Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in Jaba’ village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Especially in the Gaza Strip

 

8 Palestinians, including tow children, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

17 Palestinians, including 3 children, a woman and a blind old man, were wounded.

5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, sustained bruises.

A house, a workshop and two cars were destroyed, and a number of houses, a school and a workshop were heavily damaged.

 

Two Palestinian civilians were killed and a third one was wounded by an Israeli settler south of Hebron.

 

IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

5 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

 

IOF conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank.

IOF demolished an under-construction house, razed 5 dunums[1] of agricultural land and burnt 15 dunum of agricultural land planted with wheat in the Gaza Strip.

 

IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

IOF launched 9 attacks against Palestinian fishermen and fishing boats.

 

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

 

IOF have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli municipality of Jerusalem forced a Palestinian civilian to demolish his house and a subordinate farm.

 

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

IOF delivered notices to demolish houses in Areas C[2].

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in Jaba’ village, northeast of Jerusalem.

Israeli settlers burnt 22 trees in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (14 – 20 June 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, IOF escalated attacks against the Gaza Strip.  They killed 8 Palestinians, including a child, and wounded 17 others, including a woman, 3 children and a blind old man.  Additionally, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, sustained bruises.  In the West Bank, two Palestinian civilians were killed and a third one was wounded by an Israeli settlers.  IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 18 June 2012, 4 members of the Palestinian resistance were killed and a fifth one was seriously wounded by two Israeli air strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. 

 

On 19 June 2012, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed and a third one was wounded by IOF at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Msaddar village. The three boys attempted to cross the border to search for jobs in Israel.  

On 20 June 2012, a Palestinian child was killed and his blind father and 3 children were wounded by an Israeli air strike in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City. 

 

On the same day, a member of the Palestinian resistance was killed and another one was wounded by an Israeli sir strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. 

 

On 14 June 2012, two members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded by Israeli artillery shelling that targeted al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. 

 

On 17 June 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded during an Israeli military incursion into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. 

 

On the same day, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and her husband, were wounded by shrapnel when Israeli warplane bombarded a workshop in Rafah. 

 

On 20 June 2012, IOF launched a series of air strikes against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.  As a result of these attacks, a house and two cars were destroyed and a number of houses were damaged.   Additionally, 5 civilians, including 3 children, sustained bruises.  

 

During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes attacked a number of training sites of the Palestinian resistance in various areas in the Gaza Strip. 

 

During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats attacked opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern and central Gaza Strip on 9 occasions.  No casualties were reported.  They also arrested 6 Palestinian fishermen, but released them on the following day after day after questioning them. 

 

IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli opened fire at Palestinian communities and agricultural land, but no casualties were reported. 

 

In the West Bank, on 17 June 2012, two Palestinians were killed by an Israeli settler south of Hebron.  The settler, who was driving a truck in the area, claimed that 3 Palestinians attacked him with an iron bar and in response, he fired at them.  The settler claimed that when he was traveling near al-Simya village, he was attacked by 3 Palestinians, and felt that his life was endangered to he fired at them, killing two of them and injuring the third one.  Even if the settler’s claim is true, he could have used less lethal force against these Palestinians and then submit them to the IOF, especially as there is an Israeli military observation point one kilometer away to the west of the area in which the attack took place.  

 

During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 54 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they demolished a house, razed 5 dunums of agricultural land and cause fire to break out in 15 dunums of agricultural land.

 

Restrictions on Movement:

 

Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip.  Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

 

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

 

Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem:

 

On 17 June 2012, Shareef Mousa Laqyaniya, from Beit Eksa village north of occupied Jerusalem, demolished his house and farm after he had received a notice from the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem ordering him to demolish his house and farm claimed that he did not obtain a construction license from the municipality.  According to the notice, if he did not demolish the house and the farm by himself, the municipality would do it and he would endure the cost of demolition.  According to Laqyaniya, he obtained a construction license from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, but the Israeli municipality refused to recognize the license. 

 

Settlement Activities:  

 

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

 

On 17 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Qidoumim” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, set fire to an area of agricultural land in Kufor Qaddoum village.  As a result, 7 olive trees and 15 almond trees were completely burnt, before Palestinian fire fighters were able to extinguish fire. 

