Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(10 – 16 November 2016)
- Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
- 6 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- House demolitions on grounds of collective punishment.
- A room was closed with concrete in Yatta, south of Hebron.
- Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied Jerusalem.
- 57 civilians, including 15 children and a woman, were arrested.
- Fifteen of them, including 12 children and the woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
- The Health Improvement Program’s office in Ramallah was raided and some of its content were confiscated.
- Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.
- 2 fishermen were arrested and their fishing boat was confiscated, north of the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
- 2 residential apartments in al-Mukaber Mount and 2 stores in Beit Hanina were self-demolished by their owners.
- 2 barracks, an agricultural room and a mosque foundation in Silwan and Sour Baher villages were demolished.
- Settlement activities continued in the West Bank.
- 2 agricultural rooms in Qalqilya and a residential tent, a social service centre and a well, south of Hebron, were demolished.
- 28 storehouses in al-Ouja village, north of Jericho, were demolished; 6 of them were roofed while the others were still in the foundation phase.
- 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 were arrested at military checkpoints.
- A trader at arrested at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, north of the Gaza Strip.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (10 – 16 November 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 2 children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on 10 November 2016, Anas Zaid (15), from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, was wounded and then arrested. The aforementioned boy was wounded then dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the northern entrance to Birzait village, north of Ramallah, to organize a protest marking the 12th death anniversary of Yasser Arafat. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldier, who were present in the area.
On 11 November 2016, Majdi Jom’a (13) was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg during Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya.
In the Gaza Strip, on 11 November 2016, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded. Three of whom participated in a peaceful protest organized at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya, east of Gaza City, while the 4th was wounded during a similar peaceful protest at the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen, on 10 November 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
On 16 November 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and arrested fishermen Abdul Hafez As’ad al-Sultan (37) and his brother Ammar (23), both from al-Salateen neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli forces also confiscated their boat. At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 16 November 2016, the Israeli authorities released Ammar while kept his brother and the boat in custody.
On 16 November 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
House demolitions on grounds of collective punishment:
On 10 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Zain Awad (24) and started closing a room of an old house, in which Zain used to live. It should be noted that Zain has been arrested by Israeli forces since 09 June 2015 under the pretext of being engaged in offering help to Palestinians from al-Makhamra family from the same city, who carried out a shooting attack in Tel Aviv in June 2015 that resulted then in the killing of 3 Israelis.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 57 Palestinian civilians, including 15 children and a woman. Fifteen of them, including 12 children and the woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
On 16 November 2016, Israeli forces raided the Health Improvement Program’s office in Ramallah and damaged its content. They then confiscated some contents and withdrew later.
Creating Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
On Sunday morning, 13 November 2016, Ja’abis family self-demolished 2 residential apartments in al-Mokaber Mount, southeast of Jerusalem, in implementation of the Israeli District court under the pretext of building without a license.
On the same day, two Palestinian traders namely Mohammed al-Najar and Nedal Gheith, self-demolished their shops in Beit Hanenah neighbourhood in implementation of the Israeli municipality decision under the pretext of building without a license.
On Tuesday, 15 November 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a 200-square-meter barrack for horses and 15-square-meter agricultural rooms belonging to ‘Alaa’ Shweiki in al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of building without a license.
On the same day, the municipality bulldozers demolished the foundations of Um al-Qora Mosque in Sour Baher village, southeast of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a licence. They also demolished a barrack in the same area.
Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palesitnian civilians and their property:
On Thursday, 10 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliya to the west, heading to al-Naqqar neighbourhood and demolished a 30-squatre-meter agricultural room built of bricks and tin-roofed and health. The vehicles then moved to the east to al-Razazah neighbourhood, where they demolished another 28-square-meter agricultural room built of bricks and tin-roofed.
On 13 November 2016, Israeli Forces confiscated a generator and light digging equipment belonging to al-Sheikh ‘Awad Hanani from Beit Foriq village used in an afforestation project in Kherbet Tana, east of Beir Foriq, east of Nablus, funded by Oxfam.
On 14 November 2016, Israeli forces demolished 28 stores in al-‘Oja village, north of Hebron belonging to Jamal Freijat (51). Six of these stores were roofed while the rest were still under-construction. Clashes occurred between civilians and Israeli forces, who fired tear ags canisters and sound bombs. As a result, the aforementioned civilian suffered tear gas inhalation and his condition was described as serious.
On Tuesday, 15 November 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Construction and Organization Department and bulldozer moved into Kherbet Um al-Kheir, southeast of Yatta. They demolished Um al-Kheir Social Centre, which was only built of pillars and a shader cloth by the residents on the rubbles of the centre demolished months ago under the pretext of building without a license. They also levelled a 20-square-meter residential tent belonging to ‘Ali Mohammed Khalil Hathalin and his 4-memebr family. The Israeli forces then demolished a water well belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud al-‘Adrah in al-Hayah area, east of al-Dirat village.
