[News] Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (09 – 15 August 2018)
Anti-Imperialist News
news at freedomarchives.org
Fri Aug 17 12:55:01 EDT 2018
http://imemc.org/article/pchr-weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-09-15-august-2018/
Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory (09 – 15 August 2018)
August 16, 2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/*Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes, in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt), for the week of 09 – 15 August, 2018.*/
/Israeli warplanes fired 60 missiles targeting many areas in the Gaza
Strip; a Pregnant woman and her baby were killed, and 25 other
civilians, including 4 children and 4 women, were wounded./
/Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against Palestinian
protestors in the Gaza Strip. 3 Palestinian civilians, including a
volunteer paramedic, were killed, while a civilian succumbed to his
pervious wounds. 157 Palestinian civilians, including 27 children, 2
women, 2 journalists, and 2 paramedics, were wounded; 11 of them
sustained serious wounds./
*_Shooting:_*
Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian
civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized within
the activities of the “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in
the Gaza Strip, which witnessed for the 20^th week in a row peaceful
demonstrations along the eastern and northern Gaza Strip border area.
During the reporting period in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces killed
5 Palestinian civilians, including a 9-month pregnant woman, while
another civilian succumbed to his previous wounds. Moreover, the Israeli
forces wounded 182 civilians, including 31 children, 6 women, 2
journalists, and 2 paramedics. Eleven of those wounded sustained serious
wounds. 157 of the wounded persons, including 27 children, 2 women, 2
journalists, and 2 paramedics, were injured while participating in
Return and Breaking Siege March, while the rest of the wounded persons
were injured during launching airstrikes. In the West Bank, the Israeli
forces wounded 6 civilians, including 2 children. All of those wounded
sustained wounds during the incursions.
In the Gaza Strip, Enas Suleiman Ahmed Abu Khammash (23), a 9-month
pregnant, and her child Bayan Mohammed Kamel Abu Khammash (a year and a
half) were killed after a missile fell over thier house in Wadi al-
Salqa village in the center of the Gaza Strip. Enas’s husband Mohamed
Abu Khammash, who sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his body, rented
the house.
On 10 August 2018, Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians,
including a paramedic, after opening fire at thousands of Palestinian
civilians participated in Return and Breaking Siege March, east of
al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Two of the
above-mentioned civilians were killed on the same day while the 3^rd
one succumbed to wounds he sustained at next day dawn.
In the same context, medical sources announced the death of Wesam Yusuf
Abdullah Hejazi (30), from Khan Younis, while he was at an ambulance in
the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing. Wesam succumbed to wounds he
sustained during his participation in the Return demonstration, east of
the city. Wesam was wounded on 14 May 2018, after being hit with a live
bullet to the head by the Israeli forces while targeting thousands of
participants, who were near the border fence with Israel, east of
‘Abasan al-Kabirah village.
During the reporting period, while using the excessive force against the
peaceful protesters along the Gaza Strip borders, the Israeli forces
wounded 157 Palestinian civilians, including 27 children, 2 women, 2
journalists, and 4 paramedics. Eleven of those wounded sustained serious
wounds.
*Injuries in the Gaza Strip during this Week*
*Governorate* Injuries
Total Children Women Journalists Paramedics Critical Injuries
*Northern Gaza Strip* 35 10 2 0 1 4
*Gaza City* 50 2 0 0 0 0
*Central Gaza Strip* 13 2 0 0 0 1
*Khan Younis* 36 4 0 0 3 3
*Rafah* 23 9 0 2 0 3
*Total* 157 27 2 2 4 11
*As part of targeting the border areas*, on 10 August 2018, Israeli
forces stationed along the border fence between Israel and the Gaza
strip fired an artillery shell at a residential house, southeast of
al-Buraij, in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, the house was
partially damaged, but no casualties were reported.
On 15 August 2018, Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence
between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central
Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian farmers while they were working
in their lands. As a result, the farmers were forced to leave their
lands fearing for their lives, but no casualties were reported.
*As part of* *the airstrikes,* on 04 August 2018, Israeli warplanes
launched dozens of airstrikes at military sites belonging to the
Palestinian resistance groups, civilian targets and open lands, in which
60 missiles were fired. As a result, 25 Palestinian civilians,
including 4 children and 4 women, sustained shrapnel wounds, in addition
to the injury of dozens of civilians due to scattering the glasses. The
Israeli bombing resulted in the destruction of the Sa’ed al-Mishal
Cultural Centre located on ‘Aydiyia Street in Southern al-Rimal
neighborhood, west of Gaza City. The 400-sqaure-meter building was
comprised of 5 floors, which includes the Egyptian community’s office.
