2 Palestinians Killed in Ramallah and Bethlehem,
Scores Injured, Abducted by Israeli Occupation Soldiers
July 16, 2017
Editor's Note:
The following news stories are just examples
of the Israeli occupation government violations of Palestinian human
rights, on daily basis. This cannot continue without the full financial
and media support from
Zionists as well as financial and military support from the US-EU governments,
which have been active participant in the persecution and subjugation of
the Palestinian people.
The Israeli occupation government has received
more than $3.8 billion annually from the US successive administrations,
Democrat and Republican alike, to enable it to continue the subjugation
and persecution of the Palestinian people. The Obama administration made
sure that the US support for the Israeli occupation government will
continue by obligating its successors to give the racist, apartheid,
Zionist state $38 billion in the next ten years.
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Palestinain children setting tyre fire in protest against
Israeli occupation soldiers presence in Kafr Qaddoum, July 16,
2017 |
Palestinian youngmen in Abu Dis, East Jerusalem, during a raid
by Israeli occupation soldiers, July 15, 2017 imemc |
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Palestinian detainee Shireen
Issawi |
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Undercover Israeli Occupation Soldiers Kill A Palestinian
Near Ramallah
July 16, 2017 11:42 AM
IMEMC News
Dozens of undercover Israeli occupation soldiers killed, on Sunday at
dawn, a Palestinian man in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
The Palestinian was later identified as Amer Ahmad Khalil Tirawi, 34;
he was a married father of one child, from Kafr Ein village, northwest
of Ramallah.
The Israeli army said the Palestinian was suspected of carrying
out a shooting attack, a day earlier, near Um Safa Palestinian village
and Ateret Israeli settlement, and of another shooting targeting a
military post in the area.
According to the army, the first incident took place when Amer opened
fire on a car of an Israeli colonist, near Ateret illegal settlement,
and the second targeted a fortified military base, near Nabi Saleh.
Israeli Ynet News said the invasion was carried out by Police SWAT
teams, Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet security officers, and claimed that
the soldiers were attempting to detain him, after identifying him, and
his location.
The army claims that the Palestinians was killed after he “attempted
to open fire on the soldiers with his homemade weapon,” and that another
Palestinian, who was with him, was taken prisoner.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded and searched, Sunday, many homes in
Hebron city, in addition to Doura, Safa and Beit Ummar towns, before
abducting Arafat Za’aqeeq, the father of
Omar Za’aqeeq, 19, who was
killed by Israeli army fire on November 27, 2015.
The soldiers also confiscated the car of another Palestinian, in
addition to holding an ambulance transporting a child to a local
hospital.
In related news, several Israeli military jeeps invaded Doha city,
west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and
abducted one Palestinian.
Updated From: Israeli Soldiers Kill A Palestinian Near Ramallah Jul
16, 2017 @ 08:31
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday at dawn, the village of Nabi
Saleh, northwest of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, and killed a
young Palestinian, who reportedly tried to open fire on the invading
forces.
The Israeli army claims that the soldiers invaded Nabi Saleh after
two incidents when live fire was used against Israeli soldiers and
colonist settlers.
According to the army, the first incident took place when an armed
Palestinian resistance fighter opened fire on a car of an Israeli
colonist, near Ateret illegal settlement, and the second targeted a
fortified military base, near Nabi Saleh.
Following the shooting, dozens of soldiers invaded Nabi Saleh to
conduct arrests and searches of homes and property, before the young man
reportedly “pointed his gun at the soldiers who shot him dead.”
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Kill One Palestinian, Injure Two,
And Abducts Three Others, In Bethlehem
July 14, 2017 11:26 AM
IMEMC News
Bethlehem,
Several armored Israeli military jeeps invaded, on Friday morning,
the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank,
killed two Palestinians injured at least two others, and abducted three,
during clashes that took place during the invasion.
The Israeli occupation soldiers fired many live rounds, rubber-coated
steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades.
