Bethlehem – Israeli soldier pointing his gun at demonstrators in 'Ayda refugee camp. (AFP)


April 18, 2014

 

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

A Palestinian woman from 'Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, died of tear gas inhalation at home.

Israeli forces continued to open fire in the border area of the Gaza Strip.

8 civilians, including 2 children and 5 stone collectors, were wounded.

7 paramedics suffered tear gas inhalation.

Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.

A number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

5 civilians, including 2 international activists, were arrested.

Israeli forces conducted 66 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

 19 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were arrested in the West Bank.

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

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 7 Palestinian civilians were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

5 civilians, including 4 children, were arrested at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire at fishermen off al-Sudaniya shore, in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.

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

984 dunums along the road from Bethlehem to Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, were confiscated.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (10 – 16 April 2014).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, a woman in Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, died of tear gas inhalation used by Israeli forces.  Another civilian was also wounded in the West Bank.  Moreover, Israeli forced wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, and 7 paramedics suffered tear gas inhalation in the Gaza Strip    

On 10 April 2014, 3 stone collectors were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northwest of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at them. One of them sustained a serious wound.

On the same day, a Palestinian boy was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were present a few meters away from the border fence.

On 11 April 2014, a Palestinian boy was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were present a few meters away from the border. Moreover, 7 paramedics suffered tear gas inhalation.

On the same day, a Palestinian boy was wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians, east of al-Faraheen neighbourhood.  His wound was described serious.

On 13 and 15 April 2014, 2 stone collectors were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border, northwest of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of stone collectors in the area near the said fence. 

On 11 April 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border, northwest of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, fired live ammunition and flash bombs in open areas, but no casualties were reported.

On 12 April 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural areas, east of al-Qarara village, but no casualties were reported.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats on 15 April 2014, but no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, a 46-year-old woman from 'Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, died of tear gas inhalation on 14 April 2014.

On 12 April 2014, a Palestinian civilian from al-Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, was wounded by Israeli forces.

Furthermore, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians, including 2 women, during demonstrations.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 66 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 19 Palestinians, including a child.

Restrictions on movement:

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

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.

Israeli forces 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.

As part of using military checkpoints and border crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least 7 civilians in the West Bank.

Settlement activities

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

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

On 10 April 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the construction and organization department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the agricultural lands surrounding al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  An officer from the construction and organization department left a number of notices on the civilian lands to confiscate the lands under the pretext that they are part of the State lands.  The area of the lands intended to be confiscated is around 984 dunums as it extends from Bethlehem to the agricultural lands, north of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.  In the same context, settlers accompanied by Israeli soldiers roamed the agricultural lands in the areas of Khelet al-Fahem, al-'Absiyah and al-Zaytouna and fixed warning signs saying "State Lands" in the vicinity of the agricultural lands.

Attacks carried out by settlers

On 11 April 2014, settlers from "Ma’oun" and "Havat Ma’oun" settlements established on the Palestinian lands confiscated from the southern part of Yata, south of Hebron, stormed the agricultural lands in al-Kharoubah and al’Arqoub areas, east of the city, and denied farmers access into their lands. The settlers beat a number of farmers causing 2 of them minor injuries:  Jaber Ibrahim 'Awad (26) and Salah Shehadah Salamah Makhamrah (20).

On the same day, dozens of settlers under the heavy guard of Israeli forces stormed the agricultural lands in Kherbet Jamrein area, southwest of Sorif village northwest of Hebron, and performed religious rituals.  No attacks against the Palestinian civilians were reported.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 16 April 2014)

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

Thursday, 10 April 2014

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by several military vehicles moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Aynoun village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.  

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Farsh al-Hawa area, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nidal Fadel al-Qawasma (29) and arrested him.    

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Shyoukh village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:20, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers at Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of stone and gravel collectors who were present in the destroyed industrial zone adjacent to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Fire was opened until around 11:00. As a result, 3 workers from Beit Hanoun town were wounded:

1. Ali Taha Abed-Rabbu al-Kafarna (26), wounded by bullet shrapnel to the back of the head;

2. Baker Omar Saber Abu 'Amsha (24), wounded by bullet shrapnel wounds to the right hand and foot; and

3. Salem Jalal Abdul Ra'ouf Abdul Hadi (19), wounded by bullet shrapnel to the left underarm.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of officers at the Palestinian liaison office at Beit Hanoun crossing, the wounded workers were a few meters away from the border. They were carried by other workers about 300 meters southwards, where carts took them to Balsam military hospital, west of the town. An  ambulance then transferred them to Martyr Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahia. They were examined and doctors found that al-Kafarna's wound was serious. Consequently, he was transferred to Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Wounds of Abu 'Amsha and Abdul Hadi were minor and they were discharged later.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They arrested Tareq Mohammed Zabanya (30) while he was building on his land, west of the village, under the pretext he was building in a seized area.

