Israeli forces use water hoses against a Palestinian woman during the weekly peaceful protest against the annexation wall in Nabi Saleh village near Ramallah

 

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.

4 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians and 3 human rights defenders.  

 

IOF launched a number of air strikes and opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian child was wounded.

 

IOF conducted 63 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF arrested 26 Palestinians, including 7 children.

IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child, who attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.

 

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

IOF arrested a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

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

Israeli settlers seized a 5-dunum[1] area of agricultural land in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.

Israeli settlers uprooted and destroyed 120 olive trees in Yatma village, south of Nablus. 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (05 – 11 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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF also arrested two Palestinian civilians and 3 international human rights defenders. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian child was wounded by IOF in the northern Gaza Strip when he was together with other workers collecting scraps of construction materials. 

 

During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 3 air strikes at a training site of the Palestinian resistance, an open area and agricultural lands in the Gaza Strip. 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 63 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested 26 Palestinians, including 7 children.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into Palestinian areas to the east of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian 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.

 

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 05 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, cut and destroyed at least 120 olive trees in Yatma village.   

 

On the same day, Israeli settlers seized a 5-dunum area of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  They also placed a mobile home on the land. 

 

On 09 July 2012, Israeli settlers who gathered in Nabi Younis area at the northern entrance of Halhoul town, north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling in the area, and destroyed windows of some vehicles.

 

On the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed a Jewish synagogue, which is located in an area under the control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords, to conducts religious rituals.  Soon, IOF moved into the area in an attempt to control and evacuate the settlers.     

 

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (05 – 11 July 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 05 July 2012

 

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 03:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Ra’ed Nasser ‘Obaidi, but no arrests were reported.  They then raided a house belonging to the family of Sultan Ahmed Khlouf, 28, and arrested him.

 

Also at approximately 03:30, 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 08:30, 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 10:00, IOF moved into ‘Aboud 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, Israeli soldiers positioned on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at a number of workers who were collecting steel and plastics in the north of the town to sell them to traders for recycling.  As a result, one of the workers, Mohammed Rushdi Kharawat, 21, was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when he was nearly 200 meters away from the border. 

 

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, northwest of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin.  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 Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Bitillu village, northwest of 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 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, 06 July 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into 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 Burqa 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 09:00, 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 09:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho.  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 Deir Qiddis village, west 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 Beit ‘Aur 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 11:30, 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 17:00, IOF moved into Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

Saturday, 7 July 2012  

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF stormed and searched the open area located between al-Ras and Jibara villages, south of Tulkarm.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah.  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 al-Ram town, north of occupied Jerusalem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Fayez Ka’abna, 26.

 

At approximately 06:30, 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 08:00, 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 09:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Fukhari village, east of Khan Yunis.  No casualties were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Ebzee’ village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east 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 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 17:30, 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 21:00, 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.

 

Sunday, 08 July 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Nuai’ema 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 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 06:30, IOF moved into Jericho and the nearby ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Deir Jareer village, northeast of Ramallah.  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 ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya.  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 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 11:15, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:05, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They raided 3 shops and delivered notices to 3 Palestinian civilians summoning them for questioning: Fareed Sa’id Sa’ad, 22; Shareef Ussama Houtari, 30; and Mohammed ‘Adnan Selmi, 25.

 

At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child, who attempted to cross the border to search for jobs inside Israeli:  Mohammed Ayman al-‘Awawda, 17, from Juhor al-Dik village; and Ahmed Kamel al-‘Awawda, 23, from al-Boreij refugee camp. 

 

At approximately 19:20, IOF stormed the area located between ‘Izbat al-Tabib and ‘Azzoun villages, east of Qalqilya.  They arrested two Palestinian civilians from the area:  ‘Emad Yasser Hussein, 19; and Mohammed Sameer Abu Haniya, 20.  IOF claimed that the two Palestinians threw stones at Israeli vehicles traveling on the main road located close to the area.

 

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

 

At approximately 20:45, IOF moved into ‘Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Teera neighborhood in the southwest of 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 Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 09 July 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Jericho.  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 Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

 

1. Ahmed Hassan Bu’airat, 17; and

2. Mohammed ‘Aadel Jama’at, 17.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Janata village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Mousa al-Zeer, 24.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Rami Mohammed Ghanem, 22;

2. Sami Mohammed Ghanem, 20; and

3. Waleed ‘Ali Murtada, 22.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west 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 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 16:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  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 Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They razed an area of agricultural land belonging to the heirs of Jamal ‘Abdul Rahman Sawan at the entrance of the village.

 

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, 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 01:15, 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 01:40, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of al-Ansar Brigades (the armed wing of the Liberal Movement) in the west of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 01:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an open area in the northwest of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

 

1. Ibrahim Yousef Sabarna, 19;

2. Muhab Ibrahim Bahar, 18; and

3. ‘Alaa’ Jihad Sabarna, 15.

 

At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli helicopter gunships opened fire at agricultural areas in al-Qarara and ‘Abassan villages to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.  No casualties were reported.