Medical sources in Bethlehem said the soldiers shot Bara’ Ismael
Hawamda, 21, with a live round in the chest, inflicting a very serious
injury.
Palestinian medics rushed the seriously wounded Palestinian to a
local hospital, but he succumbed to his wounds while the doctors were
trying to save his life.
At least two other Palestinians were shot by Israeli army fire, while
the soldiers also invaded and ransacked many homes, and abducted three
Palestinians; two of them have been identified as Mohammad Khaled Obeid
and Moath Abu Nassar.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded and searched many homes of Kufur
Ra’ey town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and
abducted Bilal Nabil Thiab, 33, after violently interrogating him and
his family.
It is worth mentioning that Thiab is a former political prisoner, who
was released two years ago, after he held a hunger strike for 87
consecutive days, protesting being held under arbitrary Administrative
Detention orders, without charges or trial since 2012. His brother,
Azzam, is a political prisoner, serving a life sentence.
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Injure 25 Palestinians In Abu Dis
July 15, 2017 12:59 AM
IMEMC News
Israeli attacks,
Jerusalem,
News
Report,
West Bank
0 15 Jul 12:59 AM
Israeli occupation soldiers injured, on Friday evening, 25
Palestinians after several army jeeps invaded Abu Dis town, east of
occupied East Jerusalem, and clashed with dozens of youngsters, who
hurled stones at the military jeeps.
The soldiers fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas
bombs and concussion grenades at the protesters, and surrounding homes.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its medics rushed to the
town, and provided treatment to six Palestinians who were shot with
rubber-coated steel bullets, three who suffered burns due to the
concussion grenades, and sixteen others who suffered the severe effects
of teargas inhalation.
Violent Clashes Continue in Kafr Qaddoum
July 15, 2017 11:43 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
A demonstration by locals in Kafr Qaddoum, once again, turned violent
on Friday, as Israeli soldiers and border police showed up to block the
march’s path. Around 150 Palestinians were attempting to march towards
an illegal Israeli roadblock which cuts off the town from Nablus.
Palestinian children and teenagers responded by throwing rocks at the
soldiers, who responded in turn with a volley of rubber-coated steel
bullets.
Many local children were present at the clash, which saw extensive
use of rubber-coated steel bullets
Locals attempted to block the soldiers’ line of fire by burning tires
next to the road, and building a stone barricade. Shortly after, a skunk
truck – a foul smelling chemically treated water used to spray on
Palestinians- arrived but was not used. Soldiers used a
commercially-available drone throughout the clash, surveying the
situation and possibly taking photos of participants.
Local teenager hurls stone towards Israeli jeeps
Israeli border police, who had been waiting on a hill overlooking the
demonstration, began to move downwards to confront the youths. When
stones were thrown at them, they responded with more rubber-coated steel
bullets, which narrowly avoided hitting the young children who were
present.
Palestinian youths confront border police
Soldiers then attempted to disperse the march by firing a volley of
teargas, but the wind blew it back towards them and away from the
demonstrators. Realizing that teargas would be ineffective, soldiers and
border police began firing their guns even more indiscriminately, from
behind a protective barrier. Border police reinforced soldiers who had
been observing from the hilltop, and began to fire at teenagers and
children who were taunting them from the foot of the hill.
Border police fire at children and teenagers from behind a concrete
barrier and wire fence
Border police fire on demonstrators from the top of a nearby hill
The town, located between Nablus and Qalqilya in the northern West
Bank, has seen weekly clashes since 2003, when Israeli forces
permanently blocked off the main road to Nablus. The introduction of
this road block made a 1.5 kilometer journey to the neighboring village
into a 15 kilometer journey, and a trip to Nablus 40 minutes instead of
15. Despite an Israeli court ruling in 2010 that the road block was
illegal, it has still not been removed.
Via the International Solidarity
Movement (ISM).
