Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (02 – 08 March 2017)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (02 – 08 March 2017)

02 – 08 March 2017 – Palestinian Center for Human Rights

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

(02- 08 March 2017)

• Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Bireh.
• 5 civilians, including a child and journalist, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• An Israeli drone targeted a military observation point belonging to Hamas Movement and completely destroyed it.

• Israeli forces continued to target the border areas in the Gaza Strip.
• Two Palestinian civilians were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

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

• Israeli forces conducted 62 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and four limited ones were conducted in the central and southern Gaza Strip.
• 4577 civilians, including 2 children and 2 PLC Members, were arrested in the West Bank.
• 10 of them, including a child, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Two events to celebrate the International Women’s Day were cancelled in Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
• Two houses were demolished in Khelet al-‘Idah neighbourhood, south of Hebron.
• Israeli settlers uprooted and damaged 22 olive seedlings while they sprayed with toxic herbicides 3 dunums planted with grain, south of Hebron.
• Israeli settlers attacked a farmer and his wife, northeast of Qalqilya.
• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 10^th
• Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
• 5 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 (02 – 08 March 2017).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Shorfah neighbourhood in al-Bireh.  Meanwhile, the Israeli forces wounded 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and journalist.  Four of them, including the journalist, were wounded in the West Bank while the 3 others, including the child, were wounded in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli forces continued to chase Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea and open fire at farmers in the border areas in addition to targeting an observation point belonging to Hamas.

In the West Bank, On 06 March 2017, Israeli forces killed Basel Mahmoud Ibrahim al-A’raj (33) from al-Waljah village, west of Bethlehem, and living in al-Shorfah neighbourhood in al-Bireh.  The Israeli media claimed that al-A’raj opened fire at the Israeli soldiers, who raided his house, so the latter opened fire at him.  As a result, he was immediately killed and his body was taken to an unknown destination.  The Israeli forces also claim that al-A’raj had been wanted for them for months. While carrying out the operation, the Israeli forces wounded 2 Palestinian civilians who gathered in the area to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers.

On 03 March 2017, Journalist Ahmed Shawar (30) was hit with a metal bullet to the forehead and an 18-year-old young man was hit with a metal bullet as well in the left knee while the former covering the weekly Kafr Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya, and the latter participating in the protest.

In the Gaza Strip, On 03 March 2017, two Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the coastal fence, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at them.  The two civilians were walking in the area and then approached the border fence.  One of them sustained serious wounds while the other sustained moderate wounds.

On the same day, a Palestinian child was wounded while participating in a protest organized near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.  He sustained moderate wounds.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, on 05 March 2017, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and chased them.  However, neither casualties nor damages to the boats were reported.  The shooting recurred at approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2017, and at approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 08 March 2017.

In the context of targeting the border areas, on 02 March 2017, Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers along the northern borders sporadically opened fire at the border area opposite to the Agriculture School, east of al-Burah area.  Meanwhile, the Israeli force fired 4 artillery shells at an observation point belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, north of Beit Lahia.  As a result, the site sustained material damages.

On 06 March 2017, Israeli soldiers stationed in the military watch tower opened fire at the Palestinian farmers, east of Gaza Valley village, east of Deit al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.  However, no casualties were reported.

In the context of airstrikes, on 02 March 2017, an Israeli drone launched one missile at an observation point belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, it was completely destroyed, but no casualties were repoted.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 62 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 57 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children. Ten of them, including a child, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs.  Six others, including a child, were arrested in a protest organized against the killing of Basel al-A’raj in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah.  Among those arrested were also two Members representing Hamas in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) identified as Khaled Tafesh al-Zoweib (53) and Anwar Zaboun (48).

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 4 limited incursions into the central and southern Gaza Strip. On 02 March 2017, 4 Israeli bulldozers moved into the eastern side of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.  They levelled lands adjacent to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  On 05 March 2017, Israeli forces moved into the eastern side of al-

Fokhari village, southeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.  On 06 March, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.  On 07 March 2017, Israeli forces moved into the northern Gaza Strip and levelled lands as well.

