Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in The Occupied Palestinian Territory 21 27 March 2013

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21- 27 March 201
Thursday, 28 March 2013 00:00
The Israeli forces have continued to close Karm Abu Salem and Beit Hanoun (Eirez) crossings for the seventh consecutive day.
Israeli Forces Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied Palestinian territory oPt
The Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
4 protestors were wounded in the center and south of the West Bank, including a Norwegian human rights defender and a Palestinian one.
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The Israeli forces conducted 37 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
26 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were arrested in the West Bank.
A Palestinian child was arrested while attempting to cross the borders into Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
During the reporting period, the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel were completely closed for 5 days.
The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
3 Palestinian children were arrested at checkpoints.
The Israeli forces have continued to attack the Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
The Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.
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The Israeli forces reduced the allowed fishing area to 3 nautical miles.
The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
3 dunums were confiscated to expand al-Jalama commercial crossing, north of Jenin.
The Israeli forces started leveling lands in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, to build dozens of housing units.
Large areas of agricultural land in Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, were confiscated.
The settlers continued their attacks against the Palestinian civilians and their property.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period 21 27 March 2013:
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Shooting:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces wounded 4 protestors, including a Norwegian human rights defender and member of the board of directors of Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to fire at the Palestinian fishing boats in order to minimize the allowed fishing area to 3 nautical miles instead of 6 nautical miles.
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and other protests in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in the Israeli jails. As a result, dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to chase the Palestinian fishermen in the sea. PCHR's fieldworkers documented 4 shooting incidents on Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing 3 nautical miles off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip. As a result of the attacks, the fishermen were obliged to flee back to the shore fearing of being wounded or arrested. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
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It should be noted that on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces announced reducing the allowed fishing area from 6 to 3 nautical miles. Israel allowed the Palestinian fishermen to sail 6 nautical miles off the Gaza Strip's shore following the cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel last November.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 37 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, the Israeli forces arrested at least 26 Palestinians, including 6 children.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Musaddar village to east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, arrested Zeyad Sami Abu Ghuraba, 17, from al-Mussader village, when he attempted to cross the border into Israel.
Restrictions on Movement:
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Israel continued to impose a tightened closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
The Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border
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crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing from Sunday, 24 March 2013 Wednesday, 27 March 2013, because of the Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza Strip. It also had a negative impact on the living conditions of the Palestinian civilians. The Israeli forces also imposed comprehensive security restrictions due to the Jewish Holiday of Passover. As a result, dozens of thousands of Palestinian workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover, the Palestinian traders were denied access to Israel and/or travel via the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 21 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from a number of settlement outposts established in the center of the old city of Hebron in the center of the town, erected big tents and amusement park games in the Ibrahimi Mosque's garden in the center of the old city, for celebrations of the Jewish holiday, Passover.
On the same day, Israeli forces started bulldozing tracts of land of approximately 550 dunums
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in area, belonging to members of Salah family in Batten al-Ma'si area, southern of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces issued a decision two months ago ordering that 114 settlement units be built in the area in order to expand "Tel Hitamar" settlement outpost, established on lands of al-Khader village.
On 22 March 2013, Israeli forces issued a decision confiscating approximately 3 dunums of the lands of al-Jalama village, northern Jenin, approximate to the commercial crossing between the West Bank and Israel, under pretext of expanding the crossing and also for security necessities. The land is the property of Saleh Abu-Farha.
On 23 March 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles, raided the agricultural lands surrounding "Susiya" settlement, established on Palestinian civilians' lands eastern of Yatta, southern of Hebron. The soldiers were deployed in the area and banned Palestinian farmers from accessing their lands under pretext that these areas are closed military zones. The Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian civilians after they refused to leave their lands, and arrested one of them.
On the same day, a number of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement outpost, established on Palestinian civilians' lands western of Nablus, gathered by Nablus Qalqilya road. The settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles as they were passing by the aforementioned road.
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On Sunday, 24 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from a number of settlement outposts established in the center of the old city of Hebron, central Hebron, raised Israeli flags on historical monuments and ancient ruins in the old city as well as al-Sahla, al-Shuhada Street and the Ibrahimi Mosque's playground.
On Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli authorities issued a military decision ordering that dozens of dunums in Kherbat al-Dair area, southwestern of Bethlehem, be confiscated. The goal of the confiscation of these lands is for the construction of 70 new housing units, in order to link "Betar Illit settlement, established on lands of Housan, Nahalin and Foukein valley villages, to "Jfot" settlement, which would lead to an almost comprehensive closure of the village, depriving dozens of families from accessing their agricultural lands in Kherbat al-Dair area.
On 26 March 2013, the Israeli forces prohibited Palestinian civilians from reconstructing the eastern entrance to Yatta village, south of Hebron, which is linked to bypass road (60), under pretext that it falls under area (C) which goes under Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords of 1993 and it is forbidden to make any changes in these areas without obtaining prior permission from the concerned Israeli authorities.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period 21 27 March 2013
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1.Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 21 March 2013
At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood, west of al-Bireh. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kafr Dan village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kherbtha al-Mesbah, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
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At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces moved into the west of Dora al-Qarea, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and then arrested Awad Jamal Awadallah Hassan, 15; and Hasan Mahmoud Hasan Yasin, 17.
Friday, 22 March 2013
At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bab al-Zawyah area, in central Hebron. They patrolled between shops and then a number of boys gathered to throw stones at them. Soldiers indiscriminately fired in response bomb sounds and tear gas canisters at the boys and the houses as well. As a result, some of the boys suffered from gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.
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At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the centre. They deployed between houses and held civilians. A number of boys gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers who fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters and shot live rubber-coated metal bullets at the boys and houses as well. As a result, a number of boys suffered from gas inhalation. At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces withdrew from the camp; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Aqaba area topth south of Dora, southwest of Hebron. They deployed between houses and patrolled the streets. A number of boys gathered to throw stones at the soldiers who got out of their vehicles and started firing tear gas canisters and shooting rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, some boys suffered from gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Mashghal village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched 2 houses. At approximately 03:20, they arrested Ahmed Omar Ahmed Zahran, 36; and Mahmoud AbdelHafiz Zahran, 34.
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Sunday, 24 March 2013
At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mosab Mohammed Sabarnah, 24, and arrested him.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Beitounia village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and they withdrew at approximately 01:30. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Arrabah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mazen Izzideen, 30, and arrested him. The Israeli forces then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Asad Ibrahim Mohammed Izzideen, 49, uncle of the former, arrested him and confiscated his laptop. After that, they raided and searched the houses of the latters brothers, Najeeb, 48, and Mohammed,51, and they handed each of them summons to in order to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in its office in Salem camp, northwest of Jenin.
At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Bani Naim village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Soliman Younis Amwas, 19, and arrested him.
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At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Shweikah suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hisham Riyad al-Hafiz Freij, (21), whom they arrested. They later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Emad Mustafa ahmed Amouri, 54. They arrested his 2 sons: Tariq, 24; and Jihad, 18.
At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Haris village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 04:30, they arrested 3 children and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested were identified as: Ammar Abed Nayef Souf, 17; Ali Yassin Ali Aqel, 17; and Tamer Ayyad Abed Souf, 17.
At approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire for about 15 minutes at Palestinian fishing boats that were approximately 3 nautical miles off the shore and tried to move further into the water. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee back to the shore for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither material damage nor casualties were reported.
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At approximately 07:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were 3 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee back to the shore for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither material damage nor casualties were reported. It should be mentioned that on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli authorities declared reducing 6 nautical miles provided for fishermen to fish in the Gaza sea to 3 nautical miles as under the November 2012 ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups, the fishing limit was supposedly extended to six nautical miles.
At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces stationed on the border fence with Israel, east of Wadi al-Msaddar village, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, arrested Ziyad Sami Hasan Abu Ghrabah, 17, from al-Msaddar village, while trying to cross the border fence into Israel. The childs mother, Nada Hussein Abu Ghrabah, 46, said that a friend of her son called her in the evening hours of the same day to tell her that Ziad was detained in Avokeem prison in Israel as his friend received a phone call from the Israeli police telling him that Ziyad was arrested by them.
