Two Palestinians Killed, Scores Injured and
Abducted by Israeli Occupation Soldiers, Tow Elderly Dies as a Result of
Gaza Siege
January 15, 2018
Editor's Note:
While brutal force has been used to create Zionist Israel and sustain
it thus far, Zionist claims to Palestine are false. Actually, from the
five thousand years of known written history, there has been a
continuous Palestinian-Canaanite presence in the Holy Land. Despite the
Zionist false claims, the ancient Israelites ruled part of the land for
only 85 years (during the reign of David, Solomon, and Solomon's son).
After that, the Egyptians conquered Palestine-Canaan in 925 BC,
followed by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Roman, before
the Arab Muslim rule, starting from 636 AD.
By the Time Jesus started his mission, the three population groups of
Canaanites, Palestinians, and Israelites were melted together in
religion and language. Most of them became Christians when Constantine
converted in 313 AD. Then, most of them became Muslims in the 7th and
8th centuries AD.
So, Palestinian Muslims, Christians, and Jews are the ones who have
the right to claim descent from ancient Israelites, Palestinians, and
Canaanites, not Zionists from other continents.
The following news stories are just examples
of the Israeli occupation government violations of Palestinian human
rights, on daily basis.
More detailed news stories can be found at
the following sources: https://english.palinfo.com/,
http://imemc.org/,
https://paltoday.ps/ar/
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Funeral of Palestinian 16-year-old Ali Omar Nimir Qeino, who was
killed by Israeli occupation soldiers on January 12, 2018 |
Funeral of Palestinian 16-year-old Amir Abdul-Hamid Abu Mosaed,
, who was killed by Israeli occupation soldiers on January 12,
2018 |
Soldiers Assault Three Children, And A Young Man, Before
Abducting Them
15, 2018 1:09 PM
IMEMC News
The Palestinian Detainees Committee has reported, Monday, that Israel
soldiers repeatedly assaulted three children, and a young man, in the
central West Bank governorate of Ramallah, causing several cuts and
bruises, before abducting them.
The committee said that three Israeli soldiers attacked Fawzi Nakhla,
17, and repeatedly kicked and beat him on various parts of his body,
before abducting him, near the al-Jalazoun refugee camp.
The soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian protesters near the
refugee camp, and assaulted many of them, before abducting Nakhla.
The committee added that the soldiers also assaulted Mo’tasem Abu
Ghweila, 17, from the al-Am’ari refugee camp, and Mohammad Seba’ey, 20,
from Jammala town, northwest of Ramallah, before abducting them.
It stated that Israel’s constant attacks and violations against the
Palestinian detainees became a solid policy, as Israel does not only
deprive them from their freedom, but the soldiers also start beating
them up from the moment of their arrest, and subject them to torture and
abuse during interrogation, in addition to the constant violations and
extremely bad conditions they face in detention.
Elderly Couple Dies in Gaza due to Suffocation
January 14, 2018 6:55 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
An elderly couple using a charcoal grill to heat their house, in
Gaza, was found dead on Sunday afternoon, the Palestinian Ministry of
Health said.
A Health Ministry spokesperson said that the man, who was 90 years
old and his wife 88 years old, used the charcoal grill to heat their
house due to the lack of electricity.
According to Days of Palestine, the spokesperson said that using the
charcoal grill in a bad ventilation system causes carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Gazans have been suffering during winter due to the inability to warm
up the homes because of the lack of electricity, which is an integral
part of the 11-year-old siege implemented and sustained by Israel, Egypt
and the Palestinian Authority.
Thousands March in Funerals for Slain Palestinian Teens
January 13, 2018 6:45 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West
Bank marched on Friday, in the funerals of the two Palestinian teenagers
who were killed by Israeli forces during protests on Thursday.
In the northern West Bank village of Iraq Burin, in the Nablus
district, crowds set off from the village mosque, following prayers
towards the village’s cemetery where 16-year-old
Ali Omar Nimir Qeino was laid to rest.
Mourners chanted Palestinian national slogans in support of Qeino,
promising revenge against the Israeli occupation. Palestinian flags and
flags of the Fateh movement were waved during the procession.
Meanwhile, according to Ma’an, the funeral of
Amir Abdul-Hamid Abu Mosa’ed, 16, set off in the central Gaza Strip
following Friday prayers.
Mourners set off from the al-Mughazi refugee camp’s mosque towards
Abu Mosa’ed’s family home, then to the camp’s cemetery where he was
buried.
Abu Mosa’ed was killed by Israeli forces at the eastern borders of
al-Bureij refugee camp on Thursday.
The two teenagers were the third Palestinians, after 16-year-old
Musaab al-Tamimi, to be killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of
the year.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct Ten Palestinians In Jerusalem
January 15, 2018 1:21 AM
IMEMC News
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday evening, ten young Palestinian
men, including a political prisoner who was just released from
detention, and was heading back home, in occupied Jerusalem, after the
army ambushed them on the way to the city.
Media sources said that the soldiers abducted former political
prisoner Sbeih Abu Sbeih, who was just released from detention and was
heading back home, without providing any explanation for his arrest.
The soldiers also abducted nine other Palestinians from the Old City
of occupied Jerusalem, who were with Sbeih; all were ambushed and
detained on the way from prison to the Old City.
Seven of them have been identified as Majed al-Jo’ba, Rawhi al-Kolghasi,
Mohammad al-Hashlamoun, Lu’ay Nasreddin, Jaber Abu Sbeih, Ala Abu Sbeih
and Taiseer Abu Sbeih.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct Five Palestinians In Hebron
January 14, 2018 10:27 AM
IMEMC News
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), in the
southern part of the occupied West Bank, has reported that dozens of
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday at dawn, the al-‘Arroub refugee camp
and Yatta town, searched many homes and abducted five Palestinians.
The PPS said that the soldiers searched and ransacked homes in the
al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and abducted Anan Mohammad
Afifia, 22, Mohammad Yousef Janazra, Rani Hdeib, Issa Mohammad
al-‘Amour, 30, and Yahya Saleh al-‘Amour.
The soldiers also searched homes in Yatta town, south of Hebron, and
interrogated many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
In related news, the soldiers invaded and searched homes in the
southern area of Hebron city, and interrogated many Palestinians.
Also at dawn, the soldiers invaded
several Palestinian villages, in the northern West Bank governorate
of Nablus, searched many homes and stores, before confiscating
surveillance tapes and equipment.
Furthermore, the soldiers
abducted three young Palestinian men from Jenin city, and nearby al-Yamoun
town, in northern West Bank, and confiscated surveillance equipment from
a local coffee shop.
Army Invades Many Villages In Nablus
January 14, 2018 9:45 AM
IMEMC News
I
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday at dawn, several
Palestinian villages, in the northern West Bank governorate of Nablus,
searched many homes and stores, before confiscating surveillance tapes
and equipment.
Media sources in Nablus said the soldiers invaded Burqa, Beit Imrin,
Yasid and Asira ash-Shamaliya, before breaking into and searching homes
and stores, and confiscated surveillance tapes and equipment from stores
and a local gas station.
The soldiers also interrogated many Palestinians, and investigated
their ID cards, while searching their properties.
In related news, the soldiers
abducted three young Palestinian men from Jenin city, and nearby al-Yamoun
town, in northern West Bank, and confiscated surveillance equipment from
a local coffee shop.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct Three Palestinians In Jenin
January 14, 2018 8:36 AM
IMEMC News
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, three young Palestinian
men from Jenin city, and nearby al-Yamoun town, in northern West Bank,
and confiscated surveillance equipment from a local coffee shop.
Media sources in Jenin said the invaded and searched many homes in
the city, and abducted Abdul-Rahman Jamil Najm, 24, who works as a
teacher at a school in Qabatia nearby town, in addition to Waqqass Adnan
Saba’na.
The two live in the Sikka neighborhood, and the Eastern neighborhood,
in Jenin city.
In addition, the soldiers invaded homes in Qabatia town, south of
Jenin, and abducted Islam Fawwaz Sammar, 25.
The soldiers also invaded “Akka Coffee Shop,” and many nearby
buildings, at the main entrance of Qabatia town, and confiscated
surveillance recordings and equipment.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Jabal al-Mawaleh area, in
Bethlehem city, before breaking into the home of Awwad Awwad, and
violently searched it, before informing his father that they are looking
for his son Mousa, who was not at home during the invasion.
On Saturday evening, the soldiers installed a roadblock in Rommana
village, west of Jenin, briefly detained several Palestinians and
interrogated them.
Many Palestinian youngsters hurled stones at the army jeeps, while
the soldiers fired many gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated
steel bullets.