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

On 06 March 2017, Israeli forces destroyed a house belonging to Taghrid Abu Mayalah in Khelet al-‘Eidah neighbourhood, south of Hebron.  The under-construction house is established on an area of 120 square meters.  On the same day, Israeli forces handed Hasan Shehdah ‘Amr a notice to stop construction works in his house in Beit Marsan village, west of Dura.

In the same context, On 04 March 2017, a group of settlers uprooted 15 olive seedlings and sprayed 7 others and 3 dunums planted with grain with toxic herbicides.  Those seedlings and dunums belong to al-Herini family near “Havat Ma’aoun” settlement established on Palestinian lands confiscated from Yata, south of Hebron.

On 06 March 2017, a group of settlers attacked farmer ‘Abdullah Salman (53) and his wife Mariam Salman (53) while ploughing their land near “Havad Jel’ad” settlement established on Far’eta village, northeast of Qalqilya.

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 2 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 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons.  Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate 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, 02 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ourta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 3 civilians namely Shadi Salim Shurrab (39), Abdul Salam Yusuf al-Jamal ‘Awwad (45) and Ali As’ad Lolah (32). The soldiers took them to Howarah military camp, south of the city, where they interrogated them. At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces released them in the abovementioned camp.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested 4 civilians namely Omer Mohammed Maslamah (20), Farouq Husain Maslamah (24), ‘Ali ‘Aref Fayez Suwaiti (26) and ‘Atef Husain Masalmah (25).

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Fare’ah refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Fares Hasan Salah (25) and took him to Howarah military camp, south of Nablus. They questioned him about his brother Mohammed, who is known as al-Kharouf “the sheep” and wanted by the Israeli forces. At approximately 08:00, they released Fares in the abovementioned camp.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested 4 civilians namely Husam Mohammed al-Shaikh, Murad Mahmoud al-Shaikh, Hamzah Abdullah al-Shaikh and Husain Amr al-Shaikh.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Hawouz area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Anas Mohammed Mahmoud al-Zughair (22) and then arrested him. In the meantime, a number of Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Karim Mahmoud Abu Shakhdam (30), but no arrests were reported. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Riyadh ‘Adnan Abu ‘Aishah (27) in Nanqor neighborhood. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Nuhailah Abdul Mo’ti Abu Aishah (60),’Adnan’s mother. An Intelligence officer questioned Riyadh about having weapons, but no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military jeeps moved about 100 meters into the western side of the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled the lands adjacent to the abovementioned border fence. The incursion continued until 14:00 after which the Israeli forces redeployed along the abovementioned border fence.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed in the military watchtowers along the northern borders of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the border area adjacent to the Agriculture School. As a result, the farmers were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces stationed in military watchtowers along the eastern borders of Beit Hanoun village in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at al-Ahmer area and east of al-Burah area. As a result, the farmers were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 14:15, Israeli forces stationed at military watchtowers along the northern borders of Um El-Naser (Bedouin) village in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the abovementioned border area. As a result, the farmers were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 14:45, Israeli forces fired 4 artillery shells towards a site for al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas Movement), north of Buret Abu Samrah, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. The site was about 250 meters away from the western side of the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The shelling resulted in severe material damages to the site.

• At approximately 14:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the abovementioned site. As a result, the site was totally destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They patrolled between the streets and then chased a number of civilians. They detained two children namely Samir Mahmoud Shbitah (17) and Omer Mo’in Husain (17) while they were harvesting almonds from their land in the center of the village. The Israeli forces also raided a greenhouse and detained 4 civilians, who were harvesting cucumber, for 3 hours during which the soldiers questioned them. They released them at approximately 19:00 after the Palestinian Civil Liaison interfered. The detained civilians were identified as Mustafa Yasser Shabitah (20), Mohammed ‘Aref Jaber (20), Thaer Thabet ‘Abed (21) and Anas Zahran Shabitah (21).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ethna village and Yatta, south of Hebron; Badia village, northwest of Salfit.

