weekly report on israeli human rights violations in the occupied palestinian territory (08 - 15 may...

7/30/2019 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (08 - 15 May 2013)

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Weekly Report 09 15 May 2013

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights ___________________________________________________ 1

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians

and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded duringincursions in the West Bank.

Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peacefulprotestors in the West Bank.

- 4 protestors were wounded during peaceful protests against the annexation wall andsettlement activities.

- 2 photojournalists volunteering in BTselem and a paramedic were among thewounded persons.

Israeli forces conducted 61 incursions into Palestinian communities inthe West Bank.

- 47 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children and a woman, were arrested in the WestBank.

- A number of university students and members of Palestinian security services wereamong the arrested persons.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolatedthe Gaza Strip from the outside world.

- Karm Abu Salem crossing was closed for 2 days due to Jewish holidays.- Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.- A Palestinian civilian was arrested at a checkpoint in the West Bank.

Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the WestBank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians

and property.

- Israeli authorities issued more house demolition notices in area (C).- An agricultural road in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, was closed.- The settlers damaged 62 olive trees and set fire to a wheat field in the south of Hebron.


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Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during

the reporting period 09 15 May 2013.

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child,in the West Bank; 4 civilians were wounded during Israeli dispersal of gatherings of

Palestinian civilians protesting against Israeli forces attacks in the Palestinian residential

areas, while the 4 others, including 2 photojournalists, a paramedic and an 18-year-old boy,

were wounded during peaceful protests against settlement activities and the annexation wall.

On 10 May 2013, Israeli forces wounded a 21-year-old young man by a bullet in the right knee

when Israeli forces moved into the southwest of Hebron.

On the same day, 2 civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar

village, north of Hebron.

On 14 May 2013, a child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right thigh

when Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.

Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests

organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the

annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians,

including 2 photojournalists, a paramedic and an 18-year-old boy, were wounded in

Ramallah on 10 May 2013.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 61 military incursions into

Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at

least 47 Palestinians, including 13 children and a woman.

Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions into the Gaza Strip. The first incursion was

conducted on 02 May 2013 in the northeast of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The

second incursion was conducted on 08 May 2013 in the northeast of Jabalia, in the north of the

Gaza Strip.

Restrictions on movement:

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 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 not only caused a humanitarian crisis, but also a human rights crisis and the

erosion of human dignity for the people of the Gaza Strip. Recently-declared measures to ease


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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 on Israel, unable to

care for themselves, and socially, culturally, and academically isolated from the rest of the

world.

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, Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings

between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing for 4 consecutive

days because of Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected the entry of goods,

construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza Strip. It also has a detrimentalimpact on the living conditions of Palestinian civilians. As a result, thousands of Palestinian

workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover,

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, a direct violation of international

humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and

property.

On Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by 4 military vehicles and a vehicle of

the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Khashem al-Karm area in the southeast of

Hebron. The Civil administration officer handed notices to 8 Palestinians from al-Najada

family, ordering them to halt construction work in their houses.

On Saturday, 11 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil

Administration and a bulldozer, moved into al-Khader village, in the southwest of

Bethlehem. The bulldozer closed the agricultural road, which links Ayn Masoura, Thaher al-

Ziah and Ayn Qesis areas which are located to the west of the afore-mentioned village, usinghuge rocks and piles of sand.

On Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by 3 military vehicles and a vehicle of

the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into the Kherbat Um al-Khair area, east of Yatta in the

south of Hebron. A Civil Administration officer placed a notice, ordering to stop the

operation of a water well of 70 cubic metres, under the pretext that it was not licensed by

Israeli authorities. The well is the property of Belal Salem Eid Hathaleen.


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Violations committed by settlers

On Thursday, 09 May 013, a group of settlers from Maon settlement, established on

Palestinian civilians lands in the east of Yata, in the south of Hebron, broke 62 olive trees

with their hands and using chainsaws. Also, the settlers wrote racist slogans in the

agricultural lands surrounding al-Tawani village, east of Yata. The trees, aged 30 years, are

the property of Khader Ibrahim al-Amour and Kayed Ibrahim al-Amour.

On Sunday, 12 May 2013, the security official at Efrat setlement, established on lands of al-

Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, denied Nader Jouda Mahmoud Sobaih (35) and his

wife access to their farmland, which is located in Marsie and is near the settlements

barbwire. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Nader Sobaih said that the settlements

security denied him access to his land of 15 dunums, which is planted with grapevines. He

added that the soldiers confiscated his ID card and asked him to provide a previously-

obtained coordination and a permit to enter the land, otherwise, he will be arrested and

prosecuted under the pretext that it is a settlement-owned land.

On Monday, 13 May 2013, a group of setlers from Maon setlement burnt a wheat crop in

Ali Ibrahim Ali Awads 2-dunum land.

On Tuesday, 14 May 2013, a group of setlers from Efrat settlement moved into agricultural

lands in the Thaher al-Ziah area, west of al-Khader village. The settlers performed prayers by

one of the irrigation water wells. The settlers dived in the water well and raised the Israeli

flag on top of it. It should be mentioned that the settlers, within the past weeks, raided many

areas that included water springs and performed Talmudic rituals under the pretext that its

water is holy, in preparation to confiscating it and establishing settlements in their

surrounding area.


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Israeli violations documented during the reporting period 09 15 May 2013

1. Incursions into Palestinian areas, and attacks on Palestinian civilians and propertyin the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 09 May 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura,southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in the centre of

the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman Ali

Soliman Etbeish (33), one of the prominent figures in Islamic Jihad Movement, and

arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets forsome time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Burqeen village, west of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets, raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Attallah

Mohammed Naji Sabah (54), and arrested his two sons; Walid (22) and Ahmed (19).

Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Wasef

Mohammed Qash (17) and arrested him. Israeli forces then raided and searched a house

belonging to the family of Hatim Mansour Mosad Abu Khalid (20) and arrested him.

They then took the aforementioned arrested persons to an unknown destination.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrestswere reported.

At approximately 11:45, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Mothalath al-Aqba area, south ofDoura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed in farmlands

located in al-Maqafah area, where some boys and young men gathered and threw

stones and empty bottles at them. Israeli soldiers chased the stone throwers across thefarmlands and between houses, and fired sound bombs; tear gas canisters; and rubber-

coated metal bullets at them. As a result, dozens of young men suffered tear gas

inhalation.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into Faqoua village, northeast of Jenin.They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither houses raids nor

arrests were reported.


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At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia village, southwest ofRamallah. They patrolled the streets in a provocative manner, where some boys gathered

and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets,

sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas

inhalation. At approximately 22:15, Israeli forces withdrew. Neither house raids nor


At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Jelqamous, southeast of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor


Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beitin, north east of Ramallah. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

Friday, 10 May 2013

At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Tholth village, east of Qalqilya.They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of

Mahmoud Amin Shawahneh (41). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him

to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that Shawahneh is a Palestinian

Preventive Security Service officer.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Aranah village, north of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Silet al-Thaher village, south of Jenin.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor


At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor



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At approximately 10:00, Israeli forced moved into Beitello, northwest of Ramallah. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.They patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in Mothallath Ein area. Some boys

gathered, set fire to tyres and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who in

response fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a

result, a 22-year-old young man was wounded by a bullet to the back of his head and a 21-

year-old young man was wounded by many bullets throughout his body. They both were

taken by a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to Hebron governmental

hospital

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aqaba village, south of Doura,southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed in the area. Some boys

gathered, set fire to tyres and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who in

response fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a

result, a 21-year-old young man was wounded by a bullet to the right knee. He was taken

by a PRCS ambulance to Hebron governmental hospital.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafiret village, southwest of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Aneen village, northwest of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north ofHebron. They patrolled the streets and then stationed themselves in the centre of the

camp. They deployed between the houses instilling fear in the civilians, who live in the

area. Dozens of boys and young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers,

who in response randomly fired rubber-coated metal bullets; sound bombs; and tear gas

canisters. As a result, some of the young men suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces

later withdrew, and neither house damages nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest ofRamallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house

raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Teirah village, west of Ramallah. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.


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Saturday, 11 May 2013

At approximately 12:50, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, east of Qalqilya. Theypatrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They handed 3 civilians notices

ordering them to refer to the Israeli intelligence service on 16 May 2013 in Eyal crossing,

north of Qalqilya. The persons in question were identified as: Adham Ahed Shamasneh

(21); Anwar Aref Salim (22); and Rashad Salim (22).

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. Theyraided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Iyad Jehad Tmeiza (25) Nasim

Nedal Imreizeq (30) and transferred them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into the Old Town of Hebron. They raidedand searched a house belonging to the family of Wesam Darweesh Abu Rumouz (18).