Israeli Air Force Fires Missiles Into A Border Tunnel In
Southern Gaza
January 14, 2018 4:08 AM
IMEMC News
The Israeli Air Force fired, on Saturday at night, at least two
missiles into a siege-busting tunnel near the Egyptian border, in Rafah,
in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army said it attacked “underground infrastructure along
the border with Egypt.” The first missile was fired by a drone, before
an F-19 fighter jet fired another missile into the same area.
The attack was carried out while army drones flew over many areas in
Rafah, and other parts of southern Gaza.
The Israeli army only said that it struck “a tunnel on the border
with the Gaza Strip,” and held Hamas fully responsible for any
escalation that could emerge in the coastal region.
Meanwhile, Israeli Ynet News has reported that Israel has also
decided not to open Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, Sunday,
following an assessment by the army, and added that the military did not
provide any details for the reason behind the move.
It described the decision to close the crossing as “unusual,” because
there have been no shells fired from Gaza into Israeli areas in recent
days, while protests near border areas have also been declining.
Army Injures Several Palestinians In Nabi Saleh
January 13, 2018 9:44 PM
IMEMC News
Israeli soldiers injured, Saturday, several Palestinians in Nabi
Saleh village, north of Ramallah, after the army attacked dozens of
nonviolent protesters in the village, which was also placed under a
strict military siege.
Local nonviolent activist, Bassem Tamimi, said the soldiers instantly
resorted to the excessive use of force, and fire many gas bombs,
concussion grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets, wounding two young
men with rubber-coated steel bullets, and causing dozens of suffer the
effects of teargas inhalation.
Tamimi added that the Palestinians marched in their village, heading
towards the nearby military base, installed on their lands, while
chanting against the Israeli escalation, and constant targeting of the
villagers, and their lands.
On Saturday at noon,
the army imposed a strict siege on Nabi Saleh, and declared it a
“closed military zone,” after installing roadblocks at its entrances,
and prevented the Palestinians from entering or leaving it.
It is worth mentioning that the villagers were also preparing to hold
a popular festival, dubbed as “Jerusalem, the eternal capital of
Palestine.”
On Friday, the soldiers attacked the weekly nonviolent procession in
Nabi Saleh, and caused dozens of to suffer the effects of teargas
inhalation.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Rommana village, west of the
northern West Bank city of Jenin, and installed a military roadblock.
The soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at many
Palestinians, who protested the invasion, in addition to targeting
nearby homes with gas bombs and concussion grenades.
Israeli Soldiers Attack Nonviolent Palestinian Protesters In
Jerusalem
January 13, 2018 7:53 PM
IMEMC News
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Saturday evening, many Palestinian
nonviolent protesters in Salahuddin Street, in occupied Jerusalem, in
injured several Palestinians, including a medic, while marching against
ongoing Israeli occupation, and the U.S. President’s illegal recognition
of occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israeli and his decision
to move the U.S consulate to the city.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRC) said that it provided
treatment to four Palestinians, including a medic who was shot with a
concussion grenade while providing treatment to a wounded Palestinian.
One of the wounded Palestinians is Yasser Darwish, the secretary of
Fateh movement in Jerusalem’s al-Isawiya town, who was shot with a
rubber-coated steel bullet, before the soldiers abducted him.
The PRC added that the soldiers also injured a Palestinian
journalist, after the army assaulted many reporters.
It is worth mentioning that today’s protest is part of weekly
activities in Salahuddin Street, against the illegal U.S. recognition of
occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel, and its decision to
move the consulate to the city.
(Video) Extremist Israeli Colonists Cut More Than 110
Palestinian Olive Trees In Nablus
January 13, 2018 7:00 PM
IMEMC News
A group of extremist Israeli colonists, illegally living on stolen
Palestinian lands in Huwwara and Burin villages, south of the northern
West Bank city of Nablus, have cut Saturday more than 110 olive trees,
owned by several Palestinians, while Israeli soldiers watched without
trying to stop them.
The colonists came from the illegal Yitzhar outpost, which was
installed on private Palestinian lands in Huwwara and Burin.
They cut and destroyed more than 110 Palestinian Olive Trees, owned
by several Palestinians, before the locals intercepted their attack, and
managed to force them out.
A video, filmed by a local Palestinian shows the colonists cutting
the trees, while Israeli soldiers stood on top of a small hill, watching
them without even trying to stop them.
