Israeli forces disperse a peaceful demonstration against Israeli settlement activities in Hebron
September 5 , 2013
Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians
and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
A Palestinian child died of wounds he had already sustained
when Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp.
A civilian was wounded, east of Jabalia in the
northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force
against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
2 protestors,
including a child, were wounded during a protest in Bil'in village.
Dozens of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and 2 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
At
least 33 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children,
were arrested in the West Bank.
Israel has 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.
4 Palestinian civilians were arrested at checkpoints
in the West Bank.
Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.
Israeli navy forces opened fire at fishermen in the
northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement
activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli forces confiscated vegetable stands along
bypass road (60), north of Hebron.
Israeli forces demolished a house and a shed
"barrack" in Fasayel al-Fouqa area, northwest of Jericho.
Israeli forces attacked 5 women during a protest
against property demolition.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(29 August – 04 September 2013).
Shooting:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian child died
of wounds he sustained when Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, north
of the Gaza Strip, 2 weeks ago, while 2 Palestinian civilians, including a
child were wounded during protests against the annexation wall. Moreover, a
Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces opened fire at him east of
Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
On 31 August 2013, Palestinian medical sources at the
Specialized Arab Hospital in Nablus declared that Karim Sobhi Saleh "Abu
Sbeih" (17), from Jenin refugee camp, died of wounds that he had sustained
on 20 August 2013, when Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp and
clashes erupted between them and Palestinian children. During those clashes, a
civilian was killed and 2 others, including the abovementioned child, sustained
serious wounds. The child had been receiving medical treatment at the Arab
Hospital, until he was pronounced dead on 31 August
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued
the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by
Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of
the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians,
including a child, were wounded, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.
In the Gaza Strip, on 30 August 2013, Yusef Kamel Sa'd
(20) sustained a bullet wound in his left thigh when Israeli forces stationed
along the border fence, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened
fire at him. Sa'd was about 500 meters away from the fence when he was
targeted.
On 02 and 03 September 2013, Israeli gunboats
stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza
Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that approached the border
about 2 nautical miles off the shore. The fishermen were frightened and fled
back to the shore fearing of being arrested or injured. Neither casualties nor
material damage were reported in both incidents.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 42 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 33 Palestinians, including 5
children.
In the Gaza Strip, on 01 September 2013, Israeli
forces (3 bulldozers and a tank) moved about 200 meters to the west of the
border fence, east of Gaza Valley (Johr al-Deek) village in the central Gaza
Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew 5 hours later.
On 03 September 2013, Israeli forces moved into the east of al-Qarara village,
northeast of Khan Yunis and levelled lands along the border fence as well.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tightened 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 a grave violation of the economic,
social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7
million people. The Israeli authorities
has 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 that
has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. 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 6 civilians, including 3 children.
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.
On 01 September 2013, under the protection of Israeli
policemen and soldiers, officers from "Gush Etzion" settlement that
stands on lands of southern Bethlehem confiscated vegetable stands belonging to
Palestinians along bypass road (60), which links al-Arroub refugee camp and
Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
On 02 September 2013, Israeli bulldozers demolished a
house and a shed "barrack" belonging to Daif-Allah al-Rashayda and
Jihad al-Rashayda in Fasayel al-Fouqa village, northwest of Jericho. The
villagers tried to prevent Israeli forces from demolishing the house through making
human shields, but Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
them and dispersed forcibly.
During the demolition, Israeli forces attacked 5
women; 2 of whom were hit by gun butts. The women received first aid from the
Palestine Red Crescent Society staff in the village and were taken then to
Jericho Hospital.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(29 August – 04 September 2013)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks
on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 29 August 2013
At approximately 00:40, Israeli forces moved into
Bethlehem. They positioned themselves in Ma'ali Valley in the centre of the
city. They raided a house belonging to the family of Abdullah Nassri Abdullah
al-Qurbi (23) and handed him a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of the city. He went there
on the same day and was arrested following interrogation.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and positioned
themselves in the vicinity of Jaber neighbourhood, where some boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas
canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.
