boats.  Two Israeli gunboats then surrounded 3 Palestinian fishing boats belonging to the sons of Redwan ‘Abdullah Baker and manned by 10 fishermen, including 3 children.  The Israeli soldiers forced the fishermen to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboats.  The fishermen were then arrested and taken to Ashdod Seaport for interrogation.  The arrested fishermen were identified as:

1. Khaled Redwan Baker (44);
2. Khamis Redwan Baker (51);
3. Ghaleb Redwan Baker (38);
4. Ahmed Khaled Baker (23);
5. Mohammed Khamis Baker (17);
6. Jamil Ahmed ‘Adas (17);
7. Muhanned ‘Abdel Rahman Baker (24);
8. Mohammed Mahmoud Baker (17);
9. Adham Ashraf al-Ashwah (23) and
10. Hasan Ibrahim Madi (26).

All of the arrested fishermen are from al-Rimal neighbourhood and al-Shati’ refugee camp in Gaza City. Moreover, Israeli naval forces confiscated 2 fishing boats and drowned another one, which was later pulled by other fishermen, after shooting and shelling it. They also took the fishermen to Ashdod Seaport and 2 hours later Israeli gunboats returned a confiscated fishing boat while another fishing boat is so far kept in custody. The fishermen lost dozens of fishing nets. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces released 8 fishermen while kept Khamis Baker and Hasan Madi in custody so far.

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces opened fire at a 32-year-old male while trying to enter occupied Jerusalem heading to his work. As a result, the person was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head and was then taken to Beit Jalah Hospital to receive medical treatment. It should be mentioned that his injuries were classified as moderate.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (11) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Rantees, ‘Atarah, Beit ‘Ur al-Tahta, and Deir Dabwan villages in Ramallah; Hares village in Salfit; Bani Na’im, Sureef, al-Moreq, Imrish and ‘Izbit al-Shofah villages, southeast of Tulkarm; and ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya.

Monday, 16 May 2016

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nael Waleed al-Haj Hasan (21) and arrested him.

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched many houses. Moreover, they arrested Hamza Saleem al-‘Amoudi (34) from his house in al-Janeed area in Rafidya neighbourhood, west of the city; and Ihab Khir al-Deen Zaid (34) from his house in al-Makhfiya neighbourhood, west of the city.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Askar al-Balad area, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched many houses and arrested Salah al-Deen Ayman Dowikat (24), a student in al-Najah University.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Hatab village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched many houses and arrested Mostafa Jamal Abdullah (28).

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah and stationed in the center of the village. They raided and searched 3 houses from which they arrested Fadi Abed al-Kareen Hamad (21), Tareq Talib Hamed (21) and ‘Alaa Abed al-Raheem Hamed (22).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Na’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah As’ad ‘Omirah (23) after damaging the house main door with a sharp tool. Israeli forces then arrested the abovementioned civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-‘Asal village, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in al-Shawamrah neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mahmoud Shawamrah (40) and withdrew later.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Taqo’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Abu Mifreh and arrested his son Ahmed (22).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sidah village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahdi Ahmed ‘Ajaj (18) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas village. They raided and searched many houses from which they arrested many civilians. The arrested persons were identified as Tareq Nadir al-Kharaz (22), a student in al-Najah University in Nablus; and Ahmed Merhij Mostafa Daraghmah (22), a student in the American University in Jenin.

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, south of Jenin and stationed in al-Damoni Mount. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Omar Tawfiq Malalah (20) and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul and Beit Kahel villages in Hebron; Faqou’a village, northeast of Jenin; Beit Ameen, Sanirah, ‘Azoun ‘Etmah villages, southeast of Qalqiliya; and Dirasityia village, northwest of Salfit.

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain Munjid neighbourhood, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Abdel-Jaber Faqha’a (50). They arrested and took him to “Ofer” prison, south of the city.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in Thaghrit al-Shabak area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Abed al-Hameed Abu Maria (44) and arrested his son Mohanad (16).

• At approximately 06:20, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. An Israeli gunboat approached a fishing boat belonging to Mohammed Ramadan Mohammed Zaied (61), from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, which was manned by his brothers Samed (29) and Ibrahim (22). The abovementioned civilians were sailing 300 meters off the shore. Israeli naval forces arrested them and confiscated their fishing boat. Eyewitnesses said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli gunboat approached the Palestinian fishing boat after opening fire at it. After that, the Israeli soldiers forced the fishermen to take their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat. They then took the fishermen to an unknown destination.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Tarqumia village; al-Fawar refugee camp and Deir Samet village in Hebron.