There have been numerous previous incidents where the soldiers only
intervened to attack the Palestinians, and fire at them, when the rushed
to rescue their lands, their main and in most cases, their only source
of livelihood, and clashed with the invading illegal colonists.
***
PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights
Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (04 – 10 January 2018)
January 12, 2018 7:35 PM
IMEMC News &
Agencies
Israeli occupation forces continued with systematic crimes in the
occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the week of 04 – 11 January
2018.
Israeli occupation forces continued to use excessive force in
the oPt; 22 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were killed, in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 15 of them were hit with live bullets, 6
were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets, and 2 were hit with sound
bomb shrapnel.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes targeted an agricultural
land, east of Rafah City, and sprayed poisonous pesticides in the
eastern Khan Younis.
Shooting:
During the reporting period,
Israeli forces wounded 28 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children,
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Fifteen were hit with live
bullets, 11 were hit wwith rubber-caoted metal bullets and 2 were hit
with sound bomb shrapnel. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces
continued to chase Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, target border
areas, and carry out several airstrikes against.
In the West
Bank, on 29 December 2017, Israeli forces wounded 21 Palestinian
civilians, including 6 children. On 04 January 2018, Israeli
forces wounded 12 civilians, including 5 children, within 10 minutes
only when dozens of Israeli undercover agents “al-Mosta’aribeen” sneaked
into Dheishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, to carry out an arrest
campaign. After an hour, an Israeli infantry force of 100 soldiers
moved into the camp. When they approached al-Walijah neighbourhood in
the camp, dozens of Palestinian children and youngsters gathered to
throw stones, empty bottles and Molotov Cocktails at them to prevent
them from moving forwards. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired
live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at the Palestinians.
As a result, 7 of them were wounded with live bullets and the 5 others
were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets; 2 of them suffered serious
wounds.
On the same day, Israeli forces wounded a 20-year-old
civilian with a bullet to the head when dozens of Palestinian youngsters
gathered at the main entrance to Deir Nizam village, northwest of
Ramallah, after the funeral of Mos’ab al-Tamimi (17). The Israeli
soldiers opened fire at the youngsters wounding the 20-year-old
civilian, who was transferred to Istishari Hospital in al-Rihan Suburb
to receive medical treatment. His condition was described very
serious.
On 05 January 2018, Israeli forces wounded a
19-year-old Palestinian civilian with a rubber-coated bullet to the
right thigh when they moved into Qaddourah refugee camp in the centre of
Ramallah.
On 06 January 2018, two Palestinian civilians were
wounded with sound bomb shrapnel in their feet when Israeli forces
suppressed a protest on Salah al-Deen Street in the centre of the City.
On 07 January 2018, a 20-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to
the left side of his waist. Doctors said that his condition is
critical. That occurred when Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’ah
al-Gharbiyah village, northwest of Ramallah, and a number of children
and youngster protested against them.
On 09 January 2018, 3
Palestinian civilians were hit with live bullets when Israeli forces
moved into Jericho and a number of youngsters protested against them.
On 10 January 2018, while Israeli soldiers were training in Kherbet
Samrah in al-Fao Vallley in Northern Jordan Valleys, east of Tubas.
Yasser Abu ‘Aram (4) was superficially hit with a bullet to the head.
The border areas with Israel witnessed protests against the U.S.
President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it. During the protests,
the Israeli forces used force against the protestors. Due to
opening fire to disperse the protests, a civilian was wounded with a
live bullet in northern Gaza Strip.
On 09 January 2018, a
Palestinian farmer was hit with a bullet to the right leg when he was in
his land and Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence between
Israel and Gaza Strip opened fire at the agricultural lands, east of al-Shokah,
east of Rafah City in the Southern Gaza Strip.
As part of the
Israeli airstrikes, on 04 January 2018, Israeli warplanes carried out 2
airstrikes against agricultural lands in al-Shokah village, northeast of
Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
On 08 January 2018, Israeli helicopters fired flare bombs in the
sky, east of Khan Yonuis in the southern Gaza Strip. Neither
damage nor casualties were reported.
On 09 January 2018, Israeli
warplanes sprayed the agricultural lands along the border fence, east of
al-Qararah, northeast of Khan Younis, with poisonous herbicides under
the pretext of killing grasses for security reasons in the area.
Farmers said to a PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli forces previously
sprayed the agricultural lands with herbicides causing damage to the
crops and financial damage as well.