At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces moved into Abowein village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 25 March 2013
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At approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into Anza village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the center of the western area. They then got out of their vehicles and started widely combing the olive groves near the village from the western side. They withdrew later and neither more incidents nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Omar Maher Hashash, 20; and Qays Naser Abu Jneid, 16.
At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and then raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud Soliman Abu al-Hayjaa, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 09:30, the siralei forces moved into Marji Naaja, north of Jericho. They
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patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kafr Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets of the city and then the streets of Kharoubah and Sabah al-Kheir suburbs, which both are near the city. They held Samer Essam Salim al-Mahroum, 47, and questioned him on the spot. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported. It should be mentioned that the aforementioned is an ex-prisoner, who was released on 18 October 2011 as part of the Shalit prisoners swap deal. He served 25 years in the Israeli jails on charges of affiliation of the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He was then sentenced to life imprisonment.
Tuesday, 26 March 2012
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At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jalzone refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Oja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Aor al-Tahtah, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the middle. They deployed between houses to raise fear among the residents. A number of boys gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers who in response indiscriminately fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated metal bullets at the boys and houses as well. As a result, some of them suffered from tear gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
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At approximately 21:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Loqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed at the main entrance of the city. They withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 27 March 2012
At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 civilians affiliated with Hamas movement and a Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member: Mohammed Tahsin Shawar, 58; Amjad al-Jamouri, 37; Jawad Mohammed Yehia al-Jaabari, 47; and Mohammed Jamal al-Natshah, 54) PLC member.
At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Barqa village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and detained their residents. The Israel forces later arrested 4 civilians and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as: Zaid Ghassan Abdellatif Abu Omer, 20; Ammar Ragheb Mohammed Salah, 21; Mohammed Naji Mohammed Abu Omer, 23; and Mohammed Yousif Ali Abu Omer, 19.
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At approximately 02:00, at approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:30, the Israeli forces moved into Aydah refugee camp, north fo Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saddam Abas Sadouq, (20), whom they arrested.
At approximately 12:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beersheba Street, in the central Hebron.
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They deployed in the place and forced owners of the stores to close their doors and leave them under the pretext of allowing settlers to visit an archaeological site, called Aentael Bin Qaz, in the area. A number of young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys and the stores. No injuries were reported.
2.Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 demonstrators sustained injuries including a 64-year-old Norwegian; also, dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.
In a relative context, Palestinian civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those on hunger strike. The Israeli forces used excessive force against these demonstrations. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.
Demonstrations against the Construction of the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity
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Following the Friday Prayer on 22 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails. The demonstration was held in commemoration of Mohammed 'Assfour, who had died of his wounds, sustained on 22 January 2013 in the clashes between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli forces at the eastern entrance of 'Aboud village, on 07 March 2013. The demonstrators marched in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The protesters raised Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners and made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. The Israeli forces closed all ways and entrances to the village since early morning hours, to prevent Palestinians, journalists and international activists from joining the protest. The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall. They called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in Mitityahu settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Norwegian solidarity activist, Harold Hawka, 64, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nelin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
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Around the same time on Friday, 22 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeliand international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to organize a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians from 'Aboud village, international and Israeli human rights gathered in the center of 'Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah, for a demonstration in protest to the construction of the wall, settlement activity and in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails. The demonstrators marched in the streets of the village, raised the flag of Palestine and headed towards the western entrance of the village, approximate to the annexation wall. The demonstrators threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces, who were deployed at the entrance of the village and across the adjacent settlers street. In response, the forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators, sprinkled them with waste water and chased them inside of the village. As a result, two Palestinian civilians sustained wounds, and others suffered tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises. The wounds' of the two civilians were as follows: the first, a 25-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the chest; and the second, a 31-year-old civilian sustained three bullet wounds in both legs.