At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into
al-'Ebeidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the
family of Yehia Isma'il al-Assa (22), and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Doura town, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned
themselves at the entrance of al-Shurfa neighbourhood. Some boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas
canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu
al-Asja village to the south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into
Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided a
sheep farm near the village. They detained Suleiman Ghazi Omar (17) and
questioned him on the spot. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:45, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves around
"Kazdoura" restaurant and coffee-shop, west of the city. A number of
Israeli soldiers raided the restaurant and questioned some of the customers and
workers there. Israeli forces then patrolled the streets in the southern
neighbourhood. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli
soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters in response. Israeli forces raided
Tulkarm refugee camp adjacent to the eastern neighbourhood, where similar clashes
erupted between the Israeli soldiers and boys. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 30 August 2013
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and
positioned themselves at the entrance of al-Janazrah neighbourhood, west of the
refugee camp. They deployed between the houses and raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Abdul Baset Abu Rayya (52). They handed him summons
for his 2 sons, Mohammed (20) and Soheib (22), to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service at "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
In the meantime, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of
Mohammed Nasser al-Juneidi (23) and handed him a summon to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service at the same settlement. Israeli forces withdrew later and
no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Talouza village, northeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a
number of houses. They arrested Deeb Jaber Jalajla (22) and took him to an
unknown destination.
At approximately 15:20, Israeli forces moved into
Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. 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 fence, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a
group of Palestinians who were near al-Shuhada' cemetery, east of Jabalia. As a
result, Yusef Kamel Sa'd (20) sustained a bullet wound in the left thigh while
he was with his friends on a farmland 500 meters away from the Israeli forces.
Sa'd was taken by an ambulance to Martyr Kamal Odwan Hospital to receive the
necessary treatment. Medical sources described his wound as moderate.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
At approximately 02:00, 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.
In the early
morning, Palestinian medical sources at the Specialized Arab
Hospital in Nablus declared that Karim Sobhi Saleh "Abu
Sbeih" (17), from Jenin refugee camp, died of wounds that he had sustained
a week earlier.
According to investigations conducted by
PCHR then, the abovementioned child was wounded on 20 August 2013 by a bullet
to the side when Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp and clashes
erupted between them and Palestinian civilians. During those clashes, a
civilian was killed and 2 others, including the abovementioned child, sustained
serious wounds. The child had been receiving medical treatment at the Arab
Hospital until he was pronounced dead on 31 August.
At
approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.
At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones
and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who in response fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of boys sustained tear gas
inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.
Sunday, 01 September
2013
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces
moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves at the entrances of many villages. They deployed between
the houses and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
Issa Awad (60). They took his son Rashid (20) while being blindfolded to
Khellet al-Kutla area, where his brother Zaid (28) lives. They raided Zaid's
house and arrested his brother Issa (23). In the meantime, Israeli forces
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Breigith Mohammed
Breigith. They arrested his son Mohammed (21). At approximately 02:00, Israeli
forces patrolled the streets of Khellet al-Sheikh. They raided 3 houses
belonging to Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem (45), Jamal Khalil Abu Hashem (47) and
Ayesh Jamal Abu Hashem (49). They handed Ahmed Abu Hashem (45) a summon to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service at "Gush Etzion"
settlement, south of Bethlehem. At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces stationed
the main entrance of the village, where some boys gathered and threw stones and
empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who in response fired sound bombs and tear
gas canisters. As a result, the family of Yusef Azmi Ikhleil suffered tear gas
inhalation as many gas canisters fell near their house.
At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces
moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and arrested Mos'ab Zamel
Ghashash (25) and his nephew Mo'men Ahmed Zaid (13) near Tzofim gate, north of
the city, while they were going home from a farmland. According to statements
of eyewitnesses in Khellet Yassin, Ghashash and his nephew were going home that
is located in Khellet Yassin. While they were walking in the streets, they
suddenly saw a snake, so they set fire to kill it. In the meanwhile, Israeli
forces patrolling in the area arrested the 2 persons and took them to an
unknown destination.
At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces (3
bulldozers and a tank) moved about 200 meters to the west of the border fence,
east of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek) in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled
lands along the border fence and withdrew 5 hours later.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces
moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and positioned themselves near al-Madares neighbourhood, where some boys
gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at them. Israeli soldiers fired
sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of boys
suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli
forces withdrew later and positioned themselves at bypass road (60). They
closed the road with wedge-shaped steel pieces. They stopped some vehicles and
checked ID cards of the passengers. The checkpoint was removed later. No
arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces
moved into Jett village, northeast of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and
distributed notices to halt construction works in 2 under-construction houses
under the pretext they are located under the Israeli control in Area (C). The
houses belong to Rabah Hassan Sakhen (50) with his 9-member family and Adeeb
Mohammed Yamin (54) with his 10-member family.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces
moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces
moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. 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 Beit Qadd village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday 02 September 2013
At
approximately 01:20, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the
streets and raided a house from which they arrested 2 brothers: Osaid Othman
Nassar (35) and Anas Nassar (33).
