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

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

4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and a member of an armed group were wounded in the northern and central Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian boy was seriously wounded and arrested in the northwest of Ramallah.

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

3 protesters were wounded in a demonstration organized in solidarity with the Palestinian administrative detainees in the vicinity of 'Ofer Prison.

Israeli forces conducted 65 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip.

46 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children and a woman, were arrested.

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 5 Palestinian civilians, four of whom were released later, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 5 Palestinian civilians were arrested along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

Three fishermen were arrested off Rafah shore, in the southern Gaza Strip.  

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

80 dunums of land were levelled in Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit

Settlers set fire to wheat crops in the northern and southern West Bank.

30 olive and almond trees were uprooted in Qaryout lands, southeast of Nablus.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (22 – 28 May 2014).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 8 Palestinians, including 7 civilians and a child.  Four of the aforementioned Palestinians were wounded in the West Bank, and the other four ones were wounded in the Gaza strip.  Israeli naval forces fired at and chased Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.

In the Gaza Strip, on 23 May 2014, Mohammed 'Abdel Men’em Ahmed Abu Shehadah (16) from al-Msadar village was wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder causing him paraplegia when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at 3 brothers, who were collecting straws in an agricultural area around 350 meters away from the border.

On the same day, a member of an Palestinian armed group was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh when Israeli forces stationed along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of al-Sifah area in the northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of a number of armed Palestinians who were present near the border. 

On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at a group of young men who were near the border in attempt to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers.  No injuries were reported.

Also on the same day, Israeli forces stationed on the watchtowers at Beit Hanoun Crossing (Erez) and in its vicinity, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.  No injuries were reported.

On 25 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed on the watchtowers along the northern border, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting raw materials near the border fence in the destroyed industrial zone near Beit Hanoun "Erez" Crossing.  As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.

On 26 May 2014, 'Emad Shokri Salem (52) from Beit Lahia Housing Project was wounded by two bullets to the back and right hand when Israeli forces stationed along the border, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were along the Beit Lahia shore around 300 meters away from the northern borders.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 24 May 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles offshore.  No injuries were reported, but fishermen lost 4 nets which are 250 meters long.

On 27 May 2014, Israeli naval forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen while sailing 3 nautical miles off Rafah shore in the southern Gaza Strip. 

In the West Bank, on 23 May 2014, Israeli forces wounded 3 Palestinian civilians who were participating in a demonstration organized in the vicinity of 'Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike in the Israeli jails. The first civilian (19) sustained a bullet wound to the right leg, the second one (24) was hit by a tear gas canister to his chest, and the third one (23) sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to his forehead.

On 24 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers established along the fence surrounding "Beit Eil" settlement, north of Ramallah, opened fire at a group of boys in the agricultural lands near al-Jalzone UNRWA School for Boys to the west of the aforementioned settlement.  As a result, Mohammed 'Ali Hasan Safi ('Eishawi) (18) from the refugee camp was wounded by 3 bullets to the left and right legs.  He was arrested and taken to Hadasa 'Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem, where his wounds were described as critical.

In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests 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 protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 65 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 46 Palestinians, including 10 children and a woman.

On 22 May 2014, Israeli forces moved 200 meters into the east of Khaza’ah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza strip.  They levelled lands along the border fence and then redeployed along the border fence.

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 been 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 5 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank, and another 5 civilians along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Settlement activities

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in 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 22 May 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a group of settlers moved into Thaher al-Soboh area, north of Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit.  They surveyed tracts of lands in the area till at approximately 15:00.  At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by bulldozers moved into the area again and leveled tracts of lands in it.  The lands threatened with leveling are located adjacent to "Brokhin" and "’Ali Zihav" settlements. 

Attacks carried out by settlers

On 23 May 2014, settlers from "Mitsibi Ya’ir" settlement established on Palestinian lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, set fire to peals of wheat crops on a land belonging to Khaled Mousa al-Najjar (60), from Qawawis village, east of the city. 

