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<h1 class="article-title">PCHR Report on Israeli Human Rights
Violations in the oPt (23 – 28 April 2015)</h1>
<div class="article-subtitledetails">
<span class="article-details">
<span class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part1.02090601.09050801@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> Wednesday April 29, 2015 16:46</span><span
class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part2.09040009.02050503@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> by PCHR-Gaza</span></span> <br>
<b><small><small><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.imemc.org/article/71408">http://www.imemc.org/article/71408</a></small></small></b><br>
</div>
<blockquote class="article-intro">Israeli forces have continued with
systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their
property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the
reporting period of 23 – 28 April 2015.</blockquote>
<p class="article"><b><u>Israeli attacks in the West Bank &
Gaza:</u></b><br>
<br>
<u>Shootings</u><br>
<br>
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, and wounded 39 others, including 4
children, in the West Bank, occupied Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Two
other children were also wounded due to the explosion of an object
of the Israeli military remnants, south of Qalqilya. Two
Palestinian civilians were killed in 2 separate incidents in
Hebron and Jenin in the West Bank, while the third, who was a
child, was killed at a military checkpoint in occupied Jerusalem.
In occupied Jerusalem also, 26 Palestinian civilians, including 2
paramedics, were wounded during protests that followed the killing
of the child; 12 others, including 3 children, were wounded during
other protests in the West Bank and the 4th child was wounded in
the Gaza Strip.<br>
<br>
In the West Bank, on 25 April 2015, Israeli forces killed a
20-year-old Palestinian civilian crossing via an electronic gate
at the entrance of the Ibrahimi mosque in the south of the old
city in Hebron, after he stabbed an Israeli soldier at the said
gate.<br>
<br>
On 27 April 2015, Israeli forces opened fire at 19-year-old
civilian while he was in his farmland near the annexation wall in
the west of Arqa village, west of Jenin. As a result, he sustained
a bullet wound to the testicles due to which he suffered severe
haemorrhage and died hours later.<br>
<br>
On 25 April 2015, two children from Azzoun Etmah village, south of
Qalqilya, were wounded due to the explosion of a suspicious object
of the Israeli military remnants.<br>
<br>
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, 8 protestors, including a child, were
wounded during Nabi Saleh and Kufor Qaddoum weekly protests. The
wounds of 2 of the wounded were serious.<br>
<br>
In the same context, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were
wounded during other protests at the western entrance of Selwad
village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of Ofer detention
facility, southwest of city, and at the southern entrance of
al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city.<br>
<br>
In occupied Jerusalem, in excessive use of force, on 25 April
2015, Israeli forces killed a 17-year-old child at Za'im
checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem. They boy was fired at
while crossing via the checkpoint when he quarrelled and fought
with Israeli soldiers at the said checkpoint.<br>
<br>
In the Gaza Strip, as part of targeting border areas, on 24 April
2015, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded
when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened
sporadic fire at dozens of civilians, who were present near the
said fence, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. A
similar gunfire was reported on 23 April 2015, southeast of Khan
Yunis, but no casualties were reported. On 26 April 2015, a
37-year-old farmer was wounded when he was in his farmland 300
meters away from the fence, east of Jabalia in the north of the
Gaza Strip.<br>
<br>
Moreover, Israeli forces fired flash bombs over the sea off Khan
Yunis shore in the south of the Gaza Strip. In conjunction,
Israeli gunboats stationed off the city shore opened sporadic fire
at fishing boats sailing within the allowed area, but no
casualties were reported.<br>
<br>
<u>Incursions</u><br>
<br>
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 43
military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank
and 11 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli
forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 7 children.
Thirty of these Palestinians, including 6 children and 8 women,
were arrested in Jerusalem.<br>
<br>
<u>Restrictions on movement</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. In many
occasions lately, Israeli forces arrested Palestinian patients and
their companions and traders.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Efforts to create a Jewish Majority:</u></b><br>
<br>
<u>Shooting incidents and arrests</u><br>
<br>
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a
house belonging to Isma'il Abu Ghannam in al-Tour neighbourhood,
east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested the
aforementioned person and his son Emad (16) and took them to an
unknown destination.<br>
<br>
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians,
including 3 girls, while entering al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city
of East Jerusalem.<br>
<br>
At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces attacked Mohammed Qanibi
(16) after he went out of school in al-Tour village, east of the
old city in East Jerusalem.<br>
<br>
At approximately 14:00 Israeli forces raided al-Somoud building in
al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the north of the old city in
East Jerusalem, from which they arrested 4 civilians.<br>
<br>
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians while
walking in Hezma village, east of the old city in East Jerusalem.<br>
<br>
At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ein area in
Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They
raided 2 celebrations of 2 released prisoners and confiscated
Palestinian and Fatah flags.<br>
<br>
On Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a
house belonging to Mohammed Ashayer in al-Tour neighbourhood in
the east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son
Mohammed (17) and took him to an unknown destination.<br>
<br>
In excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian
child on Saturday midnight, 25 April 2015, at Za'im checkpoint,
east of occupied Jerusalem.<br>
<br>
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour
neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, and
stationed around al-Zaitoun club near the tent that was
established to receive condolences for the killing of the
aforementioned Ali Mohammed Abu Ghannam (17). Dozens of
Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and Molotov
cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal
bullets and gas bombs in response. As a result, 26 civilians
sustained bullet wounds to the upper parts of their bodies during
clashes that erupted in the neighborhood.<br>
<br>
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, clashes erupted between dozens of
Palestinian civilians, who protested at the killing of a
Palestinian child and Israeli forces that moved into Selwan
village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. The youngsters
threw stones at Israeli police cars and settlers, while Israeli
soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs in
response.<br>
<br>
On the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood,
east of the old city in East Jerusalem, after a Palestinian young
man ran down Israeli soldiers in the neighborhood.<br>
<br>
On Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a
house belonging to Mohammed Shkairat in al-Mokaber Mount
neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They arrested his child and
took him to an unknown destination.<br>
<br>
On Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Mokaber
Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided a number
of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians.<br>
<br>
At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to
Nader Hseimah in Aqbet al-Saraya neighborhood, in the old city in
East Jerusalem. They arrested his son and took him to an unknown
destination.<br>
<br>
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya
village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a
number of houses from which they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians,
including a child.<br>
<br>
At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces arrested 28-year-old
civilian, from Bethlehem, while being in his work in East
Jerusalem, under the pretext he had no permit.<br>
<br>
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian
women while being near al-Aqsa Mosque. They were taken to Beit
Eliyahu facility to be questioned.<br>
<br>
<u>Settlement activities</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
On Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force
from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli
Civil Administration and backed by two bulldozers demolished a
residential tent and a barrack in addition to 3 tin-roofed houses
in al-Makhrouq Abu 'Ajjaj, southwest and east of al-Jaftalak
village, north Jericho.<br>
<br>
On Tuesday, 28 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force
from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli
Civil Administration and backed by a GCB bulldozer moved into
southeast of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They
destroyed an uninhabited old house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud
Tamimi, who lives in Jordan.<br>
<br>
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, a group of Israeli settlers under the
Israeli forces' escort stormed the lands of Silet al-Thaher
village, south of Jenin, where the evacuated "Homish" settlement
was previously established. The settlers arrived at the area in
buses and performed Talmudic rituals. They withdrew later.<br>
<br>
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, an Israeli settler pushed Radi Sa'id
al-Dow (14) down from his bike on al-Wad Street in the Old City in
Eastern Jerusalem. As a result, he fell on the ground, and his
head hit a big stone.<br>
<br>
On Monday morning, 27 April 2015, a number of settlers from "Karmi
Tsur" settlement between Halhoul and Beit Ommar villages, north of
Hebron, damaged and cut off 80 vines that were planted on a farm
300 meters away from the said settlement.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations
protesting settlement activities and the construction of the
annexation wall:</u></b><br>
<br>
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, 8 protestors, including
a child, were wounded in Nabi Saleh protest, northwest of
Ramallah, and Kufor Qaddoum protest in Qalqilya.<br>
<br>
In the same context, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were
wounded during other protests at the western entrance of Selwad
village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of Ofer detention
facility, southwest of Ramallah, and at the southern entrance of
al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city.<br>
<br>
<b><i>(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).</i></b><br>
<br>
<u>Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activity</u><br>
<br>
· Following the Friday prayer, on 24 April 2015, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, 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 metal bullets, sound bombs and wastewater
at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a
number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.<br>
<br>
· 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 protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.<br>
<br>
· Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders
gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli
settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.
Israeli soldiers closed all the village's entrances to prevent the
Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists
from participating in the protest. As a result, an 18-year-old
civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right side of the head,
due to which he suffered fracture in the skull and internal
hemorrhage. He was taken to Yasser Arafat hospital in Salfit and
then referred to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.
