Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (19- 25 December 2013)
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
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The
Abu Sbaikha family�s house that was shelled by Israeli tanks stationed
at the border to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza
Strip
December 26, 2013
Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians
and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
Israeli forces launched series of aerial and land
attacks on the Gaza Strip.
A child was killed and a woman and her 2 children were
wounded in al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the
border areas in the Gaza Strip.
In excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a
Palestinian civilian and wounded his brother in the northern Gaza Strip
8 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
wounded in the northern and southern Gaza Strip.
A member of the Palestinian General Intelligence
Service was killed in Qalqilia.
A child was wounded during an Israeli incursion into
Tulkarm.
Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force
against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
Many
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
At
least 37 Palestinians, including a
child, were arrested.
Israeli forces distributed leaflets with portraits of
fathers of young men who are allegedly wanted
and held those fathers responsible for their sons' acts.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the
oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
At least 5 Palestinian civilians were arrested at
checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli navy forces have continued targeting
Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian
fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(19 � 25 December 2013).
Shooting:
During the reporting period, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli
forces killed 2 Palestinians, including a 3-year-old child, and wounded 12
others, including 3 children and a mother of 2 of them, in several aerial and
land attacks in the Gaza Strip and other shooting incidents along the border
fence. In the West bank, Israeli forces killed a member of the Palestinian
General Intelligence Service (GIS) in Qalqilia amd wounded 8 civilians,
including a child in Bil'in weekly protest, west of Ramallah. Moreover, a child
was wounded in an Israeli incursion into Tulkarm.
In the Gaza Strip, on 20 December 2013, in an
excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and
wounded his brother while they were near the border fence, north of Beit
Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. According to investigations conducted by
PCHR, Israeli forces used excessive force as the crime was committed in the
daylight and it was clear they were civilians collecting plastics and metals
near the border fence.
On 24 December 2013, after an Israeli soldier was killed
by a Palestinian sniper on the borders of the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces
launched several aerial and land attacks on civilian objects and on training
sites of Palestinian armed groups. As a result, a child was killed and a woman
and her 2 children were wounded.
On 20 December 2013, 2 civilians, including a child
and a coal-supplier, were wounded when a group of civilians headed to the east
of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, and threw stones at Israeli soldiers
positioned along the border fence. Israeli soldiers opened fire at the stone
throwers, wounding 2 of them, including a child, and a coal-supplier standing
in front of his shop around 70 meters away from the borderline.
On the same day, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded
when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at a group of civilians who were present on agricultural lands to
the west of the border fence.
On 21 December 2013, a Palestinian civilian was
wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan
Yunis, opened fire at a group of civilians who were present on agricultural
lands and streets to the south of the border fence.
On 23 December 2013, a Palestinian civilian was
wounded by 3 bullets when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence in
Beit Lahia opened fire at him when he was at Beit Lahia beach.
On 24 December 2013, a worker was wounded by 2 bullets
to the right hand and thigh when Israeli forces stationed on the northern
borders of the Gaza Strip opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting
metals in al-Ghoul area, northwest of Beit Lahia, about 200 meters away from
the fence.
In the context of targeting fishermen in the sea, on
20 December 2013, Israeli forces stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of
Beit Lahia, opened fire sporadically at Palestinian fishing boats that were
sailing about 3 nautical miles offshore. However, neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.
In the West Bank, on 19 December 2013, Israeli forces
killed a member of the GIS in the centre of Qalqilia, claiming that he was
wanted and he opened fire at Israeli soldiers.
On 25 December 2013, a child was wounded when Israeli
forces moved into Tulkarm and responded by firing sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at stone throwers.
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. As a result, 8 protestors,
including a child, were wounded in Bil'in weekly protest. In addition many
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were
beaten up by Israeli soldiers in that protest and other protests in the West
Bank.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 58 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 37 Palestinians, including a
child.
Israeli forces maltreated the family of Ramzi Ahmed
Abdullah Mohammed (26), from Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem. They blew
up the main door of the house and released a sniffer dog inside.
On 24 December 2013, Israeli forces distributed
leaflets threatening residents of al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, as
the leaflets had portraits of fathers whose sons "were involved in
violence acts against Israeli citizens."
