Weekly report on israel's terrorism against the State of Palestine (17 – 24 November 2016)

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

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

(17 – 23 November 2016)

 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded at the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 ones in occupied Jerusalem.
• 52 civilians, including 13 children and 3 women, were arrested.
• Eighteen of them, including 12 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

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

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Ateret Cohanim settlement organization hands over evacuation notices to 10 residential apartments belonging to Palestinian families in Silwan village.
• Israeli forces raided al-Quds (Abu Dees) University and confiscated belongings of students unions.

• Settlement activities continued in the West Bank.
• Israeli forces issued more demolition notices.

• 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.
• 2 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 (17 – 23 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 killed 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Moreover, they wounded 3 others, including 2 in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, in new crime of excessive force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others during peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded during a peaceful protest near the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

In context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 November 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, northwest of al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Similar attacks happened in the same area on 19, 20 and 21 November 2016. It should be noted the fishing boats were sailing within 2-3 nautical miles and no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, in excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandya checkpoint at the northern entrance to occupied East Jerusalem shot a Palestinian civilian dead. Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to stab an Israeli security officer.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 58 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 52 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children and 3 women. Eighteen of them, including 12 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Creating Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

In the context of seizing houses in favour of settlement activities, on 17 November 2016, Ateret Cohanim handed over Ghaithand Shehada families in Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the city, notices claiming the land on which the houses of the two families were built.

Concerning targeting educational institutions in the city, on 19 November 2016, Israeli forces raided the campus of al-Quds (Abu Dees) University, east of occupied Jerusalem. They damaged some contents and confiscated belongings of student unions during a student fair that is annually held by the Islamic Bloc in the university.

Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property:

On 20 November 2016, Israeli forces distributed 12 notices to halt construction works for Palestinian families in Kherbet Um al-Khair, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building without a license from the Israeli authorities.

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

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

Thursday, 17 November 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Husam Eden Farah al-Hajouj (50). They then arrested his daughter Alaa’ (27) and later withdrew taking her to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved Za’tarah and Taqou’ villages, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 3 civilians and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Seif Mohammed Abu Ameriyah (38), Fahed Mohammed Abu Ameriyah (27) and Ali Thiab Dabah (20).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Yata, south of Hebron and stationed in al-Berkah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Oudah Abu al-Fanar and then arrested his son Hatem (25).

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron and stationed in al-Simiyah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Khader Theeb Awad (25). They then arrested him and later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately, 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Madbasah neighborhood in the central city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sarah Hmaid (21) and then arrested her.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:30, they arrested Khalid Burhan Abed Raboh (28).

• At approximately 18:10, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They patrolled the village streets and then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters, claiming that they were stoned. In the meanwhile, they detained Ashraf Ghaleb Abbas Badwan (17) in the eastern side of the village. At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces released Ashraf and then withdrew from the village.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Oula, Sa’ir, Beit al-Roush and Emrish villages in Hebron.

Friday, 18 November 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Qablan village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bilal Sharif al-‘Omlah (26) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Talfit village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched two houses belonging to prisoners Ahmed Haj Mohammed and Mahmud Haj Mohammed. They then withdrew and no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then handed summonses to Hamzah Ibrahim Zarinah (28) and Thaer Salamah Jawarish (23) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Wadi Shaheen area, east of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayman Amin al-Khatib (28) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 15:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased 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 (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura and al-Hawouz area and Bani Na’im village in Hebron.

Saturday, 19 November 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in the central city. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Mohammed ‘Ayad Awad (20) and Khalid Khalil Sabarnah (22). They handed summonses to the abovementioned civilians to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased 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 (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.

Sunday, 20 November 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Saf Street in the central city. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Ali Mohammed Hasan (30) and Moath Mohammed Suman (27).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in Abu Katilah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ja’far Yosri Eskafi (22) and then arrested him.

• At approximately, 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Nabil Ahmed Bader Taqatqah (40) and Wedad Mazen Shushah (28).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Ouja village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Husain Fehmi Nujoum (24) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rashad Lutfi Suwan (25). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services. They also detained Moath Ahmed Deeb Obaid (28) on the main street and then released him before they withdrew from the village.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, Sebastiyah and al-Naqurah villages, northwest of the city, Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah, and Beit Ummer and Tarqumiah villages in Hebron.

Monday, 21 November 2016

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghusoon village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Fouad Mohammed Farhan Saleh (45).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Mohammed Mahmud Sammar (25).