Furthermore, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli
soldiers. Israeli soldiers prevented journalists from covering the
protest, kicked them, threw stones at them verbally insulted them
in Hebrew. Of the attacked journalists were the Israeli journalist
and human rights activist Haim (45) and Abbas Abdul Wahab
al-Momani (40), a photojournalist for AFP.<br>
<br>
· Also around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organized a protest at the eastern entrance 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, 7 protestors, including a
child, sustained bullet wounds. The wound of one of them (25) was
described as serious as he was wounded in the eye. He was taken to
Rafidya Hospital.<br>
<br>
<u>Other demonstrations</u><br>
<br>
· Following the Friday prayer, 24 April 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 24-year-old civilian
sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh and a 17-year-old girl
sustained shrapnel wounds as an Israeli soldier fired at the
window of the girl's family house because she was filming the
clashes around her house. The wounded were taken to Palestine
Medical Compound in Ramallah. Furthermore, a number of protestors
suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.<br>
<br>
· On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered from
different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the vicinity of Ofer
detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at Israeli
attacks on Palestinian civilians and to mark the Palestinian
Prisoners Day. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was
closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw
stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed
around the detention facility and started firing live and
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli
soldiers.<br>
<br>
· 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. Israeli soldiers topped a house belonging
to the family of Mahmoud Dar Shaikha and opened fire at the
youngsters. As a result, a 14-year-old child sustained a bullet
wound to the left leg and a 24-year-old civilian sustained a
bullet wound to the right knee. They were taken to Palestine
Medical Compound in Ramallah. In addition, a number of protestors
suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Continued closure of the oPt:</u></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Gaza Strip</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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 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.<br>
<br>
For almost 8 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. 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.<br>
<br>
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. However, they lately allowed the
exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes,
furniture and fish. 3 weeks ago, Israeli forces started to ban the
entry of wood under the pretext is it used for constructing
tunnels.<br>
<br>
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. It should be noted that in the past weeks Israeli
forces arrested a number of Palestinian traders heading to Israel
after they got permits or were requested to meet with the Israeli
intelligence service at the crossing. During the reporting period,
a patient was arrested at the crossing.<br>
<br>
<u>West Bank</u><br>
<br>
<b>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:</b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron.
Around half an hour later, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. Later,
both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp,
south of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was
established at the northern entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron.
Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were
reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Oula village,
west of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests
were reported.<br>
<br>
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah
village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00, another
checkpoint was established near the intersection of "'Ofrah"
settlement, north of Ramallah. Later, both checkpoints were
removed and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 12:00, another checkpoint
was established on the road between Termes'ayah and al-Moghir,
north of Ramallah. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests
were reported. At approximately 13:00, they re-established at
‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit, north of
the city. They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.
Around the same time, another checkpoint was established 'Ein
Sinia village, north of Ramallah. All checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint near the intersection of 'Ein Sinia
village on the road between Ramallah and Nablus. At approximately
09:40, a similar checkpoint was established near the entrance of
Deir Abu Mesh'al village, northwest of the city. At approximately
16:30, another checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance
of al-Tibah village, northeast of Ramallah. Around the same time,
another checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit
'Aor al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were
later, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun Village,
southwest of Qalqilya. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no
arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ras
'Atiyah and 'Ezbet Jal'oud, south of Qalqilya. Later, the
checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun Village,
southwest of Qalqilya.<br>
<br>
At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Hejah
and al-fondoq, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:00, another
checkpoint was established at the eastern village of Qalqilya. All
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 18:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm
and Nablus near 'Arabah village intersection, south of Jenin. The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
at approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Anzah village,
southwest of Jenin. At approximately 23:00, another checkpoint was
established on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus
near 'Arabah village intersection, south of Jenin. Later, all
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.<br>
<br>
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village,
north of the city. At approximately 18:30, a similar checkpoint as
established at the southern entrance of Jericho. Later, both
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nwei'amah village,
north of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied
East Jerusalem:</u></b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<u>Shooting incidents and arrests</u><br>
<br>
· At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli
forces raided and searched a house belonging to Isma'il Abu
Ghannam in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East
Jerusalem. They arrested the aforementioned person and his son
Emad (16) and took them to an unknown destination.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians,
including 3 girls, while entering al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city
of East Jerusalem: Mohammed Hassan Ibrahim (24); Taher al-Shaikh
Khalil (24); Somaiya Sa'id Taha (19); Ayat Sa'id Taha (18); and
Tasnim Ahmed Ayashi (18).<br>
<br>
· At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces attacked Mohammed Qanibi
(16) after he went out of school in al-Tour village, east of the
old city in East Jerusalem. They then arrested him and took him to
an unknown destination.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 14:00 Israeli forces raided al-Somoud building
in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood, north of the old city in East
Jerusalem, from which they arrested 4 civilians: Hassan Yusef
Ghaith (42), Mohammed Nasser al-Resheq (29), Jawad Ahmed Barqan
(30) and Eyad Ahmed Barqan (28).<br>
<br>
· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians
while walking in Hezma village, east of the old city in East
Jerusalem: Mohammed Abdullah Nassri (24); and Hussain Ali
al-Fakhri (23).<br>
<br>
· At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ein area in
Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They
raided 2 celebrations of 2 released prisoners: Adnan Gaith,
secretary of Fatah movement in Selwan, and Mohammed al-Qawasmi.