At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled the
streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians and
took them to an unknown destination:
1. Mohammed Mostafa al-Taboq (22);
2. Mahmoud Khaled Asaliya (19);
3. Hani al-Kalabini (20); and
4. Monir Samih al-Najjar (19).
They are all from the northern mountain
area.
At
approximately 02:10, Israeli forces moved into Taqou' village, southeast of
Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested
6 civilians and took them to an unknown destination:
1. Mohammed Jamal al-'Emour (22);
2. Mohammed Deeb al-'Emour (19);
3. Khalil 'Emad al-'Emour (19);
4. Ahmed Samir al-'Emour (16);
5. Mahmoud Kamel Sabbah (18); and
6. Ahmed Khaled Sabbah (19).
Israeli forces raided also a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Ali Sabbah (19) to arrest him, but he was
not home. They handed his father a summon for him to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service at "Gush Etzion" settlement at 10:00 on the
abovementioned day.
At
approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of
Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of
Mahmoud Omar Issa (24) and Mahmoud Rezeq Issa (20). They arrested the
aforementioned 2 persons and Ahmed Rezeq Issa (22), brother of Mahmoud Issa,
and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin refugee camp adjacent to Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided a
house belonging to the family of Yusef 'Emad 'Amer (21). They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened
fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were about 2 nautical miles away from
the northern borders. The Palestinian fishermen were frightened and fled back
fearing of arrest or injury. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces accompanied by
an officer form the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Jouret Salem area
in the east of Ethna village, west of Hebron. The officer handed Hani Jamil
Awawda (39) a notice to halt construction works in his 170-square-meter house
that is resided by him and his 4-member family under the pretext that the house
was not licensed from the competent authority in the Israeli construction
department.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces accompanied by
an officer from the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Deir M'alla area,
east of al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. The officer distributed notices
to halt construction works in houses and facilities under the pretext of
non-licensing. The notices included:
1. A 180-square-meter under-construction house belonging
to Talal Fat'hi Abu Sharekh (25);
2. A 2-storey occupied house with an area of 240 square
meters belonging to Amjad 'Aref Abu Sharekh (34);
3. A 3-storey occupied house with an area of 150 square
meters each belonging to Fakhri Ezzat Abu Sharekh (46);
4. A 140-square-meter occupied house belonging to Jameel
Sadeq al-Tull (44);
5. A 140-square-meter barrack belonging to Fat'hi Ezzat
Ezzat Abu Sharekh (46).
It should be noted Israeli forces handed
notices to 4 other occupied houses in the area in less than a week earlier.
They gave Palestinians a period until 30 September 2013 in order to present
their evidence documents to the Israeli courts.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Samet village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and raided a gas station in the centre of the village. They arrested
Yusef Ibrahim al-Sharha (20), a worker in the gas station, and took him to an
unknown destination.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened
fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were about 2 nautical miles away from
the northern borders. The Palestinian fishermen were frightened and fled back
fearing of being arrested or injured. Neither casualties nor material damage
were reported.
At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into
Sanour village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets, where a number of
young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers,
who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response to disperse them.
Israeli forces them raided a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud 'Azmi
Gharbiya (19). They handed him a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service at Salem detention facility, northwest of Jenin. Israeli forces then
raided a house belonging to the family of Mostafa Abdul Rahman Weld Ali (18).
They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew later.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into the
south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the
vicinity of the area. They deployed between the houses and raided a house
belonging to the family of al-Fakhouri. They arrested Amir Adli al-Fakhouri
(26) while he was around.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into
'Anza village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 03 September 2013
At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into
Jaba' village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and positioned
themselves in the northeast of the village. They raided a house belonging to
the family of Yehia Kamal Fakhouri (25), who was not at home. Israeli soldiers
asked his family where he was and they said he sleeps in a farmland belonging
to the family 300 meters away from the house. Israeli forces raided the
farmland and arrested the aforementioned person.