The Israeli warplanes directly launched 3 airstrikes at the
abovementioned building, causing material damage to nearby houses and shops.
As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli
forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian
fishermen, pointing out to the ongoing Israeli policy of targeting their
livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 5 shooting
incidents at the fishermen, including 4 in the northern Gaza Strip and 1
in the centre of the Gaza Strip. During these attacks, Israeli naval
forces arrested 5 fishermen from the same family.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces wounded 6 civilians, including 2
children. All of them were wounded during the incursions.
*_Incursions:_*
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 73
military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 4
similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions,
Israeli forces arrested at least 53 Palestinians, including 3 children
and 2 women, in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 18 other civilians, including
10 women, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs. Among those
arrested were a journalist ‘Ali Dar ‘Ali (35), who works as a reporter
at Palestine Channel. ‘Ali was arrested from his house in Barham
village, northwest of Ramallah.
*_Israeli Forces Continued their Measures to Create a Jewish Majority in
occupied East Jerusalem_*
As part of demolishing houses and civilian facilities, on 15 August
2018, the Israeli Municipality demolished a residential building
comprised of 2 under-construction apartments belonging to Nader Nsaer
Abu Riyalah in al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East
Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The Israeli Municipality
fixed a demolition order to the building 2 weeks ago, so his lawyer
headed to the municipality to freeze the order and license the building.
The Israeli bulldozers suddenly demolished the building.
As part of confiscating lands in favor of settlement projects, Israeli
Municipality staff moved into Silwan village, south of Occupied East
Jerusalem’s Old City. They fixed notices to confiscate dozens of dunums
in Wadi al-Rababah and al-‘Abbassya neighborhoods and attached numbered
maps with them showing the parts that are meant to be confiscated under
the pretext of “gardening free lands”. Wadi Hilweh information center in
Silwan issued a statement refuting the Israeli Municipality’s claims.
The statement said that the notices, which were fixed by the Israeli
Municipality staff, threaten dozens of dunums of Silwan village in Wadi
Rababahb, Wadi Hilweh, Be’r Ayoub and al-Nabi Dawood neighborhoods. All
the lands belong to the inhabitants of Silwan, who have all documents
and ownership papers, and some other lands belong to the Greek Orthodox
Church. Wadi Hilweh information center refuted the Israeli
Municipality’s claim that those plots of lands are empty.
*As part of Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against
Palestinian civilians and property*
As part of demolishing crimes, on 09 August 2018, Israeli forces
demolished a shop belonging to ‘Ali al-Shaiekh Khalil (45) in Marj
Na’jah village, north of Jericho. ‘Ali said that he was shocked by the
Israeli forces raiding his shop and then demolishing it without allowing
him to vacate its contents. It should be noted that the shop was built
on an area of 40 square meters and used for selling foodstuffs.
On the same day, engineers and surveyors belonging to the Israeli
authorities started to place signs and markers for a number of places in
Khelet al-Daliya in the center of Nahaleen village, west of Bethlehem,
in order to link the area with the settlement street No. (60). This
street is wrapped around ‘Arqoub 4 villages to reach “Betar Illit”
settlemen, which is established on Khelet al-Daliya lands. The four
villages that have border links with each other are part of the
so-called Arqoub villages, with a total population of 20,000.
On 14 August 2018, Israeli forces demolished an under-construction-house
belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali al-Dabwani (35) in Dir Dabwan village, east
of Ramallah. The house was completely demolished without any warning
under the pretext of non-licensing.The 2-story-house was built on an
area of 250 square meters 5 months ago and was overlooking at “Migron”
settlement, which was established on the lands of Barqa village,
adjacent to Deir Dabwan village.
*_Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S.
President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:_*
Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force for the 20^th
consecutive Friday against peaceful demonstration organized by
Palestinian civilians in in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The
demonstrations were named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking
Siege.” The demonstrations were also in protest against the U.S.
