Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (01– 07 September 2016)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

September 8, 2016

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

(01 – 07 September 2016) 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• A Palestinian civilian was killed in Shu’fat refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem.
• 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were wounded in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces targeted the border area along in the northern Gaza Strip.
• 3 houses and a military training site sustained material damage.

• Israeli forces conducted 78 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip.
• 60 civilians, including 9 children, were arrested.
• 17 of them, including 5 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• 9-year-old boy was arrested when attempting to pass through the border fence into Israel. However, he was released the next day.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• A Palestinian civilian was obliged to self-demolish his house in the Old City.

• Israeli forces continued settlement activities in the West Bank.
• 250 olive trees in Ras Attiya village, south of Qalqilia, were cut off.
• 3 dwellings and 9 other facilities in al-Aqaba village, in northern Jordan Valley, were demolished.

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea

• 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.
• A Palestinian civilian was arrested at military checkpoints.

 Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (01 – 07 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 killed a Palestinian civilian in Shu’fat refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, and wounded 6 others, including a woman; 5 of whom in the West Bank and the 6^th in Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the sea, while Israeli land troops continued to target the border area.

In the West Bank, on 05 September 2016, in excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces killed Mostafa Nemer (27) and wounded and arrested his kinsman Ali Nemer (25).

On 02 September 2016, Nidal Ishtaya (42), from Salem village, east of Nablus, was hit with a gas bomb to the back of his head. As a result, his helmet was smashed and he sustained wounds to the head. The aforementioned person was covering Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya.

On 04 September 2016, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded in Sebastya village, northwest of Nablus, when Israeli forces moved into the village. A number of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces that immediately opened fire in response. As a result, a 25-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the leg and a 24-year-old male sustained a shrapnel wound to the leg as well.

On 05 September 2016, an 18-year-old male sustained a shrapnel wound to the leg when Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. As a result, a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who opened fire in response.

On 06 September 2016, Nahla al-Emour (55), from Rumana village, west of Jenin, sustained a bullet wound to the shoulder. The aforementioned woman was wounded while she was in her house yard that is a kilometre away from the annexation wall, northwest of the village. Medical sources at Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin to which she was admitted that the bullet that was taken out of her shoulder was fired from an M16 that is used by Israeli forces.

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 02 September 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. On the same day, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported. However, the fishermen fled back to the shore.

In the context of targeting border areas, on 04 September 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence fired an artillery shell at “Falasteen” military training site of al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas movement), northeast of Um al-Nasser village. No casualties were reported.

On 06 September 2016, the Israeli artillery targeted the northern Gaza Strip with 5 shells. Three of them landed in al-Qassam military site, northeast of Um al-Nasser village, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damage. The two other shells landed on a house belonging to the family of Rashid Suhail Mohammed al-Shanti (54) in Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the house sustained damage and 2 other houses sustained damage because of the scattered shrapnel.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 78 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 8 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 60 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children. Seventeen of them, including 5 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Among the arrested was Osama Shaheen (34), Director of Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies. He was arrested from his house in Emreish village, southeast of Doura, southwest of Hebron. Moreover, journalist Samer Sha’abna (26) was arrested as well from his house in Zabouba village, southwest of Jenin, along with lawyer Omer Khaled Jamal (29). Israeli forces released the last 2 arrested persons on the next day.

In the Gaza Strip, on 07 September 2016, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They leveled lands for few hours after which they withdrew later.

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

Concerning house demolitions, on 06 September 2016, Nabeeh al-Basti self-demolished his house in al-Wad neighbourhood in East Jerusalem’s Old City under the pretext he has not obtained a building permit from the municipality.

Settlement activities

On 31 August 2016, Israeli forces confiscated asphalt paving equipment that were on bypass road (60) near Sousia village, south of Yatta, south of Hebron. They claimed that the company that owns the equipment had paved a road in area (C) according to Oslo Accords without a prior permit from the Israeli competent authorities. The equipment were transported to “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

On the same day, Israeli forces confiscated a digger that was used in paving an agricultural road for the interest of Beit Dajan village council, east of Nablus.

On 05 September 2016, Israeli forces cut off about 250 olive trees in Ras Atiya village, south of Qalqilya.

On 07 September 2016, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration crew moved into the eastern side of al-Aqaba village in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. They demolished dwellings, livestock barns and barracks.