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct Six Palestinians In
Ramallah, Salfit And Jerusalem
July 16, 2017 12:43 PM
IMEMC News
I
Israeli occupation soldiers abducted, Sunday, six young Palestinian
men in the West Bank governorates of Ramallah, Salfit and Jerusalem.
The Ramallah office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said
the soldiers abducted Mohammad Lutfi Khalil, after wounding him with
live fire, in Kafr Ein village.
The soldiers also abducted Mahmoud Abdul-Latif Deek, 27, from his
home in Salfit, in central West Bank.
In Jerusalem, the soldiers detained dozens of Palestinians, and
interrogated them for several hours before releasing them, except for
four Palestinians, who were remanded for further interrogation.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also
abducted one Palestinian in Hebron, and
one in Bethlehem, in the West Bank.
Earlier on Sunday, undercover Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian
man, identified as
Amer Ahmad Tirawi, 34, in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct A Palestinian In Hebron
July 16, 2017 10:39 AM
IMEMC News
Israeli occupation soldiers invaded and searched, Sunday, many homes
in Hebron city, in addition to Doura, Safa and Beit Ummar towns, before
abducting one Palestinian, and confiscated the car of another
Palestinian, in addition to holding an ambulance transporting a child to
a local hospital.
Several Israeli army jeeps invaded Nammoura neighborhood, in Hebron
city, before the soldiers searched homes, abducted Mohammad Baha’ Khalil
Gheith, 25, and took him to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also invaded and ransacked several homes in Doura and
Safa town, near Hebron, and interrogating many Palestinians while
inspecting their ID cards.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Doura town, north of Hebron, before
breaking into the home of Arafat Za’aqeeq, and several nearby homes in ‘Aseeda
area, and illegally confiscated his car.
It is worth mentioning that Arafat is the father of
Omar Za’aqeeq, 19, who was
killed by Israeli army fire on November 27, 2015.
The soldiers also stopped a Palestinian ambulance transporting a
child to a hospital in Hebron, and refused to allow it to leave the town
until they searched it.
In related news, several Israeli military jeeps invaded Doha city,
west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and
abducted one Palestinian. The soldiers also invaded Deheishe and al-Azza
refugee camps, in Bethlehem.
In occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli Authorities decided to install
electronic gates and surveillance cameras inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque,
which remains closed for the second consecutive day, following
the shooting attack that led to the death of three Palestinians and
two soldiers.
Furthermore, Israeli soldiers invaded the village of Nabi Saleh,
northwest of Ramallah, and
killed a young Palestinian, who reportedly tried to open fire on the
invading forces.
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct A Palestinians Near
Bethlehem
July 16, 2017 8:47 AM
IMEMC News
Several Israeli military jeeps invaded, on Sunday at dawn, Doha city,
west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and abducted one
Palestinian. The soldiers also invaded Deheishe and al-Azza refugee
camps, in Bethlehem.
The Israeli occupation soldiers invaded and searched homes in Doha
city, before abducting a young man, identified as Ayman Fadel Daghameen,
24. The soldiers also interrogated several Palestinians, while
inspecting their ID cards.
In related news, the army invaded Deheishe and al-Azza refugee camps,
south and north of Bethlehem, and clashed with many youngsters, who
hurled stones on the army jeeps, while the soldiers fired live rounds
and rubber-coated steel bullets.
In occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli Authorities decided to install
electronic gates and surveillance cameras inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque,
which remains closed for the second consecutive day, following
the shooting attack that led to the death of three Palestinians and
two soldiers.
Also at dawn, the soldiers invaded Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, and
killed a young Palestinian man, who reportedly tried to open fire on
the invading forces.
Shireen Issawi Remains in Isolation after Attack on
Palestinian Women Detainees
July 16, 2017 12:03 AM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Palestinian detainee Shireen
Issawi is currently being held in isolation in the Israeli
occupation government Jalameh interrogation center since 22 June 2017,
when the Damon
prison administration stormed the women prisoners’ section and
assaulted them, reported Palestinian lawyer Hanan al-Khatib. Issawi, of
the Jerusalem village of al-Eeesawiyya, has been detained since 3 June,
2014, and is serving a four-year sentence on allegations of assisting
Palestinian detainees and their families to provide money to their
canteen (prison store) accounts inside Israeli prisons.