They arrested him and transferred him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the centre of Hebron. They raided andsearched a house belonging to the family of Ayed Asad Fakhri Maraqa (44) and arrested

him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Baqa area, east of Hebron. They raidedand searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Badran Bader Jaber (29) and arrested

him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beitummar village, north of Hebron. Theyraided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Nassri Rashid Sabarna (20)

and arrested him.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Aneen village, northwest of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 19:40, Israeli forces moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets andraided and searched a number of houses from which they detained some of the residents.

Israeli forces arrested Omer Abdel al-Rahim al-Hanbali (42) from Rafidya

neighbourhood, west of the city, took him to an unknown destination, and confiscated his

laptop.


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Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qalil village, southeast of Nablus.They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested

Tahrir Sati Yousif al-Qanni (35), a former prisoner who had been released in the Gilad

Shalit swap deal, and her brother Saddam (25) and transferred to an unknown

destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jaberiyat area, south of Jenin. Theypositioned themselves near Jenin refugee camp, while a number of soldiers sneaked in

and raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ibrahim Eid Amer (38), a

Palestinian police officer. They searched the house and arrested him. They then raided

and searched another house belonging to the family of Raed Amin Mohammed Dabya

(34), an officer in the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, and arrested him as well.

Some eyewitnesses said to a PCHR fieldworker that an exchange of fire occurred between

the Israeli soldiers and Palestinian armed persons during the raids on the 2 houses. As a

result, Israeli forces received back-up units and positioned themselves around the refugee

camp. In addition, there was a helicopter hovering in the sky. At approximately 06:00,

Israeli forces withdrew taking the 2 arrested persons to an unknown destination. It

should be noted that the arrested persons used to be members of al-Aqsa Martyrs

Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah movement, and that they received an amnesty

according to an agreement between the Palestinian authority and Israel in 2007.

According to the agreement, Israel stops the pursuit of these persons, while they hand

their firearms to the Palestinian Authority and join its services.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the eastern al-Mazraa village, northeastof Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the

family of Raed Issa Hosni Abdul Aziz (20). They arrested him and transferred him to al-

Masqoubiya detention facility in occupied Jerusalem.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. Theypatrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khader

Taye al-Sharif (30). They arrested him and transferred him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jericho. They patrolled the streets forsome time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. Theyraided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nedal Hamad Eqab Nawajha (32)

and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jelgamous village, southeast of Jenin.They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Walid Mohammed Ahmed

al-Hajj (50), Imam of the village mosque. They arrested him and transferred him to an

unknown destination.


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At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. Theyraided and searched a house belonging to the family of Naim Jaber Mohammed Nassar.

They arrested his 2 sons: Bara (22) and Baha (21).

At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qoud village, west of Jenin. Theyraided a house belonging to the family of Saed Thabet Mohammed Abu Ebeid (34), who

was not home. His father said to a PCHR fieldworker that an Israeli officer handed him a

notice for his son to go to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility,

northwest of Jenin. In addition, the officer orally ordered the father to make his son

surrender within 10 days otherwise he would be killed. Furthermore, Israeli forces raided

a house belonging to the family of Anas Mohammed Merwe Eweis (27) and arrested him.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest ofHebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of stores. They withdrew later.

Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Burqeen village, west of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Silet al-Daher village, south of Jenin.They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Ehab Sadeq

Hussein Rahhal (24). They handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service

in Salem detention facility, northwest of Jenin. They also raided another house belonging

to the family of Nazmi Tayseer Abu Diyak (29) and handed him a similar notice. Israeli

forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Funduqomiya village, southwest ofJenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids

nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:15, officers of Israeli Intelligence service, located in Ghosh Ezionsettlement complex, south of Bethlehem, arrested Ali Ahmed Ali Salah (26) from al-

Khader village, south of the city. It should be noted that Israeli forces had earlier handed

the aforementioned a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service.