President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. The
demonstrations were as follows during the reporting period:
*_Gaza Strip:_*
* At approximately 16:00 on Friday 10 August 2018, thousands of
civilians swarmed to the Return encampment established by the
Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and
Breaking Siege, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the
southern Gaza Strip. A number of young men approached the border
fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, flew kites, set fire to
tires, and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the
border fence. The Israeli soldiers fired live bullets at them. Two
tanks stationed adjacent to the demonstrators’ gatherings and
heavily opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at them every now
and then at the demonstrators and around them. the clashes continued
until approximately 20:00. As a result, Abdullah Sabri ‘Atiyah
al-Qutati (22), a volunteer paramedic at the Pulse of Life Youth
Team, was killed. At approximately 18:00, al-Qutati was hit with a
live bullet that entered the back and exited the chest. Al-Qutati
was on duty along with his colleagues, who were present among the
demonstrators, to rescue the wounded civilians. It should be noted
that the paramedics, who were wearing the distinctive uniforms that
emphasizes the nature of their work, work with a distance of 30
meters away from the border fence. Al-Qutati immediately died after
his arrival at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, at
approximately 19:00 on the same day. Paramedic Ra’ed al-Sharif said
to PCHR’s fieldworker that he was standing next to Abdullah
al-Qutati on a distance of 15 meters away from the barbed wire,
which is about 50-100 meters into the west of the main border fence.
Moreover, ‘Ali Sa’ed ‘Ali al-‘Aloul (55) was killed after being hit
with a live bullet that penetrated his chest at approximately 17:50.
Al-‘Aloul died after an hour and half of his arrival at Gaza
European Hospital. The clashes further resulted in the injury of 23
civilians, including 9 children and 2 journalists with live bullets
and its shrapnel. The wounded journalists were identified as:
1. Mahmoud Bassam Ahmed al-Jamal (24), a freelance journalist, was hit
with a live bullet shrapnel to the left ear
2. ‘Ala’a Abdul Fattah Ibrahim al-Namlah (35), a reporter at al-Quds
Network, was hit with a live bullet to the right leg.
The wounded civilians were taken to the medical point in the Return
demonstrations and then transferred Abu Yusuf al-Najjar Hospital in
Rafah and Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis. Doctors classified 3
civilians’ injuries as serious. In addition, dozens of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures after tear gas canisters were
heavily fired by the soldiers stationed along the border fence and by
drones hovering over the protesters. An ambulance also was hit with a
live bullet to the left door, which led to breaking its window. At
approximately 03:30 on Saturday, 11 August 2018, medical sources at Gaza
European Hospital in khan Younis announced the death of Ahmed Jamal
Suleiman Abu Louli (31) succumbing to his wounds after being hit with 3
live bullets to the pelvis. Ahmed underwent a surgery that continued for
5 hours as he received 30 blood units. Ahmed then stayed at the ICU
until his death was announced.
* Around the same time, hundreds of civilians swarmed to the Return
encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the
Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, east of Malakah
intersection, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City in
the 20^th consecutive Friday titled “Freedom and Live.” The
activities included raising flags, chanting national slogans,
setting fire to tires and flying kites. Though the demonstrations
were fully peaceful, Israeli forces stationed behind the border
fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel deliberately and randomly
fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a
result, 48 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. Thirty
eight of them were hit with live bullets and its shrapnel, 10 were
hit with tear gas canisters.
* Around the same time, hundreds of civilians swarmed to the Return
encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the
Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, 400 meters away from the
border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in
the central Gaza Strip. Dozens of them approached the border fence,
set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed
behind sand barriers along the border fence. The Israeli forces
fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the participants. The
clashes continued until approximately 20:30 on the same day. As a
result,13 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. Eleven of
them were hit with live bullets and 2 were hit with tear gas
canisters. The wounded civilians were taken via ambulances belonging
to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir
al-Balah. Doctors classified their injuries between minor and moderate.
* Around the same time, thousands of civilians swarmed to the Return
encampment, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Younis, to
participate in the demonstrations established by the Supreme
National Authority for “the Great March of Return and Breaking
Siege”. They chanted national slogans and flew kites and balloons as
hundreds of them, including women and children, approached the
border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel and set fire. A
number of them attempted to throw stones at Israeli forces. The
Israeli tanks stationed adjacent to the demonstrators’ gathering and
heavily opened fire every now and then at the participants in order
to disperse them. The Israeli snipers further deliberately and
selectively targeted the participants in the back rows, who were
about 200 meters away from the border fence The shooting continued
until 20:00 on the evening. They also fired tear gas canisters at
them. he clashes continued until approximately 20:00 on the same
day. As a result, 36 civilians, including 4 children and 3
paramedics, were wounded. Twenty three of them were hit with live
bullets and 7 others were hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded
civilians were transferred to Gaza European and Algerian Hospitals
in Khan Younis. Doctors classified 3 civilians’ injuries as serious.
