Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(18 – 24 August 2016)
Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes on many areas in the Gaza Strip
- Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
- A Palestinian civilian was killed on “Yitzhar” settlement bypass road, south of Nablus.
- 12 civilians, including a child, were wounded in the West Bank and 4 others, including a child, in the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes on many areas in the Gaza Strip
- A water reservoir tank and 5 military training sites were targeted, and 3 Members of al-Qassam Brigades sustained minor wounds.
- Israeli forces targeted the border areas in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding a shepherd.
- Israeli forces conducted 69 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip.
- 40 civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were arrested
- 14 of them, including 4 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
- 7 forges were raided and closed in Bethlehem after confiscating its contents.
- Settlement activities continued in the West Bank.
- Two dwellings and a youth center were demolished in Kherbet Um al-Kheir, south of Hebron.
- Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea
- 2 fishermen were arrested and a fishing boat was confiscated
- Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9th
- Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
- 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at military checkpoints.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (18 – 24 August 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 killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 16 others, including a child and 3 members of al-Qassam Brigades. Eight of them were wounded in the West Bank while the rest 8 were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes along the border fence in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also fired artillery shells at the border areas. Moreover, Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the sea.
In the West Bank, on 24 August 2016, Israeli forces directly opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car on “Yitzhar” settlement bypass road, south of Nablus. As a result, the driver was hit with several bullets and immediately died. It was later found out that the killed person is Sary Abu Ghurab (26) from Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. Israeli forces claimed that the Palestinian civilian stepped out of the car and stabbed an Israeli soldier in his neck.
On 19 August 2016, a Palestinian civilian was wounded with a Two-two bullet to his foot and then arrested by Israeli forces along with 4 other civilians. This happened when Israeli Special Forces moved into al-Jabal Intersection in the village and raided some shops. Meanwhile, a number of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers.
On 21 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, south of Tubas. A number of Apelstinian youngsters then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, who in response fired live and metal bullets. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was hit with a bullet to the right arm and wounded with shrapnel to the chest. The wounded civilian was taken to Tubas Turkish Hospital and then transferred to Annajah Educational Hospital in Nablus.
On 23 August 2016, 6 civilians were wounded. One of them was wounded with a bullet to the leg while the five others were wounded with metal bullets. This happened when Israeli forces moved into Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and their camps.
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of using excessive force against peaceful protests, four civilians, including a child, was hit with several bullets. 3 of them were wounded in the eastern side of al-Shuja’iyah, east of Gaza City while the child was wounded in the eastern side of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. This happened when dozens of children and youngsters headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the aforementioned areas.
On 24 August 2016, a shepherd was wounded when Israeli soldiers stationed inside the watchtowers, north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at sheperds, who were 200 meters away from the border fence.
In the context of airstrikes, on 21 August 2016, an Israeli drone launched two missiles at a water reservoir tank on al-Masriyeen Street, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:40 on the same day, the Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes in many areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The airstrikes continued until 23:30 and targeted vacant lands along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Those areas were only 300-500 meters away from the border fence along the eastern and northern borders of Beit Hanoun and northern borders of Beit Lahia and Um al-Nasser village. The airstrikes targeted also 5 military training sites belonging to the armed Palestinian groups. As a result, dozens of nearby houses’ windows shattered and four civilians, including a child, were wounded. One of them sustained shrapnel wounds while others suffered trauma.
In the context of targeting border areas, on 21 August 2016, Israeli forces fired artillery shells at Palestine Training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, northeast of Um al-Nasser village in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damages and 3 Members of al-Qassam sustained minor wounds.
On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip sporadically opened fire along the border area. However, no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Balakhiyah shore, northwest of al-Shat’i refugee camp, northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire twice at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 19 August 2016, the shooting recurred in the same area. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled away in addition to losing and cutting dozen pieces of fishing net.