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Saidah village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 05:00, they arrested Fadi Monther Radad (37) and Loai Sa’ed al-Ashqer (39).

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Sharaf village, northwest of Nablus and stationed at the main entrance to the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed Hasan Nofel (22) and took him to the nearby “Shavei Shomron” settlement and then transported him to Hawarah Detention Centre, south of the city. After Investigating him, the Israeli forces released Ibrahim at approximately 10:30.

• At approximately 15:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles and chased 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: Qabtiyah village, south of Jenin; Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah, al-Shayoukh, al-Thaheriyah and al-Tabaqah villages in Hebron.

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Wazan village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Anas Saleh Hamdan (21) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jaber Attah Ouais (50) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Rantis village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Abdul Latif Essa Balut (22) and Mohammed Abdul Rahim Salem Ghanam (29). They arrested them and confiscated money and electric devices in addition to destroying the main doors of the houses.

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and stationed in Fatayer Street in the Southern Mount. They raided and searched a house belonging to Anwar Ahed Fouad Hejah (26) and then arrested him.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dora, Ethna and al-Thaheriyah villages in Hebron; Turmus’ayya village, north of Ramallah and al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city.

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed al-Haroub (21) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Salam neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yahiya Mohammed Sulhab (23) and arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Oreef village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Moahmed al-Saqqa (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Abu Sal (23), ruined the house furniture and then arrested Mohammed. In the meanwhile, an Israeli infantry unit raided 2 houses belonging to Sa’ed Theeb Banat (27) and Shadi Ali Abu ‘Afifah (25) and then arrested them. At approximately 05:00, they withdrew from the camp and took the arrested civilians to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm and its camp. They raided and searched several houses. At approximately 05:00, they arrested Fakhri Haitham al-Shalabi (27), a former prisoner who served 4 years and half in the Israeli jails, and Mohammed Salamah Damiri (43), who was also a former prisoner for 4 years in the Israeli jails.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sa’ir and Beit Ummer villages in Hebron and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.

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

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters 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:

• In a new crime of using lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while 2 others sustained moderate wounds. That happened when those civilians were participating in a peaceful demonstration, east of al-Buraij, in the central Gaza Strip, protesting against the Israeli violations in the West Bank.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 14:30 on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of youngsters made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the youngster in response. As a result, Mohammed Mohammed Moahmmed Abu Sa’ad (25), from al-Nuseirat, sustained a live bullet wound to the chest (the bullet entered and exited the chest) and immediately died. Moreover, 2 other civilians were wounded namely Mohammed Subhi Arafah (28), who sustained a live bullet wound to the left hand, and Ali Suhail Mansour (25), who was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. Israeli forces also arrested Ahmed Mohammed al-Esawi (25) and released him the next day.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al- Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at dozens of civilian young men, who made their way to Nahal Oz area, east of al- Nahal Oz, to participate in activities supporting Jerusalem. As a result, Hashem Adel Mesbah Suaidan (27) was hit with a live bullet to the feet. Hashem was transported via a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to al-Shiaa’ Hospital to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his wound as minor.

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.

(13 – 19 November 2016)

Date		13 November	14 November	15 November	16 November	17 November	18 November	19 November
Total Imports		609	531	453	491	641	–	–
Various goods	truckloads	231	222	143	170	286	–	–
Humanitarian aid	truckloads	143	111	109	152	145	–	–
Cooking gas	liters	206.230	259.920	263.806	262.320	258.000	–	–
Benzene	liters	110,991	146,012	297,030	759,87	111,007	–	–
Diesel	liters	100,4425	670,022	901,473	478,967	735,005	–	–
Industrial fuel	liters	300,278	255,966	259,969	–	299,010	–	–
Cement	Tons	100	62	85	98	82	–	–
Bulk cement	Tons	6	2	2	7	8	–	–
Construction aggregates	Tons	13329	11008	11287	10261	12031	–	–
Construction steel	truckloads	5	10	6	13	22	–	–

Note:

• On Sunday, 13 November 2016, the Israeli authorities allowed the exportation of 35.280 tons of tomatoes; 27 tons of onions; 2 tons of eggplants; 6 tons of sweet peppers; 3.072 tons of palms; 4.500 tons of cabbages; 1.280 tons of squash; 33.920 tons of cucumbers; and 41.600 tons of tomatoes.
• On Monday, 14 November 2016, the Israeli authorities allowed the exportation of 28.400 tons of tomatoes; 36 tons of scrap; 19 tons of aluminum scrap; 27 tons of onions; 9 tons of clothes; 1.200 tons of eggplants; 4.400 tons of sweet peppers; 11.570 tons of palms; and 2.560 tons of cucumbers.
• On Wednesday, 16 November 2016, the Israeli authorities allowed the exportation of 115 tons of scrap.
• On Thursday, 17 November 2016, the Israeli authorities allowed the exportation of 254.88 tons of tomatoes; 27 tons of onions; 19.900 tons of cucumbers; 2.800 tons of eggplants; 6.320 tons of sweet peppers; 2.400 tons peppers; 21.500 tons of palms; and 450 tons of animal skin.