In the Gaza Strip, on 21 December 2013, Israeli forces
conducted an incursion in the northern Gaza Strip. They tried to surround a
number of Palestinian fishermen, who were throwing their nets in the sea, but
those fishermen escaped fearing of being wounded or arrested.
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 5 civilians in the West Bank.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(19 � 25 December 2013)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks
on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 19 December 2013
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses
from which they arrested Radi Sa'id Abed Hamayel (24), who is a member of the Palestinian
Presidential Guard and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family
of Mahmoud Yusef Taqatqa (22) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service in "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of the city.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Kharas village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal al-Hroub (22). They
arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Mohammed Salah Suleiman Nawawra (62). They arrested his son,
Za'al Nawawra (42), and took him to an Israeli police station in
"Ariel" settlement in Salfit.
Also around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho. They raided and searched 2
houses from which they arrested Ibrahim Mohammed Basayta (20) and Odai Ibrahim
al-Sarafandi (22).
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed
between the houses. They withdrew later and neither arrests nor house raids
were reported.
In the early morning, Israeli forces killed a member
of the GIS in the centre of Qalqilia. They claimed that he opened fire at
Israeli soldiers when they tried to arrest him, so they repeated the fire.
Moreover, Israeli forces claimed he was wanted because he "opened fire at
Israeli soldiers on several occasions in the past few weeks". They added
that they seized a weapon and ammunition in the scene. However, there were no
Palestinian eyewitnesses, excluding a Palestinian taxi driver who took the victim
to the hospital and has been kept in custody by the GIS. Therefore, PCHR
fieldworkers could not meet him.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00, on the abovementioned
day, Saleh Samir Abdul Rahim Yassin (27), from Qalqilia, received a phone call
from a friend. He immediately went out of his house in Nazzal neighbourhood on
Nablus road, telling his wife that he would be back in 15 minutes. A few
minutes later, gunfire was heard in the area. A friend of him, the taxi driver,
saw him as he was getting back after he drove some workers to Qalqilia
checkpoint. He drove Saleh to the UNRWA hospital in the city, where he passed
away. The victim�s cousin said to a PCHR fieldworker that he saw his cousin's
corpse in the hospital's morgue and noticed that a single bullet entered the
right side of his chest and exited the left side of it. He added that he heard
the sound of 4 bullets only, which means that fire was opened at him once he
went out into the street. It should be noted that the GIS kept the taxi driver
in custody as he is the sole eyewitness. The PCHR fieldworker could not meet
him as a result.
At
approximately 05:30, Israeli forces moved into Burin village, south of Nablus.
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Hamdan Sa'id Eid (24). They arrested the aforementioned person and
took him to an unknown destination.
At
approximately 17:25, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 19:40. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into
Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 20 December 2013
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into the
centre of Yatta town, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Jebril Shehada. They
withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Taha Mohammed Ahmed Abu Maria. They kept his 8-member family in a
room and kept his son, Nasim (16), handcuffed in the street for 2 hours.
Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na'im village, east of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately
03:40, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some
time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At
approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin.
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 al-Jarba village, south of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.
At
approximately 11:00, 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 noon, in
a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces killed a
Palestinian civilian and wounded his brother while they were near the border
fence, north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. Investigations
conducted by PCHR pointed that it was an excessive use of force as the crime
was committed in the daylight and it was clear they were civilians collecting
plastic and metal near the border fence.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR and statement of the victim's brother to a PCHR
fieldworker, at approximately 12:00 on Friday, 20 December 2013, Raddad went
with his brother 'Odah to the landfill near the border area, east of Beit
Hanoun, in order to collect plastics and steels for livelihood. At approximately 15:30, when the area was
very calm, Israeli forces stationed at the borderline opened fire at them
without any prior warning. As a result,
'Odah was wounded by a bullet to the head and fell onto the ground while Raddad
was hiding in a low area. Raddad tried
to reach his brother to rescue him, but Israeli forces opened fire at him to
wound him by a bullet to the right hand.
He immediately fled and managed to call the Palestine Red Crescent
Society to send him an ambulance. The
ambulance was delayed by Israeli forces till at approximately 16:15 when it
obtained coordination through the International Committee of the Red
Cross. The ambulance staff searched for
'Odah to find him wounded and then transferred him to the Beit Hanoun Governmental
Hospital. He was entered into the
Intensive Care Unit, but a few minutes later, he was pronounced dead.
