Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (22 – 28 September 2016)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine

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

(22 – 28 September 2016) 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt

– 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces conducted 68 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 15 ones in Jerusalem and its suburbs.
• 114 civilians, including 16 children, were arrested.
• 51 of them, including 9 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Among the arrested was Jamal al-Natsha, a PLC member from Hamas’ Change and Reform Bloc.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• 2 residential buildings, a structure attached to a house and a restaurant were demolished under the pretext of non-licensing.
• 2 civilians were obliged to self-demolish their houses in al-Ashqariya neighbourhood in Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces continued settlement activities in the West Bank.
• Israeli forces demolish an old car garage in Hawarah and a livestock barn, east of Beit Dajan village in Nablus.
• 6 dwellings and 9 livestock barns were demolished in Kherbet al-Hamma in northern Jordan Valley. As a result, 26 civilians, including 14 children, were rendered 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.
• 6 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (22 – 28 September 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 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Four of them were in the West Bank and 2 others in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces wounded 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child.

On 22 September 2016, an 18-year-old male sustained a bullet wounded to the right thigh and another bullet wound to the right side, and another 17-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into the east of Nablus.

On 23 September 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to “Givat Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron, opened fire at Anas Zaidat (14), from Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron, when he was present at a nearby car stop. As a result, he was wounded to the lower limbs and was then transported to an Israeli hospital.

On the same day, an 18-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right leg while participating in a protest organized at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in protest against the Israeli policies. The wounded person was transported to Palestine Medical Complec in Ramallah to receive the necessary medical treatment. His wound was classified as moderate.

In the Gaza Strip, on 23 September 2016, Qais Mohammed Baker (40), from al-Shati refugee camp, was wounded when Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, opened fire at dozens of Palestinian youngsters who headed to Nahal Oz area in participation of activities supporting Jerusalem.

On the same day, Ayman al-Najjar, (25) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg when Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, southeast of al-Bureij refugee camp, opened fire at dozens of Palestinian youngsters who headed to the area in participation of activities supporting Jerusalem.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 68 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 15 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 114 Palestinian civilians, including 16 children. Fifty-one of them, including 9 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem. Among the arrested was Jamal al-Natsha, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from Hamas’ Change and Reform Bloc.

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

Concerning house demolitions, on 27 September 2016, the Israeli municipality vehicles demolished 2 residential buildings belonging to Abu al-Hawa family in al-Khelwa area in al-Tour village, east of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing.

In the same context, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished on the same day a restaurant in Beit Safafa village, south of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing as well. It should be noted the restaurant was built over 20 years ago and offers income to 25 families.

In the evening, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished parts of a house belonging to Sa’id al-Qassas near “Gilo” settlement under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted the demolished part was attached to al-Qassas’ house 18 years ago.

On 18 September 2016, Rami Elwan and Emad Jaber self-demolished their houses in al-Ashqariya neighbourhood in Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem, upon a decision from the municipality. They self-demolished their houses to avoid the expensive fines imposed on the demolition.

Settlement activities

On 26 September 2016, Israeli forces demolished a container used as an old car garage in southern Nablus.

On the same day, Israeli forces demolished a livestock barrack in the east of Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus, belonging to Sa’ed Abu Jaish.

On 27 September 2016, Israeli forces accompanied by Israeli Civil Administration crew moved into Kherbet al-Hamma in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. They demolished dwellings and barns belonging to families of 5 brothers. As a result, 26 civilians, including 14 children, were rendered homeless.

On the same day, Israeli forces demolished 4 wells in Jouret al-Khail area, east of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron, under the pretext of building without license in area (C) according to Oslo Accords. It should be noted that on 16 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into the same area and demolished 5 houses, sheds and barracks under the pretext of non-licensing as well.

Concerning settler attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, on 25 September 2016, a group of settlers set fire to an under-construction house in Burin village, south of Nablus, belonging to Dakheel Eid. Fire burnt the walls, wood and construction equipment before the Civil defence could extinguish it.

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.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, while passing through those checkpoints.

Details

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

Thursday, 22 September 2016

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into the eastern side of Nablus to guard dozens of buses carrying settlers to Joseph Tomb. A number of Palestinian Young men gathered and threw stones at the buses. Israeli forces then fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, an 18-year-old male was hit with a live bullet to the right thigh and a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right side. Additionally, a 17-year-old male was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg. At approximately 02:30, the abovementioned wounded arrived at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus via 2 PRCS ambulances. They were then taken to Tubas’ Turkish Hospital due to lack of beds in the first hospital. 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas village. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Sufian Abed al-Jawad al-Ghoul (19), Hamza Saleh Subeh (21), Saher Abdullah ‘Odah and Mohamed Salah Sawalmah (20). 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Hussain ‘Odah ‘Isaa (31). 

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Araba village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ja’far Fawzi Abu Salah (50) and Hassan Ramzi Abu Salah (39). 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched houses. At approximately 04:30, they arrested Abed al-Rahman Nimer Khalid al-Ghoul and then withdrew. 