Friday, 03 March 2017

• At approximately 17:45, Israeli forces stationed in military watchtowers, north of al-Ghoul land along the borderline, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at 2 Palestinian young men who were about 50 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the young men were wounded, and a PRCS ambulance then took them to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia. One of them sustained serious wounds while the other sustained moderate ones. The wounded civilians were identified as :

1. Fehmi Mohammed Mousa Hammou (19), who live on Abu Hasirah Street, west of Gaza. Fehmi was hit with a bullet to the abdomen, due to which his guts got out. In addition, and two others to the pelvis and left hand. His condition was classified as moderate.
2. Ibrahim Ramadan Abdul Men’em Shehadah (19) from al-Toffah neighborhood, east of Gaza. He was hit with 2 live bullets to the right shoulder and right hand. His condition was classified as moderate.

According to PCHR’s investigations and the testimony of Shehadah to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 16:15, he and his friend Hammou went out for a walk on al-Sudaniyah beach, west of Jabalia. They walked to the north to Beit Lahia beach and attempted to return to their houses through the agricultural lands located in the northwest of Beit Lahia, but lost their way. At approximately 17:45, they were surprised by the shooting and did not know where it came from. Therefore, they crouched down on the ground, and few minutes later, there was an intensive shooting at them. As a result, Ibrahim was hit with a live bullet to the right foot and called for Hamou’s help.  Fehmi told him he was wounded as well and cannot move, so he crawled towards him. During this, Shehadah felt so much pain in his right shoulder. They were still both lying on the ground for an hour. Shehadah attempted to stand and run to call an ambulance via his phone. While he was running, Ibrahim found out that he hit the border fence and then ran to the north. After rectifying the matter, he ran to the south until he reached a safe area and then called a PRCS ambulance. After 15 minutes, two ambulances arrived at the area while Shehadah was at an observation point belonging to the Gaza Interior Ministry.  The officers there welcomed Shehadah, who told them about what happened. Following that, Sehahdah accompanied the PRCS crews and took them to where his friend was. At approximately 19:30, Shehadah was transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia while the medical crew continued the search for Hammou. In the meantime, the Israeli soldiers fired several flare bombs in the sky, so Hammou was found with his guts out of his abdomen due to his injury. He was transferred to the Indonesian Hospital at approximately 20:00 and immediately admitted to the operation room as his condition was classified serious.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Samou’i, Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus; al-Yamoun, Zabuba villages, west of Jenin; al-Samou’i, Traqumiya and Beit Ummer villages in Hebron.

Saturday, 04 March 2017

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Nablus, Qaryout villages, southeast of the city; Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron; ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah and Shaqba village, northwest of Ramallah; Bruqin and Kufur al-Deek villages, west of Salfit.

Sunday, 05 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Abdul Hadi ‘Asafrah (25) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in al-Tarbiqah neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sabri Ibrahim Sabri ‘Awad (22) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia village in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased them. The shooting continued until 08:45. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but no casualties of material damages were reported.

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with heavy military jeeps moved about 100 meters into east of al-Fukhari village, southeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. They moved along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north. They levelled the lands for hours and then redeployed along the abovementioned border fence from the area located in the east of Khuza’ah village.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Kharsa, Tarqumiya villages in Hebron; Bruqin village, west of Salfit; Bedia villages, northwest of the city; Kafel Hares village, north of the city; Birzeit village, north of Ramallah and Kafer Malek village, northeast of the city.

Monday, 06 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 300 soldiers from the infantry unit moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah from all the entrances. They raided and searched dozens of houses after which they arrested 4 civilians namely Abdullah Husam Howari (22), Zaid ‘Ali ‘Odwan (18), Bahaa’ Sameer Saleem (19) and Mohammed Sufian ‘Oudah (21).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Yusuf Bader Mahmoud Ekhleil (37) and Mahmoud Bader Ekhleil (32). They then handed 2 summonses to the abovementioned civilians to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.