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

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

Thursday, 01 September 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiysha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Omar Mohamed al-Sayfi and arrested his son Naba’ (19). It should be noted that on Friday, 26 August 2016, Israeli forces raided Omar’s house to arrest his son, but he was not home. As a result, Israeli forces arrested Naba’s father, mother, brother Mo’za and sister Asmaa to force him to surrender.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin, and stationed in al-Hadaf area, south of the city. They raided and searched houses and at approximately 06:00, arrested Wesam Mohamed Mahmoud Abu Zaid (18). It should be mentioned that Wesam suffered from deteriorating heath condition and underwent a surgery to the lower back few days ago.

Rasha Abed al-Kareem Abu Zaid, Wesam’s sister-in-law, said to a PCHR’s fieldworker that “At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 01 September 2016, while I was sleeping, along with my husband, Anas Mohamed Abu Zaid in our 3-story house in al-Hadaf neighbourhood, south of Jenin, we wake up to the sound of Israeli soldiers. We found them inside in house, from which they entered through a window using used a ladder. In the meantime, they took my husband out of the bedroom and asked him to give them his ID. After that, an Israeli soldier took us to the first floor, where my father-in-law, mother-in-law and their children were present. Israeli soldiers then locked me, my mother-in-law and daughters-in-law in one room, while my husband, his father and brothers were locked in another room to question them and checked their IDs. The Israeli soldiers searched the house and arrested Wesam taking him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that Wesam underwent a surgery to the lower back few days ago as to remove a sebaceous cyst and suffered from shortness of breath.  Due to his deteriorating health condition, his family became worried for his life. “

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Burqin village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mabrouk Mahmoud Mohamed Jarar (38) and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jaber Mohammed ‘Abed al-Kareem Mahdawi (40) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fathi Hasan Rajeh Badran (56) and arrested him.

• At approximately 11:45, Israeli forces moved into Zabobah village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the village streets and arrested journalist Samer Izz al-Deen Sha’abnah (26) and lawyer Omar Khalid Ibrahim Jamal (29) when they were in front of Samer’s house. At approximately 15:40 on Friday, 02 September 2016, Israeli forces released the abovementioned persons near al-Jamlah checkpoint, northeast of Jenin. It should be noted that Sha’abnah is a reporter at Donia al-Watan New Website.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Deir Abu Da’if village, northeast of Jenin; Halhoul, Karmah, Deir Razeh and Beit Olah villages in Hebron.

Friday, 02 September 2016

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Imrish village, southeast of Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Osama Mahmoud Shaheen (34) and arrested him. It should be noted that Shaheen is the director of Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies. 

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Montasir Yousef Abu ‘Ayyash (23) and arrested him. 

• At approximately 06:00, Israeli soldiers sneaked into al-Suhiylah area, east of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Atallah Omar ‘Isaa al-Tirawi (23) and Nihad Yousef ‘Owayis (22) and arrested both of them. After that, Israeli military vehicles moved into the abovementioned camp to secure the withdrawal of the Israeli soldiers. In the meantime, a group of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who chased them and ran over Mohamed Nasir Yousef Hashash (18). As a result, Mohamed sustained a fracture in his jaw and face and was then taken to Rafidyia Hospital in Nablus, where he underwent a surgery.

• At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore in the northwestern side 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, but no casualties were reported. 

• At approximately 23:00, 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 4 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 (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafur Qalil village, southeast of Nablus; Ethna and Sa’ir villages and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

Saturday, 03 September 2016 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qizoan village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ashraf Mohamed Seder (36). They later withdrew, but no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces arrested ‘Abed al-Rahman Hussain Mahmoud Abu al-Sa’ied (9), while he attempted to sneak through the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. At approximately 16:00, on 04 September 2016, Israeli forces interrogated ‘Abed al-Rahman and then released him.

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Sabastiya village, northwest of Nablus, and stationed in the antiquities area, where Israeli forces removed the Palestinian flag. After that, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. No casualties were reported.

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Araq Burin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Nasir Dawiud Qadous (14), Amjad Maher Qa’dan Qadous (22), Husam ‘Ahid al-Faqeih (35) and Osama Mohamed Hafiz Qa’dan (24). The abovementioned arrested persons were later released.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Zababdah village, southeast of Jenin; Tafouh and al-Hadab villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron; and Kaful Hares village, north of Salfit.

