September 18, 2014
Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
·A member of a Palestinian armed group died of wounds he
sustained during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
·A fisherman was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip
·Israeli forces continued to use force against peaceful
protests in the West Bank.
- 2 civilians were wounded during peaceful protests in Ramallah
and Hebron
- Dozens suffered tear gas inhalation during protests
against the annexation wall
·Israeli forces conducted 55 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the south of the Gaza Strip
- 40 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, were arrested
- 16 of those civilians, including 7 children and a
woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs
·Israel continued to impose a total closure on the oPt
and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in
the West Bank.
- At least 3 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military
checkpoints in the West Bank.
·Israeli naval forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the Gaza waters.
- Israeli forces opened fire at fishermen 6 times and
chased them in the sea.
·Israeli forces continued to support settlement
activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.
- Israeli forces bulldozed 2 dunums
of land, uprooted 8 olive trees and confiscated a bulldozer in Salfit
- Settlers sprayed peppers at the faces of 2 children in
Hebron and attacked a shepherd and 2 activists south of the city
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international
humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (11
– 17 September 2014).
Shooting:
In the Gaza Strip,
Palestinian medical source pronounced a member of an armed group dead of wounds
he sustained on 11 July 2014, when an Israeli drone targeted a group of Palestinians
east of Hamoudah gas station at the entrance of Beit Hanoun village. In that
attack, a Palestinian was killed and 2 others were wounded.
On 17 September 2014,
Israeli forces opened fire at a group of fishermen who were sailing near the
border fence. As a result, a fisherman sustained a bullet wound to his right
leg. The fishermen was standing 200 meters off the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel and giving directions to his sons who were fishing in a rowing
boat.
In the context of
chasing Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 12 September 2014, Israeli
gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore and al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit
Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
Neither arrests nor material damage were reported. The shooting reoccurred once
on 13 September 2014; 14 September 2014; and 17 Septembers 2014; and twice on
16 September 2014.
In the West Bank, 2
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 other peaceful
protests on Selwad – Yabroud road near street (60), northeast of Ramallah; and
in Bab al-Zawiyah area, in the centre of Hebron.
Incursions:
During the reporting
period, Israeli forces conducted at least 55 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli
forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 9 children and a woman. Nineteen of those civilians, including 7
children and a woman, were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip,
Israeli forces moved about 150 meters into the east of al-Qararah village,
northeast of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands along the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel.
Restrictions on
movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt,
imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of
the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza
Strip. The Israeli authorities impose
measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the
Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be
exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval
closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied
Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave
violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of
living conditions for 1.7 million people.
The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum)
as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control
over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also
aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
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.
At least 3 Palestinian
civilians were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Settlement
Activities
Israel has continued
its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international
humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian
civilians and property.
On 14 September 2014,
Israeli forces bulldozed 2 dunums of agricultural land and uprooted 8 olive
trees belonging to the heirs of the deceased Mahmoud Ali Hammad.
On September 2014,
Israeli forces confiscated a land belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of
Public Work and Housing.
On 13 September 2014,
Israeli settler sprayed pepper at 'Odai Naser Hamza Idrees (13) and Muhammad
Makroum al-Nawaja (11).
On 14 September 2014,
two Israeli settlers from "Mitzpe Yair" settlement attacked a
shepherd from Qawawis village and two international volunteers who were with
the shepherd and his sheep. The Israeli police arrived two hours later and
arrested the shepherded and one of the volunteers under the pretext of throwing
stones at settlers.
On 16 September 2014, a
settler from "Sousia" settlement ran down a herd of sheep at the Bypass road
near Iqweiwis village. As a result, 8 of them died.
4. Efforts
to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem
During the
reporting period, Israeli forces moved into various areas in Jerusalem and
arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a woman.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(11 – 17 September 2014)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians
and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 11 September 2014
· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron. They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Hussein Mostafa Abu Maria and
arrested his son Mohammed (16).
· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Farsh
al-Hawa neighbourhood, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mahmoud Majed al-Zgheer (24) and arrested him.
· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu
al-Samen valley, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Ghazi Saleh Elayan Erfa’iyah (40) and arrested him.
· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu
Ktailah neighbourhood, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of
houses belonging to the families of Gaith and al-Qawasmah. Israeli forces
withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Dair
Samet village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mo’taz Khalil al-Masalmah and
arrested him.
· At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved about 150
meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of
the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border between the Gaza Strip,
and then headed southwards to the east of Abassan. They withdrew later.
Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-Shyoukh village,
north of Hebron; the western Mazra’ah and Kooper villages, northwest of
Ramallah.
Friday, 12 September 2014
· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Hussein Adi (18). They
arrested the aforementioned person. Israeli forces raided also a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed Isma’il Adi (20) and handed him a
summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service.
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire
around Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover,
they chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the
shore, and neither casualties no material damage were reported.
· At approximately 20:45, Israeli forces moved into
al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets and arrested
Saddam Salem Ali Ka’abnah (25) while walking in the street. He was taken to
"Ma’li Afraym" detention camp, and was released later.
Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out an incursion
Mothallath al-Aqabah area, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, but no arrests
were reported.
Saturday, 13 September 2014
· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Qeddis village, west of Ramallah. They raided a house belonging to the family
of Haniyah Monir Ali Nasser (22) and handed him a summons to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 at Ofer detention
facility, southwest of the city.
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire around
Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover, they
chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore,
and neither casualties no material damage were reported.
