4 shops demolished by the Israeli municipality in Bab al-Amoud neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

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

5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.

IOF launched a series of air strike on the Gaza Strip.

A training site and a car were bombarded, but no casualties were reported.

Two houses were damaged.

IOF conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.   

IOF arrested 19 Palestinians, including two children.

IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, who attempted to enter Israel to search for jobs.

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

5 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

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

Israeli authorities published tenders for the construction of 171 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev” and “Gilo” settlements, north and south of Jerusalem respectively.

Israeli authorities demolished 4 shops at the entrance of the old town of Jerusalem.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (28 June – 04 July  2012):

Shooting:

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, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.  

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes bombarded a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) and a car.  No casualties were reported, but two houses were damaged.   

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested 19 Palestinians, including two children.  

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 June 2012, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, when they attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.

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 29 June 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing published tenders to build 171 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev”  and “Gilo” settlements, north and south of East Jerusalem repsectively.  According to Ahmed Sab Laban, a settlement researcher, the those tenders were published by the Israeli land authority for contractors on 28 December 2011. 

On 01 July 2012, crews of the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, under security escort, stormed Bab al-'Amoud (Damascus Gate) area in the old town of Jerusalem.  They tore down 4 shops, which had been subject to an arson attack a week earlier, and their losses were estimated at 100,000s ILS.  While the Israeli police investigated the attack, it did not reveal the party that launched it.  So, the owners repaired the shops and brought new goods into them.  The Israeli Supreme Court approved the evacuation and demolition of the four shops in February 2010, claiming that there was a plan to develop the infrastructure of the old town. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (28 June – 04 July 2012)

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

Thursday, 28 June 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Mousa al-'Othara, 17.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Bittin village, northeast of Ramallah.  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 09:45, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  At noon, IOF withdrew from the village and neither house raids and nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into al-Janya village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:50, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, 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.

Friday, 29 June 2012

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

At approximately 09:45, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit.  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 Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:45, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, who attempted to cross the border to search for jobs:

1. 'Ali Ghazi Badwan, 17;

2. Firas Khalil Wishah, 17; and

3. Suleiman 'Atiya al-'Awawda, 20.

At approximately 21:00, 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 21:00, 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 21:50, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya.  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 Beit 'Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Saturday, 30 June 2012  

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  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 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 22:00, 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.

Also at approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  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 Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Sunday, 01 July 2012

At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Nazlat al-Shiekh Zayed village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Doha village, west of Bethlehem.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mujahed Rafiq Abu 'Olaya, 19, and arrested him.

At approximately 09:45, IOF moved into Zeita 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 09:45, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30, 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.

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 20:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Mohammed 'Ali Abu 'Ayash, 12; and

2. Mohammed Ibrahim Abu 'Ayash, 22.

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

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp, west of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 02 July 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Shadi al-Swaiti, 20;

2. Maher al-Swaiti, 20; and

3. Ahmed al-Swaiti, 18.

At approximately 03:00, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at a site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), southwest of Gaza City.  No casualties were reported.  The attack targeted a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, but they survived the attack. 

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They raided and searched two house belonging to the families of Mohammed Khalil Zaid, 30, and Wassef Ibrahim Zaid, 55, and arrested both of them.  A few hours later, the latter was released. 

At approximately 06:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a car in which a number of members of the Palestinian resistance were traveling to the west of the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah.  The missile went astray and damaged two houses instead.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Far'ata village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Nazlat Sheikh Zayed village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided an under-construction house belonging to Fares 'Aatef Barri, 24.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 03 July 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed 'Ali Za'oul, 32; and

2. Ibrahim 'Abdul 'Aziz Shousha, 35.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Doha village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fu'ad Ahmed Faraj, 18, and arrested him. 

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Ahmed Nabeel Khaled, 27; and

2. Adham 'Aahed Shamasna, 21.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a two-storey house belonging to the family of Raja'ei Mustafa Abu Hantash, 29, and arrested him.  They then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hajj Qassem, 25, and arrested him.

At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.  

Wednesday, 04 July 2012

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tayseer Ahmed Subaih, 51, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muard Ghaleb Abu ‘Oun, 24.

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, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.  

Following the Friday Prayer on 29 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 Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot.  Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 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, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 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, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 13:20 also on Friday, 29 June 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, 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, 4 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters.  Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

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

27 June – 03 July 2012

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

27 June – 03 July 2012

Imports:

Notes:

On Wednesday, 27 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 780 tons of cement, 2,870 tons of construction aggregates and 34 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat.

On Thursday, 28 June 2012, IOF allowed the entry 400 tons of cement and 3,570 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 957 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat. 

On Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 4,130 tons of construction aggregates and 18 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 702 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat.

On Monday, 02 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 940 tons of cement and 4,900 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 507 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat. 

On Tuesday, 03 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 700 tons of cement and 4,270 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

27 June – 3 July 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 11:30 on Thursday, 28 June 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 29 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:30, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 22:00, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Lubban al-Gharbi village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 02 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 18:30, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 03 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.     

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 30 June 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya.               

Jenin:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 30 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 02 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 03 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 04 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin.

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 18:30 on Friday, 29 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm.  At approximately 11:45 on Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, 03 July 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 10:00 on Thursday, 28 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 29 June 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 01 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 02 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.      

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 29 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Barta'a checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, arrested Khaled Yaqoub Kittana, 30.

On Friday evening, 29 June 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Ahmed Safi al-'Allami, 23, and Mahmoud 'Abdul Hamid al-'Allami, 23.

On Monday evening, 02 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint established at the entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, arrested Ahmed Ibrahim Ekhlil, 18.

On Tuesday noon, 03 July 2012, IOF stationed in al-Suhada Street in the center of Hebron arrested 'Ameer Zahda, 21, claiming that he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.   

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 Friday morning, 29 June 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing published tenders to build 171 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev”  and “Gilo” settlements, north and south of East Jerusalem repsectively.  According to Ahmed Sab Laban, a settlement researcher, the those tenders were published by the Israeli land authority for contractors on 28 December 2011. 

At approximately 01:00 on Sunday morning, 01 July 2012, crews of the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, under security escort, stormed Bab al-'Amoud (Damascus Gate) area in the old town of Jerusalem.  They tore down 4 shops belonging to the Abu al-Dab'at family, and rented by the families of al-Syouri, Abu Ermaila, al-Ja'bari and al-Salaima.  It is worth noting that these shops had been subject to an arson attack a week earlier, and their losses were estimated at 100,000s ILS.  While the Israeli police investigated the attack, it did not reveal the party that launched it.  So, the owners repaired the shops and brought new goods into them.  The Israeli Supreme Court approved the evacuation and demolition of the four shops in February 2010, claiming that there was a plan to develop the infrastructure of the old town. 

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.

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).