On 21 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, twice opened fire. During the second shooting, Israeli forces arrested two fishermen and took them along with their boat to Ashdod Seaport in Israel. They were released on the next day while their boat was kept in custody. At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, the shooting recurred in the same area.
At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 24 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah , west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 69 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 7 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and a woman. Fourteen of them, including 4 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
During this week, Israeli forces moved into many areas in Bethlehem and raided 7 forges after breaking down the doors and then confiscating their contents. Israeli forces calimed that these forges are illegal since “they manufacture weapons that pose a threat to the area’s security.” These forges are located in al-Dawhah village, ‘Aidah and al-‘Ezzah refugee camps, al-Iskan area, Beit Jalah and Beit Sahour.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 August 2016, Israeli forces moved 50 meters into the south-eastern side of al-Shokah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands in the area for hours and later re-deployed along the border fence.
Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
On 24 August 2016, Israeli forces demolished two dwellings and a youth centre in Kherbet Um al-Kheir, southeast of Yata, south of Hebron. The first 30-square-meter dwelling belongs to Zayed soliman ‘Eid al-Hathalin and was built on 10 August 2016 after his dwelling that was donated by the EU was demolished. The second 60-square-meter dwelling belongs to Khadrah Dawoud al-Hathalin (60) while the Youth Centre was built on an area of 30 square meters.
In the context of settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians in occupied Jerusalem, on 23 August 2016, an Israeli settler severely beat Murad Ghassan al-Rajabi (20) when he was in al-Sharaf neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, causing fractures in his nose, wounds in his face and bruises in the neck.
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.
Details
- Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 18 August 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Fawzi Ahmed Abu ‘Aoun (30) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched 6 other houses and questioned their inhabitants on the spot. The abovementioned raided houses belong to Talib Shlash Rashid Hamamrah and his sons, Ahmed (33), Malek (35), Tareq (37); Basel Mofeed Mostafa Ghanam (45); and Mohamed Abed al-Kareem Shlash Hamamrah (29). Israeli forces arrested all the above mentioned persons and took them to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Rafi’ Zaidat (30) and arrested him.
- At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Balaiykha area, west of al-Shati camp, northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and they lost dozens of their fishing nets. The shooting continued until 23:00, but no casualties were reported.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Yatta, Samou’a, Noba, Deir al-‘Asal and al-Foqa villages in Hebron.
Friday, 19 August 2016
- At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Balaikha area, west of al-Shati camp northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and they lost dozens of their fishing nets. The shooting continued until 23:00, but no casualties were reported.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit; al-Dahiriya, Beit al-Rush and Bani Na’im villages in Hebron; Burqin, west of Jenin and Ya’bod village, southwest of the city.
Saturday, 20 August 2016
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Beit Za’tah and al-Bayyadah neighbourhoods. They raided and searched 3 houses and handed 3 children summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. The abovementioned children were identified as Mohamed Ibrahim Ali Abu Mariya (17), Waseem Ibrahim Badir (17) and Omar Mohamed ‘Awad (16).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Faisal Badawi Abu Sinanah (33). They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
- At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arqa village, west of Jenin. While patrolling the area, they arrested Shareef Ali Shareef Yehia (20), who was in his farm adjacent to the annexation wall , west of the village.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (12) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Foreek, Beit Dajan, Bita, Tal, ‘Araq Bureen villages in Nablus; Sa’ir, Tafouh, Sureef villages and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; Aktabah suburb, northeast of Tulkarm; and Kafur Sour village, south of the city.
Sunday, 21 August 2016
- At approximately 00:10, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamdi al-Kurd and arrested his son, Yazan (13).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Safa area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hassan Adam Ibrahim Ikhlil (20) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-Far’ah camp, south of Tubas village. A number of Palestinian young men threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets to disperse them. As a result, a 24-year-old male was hit with a live bullet to the right arm and sustained shrapnel wounds to the chest. He was taken to the Turkish Hospital and then was referred to al-Najah Hospital in Nablus. After that, Israeli forces raided houses and at approximately 06:00, they arrested Mo’az Abed al-Salam al-‘Aidy (28) and then withdrew.
