Weekly report on israel's terrorism against the "State" of Palestine (09-15 March 2017)

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

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

(09-15 March 2017)

• Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in occupied Jerusalem.
• 11 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces continued to target the border areas in the Gaza Strip, and no arrests were reported.

• Israeli forces conducted 80 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one was conducted in the central Gaza Strip.
• 80 civilians, including 9 children and 4 women, one of whom is a PLC Member, Samira al- Halyqa, were arrested in the West Bank.
• 35 of them, including 5 children and 2 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs.
• 3 children were arrested while sneaking through the border fence into Israel to look for work and were then released after interrogation.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Two houses were demolished and a civilian was obliged to self-demolish his house.
• Closure of Arab Studies Society’s Mapping and arresting its director.

• Israeli forces continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
• A mobile house was confiscated in Farosh Beit Dajan village, while a vegetable stall was demolished.
• Israeli settlers uprooted and stole (143) olive trees, south of Nablus.

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

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 10^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, including a child, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (09-15 March 2017).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian civilian in occupied Jerusalem.  Meanwhile, the Israeli forces wounded 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank. The Israeli forces continued to chase Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea and open fire at farmers in the border areas.

In the West Bank, in new crime of using excessive force, on Monday, 13 February 2017, Israeli officers killed Ibrahim Mahmoud Matar (25), from al-Mukaber Mount, southeast of occupied Jerusalem. Israeli forces claimed that Ibrahim entered the Israeli police office in Lions Gate (al-Asbat), took a knife out and then stabbed 2 Israeli soldiers. After that, Ibrahim was shot dead by another Israeli soldier.

On 10 March 2017, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians, who were at the western entrance to Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, and wounded 2 of them.

On 11 March 2017, a 16-year-old male was hit with a tear gas canister at his head, when Israeli forces raided Birzeit, north of Ramallah. Moreover, the Israeli forces fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians.

On 11 March 2017, a Palestinian civilian was hit with a live bullet to the leg, when Israeli forces moved into Sabastiyia village, northwest of Nablus. During which, a number of Palestinian young men protested against them.

On 15 March 2017, 5 civilians, including 2 siblings, were wounded, when Israeli forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp and al-Dawha village nearby, south of Bethlehem. One of whom was wounded as he was at the roof of his house in al-Dawhah village. when the wounded’s brother along with his 3 friends rushed to take him to the hospital, the Israeli forces opened fire at the car carrying them. As a result, 4 other civilians were wounded.

On the same day, a Palestinian worker, from al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Behtlthem, was wounded while he was near ” Mazmouriya” checkpoint, east of the city, attempting to go to his work in occupied Jerusalem.

On the same day, Fatmah Jabrin ‘Aye Abdul ‘Aziz Taqatqah (16) from Sahlet ‘Eid neighborhood in al-Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem, was shot by the Israeli forces. The Israeli forces claimed she attempted to carry out a ran-over attack in the intersection of “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city, but she was arrested.  After that, Fatama was taken to “Shaare Zedek” Medical Centre in Jerusalem. Fatmah’s family refused the Israeli claims and said that she lost control of her vehicle.

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting border areas, On 09 March 2017, ,  Israeli forces stationed in the vicinity of “Kissufim” military site established along the border fence between the Gaza Strip an Israel, northeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, fired several artillery shells and opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Qararah and al-Salqa Valley areas, west of the abovementioned border fence amidst firing several flare bombs, but no arrests were reported.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, On 14 March 2017, 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. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 80 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and its suburbs, and conducted 11 raids in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 80 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children and 4 women. Thirty five of them, including 5 children and 2 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem. Among those arrested was a Member representing Hamas in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) identified as Samira al-Halyqa (53).

In the Gaza Strip, on 15 March 2017, Israeli forces moved into the east of Gaza Valley (Johr al-Deek) in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled the lands adjacent to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel after which they re-deployed along the border fence.

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

Concerning house demolitions, on Saturday, 11 March 2017, the Israeli Municipality obliged ‘Arafat Qara’een to self-demolish part of his family house in Wadi Helwa neighborhood, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Al-Qara’een said that the part, which was demolished comprised of a 20-square-meter room used as a store built 2 years ago.

On 14 March 2017, Israeli forces accompanied demolished an under-construction residential building in al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. The 250-square-meters building, which was comprised of 2 floors, belongs to Majdi Mostafa.

On the same day, Israeli forces demolished a house in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. The house belongs to Mohamed Abu Saleh and was comprised of 2 rooms built in an area of 50 square meters. It should be noted that Mohamed along with his family comprised of 3 members, were intending to live in the house soon.

In the context of imposing restrictions on Palestinian associations, on 14 March 2017, Israeli forces raided the Mapping and Survey Office of the Arab Studies Society- Orient House in Beit Hanina neighborhood, north of occupied Jerusalem.  The police officers arrested the Office Director and maps and settlement expert, Khalil Tufakji, and took him to an unknown destination after confiscating his cell phone and some contents of the office.  The Israeli police closed the office for 6 months upon an order from the Israeli Interior Minister, Gelad Ardan.