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

Note: the table is not available and will be published next week because it was not prepared by the Palestinian competent authority at the crossing.

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

• Hebron: Israeli forces established (20) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 17 November 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Taramah village and al-Fawar refugee camp.

On Friday, 18 November 2016, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Yatta, al-Karmel and Kharsa villages in Hebron and al-‘Aroub refugee camp; and 3 other checkpoints on Saturday, 19 November 2016, at the entrances to al-Jalajil, Tawous and Beit ‘Awaa villages.

On Sunday, 20 November 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to al-Koum and Sa’ir villages.

On Monday, 21 November 2016, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints at the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp; at the entrance to Deir al-‘Asal and Beit Olaa villages; the southern entrance to Hebron (al-Fahs); and the western Tawous road in Dura.

On Tuesday, 22 November 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Abu ‘Asja and Kharsa villages.

On Wednesday, 23 November 2016, Israeli forces established similar checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dura and the southern entrance to Hebron (al-Fahs).

• Ramallah and al-Bireh: Israeli forces established (12) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 19:40, on Thursday 17 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Burqa village, east of Ramallah. Around the same time, a similar checkpoint was established under the bridge of Deir Debwan, east of the city.

On Friday, 18 November 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the intersection of ‘Ain Sinaa village; at the entrance to Senjil village, north of Ramallah; at the entrance to Beit ‘Our village, west of the city.

On Saturday, 19 November 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to ‘Ain Yabroud village, northeast of Ramallah; and at the intersection of Deir Bazeigh village, west of the city.

On Sunday, 20 November 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints in ‘Ain Ayoub and Ras Karkar villages, northwest of Ramallah; at ‘Ain Sinaa intersection and ‘Atara Bridge, north of the city.

At approximately 18:00, on Monday 21 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near ‘Atara village’s bridge, north of Birzet, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 23:00, on Tuesday 22 November 2016, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint between ‘Arora and ‘Aboween villages, northwest of the city.

• Qalqiliyah: Israeli forces established (7) checkpoints all over the city.

On Saturday, 19 November 2016, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints between ‘Azoun and ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb villages, east of Qalqilyia; at the eastern entrance to Qalqilyia; and under the bridge of ‘Azoun village ( on the main road between Qalqiliya and Tulkarm).

On Monday, 21 November 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya; at the intersection of Amateen village, northeast of the city; and Kherbit Sair village, northeast of Qalqiliya.

Nablus:

At approximately 15:30, on Saturday, 19 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Quds Street, near Kia Company, southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 20:30, On Monday 21 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Bita village, on Nablus- Ramallah street, south of Nablus.

• Salfit: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 11:05, on Thursday 18 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Kaful Hares village, north of Salfitl; while at approximately 11:10, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance to Hares village, northwest of the city.

At approximately 16:30, on Friday 18 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit, while at approximately 22:10, a similar checkpoint was established on the main street, west of the city.

At approximately 13:50, on Saturday 19 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Burqeen and Kafur al-Deek villages, west of Salfit. At approximately 19:45, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance to Marda village, north of the city.

• Jenin:

At approximately 10:00, on Thursday 17 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Ya’boud village, southwest of Jenin.

At approximately 20:00, on Saturday 19 November 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Zabobah village, west of Jenin. Israeli forces prevented civilians from entering and exiting the village until 22:00.

Arrests at military checkpoints:

• At approximately 17:30, on Thursday 17 November 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohamed Ibrahim al-Nabresi (23), from al-Fare’a camp, south of Tubas. Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli forces stopped Mohamed’s private car and checked his ID, during which they asked him to step out of his car and detained him for few hours.

• At approximately 17:30, on Saturday 19 November 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested ‘Awni Mazen al-Shakhsheir (26), from Nablus, while passing through the checkpoint. Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli forces stopped ‘Awni’s private car and checked his ID, during which they asked him to step out of his car and detained him for few hours. It should be noted that ‘Awni is a student at al-Najah National University in Nablus.