On the same day, four settlers from "Kokhaf Hashaher" settlement established on the lands of Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah, attacked two civilians who were on the road between Mekhmas and al-Tibah villages, northeast of the city.  During their attack, the settlers used plastic sticks, clubs and a knife causing injuries and bruises to them.

On 26 May 2014, settlers from "Sidi Bou’ezHayofal" outpost established on the Palestinian lands, west of Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, cut down 30 almond and olive trees from the aforementioned village lands.  The attack was backed by the settlement guard, who claimed that the trees were cut for security reasons.

On 27 May 2014, when Fawzi Ibrahim 'Abed Haj Mohammed arrived at his land in Khelet Abu Shabraqah area, southeast of Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus, he was surprised that settlers entered their sheep into the land and damaged the wheat crops, i.e. 45 dunums, causing a loss of around 45,000 NIS. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 - 28 May 2014)

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

Thursday, 22 May 2014

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces backed moved into Barqah village, northwest of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses.  They then handed the family of Ma’en Haris Haji (15) a notice to refer the Israeli Intelligence in "Hawarah" Camp, southeast of the city.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved 200 meters into the east of Khaza’ah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza strip.  They levelled lands along the border fence and then redeployed along the border fence.  During the incursion, which lasted for a couple of hours, Israeli forces opened fire indiscriminately.  However, no injuries were reported.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Marj quarter in Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched an apartment belonging to Dr. Majdi Mohammed Najib Mafarjah (33).  They arrested Dr. Mafarjah and took him to the Russian Compound, a detention centre, in Jerusalem.  It should be mentioned that the aforementioned is a lecturer at the Information Technology (IT) Faculty in Bir Zeit University.

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-Jaftalak village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in the centre of Dura in the southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in Haninah area.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Shaher al-Namourah (17).  They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Marj Na’ajah village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and then stationed at the village's entrance.  They deployed between houses.  They then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children, and took them to "’Ofer" Prison, southwest of the city.  The detainees were identified as:

1. Majdi  Yousif Hussein  Tamimi(21);

2. Nour Taysir Thiab al-A’araj (16); and

3. Ja’afar Laith 'Abdel Ghafer Soufi.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and an infantry force moved into al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Oday 'Abdel Raziq Tamimi (21). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into 'Aydah refugee camp, northwest of Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets and then stationed at the western entrance of the village.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ramzi Mohammed al-'Atiq (23).  They arrested the aforementioned and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-'Aqbah area, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in 'Ayoun Abu Seif area.  A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli vehicles.  The Israeli soldiers then chased them into the agricultural lands and fire tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and the houses in the area.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.  Meanwhile, the Israeli soldiers established a checkpoint on the road between Dura and its southern villages.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:10, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Kafr al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wafi Fayez 'Odah al-Dik (29).  They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles moved into al-Tabaqah village, southwest of Dura, southwest 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 backed by military vehicles moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 23 May 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.    

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Ezna village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in 'Aziz Valley area, west of the village.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Dawoud Yousif al-Tmeizi (28).  They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by heavy military vehicles moved into Hawwarah village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and through microphones declared a curfew.  They then raided and searched a number of houses. They withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Deir Istayyah village, north of Salfit. They patrolled the streets and fired sound bombs in the vicinity of the village.  At approximately 21:00, they withdrew, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:20, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Riyad 'Abdel Rahim Ishteiwi (35) and Fadi Bassim Hasan Jom’aah (22) and took them to an unknown destination.  In addition, they handed Sabri 'Ata Ishteiwi (47) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Kafr 'Ein village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into 'Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched automobile repair workshops.  At approximately 14:00, they withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada' cemetery, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at a group of youngsters, who were present near the said fence throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. Sporadic fire was opened until 18:00, but neither casualties nor damages were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bab al-Zawiyah area in the centre of Hebron. They deployed between the shops resulting in fear among civilians who were there.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 14:15, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at 3 brothers, who were collecting straws in an agricultural area belonging to Mohammed Abu Matwi, around 350 meters away from the aforementioned fence.  The brothers were identified as: Mohammed 'Abdel Men’em Ahmed Abu Shehadah (16); Bashar (14); and Jaber (5), from al-Msadar village.  As a result, Mohammed was wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder.  When his uncle, Hasan Abu Shehadah, tried to save him for around half an hour, the Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and artillery shells at him.  The uncle then called an ambulance from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) as it arrived and transferred the wounded to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.  Due to his serious injury, he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  The bullet caused Mohammed paraplegia.