Issawi is the sister of former long-term hunger striker and
re-imprisoned released prisoner Samer Issawi as well as her brother
Medhat Issawi, who was tried alongside Shireen on similar charges. She
told al-Khatib that prison guards had beaten the prisoners with batons,
including herself, and that she was bleeding with bruises all over her
body after the incident. Tear gas was used on the prisoners in the area,
and the prison director is the one who handcuffed
the women with their hands behind their backs.
Some of her fellow women prisoners were also subject to sanctions by
the prison administration, including administrative detainee Sabah
Faraoun, Dalal Abu Hawa and Ataya Abu Aisha. Abu Hawa was isolated with
Issawi in Jalameh, but has since been returned to Damon prison. She also
said that after the attack, internal hearings were held for a number of
prisoners, depriving them of family visits, denying them access to the
canteen and subjecting them to financial penalties.
Issawi told al-Khatib that if the current situation continues, she
will begin an open hunger strike. She noted that cameras are kept inside
the room, violating the privacy of detainees, and that the room is tiny
with the window covered in plastic. She is denied access to all
electrical appliances in what she described as a dirty and filthy cell
and is treated badly by racist jailers who scream and yell frequently.
She has been subject to solitary confinement five times so far in
2017. Palestinian women prisoners are mainly held in two prisons, Damon
and HaSharon. Women
prisoners in HaSharon have also reported poor conditions due to
overcrowding, where some women have been forced to sleep on the floor
without mattresses. HaSharon is where the 10 minor girls are imprisoned
as well as prominent leaders Khalida
Jarrar and Khitam Saafin, recently ordered to administrative
detention without charge or trial.
Via the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner
Solidarity Network.
Jerusalem Activist under House Arrest for Television
Interview
July 15, 2017 11:33 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Palestinian civic activist Mohammad Jadallah was placed under house
arrest in his East Jerusalem home following his release from detention,
according to reports.
Israeli occupation government police detained Jadallah on Friday,
following a TV interview regarding the events in Jerusalem, in light of
the police measures against al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City.
He was taken from his Beit Safafa home and held for several hours
before he was released on a $2800 bail, and placed under house arrest
for five days, according to WAFA.
He was also banned from giving press interviews for 30 days.
Israeli Occupation Soldiers Raid Palestinian News Agency,
Confiscate Hard-drives
July 15, 2017 5:25 AM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Early Thursday morning, Israeli forces raided the al-Khalil
headquarters of Al Quds media, kicking down doors to gain entry before
confiscating computer hard-drives.
The Israeli occupation soldiers searched two press offices in the
building, belonging to Ramsat and Pal Media news agencies. After
scattering documents across the floor, they confiscated the hard-drives
from all computers in the Pal Media office. The soldiers were seen by a
neighbour at between two and three o’clock in the morning, having
apparently walked from Bab al-Baladiya military base in Hebron’s Old
City.
Soldiers searched through Al Quds’ documents during the raid
Israeli authorities had given no prior warning of the raid to Al
Quds, and journalists working there said that there had been no recent
increase in tensions with the military. The reason for the raid is
unclear, as the military have not responded to Al Quds’ requests for a
comment. The only explanation offered by Israeli forces was a note
posted on the door, which charged that the agency had been working with
unnamed ‘illegal organisations.’
The Israeli occupation soldiers confiscated all computer hard-drives
in Al Quds’ al-Khalil headquarters
While Al Quds are not concerned that any sensitive information was
contained on the hard-drives, some believe that the purpose of the raid
was to scare journalists into conducting self-censorship. Akran Natsheh,
a reporter for Al Quds, believes that this raid is simply part of an
ongoing pattern of harassment.