Monday, 13 May 2013

At approximately 00:45, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets andraided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Adnan Dawoud Enayah

(30). They arrested the aforementioned person, confiscated his laptop, and took to an


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unknown destination. It should be mentioned that the arrested person is a Palestinian

Preventive Security Service officer.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor


Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. Theyraided a house belonging to the family of Rafat KHaled al-Jbour (20) and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beitummar village, north of Hebron.They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Ammar Mohammed

al-Alami (19) and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Asida village, north of Hebron. Theyraided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nassri Sabarna. An Israeli officer

called the aforementioned person and informed him of the necessity to go with his 4 sons:

Sharid, Ahmed, Roshdi and Yusef to Gosh Ezion settlement, south of Bethlehem. In the

meantime, some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers,

who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As

a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Yabad village, southwest of Jenin. Theyraided a number of houses and arrested 7 civilians:

1. Mousa Wafi Mohammed Hamarsha (22);2. Ouday Yusef Mohammed Hamarsha (22);3. Hadi Mohammed Tawfiq Abadi (22);4. Wesam Refqi Hussein Amarna (22);5. Islam Adel Said Mitani (22);6. Islam Mohammed Sabri Turkman (21); a student at the al-Quds Open university,

and

7. Iyad Fahim Said Qabha (41)The first 5 ones are students at the Arab American University in Jenin.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved into Naalin village, west of Ramallah. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Ertah suburb, south of Tulkarm. Theypatrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests

were reported.

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Beitin village, northeast of Ramallah.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor



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At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Oja village, northeast of Jericho.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor


Tuesday, 14 May 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beitummar village, north of Hebron.They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. They raided a house

belonging to the family of Saif Nasim Mahmoud Sabarna (18) and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beituniya village, west of Ramallah.They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north ofHebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in the centre of the camp. A

number of boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired

rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 16-year-

old boy was wounded by a bullet in the right thigh. He was taken to Hebron

governmental hospital.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested Hakam Nasser al- Alami (16), fromBeitummar, north of Hebron, as he headed with his mother from Bethlehem to Kofur

Ezion police station, south of the city. An Israeli officer called the mother and informed

her it was necessary to bring her son to the mentioned police station. When they arrived

there, the Israeli soldiers asked the mother to leave and that her son was under arrest.

Wednesday, 15 May 2012

At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north ofHebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in the streets of the camp.

A number of boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response

fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a

number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither

house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aqba village, south of Dura,southwest of Hebron. When they deployed along the main street, a number of boys

gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails. As a result, a military vehicle turned

over and was on fire, and Israeli soldiers randomly fired bullets at the boys. At

approximately 15:00, more than 20 vehicles moved into the al-Mawafah area and al-

Tabaqa village, south of the city, and patrolled the streets. Israeli soldiers deployed

around houses and raided a number of houses and climbed on its top. The raided

houses belong to: Wasef Abdel al-Jlail al-Rajai, Rezeq Rashed Hreibat, and Jaafar

Mahmoud al-Atrash. The Israeli soldiers also searched a number of houses and arrested

more than 45 children, who were detained near al-Tabaqa prime school. The detained


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children were questioned on the spot for hours and then were released. However, 11

children were arrested and taken to an unknown destination. The arrested children

were identified as: Saed Taysir Abu Atwan; Ramzi Zaher Abu Hawwash; Raafat Zaher

Abu Hawwash; Mosab Munir Abu Zaanounah; Ihab Hakam al-Hreibat; Bahaa Hakam

al-Hreibat; Osama Ismail Abu Ras; Moataz Omar Abu Ras; Wisam Mousa Abu Ras;

Islam Mohammed Hammad Abu Atwan; and Hani Hamad Abu Atwan.

2.Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities andthe construction of the annexation wall

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful

demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights

defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in

the West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds. The wounded

civilians are: two photographers for popular committees against the wall and settlement

activity, a paramedic and an 18-year-old boy.

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity

At noon on Friday, 10 May 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israelihuman rights defenders, and civilians from Silwad and Deir Jarir villages gathered in al-

Shakara agricultural area, in the northeast of Ramallah. The Muslim members of the group

performed the Friday Prayer on lands which are threatened with confiscation for the

expansion of Ofra settlement, which is established on the lands of Aiyn Yabroud village.

Afterwards, the crowd made their way towards the Khelat al-Sultan area, adjacent to the

al-Shakara area, where settlers have occupied two old houses known as al-Kousour, which

belong to inhabitants of Silwad village. Upon arrival in the area, Israeli forces fired liveammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs at the

demonstrators and chased them into the entrance of Silwad. As a result, an 18-year-old

male, who sustained two metal bullet wounds to the left side of the head. He was

transferred to Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah for treatment.