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

On 14 March 2017, Israeli forces confiscated a mobile house in Farosh Beit Dajan village. The house belongs to Tawfiq Abed al-Raheem Haj Mohamed, who works as Headmaster of the village’s school. The abovementioned house was built on an area of 25 square meters and shelters 8 members, including 3 children. Moreover, the bulldozer demolished a vegetable stall located in the village’s main street. The 30-square-meter stall belongs to Yaser Ibrahim Aub Murtada.

In the same context, on 10 March 2017, Israeli settlers, from “Rhalim” settlement, uprooted 143 olive trees from al-Sawiyia villages’ lands, south of Nablus. The land belongs to Haytham Ahmed Mohamed Abu Kafanah and Suhail Abed al-Raheem Suliman. Both of them are from the abovementioned 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 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, 09 March 2017

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military jeeps and an armored personnel carrier moved into Rafat village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Emad Raja Mas’oud ‘Ayyash (24) and took his ID card. As soon as the soldiers identified Emad, they arrested him and then took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Shayyoukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Samira Abdullah Abdul Rahim Halayqah (53), a PLC Member representing the Reform and Change Bloc of Hamas Movement. The Israeli forces arrested Samira and confiscated her cell phone and 2 laptops. On Sunday, 12 March 2017, the Israeli Authorities brought her before the military court in “Ofer” military camp, west of Ramallah. The Military Attorney General (MAG) accused Samira of incitement against the Israeli forces on her Facebook page and demanded to detain her for 5 days, but her lawyer refused the allegation submitted by the MAG. At the end of the hearing, the judge issued a decision to postpone for one day.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qablan village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Jehad Saleh Hamed Nashatah (43) and ‘Asef Yusuf ‘Adel ‘Omlah (30) and took them to Howara military camp, south of the city. After interrogation, the Israeli forces released them at approximately 144:00 on the same day.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Laban Eastern village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested Suleiman Mohammed Suleiman ‘Owais (25).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Thanabah village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mahmoud Husain Mahmoud Abu Hamrah (20).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested ‘Essa Omer Mustafa ‘Oudah (24).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested ‘Ali Majed al-‘Ajlouni (31), his brother Morsi (28) and Rami ‘Ali Edrees (29).

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ezbet al-Jarad, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mothannah Fo’ad Abdul Rahim Robo’ (23).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Badras village, wet of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hazem Mahmoud Hanoun (21) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awaa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Mahmoud Ra’ed Masalmah (16) and Mo’tasem Farouq Masalmah (17).

• At approximately 23:35, Israeli forces stationed in the vicinity of “Kissufim” military site established along the border fence between the Gaza Strip an Israel, northeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, fired several artillery shells and opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Qararah and al-Salqa Valley areas, west of the abovementioned border fence amidst firing several flare bombs, but no arrests were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Ourta village, southeast of Nablus; ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah; Sa’ir and Beit Ummer villages in Hebron and Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah.

Friday, 10 March 2017

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinians, who were near the western entrance to the village, northeast of Ramallah. As a result, some of the civilians were wounded as the Israeli forces arrested Jehad Mohammed Maousa Hammad and took him to an unknown destination.

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

Saturday, 11 March 2017

• At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into Birzeit village, north of Ramallah. They fire live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians. As a result, a 16-year-old male from al-Mazra’ah al-Qebliyah village, was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. In the same context, the Israeli forces arrested Mos’ab Ibrahim Said (28).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (10) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Jayous village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, Hablah village, south of the city and ‘Azoun village, east of the city; al-Shyoukh, Surif, Sa’ir Beit Awa, al-Mawreq villages and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; Beit Rema village, northwest of  Ramallah.

Sunday, 12 March 2017

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Howarah village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mahmoud ‘Ali Mohamme Sa’adah (41).

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Osama Abdul Jaber Foqahaa’ (26) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Sarda village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Batol al-Ramhi (24) and then arrested her.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (9) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Nablus al-Jadidah neighbourhood, south of Nablus; Sebastia village, northwest of the city; ‘Ourta village, southeast of the city; Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah; Kufor al-Deek, al-Zawiyah villages, west of Salfit; al Thaheriyah, Abu al-‘Asjahand Karzah villages in Hebron.

Monday, 13 March 2017

•  At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rabe’I Jawad Za’aqiq (23) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to  Malek ‘Ali al-Ja’bari (22) and then arrested him.

•  At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided an searched a house belonging to Abdul Rahim Mahmoud Tarairah (30) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jom’ah Ibrahim al-Dusouqi (24) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Tareq Maher Zakarnah (28).

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel at “Nahal ‘Oz” site, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza, arrested 3 children after they sneaked into the abovementioned border fence. The arrested civilians were identified as Mohammed Mahmoud Abdul Fattah Abdul Nabi (16), Makram Mustafa Yusuf Moqbel (15) and ‘Alaa’ Jamil Sabri Abu Khater. All  of them are from al-Jurun neighbourhood in Jabalia al-Balad in the northern Gaza Strip.