· At approximately 20:30, Israeli undercover units moved
into a gas station using a minibus with an Israeli registration plate on the
main road between Jenin and Nablus, near Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. Some
members of the unit stepped out of the minibus and attacked a worker in the
station named Abdullah Metleq Daji al-Balawnah (35), from Tulkarm refugee camp,
adjacent to Tulkarm. They arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 2 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Beit 'Our al-Tahta and
Kufor Ne’mah villages, southwest of Ramallah.
Sunday, 14 September 2014
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire around
Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover, they
chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore,
and neither casualties no material damage were reported.
· In the morning, Palestinian medical source pronounced a
member of a Palestinian armed group dead of wounds he sustained at
approximately 14:15 on Friday, 11 July 2014, when an Israeli drone targeted a
group of Palestinian east of Hamoudah gas station at the entrance of Beit
Hanoun village. In that attack, a Palestinian was killed and 2 others, were
wounded.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into
Bil’in village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets, where a number of
boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who in response fired sound
bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a
number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, Israeli forces
arrested Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Rahmah (14) and took him to Ofer
detention facility, southwest of the city.
· At approximately 11:20, Israeli forces moved into
al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Yusef Ahmed Abdul Majid. Moreover, they also raided
and searched a garage and withdrew later.
Note: during the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 15
incursions into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Doura; Ethna
and Bani Na’im villages and al-Aroub refugee camp, in Hebron; Senjal and Deir
Abu Mesh’el villages, north and northwest of Ramallah; Marj Na’jah village,
north of Jericho; Jenin and al-Yamoun, al-Jalama, and Raba villages; Tulkarm
and Zita, 'Atil, and Baqa villges.
Monday, 15 September 2014
· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Rabee’ Hashem Mohammed Bader (26). They arrested the aforementioned
person. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family
of Ali Essa Awad. They arrested his son Essa (26), a goalkeeper of the
village’s football team. Furthermore, Israeli forces arrested Ali Suleiman Ali
Abu Ayyash (18) from his family house. They withdrew at approximately 05:00,
taking the 3 arrested to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ayda
refugee camp, west of Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and attacked 2
young men: Jehad Ali al-Sheikh (25) and Mohammed Saleh Abu 'Aker (26). The 2
young men were beaten while being present in front of their houses in the
refugee camp. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested Ali Essa al-Heeh (30) and
Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Srour (23) and took them to an unknown destination.
Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 5 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Beitunya and Beit Seera
villages, west and southwest of Ramallah; Ethna village, west of Hebron; Deir
Ballout village, west of Salfit; and Beit Leed east of Tulkarm.
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Osama Hazem
Halawa (27) from his family house in Ras al-Ein, south of the city, and took
him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house
belonging to Islam Muhammad al-Barghouthi (19) and arrested him.
· At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into
Qarawet Bani Hassan, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses
from which they arrested 5 civilians and took them to an unknown destination:
Melad Abdul Hamid Assi (23); Abdullah Shehada Rayan (20); Ghofran Mousa Rayan
(20); Jehad Mousa Rayan (20); and Eyas Nassim Rayan (21).
· At approximately 18:00, Israeli naval forces opened
fire near al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia at Palestinian fishing boats
sailing within 3 nautical miles. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back
to the shore, and neither casualties no material damage were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, Israeli naval forces renewed
the shooting at fishing boats along the coastal line sailing within one
nautical mile. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, and
neither casualties no material damage were reported.
Note: during the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-'Arroub refugee
camp, north of Hebron; Kafer Dan, northwest of Jenin; and Deir al-Ghsoun, north
of Tulkarm.
Wednesday, 17
September 2014
· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani
Naim village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
Mursi Khalil Ehmeidat. They arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him
to the area where Israeli vehicles had stationed. In the meantime, another group
of Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Amin Qasem Manasra
and arrested his son Osama (24). Moreover, they arrested Muhammad Musa Ehmeidat
(24) after raiding and searching his house.
· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by 4 military
vehicles moved into Deir Samit village, southwest of Doura, southwest of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdel Hamid Abdel Hadi
Salama al-Sharauna (57) and arrested him.
· At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces backed by
several military vehicles moved into Baqa village, north of Tulkarm. They
raided and searched a house belonging to Sami Rasem Sami Jaber (25) and handed
him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in Israeli (D.C.O) office,
west of Tulkarm.
· Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by several
military vehicles moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and
searched a house belonging to Ahmed Fadel Muahmmad Misbah (27), an ex-prisoner
in Israeli jails, and interrogated him. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian youth
gathered and threw stones at Israeli vehicles. Israeli forces fired bullets,
south bombs and tear gas canisters to disperse the youth. As a result, many of
them suffered tear gas inhalation. Later, they withdrew, and no arrests were
reported.
· At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They raided Beit Leed club and detained a number
of the youth. An Israeli intelligence officer interrogated them. Later, they
withdrew, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, Israeli naval forces opened
fire around Palestinian fishing boats near al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit
Lahia. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, and neither
casualties no material damage were reported.
· At approximately18:10, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers
at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel northwest of al-Sayafa area,
northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a group of fishermen who were sailing
near the border. As a result, Jum’a Ahmed Muhammed Zaid (69), from al-Salatin
neighbourhood, sustained a bullet wound to his right leg. The aforementioned
was standing 200 meters off the border and giving directions to his sons who
were fishing in a rowing boat. He was taken to Kamal Qdwan Hospital for
treatment. Then he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as his wounds
were described as medium.
Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Halhoul and Ezzna
villages in Hebron and Bitounia, west of Ramallah.
2. Use
of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement
activities and the construction of the annexation wall
During the reporting period,
Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities in the West Bank. As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli
soldiers.