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.
Details
- Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday 10 November 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Marakah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:45, they arrested 5 civilians and then withdrew from the area. The arrested civilians were identified as Bilal Mohammed Abu Jalbush (31), Saleh Ali Mousa (39) and his brother Ahmed, Samir Shafiq Mousa (36) and his brother Bashir (22).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved al-Khader and Beit Fajar villages, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 6 civilians. The arrested civilians were identified as Othman Mohammed Salah (37), Mahmud Khalil Ghunaim (35), Ashraf Salah (38), Mahmud Mohammed Salah (30), Mohammed Rebhi (33) and Ali Samir Taqatqah (28).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Wad al-Mughaier area, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmud Abdul Salam Sulhab (50) and then arrested his son Mohammed Anas (19).
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiyah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Masou’d Raieq Abu al-Wafa (45) and took him to an unknown destination.
- Around the same time, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Gaza City, heavily opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats and then surrounded them. According to a statement of Zakariya Bakr, coordinator of fishermen committees, the Israeli gunboats were after the fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles, west of Gaza city. They also pumped water at them. 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 (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah, Tarqumia, Sa’ir, Beit Marsum and Dora villages in Hebron.
Friday, 11 November 2016
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Nedal Hamdi (20) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Qasem Adel Husain Abu Khader (20) and Yusuf Sa’id Abu al-Sheikh (20). They ordered their families to hand over their sons. They then arrested Qasem and Yusuf after checking their ID cards.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Wad al-Tofah neighborhood, west of Nablus, and stationed opposite to al-Shaghour Park. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Hani Hamdi (20) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas and stationed in al-Hawouz area, west of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nader Mustafa Mohammed Sawaftah (40) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Mohammed Ibrahim Salamah (30) and Majd Ahmed Ba’jawi (21), a fourth year university student in.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, Yatta and Tafouh villages in Hebron.
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Oula, al-Shayoukh, Hadab al-‘Alaqah and al-Surrah villages in Hebron.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Basel Walid Da’amsah (20) and Mohammed Sami Shahin (20).
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Rahman Ahmed Hamed (16) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then handed summonses to 5 civilians to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of the city. The arrested civilians were identified as Ali Mohammed Taqtqah (28), Ali Mohammed Thawabtah (30), Ahmed Abdul Rahman Thawabtah (30), Abdul Rahman Sobhi Thawabtah (20) and Shadi Sobhi Thawabtah (21).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ein Ya’bud village, northeast of Ramallah, Hawarah village, south of Nablus and Husan village, west of Bethlehem.
Monday, 14 November 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Husan village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Yabes (15) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Hilah area. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Osama Mustafa Makhamrah (33) and Shadi Ismail Zain (31) and then arrested them.
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mojahed Nemr al-Farouh (27) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dawhah village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then handed summonses to Qusai Khaled Abu Salem (21) and Omer ‘Atah Mahmud (18) to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city, for interrogation.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Nawaf Husain Jalad (40).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Surif village, west of Hebron, and stationed in al-Matinah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Ismail Ghunaimat (52) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, and stationed in al-Baten and al-Latoun areas. They raided and searched a furniture store belonging to Kamal Zain ‘Adi. At the same time, another Israeli force raided and searched a house belonging to the family of a physically disabled civilian namely Mohammed Mahmud Abdul Aziz Awad (31) and then arrested him. They took him to “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
- At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufel Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched 4 houses and handed summonses to 4 persons identified as: Ayman Aziz Rida Jaber (45), Basel Mahmoud Essa (43), Mohammed Abdul Hamid Mohammed Mousa (54) and Sedqi Ahmed Obaid (56).
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (9) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Naqurah village, northwest of the city, al-Thaheriyah and Ethna villages, in Hebron, Qalqiliyah, al-Nabi Elyas and Azzoun villages, east of the city.
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
- At approximately 00:00, a group of Israeli undercover agents sneaked into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They used 2 civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates and stationed near the main street of the camp. They surrounded a house belonging to Thaer Fathi Abdul Fatah Qandeel (29) near Qurtuba (Cordoba) Elementary School for Girls. Later, many military jeeps raided the camp to support the undercover agents. They stationed on the building’s roofs and ordered the inhabitants to go down to the streets through loudspeakers. When Na’im (25), Thaer’s brother, went to the street, the agents caught him and detained him near a supermarket. After that, the Israeli forces interrogated his brother Qassam (22) and family members on the spot. They also asked them where Thaer was and they said he was not home. The soldiers opened fire at the first floor of the house ordering Thaer to turn himself in. An hour later, they opened fire at the second floor where he and his wife live. They ordered Thaer to turn himself in and interrogated the family on the spot while attacking Na’im and Qassam. At approximately 05:30, Israeli soldiers arrested Thaer from the house of his neighbours.
