[News] Israeli Human Rights Violations in the occupied Palestinian territories (26 February - 04 March 2015)
Anti-Imperialist News
news at freedomarchives.org
Tue Mar 10 11:10:54 EDT 2015
PCHR Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the oPt (26 February
- 04 March 2015)
author Tuesday March 10, 2015 02:08author by PCHR-Gaza
*http://www.imemc.org/article/70856*
Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against
Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian
territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 26 February - 04 March
2015.
*_Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:_*
_Shootings:_
During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian was killed and his
brother was wounded due to the explosion of an object of the Israeli
forces' remnants left during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip. Israeli forces also wounded 14 Palestinian civilians, including 5
children and 2 photojournalists, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip,
Israeli forces continued to chase and target Palestinian fishermen in
the Gaza Strip sea.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and
systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2
photojournalists, were wounded.
In the same context, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were
wounded during other protests organized at the southern entrance of
al-Jalazoun refugee camp and Silwad village near Ramallah, and in Hebron.
On 03 March 2015, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the
right leg when Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin.
In the Gaza Strip, on 28 February 2015, a 21-year-old civilian was
killed and his 17-year-old brother was seriously wounded due to the
explosion of an object of the Israeli forces' remnants left during the
latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. They found that object while
transporting sand from a street near their house to the house by a motor
cart in the east of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
In the context of targeting fishermen, Israeli navy forces opened fire 4
times at Palestinian fishermen and fishing boats in the Gaza Strip sea
on 26 and 27 February and 02 and 04 March 2015. As a result, the
fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, but neither
casualties nor material damage were reported.
_Incursions:_
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 56
military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9
ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested
at least 32 Palestinians, including 11 children. Thirteen of these
Palestinians, including 4 children, were arrested in Jerusalem.
On 02 March 2015, Israeli forces raided the house belonging to Mohammed
Hashayka (23) in Beitounia village, west of Ramallah, to arrest him.
They used sniffer dogs and attacked his family.
_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 8 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 1.8 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. During the reporting period,
Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to
travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian
accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel
for medical treatment.
_*Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property:*_
On 26 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and
accompanied with a vehicles belonging to the Construction and
Organization Department in the Israeli Civil moved into Kherbet al-Majaz
area in the eastern area of Yata, south of Hebron. The Civil
Administration officer handed 2 civilians 2 notices to stop the
construction work in 2 residential tents.
On 28 February 2015, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from
reclaiming their lands in al-Sahlat area, south of Qaryout village,
southeast of Nablus. They claimed that that these lands are located in
"C" areas according to the Oslo accords.
On 03 March 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a vehicle from to the
Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil raided a
stone-pet belonging to Jamil Khalil al-Tarwah on the Hebron-Jerusalem
Road, 300 meters to the north of Beit Ummar village. The Civil
Administration officer claimed that the Israeli authorities handed a
notice to the aforementioned civilian not to construct and expand the
work in the stone-pet in 1998.
On 26 February 2015, the teaching staff of 'Oarif High School for Boys,
southeast of Nablus, was surprised with the attack on the school by a
group of settlers expected to be from "Yatsahar" settlement and writing
slogans against Arabs in addition to drawing David Star at the main
entrance of the school.
On 28 February 2015, a group of settlers from "Metsbi Ya'ir" established
on the Palestinian lands confiscated from southeast of Yata, south of
Hebron uprooted and cut down 180 olive seedlings belonging to Houshiyah
family.
*_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 at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2
photojournalists, were wounded.
In the same context, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were
wounded during protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee
camp, north of Ramallah, Silwad village, northeast of the city, Hebron,
and the eastern entrance of Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested and/or detained for
hours 7 protestors, including 2 Israeli solidarity activists, member of
Hebron Defense Committee and a fieldworker of al-Haq.
*/(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the
Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and
prevent Palestinian civilians from participating)./*
_Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activity_
At approximately 14:15 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, a protest
organized by Palestinian civilians and international solidarity
activists headed from Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, to the
eastern side of the village, which is threatened to be confiscated, near
the main street (55). The protestors chanted slogans against settlement
activities. Once they reached the abovementioned area, Israeli forces
fired sound bombs, and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of
protestors suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also detained
Alaa Mohammed al-Dweiri (20) and Ehab Lo'ay Taha (18) for an hour and a
half.