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Ereq al-Latoun area. They raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Mohammed Isaa Bahar (52) and Wahbi Ibrahim Bahar (16). Moreover, they arrested Mohammed Isaa Bahar (17) from his workplace in a bakery after detaining the workers for half an hour.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and stationed in al-Basateen neighborhood, north of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to a Hamas leader Wasfi ‘Ezzat Hasan Qabha (55), the former Palestinian Minister of Prisoners, and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched another house belonging to Loai Naser al-Deen Ali Tafish (30) and arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kafur Dan village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Turkman (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Birzeit, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abual Rahman Naseem Salem (18) and arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm and stationed in the southern neighborhood of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamas Leader Rafat Jamil Abdul Rahamn Nasif (50) and arrested him.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed in the border area between the Gaza Strip and Israel, opened fire at the lands, east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, east of the Gaza Strip. As a result, Isaa Mohamed al-‘Ejlah (19) was hit with a live bullet to the right leg and was then taken to al-Shifa Hospital to receive medical treatment. Medical sources classified his injuries as moderate. It should mentioned that the abovementioned civilian was working in a farmland, which is 500 meters away from al-Muntar crossing.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta and Bani Na’eem villages in Hebron; and Taquo’ village, southeast of Bethlehem.

2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer, on 13 May 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized protests against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of “Ofer” prison, southwest of the city and at the entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protestors by firing live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

• At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 14 May 2016, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered near the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint there. Israeli soldier chased the protesters into agricultural fields and heavily fired tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, some agricultural fields caught fire.

• At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 15 May 2016, a protest, which is part of (Return Train) activities, started from al-Dahisha refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem, and headed to occupied Jerusalem. Palestinian activists made an anthropomorphic train to stimulate the Palestinians right to return, commemorating the 68^th anniversary of al-Nakbah. Moreover, the train’s designers wrote return slogans and names of Palestinian villages. When the train arrived at the northern entrance to Bethlehem, Israeli forces prevented it from accessing occupied Jerusalem by firing tear gas canisters. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalations.

• On Monday, 16 May 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in al-Taweel Mount area, adjacent to “Bsagot” settlement in al-Bireh city, to commemorate the 68^th anniversary of al-Nakbah. The protesters threw stones at the settlement’s fence, so Israeli soldiers immediately fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. As a result, a 15-year-old male was hit with a live bullet to the right knee and was then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Palestine Medical Complex. Moreover, Israeli soldiers detained 3 other children for an hour and released them later.

Gaza Strip:

• At approximately 14:30 on Friday, 13 May 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border area between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers opened fire at the protesters in response. As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded with live bullets. They were then taken by a PRCS ambulance to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive medical treatment. Two of the wounded were then transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The wounded were identified as :

1. Mazen Mohamed al-‘Isawy (16), was hit with a live bullet to the left leg.
2. Jadi Fayiz Abed al-Hadi (28), was hit with a live bullet to the lower limbs.
3. Ashraf Subhi Abu Shawish (23), was hit with a live bullet to the left leg.

Demonstrations against the annexation wall and settlement activities

• At approximately 13:00, on Friday, 29 April 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance to the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, while other civilians sustained wounds. The first one (18) was hit with a live bullet to the left leg and the second (26) was hit with a sponge-tipped bullet to the head.

• Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, and al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested Abdullah Mahmoud Abu Rahma (43), coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activities, and took him to “Ofer” prison, west of the city. They also detained an Israeli activist from “Peace Now” movement

• At approximately 17:50 on Saturday, 14 May 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, 3 olive trees were burnt due to firing bombs at them. Additionally, a plot of land belonging to Kafur Qaddoum’s village council was burnt.

Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.

Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethal if they hit the head of victim from a close range.

3. Continued closure of the oPt

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on 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

Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

Israeli forces 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 of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods

Date	Imports
	Category	Amount
		Tons	Number	Liters
10 May	Various goods	7192
	Humanitarian aid	13331
	Cooking gas	296,180
	Benzene			289,019
	DieselDiesel for UNRWA			768,00238.000
	Industrial fuel			491,003
	Construction aggregates	11480
	Cement	1320
	Construction steel	90
15 May	Various goods	5084
	Humanitarian aid	11860
	Cooking gas	279,965
	Benzene			294,965
	DieselDiesel for UNRWA			704,04838,000
	Industrial fuel			152.000
	Construction aggregates	10200
	Cement	1520

Exports

• On Tuesday, 10 May 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of a truckload of lemons, 6 truckloads of vegetables and a truckload of furniture.
• On Sunday, 15 May 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of two truckloads of lemon, a truckload of vegetables and a truckload of clothes.