* At approximately 16:30, hundreds of Palestinian swarmed to the
Return encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for
the Great March of Return, east of Abu Safiyah Hill, northeast of
Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. The protestors raised
Palestinian flags, chanted national slogans and set fire to tires.
Dozens of them approached the border fence between the Gaza Strip
and Israel and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the
border fence. The Israeli forces deliberately and randomly fired
live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. The clashes
continued until approximately 20:30 on the same day. As a result, 33
civilians, including 9 children, 2 women, and a paramedic, were
wounded. Twenty nine of them were hit with live bullets and its
shrapnel and 4 were hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded
civilians were transferred via ambulances belonging to PRCS, Medical
Services, and the Ministry of Health to the Indonesian and al-‘Awda
Hospitals. Doctors classified 4 civilians’ injuries as serious. The
wounded paramedic identified as Khalid Hasan Ibrahim Ayoub (56), a
paramedic at the Civil Defense from Beit Lahia, was hit with a tear
gas canister to the back.
* At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 11 August 2018, Israeli forces
stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel,
east of Malakah intersection, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east
of Gaza City, opened fire at a group of civilians participating in
the March of Return and Breaking Siege activities. As a result, 2
civilians were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs.
* At approximately 16:25 on Sunday, 12 August 2018, Israeli forces
stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel,
east of Abu Safiyah Hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza
Strip, opened fire at a number of civilians participating in the
March of Return and Breaking Siege activities. As a result, 2
civilians, including a child, were wounded.
*_Civilian Succumbed to his Wounds:_*
* At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 12 August 2018, medical sources
announced the death of Wesam Yusuf Abdullah Hejazi (30), from Khan
Younis, while he was in an ambulance in the Egyptian side of Rafah
crossing. Wesam succumbed to wounds he sustained during his
participation in the Return demonstration, east of the city.
According to PCHR’s fieldworker, Wesam died at an ambulance in the
Egyptian side of Rafah crossing. Wesam returned to the Gaza Strip
after a failed attempt to send him to Turkey for medical treatment.
Wesam’s family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Wesam, who is married
and has a child, was wounded on 14 May 2018, after being hit with a
live bullet to the head by the Israeli forces while targeting
thousands of participants, who were near the border fence with
Israel, east of ‘Abasan al-Kabirah village. During the
demonstrations that were organized on 14 May 2018, tents were
established for one day. Israeli forces used excessive lethal force
killing 16 civilians and causing injuries to dozens of civilians.
Many civilians sustained serious injuries, including Hejazi, who was
hit with a live bullet to the head. Doctors classified his injury as
serious and he entered into a comma in the ICU section at Gaza
European Hospital. Wesam also underwent several surgeries, during
which he stayed unconscious. The family mentioned that on 01 August
2018, Wesam obtained a medical referral to travel to Nasser
Institute For Research and Treatment in Egypt, so that he would then
be transferred to Turkey due to prior coordination. However,
hospitals in Egypt refused to receive Wesam for his serious health
condition. The family was then forced to admit him to Al-Sefarat
Hospital in Cairo, which is a special hospital, until the travel
procedures complete in Turkey. However, Wesam could not travel due
to the refusal of the Egyptian Airline to transfer him. Therefore,
the family was forced to bring Wesam Back to the Gaza Strip. He
arrived at approximately 17:00 on Saturday, at the Egyptian Hall
and stayed there until approximately 22:30 on the same day and his
death was announced inside the crossing.
*_West Bank:_*
* At approximately 13:40 on Friday, 10 August 2018, a group of
Palestinian civilians moved from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqiliyah, to the eastern entrance to the village, which has been
closed for 15 years in favor of the entrance to /“Kedumim”/ The
protestors chanted national slogans demanding to end the occupation,
condemning the decisions to demolish Khan al-Ahmer Bedouin Community
and deporting the inhabitants, and condemning the Israeli forces’
crimes against Palestinian protestors along the eastern border of
the Gaza Strip within “The Great March of Return and Breaking the
Siege” activities. Several representatives of national factions in
the northern West bank and a number of foreign and Israeli
activists participated in the demonstration. The Israeli forces
dispersed the demonstrators by firing live and rubber bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 50-year-old
civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the chest. The Israeli
forces also detained a PRCS ambulance in addition to other vehicles
near the demonstration area. The soldiers used these vehicles as
shields to hide behind them. they also prevented journalist Ja’far
Ishtiyah from recording the incidents.