 

On 18 June 2012, IOF handed notices ordering the demolition of 4 houses in Sha’ab al-Sair area near “Karmi Tsur” settlement in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  According to those notices, the owners of the houses may appeal the demolition orders before Beit Eil military court no later than 03 July 2012. 

 

On 19 June 2012, Israeli settlers set fire to Zaid Ben Hareth Mosque in Jaba’ village, northeast of Jerusalem.  According to eyewitnesses, one of the windows in the Mosque and the carpets inside the Mosque were on fire.  Locals were able to extinguish the fire, which destroyed the glass of that window and some of the carpets, in addition to damage done to walls and the frame of that window.  Hebrew writing was found on one of the external walls of the Mosque, which referred to war and revenge.  The Hebrew writing shows a connection between this crime and the evacuation of the Olbana neighborhood in the Beit Eil settlement, north of Ramallah and al-Bireh.  It should also be noted that the Adam settlement is located approximately 500 meters to the east of the Zaid Ben Hareth Mosque.

 

  

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (14 – 20 June 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 14 June 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 09:50, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly 600 meters into Khuza’a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis, amidst indiscriminate shooting.  At approximately 14:00, they demolished a 170-square-meter, under construction house belonging to Hassan ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Najjar.  It should be noted that IOF demolished a house belonging to al-Najjar in the same area on 11 January 2009.  They also razed a 5-dunum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najjar.  IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 18:30. 

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Hashemiya village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into ‘Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at some members of the Palestinian resistance in the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis.  Two members were moderately wounded.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled Abu Baha, 38, and arrested him.  On the following the day, the family learnt that Abu Baha’s brother, Murad, 26, was also arrested by IOF outside the house.  During the house raid, IOF confiscated two personal computers, a laptop, some documents and an amount of 1,500 ILS.  At the same time, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hassan ‘Abdullah, 34, and arrested him.    

 

At approximately 20:45, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 15 June 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mos’ab Mohammed Sorour, 28, and arrested him.  They also confiscated an amount of 2,500 ILS.  At the same time, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef ‘Ali Sorour, 35, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein Munjed neighborhood in Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim ‘Abdul Qader Abu Hajla, 54, and arrested him.  It should be noted that Abu Hajla had been released in the context of the latest prisoners swap deal between IOF and Palestinian resistance groups in October 2011. 

 

At approximately 08:40, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:20, an Israeli military jeep moved into Qalqilya.  It stopped near a checkpoint of the Palestinian National Security Forces at the eastern entrance of the town.  An Israeli officer attempted to attack Palestinian security men.  The jeep withdrew from the area later.

 

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 16 June 2012  

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Marj Na’ja village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Burham village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Kharabtha Bani Hareth village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 17 June 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ali Fathi al-‘Ajjouri, 20, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip.  They then moved nearly 1,000 meters northwards.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land.  About 5 hours later, an Israeli helicopter gunship provided cover for the military vehicles that had moved into the area, and opened fire.  At approximately 11:00, Bayan Yousef al-Lahham, 48, and Mohammed ‘Adnan al-Lahham, 22, were riding their motorcycles nearly 900 meters away from the border.  Israeli soldiers opened fire at them, so they fell from the motorcycles.  However, IOF continued to fire at them until 14:00.  As a result, Mohammed ‘Adnan al-Lahham was wounded by a bullet to the back, and his motorcycle was damaged.  Also as a result of the Israeli gunfire, fire broke out in 15-dunum areas of agricultural land planted with wheat belonging to the Abu Mughassib family.  IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli at approximately 16:00. 

 

At approximately 06:45, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into al-Tirah village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qibya village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into ‘Anza village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 11:30, IOF moved into ‘Ejja village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 11:45, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat that was sailing nearly two nautical miles away from Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip.  The Palestinian fishermen who were on board the boat were able to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

Also at approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets and stopped and verified the ID cards of a number of Palestinian civilians.  They also prevented Mo’ayd al-Ashqar, a cameraman of a local television channel, from photographing.  They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:55, IOF moved into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:10, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at open areas.  No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

 

At approximately 23:35, Israeli helicopter gunships fired two missiles at a smith workshop belonging to Hassan ‘Ali ‘Abdul ‘Aal in Khirbat al-‘Adas neighborhood in the north of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.  The workshop was completely destroyed and 7 houses and a workshop were damaged.  Additionally, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and her husband, were wounded by shrapnel:

 

1. Amani Ismail Mansour, 25, sustained serious wounds;

2. Rami Shawqi Mansour, 25;

3. Murad Hassan Abu Shbaika, 30;

4. Yousef Hamad al-Nahhal, 56; and

5. Sami Hamad al-Nahhal, 50.

 

At approximately 23:55, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported. 