They confiscated the Palestinian and Fatah flags and ordered the
attendees to lower their voices and stop fireworks.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 04:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces
raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ashayer in
al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem.
They arrested his son Mohammed (17) and took him to an unknown
destination.<br>
<br>
· In excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian
child on Saturday midnight, 25 April 2015, at Za'im checkpoint,
east of occupied Jerusalem. According to information collect by a
PCHR fieldworker, at approximately 00:15 on Saturday, 25 April
2015, while Ali Mohammed Ali Sa'id Abu Ghannam (17) was crossing
through Za'im checkpoint between Za'im village and occupied
Jerusalem, he quarreled with Israeli soldiers at the said
checkpoint. The quarrel developed to a fight, during which an
Israeli soldier fired directly at the boy. As a result, the boy
fell down and bled to death. Medical crews of the Palestine Red
Crescent Society (PRCS) from Jerusalem and from al-Eizariya
village tried to approach the place to transport the boy to
hospital, but Israeli forces denied them access. Israeli forces
summoned the boy's father two hours after the incident took place.
The father identified the corpse of his son that was referred to
Abu Kabir Forensic Institute. The father was detained and taken to
al-Masqoubiya police station in West Jerusalem, but was released
in the morning. Israeli police claimed that the victim attempted
to stab an Israeli soldier at the abovementioned checkpoint, so
the soldiers at the checkpoint fired at him as he attempted to
flee.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli
forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in
East Jerusalem, and stationed around al-Zaitoun club near the tent
that was established to receive condolences for the killing of the
aforementioned Ali Mohammed Abu Ghannam (17). Dozens of
Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and Molotov
cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal
bullets and gas bombs in response. As a result, 26 civilians
sustained bullet wounds to the upper parts of their bodies during
clashes that erupted in the neighborhood. Of the wounded were 2
paramedics: Ahmed al-Shaloudi, who sustained a bullet wound to the
shoulder while being in the ambulance, and Fadi Obaidi, who
sustained a bullet wound to the leg. Moreover, dozens of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation, but were treated on the spot.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, clashes
erupted between dozens of Palestinian civilians, who protests at
the killing of Abu Ghannam, and Israeli forces that moved into
Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. The
youngsters threw stones at Israeli police cars and settlers, while
Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs
in response. The clashes continued until late night. Israeli
forces raided a house belonging to No'man Abu Snaina and smashed
the windows and another house belonging to Morad Abu Tayeh.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces, police and Border Guards
moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in East
Jerusalem, after a young Palestinian man run down 3 Israeli
soldiers in the neighborhood. Israeli forces deployed in the
neighborhood and raided a number of houses. They used live
ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets while searching for the
young man who fled and left the car he used. Israeli forces kept
looking for him until late night, during which they established
military checkpoints, searched cars and prevented anyone from
approaching the scene. They also threatened to use force against
the area residents if they approached. Hours later, Israeli forces
arrested the young man, who was identified as Fadi Saleh
al-Jamzawi (24).<br>
<br>
· At approximately 05:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces
raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Shkairat in
al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They
arrested his child Mousa (16) and took him to an unknown
destination.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces
moved into al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem.