Note: Israeli forces closed the abovementioned crossing on 11 and 12 May 2016 for a Jewish holiday.

Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

11 May 2015 -17 May 2016

Category	11 May	12 May	13 May	14 May	15 May	16 May	17 May
Patients	5	–	2	–	112	76	92
Companions	4	–	1	–	116	69	87
Personal needs	3	–	14	–	52	32	31
Familiesof prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	67	–
Arabs from Israel	–	–	3	–	4	3	2
Diplomats	–	–	–	–	1	–	2
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	–	–	27	–	11	36	48
Travelers abroad	–	–	–	–	–	51	–
Business people	1	–	4	2	500	330	315
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	–	–	–	–	1	–	3
VIPs	2	–	–	–	1	–	2
Ambulances to Israel	3	3	3	–	5	3	4
Patients’ Companions	3	3	3	–	4	4	4

Notes:

• On Friday, 13 May 2016, Israeli authorities allowed 269 civilians from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.
• On Tuesday, 17 May 2016, Israeli authorities allowed one person to renew his permit.
• On Wednesday, 11 May 2016 and on Friday, 12 May 2016, Israeli forces closed the crossing for Jewish holidays.

West Bank

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

• Hebron: Israeli forces established (14) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 12 May 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Awa, al-Kum and Ethna villages.

On Friday, 13 May 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the southern entrances to Bani Naim village and Hebron (al-Fahes). On Saturday, 14 May 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the entrances to Sa’ir and al-Shayoukh villages.

On Sunday, 15 May 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the entrances to Deir al-Asal and al-Thaheriyah villages. On Monday, 16 May 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to al-Fawar and al-Aroub refugee camps and Beit Omrah village.

• Ramallah and al-Birah: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 12 May 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to Deir Abu Mesha’al village, northwest of Ramallah, Senjel village, north of the city and under the bridge of Kherebtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city. On Friday 13 May 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah; the Intersection of Beit Our al-Fuqa village and under the bridge of Beit Sira village, southwest of the city.

• Tulkarm: At approximately 19:00 on Friday, 13 May 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and its villages, north of Tulkarm known as (al-Sh’arawiyah) near the entrance to al-Jarushiyah village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 20:30 on Saturday, 14 May 2016, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its arbitrary restrictions against Palestinian civilians and obstructed their way through the checkpoint. This tightening recurred at approximately 08:30 on Sunday morning, 15 May 2016 and at approximately17:30 on Monday, 16 May 2016.

At approximately 21:30 on the same Saturday, Israeli forces re-established a checkpoint on the road linking between Tulkarm and Qalqiliyah near the entrance to Jabarah village, south of Tulkarm.

• Jenin: At approximately 21:00, on Sunday, 15 May 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to the intersection of al-Yamoun village, south of Jenin. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 16 May 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Abu Da’if village, southeast of the city.

Arrests at military checkpoints

• At approximately 01:00, on Saturday, 14 May 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the Container   checkpoint, north east of Bethlehem, arrested Anas Mohammed Qafisha (26), from Hebron, after stopping his Skoda car and took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 10:00 on the same Saturday, Israeli forces deployed in neighborhoods of the Old City in the center of Hebron, arrested Ayman Salhab al-Tamimi (21) near the Ibrahimi Mosque. They then took him to Ja’barah interrogation center in a police station near “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron.

• At approximately 11:00 on the same Saturday, Israeli forces arrested Baraa Aref Jaber (15) and Omer Taha Abu Sunainah (22) from Jaber neighborhood, east of Hebron. They claimed that Baraa and Omer verbally insulted a settler. They were taken to J’abarah interrogation center in a police station near “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron.

• At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian policeman Mohammed Mustafa al-Najar (30) from al-Azzah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. Al-Najar family said that Mohammed was on his way back home from work in Ramallah as usual, but they were shocked by the news of his arrest while passing through a checkpoint that is established near “Mishor Adumim” settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem. It should be mentioned that Mohammed was released from Israeli prisons a year ago after spending his 10-year sentence.

• At approximately 22:00 on the same Saturday, Israeli forces moved into the western entrance to Beit Jala. They established a checkpoint there and began searching the passersby and vehicles. Before removing the checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Maher Masalmah (23) and Hamzah Mahmoud Masalmah (20).

• At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 15 May 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Amen Hashem Jaber (36) and Salah Monther Hijazi (23), both from Nablus, when they were crossing the checkpoint.

• At approximately 19:00 on the same Sunday, Israeli forces arrested and beat Mohammed Zeyad Ali Hamamrah (23) from Husan village, west of Bethlehem, while passing by “Beitar Illit” settlement  established on Palestinian lands of Nahalin, Husan and Wadi Fukin villages. Israeli forces claimed that Mohammed had a knife.