At approximately 12:15 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. The demonstrators chanted against the occupation and raised flags before the Israeli forces, who unusually, did not fire any sound bombs or tear gas canisters. The demonstrators found a number of ambushes set by the Israeli forces to arrest
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them, as a number of Israeli soldiers hid behind bushes and between houses. The demonstration ended at approximately 14:00; no arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 22 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians, activists of the Popular Committees against Settlement Activity and the Hebron Defense Committee and international human rights activists gathered in al-Haraiek area, southeast of Hebron, for a peaceful demonstration calling for opening the route linking Hebron to it southern villages, which has been closed for the past 12 years. These villages are, al-Rayhia, al-Thaheria, Doura and al-Fawar Refugee Camp. Upon their arrival to the steel gate which closes the road leading to bypass road (60), the Israeli forces surrounded the area and declared it a closed military zone, ordering the demonstrators to leave immediately. The soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration. A number of protesters fainted as a result of tear gas inhalation. As a result, Amin Abdel-Majid Ahmed al-Bayed, 50, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right side of his face; the canister was shot by an Israeli soldier from a distance of less than 30 meters, this resulted in damaging the bones of his jaw. Mr. al-Bayed was evacuated al-Ahly Hospital in Hebron where he underwent three surgeries, it should also be mentioned that he is a board member of Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC). In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mr. al-Bayed said, " We went to al-Haraiek area to participate in the weekly demonstration demanding that the routes, closed by cement blocks and steel gates, be opened. We were surprised to find a large unit of the Israel forces stationed in the area. These forces started to fire tear gas canisters and sound bombs indiscriminately at us and the civilian houses in the area. In the meantime, I was standing close to the scene and an Israeli soldier was standing less than 30 meters from me. When I looked at him, he fired a tear gas canister directly at me and it hit me in the jaw and I fell to the ground. I was taken via a private car to al-Ahly Hospital in Hebron for treatment, where I underwent three surgeries because I sustained damages to the arteries and the jaw bones."
Demonstrations in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails
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At noon on Friday, 22 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and dozens of prisoners' families demonstrated in front of "Ofer" prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. The demonstration moved towards the prison gate. The Israeli forces closed the gate before the demonstrators could enter and started shooting live fire, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises after being severely beaten.
Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian boys and teenagers gathered near the annexation wall, established on the southern side of Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and chased them across the olive fields. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.
Other Peaceful Demonstrations
Following the Friday Prayer on 15 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in Um Rokba area, at the southwestern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, for a demonstration in solidarity with the prisoners inside Israeli prisons. The demonstrators set fire to rubber tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed at the aforementioned entrance. Immediately, the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration and civilian houses; as a result, some fainted due to tear gas inhalation. Also, Israeli soldiers used the roofs of a number of civilian houses in the area as military watchtowers.
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3.Continued Closure of the oPt
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
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The IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes, in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
The IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
The IOF 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 in the Gaza Strip.
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The cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created on 04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed the Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza. They shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive Gaza's fuel needs. The Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians continue to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the poverty line has continued to increase, and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
The IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza, especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gazas sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects the quantity of Gaza products which are allowed to be exported.
For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, the IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
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Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun Erez crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. The IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. The IOF have also 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 Jerusalem. The IOF denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing from Sunday, 24 March 2013 Wednesday, 27 March 2013, because of the Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza Strip. It also had a negative impact on the living conditions of the Palestinian civilians. The Israeli forces also imposed comprehensive security restrictions due to the Jewish Holiday of Passover. As a result, dozens of thousands of Palestinian workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover, the Palestinian traders were denied access to Israel and/or travel via the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
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Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
20 - 26 March 2013