“Two years ago, they began shooting at reporters when they were
covering clashes, and it made them much more afraid to cover what was
happening”, Natseh explained. “When Israel starts attacking journalists,
you know they are about to make a large violation that they don’t want
the world to see.
“Our mission is the same as all journalists – to deliver the truth
about what is happening. If they have something against our organisation,
why don’t they take us to court? If they had solid reasons they would do
that, but they don’t. You say something they don’t like and they shut
you down. This is the occupation – when the army is control, this is how
they deal with disagreement.”
The raid comes at a time when media laws are tightening under the
Palestinian Authority, with a new law on ‘digital crimes’ set to
restrict freedom of speech online.
While this is the first time that Al Quds’ Hebron office had been
raided, such intimidation of journalists has been a common occurrence in
occupied Palestine, where 383 such incidents were
recorded in 2016 alone. Notable incidents include the storming of
Trance Media offices across the West Bank in 2014, the forced closure of
three local radio stations in al-Khalil in 2015 and the arrest of four
journalists at a radio station in Dura, last year.
***
PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights
Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (06– 12 July 2017
July 13, 2017 10:32 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian
territory (oPt) for the week of 06 – 12 July 2017.
Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians, one of whom is a
child, in the West Bank. 10 Palestinian civilians were wounded in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip, including 2 children and a photojournalist.
Shooting:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed
3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, north and south of the West
Bank. They wounded 10 others, including 2 children and a
photojournalist. Six of them, including 2 children, were wounded in the
West Bank and the 4 others, including the photojournalist, were wounded
in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on 10 July 2017, in
excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Ibrahim Jabareen
(23), from Taqou’ village, east of Bethlehem. They claimed he attempted
to run-over and stab Israeli soldiers on bypass road (60). However, his
family denied the claim, explaining it was a car accident.
On 12
July 2017, in excessive use of force on 12 July 2017, Israeli forces
killed 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and wounded a third
in Jenin refugee camp, north of the West Bank.
During the
reporting period, in addition to the wounded person mentioned above,
Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and
an international human rights activist. One of them was hit with live
bullets, 4 others were hit with metal bullets and one was hit with sound
bomb shrapnel. The incidents in which they were wounded were as follows:
On 07 July 2017, 2 Palestinian civilians and an international human
rights activist were wounded with metal bullets during their
participation in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya.
On 09 July 2017, Nour Hamdan (13) sustained a metal bullet wound to the
face during an Israeli incursion into al-Eisawiya village, northeast of
occupied Jerusalem.
On 10 July 2017, Jana al-Rajabi (6)
sustained a sound bomb shrapnel wound to the hand during an Israeli
incursion into Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of
Jerusalem’s Old City.
In the Gaza Strip, the border area
witnessed peaceful protests against the illegal closure imposed on the
Gaza Strip. Israeli forces used force against the protestors, as result,
4 Palestinian civilians were wounded. One of them was hit with a live
bullet and the 3 others were hit with tear gas canisters. Among the
wounded was journalist Mohammed Baha’ al-Deen Mohammed (30), from
Jabalia refugee camp.
Incursions:
During the reporting
period, Israeli forces conducted at least 43 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 7 others into Jerusalem
and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at
least 33 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. Eight of them,
including 2 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its
suburbs.
Efforts to create Jewish Majority
Concerning
house demolitions, on 11 July 2017, the Israeli municipality demolished
a residential building belonging to Hanan Mahmoud in al-Eisawiya
village, northeast of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of
non-licensing. The 4-storey building is built on area of 800 square
meters and comprises of 6 apartments and 2 stores. Mahmoud’s family
mentioned that started building it a year ago.
On 12 July 2017,
the Israeli municipality demolished a house belonging to Mousa Ebaidat
in al-Sa’la area in al-Mukaber Mount, southeast of occupied Jerusalem,
under the pretext of non-licensing.
On the same day, the Israeli
municipality demolished a house belonging to Saleh Shwaiki in Beer Ayoub
neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem, under the
pretext of non-licensing.