*_House Demolitions and Notices:_*
* On Wednesday, 15 August 2018, the Israeli Municipality demolished a
residential building comprised of 2 under-construction apartments
belonging to Nader Nsaer Abu Riyalah in al-‘Issawiyia village,
northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of
non-licensing. Mohamed Abu al-Humus, Member of the Follow-up
Committee in al- ‘Issawiyia village, said that Israeli forces
accompanied with bulldozers and Israeli Municipality staff moved
into al- ‘Issawiyia village and completely surrounded the schools’
street. After that, the Israeli forces demolished the building,
which was comprised of 2 apartments and belongs to Nader Abu Riyalah
and his mother. He added that the building was built a year ago and
it was sheltering his family, which includes many persons with
disabilities. He pointed out that the Israeli Municipality fixed a
demolition order to the building 2 weeks ago, so his lawyer headed
to the municipality to freeze the order and license the building.
The Israeli bulldozers suddenly demolished the building.
*_Confiscating Lands in Favor of Settlement Projects_*
* On Saturday morning, 11 August 2018, Israeli Municipality staff
moved into Silwan village, south of Occupied East Jerusalem’s Old
City. They fixed notices to confiscate dozens of dunums in Wadi
al-Rababah and al-‘Abbassya neighborhoods and attached numbered maps
with them showing the parts that are meant to be confiscated under
the pretext of “gardening free lands”. The notices that were fixed
included: “the Israeli Municipality chief wants to use his powers
according to paragraph (2) of the law of local authorities
(temporary use of an empty plot of land) in 1987. The Israeli
Municipality claimed that the gardening activities include ”
planting trees, installing a network and irrigation channel, making
geotechnical strips, developing landscapes, arranging roads for
walking, and Installing seating areas.”
Wadi Hilweh information center in Silwan issued a statement refuting the
Israeli Municipality’s claims. The statement said that the notices,
which were fixed by the Israeli Municipality staff, threaten dozens of
dunums of Silwan village in Wadi Rababahb, Wadi Hilweh, Be’r Ayoub and
al-Nabi Dawood neighborhoods. All the lands belong to the inhabitants of
Silwan, who have all documents and ownership papers, and some other
lands belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. Wadi Hilweh information
center refuted the Israeli Municipality’s claim that those plots of
lands are empty and explained that all the lands are planted with olive
trees, fig and berries for decades. The statement pointed out that the
Israeli authorities have prevented the residents from planting new trees
for years, in addition to arresting and threatening them by the “Nature
Authority” when they work to improve the infrastructure in their lands.
Israeli bulldozers also level lands and demolish the facilities
established on the lands, especially in the areas of Wadi al-Rababah,
where the authorities consider them as “public parks”.
Wadi Hilweh information center added in its statement that the Israeli
Municipality claims that the confiscation order for gardening purposes
will be temporary, for 5 years. The center explained that the Israeli
authorities, whether the Municipality, or the Nature Authority, or the
Antiquities Authority, seize the lands of Silwan village in various
ways, especially that the lands included in the notices are considered
as the most targeted lands in the village in favor settlement projects.
Excavation works were conducted on Silwan village’s lands in order to
establish a pedestrian bridge, which will link al-Thawri neighborhood
and al-Nabi Dawood area, passing through Wadi al-Rababah Valley. In
addition, construction works were conducted in the area to build a
restaurant and paths for settlers and tourists, in addition to
excavating and placing بavasts , in addition to exavacaists , in
addition to exavacating and placing phantom graves fake graves.
Moreover, the owner families of the lands, threatened by confiscation,
emphasized that they deserve more than the Israeli authorities to plant
and lay chains and irrigation channels in their lands but the Israeli
authorities prevent and chase them if they do any work in their lands,
even if they clean them.
*_Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property_*
*_ Israeli forces’ attacks_*
* At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 9 August 2018, Israeli forces
accompanied with a force of the Israeli Civil Administration and a
military bulldozer moved into Marj Na’ja village, north of Jericho.