As part of targeting
fishermen in the sea, on 08 January 2018, Israeli gunboats stationed
offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The Israeli gunboats
surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat manned by Jihad Murad (25) and
Mustafa Murad (18), both are from al-Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza
City. The Israeli naval forces then arrested, confiscated the fishing
boat, and took them to Ashdod Seaport. After interrogating and
detaining them, at approximately 23:00 on the same day, both were
released and it was found out that Jihad was hit with 6 rubber-coated
metal bullets to the chest and legs. The shooting recurred in the
area at the fishing boats.
On 09 January 2018, in a similar
attack, Israeli gunboats arrested 6 other fishermen, including 2
children, and took them to an unknown destination. At
approximately 19:00, the Israeli authorities released 5 of them through
Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing while kept Mo’men Jamal No’aman under
arrest. After releasing the fishermen, Ahmed al-Sa’idi was found
wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets to both legs; Akram was wounded
similar bullets to legs and back while Mohammed Abu Jayyab was hit to
the legs. The fishermen said that No’aman was hit with tens of
rubber-coated metal bullets throughout his body.
As part of
targeting the border areas, on 08 January 2018, Israeli soldiers
stationed at former Nahal Oz Crossing and its vicinity, east of al-Shuja’iyah
neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, opened fire at the agricultural lands
in the border area. No casualties were reported.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces
conducted at least 72 military incursions into Palestinian communities
in the West Bank while they conducted 7 incursions into Jerusalem and
its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least
44 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank.
Eighteen civilians, including 6 children, were arrested in Jerusalem and
its suburbs. In the Gaza Strip, on 08 January 2018, Israeli forces moved
into east of al-Fokhari village, east of Khan Younis in the southern
Gaza Strip, and levelled the lands adjacent to the border fence between
the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Measures to Create A Jewish
Majority:
As part of leveling in favor of the settlement
projects, on 08 January 2018, The Israeli Municipality staff along with
the Nature and Antiquities Authorities and Israeli forces conducted
excavations in several areas in al-Rababh Valley in Silwan village,
south of Jerusalem’s Old City, as a prelude to establish “a tourist
footbridge.” It should be noted that the Israeli Municipality plans to
build a bridge connecting between al-Thawri neighborhood and al-Nabi
Dawoud area, passing through al-Rababah Valley. The bridge will be 197
meters length and 30 meters hight. ttlement projects.
As part of
restrictions on NGOs’ work, on Tuesday, 09 January 2018, Israeli forces
prevented holding a press conference titled “Has not Time Come Yet to
Hear Jerusalem’s Cry” in al-Dar Hotel in al-Shaiekh Jarrah neighborhood,
north of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. According to PCHR’s
investigations and eyewitnesses’ statements, the Israeli Intelligence
officers raided al-Dar Hotel, where the officers then raided the
conference hall. The conference was organized by al-Dar Cultural
Institution and Elia Association for Media. The Israeli soldiers forced
the journalists to leave the hall and then arrested Abed al-Latif Ghaith;
Hani al-‘Issawi, Director of Elia Association for Media; and Ahmed al-Safadi.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attacks
On
Friday, 05 January 2018, the Israeli authorities declared that Avigdor
Lieberman, Defense Minister Of Israel, approved on constructing and
marketing 900 settlement houses in a new settlement residential
neighborhood in “Ariel” settlement, north of Salfit. The abovementioned
settlement which the Israeli forces call as the “Capital of Samaria” is
the second largest settlement in the West Bank.
In the same
context, Israeli forces prevented the municipality staffs of Kafr
Thuluth, east of Qalqilya, from paving al-‘Ayoun Road, which connects
the aforementioned village with Qana Valley area after the latter
started road maintenance. This happened although the municipality
obtained the necessary coordination from the Israeli Civil Affairs as
the street is located in Area C which is under the Israeli full control
according to Oslo Accords.
Israeli Settlers’ attacks:
On
08 January 2018, Israeli settlers from “Alon Morey” settlement cut 15
olive trees in a plot of land belonging to Mohammed Nayef ‘Omran from
Deir al-Hatab, northeast of Nablus. On 31 December 2017, the settlers
set a tent on the abovementioned land, and after being removed by the
Israeli soldiers, ‘Omran found out what happened to his trees.