At approximately 10:40, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces withdrew and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:40, Israeli forces moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:10, Israeli forces moved into Termis'ya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:40, Israeli forces moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and detained Haitham Yusef Mohammed Abu Haniya and Marwan Mostafa Hawari. Israeli forces released them at approximately 14:40.

At approximately 14:20, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuhada cemetery to the east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were throwing stones a few meters away from the said border. As a result, Dia's Ahmed As'ad al-Natour (18), from Jabalia, sustained a bullet wound (entered and exited) to the left thigh. He was evacuated by an ambulance to Martyr Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, where his wound was described as moderate.

At approximately 14:35, Israeli forces moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:15, Israeli forces moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 11 April 2014

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.   

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed east of al-Shuhada cemetery, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men who were throwing stones a few meters away from the border. As a result, Amir Mohammed Ahmed Salah (16), from Jabalia, sustained a bullet wound (entered and exited) to the left thigh. He was taken by an ambulance to Martyr Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive the necessary medical treatment. His wound was described moderate.

Moreover, Israeli forces fired a number of tear gas canisters around 3 ambulances that were about 700 meters away. As a result, a number of paramedics suffered tear gas inhalation. They were treated on the spot. The were identified as:

1. Dr. Dia' al-Din Mohammed Abu Hussein (37);

2. Fares Awad Attiya Afana (33);

3. Abdullah Abdul Hafez Oukal (33);

4. Ahmed Sha'ban Mohammed Sabbah (27);

5. Fo'ad Zohair Jaber (26); and

6. Zakariya Monir Kamel al-Dreimli (26).

At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets in a provocative manner, where a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, but neither house raids nor arrests were reported.   

At approximately 15:50, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians who were present on their lands, east of al-Faraheen neighbourhood in the east of Abassan village. As a result, Mohammed Jamal Abu Jame' (16) sustained a bullet wound (entered and exited) to the left thigh. He was taken to the European Gaza Hospital in the city to receive the necessary medical treatment. Abu Jame's father said to a PCHR fieldworker that the bullet caused ruptures in the leg's main artery and severe haemorrhage, due to which he was admitted to the intensive care unit.   

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sheqba village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.  

At approximately 17:10, Israeli forces moved into the area between Koful Hares and Hares villages, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No further incidents were reported.  

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Hassan, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:45, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, fired live ammunition and  a number of flash bombs in open areas. However, no casualties were reported.

Saturday, 12 April 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces raided Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to Sultan Yusef al-Namoura (23). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural areas in Abu Rida neighbourhood in the east of Khuza'a village. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 11:45, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Laqef village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and handed Jamal Hosni 'Assaf (50) a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets, where a number of boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, and prevented Palestinian civilians from going into or outside of the village. They also announced it as a closed military zone. A number of youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a 20-year-old male sustained a shrapnel wound to the nose. Moreover, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also detained Wejdan Reda Shehada Tamimi (48) and her nephew Adam Amjad Tamimi (4) while going back to the village, but released them 2 hours later. Wejdan sustained bruises to the right hand and shoulder as she was beaten up by gun butts and kicked by Israeli soldiers, while Adam was frightened.

At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Mofeed Zaidan al-Sharabati (48). They attacked the aforementioned person and his brother Zaidan (44) when they tried to prevent Israeli soldiers from raiding the house. Israeli forces arrested Zaidan al-Sharabati and took him to "Kiryat Arba" police station, east of Hebron.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands in the east of al-Qarara village. They also fired flare bombs for about 2 hours, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

  Sunday, 13 April 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.  

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Zuhair al-'Allami (18). They arrested the aforementioned person. At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Abu al-Touq area and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mohammed al-'Allami (35). They arrested the aforementioned person as well and took the 2 detainees to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed As'ad Nassar (23). They arrested Nassar. Israeli forces moved at approximately 03:00 into Amrish area, south of the city, and raided a house belonging to the family of 'Eid Adel al-Sha'rawi (30). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awwa village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers at Beit Hanoun crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun village, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of stone and gravel collectors, who were present in the destroyed industrial zone near the border. As a result, Rami Hassan al-Sous (21), from Beit Lahia, sustained a bullet wound to the right