Following the Friday prayer, on 27 February 2015, in spite of the bad
weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli
human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in
village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities. The protestors marched by the
annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed
behind the wall in the western area, and a large number of soldiers
deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated
steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into
the olive fields. As a result, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were
wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.
Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 4 protestors, including a woman and 2
Israeli solidarity activists. The two Palestinians were taken to Ofer
detention facility, southwest of the city, while the 2 Israeli activists
were taken to an unknown destination. A 17-year-old child sustained a
bullet wound to the right knee and a 39-year-old male sustained a bullet
wound to the head. The detainee were identified as: Abdullah Radhi (40)
and Hanan Shalabi (30).
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a
peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to
the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with
barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land
behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers
fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a
result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and
international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration
in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the
Annexation Wall and Settlement Activities. The demonstrators made their
way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans
against the occupation, and then they headed to the lands that the
settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli
forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to
prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from
participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the
aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas
canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and
were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered
tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat
them up.
Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20, Palestinian
civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in
the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to
the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that
entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The
demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs
and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 2 photojournalists were
wounded:
1. Abdul Rahim Omer Quosini (47), who works for Reuters news agency. He
was hit by a gas canister to the neck.
2. Nidal Sahfiq Taher Ishtaya (41), who works for a Chinese news agency.
He was hit by 3 sound bombs to the right leg, left leg and back. He also
sustained a bullet wound to the thigh.
At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 27 February 2015, a protest organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity
activists in the center of Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, to
the eastern side of the village, which is threatened to be confiscated,
to plant olive seedlings. After the protestors had planted about 30
seedlings, Israeli forces started firing sound bombs and tear gas
canisters. They also detained 2 Israeli activists for 2 hours and
released them after the Israeli police arrived.
_Other demonstrations_
At approximately 11:15 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, a protest
organized by Palestinian civilians to mark the launch of the Democratic
Front headed from Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, to the eastern gate
of the village that has been closed since 1994. They chanted slogans
calling for reopening the gate. Israeli forces immediately fired sound
bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result,
3 Palestinian civilians sustained bullet wounds. A 19-year-old civilian
sustained 2 bullet wounds to the right hand and back, an 18-year-old
civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and another
18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Following the Friday prayer, on 27 February 2015, dozens of Palestinians
gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of
Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass
road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. The protestors set fire
to tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned
road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in
the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 17-year-old child
sustained a bullet wound to the head and an 18-year-old civilian
sustained a bullet to the head too. Both of them were taken to Palestine
Medical Compound in Ramallah.
Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men
gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of
Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of "Beit Eil"
settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a
result, a 16-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to left thigh, a
16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and a
17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh. They were
taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinians and international and Israeli
solidarity activists gathered near Ali mosque, south of Hebron, to
protest against settlement activities, to mark the massacre committed in
the Ibrahimi Mosque and to demand reopening al-Shuhada street. They made
their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting
slogans against the occupation. Once they reached al-Zahed area, Israeli
soldiers deployed in the area and started pushing the protestors and
firing sound bombs. The protestors disperse while some youngsters threw
stones at the soldiers, who fired Toto bullets in response. As a result,
32-year-old Palestinian sustained a bullet wound to the right knee. He
was taken to al-Ahli hospital, where he underwent a surgery. Moreover,
Israeli forces detained Hesham al-Sharabti, a fieldworker of al-Haq, for
2 hours.
At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, dozens of Bir Zeit
university students gathered near Attarah checkpoint, north of Birzait
village, north of Ramallah, to be in solidarity with Lina Hattab. They
proceeded to the checkpoint, but Israeli forces closed it to prevent the
protestors from heading to Oyoun al-Haramiya Street that is used by
settlers. Israeli soldiers started firing sound bombs and tear gas
canisters under the pretext stones were thrown at them. As a result, a
number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained
bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
*_Continued closure of the oPt:_*
Israel continued to impose a tight 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_
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and
close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing 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 to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, 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 affected the 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 Gaza
City, which were 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 the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and
quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do
not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu
Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli
authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza
per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs,
which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip
during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six
weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power
outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.
The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a
result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for
benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further
increased.