They surrounded a commercial shop for selling foodstuffs belonging
to ‘Ali al-Shiekh Khalil (45) and demolished it under the pretext of
non-licensing. ‘Ali said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli
forces moved into the village, closed the main entrance to the
village, imposed a siege on the area, and demolished his shop
without a prior warning. He added that he was shocked by the Israeli
forces raiding his shop and then demolishing it without allowing him
to vacate its contents. It should be noted that the shop was built
on an area of 40 square meters and used for selling
* On Thursday morning, 9 August 2018, engineers and surveyors
belonging to the Israeli authorities started to place signs and
markers for a number of places in Khelet al-Daliya in the center of
Nahaleen village, west of Bethlehem, in order to link the area with
the settlement street No. (60). This street is wrapped around
‘Arqoub 4 villages to reach “Betar Illit” settlemen, which is
established on Khelet al-Daliya lands. Hassan Braija, Representative
of the Wall and Settlement Committee, said that Israeli forces are
seeking to turn Bateer, Wadi Fukin, Nahaleen and Housan villages,
south of Bethlehem, into dwellings under the Israeli control,
isolated from Bethlehem. The four villages that have border links
with each other are part of the so-called Arqoub villages, with a
total population of 20,000. It was mentioned above that the Israeli
forces placed signs and markers in Khelet al-Daliya area in the
center of Nahaleen village, in order to link the area with the
settlement street No. (60), which is wrapped around ‘Arqoub’s 4
villages, to reach “Betar Illit” settlement. After that, they will
work to expand it to reach the road between Nahalin and Housan,
opening and closing it for Israeli settlers only. In addition to
that, expanding this street to include the street that connects
Bateer and al-Khader villages together, after confiscating large
areas of the lands.
Braija pointed out that there are at least 3 plans announced by the
Israeli forces and they started implementing them at a cost of NIS 185
million. One of those plans is to excavate a tunnel from Jerusalem
borders to reach “Beitar Illit” and “Eli Azar” settlements and to make
Beir ‘Ouna site a part of Beit Jala city in the center of the road
mentioned above. Moreover, they are working to build a railway parallel
to that road to make the settlements established in the west of
Bethlehem, one of its targets and to be linked with the railway between
Haifa and Tal Aviv. In addition, they are working to double the number
of Israeli settlers in the settlement of “Beitar Illit” from 60,000 to
120,000 in the next five years.
* At approximately 17:00, on Tuesday 14 August 2018, an Israeli force
backed by a military vehicle and a bulldozer and accompanied with a
vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Deir Dabwan
village, east of Ramallah. They surrounded an
under-construction-house belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali al-Dabwani (35)
and completely demolished it without any warning under the pretext
of non-licensing.
Mohammed al-Dabwani said to PCHR’s field worker that the Israeli forces
moved into the village on Monday evening and stationed in the center of
the village. They surrounded his house from all directions and
completely demolished it under the pretext of non-licensing. He added
that he was surprised with a phone call from his neighbor informing him
about demolishing his house. After that, he arrived to the area in which
his house was built. The Israeli forces did not allow him to approach
the house until they completely demolished it. He also said that he
hasn’t received any construction violation before. The 2-story-house was
built on an area of 250 square meters 5 months ago and was overlooking
at “Migron” settlement, which was established on the lands of Barqa
village, adjacent to Deir Dabwan village.
*Recommendations to the International Community*
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank,
the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on
Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions
of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security
threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community
that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and
lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for
almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No.
2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the
Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to
recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this
resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and
bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that
the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still
under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement
plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition
of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments
and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply
international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes
reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the
best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security
Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it
as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with
settlements as if they were part of Israel.
2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into
Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement
crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies
to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in
application of their obligations according to international human
rights law and international humanitarian law considering
settlements as a war crime.
4. PCHR calls upon the international community 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.
5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to
take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at
creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding
Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and
house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates
international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary
executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to
pressurize Israel to stop them.
7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to
work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva
Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the
Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all
circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and
prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the
Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian
victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of
justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the
reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction
inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli
authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of
movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience
unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due
to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against
civilians.
11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards
embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its
obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when
dealing with Israel.
12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that
import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral
and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in
Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on
the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian
civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and
military tactics.
13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights
instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply
with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the
human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the
relevant committees.
14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to
pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against
Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.
/Fully detailed document available at the official website for the
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).
<https://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=11248>/
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