In the context of settlers’ attacks
against Palestinian civilians and their property in the city, on 06 July
2017, a group of settlers and their guards attacked a number of
Palestinian youngsters in Batn al-Hawa area in Silwan village, south of
Jerusalem’s Old City. They pepper-sprayed and beat them before the
Israeli soldiers intervened to disperse the village residents, who
gathered to confront the settlers’ attack.
On 10 July 2017, the
settlers attempted to seize a plot of land belonging to Basbous family
in Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village. The settlers claimed
the ownership of the plot of land to Jews from Yemen, who used to be the
landlords before 1948. Ra’fat Basbous said they were surprised by the
settlers’ attacking the land adjacent to their house. However, the
residents of the area confronted the settlers.
Restrictions on
movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt,
imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in
the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily
tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the
humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli
authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including
the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and
industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has
tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the
West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the
world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and
cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 2 million
people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to
exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim
at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli
closure raised the rate of poverty to 65%. Moreover, the rate of
unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the
unemployed persons. Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population
depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These
rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza
Strip.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate
the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints
around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each
other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian
civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and
checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians.
Demonstrations in protest against the annexation wall and settlement
activities
West Bank:
At approximately 13:30 on Friday,
07 July 2017, Palestinian civilians and International activists
organized a demonstration in the center of Kufur Qaddoum village,
northeast of Qalqiliyah. They made their way towards the eastern
entrance to the village in protest against closing that entrance since
al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protestors arrived at the
abovementioned entrance, the Israeli forces heavily fired metal bullets,
sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, A 30-year-old
international activist sustained a metal bullet wound to the abdomen, a
42-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the ear and a
25-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the right
shoulder.
Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized
a protest in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of the city, in protest against the annexation wall
and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the
protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound
bombs. They also chased protesters into olive fields and houses. As a
result, some of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others
sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip:
At approximately 15:30 on Friday, 07 July 2017, dozens of
Palestinian young men made their way to the border fence between the
Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, in
rejection to the Israeli-imposed closure on Gaza. They gathered near the
security fence. They set fire to tires, raised the Palestinian flags and
threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the abovementioned
border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at
them. As a result, a Palestinian civilian from al-Buraij refugee camp
sustained a live bullet wound to the right leg (PCHR keeps the name of
the wounded civilian) while others sustained tear gas inhalation. The
wounded civilian was transferred to al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah
and his medical condition was classified as moderate.
At
approximately 16:30 on the same Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
gathered few meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip
and Israel, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, in response to
calls for protests in the border area against the Israeli-imposed
closure on Gaza. A number of the young men set fire to tires and threw
stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the abovementioned border
fence. The soldiers fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets at them. The clashes continued until
approximately 19:00 on the same day. As a result, 2 civilians from
Jabalia refugee camp were wounded. They were transferred to the
Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia. Their wounds were classified as
moderate.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men
gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east
of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, east of Gaza, in response to calls for
protests in the border area against the Israeli-imposed closure on Gaza.
A number of them set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli
forces stationed there and in the vicinity of “Nahal Oz” military site.
The Israeli soldiers fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets
at them. As a result, a number of the civilians sustained tear gas
canisters. The clashes continued until approximately 19:00 on the same
day. As a result, Mohammed Bahaa’ Eden Mohammed (30), journalist at
Shehab News Agency, from Jabalia refugee camp was hit with a tear gas
canister to the right hand. He also suffered tear gas inhalation an
sustained bruises.
Continued closure of the oPt
Israel continued to impose a tight 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 tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip
and close 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.
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.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an
almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and
industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers,
strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation
of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
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 also continued
applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the
crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be
questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Arrests at military checkpoints:
At approximately 11:50 on Thursday, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyia. They
stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked the passengers’ IDs. In the
meantime, the Israeli forces arrested Ashraf Ahmed Mahmoud Sukar (30),
from ‘Azoun village. It should be noted that Ashraf is an officer at the
Palestinian Intelligence Service.