3. Efforts to Create Jewish majority

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

Shooting Incidents:

• In a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandiya checkpoint, at the northern entrance to east Occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at a Palestinian civilian and left him bleeding until he succumbed to his wounds. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 10:20, on Tuesday 22 November 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandiya checkpoint, north of Occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at Jihad Mohamed Sa’ied Khalil (48), from Beit Wazan village, west of Nablus. As a result, Jihad was hit with several live bullets throughout his body and was left bleeding at the checkpoint for over an hour. Moreover, Israeli forces prevented the PRCS crews from offering any help for him until he succumbed to his wounds. After that, Israeli forces detained Jihad’s corpse. They also claimed that Jihad attempted to stab one of the Israeli security guards when he was passing in the area, where Israeli soldiers were searching the Palestinians’ vehicles and checking their IDs.

Arrests and Incursions:

• At approximately 01:00, on Thursday 17 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aisawyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ahmed Abed al-Ra’ouf Mahmoud (14), Sameer Akram ‘Atiya (14), Ma’moun Basel Mahmoud (16), Nour al-Deen Maher Muhasin (16) and Tareq Firas Mohamed (14).

• At approximately 02:00, on Thursday, Israeli forces moved into al-Mokaber Mount, southeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shadi Wadee’ ‘Aliyan (31) and arrested him.

• At approximately 21:00, on Friday 18 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Bustan neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Sameer Showaki (12) and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, on Saturday 19 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hatta neighbourhood in East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abed al-Fatah al-Fakhori (31) and arrested him. It should be noted that Abed al-Fatah was preparing himself to his wedding which was scheduled on the same day evening.

• On Saturday, Israeli forces moved into al-Quds University’s campus, east of Occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a student exhibition in the university presidency building. Moreover, they confiscated the students’ belongings after locking the Palestinian security officers in one room and preventing them from getting out. The deputy director of university, Prof. Hassan Doweek, said that Israeli forces raided al-Quds University and assaulted a student exhibition while preparing for its opening. They confiscated its content and damaged others. Moreover, they raided the College of Engineering building and student activity rooms and damaged them as well. It should be noted that the student exhibition is an annual activity for the Islamic Bloc in the University.

• At approximately 02:00, on Sunday 20 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, east of Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Faiysal Waheed Shabanah (17) and Mohamed Dawoud al-Hidrah (15).

• At approximately 03:00. Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aisawiya village, northeast of Occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Omar Ghareeb(29) and arrested him.

• At approximately 08:00, Baker Mahmoud ‘Abasi (16) and Omar Dawoud ‘Abasi (16) surrendered to the Israeli police to spend their sentences for 12 months. It should be noted that the abovementioned persons were arrested by the end of July 2015 by Israeli undercover units. Moreover, they were severely beaten and released two weeks later on condition that they are placed under house arrest and pay a bail. In addition, they have been accused of throwing Molotov Cocktails at Israeli forces. It should be noted that they served 15 months in the house arrest and were then sentenced to actual imprisonment.

• At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested Shadia Na’iem (34), when she was present near al-Qatateen Gate, one of al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates, in Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, claiming that she had a knife. After that, Israeli forces took her to “Eliyahu” police station to question her. It should be noted that Shadia is from Kafur Qanna village in Israel.

• At approximately 14:30, on Sunday, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jihad Jawad Abu Ramouz (13) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service.

• At approximately 03:00, on Monday 21 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Bostan neighbourhood, south of Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalid Mohamed Zaytoun (11) and arrested him.

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces arrested Mostafa Jamil al- Hashlamoun when he was in Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They then took him to an Israeli Detention Center.

• At approximately 02:00, on Tuesday 22 November 2016, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mostafa Baydoun (15) and Mohamed Baydoun (19).

House demolitions and demolition notices:

• On Monday morning, 21 November 2016, Israeli municipality crews handed a decision to close a restaurant belonging to Mousa Na’im Fataftah in Silwan, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of working without a license. Mousa said to PCHR’s fieldworker that he opened the restaurant shortly earlier, but he was surprised when he received a summons to the municipality under the pretext of working without a license. Mousa worked on obtaining a license for the restaurant in the last period. However, the requirements were almost impossible. The Israeli municipality issued a final decision to close the restaurant and imposed a financial fine. Mousa added that the restaurant was 20 square meters as 4 families make their living out of it.