- At approximately 14:30, the Israeli artillery launched 5 shells at Palestinian military site belonging to Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), northeast of Um al-Nasir village, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damage while 3 of al-Qassam members, who were in the site, were wounded. Medical sources in the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp classified their wounds as minor.
- At approximately 14:45, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a water reservoir tank, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
- At approximately 15:15, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Ahmar area, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at the border area. No casualties were reported, but the farmers, whose agricultural field are near the fence, were frightened and fled.
- At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 1.5 nautical miles. An Israeli gunboat approached a fishing boat belonging to Shareef Mohamed al-‘Abed al-Sultan (43), which was manned by the boat owner and Ibrahim Ghalib Ramadan al-Sultan (23), both of them are from al-‘Atatrah neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli forces obliged the fishermen to take off their clothes, jumped into the sea and then swim towards the gunboat. Israeli forces arrested the fishermen taking them to Ashdod Seaport and confiscated the fishing boat. At approximately 01:00, on Monday, 22 August 2016, Israeli authorities released the fishermen via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, while the boat is still in custody.
- At approximately 22:40, Israeli warplanes carried out a number of raids targeting various open areas adjacent to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of the Gaza Strip. The numbers of raids were around 60, which lasted until 23:30. Most of the raids were between 300 – 500 meters to the west of the border fence. The attacked sites were identified as:
- Falastin training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, northeast of Um al-Nasir Bedouin village,
- Hiteen training site belonging to the armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement, northeast of Um al-Nasir Bedouin village,
- A training site belonging to al- Mujahideen Brigades near Um al-Nasir Bedouin village,
- A training site belonging to Abu Ali Mostafa Brigades (the armed wing of The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine), near Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, and
- ‘Asqalan training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades in Silfah area, northwest of Beit Lahia.
As a result of the raids, dozens of windows of houses near the border fence were smashed. Additionally, 4 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded, all of them are from Beit Hanoun. The wounded were then taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital, where medical sources classified their wounds as stable. Moreover, many civilians were forced to flee and vacate their houses due to the sounds of bombing that rocked the area. They then headed to safe areas thinking that such raids would lead to a ground attack.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Dajen village, east of Nablus and Bureen village, south of the city; Dirasityia village, northwest of Salfit; Dura, al-Hadab, Sureef villages and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; and Qabia village, west of Ramallah.
Monday, 22 August 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abed Zahran and questioned his family members about their income source. After that, they withdrew and no more incidents were reported.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awwa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in al-Simyia area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bajes Mahmoud Abu Ghalia al-Sowati (40) and arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Saf Street. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sabri Isma’il Abed Rabu (25) and arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in al-Biyadah and Musrarah areas. They raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Abed al-Jalil Mohamed Qoqas (20) and Mujahed Sayil Qoqas (19).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiryia village, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Ghamari valley. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Yousef Rabba’ and arrested him.
- At approximately 02:20, Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mazen Monzer Ramadan (18) and arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Hebron and stationed in Abu Katilah area and al-Sahib intersection. They raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Nour Hatim Qufishah (19) and Mounir Nadir al-Qawasmah (21).
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qalqiliya; al-Zawiya village in Salfit; Dura, Halhoul, al-Hadab and Roq’a villages in Hebron.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Salim Yousef al-Rejoub (29) and arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into various areas in Bethlehem. They raided a number of metal workshops after breaking down their doors and confiscated their contents. Israeli forces claimed that those workshops were illegal and posed threat to the area. According to PCHR’s investigations and statements of eyewitnesses, Israeli Border Guard officers raided 7 metal workshops in al-Duha village, ‘Aida and al-‘Izzah refugee camps, and Beit Jala and Beit Sahour villages. They broke down the workshops doors, confiscated their contents and then fixed notices on the workshops walls saying that those workshops manufacture weapons.