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. The soldiers chased a number of school students, who were returning to their homes. They then arrested Mohamme Saleem al-Badan (17), a high school student.

• In the evening, Israeli forces moved into Bil’in village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Khaleq Eyad Burnat (16) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported:Dura, Taffouh and al-Samou’i villages in Hebron; Rantees village, northwest of Ramallah.

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Habib Mohammed al-Saheikh (24) and Ayman Abdul Hai al-Sheikh (21).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces move into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron, and stationed in Shu’ob Theeb area. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested ‘Esam Suleiman ‘Atawnah (31).

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Jala. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Noor al-Jawarish (22).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and stationed in al-Ma’ajin area. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Essam Mustafa al-Shunnar (20).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Suleiman Nader Masalmah (20).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 3 houses and destroyed the houses contents. They then arrested 3 civilians namely Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Awad (22),’Ali Mohammed Za’aqiq (21) and Wael Khalil Abu ‘Ayash (25).

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Khalid (49) and Amin Mohammed Ismail Sabaa’nah (38).

• At approximately 07:00, 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. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of their lives, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.

• At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Sabastiyia village, northwest of Nablus. A number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live bullets at them. As a result, a 17-year-old child sustained a live bullet wound to the leg. He was transferred to Najah Medical Hospital.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beta village, southeast of Nablus; Karisah, Emrish and Sa’ir villages in Hebron an Birzeit village, north of Ramallah.

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duhaisah refugee camp and al-Dawhah village nearby, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Morad al-Zaghari (24) and then arrested him. In the meantime, dozens of youngsters gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who randomly fired live bullets at them. As a result, Eyad Ibrahim Ramadan (40) was hit with a live bullet to the leg as he was at the roof of his house in al-Dawhah village. Eyad’s brother Mahmoud and his friends namely Ahmed al-Je’awi (30), Mo’ath Abu Nassar (22) and Mohammed Fares Fararjah (20) rushed to help him and take him to the hospital. The Israeli soldiers then opened fire at their vehicle. As a result, Mahmoud sustained a bullet shrapnel wounds to the head while the three others sustained live bullets wounds to the leg. The five injured civilians were transferred to Bethlehem Hospitals to receive medical treatment.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aawourah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Salamah Khaseeb (26) and then arrested him.

•  Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir ‘Ammar village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yusuf Mohammed ‘Oudah (44) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Laith Sabri al-Barghuthi (25) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Yasser Bilal Mahmoud Yamin (21), a student at al Sharia School at al-Najah National University in Nablus, and Mos’ab Tawfiq al-Hendi (27).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghsanah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Amr Mahmoud al-Barguthi (21) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Oudai Abdul Razeq al-Tamimi (24) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Salam neighborhood. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Zughair family after which they arrested Mos’ab Neal Zughair (22) and Abdullah Ahmed Zughair (19).

• In the morning, Ahmed Radaidah (27), a worker from al-‘Abidiyah village, east of Bethlehem, was wounded near Mazmouriya checkpoint, east of the city, while he attempted to go to his work in Jerusalem. The PRCS said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the PRCS’s crews received the worker from the Israeli forces at abovementioned checkpoint as he sustained a live bullet wounds to the left thigh. He was then transferred to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital, where his wounds were classified as moderate. Eyewitnesses said that Ahmed was shot while he was in Abu al-Hamz Valley area attempting to go to his work in Jerusalem.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military bulldozers moved about 100 meters, west of the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley (Johr al-Deek) in the central Gaza Strip. The bulldozers leveled the lands adjacent to the abovementioned border fence. The incursion continued until 13:00 on the same day as the Israeli forces redeployed along the border fence.

• At approximately 16:30, Fatmah Jabrin ‘Aye Abdul ‘Aziz Taqatqah (16) from Sahlet ‘Eid neighborhood in al-Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem, was shot by the Israeli forces. The Israeli forces claimed she attempted to carry out a ran-over attack in an intersection of “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city, but she was arrested. An ambulance of MDA to “Shaare Zedek” Medical Centre in Jerusalem. Kareem Ajwa, lawyer for the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, who was able to visit the child in the hospital, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that she was put in the intensive care under artificial respiration device. He also said that her medical condition is serious after she sustained a live bullet wound to the head. Later the Israeli forces moved in the abovementioned town, closed the main and western entrances to it, prevented the civilians from movement and checked their ID cards. They also summoned Fatmah’s father to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service, the Shabak, in “Gush Etzion” settlement. The family refused the Israeli claims that their daughter attempted to carry out a ran-over. They said that she usually drives the car as she is a lonely sister among her brothers. They added that Fatmah enjoys an excellent social life and believe that what happened was that she lost control of her vehicle.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Nablus, Tubas and Tammoun villages, east of the city; Bani Na’im and al-Thaheriyah villages in Herbron.

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

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer on 10 March 2017, 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.

Gaza Strip

• At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 10 March 2017, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They gathered into the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at them. No casualties were reported.

2. Continued closure of the oPt

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

Gaza Strip

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

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

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

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

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

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   

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