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Balou’ neighborhood in al-Bireh. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Hussain Ahmed Abed al-Mo’ti al-Akhras (42) and took him to Ashkelon prison. Hussain’s wife Eman al-Akhras said to PCHR’s fieldworker that her husband suffers from a work injury that resulted in amputation of his right hand year and a half earlier. He also underwent many surgeries and still receiving medications.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Shayoukh village and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.

Friday,23 September 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Karkafah neighbourhood. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested the two brothers Antoine (20) and George Hannah Abu ‘Atiya (29) and took them to an unknown destination. After that, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Sameer al-Shantir in al-Saff neighbourhood in the center of the village. They handed Sameer’s son Samer (19) a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. They also raided a house belonging to the journalist Abed al-Rahman Hassan in al-Fawargha neighbourhood and handed him a similar summons. 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabqah village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadi Ali Abu ‘Atwan and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. Moreover, they handed Mohamed Abu ‘Atwan (47) a similar summons after raiding his house. 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abed al-Haleem Mohamed Talahmah (55) and handed his two sons Mohamed and Mahmoud summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Hidar ‘Izaat Abu Dayyah (21), Murad Mohamed al-Zaghawi (21), Sabir Ahmed Ma’ali (27), Foad Fisal Ma’ali (26), Mohamed Zuhair Sha’ban (25) and Mohamed Abed al-Kareem Hajajrah (17). 

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ridah Jamal Habaybah (25) taking him to an unknown destination. 

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to “Givat Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron, opened fire at Anas Murad Jamil Zaidat (14), from Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They opened fire at Anas while he was present near a car stop. As a result, he was wounded in the lower part of his body and was then referred to a hospital in Israel. 

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafur Qalil village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ahmed and Mohamed ‘Atiya Mansour (27), (23); ‘Aziz Ma’zouz ‘Amir (19) and Montasir Saleh Mansour (22).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ethna, Samou’a and Bani Na’iem villages in Hebron.

Saturday, 24 September 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched houses and damaged their contents. At approximately 04:00, they arrested 4 civilians, including a child. The arrested persons were identified as Jihad Rafat Adullah Rayan (16), Mujahid ‘Adnan Mar’I (23), ‘Esam Abed al-Raziq Rayan (40) and ‘Izz al-Deen Na’iem Mar’I (24). Moreover, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Shehada Abdullah Mahmoud Rayan (40) and damaged its content. Shehada said to PCHR’s fieldworker, “At approximately 01:30 on Thursday, 22 September 2016, I woke up and found Israeli forces had silently entered my house and were questioning my eldest son, while other Israeli soldiers had damaged the house content. We have a bridal shop downstairs; unarmed Israeli soldiers entered to the shop and damaged its content as well. They also damaged my car. After that, Israeli soldiers went to my brother’s house, arrested his son Jihad Rafat Abdullah Rayan (16) and damaged the house content.” 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli soldiers moved into al-‘Arouj village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Ja’far Abdullah al-‘Arouj (30). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aubaydia village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Majdy Mousa Radaydah (28). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

• At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Handaza area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Kamel Sha’lan (55). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Abiyat area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Fathi al-Harimy (23). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Asakrah village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Khalid Mohamed Ahmed ‘Asakrah (44). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilyia; and Samou’a, Beit Olah and Bani Na’im villages in Hebron.

Sunday, 25 September 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed near an UNRWA Distribution Office. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested 5 civilians, including two children. The arrested persons were identified as: Laith Mohamed Banat (16), Saif Saleem Rushdi (17), Anas Amjad Jawabrah (21), Mohamed Nidal Abu Ghazi (20) and Murad Yousef Abu Ghazi (19). 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’iem village, east of Hebron, and stationed in al-Matinah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Mahmoud al-Khour and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit ‘Awaa and Deir Samet villages in Hebron and Bita village, south of Nablus.

Monday, 26 September 2016

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and ‘Ain Beit Maa’ camp, west of the city. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Marsail ‘Alaa Mahmoud al-Salhi (23). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Araba village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched houses and damaged their contents. They also arrested Ja’far Fawzi Abu Salah (49) and Hassan Ramazi Abu Salah (39). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mohamed Ameen Baker al-‘Omari (30), Ahmed Mohamed ‘Arafat ‘Assaf (48), Mohamed Abdullah Harb and Omar Bayan ‘Abed. 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ayidah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ibrahim Mohamed Hassan Abu Sorour (13). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yunis ‘Ayish Zain (56) and no arrests were reported. Moreover, they moved into Farsh al-Hawa area, where they searched a number of empty graves and leveled agricultural lands. They also arrested ‘Isaa Talab Abu Fanous (37) and ‘Atif Mahmoud Raba’ (43) and then withdrew. 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sawiya village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Dahman Foad Ahmed Salman Jazi (30). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed near an UNRWA Distribution Office. They raided an searched houses belonging to Hassaniya and Jabreen families and no arrests were reported. After that, other Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Jundiya family and arrested Wadee’ Nasir al-Jundi (17). 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Saff street in the center of the city. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ahmed Bassam al-Shayikh (22).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Dahiryia, Tafouh, Shoyoukh al-‘Aroub, Kherbit Faqiqis villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron; Badiya village, northwest of Salfit and Hares village, north of the city.