Sunday, 04 September 2016 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, launched a shell at a plot of land to the east of Palestine Military Site belongining to al-Qassam Brigade (the armed wing of Hamas Movement), northeast of Bedouin Um al-Nasir village, north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al- Dahiya neighbourhood, south of Nablus. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the two prisoners Samir Kosah and Raghib ‘Alawi. Israeli forces checked the abovementioned houses if their residents did any repairs in the houses after damaging them few months ago by Israeli forces, as the aforementioned prisoners carried out an attack in “Imitar” settlement, killing an Israeli settler and his wife.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Coper village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hakeem Moqbil al-Barghothi and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service. At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village and no further incidents were reported.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Khirbitha al-Mosbah village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Rafi’ Khadir Daraaj and arrested him.

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Ahmed Khalil (40), but no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Sabastiya village, northwest of Nablus, and stationed in the antiquities area, where Israeli forces removed the Palestinian flag. After that, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. However, no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Sabastyia village, northwest of Nablus, for the second time within hours. They stationed in the antiquities area and removed the Palestinian flag for the sixth time within only hours. A group of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a 25-year-old male was hit with a live bullet to the leg, while another 24-year-old male sustained a shrapnel wound to the leg. The first wounded was taken to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus, where he underwent a surgery.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (10) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Ain Beit Ma’’ camp, west of Nablus, ‘Orta village, southeast of Nablus; Dura and Bani Na’iem villages in Hebron; Shofah village, east of Tulkarm; ‘Alar village, north of the city; ‘Azoun and ‘Ezbit al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqiliya; and Kaful Hares village, north of Salfit.

Monday, 05 September 2016 

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Burqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hussain Zuhair Samarah (26). At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces arrested the abovementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and Israeli soldiers raided and searched houses. In the meantime, a group of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, an 18-year-old male sustained a shrapnel wound to the leg and was then taken to Rafidiya Hospital to receive medical treatment.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Sirda village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Shafiq al-Halabi and arrested him. It should be noted that Mohamed brother of Mohand Halabi, who was killed on 03 October 2015 by Israeli forces when he carried out a stabbing attack on al-Wad Street in the Old City.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Ibrahim Yassin Abu Sorour (30) and arrested him. It should be noted that Sorour served over 10 years in the Israeli jails and was released only 4 months ago.

• At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Hawarah village, south of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and Israeli soldiers told the residents that they imposed a curfew via loudspeakers. They then arrested 3 children from al-Sabaat area, south of the village and 150 meters away from the main street. The arrested children were then taken to “Ofer” settlement, northeast of al-Bireh City. After that, the abovementioned children’s uncle, Wahbi ‘Odah, followed them and met with the Israeli officer, but he refused to release them. Israeli forces claimed that the children threw stones at Israeli forces and settlers. The arrested children were identified as Mohamed Rafat Yousef Saleem Bani ‘Odah (14) and his brother Abed al-Rahman (15) and Abdullah Ehab Yousef ‘Odah (15).

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Burqin village, southwest of Jenin; Kafur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia; Hijah village, east of the city; ‘Oreef village, south of Nablus; THanaba suburb, east of Tulkarm.

Tuesday, 06 September 2016 

• At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces launched 5 artillery shells at Palestine 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 damages. Two shells fell over a house belonging to Rashid Suhail Mohamed al-Shanti (54) on Sultan Abed al-Hameed Street in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. The above-mentioned house located about 1200 meters away from the southern borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel. It should be noted that the 220-square-meter and 3-storey house shelters 16 persons, including 8 children and 5 women. As a result, the north-eastern side of the house sustained damage, but no casualties were reported. Moreover, scattered shrapnel caused damages in the nearby houses. The damaged houses were as follows:

1. A 300-square-meter house of 2 floors belonging to Ibrahim Hasan Mohamed al-Ashqar (76) and sheltering 22 persons, including 14 children and 4 women. Ibrahim’s house sustained partial damage and

• A 320-square-meter house of 3 floors belonging to ‘Ataa Hasan Abdullah Shabat (54) and sheltering 29 persons, including 14 children and 7 women. ‘Alaa’s house sustained partial damage.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiryia village, south of Hebron and stationed in al-Deir area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Thaer Nael Abu Shariekh (27) and arrested him.