At approximately 19:00 on
Thursday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern
entrance to Qalqilyia. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked the
passengers’ IDs. In the meantime, the Israeli forces arrested Mousa
Mahmoud Mousa al-La’ow (30), from Qalqiliyia.
Efforts to Create
Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on
Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their
raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Shooting Incidents:
At approximately 21:30, on Sunday, 09 July
2017, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of
occupied Jerusalem. They stationed on the village main street, where
they heavily and indiscriminately fired tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, Nour Ayman Hamdan (13) was hit
with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face and was then taken to
Hadasah- ‘Ain Karem Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive medical
treatment. Nour’s father stated that his son was standing along with his
friends on his house balcony on the 3rd floor located on the village
main street. In the meantime, the Israeli forces moved into the village
and fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in the
area. As a result, a girl was wounded. He added that the initial
examinations in the hospital showed that the child’s left eye was
directly damaged and she needed a CT scan of the eye.
Houses
Demolitions
At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 11 July 2017, the
Israeli Municipality bulldozers demolished a residential building
belonging to Hanan Mahmoud in al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of
occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The family
stated that Israeli Municipality bulldozers accompanied by the Israeli
Municipality crews and Israeli officers surrounded the building in al-‘Issawiyia
village and then suddenly demolished it. The family said that the
building is comprised of 4 floors consisting of 6 apartments. It was
built on an area of 800 square meters a year ago. The family added that
the Israeli Municipality took photos of the building and issued an
administrative demolition decision under the pretext of non-licensing.
It should be noted that the family appointed a lawyer to follow up the
case and defer the decision until they get the license. The session was
supposed to be held at the Israeli Municipality court.
At
approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 12 July 2017, the Israeli Municipality
bulldozers demolished a residential building in al-Sal’ah area in al-Mukaber
Mount neighborhood, southeast of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext
of non-licensing. The house owner, Mousa ‘Odaidat, said that the Israeli
Municipality bulldozers demolished his house without warning the family.
It should be noted that the house was built in 2012, and the last year a
new building was attached to the same building. Five months ago, the
Israeli Municipality issued an administrative demolition decision. Mousa
‘Odaidat added that his nephew, Ahmed’Odaidat, along with his wife and
their 3 children, were living in the house. After that, the family was
forced to leave the house due to the administrative demolition decision,
especially as the Israeli bulldozers suddenly raid the houses and
demolish them without warning. Mousa ‘Odaidat stated that the house was
built on an area of 200 square meters and comprised of 4 rooms and it
facilities.
At approximately 09:00 on the same day, the Israeli
Municipality bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Saleh Showaiki
in Beer ‘Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied
Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Al-Showaiki stated that
the last year in February, he self-demolished part of his house in
implementation of the Israeli Municipality decision. He also said that
he had recently made reparations to the house, where his son intended to
live there after his marriage scheduled in August. Al-Showaiki added
that the house was built on an area of 88 square meters and the Israeli
Municipality informed him that his house was demolished because he made
reparations to the house.
The Israeli Municipality bulldozers
demolished a carwash in Beer Ayoub neighborhood, as well as a room
used for the carwash, which was built with brick and aluminum on an area
of 2.3 meters.
Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian
civilians and property
At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 06
July 2017, a number of Israeli settlers and their guards beat up and
pepper-sprayed Palestinian youngsters in Batn al-Hawa in Silwan village,
south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. The Israeli soldiers then moved into
the neighborhood to disperse the families who gathered to rebel the
setters’ incursion and attack. The neighborhood residents said that a
group of settlers provokingly toured Batn al-Hawa neighborhood.
One of the settlers pepper-sprayed Palestinian children and young men
who were in the area. Following this, families from the
neighborhood gathered and the Israeli soldiers backed by Intelligence
officers. Verbal altercations then occurred, and the Israeli
forces pepper-sprayed. As a result, a number of civilians suffered
gas inhalation and were identified as ‘Oday al-Rajabi, Maher ‘Abdel
Wahad Yazan Rajabi and Anas Qara’in.