Following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israelihuman rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bilin village, west of

Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The

demonstrators marched through the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for

national unity, raised Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners, and made their waytowards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances to

the village since early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, and international

activists from joining the protest. The demonstrators walked along the wall and attempted

to breach it. Israeli forces stationed in the area, and dozens of soldiers who were deployed

along the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound

bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at the demonstrators, and chased them across

olive fields. As a result, Haitham Mohammed Jamal al-Khatib (37) was hit to the right hand

by a tear gas canister. Al-Khatib is a photographer for the Popular Committee in Bilin,


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and a volunteer in BTselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the

Occupied Territories. Furthermore, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas

inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international andIsraeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nilin village, westof Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and

in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails. The

demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall

gate with barbed wire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind

the barbed wire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at

the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets,

sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across fields of olive trees as far as

the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas

inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, and Israeli andinternational human rights activists gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village,

northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the

annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands

that Israeli settlers from the nearby Halmish settlement are trying to seize. From the

morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians,

international activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival

in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and

tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them with waste

water. As a result, Belal Abdul-Salam Tamimi (47) sustained a metal bullet wound in theright arm. Tamimi is a photographer for the Popular Committee against the Wall and

Settlement Activity in Nabi Saleh and a volunteer in BTselem - The Israeli Information

Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. Also, Ahmed Naser (25) was hit to

the left leg by a tear gas canister; he is a paramedic.

Following Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Masra village, south of Bethlehem,international and Israeli human rights activists, and activists in the Popular Resistance

Committees gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of

the annexation wall and settlement activity. The demonstration started outside Shomou

Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. The demonstration was titled: Day of Wrathfor al-Aqsa Mosque. The participants carried Palestinian flags and roamed the streets of

the village. Israeli soldiers, who were backed-up by members of the border guards and

Israeli special police, intercepted the demonstrators, prohibited them from accessing the

wall, and fired tear gas canisters at them; as a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered

from tear gas inhalation.


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At approximately 13:30 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international humanrights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Kadoum

village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of

the village which has been ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Upon their

arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters; as a result,

many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also, fire broke out in Essam al-

Qadoumis yard after a tear gas canister was dropped in it. Additionally, Israeli soldiers

chased Palestinian civilians in an attempt to arrest them, but none were reported.

3.Continued closure of the oPtIsrael 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 more than 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.

Israeli forces have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making the Karm Abu Salemcrossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for

commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed at preventing economicdevelopment in the Gaza Strip, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and

exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar (Karni) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affectedthe economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial

establishments in the 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 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 GazaCity, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the

beginning of 2010.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to theGaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw

materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of

the Gaza Strip.


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The cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the GazaStrip. This crisis started on 04 January 2010, when Israeli authorities completely closed the

Nahal Oz crossing, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies

to Gaza. They then shifted the transport of fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu

Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive enough quantities of fuel to meet Gaza

needs. The Karm Abu Salem crossing, when operating at full capacity, can receive only 200

tonnes of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of the people living in the Gaza Strip continue to depend onhumanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies. The number of families

who are living below the poverty line has continued to increase. Approximately 40% of

Gazas manpower continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as the majority of

Gazas businesses have closed down.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from the GazaStrip, especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening businesses.

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 products which are allowed to be exported from the Gaza Strip.

For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery ofconstruction materials to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli forces

approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of

international organisations.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority ofPalestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited

number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has

continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed

to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or

in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the

crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats,journalists, and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.


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Beit Hanoun ( Erez ) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is dedicated for the

movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing

08 -15 May 2013

Category 08 May 09 May 10 May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 May

Patients 29 33 8 - 39 44 - -

Companions 25 33 8 - 40 46 - -

Personal needs 28 25 26 - 22 29 - -

Families of prisoners - - - - - 25 - -

Arabs from Israel 17 8 7 - 30 15 - -

Diplomats - - - - - - - -

International journalists 1 - - - 1 - - -

International workers 22 50 23 - 9 35 - -

Deceased 1 - - - 1 - - -

Travellers abroad - 1 - - - - - -

Businesspeople 94 74 1 - 110 114 - -

Business meetings - - - - - - - -Security interviews 2 - - - 2 - - -

VIPs - - 1 - 3 9 - -

Ambulances to Israel 1 4 1 - 2 2 - -

Ambulances from Israel 3 1 - - - 3 - -

Note:

Israel closed the crossing on Tuesday, 14 May 2013, and Wednesday, 15 May 2013, due to

Jewish holidays.