 

Monday, 18 June 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Attil village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ma’moun Na’im Bani ‘Ouda, 23.

 

At approximately 02:40, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Asadallah Bashir Bardan, 24, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

 

1. Hammam As’ad Na’alwa, 16;

2. Hassan ‘Azzam Abu Shaikha, 16;

3. Mohammed Khaled Naifa, 16; and

4. Adham Ahmed Sharqawi, 20, who was released on Wednesday morning, 20 June 2012.

 

At approximately 05:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Deir al-Balah seashore in the central Gaza Strip.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into Swailem and Qarmout areas in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed amidst sporadic shooting.  IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 12:00 and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at two members of the Palestinian resistance who were riding a motorcycle in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, nearly 1,200 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  The two members were instantly killed.  They were identified as: Mohammed Rafiq Ahmed Shabat, 25; and Isma’il Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu ‘Ouda, 20, both from Beit Hanoun.  Both are members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad). 

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Wadi area in the northwest of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, two members were instantly killed, while a third one was seriously wounded.  The two members who were killed were identified as:

 

1. Jihad Kamel Mohammed Abu Shabab, 23, from ‘Izbat Beit Hanoun, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas); and

2. ‘Abdullah Hassan Ahmed al-Za’anin, 22, from Beit Hanoun, a member of the al-Aqsa Guards Group.

 

· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Kharbtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at two Palestinian civilians, including a child, who attempted to cross the border to search for jobs inside Israel.  Israeli drones also fired a number of missiles at those civilians.  As a result, the two civilians were killed:

 

1. Mohammed Bassam Shukri Abu Mu’aileq, 17, from al-Musaddar village, hit by shrapnel throughout the body and he was beheaded; and

2. Yousef Saber Musallam al-Telbani, 19, from al-Maghazi refugee camp, hit by shrapnel throughout the body.  

 

The third civilian was wounded by shrapnel to the left foot.

 

Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.   They patrolled in the streets.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs.  They then raided a house belonging to the family of Nash’at Bassel Jallad, 22, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Shafiq Mohammed Skafi, 25, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed ‘Abdul Malek Nazzal, 20, and arrested him.  They then raided a house belonging to Mohammed Talal Zakarna, 20, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 14:40, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a motorcycle that was being driven by a member of the Palestinian resistance to the east of the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah.  As a result, he was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, and the motorcycle was burnt.

 

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a garage under a house belonging to Sa’id Ahmed Abu Khousa in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  As a result, a black Kia car belonging to Abu Khousa’s disabled son, and a white Hyundai car belonging to Abu Khousa himself were destroyed.  The house was also heavily damaged.  

 

At approximately 01:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an uninhabited house belonging to Midhat Mubarak Abu Es’eid, which is located in the east of al-Boreij refugee camp, nearly 1,200 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  The house was completely destroyed. 

 

Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in al-Hashash neighborhood in the northwest of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.  No casualties were reported. 

 

At approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  As a result, one of them was seriously wounded.

 

At approximately 02:20, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a training site belonging to the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia.  The missile made a large crater and damaged some contents of the site.  Additionally, a number of nearby houses and a school were damaged. 

 

At approximately 12:10, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at two members of the Palestinian resistance who were traveling on a motorcycle in Musabbeh neighborhood in the north of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.  As a result, one of them, Ghaleb ‘Awad Ermailat, 21, from Rafah, was instantly killed, while the other one was seriously wounded. 

 

At approximately 15:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at members of a Palestinian family who were in a picnic behind the campus of the Applied Sciences College in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.  As a result, Ma’moun Mohammed Zuhdi al-Dam, 13, from al-Sha’af neighborhood, was killed when he was playing football.  His blind father, Mohammed Zuhdi al-Dam, 67, was wounded by shrapnel to the head and the neck.  Additionally, 3 children who were on a nearby field belonging to Talal al-Dahshan were also wounded:

 

1. Afnan Saladin Saleh, 8, wounded by shrapnel to the eye;

2. Miriam Saladin Saleh, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the foot and the hand; and

3. Islam Younis Kishku, 4, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen.  

 

At approximately 18:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the Palestinian resistance in the north of al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

 

At approximately 18:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hams) to the east of Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians in a house adjacent to the site sustained bruises:

 

1. Mohammed Anwar Washah, 11;

2. Na’ima Ibrahim Washah, 52;

3. Ibrahim Anwar Washah, 5;

4. Mujahed Fawzi Washah, 7; and

5. Fawzi Kamel Washah, 52. 

 

Additionally, 5 nearby houses were damaged. 

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  They then 3 fishing boats.  They took the three fishing boats and the six fishermen who were on board the boat to Ashdod Harbor inside Israel.  They detained and questioned the fishermen, and released them on the following day morning.  However, the three fishing boats remained in custody.  The fishermen, who are all from Jabalya town, are:

 

1. Fadel Saleh Abu Warda, 31;

2. Hatem Saleh Abu Warda, 40;

3. Mohammed Matar Khilla,  50;

4. Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Warda, 20;

5. ‘Abed Subhi Sa’dallah, 20; and

6. No’man Ibrahim al-Siksek, 18. 

 

Two Palestinians Killed by an Israeli Settler South of Hebron

 

On Sunday, 17 June 2012, two Palestinians were killed by an Israeli settler south of Hebron.  The settler, who was driving a truck in the area, claimed that 3 Palestinians attacked him with an iron bar and in response, he fired at them.  The Israeli television channel 2 reported at IOF and the Israeli police arrived at the scene and opened an investigation.  They questioned the settlers before transporting him to an Israeli hospital.  During the investigation, the settler claimed that when he was traveling near al-Simya village, he was attacked by 3 Palestinians, and felt that his life was endangered to he fired at them, killing two of them and injuring the third one.  Even if the settler’s claim is true, he could have used less lethal force against these Palestinians and then submit them to the IOF, especially as there is an Israeli military observation point one kilometer away to the west of the area in which the attack took place.

 

According to information collected by PCHR's fieldworker, at approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 17 June 2012, information had been circulated in Samou' village, south of Hebron, that two Palestinians were killed at intersection 60 that leads to Israel, south of the village.  Later, two ambulances from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headed to the area, but IOF denied them access under the pretext that it was a closed military area.  Israeli soldiers informed the ambulance officers that there were no wounded Palestinians in the area and forced them to leave.

 

At approximately 11:00 on the same day, a Palestinian civilian vehicle brought a wounded Palestinian to Abu al-Hassan al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta village, south of Hebron.  After medical examination, it was found out that he was dead.  Medical sources at the Hospital indicated that he was hit by 6 bullets throughout the body.  He was later identified as Na'eem Salama Mohammed al-Najjar, 34, from Ethna village south of Hebron.  At approximately 11:30, another civilian vehicle brought another wounded person to the Hospital, where medical examination proved that he passed away as well.  He was hit by a bullet to the right shoulder that lodged in his heart.  He was identified as Anwar Khalil Abed Rabbu, 27, from Yatta village.  Medical sources at the Hospital stated that the two persons, who brought the two bodies, remained anonymous as they left the Hospital once they dropped the bodies off.

 

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

 

During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 15 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall.  They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 15 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall.   Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 15 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.  Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, Bilal ‘Abdul Salam Tamimi, 46, a photographer of the public resistance movement in Nabi Saleh village, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right thigh.  Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 15 June 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qqlilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF.  They moved towards the entrance.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 3 demonstrators were hit by tear gas canisters.  Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.  Additionally, 600 chickens belonging to Zahi ‘Ali were killed by tear gas.    

 

3. Continued Closure of the OPT

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza Strip

 

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  

 

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.

 

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

 

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

IOF have continued to impose 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 in the Gaza Strip.

 

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.

 

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments.  The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

 

For approximately five consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

For approximately 59 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

 

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

13 – 19 June 2012

 

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

11 - 19 June 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

Notes:

 

On Monday, 11 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 286 tons of cement, 2,100 tons of construction aggregates and 36 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 108 tons of cement, 2,030 tons of construction aggregates and 34 tons of construction steel for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 12 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 372 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 40 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 252 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 897 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 13 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement and 2,800 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 212 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority; and 120 tons of cement, 630 tons of construction aggregates and 20 tons of construction steel for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of fodders and 351tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 14 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry 160 tons of cement, 2,520 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 1,330 tons of construction aggregates for the Palestinian Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 936 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat. 

 

On Sunday, 17 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 172 tons of cement and 2,520 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 18 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 380 tons of cement, 1,190 tons of construction aggregates and 32 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 380 tons of construction aggregate for the Palestinian Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat. 

 

On Tuesday, 19 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 3,430 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 624 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

13 – 19 June 2012

 

 

The West Bank

 

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

 

There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

 

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

 

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.

 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.

 

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.

 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.

 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.

 

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

 

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city.  Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing young Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

Ramallah:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 15 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kharabtha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attar checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 16 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shaqba village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint on the road linking between Beit Liqya and Kaharbtha al-Misbah villages, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 17 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.   

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:05 on Monday, 18 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 13:45, IOF established a checkpoint at Wadi Qana intersection between Qalqilya and Salfit.  At approximately 16:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At approximately 19:55, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.             

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 12:15 on Thursday, 14 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 16 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qoud village, west of Jenin.  At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 17 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arraba village, south of Jenin. 

 

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 17 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm.  At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 18 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm.  At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 18 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.     

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:40 on Thursday, 14 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 16 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately on Sunday, 17 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 18 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 16:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. 

 

Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 14 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.  At approximately 16:50 on Friday, 15 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near Eskaka Bridge, east of Salfit.  At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 16 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near Eskaka Bridge, east of Salfit.      

 

4. Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem

 

Israeli occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.

 

On Sunday, 17 June 2012, Shareef Mousa Laqyaniya, from Beit Eksa village north of occupied Jerusalem, demolished his house and farm after he had received a notice from the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem ordering him to demolish his house and farm claimed that he did not obtain a construction license from the municipality.  According to the notice, if he did not demolish the house and the farm by himself, the municipality would do it and he would endure the cost of demolition.  According to Laqyaniya, he obtained a construction license from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, but the Israeli municipality refused to recognize the license.  It gave him 3 days to demolish the house and the farm.  He was forced to demolish them by himself to avoid paying the extremely high demolition fees imposed by the municipality. 

    

5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

 

At approximately 10:20 on Sunday, 17 June 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Qidoumim” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, set fire to an area of agricultural land belonging to ‘Abdul Raziq Mahmoud ‘Aamer in Kufor Qaddoum village.  As a result, 7 olive trees and 15 almond trees were completely burnt, before Palestinian fire fighters were able to extinguish fire. 

 

On Monday, 18 June 2012, IOF handed notices ordering the demolition of 4 houses in Sha’ab al-Sair area near “Karmi Tsur” settlement in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  According to those notices, the owners of the houses may appeal the demolition orders before Beit Eil military court no later than 03 July 2012.  Details of these houses are as follows:

 

1. A house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Miqbel, in which 13 people live;

2. A two-storey house belonging to Jawad Jamal ‘Awadh, in which 8 people live;

3. A two-storey house belonging to Khalil ‘Awadh Za’aqiq, in which 6 people live; and

4. An under-construction, two-storey house belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdullah al-Za’aqiq.

 

At approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, 19 June 2012, a number of the locals in Jaba' village noticed intense smoke coming from a window in the northwestern part of the Zaid Ben Hareth Mosque.  These locals immediately rushed to the one-storey Mosque, which is located in the eastern part of Jaba' village, to extinguish the fire.  According to eyewitnesses, one of the windows in the Mosque and the carpets inside the Mosque were on fire.  The locals were able to extinguish the fire, which destroyed the glass of that window and some of the carpets, in addition to damage done to walls and the frame of that window.  Hebrew writing was found on one of the external walls of the Mosque, which referred to war and revenge.  The Hebrew writing shows a connection between this crime and the evacuation of the Olbana neighborhood in the Beit Eil settlement, north of Ramallah and al-Bireh.  It should also be noted that the Adam settlement is located approximately 500 meters to the east of the Zaid Ben Hareth Mosque.

 

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Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

 

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

 

4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

 

5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

 

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

 

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

 

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question.  Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region.  Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

 

 

 

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Public Document

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