Also at
noon, following the Friday prayer, a group of civilians headed towards the
Shuhada' cemetery, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip. They started
throwing stones at Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence as the
civilians were 50-70 meters away from the fence. Israeli soldiers opened fire
directly at them. As a result, 2 stone throwers, including a child, and a
coal-supplier standing in front of his shop around 70 meters away from the
borderline were wounded. The persons who
were wounded were identified as:
1. Diaa� Ahmed As�ad al-Natour (17) from Jabalia refugee
camp, sustained a bullet wound to the left leg;
2. 'Ali Hasan 'Abdel Rahman Khalil (20) from Jabalia
refugee camp, sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh; and
3. Mohammed Hamoudah Ayyoub (23) from Jabalia refugee
camp, a coal-supplier, sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
At
approximately 14:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of
Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at a group of civilians, who
were present on agricultural lands to the west of the border fence. As a
result, Omar Ahmed Isma'il Subuh (21) was wounded by a bullet to the right
thigh and Abdul Halim Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Naqa (23) was wounded by shrapnel
to the right leg. The 2 aforementioned persons were on a land belonging to the Subuh
family about 700 meters away from the border fence. They were taken to the
European Gaza Hospital in the city to receive the necessary medical treatment.
Sources at the hospital described wounds of the first as moderate and of the
other as minor.
At
approximately 19:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest
of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire sporadically at
Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 3 nautical mile limit.
As a result, the fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore fearing
of being arrested or wounded. However, neither casualties nor material damage
were reported.
Saturday, 21
December 2013
At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into the centre of Yatta town, south
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Morad Mohammed Makhamra (24). They arrested the aforementioned
person and took him to an unknown destination.
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 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest 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 Dar Salah village, east of Bethlehem. They
raided a house belonging to Ra'ed Salah and handed his son Sa'ed (16) a summons
to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gush Etzion"
settlement, south of the city.
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Wad al-Hariya area, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family
of Maher Mohammed Badee' al-Sharif (28). They handed him a summons to refer to
the Israeli intelligence service in "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of
Bethlehem.
Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north 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 moved into Za'tara village, east of Bethlehem.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Za'al al-Sahouri.
They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 07:40, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of
Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians
who were present on agricultural lands and streets to the south of the fence.
As a result, Isma'il Ibrahim Isma'il al-Najjar (21) was wounded by a bullet to
the right thigh, when he was 600 meters away from the fence. He was taken to
the European Gaza Hospital in the city to receive the necessary medical
treatment. His health condition was described as moderate.
At
approximately 08:30, a 10-member Israeli undercover unit moved about 100 meters
into the coast to the west of the evacuated settlement of "Eli Sinai",
northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. The unit tried to surround
a number of fishermen who were throwing their nets into the sea, but the
fishermen escaped fearing of being wounded or arrested.
At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalajel, east of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.
At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Mohammed Atta Salhab (17) in the centre of the old town of
Hebron. They arrested the aforementioned child and took him to an unknown
destination.
At
approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of
Jenin. 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 al-Burj village, west of Doura, southwest
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Mos'ab Saleh al-Talahma (25). They arrested the aforementioned
person and took him to an unknown destination.
Also around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Majd village, west of Doura,
southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Hamam Isma'il Jawa'da (24). They arrested the aforementioned person and took
him to an unknown destination.
Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Hariya valley and Abu Ruman mountain, south
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and Balata refugee camp,
east of the city. 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 al-Ouja village, northwest of
Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into the south of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mos'ab
Nairoukh (27). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an
unknown destination.
At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beir Zait village, north of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
At
approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Ya'bad village, west of Jenin,
for the second time. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a
number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians:
1. Abdullah Kamel Herzallah (22), a student at al-Quds
University;
2. Ma'moun Mahmoud Nayef Hamarsha (38);
3. Odai Yusef Mohammed Hamarsha (25); and
4. Morad Sami Ragheb al-Kilani (25).
At
approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Arqa village, west of Jenin.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.
At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Sheqba village, west of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests
were reported.
At
approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Kherbatha al-Musbah village,
west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.
No arrests were reported.
At
approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in Beit
Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at fishing boats that were
sailing within the 3-nautical-mile limit. The fishermen were terrified and they
sailed back to the beach fearing of being wounded or arrested.