• At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 22 November 2016, Israeli municipality crews moved into al-Isawiyah village, northeast of East Jerusalem. They handed demolition notices for several residential facilities. Mohammed Abu al-Humus, member of the Follow-up Committee in al-Isawiyah village, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the municipality crews accompanied with Israeli forces moved into the south-eastern area of the village, in particular the area overlooking “Maale Adumim” They handed demolition notices for several residential facilities. Mohammed added that the demolition notices were randomly hanged as the name of the facility owner was not mentioned. He mentioned that most of the facilities were built 20 to 40 years ago and most of them obtained licenses from the municipality.

• In the context of seizing lands in favour of settlement organizations, on Thursday morning, 17 November 2016,  ‘Ateret Cohanim’ association handed Ghaith and Shehada families in Selwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, judicial notices asking them to leave their lands. Zuhair al-Rujbi, head of Baten al-Hawa committee, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the abovementioned association handed Shehada family 6 judicial notices claiming that the land on which the building consisting of 6 apartments is built. It should be noted that 40 persons live in the building. Moreover, Zuhair stated that the association also handed Ghaith family 4 similar judicial notices claiming the land on which the building consisting of 2 floors. It should be noted that 20 persons live in the abovementioned building. Al-Rujbi added that Ghaith and Shehada families live in Baten al-Hawa neighbourhood since sixties of the last century. Houses belonging to the Shehadah and Ghaith families are located within the project of “Ateret Cohanim” organization to confiscate 5 dunums and 200 square meters from the central neighborhood in Batn al-Hawa in Silwan village.  The organization claimed that the Israeli Supreme Court decided those lands belonge to Jews from Yemen since 1881. It should be mentioned that around 30-35 residential buildings sheltering 80 families comprising of 436 persons are established on the whole plot of land threatened by the organization.  All residents have been living in the neighborhood for tens of years after buying lands and property from their former owners with official papers.  Moreover, 71 families from Batn al-Hawa neighborhood were handed notices by the aforementioned organization, which started to deliver notices in September 2015.  The residents appealed the case filed against them, and at the end of this November, a hearing will be held to discuss both parties’ claims.

4. Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli Settlers Attacks:

• At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 20 November 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle moved into Kherbet Um al-Khair, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers patrolled between the houses while an officer of the Civil Administration took photos of the houses and tents. The officer also handed notices to halt the work for 12 civilians under the pretext of building without a license. The notices were as follows:

1. Israeli forces demolished a 30-sqaure-meter residential caravan belonging to Khalil Mohammed Hathalin (28) where he and his family comprising of 3 members, including a child, used to live in;
2. Israeli forces a 60-square-meter sheep barn belonging to Aziz Mohammed Khalil Hathalin (33);
3. Israeli forces demolished a 45-square-meter house built of bricks belonging to Khadrah Dawoud Mohammed Hathalin (60), where she and her family comprising of 5 members, including a child, used to live in;
4. Israeli forces demolished a 20-square-meter kitchen built of tin plates belonging to Nawal Shueib al-Hathalin (41), where she and her family comprising of 3 members, including a child, used to live in;
5. Israeli forces demolished a 30-square-meter residential tent belonging to Ekhlas Ali Hamdan Hathalin (57), where she and her family comprising of 7 members, including 5 children, used to live in;
6. Israeli forces demolished a 50-square-meter residential tent belonging to Sheikha Hamdan Salamah Hathalin (60), where she and her family comprising of 4 members, including 2 children, used to live in;
7. Israeli forces demolished a 20-sqaure-meter dwelling built of bricks belonging to Khalil Shueib Khalil Hathalin (20), where he and his family comprising of 6 members, including 4 children, used to live in.
8. Israeli forces demolished a 40-sqaure-meter sheep barn belonging to Mahmud Shueib Salamah Hathalin (29);
9. Israeli forces demolished a 40-square-meter residential tent belonging to Shueib Khalil Salamah Hathalin (67), where he used to live in;
10. Israeli forces demolished a 40-square-meter dwelling built of bricks belonging to Fatmah Ali Hamdan al-Hathalin (48),where he and his family comprising of 10 members, including 7 children, used to live in. They also demolished a 20-sqaure-meter kitchen and a 2-sqaure-meter bathroom;
11. Israeli forces demolished a10-sqaure-meter residential barrack belonging to Mohammed Shueib al-Hathalin (27), where he and his wife used to live in; and
12. Israeli forces demolished a 10-sqaure-meter chicken barrack belonging to Majed Sheib al-Hathalin (35).

 Recommendations to the International Community

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

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

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

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