Day
Date
Traveling abroad
Coming into Gaza
Returned into Gaza
Wednesday
20 March 2013
776
748
30 / 84
Thursday
21 March 2013
615
1518
75
Friday
22 March 2013
399
646
38
31 / 84
Saturday
23 March 2013
687
591
75
Sunday
24 March 2013
740
544
58
Monday
32 / 84
25 March 2013
680
640
66
Tuesday
26 March 2013
859
517
32
Movement at Karm Abu Salem Kerem Shalom Crossing
19 - 22 March 2013
33 / 84
Imports:
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
34 / 84
Number
Liters
19 March 2013
Foodstuffs
714
Agricultural materials
763
35 / 84
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Glass boards
Washing machines
Air conditioners
Pipes
Fans
Car tires
Buses
Trucks
36 / 84
1692
1150
211
520
88
150
125
600
920
37 / 84
Humanitarian aid
3319
Cooking gas
170.010
20 March
2013
Foodstuffs
915
38 / 84
626
Various goods
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Glass boards
Solar power tanks
39 / 84
Washing machines
Cars
1236
630
186
520
135
242
35
Humanitarian aid
4332
40 / 84
Cooking gas
168.670
21 March 2013
Foodstuffs
361
41 / 84
1079
Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Glass boards
Washing machines
Cows
Sheep
42 / 84
998
1200
244
1040
54
357
191
Humanitarian aid
3947
43 / 84
Cooking gas
105.580
22 March 2013
Industrial fuel
102920
44 / 84
Exports:
On Tuesday, 19 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 80,000 flowers, 22 tons of biscuits and 6 truckloads of plastics.
On Wednesday, 20 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 3 truckloads of plastics, a truckload of flowers and 22 tons of biscuits.
On Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 6 truckloads of plastics and 11 tons of biscuits.
Other Imports:
On Tuesday, 19 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of 300 tons of cement, 21 tons of construction steel and 2,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRW; and 910 tons of construction aggregates for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of 468 tons of fodders and 78 tons of wheat.
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Wednesday, 20 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement, 38 tons of construction steel, 1330 tons of construction aggregate and 40 tons of white cement for UNRWA; 1,050 tons of construction aggregates for the private sector; and 1,540 tons of construction aggregate for the German Development Bank (GDB). They also allowed the entry of 273 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of 40 tons of cement, 101 tons of construction steel and 816 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 770 tons of construction aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of 507 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.
Note: the Israeli forces closed the above-mentioned crossing from Sunday, 24 March 2013, to Wednesday, 27 March 2013, because of the Jewish holidays.
Imports through Rafah International Crossing Point, South of the Gaza Strip:
19 - 23 February 2013
Imports:
46 / 84
Date
Category
Truckloads
Amount(tons)
19
March 2013
Base
Course
80
2000
20
March 2013
Base
Course
47 / 84
80
2000
21
March 2013
Base
Course
57
1425
23
March 2013
Base
Course
64
1600
48 / 84
Note: Beit Hanoun "Erez" Crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, links the Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the movement of individuals.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
13 - 19 March 2013
Category
13
March
14
March
15
March
49 / 84
16
March
17
March
18
March
19
March
Patients
46
32
Nil
41
34
50
50 / 84
Companions
41
33
Nil
43
35
46
Personal
needs
51
51 / 84
Nil
41
66
10
Families of
Prisoners
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
52 / 84
Nil
Nil
Arabs from
Israel
Nil
Diplomats
53 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
International
Journalists
Nil
54 / 84
Nil
Nil
International
Workers
54
74
Nil
19
30
31
55 / 84
Deceased
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Travelers
abroad
Nil
Nil
56 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business
People
92
74
Nil
Nil
96
95
57 / 84
96
Economic
Meetings
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Security
Interviews
58 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
VIPs
Nil
Nil
Nil
59 / 84
Nil
Ambulances to
Israel
60 / 84
Ambulances
from Israel
11
10
Nil
Nil
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
20 27 March 2013
61 / 84
Category
20 March
21 March
22 March
23 March
24 March
25 March
26 March
Patients
43
30
62 / 84
Nil
43
Nil
Nil
Companions
40
30
Nil
42
Nil
63 / 84
Nil
Personal needs
25
12
Nil
21
Nil
Nil
Families of Prisoners
Nil
64 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Arabs from Israel
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
65 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Diplomats
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
66 / 84
International Journalists
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
International Workers
20
46
67 / 84
Nil
16
Nil
Nil
Deceased
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
68 / 84
Nil
Travelers abroad
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business People
71
69 / 84
95
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Economic Meetings
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
70 / 84
Nil
Nil
Security Interviews
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
VIPs
71 / 84
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
72 / 84
Nil
Ambulances from Israel
12
13
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
73 / 84
Note: The Israeli authorities informed the General Authority of Civil Affairs of the dates that Beit Hanoun crossing will be functioning during the Jewish holidays:
1.On Monday, 25 March 2013, the crossing would be completely closed except for humanitarian cases, and it would be open for return to Gaza until 13:00; under the pretext that it is the eve of the Passover.
2.On Tuesday, 26 March 2013, the crossing would be completely closed except for humanitarian cases, and it would be open for return to Gaza until 13:00; under the pretext that it is the Passover.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
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Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Loqiah village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00, they established another checkpoint near the intersection of Beit Aor al-Fawqa village, southwest of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 22 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces reestablishedat Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of the city . The two checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported. At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Senjel village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 17:30, they established the same checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.
Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Aynoun village, northeast of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 16:30 on Friday, 22 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Saair village, east of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Wad Abu Rishah, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. At the same time, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, as this entrance connects bypass road (60), south of Hebron. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Yatta, south of Hebron. At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, as this entrance connects bypass road (60), south of Hebron, north of Hebron. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 26 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrances of Dora, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 18:00, they established another checkpoint at the entrances of Beit Naaim village, east of Hebron. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 27 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron, as the entrance connects bypass road (60). At approximately 14:30, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. At approximately 15:00, they established the same checkpoint at the entrance of al-Arroub refugee camp, as the entrance connects bypass (60), north of city.
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All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:40 on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. At approximately 09:10, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 22 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qaqilya. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints; the first one was at the entrance of Azoun village, east fo Qalqilya, and the other one was between Jeet and Jeensafout villages, east of the city. At approximately 17:25, they established a similar checkpoint at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of Qaqilya. Atapproximately 21:30, another checkpoint was established on the bridge that leads to Kafr Laqef village, east of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 21 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yaabod village, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were removed. At approximately 09:00, another checkpoint was established at the intersection of Imriheyeh, southwest of the city. At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Yaabod village, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were reported. At approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Imriheyeh village, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 25 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Yaabod, southwest of Jenin. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. It should be mentioned that this checkpoint has lately become an almost daily phenomenon that obstructs civilians and Yaabod school for boys, which is near the checkpoint.
76 / 84
Jericho: the Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Zbeidat, north of Jericho. The checkpoint was later removed, no arrests were reported.
Bethlehem: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:55 on Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Beit Fajjar, southeast of Bethlehem. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 26 March 2013, the Israeli forces, stationed at al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of Tubas in the western valleys, stopped a vehicle travelled by Mohammed Ashrab Hussein Abu Amrah, 16, from Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus. They arrested him and to took him to an unknown destination.
At approixmetaly 16:00 on the aforementioned Tuesday, the Israeli forces, stationed at a
77 / 84
checkpoint in the vicinity of Karyat Arbaa settlement, which is built on Palestinian lands, southeast of Hebron, arrested Amr Odah Faris Jaber, 22, while he was on his way back from work, and then took his to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:00 on Wednesday, 27 March 2013, the Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Abdel hamid Ahmed Ikhlayel, (22), from Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and then took him to an unknown destination.
6. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
On Thursday, 21 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from a number of settlement outposts established in the center of the old city of Hebron, central Hebron, erected big tents and amusement park games in the Ibrahim Mosque's garden, in the center of the old city, for celebrations of the Jewish holiday, Passover. The Israeli police also set a number of steel bars in the playground of the mosque in order to turn it into a parking lot.
At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 21 March 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, a vehicle of settlements' security, a bulldozer, a digger and a truck, raided Batten al-Ma'si area, southern of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The soldiers were deployed in the area along with the settlement security personnel while the bulldozer and
78 / 84
digger started bulldozing tracts of land of approximately 550 dunums in area, belonging to members of Salah family. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity, said that the Israeli forces issued a decision two months ago ordering that 114 settlement units be built in the area in order to expand "Tel Hitamar" settlement outpost, established on lands of al-Khader village. These lands were confiscated by settlers in 2000 and turn it to a big settlement. He also mentioned that the aforementioned bulldozing is considered an introduction, installing the foundations for building new settlement housing units.
On Friday morning, 22 March 2013, Israeli forces issued a decision confiscating approximately 3 dunums of the lands of al-Jalama village, northern Jenin, approximate to the commercial crossing between the West Bank and Israel, under pretext of expanding the crossing and also for security necessities. The land is the property of Saleh Abu-Farha; he stated that an Israeli officer who identified himself as land officer of the Jenin command area, submitted him a notice informing him that the Israeli administration of al-Jalama crossing will take over parts of the lands, enumerated as follows: 11, 23, 24, 27 and 29 of area 5 of al-Jalama lands for the expansion of the commercial crossing and installing a security gate at the main entrance of the crossing. He added that all the confiscated parts are his private property and are of approximately 3 dunums in area; they are located directly in front of the crossing. It should be mentioned that Abu-Farha established a private parking lot in his land for the vehicles of the workers in exchange of a simple fine, which he takes from the workers in order to watch the vehicles until they return from their work inside Israel and by the confiscation order, he has lost his sole source of income. It should be noted that the Israeli forces established the aforementioned crossing in 2006 after confiscating 12 dunums of the lands of al-Jalama village, aside from another 360 dunums which they confiscated in 2003 in favor of the construction of the annexation wall along 3.5 kilometers. Moreover, the Israeli forces ban civilians from approaching the wall within 50 meters of it, which deprives the civilians from profiting of hundreds of their dunums.