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

05 - 18 May 2013

Day Date Travelling abroad Coming into Gaza Returning to GazaWednesday 08 May 2013 447 592 8

Thursday 09 May 2013 718 1189 43

Friday 10 May 2013 477 438 21

Saturday 11 May 2013 765 507 83

Sunday 12 May 2013 789 513 58

Monday 13 May 2013 649 462 45

Thursday 14 May 2013 804 500 58

Imports through Rafah international crossing point

06-12 May 2013Day Date Category Number of trucks Amount

Monday 06 May 2013 Construction aggregate 20 trucks

Tuesday 07 May 2013 Base course 17 trucks 425 tons

Tuesday 07 May 2013 Construction aggregate 20 trucks

Wednesday 08 May 2013 Construction aggregate 20 trucks

Wednesday 08 May 2013 Base course 36 trucks 900 tons

Thursday 09 Mays 2013 Construction aggregate 20 trucks

Sunday 12 May 2013 Construction aggregate 16 trucks


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Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing

06-13 May 2013

Imports:

Date

Imports

Category

Amount

Tons Number Litres

06 May 2013

Foodstuffs 1,035

Agricultural materials 1612

Various goods

Cartons of clothes

Refrigerators

Cows

Water tanks

Cars

Birds

Generators

TyresWashing machines

Air conditioners

Glass boards

Cartons of shoes

1,857

1,222

194

365

244

33

118

31

1,260186

765

1,960

616

Humanitarian aid 6,293

Cooking gas 175,150

Diesel (for UNRWA) 102,900

07 May 2013

Foodstuffs 978

Agricultural materials 1,665

Various goods

Cartons of clothesRefrigerators

Air conditioners

Washing machines

Cartons of shoes

Fans

Electricity poles

Glass boards

2,026

1,041291

421

152

616

1,980

200

1,560


Cooking gas 152,230

08 May 2013

Foodstuffs 587


Various goods

Cartons of clothes

Air conditioners

Refrigerators

Electric stairway

Cars

Water tanks

Glass boards

Washing machines

Generators

1,635

999

160

148

7

33

76

1,040

318

1


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Cooking gas 154,610

09 May 2013

Foodstuffs 848


Various goods

Cartons of clothes

RefrigeratorsSolar tanks

Glass boards

Cartoons of shoes

Washing machines

Tyres

Air conditioners

Cows

Electric ovens

1,850

661

158666

756

460

118

1,049

154

565

1,284


Cooking gas 175,940

12 May 2013

Foodstuffs 783Agricultural materials 1,270

Various goods

Cartons of clothes

Air conditioners

Refrigerators

Bakery ovens

Tyres

Solar tanks

Electricity poles

Cartons of shoes

Glass boards

1,575

230

713

128

14

600

344

200

294

1,040Humanitarian aid 4,096

Cooking gas 173,390

13 May 2013

Foodstuffs 898


Various goods

Cartons of clothes

Washing machines

Refrigerators

Glass boards

Cartoons of shoes

Solar tanks

Fans

Cars

1,490

500

96

118

1,040

573

150

1,800

33


Cooking gas 150,910


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Exports:

On Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the export of 1 truckload that included a100 kilograms of tarragon, 100 kilograms of basil, 100 kilograms of mint and 100

kilograms of sage. They also allowed the export of 5 truckloads of plastic containers.

On Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the export of 5 truckloads of plasticcontainers and 1 truckload (8 tonnes) of furniture.

On Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the export of 3 truckloads of plasticcontainers.

On Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the export of 2 truckloads of plasticcontainers, 300 kilograms of basil and 300 kilograms of mint.

Other Imports:

On Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 578 tonnes of cement, 63tonnes of construction steel and 980 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 980

tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector; 1,330 tonnes of construction

aggregates for UNDP; and 840 tonnes of construction aggregated for the GermanDevelopment Bank (GDB). They also allowed the entry of 780 tonnes of fodders and 546

tonnes of wheat.

On Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 256 tonnes of cement, 54tonnes of construction steel and 1,260 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 980

tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector; 980 tonnes of construction

aggregates for the GDB; and 232 tonnes of cement, 34 tonnes of construction steel and 1610

tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1092 tonnes of

fodders and 351 tonnes of wheat.

On Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 300 tonnes of cement and980 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 1,330 tonnes of construction aggregatesfor the private sector; 1,400 tonnes of construction aggregates and 52 tonnes of cement for

the GDB; and 180 tonnes of cement and 1,820 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP.

They also allowed the entry of 819 tonnes of fodders and 273 tonnes of wheat.

On Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 583 tonnes of cement, 65tonnes of construction steel and 1,330 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and

975 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of

819 tonnes of fodders and 429 tonnes of wheat.

On Sunday, 12 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 180 tonnes of cement and 2,730tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 1,120 tonnes of construction

aggregates for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of 585 tonnes of fodders and390 tonnes of wheat.

On Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 364 of cement, 60 tonnes ofconstruction steel and 2590 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 210 tonnes of

construction aggregates for the GDB; and 1,190 tonnes of construction aggregates for the

private sector. They also allowed the entry of 780 tonnes of fodders and 351 tonnes of

wheat.


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Note: Israeli forces closed Karm Abu Salem crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday, 14 and

15 May 2013, for Jewish holidays.

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period,

Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces

established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Loqaya village, west of Ramallah. The

checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 17:00,

they established another checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Aor al-Foqa, southwest of

the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 10 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 17:45, they

established another checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Aor al-Foqa, southwest of the

city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 12 May 2013, Israeli forces on the main road betweenRamallah and al-Bireh and north-eastern villages near Beit Eil setlement around 1

kilometre away from the entrance of al-Jalzone refugee camp. At approximately 18:30,

they established another checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Aor al-Foqa, southwest of

the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported. At

approximately 21:45, they re-established at Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of

Birzeit, north of the city. They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Sanjal village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, they established

another checkpoint under the bridge of Ein Yabrod, northeast of Ramallah. At

approximately 22:00, they established another checkpoint near the entrance of BeitLoqaya, west of Ramallah. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were

reported.

Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces

established a checkpoint at the entrance of Karaza village, south of Dura, southwest of

Hebron. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of

Karmah village, as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road 60, southeast of Dura. At

approximately 15:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Marah al-

Baqar village, south of Dura, southwest of the city. All checkpoints were later removed,and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 10 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. The checkpoint was later removed,

and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 12 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Kharsa village, southeast of Dura, southwest of the city. At approximately


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16:00, another checkpointwas established at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of

Hebron. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Ezna village, west of the city. At approximately 17:00, they established

another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. The two

checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 14 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Saair, east of the city. At approximately 07:30, they established another

checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron. At approximately 15:00,

another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of

Hebron. At approximately 16:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna

village, west of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were

reported.

On Wednesday, 15 May 2013, Israeli forces closed Fqeiqes road between Dura and its

western villages since the early morning under the pretext that it was necessary to secure

settlers celebrations of a Jewish holiday.

Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 09:40 on Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces

established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya and re-established the same

checkpoint at 20:45. At approximately 12:00, they established another checkpoint at the

entrance of Kherbet Seir village, northeast of the city. All checkpoints were later removed,

and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:20 on Saturday, 11 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint

at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya, and they re-established the same

checkpoint at approximately 20:25. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests

were reported.

At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 12 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at

the entrance of Azoun village, east of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no


At approximately 08:20 on Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces moved into theintersection of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 08:35, they established

another checkpoint at the entrance of Jeensafout, east of the city. At approximately 17:00,

they established a checkpoint at the intersection of Hajeh village, northeast of Qalqilya.

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

Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 18:30 on Thursday, 10 May 2013, Israeli forces


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established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shofah village, southeast of Tulkarm. The

checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces

established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanour village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint

was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 11 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint

on the road between the villages of al-Tarm and Kafrit, southwest of Jenin. At

approximately 21:30, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yaabod village,

southwest of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were

reported

Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement ofPalestinian civilians. At approximately 17:20 on Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces

established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Estayah, northwest of Salfit. At

approximately 17:30, they established another checkpoint between kafl Haris village and

Haris village, north of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests

were reported.

Detention at military checkpoints

At approximately 22:00 on Friday, 10 May 2013, Israeli forces establ;ished a checkpoint atArrabah village, south of Jenin. While Bader Esam Ibrah Abu al-Hayjaa (19) was

travelling his car through the checkpoint, he was forced to get out of it, arrested, and

transferred to an unknown destination. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests

were reported.

5. Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Violations committed by Israeli forces

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 09 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by 4military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Khashem al-

Karm area, in the southeast of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer handed notices to

8 Palestinians ordering them to halt construction work on their houses. The houses

belong to:

1. Ibrahim Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established onan area of 120 square metres;

2. Kamla Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established on an area of 20square metres;

3. Ibrahim Kamel al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established on an area of 20square metres;


24/27



4. Adel Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established on anarea of 25 square metres;

5. Ziad Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established on anarea of 25 square metres;

6. Ziad Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established on anarea of 25 square metres;

7. Mohammed Ibrahim Elian al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established onan area of 20 square metres;

8. Amro Mohammed Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is established onan area of 25 square metres;

9. Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim al-Najada, the owner of a house which is establishedon an area of 30 square metres.

At approximately 15:40 on Saturday, 11 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicleof the Israeli Civil Administration and a bulldozer, moved into al-Khader village, in the

southwest of Bethlehem. The bulldozer closed the agricultural road, which links Ayn

Masoura, Thaher al-Ziah and Ayn Qesis areas which are located to the west of the afore-

mentioned village, using huge rocks and piles of sand. In his testimony to a PCHR

fieldworker, Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the Popular Movement against Settlement

Activity, said that Israeli soldiers closed this road almost a year ago, but the settlers re-

opened it in order to reach their agricultural lands, as this road leads up to approximately

4,000 agricultural dunums that belong to the inhabitants of al-Khader village.

Additionally, this closure will hinder the farmers ability to use tractors to transport water

and fertilisers to their crops, especially in this time of the year.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 13 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by 3military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into the Kherbat

Um al-Khair area, east of Yatta, in the south of Hebron. A Civil Administration officer

placed a notice to halt work in a water well of 70 cubic metres, under the pretext that it is

not licensed by the concerned Israeli authorities. The well is the property of Belal Salem

Eid Hathaleen.

Violations committed by settlers

In the early morning hours on Thursday, 09 May 013, a group of setlers from Maonsettlement, established on Palestinian civilians lands in the east of Yatta, in the south of

Hebron, broke 62 olive trees with their hands and using chainsaws. Also, the setlerswrote racist slogans in the agricultural lands surrounding al-Tawani village, east of Yatta.

The trees, aged 30 years, are the property of Khader Ibrahim al-Amour and Kayed

Ibrahim al-Amour. According to eyewitness accounts given to a PCHR fieldworker, at

approximately 08:30 on Thursday the security officer in Maon setlement came to the

scene and started taking pictures of the trees; he did not comment on the incident.

Approximately thirty minutes later, a soldier, in charge of analyzing footprints, started

investigations and announced that 6 people, including a woman, took part in this atack;

he added that another group of people were waiting near the location.


25/27



At approximately 10:15 on Sunday, 12 May 2013, the security official at Efrat setlement,established on lands of al-Khader village, in the southwest of Bethlehem, denied Nader

Jouda Mahmoud Sobaih (35) and his wife access to their farmland, which is located in

Marsie and is near the settlements barbed wire. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,

Nader Sobaih said that the setlements security denied his access to his land of 15

dunums, which is planted with grape vines. He added that the soldiers confiscated his ID

card and asked him to provide a previously-obtained coordination and a permit to enter

the land, or else he will be arrested and prosecuted under the pretext that it is a

settlement-owned land.

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 13 May 2013, a group of setlers from the afore-mentioned Maon settlement burnt a wheat crop in Ali Ibrahim Ali Awad s 2-dunum

land.

In the early morning hours on Tuesday, 14 May 2013, a group of setlers from the afore-mentioned Efrat settlement moved into agricultural lands in the Thaher al-Ziah area,

west of al-Khader village. The settlers performed prayers by one of the irrigation water

wells; they dived in the water well and then raised the Israeli flag on top of it.


26/27



Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR emphasizes the international communitys position that the Gaza Strip and the West

Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is 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 Hamaswon 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.

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 thelatest offensive that lasted for 8 days in November, 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 allavailable 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 Palestiniansin 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 compelIsrael, 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 theCovenant 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 fulfil theirobligation 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;


27/27


6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrenderto 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 Israelisettlement 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 UNSecurity 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 thePalestinian-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 explicitlydeclare 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 theaggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil 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 clearposition 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 AssociationAgreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a

precondition for 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 ofthe 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 DocumentFor further information please visit our website www.pchrgaza.org or contact PCHRs office in Gaza City,Gaza Strip by email [email protected] or telephone +972 08 282 4776 282 5893.

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