• At approximately 01:50, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Atah Omar Nakhlah and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Moghir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Abbas Abed Abu ‘Aliya (20) and Ihab Osama Abu ‘Alia and arrested both of them.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Wisam Mutair al-Rimawi and Nour al-Deen ‘Adil al-Barghwthi and arrested both of them.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Sureef village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim al-Hour (22) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, while Palestinian Customs Department Officers stationed in ‘Enbita village’s intersection, east of Tulkarm, to prevent goods smuggling, they suspected a Mercedes vehicle. Therefore, they attempted to stop it, but it fled towards Nour al-Shams refugee camp, east of the city. When the vehicle arrived at the camp, other Customs Department Officers surrounded and stopped it. In the meantime, a group of undercover units of Israeli forces stepped out of the vehicle and pointed their firearms at them. After that, a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into the camp and surrounded the Palestinian Customs Department Officers.  They arrested four officers under the pretext of stopping a secret mission for the Israeli special forces.  The arrested Palestinian officers were identified as Mohamed Jamal Rabah (26), Mohamed Mostafa Mashayikah (24), Shadi Hussain Ali al-Shiekh Yousef (36) and Mamdouh Saleh Hamad (28). Moreover, the undercover unit kicked Mohammed Rabah and insulted the other arrested officers. At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces released the arrested officers after the intervention of the Palestinian Liaison.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Deiristaya village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a 3-storey house belonging to Khalid Mostafa Hamamrah in al-Soum area, west of the village. They topped the 3^rd floor and stayed there for 3 hours. At approximately 04:50, Israeli forces withdrew from the house and no further incidents were reported.

• In the morning, Nahla Ahmed Husam al-‘Amour (55), from Romanah village, west of Jenin, was hit with a live bullet that entered and exited from the shoulder. The bullet came from the annexation wall side established on Palestinian lands. Al-‘Amour said to a PCHR’s fieldworker that she was in her family house yard located one kilometer away from the annexation wall, northwest of the city. At approximately 11:10, Nahla was hit with a live bullet to the shoulder from Sowaisah area, located behind the annexation wall. Nahla was then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Dr Khalil Suleiman Hospital to receive medical treatment. Medical sources in the hospital stated that the live bullet that was taken out of Nahla’s shoulder was launched from an M16 weapon used by Israeli soldiers.

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafr Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Walid Omar Hamza (60) and asked him about his son Mohamed (32), who was not home. An Israeli officer asked Mohamed’s father to inform his son to come to the house. At approximately 14:30, Mohamed came back to the house, so he was arrested. It should be noted that Mohamed has lived in Yugoslavia with his wife and children for 10 years and he came to visit his family 3 weeks ago. Mohamed was susposed to leave the country on Wednesday, 07 September 2016.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qalqiliya; Sabastyia village, northwest of Nablus; and al-Shaytoukh village and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

Wednesday, 07 September 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in the centre of the village. They raided and searched two houses and handed Ahmed Hasan Ja’far ‘Aadi (21) and ‘Anan Abed al-Hamid Ikhlayil (22) summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched houses. At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Sabri Ahmed Kmail (24)and withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, and stationed in the Northern Mount and Rafidyia neighborhood. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested ‘Abed al-Hakeem Wasif al-Qadieh (55) and Omar Abed al-Raheem al-Hanbaly (26).

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in al-Namous neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shihab Fawzi Abu Halayil (23) and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:45, Israeli forces moved into Silah al-Harithiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched houses and at approximately 03:30, arrested former prisoner Hasan Mostafa Hasan Jaradat.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bureen village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mahmoud Hisham Barmaky (19) and Hitham Bashar Qadous (20).

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahil village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Izz al-Deen Abed al-Qadir ‘Asafrah (30) and arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin, and stationed in al-Hadaf area, south of the city. They raided and searched houses and arrested Mohamed Ahmed Soqiyah (40). It should be noted that the arrested person suffers from severe pains in the back.

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Jabi’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mos’ab Fawaz Khalilah (24). At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces handed Mos’ab’s family a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Salem” military court, noting that Mos’ab was not home.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli vehicles moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They patrolled the area streets for few hours and redeployed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

• At approximately 16:00, an Israeli undercover unit sneaked into Beit Jalah City. They raided “Paflo” restaurant and arrested Amjad Saleh Abu ‘Akar (20), who works in the abovementioned restaurant. It should be noted that Abu ‘Akar is a former prisoner from ‘Ayida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Talfit village, southeast of Nablus, and ‘Araaq Bureen village, south of the city.

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.

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

West Bank:

• At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 02 September 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center 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, journalist Nidal Shafeeq Tahir Ishtaih (42) from Salem village, east of Nablus, was hit with a tear gas canister to the back of the head. Moreover, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

• Following the Friday prayer, on 02 September 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.

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

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   

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