Saturday 28 December 2013

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (19- 25 December 2013)


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 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


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

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

Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Litres
17 December 2013
Foodstuffs
805


Agricultural materials
1,726


Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Gas cylinders
Glass boards
Refrigerators
Washing machines
963


2,368
1,488
1,560
79
148

Humanitarian aid
2,745


Cooking gas
221,190


Benzene


110,000
Diesel


370,261

Industrial fuel


445,061
18 December 2013
Foodstuffs
1,247


Agricultural materials
1,410


Various goods
Cartons of shoes
Glass boards
Cartons of clothes
Washing machines
Cows
Heaters
Gas cylinders
Batteries
1,130

1,132
1,560
196
230
577
1000
2,058
1,482

Humanitarian aid
1,073


Cooking gas
177,440


Benzene


112,053
Diesel


294,006

Industrial fuel


447,219
19 December 2013
Foodstuffs
1,068


Agricultural materials
1,316


Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Cartons of carpentry supplies
Cartons of shoes
Electricity poles
Heaters
Cows
Gas cylinders
Glass boards
1,192

2,479
1,620
1,728
23
3,000
621
3,360
1,070

Humanitarian aid
643


Cooking gas
221,680


Diesel


225,025

Industrial fuel


437,910
20 December 2013
Diesel


556,975
Industrial fuel


111,080
22 December 2013
Foodstuffs
1,373


Agricultural materials
1,409


Various goods
Refrigerators
Cartons of shoes
Cartons of clothes
Glass boards
Gas cylinders
Printers
Cartons of accessories
Water tanks
Generators
Cartons of Gypsum supplies
1,141

56
344
19,840
1,040
144
300
660
216
3
836

Humanitarian aid
629


Cooking gas
221,340


Benzene


334,018
Diesel


295,099
Industrial fuel


509,929
23 December 2013
Foodstuffs
921


Agricultural materials
1,395


Various goods
Asbestos boards
Televisions
Glass boards
1,246

1,200
202
1,040

Humanitarian aid
2,344


Cooking gas
218,050


Benzene


30,018
Diesel


3752,0
Industrial fuel


402,994

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

Category
17 December
18 December
19 December
20 December
21 December
22 December
23 December
24 December
Patients
38
28
29
7
-
67
49
46
Companions
38
28
26
6
-
67
44
44
Personal needs
7
63
68
5
-
61
53
46
Families of prisoners
-
-
-
-
-
-
65
-
Arabs from Israel
18
6
13
1
-
11
7
10
Diplomats
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
International journalists
-
       -
-
-
-
-
-
-
International workers
2
53
55
4
-
13
12
21
Deceased
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
Travelers abroad
-
-
6
-
-
-
1
1
Businesspeople
27
81
65
-
-
115
121
103
Business meetings
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
Security interviews
1
2
-
-
-
-
4
3
VIPs
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
1
Ambulances to Israel
2
5
1
1
-
6
2
5
Ambulances from Israel
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-

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.

Source