At
approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia cillage, northwest of
Salfit. 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 Koful Hares village, north of Salfit. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.
In the
evening, Israeli forces moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Najeh Hassan Qa'dan Habaiba (48). They arrested the aforementioned person
and took him to an unknown destination.
At
approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 23 December 2013
At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Marah al-Baqar village, 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 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wasim Adel
Ibrahim Awartani (38). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to
an unknown destination.
Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron. They patrolled
the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Iyad Ibrahim Adarba
(39). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in
"Gush Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
Also around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Anabta village, east of Tulkarm.
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from
which they arrested 5 civilians:
1. Samer Ma'an Salah Awartani (23);
2. Khalil Ghassan Khalil Abu Raiya (23);
3. Odai Mostafa Ahmed Ebeid (20);
4. Hani Sobhi Mohammed Abdul Dayem (20); and
5. Bara' Saber Isma'il Assal (18).
At
approximately 05:15, Israeli forces moved into Qalandia refugee camp, north of
Jerusalem. They stationed around the Grand mosque and raided a house belonging
to the family of Ramzi Ahmed Abdullah Mohammed (26). Ramzi's sister said to a PCHR
fieldworker that Israeli forces blew up the main door of the house and released
a sniffer dog inside. The dog attacked her mother Siham Mohammed (57). It also
pushed her onto the ground, while she had a muzzle as she suffers from a heart
attack. When the daughter tried to get the dog away from her mother, it
attacked her. The dog attacked both the mother and daughter for about 15
minutes, during which they were screaming and calling for help from Israeli
soldiers who were watching. The dog frightened her 2 daughters Seba: (3) and
Sally (1). As a result of the dog�s attack, the mother had a severe heart
attack and sustained bruises in the chest, head and legs. Israeli forces
arrested Ramzi and hit his head against the wall while he was handcuffed.
At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces stationed on the northern borders in Beit
Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Mo'men al-Sayed Ahmed
al-Halhouli (27), from al-Shuja'iya neighbourhood, while he was about on Beit
Lahia beach about 50 meters away from the border. As a result, he was wounded
by 3 bullets: one entered his back and exited his belly and other two ones hit the
left leg. He was taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital and then transferred to Shifa
Hospital in Gaza City. It should be noted that his brother Mo'ayed al-Halhouli
was arrested in September while he near the northern borders of Beit Lahia.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, al-Dahiya neighbourhood
and Askar refugee camp, northeast of the city. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 5 civilians:
1. Rami Abu al-Kalbat (22), from al-Dahiya neighbourhood;
2. Ziad al-Mughrabi (25), from Askar refugee camp;
3. Wajdi Qanadilo (23), from the northern mountain;
4. Emad Halawa (20), from al-Aqaba neighbourhood; and
5. Ra'ed Hamdan (22).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved
into al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud al-Samamra. They
arrested his 2 sons: Yunis (26) and Anas (28).
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces
moved into the centre of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces
moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Malek Ahmed al-Amla
(29). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown
destination.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces
moved into Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Nayef Abdullah al-Awawda (30).
They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces
stationed along the northern borders of the Gaza Strip opened fire at a group
of labourers collecting metal pieces while they were present in al-Ghoul area,
northwest of Beit Lahia, about 200 meters away from the border. As a result,
Ali Bashir Rehan (18) was wounded by 2 bullets to the right thigh and hand. He
was taken to Kamal Odwan hospital, where his wound was described as moderate.
In an act of retaliation against
Palestinian civilians, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child and wounded a
woman and her two children and another civilian in the Gaza Strip. A
number of houses and civilian objects, as well as training sites of Palestinian
armed groups were also damaged. These crimes were the outcome of a series
of aerial and land attacks by Israeli forces after an Israeli had been killed
by a Palestinian sniper.