After
an Israeli settler was killed by Palestinian armed persons on Tuesday,
09 January 2018, hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian
cars which were stopped by the Israeli forces on Yitzahar settlement
Bypass Road, south of Nablus after being completely closed. As a result,
windows of some of the cars were broken and Ayman Fariuq ‘Adel ‘Abdat
(24) sustained a fracture to the right hand and bruises to the back and
legs. The settlers also attacked Palestinian houses in the outskirts of
the villages of Bureen and ‘Asirah al-Qebaliyah, sotuth of Nablus.
Demonstrations in protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to
Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:
Upon calls for
demonstrations protesting against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s
Presidential Decree to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and
move the U.S. Embassy to it, Palestinian civilians organized protests
against the decision throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As a
result, 2 civilians were wounded; One in the Gaza Strip and the other in
the West Bank. The demonstrations were as follows:
West Bank:
At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 04 January 2018, dozens of
Palestinian youngsters gathered at the main entrance to Deir Netham
village, northwest of Ramallah, after they participated in the funeral
procession of Mos’ab Feras al-Tamimi (17), who was hit with a live
bullet by the Israeli forces on Wednesday, 03 January 2018. The
youngsters threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers
stationed at the abovementioned entrance. The soldiers fired live and
metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the young men. As a
result, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a live bullet wound to the
head. He was transferred via a PRCS ambulance to Al Istishari Hospital
in al-Raihan Suburb, north of Ramallah. His injury was classified as
serious.
Gaza Strip:
At approximately 12:30 on Friday,
05 January 2018, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered near the
border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza
Strip. They gathered near the security fence and threw stones at Israeli
soldiers stationed along the border fence. The soldiers stationed inside
the watchtowers and in its vicinity in Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing,
northwest of Beit Hanoun village, and east of the Islamic Cemetery, east
of Jabalia, fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas
canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 20-year-old civilian
sustained a live bullet wound to the right thigh.
A number of
Journalists were detained south of Nablus:
At approximately
12:30 on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, a group of journalists and
photojournalists of international and local agencies headed to Madama
village, south of Nablus, to cover clashes erupted between Palestinian
young men and Israeli forces. The journalists took Tal-Arraq Bureen Road
to reach Madama Bridge, northeast of the village. When Around 5
journalists arrived at the bridge, the Israeli forces stopped them at
the entrance and confiscate their IDs and press cards. The Israeli
forces took photos of the cards and returned the press cards to the
journalists while the IDs were kept with the Israeli forces. The
journalists were prevented from entering the bridge and identified as:
Nedal Shafeeq Taher Shtaih, photojournalist at Anatolia Agency;
Ja’far Zahid Hussain Shatih, photojournalist at France Press Agency;
Mohamed ‘Ali Turkman, photojournalist at Reuters News Agency;
Mahmoud
Fawzi, photojournalist at Ramasat Agency; and
Mohamed Tarabu,
photojournalist at FM24 Website.
At approximately 14:00 on the same
day, the Palestine TV staff arrived at the bridge. Among the staff,
there was the TV cameraman, Sameh Darouza; the TV reporter in Nablus,
Baker Abed al-Haq; and the TV car’s driver. The Israeli forces
confiscated their IDs and press cards and then photographed the cards.
The staff was detained. At approximately 15:00, the five journalists
were released and went back to Nablus while the Palestine TV staff is
still detained.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 08 January 2018, Israeli forces stationed
at a military checkpoint, south of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron’s Old
City, arrested Sabah Abed al-Mo’ti Abu Mayalah (28). She was then taken
to an investigation center in “Kiryat ‘Arba’” settlement, east of
Hebron. Israeli forces claimed that Sabah had a knife in her bag.
At
approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 09 January 2018, Israeli forces
stationed at al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley, arrested
‘Ali Abed al-Razeq Abu ‘Erra (20), from ‘Aqbah village, west of Tubas.
It should be noted that ‘Ali was arrested after stopping him at the
abovementioned checkpoint.
Efforts to Create A 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:
Use of
force against demonstrations protesting the U.S. President’s decision to
recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:
At approximately
15:00 on Saturday, 06 January 20178, Israeli forces suppressed a protest
organized on Salah al-Deen Street in the center of occupied East
Jerusalem against the U.S. President’s Donald Trump Decision to
recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. Shadi Motawar, Secretary
of Fatah Movement in East Jerusalem, said that the protest came in light
of the ongoing protests organized against the U.S. President’s Donald
Trump Decision. He added that the Israeli forces confiscated 3
Palestinian flags from protestors after pushing and beating them.