After that, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. Israeli soldiers then fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear-gas canisters, sound bombs and flare bombs at them. PRCS crews stated that clashes erupted in Bethlehem led to the injury of 5 Palestinian young men with rubber-coated metal bullets and they were treated on the spot, while the 6th one was hit with a live bullet to the leg and he was then taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
- Around the same time, a large force of Israeli soldiers accompanied with military vehicles moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya. Around 100 soldiers raided and searched houses and damaged their contents. Moreover, they arrested Baraa Qahir Abu Haniya (19), Bahaa Hasan Shubita (23) and Ihab Wasfi Ali Hussain (28). After that they raided a house belonging to Esam Jum’a ‘Inayia (32) and beat him. As a result, Esam lost consciousness and was then taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment. Esam’s father said to PCHR’s fieldworker that “At approximately 02:15 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, while we were sleeping, we heard a sound of bombing, so we quickly woke up and found the Israeli forces breaking down our house main door. After that, 23 Israeli soldiers raided and searched the house and put all of us in one room. I told the officer in charge that I want to come with them while searching the house because there were jewelry and money in the house. The soldier refused and pushed me back, after which, my wife pushed him so he pushed both of us. My son Esam , who is married and lives upstairs, came quickly when he saw the soldiers pushing us and pushed the soldier. As a result, the soldier took him out and beat him. I did not see Esam when the soldiers hit him, but I found him fainted later. Esam was then taken by a PRCS ambulance to the hospital. Israeli forces thoroughly searched the house and damaged its content.”
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basam Suliman al-Tul (23) and arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Alaa Mohamed Taqatqah (20) and arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qufin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mujahed Fathi Raja al-Khatib (26) and arrested him.
- At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah; Badras village, west of the city; Hijah village, east of Qalqilyia; Halhoul, Yatta and Beit Marsam villages in Hebron.
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Abed Mousa al-Janazah (29), Ayman Mohamed ‘Imran (33) and Ali Ibrahim Saray’ah.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Ibrahim Faraj (15) and arrested him.
- At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.
- At approximately 08:50, Israeli forces accompanied with 7 military vehicles moved from Karm Abu Salem crossing about 50 meters towards the southeast al-Shawka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also patrolled the area and levelled lands before re-deploying along the border fence.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces directly opened fire at a Palestinian private car, which was on “Yitzhar” settlement road coming from Jenin and heading towards Hawarah village. When the car arrived near Madama village, Israeli forces opened fire at it. As a result, the car driver was wounded with live bullets and died immediately. The victim was then identified as Sari Mohamed Abu Ghrab (26), from Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. Israeli forces claimed that the driver stepped out of his car and carried out a stabbing attack against an Israeli soldier, who was wounded in the neck. After that, Israeli forces closed the abovementioned road and raided Madama village.
- At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers stationed in a military watchtower, north of the agricultural school, north of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at shepherds, who were 200 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, one of the shepherds, who was identified as Nour ‘Odah Suliman Abu Jarad (32), from ‘Izbit Beit Hanoun, was hit with a live bullet to the left leg. A group of shepherds carried him towards the Palestinian Liaison (55), where there were ambulances. Nour was then taken to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, where medical sources classified his wounds as moderate.
- Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
- Following the Friday prayer, on 19 August 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah, al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, and Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters and chased them into the agricultural fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip
- At approximately 13:30, on Friday, 19 August 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood. A number of protesters approached the fence, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. After that, the Israeli soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 3 civilians were hit with live bullets and were then taken by a PRCS ambulance to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where medical sources classified their wounds as moderate.
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.
Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethally if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
- 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 BeitHanoun (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 BeitHanoun 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
Note:
PCHR apologizes for not publishing the movement data at the crossing this week and will publish them next week due to technical reasons.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blog!
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