The crimes were as follows: at
approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 24 December 2013, Israeli tanks stationed at
the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the central Gaza
Strip fired a number of shells at al-Maghazi refugee camp. Two shells hit
a 2-storey house belonging to Ahmed and Bahaa� Salman Abu Sbaikha. As a
result, 3-year-old Hala Ahmed Abu Sbaikha died as a result of internal
hemorrhage due to the heavy explosions. Additionally, Buthaina Talal Abu
Sbaikha, 28, and her two children: Bilal, 4, and Mohammed, 6, were wounded by
shrapnel to the lower limbs. The house was also damaged. The third
shell hot a house belonging to Salman Salem Abu Sbaikha, 70. The house
was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 15:40, Israeli warplanes
launched 3 missiles at a site belonging to Palestinian armed groups in evacuated
settlements, west of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, a room
was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 15:55, Israeli warplanes
raided and a concrete factory in Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood in Rafah. As a
result, the factory sustained damage and a worker sustained fractures in the
right leg. The wounded worker was taken to Abu Yusef al-Najjar hospital in the
city. His wound was described as moderate. In addition, windows of surrounding
houses were damaged as well.
At approximately 16:15, Israeli warplanes
launched 2 missiles at a training site of Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the
armed wing of Hamas), northwest of Beit Lahia. The site was damaged, but no
casualties were reported.
At approximately 16:30, Israeli tanks
stationed along the borders, east of Gaza, launched shells at agricultural
lands, east of al-Zaitoun and al-Shaja'iya neighbourhoods. No casualties were
reported.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes
raided 2 sites of the Palestinian armed groups, southwest of Deir al-Balah. As
a result, the 2 sites were damaged and 4 civilians were shocked.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces
moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved
into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
deployed between the houses. They distributed leaflets with portraits of
fathers whose sons "were involved in violence acts against Israeli
citizens" according to the Israeli statement signed by "Abu
Salam" and "Israeli defence Forces". The statement "held
the fathers responsible for their sons' acts."
At approximately 23:30, 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.
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
At
approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. 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. The clashes escalated, and Israeli
soldiers opened fire at the stone throwers. As a result, some vehicles were
damaged and Samer Riyadh Tamim Masya'i (18) was arrested under the pretext that
he threw stones. Moreover, Mohammed Ali Hassan Raddad (13) sustained shrapnel
wound of a sound bomb. He was taken to Dr. Thabet Thabet hospital in the city.
2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting
settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers 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, 8 civilians, including a child, were wounded in Bil'in weekly
protest. In addition, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli
soldiers in other protests in Ni'lin and al-Nabi Saleh villages in Ramallh and
Kofur Qaddoum village, in Qalqilia.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).
Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity
In spite of the cold weather, following the Friday
Prayer, 20 December 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and
Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil�in, west
of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities, supporting the al-Aqsa mosque and the Islamic and
Christian religious sites. Demonstrators took the streets raising the
Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation
wall. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since morning
to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from
participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the
cement wall and tried to cross the fence before Israeli forces that are
stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers
deployed along it fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel
bullets, sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased them in olive fields.
As a result, 8 civilians, including a child, were wounded and a number of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organised a peaceful demonstration in the center of Ni�lin village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall.
Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the
demonstrators from passing to the land behind it before they responded by
throwing stones. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and
bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful
demonstration, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah.
Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting
slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity
resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to
rob by force near "Halmish" settlement. Israeli forces closed all the entrances
of the village since morning to prevent the Palestinian and international
activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they
arrived at the land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas
canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were
chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation and bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian
civilians and international activists organised a peaceful demonstration in the
centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilia, and headed towards the
eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the
entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada. Clashes
erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate. As a
result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 15:00, a group of boys and young men
gathered at the western entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on Silwad-Yabroud
road near road (60). They threw stones at the said road. In response, Israeli
soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters,
due to which a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
3. Continued closure of the oPt
Israel has continued to impose a
tightened closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied
East Jerusalem.
Gaza
Strip
Israeli
forces continuously tightens the closure of the Gaza Strip and closes all
commercial crossings , making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial
crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes
in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli
forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the
closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of
imports and exports.
The
total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has
seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all
economic and commercial establishments in the 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 capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.
The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the
Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the 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.
Israeli
forces have continued to impose a 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 of the Gaza Strip.
The
cooking gas crisis has ranged between the ebb and flow for 9 months due to the
closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims.
According to PCHR�s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average
of 98 tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day.
This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200
tonnes per day, of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for
around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power
outage and using gas as an alternative in many uses of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the
aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as
an alternative for benzene to run generators.
As a result, the demand on gas increased despite lack of it.
For
almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the
delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli
forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials
for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry
of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned
it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry
of construction materials only for the UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely
stopped leaving negative impact on manpower and all sectors that are directly
related with construction works leading to the increase of unemployment levels.