Motawar also said that the Israeli forces used sound bombs to disperse
the protestors. As a result, ‘Awad Salaymah, Member of Fatah Movement in
Jerusalem, sustained a sound bomb shrapnel wound. Furthermore, ‘Emad
Ghrab sustained a sound bomb shrapnel wound to the right foot. The
Israeli forces also arrested the Jerusalemite activist ‘Ahed al-Rishq
and then took him to Salah al-Deen Police Station under the pretext of
raising the Palestinian flag.
Arrests and Incursions:
At approximately 02:30 on Thursday, 04 January 2018, Israeli forces
moved into al-Mukaber Mount village, south of occupied Jerusalem. They
raided and searched houses from which they arrested 3 civilians,
including 2 children. The arrested persons were identified as Islam
Ayman ‘Wisat (17) and his brother Fares (23); and Zidan ‘Atah ‘Wisat
(15). Zidan’s father said that the Israeli forces raided his house,
entered his son’s room and then arrested him while sleeping. Meanwhile,
the Israeli forces cursed the father and beat him up. They also pointed
their firearms at him and then threatened to open fire at him if he
approached his son.
At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, Israeli
forces moved into Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old
City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Fawaz Burqan
(11) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence
Service in “Beit Eliyahu” Center.
At approximately 19:00 on Thursday,
04 January 2018, Israeli forces arrested Salah Mohamed ‘Owidah (21)
after severely beating him on al-‘Ein Street in Silwan village, south of
occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces
stopped a vehicle carrying 3 persons while travelling on the street.
They then checked the passengers’ IDs, forced them to get out of the
vehicle, and then searched them. Meanwhile, they severely hit Salah ‘Owidah
with hands and riffles’ butts and then arrested him. The eyewitnesses
added that the Israeli forces while beating ‘Owidah, they fired sound
bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets to prevent families present in the
area from approaching him.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 08
January 2018, Israeli forces moved into Qutnah village, northwest of
occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Emad
Mohamed Mahmoud al-Faqieh (43) and then arrested him.
Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Jouz, east of occupied
Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they
arrested Mofeed Ziyad Sa’idah (19), Fadi Nader Sa’idah (21), and Amjad
Showiki (20). All the arrested persons were then taken to al-Maskobiyia
Police Station in West Jerusalem for investigation.
At approximately
04:00 on Monday, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of
occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from
which they arrested Mahdi Mofeed Khdour (12), Qusai Husam Nader Zaytoun
(13), Dawoud Mahmoud Abu al-Hawa (14), and Majd NaderSa’idah (17).
At
approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, 09 January 2018, Israeli forces moved
into Qutnah village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a house belonging to Ramy al-Faqieh and then arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anatah village,
northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house
belonging to Osama Zakaria ‘Elian (22) and then arrested him.
Leveling in favor of settlement projects:
On Monday, 08 January
2018, The Israeli Municipality staff along with the Nature and
Antiquities Authorities and accompanied with Israeli forces moved into
al-Rababah Valley neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied
Jerusalem’s Old City. The abovementioned staffs conducted excavations in
many areas in the neighborhood as a prelude to establish a tourist
footbridge. It should be noted that the Israeli Municipality plans to
build a bridge connecting between al-Thawri neighborhood and al-Nabi
Dawoud area, passing through al-Rababah Valley under the supervision of
the so-called “Jerusalem Development Authority.” The bridge length is
197 meters and 30 meters high. Moreover, the Israeli Municipality staff
conducted excavations with large vehicles in the neighborhood’s lands to
check the soil and to establish the bridge foundations. The lands’
owners and Silwan village’s residents prevent the staffs from continuing
the excavations. After that, the Israeli staffs headed to a
settlement outpost in the neighborhood and conducted excavations. It
should be noted that a large amount of concrete were loaded in al-Rababah
Valley lands as a prelude to build the bridge, but the lands owners
prevented them. The lands owners also confirmed that on Monday
afternoon, they were surprised with Israeli forces raiding their lands
and conducting excavations in order to establish a new settlement
project without a prior notice that enables them to submit challenges to
the competent authorities. The neighborhood’s residents added that the
Israeli authorities prevented them from using their lands, mending them,
or planting them and only allowed them to harvest olive. The
neighborhood’s residents added that the Israeli new plan aims at
confiscating their lands in favor of settlement projects.
