IOF destroy a Palestinian house in Nablus

 

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

      

 

IOF killed a Palestinian worker and wounded 3 others at a checkpoint near Jerusalem.

 

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

3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and a Swedish human rights defender were wounded.

 

IOF conducted 33 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF arrested 10 Palestinians, including a child, in the West Bank. 

IOF blew up a part of a house in Nablus.  

 

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 woman in the old town of Hebron. 

 

Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.

 

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

Israeli settlers uprooted or burnt 30 olive trees in Nabi Saleh village near Ramallah.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (26 July – 01 August 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

On 30 July 2012, IOF killed a Palestinian worker and wounded 3 others at al-Zaeem checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem. 

 

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, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and a Swedish human rights defender, were wounded.  Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  During the reporting period, PCHR documented two attacks in this regard, which did not cause casualties. 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 33 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested 10 Palestinians, including a child.  

 

The most violent house raid took place in Nablus, when IOF raided and searched a house 4 times in order to arrest a Palestinian.  When they finally found it, they blew up the part of the house where he was hiding, apparently as a retaliatory act against the family for not telling about the place where he was hiding.   

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Maghazi refugee camp, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.    

 

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 29 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers stormed the lands of Seilat al-Zaher village, where the evacuated Israeli settlement of “Homesh” used to stand, south of Jenin.  They gathered near Jenin-Tulkarm road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles.  No injuries were reported.

 

On 31 July 2012, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Halmish” settlement, northwest of Ramallah, uprooted and set fire to dozens of olive trees in Wad Raya area in the southeast of Nabi Saleh village.  According to information available to PCHR, the settlers cut 25 olive trees and burnt another 5 ones.   

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (26 July – 01 August 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 26 July 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 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.

 

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

 

At approximately 15:00, 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.

 

Also at approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Sirris village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Sanour village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets provocatively.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the children.  A number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF withdrew from the village later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, 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.

 

Also at approximately 20:00, 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.  

 

Friday, 27 July 2012

 

At approximately 21:00, 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.

 

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Budros village, west 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 Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 28 July 2012  

 

At approximately 01:30, 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 02:00, IOF moved into Khillat al-‘Aamoud and Ras al-‘Ain neighborhoods in the southeast of Nablus.  They raided houses to arrest 4 Palestinians.  According to eyewitnesses, the most violent raid was against a house belonging to the al-Kharouf family, as IOF searched the house 4 times and violently beat the family.  On the fourth search, IOF arrested ‘Abdullah Helmi al-Kharouf, 24.  As a punishment for the family for not informing about the place in the house where al-Kharouf was hiding, IOF blew up a part of the kitchen where he hid.  While IOF were in the vicinity of the al-Kharouf’s house, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at them.  Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys.   During this military operation in Nablus, IOF arrested another 3 Palestinians:

 

1. Tha’er Jamal Subeh, 23;

2.Hani Jamal Subeh, 22;  and

3. Mohammed Shadi Hannoun, 25.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, 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 03:00, IOF moved into Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center for Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Rajab E’baidu, 18, and arrested him.

 

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, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing in the sea.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qibya village, west of Ramallah.  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 Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, and patrolled in its streets.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the children.  A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.   IOF then raided a number of houses and arrested Majd Taha Tamimi, 17.

 

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.

 

Sunday, 29 July 2012

 

At approximately 05:30, 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 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing in the sea.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 13:45, IOF moved into Jaba’ village, south 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 23:30, IOF moved into ‘Aanin village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 30 July 2012

 

In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian worker and wounded 3 others at al-Zaeem checkpoint in the east of occupied Jerusalem

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimony of eyewitnesses, at approximately 00:30 on Monday, 30 July 2012, a group of 14 Palestinian workers from villages belonging to Ramallah and al-Bireh arrived at al-Zaeem checkpoint in the east of occupied Jerusalem while on their way to Jerusalem to look for jobs.  It seems that these workers did not have work permits.  The workers, who are all civilians, traveled in a civilian Ford vehicle with an Israeli plate.  When the vehicle was approximately 15 meters from the checkpoint, the driver got a phone call.  The caller told the driver that there was an IOF force at the checkpoint.  The driver tried to turn back, but the engine suddenly broke.  In the meantime, the Israeli Border Guards arrived and surrounded the vehicle.  When a member of the Israeli Border Guards tried to open the door, the driver switched the car on and drove it in an attempt to escape; members of the Israeli Border Guards, as well as soldiers who were positioned at the checkpoint, opened fire at the vehicle.  As a result, Hassan Badi' Bader (45), from the Bitello village northwest of Ramallah, sustained a head wound from a bullet.  Bader later died as he while being transferred by an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli hospital.  In the same incident, another 3 Palestinian workers were wounded and transported by Palestinian ambulances to the Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.  According to eyewitnesses, the IOF could have used less lethal force against the workers, especially as the vehicle that they were using entered Jerusalem, it was easy to surround the vehicle, and it was easy to arrest and questioned the passengers.  