Wednesday, 27 September 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiriya village, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Mashrou’ area. They raided and searched a shop belonging to Mohamed Farouq al-Jabareen but no confiscations were reported. 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ezza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Mo’az Abed al-Jabar Abu Tarboush (30) and arrested him. 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qabatia village, south of Jenin, and raided and searched houses. At approximately 03:30, they raided and searched a shop belonging to Moayed Mahmoud Omar Zakarnah (34) and damaged its content. Zakarnah said to PCHR’s fieldworker, Israeli forces damaged the shop content that was estimated at NIS 10.000. At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohamed Sowati (25) and arrested him. 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed near an UNRWA Distribution Office. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohamed Nabil al-Qieq (19) and Amr Amja al-Hadoush (20) and then arrested them. 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ayida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Shadi Mohamed al-Badawnah (24) and ‘Amar Mostafa Abu ‘Akir (26) and then arrested them. 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Yousef Sayil ‘Isaa (27) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Zawyia village, northwest of Salfit; Ethna and Sureef villages and Wad al-Hariya area in Hebron.

Thursday, 28 September 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched houses in ‘Ain Sarah, Abu Katilah and Namirah neighbourhoods from which they arrested 4 civilians. The arrested persons were identified as a Palestinian Legislative Council member (PLC) Jamal Mohamed al-Natsha; “Mohamed Kayid” As’ad Imam (54); Saied Mahmoud Zaghir and ‘Alaa Mohamed Abu Nijmah (44). 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed near an UNRWA Distribution Office. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abed al-Qadir al-Titi (28) and then arrested him. 

• At approximately 02:25, Israeli forces moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Samir ‘Odai Mahmoud Jabir (19) and Wisam Mohamed Ali (27). 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Suhaib Abed al-Raouf Naji Kamil (20), Mohamed Basam Abed al-Raouf Kamil (23) and Suhaib Abed al-Hamid Mohamed Abu al-Rub (21).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bani Na’iem ,Samou’a, Abu al-‘Asjah and al-Tabaqah villages in Hebron.

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

West Bank:

• On Friday, 23 September 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men organized a protest against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. Protesters set fire to tiers and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at them. Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. As a result, an 18-year-old male was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg and was then taken to Palestine Medical Complex to receive medical treatment. 

• Following the Friday prayer, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests 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 forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased protesters into olive fields and between houses.  As a result, some of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. 

• At approximately 15:20 on Sunday, 25 September 2016, a demonstration headed to the lands in ‘Iraq al-Toutah in Deir Balout, west of Salfit, in protest against levelling those lands to annex to “Lishin” Settlement. The Israeli company, which works in the site, removed the barbed wires separating the settlement from other lands and levelled and confiscated new dumdums.  These lands to be confiscated belong to Idris Jubarah Mahmoud ‘Abdullah; ‘Amer Yousif Mahmod ‘Abdullah; ‘Ahed Mousa Saleh ‘Abdullah; Mahmoud Hussein ‘Abdullah and Ahmed Hadrous ‘Abed Salman.  The aforementioned civilians headed to where the bulldozers were levelling and stood in front of them in protest against the confiscation. Although there were identification papers proving the ownership in addition to an Israeli decision issued to prevent seizing them after the owners filed a case regarding previous attempts to annex these lands to the aforementioned settlement, the bulldozers continued their work in the site.  The Israeli company then called in the Israeli forces and police. The Israeli forces arrived and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the Palestinian civilians, causing gas inhalation. The Israeli forces also arrested ‘Amer Yousif Mahmoud ‘Abdullah (50) after protesting against the levelling and standing in front of the bulldozers and put him in a military vehicle.  After the vehicle rolled over in the aforementioned site, ‘Abdullah was wounded and transferred to a hospital in Israel for treatment.  At approximately 12:30 on the next day, he was released.  The leveling is ongoing in the site.

Gaza Strip

• At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 23 September 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya, east of a Gaza City, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian young men, while heading to Nahal ‘Oz area, east of al-Shuja’iya participating in activities to support Jerusalem. The activities continued until 18:00. At approximately 17:15, Qays Mohamed Abed al-Raouf Baker (40), from al-Shati camp, was hit with a live bullet to the thigh (entered and exited) and was then taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where medical sources classified his wounds as serious. 

• At approximately 15:30, on Friday, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, south of al-Burij refugee camp. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and tear-gas canisters at them. As a result, Ayman Ali Hasan al-Najar (25) was hit with a live bullet to the left leg and was then taken to al-Aqsa Hospital, where medical sources classified his wounds as moderate.

2. 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

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