Restrictions on NGOs’ work:
At approximately 10:30 on Tuesday,
09 January 2018, Israeli forces prevented holding a press conference
titled “Time Has Come to Hear Jerusalem’s Cry” in al-Dar Hotel in al-Shaiekh
Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. The press
conference was organized against the U.S. President’s Donald Trump
Decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. According to
PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ statement, the Israeli
Intelligence officers raided al-Dar Hotel, where the officers then
raided the conference hall. The conference was organized by al-Dar
Cultural Institution and Elia Association for Youth Media and was
scheduled to be held approximately 11:00. It should be noted that the
Israeli Intelligence officers raided the Hotel before holding the
conference and forced journalists to leave the hall. Meanwhile, an
Israeli Intelligence officer took photos of the hall, conference banner,
and speakers’ names. Furthermore, Special Israeli forces stationed at
the hotel entrance and then prevented entering to the hotel. The
conference organizers attempted to hold the conference in front of the
American House adjacent to al-Dar Hotel, but the Israeli Intelligence
officers chased them and then arrested 3 of them. After that, the
officers checked the IDs of journalists and other participants. The
arrested persons were identified as Abed al-Latif Ghaith; Hani al-‘Issawi,
Director of Elia Association for Youth Media; and Ahmed al-Safadi.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attacks
At
approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 04 January 2018, Israeli forces
prevented the municipality staff of Kafur Thuluth village, east of
Qalqilyia, from paving al-‘Aynoun Road, connecting between Kafur Thulth
village and ‘Arab al-Khouli in Qana Valley area. It should be noted that
the municipality staff conducted mending works on the street in addition
to casting cement on Wednesday morning, 03 January 2018. The
Municipality staff was prevented from working despite of coordinating
with the Israeli Civil Affairs. The abovementioned road is within Area
C, which is under the Israeli control according to the 1993 Oslo
Accords. The municipality spokesperson, Zaki ‘Omar, said via a phone
call that on Wednesday ,03 January 2018, the municipality started
mending the street and casting cement after getting a coordination from
the Israeli Civil Affairs, but on 04 January 2018, the staff was
surprised with the Israeli arrival at the area and preventing them from
working. The municipality spokesperson confirmed that this step came to
meet the desire of Israeli settlers, who gathered in the area and caused
chaos.
On Friday, 05 January 2018, Avigdor Lieberman, Defense
Minister of Israel, approved building and marketing 900 settlement
housing units in the new settlement residential neighborhood in “Ariel”
settlement, north of Salfit. The abovementioned settlement that the
Israeli forces call the “capital of Samaria” is the second largest
settlement in the West Bank. It should be noted that “Ariel” settlement
was established in 1978 after confiscating 500 dunums from Hares, Medah,
and Salfit lands, north of the West Bank.
At approximately 11:00
on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with a vehicle
of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Kherbit Um al-Khair,
southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. An Israeli Civil Administration
officer handed Zayid Suliman al-Hathaleen (22) a notice to stop working
in a caravan built of tin plates on an area of 12 square meters under
the pretext of non-licensing.
Israeli settlers’ attacks
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 08 January 2018, the Israeli Liaison
accompanied with a force of Israeli soldiers removed a tent set by
Israeli settlers from” Alon Moreh” in a plot of land belonging to
Mohamed Naif ‘Emran. The settlers set the tent on 31 December 2017. The
plot of land is located in Ras al-‘Ein Mount, east of Dir al-Hatab
village, northeast if Nablus. Furthermore, the plot of land is about 30
dumums planted with 70 olive trees and 60 almond trees. After the
Israeli forces left the area, Mohamed headed to his land and found
around 15 olive trees were cut.
Following the killing of an
Israeli settler by Palestinian armed persons on Tuesday, 09 January
2018, Israeli forces completely closed “Yitzhar” settlement bypass road,
south of Nablus and detained the Palestinian vehicles that were on the
road. At approximately 21:30, a round 200 Israeli settlers from a
point-blank range attacked the Palestinian vehicles and broke the
windows of some vehicles. As a result, a Palestinian driver Ayman Fariuq
‘Adel ‘Abdat (24) sustained a fracture to the right hand and bruises to
the back and legs. Ayman received medical treatment in Rafidia Hospital
in Nablus.
At approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, Israeli settlers
from “Yitzhar” settlement established in the southern side of Bureen
village, south of Nablus, attacked and threw stones the civilians’
houses in the village outskirts. Meanwhile, group of Palestinian young
men gathered and confronted the settlers, but no casualties were
reported.
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 11 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.
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