• In the dawn hours, Israeli forces killed Basel Mahmoud Ibrahim al-A’raj (33), who is from al-Walajah village, west of Bethlehem, but lived in al-Shurafah neighbourhood in al-Birah. The Israeli media claimed that al-A’raj opened fire at the Israeli soldiers, who raided his house, so they shot him dead and took his body to an unknown destination. According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitnesses, at approximately 01:30 on the same day, the Israeli forces accompanied with several military vehicles moved into al-Birah and stationed on al-Ma’aref Street in al-Shurafah neighbourhood. The soldiers used a police dog and raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Hamdi Bastami after breaking the main door of the house, which was adjacent to Basel al-A’raj’s house. The soldiers stayed in Bastami’s house for about 10 minutes and then moved directly to Basel’s house. They broke the main door amidst shooting at him. Eyewitnesses said to PCHR’s fieldworker that they heard a sound of 3 to 4 salvos. Few minutes later, they heard a loud explosion and thought it was a sound of a shell from a shoulder-fired weapon inside the house. In the meantime, a number of young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live bullets at the young men in response. As a result, 2 civilians were hit with bullets to the lower limbs. Later, the Israeli forces withdrew and took al-A’raj’s body to an unknown destination. It should be noted that al-A’raj was pursued by the Israeli forces after he disappeared along with a number of his friends in the end of last March for several weeks. Basel was then accused of preparing to carry out an attack against the Israeli forces.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Khaled Tafesh al-Thawib (53) and Anwar Mohamed Abdul Rahman Zabun (48), both are PLC Members representing Hamas Movement.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Harayeq area in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Anwar Khalil Ed’ais (60). They then confiscated Anwar’s vehicle, but no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several house and then arrested Hamzah Nael ‘Ammar (23) and Kefah ‘Ali Aloub (21).

• At approximately 03:15, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Raheem Mahmoud Abu Suleiman (35) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved about 150 meters into the west of the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. During the incursion, the drones were flying in the sky. The Israeli forces levelled the lands adjacent to the abovementioned border fence. The incursion continued for 4 hours and then the Israeli forces moved into the south and redeployed along the border fence.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed in military watchtowers along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Deek) east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at the farmers. As a result, the farmers were forced to leave their agricultural lands for fear of their lives. However, no arrests were reported.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, Surif village and Yatta in Hebron.

Tuesday, 07 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with a crane and a truck moved into Jama’in village, south of Nablus. They stationed in the village outskirts from the eastern side and then surrounded a workshop belonging to Mansour Majed Abdul Jalil Gheith (37). The soldiers opened the door of the workshop where Mansour’s brother, Mohammed (21), was sleeping. Following that, an officer called Mansour and ordered him to refer to come. The soldies then confiscated the workshop contents and then handed Mansour a decision to close the workshop and a list of the confiscated contents.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Barta’ah village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 6 civilians namely Mo’tasem Mustafa ‘Aziz Qabah (20), Mousa Marwan Nawaf Qabha (22), Mohammed al-Haj Sa’ed Qabha (53) Hamed (24), his brother Maher (20), Mojahed Jameel Khatib (22)

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiyah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested ‘Ali Saleh Hanthawai (22).

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia villages in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased them. The shooting, which sporadically continued until at approximately 09:00, caused fear among the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear for their lives. However, neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 2 tanks and 2 bulldozers moved about 100 meters from a military gate, east of Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, into the northwest of Beit Hanoun village in the northern Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed empty lands that were levelled before amidst shooting. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces withdrew from the area, but neither casualties nor material damages.