Israeli forces also continued to
impose almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and
industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers,
strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the
Beit Hanoun ("Erez") crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the
Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with
many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a
policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via
the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or
in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access
hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian authorities allow the
population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which
connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world.
Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients,
students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years,
females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign
nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian delegations. It should be mentioned that the crossing
opens seven days a week. Nowadays, the
crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side,
particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to Egypt�s
security conditions, which has affected the travellers� movement in both
directions.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) crossing
17 - 23 December 2013
Exports:
On
Tuesday, 17 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 3.5 tonnes
of strawberries, 76,700 flowers, 60 kilograms of mint, and 300 kilograms of
garlic leaves.
On
Wednesday, 18 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 0.9
tonnes of strawberries.
On
Thursday, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 8 tonnes of strawberries,
61,000 flowers, 240 kilograms of mint, and 60 kilograms of garlic leaves.
On
Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 13.8 tonnes
of strawberries.
On
Monday, 23 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 4 tonnes of
strawberries.
Other Imports:
On
Tuesday, 17 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,190 tonnes of
construction aggregate and 264 tonnes of cement for the UNRWA; and 72 tonnes of
cement for the UNDP. They also allowed
the entry of 897 tonnes of fodders and 624 tonnes of wheat.
On
Wednesday, 18 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,050 tonnes
of construction aggregate and 288 of cement for the UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 780 tonnes of
fodders and 468 tonnes of wheat.
On
Thursday, 19 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 200 tonnes of cement
for the UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 858 tonnes of fodders and 234
tonnes of wheat.
On
Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 624 tonnes of
fodders and 546 tonnes of wheat.
On
Monday, 23 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 700 tonnes of
construction aggregate, 358 tonnes of cement, and 30 tonnes of construction
steel for the UNRWA. They also allowed
the entry of 858 tonnes of fodders and 312 tonnes of wheat.
Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem
On
Tuesday, 17 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.
On
Wednesday, 18 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty
plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.
On
Thursday, 19 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty
plastic containers and 2 truckloads of empty cartons to be returned via Karm
Abu Salem.
On
Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed 7 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.
On
Monday, 23 December 2013, Israeli forces allowed 5 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.
Movement at Beit Hanoun ("Erez")
crossing
17 - 24 December 2013
Israel has
imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period,
Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians:
� Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 20 December
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately
17:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Beit 'Aor
al-Tahta, southwest of the city. The two
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 21 December 2013, Israeli forces
re-established at �Atarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit,
north of Ramallah. They prevented
civilians from entering or leaving through the checkpoint. At approximately 10:00, they established another
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mogheir village, northeast of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.
� Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 19
December 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance
of Hebron. At approximately 08:00, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Sa�ir village, east of the
city. At approximately 17:00, another
checkpoint was established at the entrance of Ezna village, west of the
city. All checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 15:00 on Friday, 20 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.
At
approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 21 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the road of Abu Rishah Valley, west of Ezna, west of Hebron. At approximately 15:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, they established two
checkpoints; the first one was at the entrance of Kharsa village, south of
Dura, southwest of the city, and the other one was established at the entrance
of al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Sa�ir village, east of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Beit 'Aynoun village, northeast of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and
no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 07:30 on Monday, 23 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Halhoul, as this entrance is connected with the
Bypass Road (60) in al-Hawawer area, north of Hebron. At approximately 10:00, another checkpoint
was established on Sanjer Road that connects Dura and Hebron. The two checkpoints were later removed, and
no arrests were reported.
At
approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 24 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. At approximately 07:30, another checkpoint
was established at the eastern entrance of Yatta, as this entrance is connected
to Bypass Road 60, south of the city. At
approximately 15:00, they established a similar checkpoint at the southern
entrance of Halhoul, north of the city.
All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
� Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 19
December Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya�bod
village, southwest of Jenin. The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 19:30, another checkpoint
was established on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus, south of
Jenin.
� Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 14:30 on Friday, 20 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of 'Jayous and Kafr Jamal villages, northeast of
Qalqilya. At approximately 15:15,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Jayous village, northeast
of the city. At approximately 22:45,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of 'Ezbet al-Tabib village,
east of Qalqilya. All checkpoints were
later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 21 December 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of 'Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.