 

The wounded are:

 

1. Khaled Imad Abdullah Dar Ziadah (23), from the Bitello village, who was wounded by a bullet in his right leg;

2. Ashraf Abdullah Sabti (27), from Deir Ammar, who was wounded by 2 bullets to his left leg and right shoulder; and

3. Fathi Mohammed Ghithan (20), from the Qebya village, who was wounded by shrapnel from a bullet to his right ear.

 

Israeli police spokeswoman, Luba Samri, claimed that “members of the border guards opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle that refused to stop at al-Zaeem checkpoint in the east of Jerusalem.”  The spokeswoman further stated that the soldiers at the checkpoint ordered the vehicle to stop more than once, but the vehicle continued to drive hastily and was a threat to the soldiers' lives, so the soldiers opened fire at it.

 

At approximately 23:00, 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.

 

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at agricultural and residential areas in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.  The Israeli gunfire continued sporadically for several hours, but no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saqer Khalil al-Durra, 19, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Amarna, 20;

2. Ahmed Fat’hi ‘Amarna, 19; and

3. Mohammed Ibrahim Jaradat, 19.

 

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided a house belonging to ‘Adnan Ahmed ‘Aabed, 44, and summoned him for interrogation on Wednesday morning, 01 August 2012.

 

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

 

At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Wednesday, 01 August 2012

 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at agricultural and residential areas in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  The Israeli gunfire continued sporadically for a few hours, but no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 05:30, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Serhi area in the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land, and an armed clash erupted between them and members of the Palestinian resistance.  At approximately 12:00, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel and no casualties were reported.

 

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, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and an international human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.       

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 27 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 moved towards areas of the 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 27 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 27 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, Mohammed Bassem al-Tamimi, 9, was hit by a tear gas canister to the left hand, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 27 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, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg, another one was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg and a Swedish human rights defender was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg.   

 

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 61 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

25 – 31 July 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

24 – 31 July 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

 

Notes:

 

On Tuesday, 24 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 64 tons of cement and 2,030 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tons of fodders.

 

On Wednesday, 25 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 40 tons of cement for the French Cultural Center.  They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders.

 

On Monday, 30 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 38 tons of construction steel and 2,100 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders.

 

On Tuesday, 31 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 160 tons of cement and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA, and 48 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 1,287 tons of fodders and 156 tons of wheat.   

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

25 – 31 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:

 

Ramallah and al-Bireh:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:40 on Thursday, 26 July 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 27 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah.      

  

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 26 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Laqif village and another one at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  On Friday, 27 July 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 29 July 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.    

 

Jenin:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 15:15 on Friday, 27 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.  IOF established a checkpoint in the same are at approximately 15:30 on the following day.    

 

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 27 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned t Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:45, on Saturday, 28 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned t Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 30 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned t Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 31 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near Jibara Gate, south of Tulkarm.

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 26 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuai’ema village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 06:30 on Friday, 27 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.   At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 28 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. 

 

Salfit:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Monday, 30 July 2012, IOF closed two agricultural roads in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit, with sand barriers.  At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 31 July 2012, IOF closed a third agricultural road in the west of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.     

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 26 July 2012, IOF positioned in the vicinity of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested Hadeel Talal Abu Turki, 24, claiming that she sprayed tear gas onto the face of a female Israeli soldier. 

 

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.

 

At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 29 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers stormed the lands of Seilat al-Zaher village, where the evacuated Israeli settlement of “Homesh” used to stand, south of Jenin.  They gathered near Jenin-Tulkarm road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles.  No injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday evening, 31 July 2012, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Halmish” settlement, northwest of Ramallah, uprooted and set fire to dozens of olive trees in Wad Raya area in the southeast of Nabi Saleh village.  According to information available to PCHR, the settlers cut 25 olive trees and burnt another 5 ones belonging to Sheikh Ayoub Saleh Tamimi.   

 

…………………………………………………

 

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).