On Monday, 10 July 2017,
settlers attempted to seize a plot of land belonging to Basbous family
in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied
Jerusalem’s Old City, claiming it belongs to 3 Jews from Yemen who used
to live on this land before 1948. Ra’fat Basbous said that the family
was surprised on the abovementioned morning with settlers’ attacking a
land belonging to his family and nearby their house. They
accompanied with workers started placing wires to locate the land under
the pretext that the Israeli court lately ruled that the land belongs to
the settlers but the residents stopped them from doing so. During
this, Israeli forces stormed the land and pepper-sprayed the residents.
As a result, 6 civilians suffered gas inhalation. Ra’fat Basbous added
that the police officer informed the family and the residents of Batn
Al-Hawa that they are not allowed to enter or use the land while
settlers are allowed to without doing any construction works.
It
should be mentioned that the land of Basboos family falls within the
project of “Ateerat Cohanim” Association to seize 5200 square meters
from the Middle Neighborhood in Batn Al-Hawa.; the projected was
revealed by the Association last May. They claim that Jews from Yemen
owned the land since 1881, and the land is divided into six pieces
identified with numbers: 73, 75, 88, 95, 96 and 97. ‘Ateerat Cohanim
claims that the Israeli Supreme Court upheld the settlers’ ownership of
the land in Batn Al-Hawa.
It should be mentioned that there are 30-35
residential buildings established on the land and sheltering 80
families, who have lived in the neighborhood for dozens of years after
they bought the lands and property from the former owners with official
papers. Settlers’ attempts to seize lands and buildings in Batn
al-Hawa neighborhood have started for 8 years using roundabout ways.
Moreover, many families living within the threatened land received
evacuation notices, but most of them have so far managed to maintain
their property.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers
against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’
attacks
At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 06 July 2017,
Israeli forces accompanied by military vehicles and a vehicle of the
Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Masafer area, east of Yatta,
south of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration staff handed the
village residents around 22 notices to stop construction works under the
pretext that the dwellings and facilities in the area are non-licensed
and are located in area (C) according to Also Accord.
At
approximately 09:00 on Monday, 10 July 2017, Israeli forces accompanied
by Israeli military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil
Administration moved into Qanan al-Nayias area, east of al-Shayyoukh
village, north of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration staff handed
2 notices to stop the building of 2 under-construction houses that were
built on an area of 100 square meters. The abovementioned houses belong
to Basheer Idreis Warasnah (50) and Isma’il Ahmed ‘Ayayidah (36).
Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank,
the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on
Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions
of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security
threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community
that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and
lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for
almost 10 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No.
2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the
Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to
recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes
this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime
and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates
that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are
still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral
disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is
international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect
international human rights instruments and international humanitarian
law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and
the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a
way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the
victims.
PCHR calls upon the international community to respect
the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel
respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to
deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
PCHR calls upon
the ICC in 2017 to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed
in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on
the Gaza Strip.
PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all
international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and
investing in them in application of their obligations according to
international human rights law and international humanitarian law
considering settlements as a war crime.
PCHR calls upon the
international community 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.
PCHR calls upon the international community and United
Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at
creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding
Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house
demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international
humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
PCHR calls
upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried
out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to
stop them.
PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of
the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
PCHR
calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to
fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure
respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles
(146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for
committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice
and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost
complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the
reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by
the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
PCHR calls for a prompt intervention
to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the
freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience
unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to
collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards
embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its
obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing
with Israel.
PCHR calls upon the international community, especially
states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their
moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive
in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on
the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian
civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military
tactics.
PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights
instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with
its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human
rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant
committees.
PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights
bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against
Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.
Fully detailed document
available at the official website of the Palestinian Centre for Human
Rights (PCHR).
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