At approximately 19:00, another checkpoint was established at the
entrance of 'Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. The two checkpoints were later removed, and
no arrests were reported.
At approximately
10:00 on Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces obstructed a fire engine when
it was on its way to the southern 'Arab al-Ramadin village, east of Qalqilya,
after fire broke out in a house, which comprised of 3 rooms, a kitchen and a
bathroom, belonging to Kassab Hasan Khalil Sha�our (48). As a result, the house was completely burnt
due to the obstruction by the Israeli forces stationed at (Dco) checkpoint,
east of the city. Sha�our, Head of the
village council in the aforementioned village, said that "an electrical fault
happened in his house on the aforementioned day morning, so the house started
burning. I immediately called the
Palestinian Fire Station, and I went with others to wait for the car at the
checkpoint. We saw with our own eyes how
Israeli forces obstructed the engine under the pretext of search, prevention,
and procedures. As a result, the house
has completely been burnt before the fire engine arrived.
At
approximately 22:30 on the same Sunday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
between the villages of Jayous and Kafr Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 14:20, they established a
checkpoint between the villages of 'Azoun and Kafr Tholth, east of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and
no arrests were reported.
� Salfit:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 21 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the western entrance of al-Zawiyah village, north fo Salfit. At approximately 22:10, another checkpoint
was established at the western entrance of Deir Istayyah village, northwest of
the city. The two checkpoints were later
reported, and no arrests were reported.
� Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 20 December
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shofah
village, southeast of Tulakrm. The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 15:00, they stationed at
'Inab Checkpoint, which is established on the main road between Tulkarm and
Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its restrictions against Palestinian
civilians and obstructed their movement to the checkpoint. The tightening later ended, and no arrests
were reported.
� Jericho:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 19 December 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho. They prevented civilians from entering or
leaving through the aforementioned entrance.
The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at military
checkpoints
At
approximately 16:00 on Friday, 20 December 2013, Israeli forces arrested
Ibrahim Ahmed al-Qaysi (23) from Ezna village, west of Hebron, at a checkpoint
when he was on his way back from Ramallah.
At approximately 11:10 on Friday, 20 December
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilya. Israeli
forces arrested Murad 'Abdel Qader Ishteiwi (35), before the start of the
events of the weekly demonstration. They
later removed the checkpoint taking the arrested to an unknown destination.
At approximately
13:30 on Sunday, 22 December 2013, Israeli forces deployed in the old city
neighborhoods in the centre of Hebron arrested Mohammed 'Atallah al-Mohtaseb
(17) under the pretest of non-compliance with the Israeli soldiers� orders and
was taken to an unknown destination.
On Monday evening, 23 December 2013, Israeli
forces stationed at Hawwarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 'Odah Hamayel
(26), from Beta village, southeast of the city.
Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces stationed at the
aforementioned checkpoint stopped the 'Odah�s car, and took him to an unknown
destination.
On the same Monday evening, Israeli forces
stationed at the intersection of Ein Sinia between Nablus and Ramallah,
arrested Journalist Mos�ab Sa�id (23), a student at al-Quds University (Abu
Dis). Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli
forces stationed at the aforementioned checkpoint stopped the 'Mos�ab�s car, and
took him to an unknown destination.
Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR emphasizes the international community�s position
that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is still
under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment
outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have
continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which
have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which
Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR
stresses that there is an international recognition of Israel�s obligation to
respect international human rights instruments and the international
humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the
Laws and Customs of War on Land and the
Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law
and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way
that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land
confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued
aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the latest offensive
that lasted for 8 days in November, PCHR calls upon the international
community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Convention and the European Union � in the context of their natural
obligation to respect and enforce the international law � to cooperate and act
according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the
United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to
enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the
Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast
majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end
the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide
international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the
non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the
Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human
rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to
comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the
human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned
committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the
Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to
prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the
perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected
Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of
universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal
jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war
criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in
order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through
imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer
the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the
International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome
Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that
holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to
achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on
the expense of human rights and victims;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human
Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza
and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the
two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel
it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light
of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at
least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of
hostilities launched by Israel which directed targeted the civilian
infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European
Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the
international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the
annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article
2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must
respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU
states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violation and crimes
against Palestinian civilians;
14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and
accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United
Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human
rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
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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
pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 � 282 5893.
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