They raided a number of houses from which they arrested Ahmed
Wesam Ewaisat (21) and Mohammed Ali Atta Ewaisat (18).<br>
<br>
· At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging
to Nader Hseimah in Aqbet al-Saraya neighborhood, in the old city
in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mo'men (16) and took him
to an unknown destination.<br>
<br>
· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya
village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a
number of houses from which they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians,
including a child: Mohammed Abdul Ra'ouf (21); Morad al-Shaloudi
(19); Ali Mohammed Mahmoud (19); and the child Mohammed Sharif
Attiyah.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces arrested Nadim Adam
Mahmoud Essa (28), from Bethlehem, while being in his work in East
Jerusalem, under the pretext he had no permit.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian
women while they were near al-Aqsa Mosque: Soha Eid (32); Salwa
Ghazzawi (28); Ekram Ghazzawi (26), So'ad Ebaidiya (26); and Eman
Abu Snaina (33).<br>
<br>
<u>Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against
Palestinian civilians and property</u><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 05:30 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces
accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization
Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by two
bulldozers uprooted a residential tent and a barrack in addition
to 3 houses roofed with tin in al-Makhrouq Abu 'Ajjaj, southwest
and east of al-Jaftalak village, north Jericho.<br>
<br>
According to information obtained by PCHR from the local council,
at approximately 05:30 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces
moved into al-Makhzouq Abu 'Ajjaj, north of Jeircho, the Israeli
forces declared it a military closed area and prevented civilians
and journalists from entering. The two bulldozers immediately
started levelling, and at approximately 08:00, Israeli forces
withdrew from the area. It should be mentioned that the Israeli
forces distributed notices to evacuate the aforementioned area
under the pretext of construction in C areas controlled by the
Israeli authority according to Oslo Accords. They levelled the
following:<br>
<br>
1. A 4-square-meter residential tent and a 70-square-meter house
built of wood, plastic and tin, in which 5 individual lived,
belonging to Fathi 'Abdullah Tariq.<br>
2. A 100-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family
of 10 members, belonging to Mahmoud Met'eb al-D'eis.<br>
3. A 110-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family
of 7 members, belonging to Mohammed Met'eb al-D'eis.<br>
4. A 110-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family
of 5 members, belonging to Ya'qoub Met'eb al-D'eis.<br>
· At approximately 03:30 on Tuesday, 28 April 2015, Israeli forces
accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization
Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by a GCB
bulldozer moved into southeast of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest
of Ramallah. They destroyed an uninhabited old house belonging to
Mohammed Mahmoud Tamimi, who lives in Jordan.
According to information obtained by a PCHR fieldworker from the
Popular Committee against the Wall and settlement in al-Nabi Saleh
village, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the
Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil
Administration and backed by a GCB bulldozer moved into southeast
of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stationed in
Bahaa' al-Deen area and imposed a security cordon on the area
preventing civilians and journalists from entering it. The
bulldozer immediately levelled a 65-square-meter uninhabited house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud Tamimi, who lives in
Jordan. Dozens of Palestinian youngsters and children gathered to
throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces, who in
response fired live bullets and gas canisters at the
stone-throwers. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear
gas inhalation. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces withdrew
from the area after they completely levelled the house. It should
be mentioned that the Israeli forces distributed on 01 July 2010
notices to demolish 12 houses in the aforementioned area under the
pretext of construction in "C" areas controlled by the Israeli
authorities according to the Oslo Accords.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, a group of
Israeli settlers under the Israeli forces' escort stormed the
lands of Silet al-Thaher village, south of Jenin, where the
evacuated "Homish" settlement was previously established. The
settlers arrived at the area in buses and performed Talmudic
rituals, and later withdrew. At approximately 11:00 on the same
day, the settlers stormed the area again and performed their
prayers again. It should be mentioned that since the evacuation of
the aforementioned settlement in September 2005, settlers come
back from time to time, especially in the Jewish holidays to
perform religious rituals under Israeli forces' tightened
protection.<br>
<br>
· At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, an Israeli
settler pushed down Radi Sa'id al-Dow (14) from his bike on al-Wad
Street in the Old City in Eastern Jerusalem. As a result, he fell
on the ground, and his head hit a big stone. His mother said that
her son felt dizzy afterwards and was left on the ground until an
ambulance arrived at the scene to take him to al-Maqased Hospital.
He underwent the necessary examination tests, and it was found out
that he sustained various bruises.<br>
<br>
· On Monday morning, 27 April 2015, a number of settlers from
"Karmi Tsur" settlement between Halhoul and Beit Ommar villages,
north of Hebron, damaged and cut off 80 vines that were planted on
a farm 300 meters away from the said settlement. The land belongs
to Hassan Mahmoud Nour Aqel (44), from Halhoul, north of Hebron.
This attack was launched after Israeli forces demolished a tent
established by settlers on the land belonging to Anwar Ahmed
al-Badawi as the Israeli court issued a decision on that. It
should be noted that settlers cut off 172 vines belonging to Aqel
family 2 years ago in the same area.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Recommendations to the International Community:</i></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
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;<br>
<br>
<i><a
href="http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10999:weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-23--28-april-2015&catid=84:weekly-2009&Itemid=183"
target="_blank">Full, detailed document</a>, including info on
patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR
website.</i> </p>
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San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
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