For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent
the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago,
Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of
construction materials for a number of international organizations in
the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited
quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on
13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are
used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the
entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a
result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors
related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During
the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014,
Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction
materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been
obstructed so far.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza
Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except
for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the
majority of Palestinian 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.
_West Bank_
*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:*
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on
Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and
no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of
Hebron. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established another
checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron. Later,
both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of
Hebron. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established at the
northern entrance of Dura. At approximately 17:00, a checkpoint was
established at the entrance of Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Dura,
southwest of Hebron. Later, the checkpoints were removed and no arrests
were reported.
At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron (al-Fahs).
Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa'ir village, east of
Hebron. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established at the
northern entrance of Yata, south of the city. Later, both checkpoints
were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 03 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at al-Samou'a village, south of Hebron. At
approximately 07:30, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at
the entrance of al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of the city. Later, both
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 04 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of
Hebron. Later, the checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on
Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Bitello village; meanwhile, they established another one
at the entrance of 'Ein Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ein Yabrud village,
northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00, a similar checkpoint was
established on al-Mo'arajat Road between Jericho and Ramallah. All
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
closed the iron gate of eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah, and prevented civilians from passing. Around the
same time, they established another checkpoint under the bridge of 'Ein
Yabrud village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00, Israeli
forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in
village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, a similar checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh'al, northwest of
Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces
reestablished their existence at ‘Attarah checkpoint on the northern
entrance of Beir Zeit, north of Ramallah. Around the same time, another
checkpoint was established at the entrance of 'Ein sinya village, north
of Ramallah. At approximately 17:30, they established another checkpoint
under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city.
At approximately 20:00, a similar checkpoint was established near the
intersection of "'Ofrah" settlement, north of Ramallah. Later, all
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit 'Oar al-Foqa, southwest
of Ramallah. At approximately 14:30, another checkpoint was established
on the road to al-Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah near "Beit
Eil" settlement under the pretext of training in the area. At
approximately 16:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the
intersection of Beit 'Oar al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. Later,
all checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on
Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance Fasayel village, north of the city. At approximately 20:00,
another checkpoint was established near the entrance of al-Nwei'amah
village, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no
arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on
Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab military
checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus,
east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and
obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no
arrests were reported. The tightening renewed at approximately 13:00 and
19:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015.
At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Far'on village, south of
Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus
near the intersection of Beit Leed village in area called “Abu Martein”,
east of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:20 on Friday,
27 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between the
villages of Kafr al-Deek and Deir Balut. At approximately 13:25, the
checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
*_Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints_*
· At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces
stationed at al-Jalameh checkpoint between Jenin and Israel, northeast
of Jenin, arrested Mohammed 'Asri Fayyad (16) from Jenin when he was
passing through the checkpoint. The Palestinian Military Liaison later
intervened, so he was released.
· At approximately 21:15 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
stationed near "Arayel" settlement, north of Salfit arrested Thaer
Taysir Ya'qoub Naji (25) from Kafr al-Deek village, west of the city. He
was then taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
stationed at the electronic gates of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of
the Old City in the center of Hebron arrested 'Emad Sabri al-Rajabi (19)
under the pretext of disobeying the Israeli soldiers' orders. He was
then taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 13:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces
stationed at Abu al-Rish checkpoint arrested Saqer Bajes Abu Hamdiyah
when he was on his way back from his school that is near the
aforementioned checkpoint. He was taken to al-Ibrahimi Mosque police
station and was released after a while.
· On Monday morning, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians
from Kisan village, east of Bethlehem, while collecting 'Aqoub
(Gundelia) from a Palestinian land near "al-Fardis" settlement. They
detained them for a while and then took them to "Gosh 'Etzion"
settlement bloc, south of the city. The detainees were identified as
'Ayesh 'Abayat (24); 'Omer 'Ayesh 'Abayat (21); Subeih Hasan 'Abayat
(25); Mahmoud 'Awad 'Abayat (24); and Salman Mohammed 'Abayat (21).
· At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 03 March 2-15, Israeli forces
stationed at Abu al-Rish checkpoint established in the southern side of
the old city in Hebron arrested 4 children when they were on their way
to their schools. The four children were released later and handed to
the Palestinian Military Liaison. The children were identified as Nizar
Naser Fayez Ghuneimah (14); Isma'il Sho'ayb Maharmah (14); Ahmed Sa'di
al-Rajabi (14) and Baraa' Khaled al-Madhoun (16).