• At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 15 May 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Mitar crossing, south of Hebron, arrested Khadeja Ahmed al-Badawi (48) from al-Fawar refugee camp, south of the city when she was on her way to visit her son who is a prisoner in Negev

• On the same Monday morning, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandiya military checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, arrested Wahid Omer Tawfiq Mousa (33) from Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah. Wahid was present in the vicinity of the checkpoint as he is a bus driver.

• At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 18 May 2016, Israeli forces deployed in Tal Rumeida neighborhood in the center of Hebron, arrested Rami Adeeb Abu Eisha (15) claiming that he attacked an Israeli settler in the neighborhood. Rami was taken to J’abarah interrogation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron.

4. Efforts to Create Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Arrests and Incursions

• At approximately 17:00 On Saturday, 14 May 2016, Israeli forces moved into Abu Dis village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Dawoud Shuhadah Ayad (64) and then arrested him. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud’s son Samer few days ago.

• At approximately 09:37 on Monday, 16 May 2016, Israeli forces beat Mohammed Bader Mohammed Nemr (20) from Abu Dis village and then arrested him. They claimed that he carried out a stab attack in al-Anbiyaa’ street “Hanfeim” street in occupied Eastern Jerusalem.

• At approximately 19:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces moved into Kafer ‘Aqab village, north of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Ma’moun Zaghir (22) and Ammar Abu Asab (18).

• At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 17 May 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiyah, northeast of occupied Eastern Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Moath Qasem Muhasen (18), Basem Muhaisen (17), Mohammed Jamal Mahmoud (18) and Fares Dari (18).

      House demolitions and demolition notices:

• At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 17 May 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished two houses in al-Suwanah neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem’s Old City upon a decision by the Central Court to demolish the two houses under the pretext of building without permit on lands classified as “National Gardens”. The two houses belong to Tutah family but are inhabited by Aref al-Tutanji and Mazen Ghanem families.

Aref al-Tutanji, who lives in one of the two houses along with his family, said that Israeli soldiers rapidly raided his house at approximately 04:00 and the Ghanem family house, giving both families few minutes to leave their house. Moreover, they attacked and beat the Ghanem family members. It should be mentioned that the 80-square- meter housethat has sheltered 16 members, including 5 children, for 18 years.

Aref al-Tutanji said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“The Israeli District Court issued a decision to demolish the two houses in mid-March and the decision entered into force after a month. After that, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a decision to freeze demolition orders. However, we were surprised by the demolition process without a prior warning. This decision came after legal battles  in the Israeli courts to protect the two houses and stop the confiscation of 27 dunums on which 10 houses are built. It should be mentioned that Tutah and al-Ansari families are the land owners in addition to families living in the houses for dozens of years. Half of these houses were established before occupying Jerusalem while the other half was established 20 years ago.”

Ghanem family said that Israeli forces raided their house, which is built of tin plates and bricks in the early morning. They prevented them from approaching or being around the house until the demolition ended. The Family said that the Israeli municipality took out some of the furniture and damaged cupboards, kitchen tools and air conditions. It should be mentioned that the 60-square-meter house has sheltered 7 members for two years.

• At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 18 May 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with a bulldozer and municipality crews moved into Shu’fat village, north of occupied Jerusalem. They surrounded a house belonging to Rajeh Mohammed Saleh Huwarin, closed the area around the house, denied civilians and journalists access to the house and then began demolishing it. This house is located in an area that prevents linking “Ramat Shlomo” settlement with “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement as there are a number of Palestinian houses that received a demolition notice, including al-Hawarin house, in order to establish a settlement road which connects between the two above mentioned settlements. It should be mentioned that the 150-square-meter house, which was inhabited by 7 members, was established in 2001.

• Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces Attacks:

• At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 18 May 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with two military jeeps and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets of Beit Z’atah, al-Furaidas, Thughret al-Shabak area and the northern areas of the city. The Civil Administration officer handed 4 civilians notices to stop building water tanks built of concert and tin in order to collect water for agriculture. Those water tanks were built in the beginning of 2016 as part of a program to develop Water Resources for marginalised lands in the West Bank funded by the European Union and implemented by the Palestinian Hydrology Group and Agricultural Work Committees Union. Those water tanks belong to Wahid Hamdi Zamel Abu Mariya, Jameel Moahmmed Amer Abu Mariya, Ghassan Mohammed Abdul Azez Braigheth and Khalid Yusuf Abdul Majid Braigheth.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.

In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:

1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians
14. Public DocumentFor further information please visit our websitewww.pchrgaza.org or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by emailpchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   

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