The child’s uncle, Hasan Jaber 'Abdallah Abu Shehadah (37), said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

"At approximately 14:20 on Friday, 23 May 2014, my brother, Mahran (29), called me to tell me that my niece, Mohammed 'Abdel Men’em Abu Shehadah (16) was wounded to the east of Deir al-Balah in an agricultural land belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Matwi, which is around 350 meters away from the border fence.  When I arrived at the area, I grovelled as there is an Israeli site next to the land.  I started crawling till I reached my nephew.  When I approached him, I saw him and his two brothers; Bashar (14) and Jaber (5), lying on the ground.  I managed to pull them and leave the area.  I approached Mohammed around 2 meters when an Israeli tank stationed on a hill along the border fence fired shells and the Israeli soldiers fired live bullets at me and the area.  This took around 30 minutes.  I shouted at my nephew ordering him not to move.  I then called a PRCS ambulance which arrived at the area and took him to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.  At approximately 16:10, he arrived at the area and then was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza due to his serious condition.  He was wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder.  At Shifa Hospital, they took the bullet out from the left side of his shoulder and his condition was described as serious.  Medical sources there said that he suffers paraplegia and we are waiting for his transferral to the Israeli hospitals."

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces stationed on the watchtowers at Beit Hanoun Crossing (Erez) and in its vicinity, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of the crossing near the border.  Although no injuries were reported, the workers were forced to flee from the area for fear of being injured.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, north of al-Sifah area, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of armed Palestinians.  As a result, one of them was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh.  He was taken to Martyr Kamal 'Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, where his leg was x-rayed.  It was found out that he sustained fractures in the thigh bones.  It should be mentioned that the group was near the aforementioned fence and is affiliated with Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas).

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Beit 'Aor al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 24 May 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Tubas.  They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 'Otbah Faleh Daraghmah (27) and Jawdat Mesbah Jawdat al-Masri (35).    

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into 'Aqrabah village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Amjad 'Abdel Rahman Diriyah (22).

Around the same time, Israeli forced backed by military vehicles moved into al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. 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 Termes’ayah village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the centre of the camp.  They deployed between the houses and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forced backed by 3 military vehicles moved into Deir Samit village, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:15, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles offshore.  The shooting targeted a fishing boat, which held a registration plate No. (269), belonging to Kamel Dib Mahmoud al-Anqah (62) from al-Salatin area in Beit Lahia.  The aforementioned boat was boarded by al-Anqah's sons.  The Israeli forces called on them via megaphones to stop moving and turn the engine off or they will shoot at them, but the sons kept sailing to the east towards the shore.  No injuries were reported, but the aforementioned fishermen lost 4 nets which are 250 meters long.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Kafr 'Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces stationed on the watchtowers, which are established along the fence surrounding "Beit Eil" settlement, north of Ramallah, opened fire at a group of boys in the agricultural lands near al-Jalzone UNRWA School for Boys to the west of the aforementioned settlement.  As a result, Mohammed 'Ali Hasan Safi ('Eishawi) (18), from the camp, was wounded by 3 bullets to the left and right legs.  He was arrested and taken to Hadasa 'Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem, where his wounds were described as critical.  The Palestinian Prisoner Club's lawyer, who visited al-'Eishawi in the aforementioned hospital, said that he underwent a surgery for one foot as he sustained laceration in the bones and he still needs more surgeries.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles 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 23:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into 'Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

:: Article nr. 107433 sent on 06-jun-2014 18:39 ECT