· Around the same time, Israeli forces deployed in the old city in
Hebron arrested Ihab Maher Abu Mayalah (13) when he was on his way to
his school near al-Ibrahimi Mosque under the pretext of having a
geometric compass. He was taken to "Karyat Arabaa'" settlement, east of
Hebron.
_Arrests at Beit Hanoun "Erez" Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip_
· At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces
stationed at Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing in the northern Gaza Strip
Tariq Ziyad Murtaga (39) from al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. The
aforementioned civilian works in his father's company, Ziyad Murtaga
Company for Electrical Appliances and Mobile Phones. At approximately
10:00, he went to the crossing upon an Israeli request to have a
security interview with him before issuing a permit that would allow him
to pass through Erez Crossing. After waiting for hours in the crossing,
the Israeli soldiers arrested him for unknown reasons.
· At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 02 March 205, Israeli forces
stationed at Beit Hanoun Crossing arrested Mohammed Salah Mohammed Salah
(48), a businessman from al-Sheikh Zayed in Beit Lahia. He also works in
the field of electrical appliances. He was arrested when he was leaving
through Erez crossing with his wife, Rubi Saleh. The arrested person is
so far under arrest. His wife said that she went with her husband, who
got a BMC permit in 2011 and passed via Beit Hanoun crossing dozens of
times. His wife was accompanying him under the name of companion of a
trader. She added that they intended to perform prayers in al-Aqsa
Mosque, and when they arrived at the crossing, Israeli intelligence
offocersasked him for an interview and told the wife to wait. At
approximately 16:30 on the same day, he asked his wife to leave and go
back to Gaza. They also told her that he would be detained for a while
and then released to go back to Gaza. She went back to the Gaza Strip,
and at approximately 18:00 on the same day, she received a phone call
from Ashkelon police telling her that her husband is arrested and
pending investigation for 24 hours.
*_Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East
Jerusalem:_*
· At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
moved into al-Shayyah neighborhood, near Ras al-Amoud neighborhood, east
of East Jerusalem, after some Palestinian youngsters threw Molotov
Cocktails at settlers' guard vehicle that was in the area. They raided
and searched a number of houses and indiscriminately fired sound bombs.
Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither casualties nor arrests were
reported.
· At approximately 20:00 on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces moved
into al-Helwa area in al-Tour neighborhood, east of East Jerusalem,
after some Palestinian youngsters burnt a vehicle belonging to a
settler. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
Palestinian houses and civilians. They withdrew later, and neither
casualties nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces raided
and searched a house belonging to Emad Khalil in al-Thawri
neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They arrested
his son Khalil (23) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces moved
into Bab Hetta neighbourhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem. They
raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3
civilians, including a child: Mansour Ahmed Salim (16); Khalil Mo'men
al-Shawish (23); and Ma'moun Abdullah Gaith (21).
· At approximately 05:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tour neighbourhood, in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a
number of houses from which they arrested 5 civilians, including 2
children: Yusef Tawfiq Abu Jom'a (16), Mahdi Hamza al-Sayyad (16);
Mohanned Mohammed Gaith (19); Basel Mohammed al-Halabi (19); and Kamal
Naser al-Alami (20).
· At approximately 10:00 on the same day also, Israeli forces
accompanied by an undercover unit raided al-Shamela School for boys in
al-Tour neighborhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem. Mr. Mohammed
Abu Ghannam, head of the students' parents committee, said to PCHR's
fieldworker that Israeli forces searched the classrooms, during which a
student panicked. It should be noted that Israeli forces arrested a
group of students, but the school principal and teachers prevented them
from doing so.
· At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of martyr Samer Sarhan in al-Bustan
neighborhood, in Selwan village, south of the Old City of East
Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mohammed (11) and took him to Saladin
police station to be questioned.
· At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 03 March 2015, Israeli forces moved
into al-'Eizariya village, east of East Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses from which they arrested Ali Bassam Odwan
(32) and Dawood Raja Odwan (35). Moreover, Israeli forces handed
summonses to Hashem Abu Zeyad (51) and their 3 sons: Jamil, Nabil and
Ali to refer to the Israeli intelligence service at al-Zaitouna
checkpoint, near the village. It should be noted that Israeli forces
arrested his son, Hamza, 21 months ago.