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jaber Abdul Qader al-Titi and handed summonses to his sons Abdul Qader and Shamekh to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Husan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Rahman Mustafa Za’oul (15) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Mousa Ekhmais (37). They then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination. Israeli forces also raided and searched houses of Bader Mahmud Ekhlaiel, Sa’di Ekhlaiel and Faisal Mahmud Ekhmais under the pretext of searching for wanted persons.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses near the annexation wall. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the area and no arrests were reported.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Abiyat village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Jabar Jamal ‘Abiyat (19). They then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.
- At approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Leith Ahmed Mohammed Hamed (22) and Emad Yassin Sobhi Hamed (21). Israeli forces arrested the 2 aforementioned civilians and confiscated a car belonging to the first.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bubya village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal Mostafa al-Khateeb (54). They arrested the aforementioned person although he is a former prisoner and has health problems.
- At approximately 17:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Two Israeli gunboats surrounded a fishing boat belonging to As’ad Mohammed al-Sultan, which was manned by his sons Abdul Hafez (37) and Ammar (23), both from al-Salateen neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. The boat was sailing nearly 500 meters offshore and about 1500 meters away from the northern maritime boundary with Israel. The Israeli soldiers ordered the abovementioned fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat. They then confiscated the boat in addition to the fishing nets and then took the detained fishermen to Ashdod port. At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 16 November 2016, Israeli authorities released Ammar al-Sultan through Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing while kept his brother Abdul Hafez and the boat in custody.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ethna, Bani Na’iem and al-Hijrah villages and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah. They raided a building in the centre of the city in which the Health Improvement Program’s office is. They damaged the office’s doors and content. After that, they confiscated some electronic appliances and withdrew later.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They arrested Ibrahim Atallah Awad (23) and Mostafa Jamal Abu Warda (22) and took them to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 21:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles. They also fired flare bombs overhead. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Zabouba village, west of Jenin; al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah; Beit Seera village, west of the city; and Beit Oula, Sa’ir, Karza and Abu al-Asja villages in Hebron.
- Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
- At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 10 November 2016, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the northern entrance to Birzeit village (Atarah Bridge), north of Ramallah, to organize a protest commemorating the 12th anniversary of the death of the late President Yasser Arafat. The protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live bullets and metal bullets in response. As a result, Anas Mohammed Jaber Zaid (15), from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, sustained wounds. The Israeli soldiers then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 13:15, on Friday, 11 November 2016, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kafer Qadoum 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, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Majdi Majed Abdul Mo’men Jom’ah (13) was hit with a tear gas canister to the right leg.
- Following the Friday prayer also, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; and al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protesters, firing live and metal bullets and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip:
- At approximately 02:00 following Friday prayer, 11 November 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, to participate in activities supporting Jerusalem. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters in response. As a result, ‘Aref Awad Mohammed Abu Jaber (24) sustained a live bullet wound to the left feet. He then was transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir El-Balah to receive the necessary medical treatment.
- At approximately 03:00 on Friday, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israeli, east of al-Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza city, opened fire at dozens of Palestinian young men, who were in their way to “Nahal Oz” area, east of al- Sheja’eya neighbourhood, to participate in activities supporting Jerusalem. As a result, 3 civilians sustained wounds. The wounded were transferred by an ambulance of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to al-Shifaa’ Hospital in Gaza to receive medical treatment. Their wounds ranged between moderate and minor.
The wounded civilians were identified as:
- Saed al-Abed Mohammed Eshlash (32). He sustained a live bullet wound to the leg and his injury was classified as minor;
- Mousa Monther Fathi Abu Dalal (19). He sustained a live bullet wound to the leg and his injury was classified as minor; and
- Mohammed Naser Mansour al-Qarm (22). He sustained a live bullet wound to the leg as his injury was classified as moderate.
Collective Punishment:
- At approximately 00:30 on Thursday, 10 November 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with concrete mixers and their pumps moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and stationed at al-Hilah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ayesh Zain Awad. The soldiers stationed on the roof and deployed around the house. Other soldiers closed a 35-square-meter room, which was a part of an old house that was around 60 square meters. Ayesh’s son Zain (24), who has been detained in the Israeli jails since 09 June 2015, used to live in the abovementioned room. The Israeli forces claimed that Zain planned and helped two civilians form Makhamrah family that carried out a shooting attack in Tel Aviv area in Israel in June 2015. This attack resulted in the injury of 3 Israelis then. Moreover, the soldiers pumped concrete in the room after closing it with iron bars. This was after the Israeli court had rejected the family’s appeal and issued a decision on 02 November 2016 to close the room that Zain used to live in.
- 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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