 

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

 

Also at approximately 06:30, 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 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Qarara and ‘Abassan villages, east of Khan Yunis.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land amidst indiscriminate shooting. 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  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 Kufor ‘Ain village, northwest of Ramallah.  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, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys, but no casualties were reported.

 

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into several areas in Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Saif al-Islam Wa’el Taha, 20;

2. Farah al-Jamal, 50; and

3. Rashad Jaber, 50.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children:

 

1. Sinan Ahmed Radwan, 16;

2. Muntasser Mujahed Radwan, 40;

3. Qussai Saleh Mash’al, 16;

4. Fadi Zahran Saleem, 28;

5. Hani ‘Abdul Karim Hamdallah, 17;

6. Hamdallah ‘Abdul Karim Abu Haniya, 26;

7. Lu’ai Sayel Hawari, 28; and

8. ‘Alaa’ Ghaleb Radwan, 16.

 

IOF also arrested ‘Adnan Khairi Shbaita, 40, but released him later after confiscating his weapon. 

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jalal Qassem al-Ra’ei, 42.  Al-Ra’ei is a worker who sustained a fracture to the right foot two weeks ago.  IOF also fired a sound bomb at a nearby house belonging to Nemer ‘Olayan Ekhlil.  As a result fire broke out in trees and ols belongings near the house.

 

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, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.  Additionally, IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians and 3 international human rights defenders.    

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 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 06 July 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 06 July 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.  IOF also arrested 4 demonstrators, including 3 international human rights defenders.  Two of the detainees were identified as: ‘Atallah Tamim Tamimi, 63, who was released two hours later; and Rana Nazzal, 19, a Canadian Palestinian citizen. 

 

At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 06 July 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, 3 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters.  Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.  Additionally, fire broke out in some agricultural area due to the use of tear gas canisters and sound bombs by IOF, burning at least 20 olive trees belonging to Mahmoud ‘Eissa ‘Obaid.  IOF also arrested Majed ‘Abdul Mo’men Jom’a, 40.    

 

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 six 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 60 months, IOF have continued to deny 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

04 – 10 July 2012

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

04 – 10 July 2012

Imports:

 

 

Notes:

 

On Wednesday, 04 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 352 tons of cement, 4,130 tons of construction aggregates and 42 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 560 tons of construction aggregates from the French Cultural Center.  They also allowed the entry of 507 tons of fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 05 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry 577 tons of cement and 2,310 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 663 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat. 

 

On Sunday, 06 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 59 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; 120 tons of cement for UNDP; and 1,890 tons of construction aggregates for the French Cultural Center.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 07 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 2,660 tons of construction aggregates and 80 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 420 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 300 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

04 – 10 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 07:30 on Thursday, 05 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 08:30, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 13:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 06 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Taybeh village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 07 July 2012, IOF established at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 18:00, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 08 July 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 08:40 on Monday, 09 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of al-Taybeh village, northeast of Ramallah.       

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday, 05 July 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya.  At approximately 16:40 on Friday, 06 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Qalqilya-Nablus road near Nabi Elias village.  On Saturday, 07 July 2012, IOF established 6 checkpoints around Qalqilya.  On Monday, 09 July 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.               

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 05 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.  At approximately 15:15, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.  At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 07 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. 

 

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 07 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 09 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 06:45 on Tuesday, 10 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Attil village, north of Tulkarm.    

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 05 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 15:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 06:30 on Friday, 06 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 07 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 08 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Nua’iema village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 10 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 08:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.        

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

 

At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, 08 July 2012, the family of Wa’el Kamel al-Tawil, 40, from al-Jalaa’ Street in Gaza City, was informed that he had been arrested by IOF at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.  According to investigations conducted by PCHR, al-Tawil who suffers from herniated disk intended to travel to al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem to undergo a surgery on 19 July 2012.  He was summoned by the Israeli security services for an interview on Thursday, 05 July 2012.  He went to the crossing on that date at approximately 08:00, and he was detained until 20:00.  He was released and ordered to refer to the crossing again on Sunday, 08 July 2012, and he went at 08:00.  IOF arrested him and transferred him to Ashkelon Prison inside Israel.     

 

4. 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.

 

On Thursday morning, 05 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, cut and destroyed at least 120 olive trees belonging to Badee’ Nassar in Yatma village.    

 

Also on Thursday morning, Israeli settlers seized a 5-dunum area of Palestinian agricultural land belonging to ‘Ali Khader ‘Eissa, 67, in ‘Ein Qissis area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  They also placed a mobile home on the land. 

 

On Monday evening, 09 July 2012, Israeli settlers who gathered in Nabi Younis area at the northern entrance of Halhoul town, north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling in the area, and destroyed windows of some vehicles.

 

At approximately 20:00 also on Monday, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed a Jewish synagogue, which is located in an area under the control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords, to conducts religious rituals.  Soon, IOF moved into the area in an attempt to control and evacuate the settlers.      

 

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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

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).