· At approximately 10:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into Ein
al-Louza in Selwan village, south of the Old City of East Jerusalem,
after some Palestinian youngsters threw stones at settlers' vehicles.
Israeli soldiers immediately fired gas canisters in response and chased
some of the youngsters. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered
tear gas inhalation. In the meantime, Israeli forces arrested Hani
Mohammed Sarhan (22) and took him to an unknown destination.
*_Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property:_*
· At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces
backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicles belonging to
the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil moved
into Kherbet al-Majaz area in the eastern area of Yata, south of Hebron.
The Civil Administration officer handed 2 civilians 2 notices to stop
the construction work. The notices included:
1. A 30-square-meter residential tent belonging to 'Omer 'Ali Khalil
No'aman Abu 'Aram; and
2. A 40-square-meter residential tent belonging to Yaser 'Ali Khalil
No'aman Abu 'Aram.
· At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces
prevented Palestinian farmers from reclaiming their lands in al-Sahlat
area, south of Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus. They claimed that
that these lands are located in areas "C" according to the Oslo accords.
Bashar Qaryouti, member of the village council and who was accompanying
the farmers, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, I arrived with a
group of farmers and volunteers at al-Sahlat area, southeast of Nablus,
to reclaim around 200 dunums of the lands funded by the French
Consulate. These lands are located in front of 'Shillo' settlement
established on the village lands, and there is an Israeli plan to
confiscate and seize these lands. On 17 February 2015, we started
working on this project and stopped for 2 days due to the weather
depression. At the aforementioned hour, we came back to work taking with
us a digger which we brought from Qasrah village. As soon as we started
working, we were surprised by a number of Israeli vehicles accompanied
with a Liaison officer in the area to prevent us from working. They
forced us to leave the area without saying the reasons and asked us not
to come back and work in the land."
· At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 03 March 2015, Israeli forces
accompanied with a vehicle from to the Construction and Organization
Department in the Israeli Civil raided a stone-pet belonging to Jamil
Khalil al-Tarwah. The stone-pet is located on Hebron-Jerusalem Road 300
meters to the north of Beit Ummar village. The Civil Administration
officer claimed that the Israeli authorities handed a notice to the
aforementioned civilian not to construct and expand the work in the
stone-pet in 1998. The Israeli soldiers confiscated a DAF truck
belonging to Khalaf Shaladah and loaded with boxes filled with stones
and took it to "Gosh 'Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem. It should
be mentioned that its owner was told that the truck is under custody.
· At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, the teaching staff of 'Oarif High
School for Boys, southeast of Nablus, was surprised with the attack on
the school by a group of settlers expected to be from "Yatsahar"
settlement and writing slogans against Arabs in addition to drawing
David Star at the main entrance if the school from the northern side of
the school. It should be mentioned that the aforementioned school and
its students have always been subjected to frequent attacks by
"Yatsahar" settlers.
· On Saturday, early morning, 28 February 2015, a group of settlers from
"Metsbi Ya'ir" established on the Palestinian lands confiscated from
southeast of Yata, south of Hebron uprooted and cut down 180 olive
seedlings, which were planted only 30 days ago. Those seedlings
belonging to Houshiyah family are located in al-Swid area, southeast of
Yata, and were planted in 20 dunums of the family lands.
*/Recommendations to the International Community:/*
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza
Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under
Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside
the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces
continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip,
which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections,
in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative
Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of
Israel’s 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, PCHR calls upon the international
community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties
to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of
their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law –
to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to
use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their
right to self-determination, through the establishment of the
Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with
a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including
sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international
protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence
of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva
Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the
Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights
instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize
Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to
incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports
submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva
Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the
Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in
order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the
nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way
for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding
impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal
jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal
jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war
criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop
all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing
sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone
Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the
International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the
Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war
criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to
achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be
built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to
explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the
annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the
two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to
compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure
to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil
its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of
hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian
infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express
a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international
recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the
annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the
EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must
respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between
the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations
and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the
United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to
international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
/Full, detailed document
<http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10889:weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-26-feb-04-mar-2015&catid=84:weekly-2009&Itemid=183>,
including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official
PCHR website./
--
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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