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles, raided the agricultural lands surrounding "Susiya" settlement, established on Palestinian civilians' lands eastern of Yatta, southern of Hebron. The soldiers were deployed in the area and banned Palestinian farmers from accessing their lands under pretext that these areas are closed military zones. The Israeli forces assaulted the Palestinian
79 / 84
civilians after they refused to leave their lands, arrested Fou'ad Hassan Khalil al-Shamasty, 44, and transported him to an unknown destination. Rateb al-Jabour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity in Yatta, told a PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli forces' assaults against Palestinian farmers and shepherds has become a daily routine, in an attempt to keep them away from their lands, which are threatened of confiscation in favor of settlement expansion projects.
At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 23 March 2013, a number of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement outpost, established on Palestinian civilians' lands west of Nablus, gathered at Nablus Qalqilya road. The settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles as they were passing by the aforementioned road. This incident occurred before the Israeli forces which did not do anything to stop the settlers.
On Sunday, 24 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from a number of settlement outposts established in the center of the old city of Hebron, central Hebron, raised Israeli flags on historical monuments and ancient ruins in the old city as well as al-Sahla, Shuhada Street and the Ibrahimi Mosque's playground.
On Sunday, 24 March 2013, the Israeli authorities issued, through the high planning council "the settlement subcommittee" in the Israeli Civil Administration, a military decision ordering that dozens of dunums in Kherbat al-Dair area, southwestern of Bethlehem, be confiscated. In his statement to a PCHR fieldworker, Jamal Salem Najajra, head of Nahalin village council, said that the goal of the confiscation of these lands is for the construction of 70 new housing units, in order to tie "Betar Illit settlement, established on lands of Housan, Nahalin and Foukein valley villages, to "Jfot" settlement, which would lead to an almost comprehensive closure of the village, depriving dozens of families from accessing their agricultural lands in Kherbat al-Dair area.
80 / 84
At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 26 March 2013, the Israeli forces prohibited Palestinian civilians from reconstructing the eastern entrance to Yatta, south of Hebron, which is linked to bypass road (60). The Israeli forces, who raided the area, forced them to leave under pretext that it falls under area (C) which goes under Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords of 1993 and it is forbidden to make any changes in these areas without obtaining prior permission from the concerned Israeli authorities.
Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR emphasizes the international communitys position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is an international recognition of Israels obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
81 / 84
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the least offensive that continued 8 days, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1.PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
2.PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip.
3.PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt.
4.PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees.
5.PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed.
82 / 84
6.PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals.
7.PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them.
8.PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
9.PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights and victims.
10.PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them.
11.PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfill its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directed targeted the civilian infrastructure.
12.PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine.
13.PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for
83 / 84
economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violation and crimes against Palestinian civilians.
14.PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
Public Document
For further information please visit our website www.pchrgaza.org or contact PCHRs office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 282 5893.
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Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in The Occupied Palestinian Territory 21 27 March 2013

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Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in The Occupied Palestinian Territory 21 27 March 2013

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Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21- 27 March 201

Thursday, 28 March 2013 00:00

26 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were arrested in the West Bank.

The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

3 Palestinian children were arrested at checkpoints.

3 dunums were confiscated to expand al-Jalama commercial crossing, north of Jenin.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period 21 27 March 2013

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Friday, 22 March 2013

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Sunday, 24 March 2013

Monday, 25 March 2013

Tuesday, 26 March 2012

Wednesday, 27 March 2012

Demonstrations in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

3.Continued Closure of the oPt

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

Coming into Gaza

Returned into Gaza

Movement at Karm Abu Salem Kerem Shalom Crossing

Solar power tanks

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

Arabs from Israel

Ambulances from Israel

All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approixmetaly 16:00 on the aforementioned Tuesday, the Israeli forces, stationed at a

Recommendations to the International Community

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