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to many civilians. Some of whom were identified as Bilal Salhab al-Tamimi, Fadi Mohammed Shwer, Thaer Ziyad al-Fakhuri, Anas al-Sghair, Rasmi Dufash, Yehya ‘Ali al-Qawasmi, Hesham Abu Turki, Hesham Hmaidan al-Shurbati and Fayez Ibrahim Mesk (50). Mesk’s wife said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli soldiers locked them in a room and used police dogs while searching the house. She also said that all the males in the family in addition to a number of neighbours, who were detained with them, were subjected to naked search as the women were searched by female soldiers. Moreover, the soldiers confiscated 2 checks, the first was of JD 1000 and the other was of JD 500, but did not leave any list of the confiscated items. The wife added that the soldiers arrested her husband and released him after 5 hours. Fayez said to his wife the he was detained in an investigation centre in “Kiryat Arba” settlement where he was informed that the money were confiscated because they were from Hamas Movement.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Ourta and Awdala villages, southeast of Nablus; Halhoul, Beit Ummer and Surif villages in Hebron.

Wednesday, 08 March 2017

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested ‘Alaa’ Abdul Ghani Taha (18) from the camp.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Balatet al-Balad, east of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested Yusuf Ramzi Duwaikat (20) and Thaer ‘Esawi (24).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Balatet al-Balad village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Eyad Fayez Yusuf ‘Aydah (19), a student at al-Quds Open University, and Hamzah Thuqan Ahmed Daraghmah (20), a student at al- Najah National University in Nablus.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kharas village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Diyaa’ Hasan Hmaidan (24) and Yunis ‘Awad al-Haroub (37) and then arrested them.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed al-Suwaiti (24) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Dahdah neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amer Omer Abu ‘Aish, who was killed by the Israeli forces in June 2014 under the pretext of kidnaping and killing 3 settlers in Hebron. In the meantime, another Israeli force raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’di Abdul ‘Afow al-Qawasmah (55). However, no arrests were reported in both houses.

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, 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, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Haryah Valley area in the southern area in Hebron, and stationed in the vicinity of al-‘Ajouri crossroad. They raided and searched a food company, detained the workers inside it and then arrested Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul Hamid Abu Sabih (30).

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

West Bank:

• At approximately 12:40 on Friday, 03 March 2017, Palestinian civilians and International activists 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 metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, Ahmed Abdul Malek Ibrahim ‘Othman (Shawer) (30), a journalist at the Radio and Television Commission, sustained a metal bullet wound to the forehead while an 18-year-old young man was hit with a metal bullet to the left knee.

Ahmed Shawer said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“At approximately 12:00 on Friday, 03 March 2017, I went to Kufor Qaddoum village, to cover the weekly protest. I was taking photos via my cell phone camera before the protest began. Suddenly, the soldiers came from all sides. Three angry soldiers came close to me and one of them attempted to take my phone by force that almost broke it.  The soldier then took it, forced me to open the lock and then deleted the video that I recorded. When the journalists and I were near the protest area, the incidents escalated. I was then hit with a metal bullet that hit my forehead though I was wearing a press uniform and bulletproof jacket, but the soldiers directly opened fire at me. I was then transferred to Dr. Darwish Nazzal Hospital to receive medical treatment. I needed only one stitch in my face.”

• Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah and al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of the city; at the entrance to al-Jaalzone refugee camp, north of the city; and in 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 between houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by the Israeli soldiers.

• At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 07 March 2017, dozens of Palestinians organized a protest in the vicinity of “Ofer” military camp, west of Ramallah, in protest against the murder of Basel al-A’raj. When the protestors approached the camp’s gates, the soldiers fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters towards them and chased them. They then arrested 6 civilians, including a child, namely Khaled Obaidat (22), ‘Othman Nakhlah (20), Haitham Saber (20), Kamel Ghunaimat (23), Aysar ‘Asi (22) and Khalil Mohammed Jebril Abu Qabitah (13).

Gaza Strip

• At approximately 02:30 on Friday, 03 March 2017, a number of young men gathered and made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Buret Abu Samrah, north of Beit Lahia village in the northern Gaza Strip. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who were behind sand barriers and fired live bullets at the protestors. As a result, Fayeq Abed Rabboh Shams Salman (17) from al-Manshiyah Street in Beit Lahia village, sustained a live bullet wound to the left foot and was transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia to receive medical treatment. His wounds were described as moderate.

2. Continued closure of the oPt

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested

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