Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continued Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

· A Palestinian civilian was killed by Jewish young men in Jerusalem.

· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.

- 4 Palestinian workers, including a child, were wounded.

· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.

- Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.

- IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

· IOF conducted 47 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.  

- IOF arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and one woman.

- IOF harassed a Palestinian family in al-Khader village near Betlehem.

· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

- Israeli soldiers positioned at a military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian children.

- Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the Gaza Strip arrested a Palestinian civilian.

· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

- IOF razed a tract of agricultural land and uprooted 53 trees in East Jerusalem.

- IOF ordered Palestinian civilians to evacuated a 20-donum area of land near the annexation wall in Kharas village near Hebron.

- Israeli settlers uprooted 250 seedlings in Beit Ummar town near Hebron.

- Israeli settlers uprooted 12 olive seedlings in Nabi Saleh village near Ramallah.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (10 – 16 February 2011):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian was killed by Jewish young men in Jerusalem. IOF also wounded 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

On Friday morning, 11 December 2011, Hussam Hussein al-Rwaidhi, 24, from Jerusalem, was killed by a number of Jewish young men, when he was on his way back home.  Al-Rawaidhi was on his way back home in East Jerusalem from his work in West Jerusalem. While he was walking with his friend, Khader al-Joulani, on a street in West Jerusalem, a Jewish young man stabbed him in the face. Soon after, other Jewish young men gathered and violently beat him. He died of his injuries a few hours later.

During the reporting period, 4 Palestinian workers, including a child, were wounded when Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials.

During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.  

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 47 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a woman.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the southern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land. 

Restrictions on Movement:

Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed 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 over three 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. 

· 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. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which 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. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.

· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip. 

· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip. 

· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip. 

· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.

West Bank

IOF 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.

· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.

· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

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 13 February 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Bat Ain" settlement to the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, uprooted 250 olive seedlings from lands belonging to 'Aadi and Ekhlil families in the nearby Safa village. 

On 14 February 2011, IOF razed a one-donum area of land belonging to Nasser Khalil Abu Ta'a in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. At least 40 olive, almond and apricot trees, 7 grape trees and 20 cypress ones were uprooted. According to Abu Ta'a, Israeli police officer violently beat his son, 16-year-old Hamza, and cut his identity card. IOF did not present a judicial order to raze the land, and claimed that the land leveling was for security considerations. 

Also on 14 February 2011, IOF handed notices to a number of Palestinian civilians notices ordering the evacuation of 20 donums of agricultural land near the annexation wall in Kharas village, northwest of Hebron, claiming that they are state property. These areas of land, which are planted with olives and almonds, are located nearly 300 meters away from the annexation wall.

On the same day, 14 February 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Halmish" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, uprooted 12 olive seedlings in Wad Raya area in Nabi Saleh village. IOF then moved into the area and evacuated the settlers. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 16 February 2011)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 10 February 2011

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Malek Khaled Slaibi, 15.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Aqqaba village, west of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 brothers: Ra'fat; Ziad; and Eyad Yousef Abu 'Erra, 23, 21 and 19 respectively.

· At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and photographed a number of old homes, the building of the local council and the old mosque of the village. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets , sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into 'Izbat Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm. They established a checkpoint in the center of the village. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. They withdrew later and no house raids or arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

Friday, 11 February 2011

· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and held 3 children for some time. They withdrew later and no house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:20, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They established the entrance of the village and held two Palestinian civilians for an hour. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 17:45, IOF moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.  

Saturday, 12 February 2011

· At approximately 00:55, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Mahmoud 'Aamer Nassar, 16; and
2. 'Abdul Karim Ghassan Ziada, 24.

· At approximately 09:05, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint. They then raided a photography shop and summoned 3 Palestinian civilians: Ashraf Hourani; Anwar al-Hajj Hassan; and Bashar Ameen al-Hajj.

· At approximately 12:15, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north west of Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" used to stand. As a result, Mahran Rezeq Tanboura, 25, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the left knee, when he was nearly 200 meters away from the border.  At approximately 13:00, Israeli soldiers fired the workers again. As a result, 'Aashour Mohammed Shkhaidem, 29, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the left knee, when he was nearly 200 meters away from the border.

· At approximately 15:50, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· In the evening, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza City fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials in the east of al-Shuja'iya neighborhood east of Gaza City. As a result, Mohammed Sa'id Eshtaiwi, 16, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when he was nearly 800 meters away from the border. 

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into 'Izbat Nasser neighborhood in the east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

Sunday, 13 February 2011

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were resported.

· At approximately 04:20, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 18:10, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

Monday, 14 February 2011

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Sameh Sameer Sultan, 17; and
2. Sufian Waleed Daoud, 19.

· At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: