West Bank,(PCHR)- Yesterday the Palestinian Center for Human Rights published its weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The following is the report as shown on the PCHR's website.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
A Palestinian civilian was killed and another 7 ones, including a child, were wounded by IOF in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus.
IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
OF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
18 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, and a French human rights defender were wounded.
IOF conducted 36 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 4 Palestinians, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF approved the construction of 1,100 housing units in “Gilo” settlement, south of occupied Jerusalem.
IOF confiscated 148 dunums[1] of land in Battir village, west of Bethlehem.
Israeli settlers burnt 590 trees.
Israeli settlers placed racist banners against Palestinians on the main roads in the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (22 – 28 September 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 25 others, including 7 children, and a French human rights defender in the West Bank.
On 23 September 2011, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded another 7 ones, including a child, when they moved into Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, to provide protection to a group of Israeli settlers who raided Palestinian lands in the village
During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, 18 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, and a French human rights defender were wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip. No fishermen were hurt, but Israeli naval troops confiscated and damaged some fishing nets.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 36 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council who was arrested by an undercover unit from the yard of the ICRC office in Jerusalem.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in 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 operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, 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 in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.
For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
For approximately 51 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for
At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
There are approximately
IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 22 September 2011, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Oufra” settlement, northeast of Ramallah, set fire to olive and fig trees in Wad Zaghoura area in the west of Deir Jarir village. At least 40 dunums of agricultural land, including 100 olive trees and 40 fig trees, were burnt before villagers were able to extinguish fire.
On 24 September 2011, Israeli settlers raised large banners that had racist slogans against Arabs near some checkpoints, intersections and the entrances of Palestinian communities.
On the same day, at least 20 Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at houses belonging to al-Tawil family. IOF arrived at the area and evacuated the settlers.
On 25 September 2011, Palestinian farmers in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, found that Israeli settlers had uprooted 400 trees in Shu’ab al-Kharab area, which is located nearly 1,500 meters away from “Yish Kodish” settlement.
On the same day, Palestinian farmers in Douma village, southeast of Nablus, found that Israeli settlers had uprooted 150 trees in Shu’ab al-Kharab area, which is located nearly 1,500 meters away from “Yish Kodish” settlement.
On the same day, IOF moved into Magharat al-Dab’a village, south of Qalqilya. They handed a notice to Hani Manasra ordering him to stop establishing a greenhouse in the village.
On the same day, Israeli settlers living in settlement communities inside and around Hebron launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. In this context, a Palestinian civilian sustained burns to the eyes, the shoulder and the neck, and bruises throughout the body.
On the same day, during the funeral procession of two Israeli settlers who died in a car accident in the weekend to the Jewish cemetery near Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron, dozens of settlers attacked Palestinian houses using stones and empty bottles. Windows and doors of two houses were damaged. IOF were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.
On 27 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers raised racist banners against Palestinians on Tulkarm-Nablus road and near Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.
During the reporting period, the Israeli District Planning and Construction Committee approved a plane to construct 1,100 housing units in “Gilo” settlement, south of Jerusalem. The plan included the establishment of a footpath, a school, public buildings and an industrial zone. The units would be established on a 620-dunum area of land, and that those units constitute the first stage of a wider plan, as additional 600 units would be established in the future. It should be noted that the construction of 942 units was approved last August.
On 28 September 2011, IOF handed notices to Palestinian civilians in Battir village, west of Bethlehem, ordering confiscation of 148 dunums of land planted with fruits, olives and vegetables belonging to at least 40 Palestinian families.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 – 28 September 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 22 September 2011
At approximately 07:45, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahi beach in the in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats which were near the shore. At approximately 08:00, IOF boats approached the shore and destroyed fishing nets owned by Palestinian fishermen and pulled some fishing nets into the sea. As the Israeli boats approached the shore, Palestinian fishermen fled the area in fear for their lives leaving their equipment and fishing tools in the sea or at the beach. No casualties were reported. Palestinian fishermen who lost their fishing nets include: Qussai Mohammed Abed al-Sultan, 33; Ramadan Ghaleb Ramadan al-Sultan, 36; Mu’nis Abed Ramadan Zayed, 34; Ahed Ziad Mahmoud Zayed, 34; and Subuh Mohammed Hassan al-Sultan, 50, who all live in Beit Lahia.
It should be noted that Israeli gunboats carried out a similar attack on Tuesday morning, 20 September 2011, when they fired at Palestinian fishermen and at their boats, destroyed some fishing nets and pulled some other nets into the sea. Such attacks result in the loss of fishermen's living resources and put their lives at risk.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:40, IOF moved into al-Hfaira village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Toura al-Gharbiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 22:30, IOF moved into al-Khiljan village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into the area located between Sanour al-Zawia villages, south of Jenin. According to witnesses, sounds of shooting were heard in the area. IOF withdrew later, and no casualties were reported.
Friday, 23 September 2011
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Deir Ballout village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 13:00. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
In the afternoon, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded another seven ones when they moved into Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, to provide protection to a group of Israeli settlers who raided Palestinian lands in the village.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:10 following the Friday prayers, Palestinian civilians from Qasra village noticed that a group of Israeli settlers from "Yish Kodish" settlement moved into al-We’ar area (al-Marah 2) in the south of Qasra village. The settlers who were holding Israeli flags gathered on a plot belonging to Dr. Samir Mustafa Ibrahim Hassan who is originally from Qasra village, but currently lives in occupied Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians gathered and walked towards the mentioned area. When Israeli who were positioned in a tent that they installed on a hill in (al-Marah 2) area nearly 100-120 meters from the settlers, saw the Palestinian gathering, seven soldiers left the tent and erected a checkpoint. The settlers were gathering just 40 meters behind the soldiers. The Israeli soldiers ordered the Palestinian civilians to go back to the village, but they refused and requested that the settlers leave the Palestinian land. A dispute erupted between the soldiers and the Palestinian civilians. A few minutes later, IOF’s backups arrived at the scene. An officer stepped down from one of the military vehicles and asked the soldiers to give the Palestinians two minutes to leave the area. He instructed the soldiers to fire tear gas canisters at the Palestinians if they did not obey orders to leave the area. The Palestinian civilians refused to obey IOF’s orders. IOF immediately attacked them and fired more than 50 tear gas canisters at them. They fled to the nearest house in the village. Additional IOF’s backups arrived at the scene and confronted with the Palestinians who threw stones at IOF. The serious confrontations took place near al-Dowwar and al-Khazan areas in the south of Qasra village. The confrontations lasted for three hours and IOF fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets against the Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:20, IOF extensively fired tear gas canisters at the Palestinian demonstrators near al-Khazan area and opened fire at one of the demonstrators, directly wounding him. The wounded Palestinian was identified as Isam Kamal Abed Badran, 37. He was hit by a bullet that entered the right side and exited from the left shoulder and was transferred to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. Badran died despite doctors' attempts to save his life. Another seven civilians, including a child, were wounded in the confrontations:
1- Hamza Yousef Hassan, 25, wounded a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left ear;
2- Sadiq Mohammed Farah, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck;
3- Mohammed Ammar Oudeh, 16, sustained burns in the abdomen as he was directly hit by a tear gas canister;
4- Jawad Shaher Hassan, 18, wounded by a bullet to the hand;
5- Rami Yousef Fayez, 38, wounded by a bullet to the hand;
6- Samer Mohammed Kharyoush, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the pelvis; and
7- Yousef Mohammed Misbah, 20, wounded by two bullets to the legs.
During this attack by Israeli settlers on Qasra village, Israeli soldiers tortured two young men and let the settlers to throw stones at one of them.
In his testimony to PCHR, ‘Ammar Samer Masameer, 18, stated:
“Following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, while I was at home in al-Kazan area in the south of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, I heard loudspeakers of mosques in the village calling on people to go to al-We’ar and Bassilta areas in the south of the village as Israeli settlers attacked agricultural lands. I immediately headed to these areas together with other men. When I arrived there, I saw 17-20 settlers uprooting trees belonging to Bahjat Fawzi Hassan. When they saw us, the settlers threw stones at us, and we responded by throwing stones at them. Soon, two Israeli military arrived and stopped behind us. Israeli soldiers stepped down and surrounded us. Israeli soldiers caught Fat’hi Fayez Hassan, 14, and me. They forced me to sit down and handcuffed me. Immediately, I saw a settler coming towards me and picking up a stone. I realized that he was intending to hit me. I attempted to stand up, but a soldier hit my head with his gun butt. The settler approached me and hit my right eye with the stone. Blood covered my face. The soldiers then pushed me down and violently beat me. Soon after, a soldier pulled me towards a military jeep. He handcuffed me and pushed me into the jeep. The soldiers then brought another young man into the jeep and violently beat him. They transported us towards the mountain. There, they took us out of the jeep. They violently beat us.”
At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Zawia village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into the area located between Brouqin and Kufor al-Dik villages, west of Salfit. They searched the area for some time and withdrew later.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh town. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:25, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:45, IOF moved into ‘Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into the area located between Thinnaba suburb and Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They searched the area for some time and withdrew later.
At approximately 21:10, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 26 September 2011
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, a number of Israeli civilian vehicles stopped near the ICRC office in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem. A number of persons stepped down and fabricated a quarrel. ICRC security officers and a number of Palestinians who were gathering in a sit-in tent established by members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), who are threatened to be expelled from Jerusalem. PLC Member, Ahmed Mohammed ‘Attoun, who was preparing for a press conference stood in front of the tent. Soon, the quarrelers moved into the yard of the ICRC office and arrested ‘Atwan. The quarrelers were members of an IOF undercover unit. Other PLC members survived the raid because they were away from the tent.
At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:20, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:55, IOF moved into Bidya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1- Ussama Jamal al-Shua’ibi, 25; and
2- ‘Othman Jamal al-Shu’aibi, 20.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into ‘Izbat Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:45, IOF moved into Seer village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 14:45, IOF moved into al-Jdaida village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Seer village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jdaida village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud ‘Abdul Raziq Jarrar, 21.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. No casualties were reported.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 18 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, and a French human rights defender were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They raised the Palestinian flag and chanted slogans calling for ending the occupation and annexation wall and release of all Palestinian prisoners. Moreover, the demonstrators chanted "194 is the State of Palestine" and released balloons and kites having the colors of the Palestinian flag. They raised banners calling the world for the recognition of the State of Palestine and carried the Libyan uprising flags and an American flag on which (veto) was written. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. When they reached (Abu Lemon) nature preserve, the demonstrators walked along the wall and released the balloons and kites. The demonstrators also used megaphones to call on Israeli settlers living in “Mitityaho Mizrach” settlement to leave it. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. Additionally, they chanted "194 is the State of Palestine" and other slogans against the American President and his speech at the United Nations that was defended the Israeli occupation. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag, chanted slogans against the USA, called for ending the occupation and chanted "194 is the State of Palestine". When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Jihad Mohammed Tamimi, 22, was wounded by a bullet to the head, and the French activist, Chris Hoppy, 38, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg. They were both transported to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah for medical treatment. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians from Ramallah and al-Bireh and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration at the entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, in support to the Palestinian leadership’s demand of recognition for the Palestinian statehood by the United Nations. They moved towards Qalandya checkpoint. They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators. As a result, 17 Palestinians, including six children, were wounded and transported to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. Additionally, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. (PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).
At approximately 13:30, following the Friday Prayer on 23 September 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They moved towards the eastern entrance of the village, in protest against the permanent closure of the entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
21 – 27 September 2011
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 21September 2011 | 802 | 313 | 15 |
| Thursday | 22 September 2011 | 856 | 557 | 20 |
| Friday | 23 September 2011 | -- | -- | -- |
| Saturday | 24 September 2011 | 813 | 458 | 20 |
| Sunday | 25 September 2011 | 696 | 377 | 12 |
| Monday | 26 September 2011 | 701 | 362 | 22 |
| Tuesday | 27 September 2011 | 552 | 272 | 15 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
21 – 27 September 2011
Imports:
| Date | Imports | |||
| Category | Amount | |||
| Tons | Number | Liters | ||
| 21 September 2011 | Foodstuffs | 624 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,963 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Water tanks Glass boards Mill silos Printing machines | 697 | 324 900 88 520 2 12 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 3,992 | |||
| cooking gas | 112.100 | |||
| 22 September 2011 | Foodstuffs | 866 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,659 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cars Refrigerators | 1,135 | 268 20 70 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 3,272 | |||
| Cooking gas | 112.100 | |||
| 25 September 2011 | Foodstuffs | 1,281 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,526 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Car tires Glass boards Refrigerators Cows Water tanks | 1,461 | 2,234 1,228 857 520 439 309 218 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 3,325 | |||
| Cooking gas | 141.600 | |||
| 26 September 2011 | Foodstuffs | 808 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,251 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Washing machines Refrigerators Cars Glass boards Water tanks Cows | 641 | 1,392 1,346 144 167 30 520 180 360 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 2,922 | |||
| cooking gas | 82.470 | |||
| 27 September 2011 | Foodstuffs | 1,042 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,529 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Glass boards Cows Car tires | 1,120 | 230 496 68 520 310 678 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 1,709 | |||
| cooking gas | 112.020 | |||
Notes:
On Wednesday, 21 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement, 3,220 tons of construction aggregate, 116 tons of construction steel and 7 tons of tar for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,131 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 22 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, and 101 tons of construction steel for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tons of fodders.
On Sunday, 25 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 680 tons of cement, 2,250 tons of construction aggregate and 45 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,209 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 26 September 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 733 tons of cement, 2,030 tons of construction aggregate and 17 tons of construction steel of UNRWA, 480 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority and 910 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
[Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
21 – 27 September 2011
| Date | 21 September | 22 September | 23 September | 24 September | 25 September | 26 September | 27 September |
| Patients | 20 | 26 | 2 | Nil | 41 | 40 | 29 |
| Companions | 22 | 25 | 3 | 51 | 42 | 42 | 31 |
| Arabs from Israel | 1 | 10 | 5 | Nil | 12 | Nil | 2 |
| Diplomats | 5 | 7 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 10 | 12 |
| International Journalists | 3 | 8 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| International Workers | 58 | 63 | 17 | Nil | 21 | 18 | 66 |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| Business People | 88 | 48 | Nil | Nil | 86 | 80 | 93 |
| Economic Meetings | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 9 | Nil |
| Security Interviews | 4 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| VIP's | Nil | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances to Israel | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Ambulances from Israel | 2 | 2 | 1 | Nil | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 11:40 on Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Rantis village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 17:30 on the same day, they re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 17:50, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 24 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 25 September 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attarah checkpoint, north of Ramallah. In the meanwhile, they established a checkpoint near 'Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramallah-Nablus road.
Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF established a number of checkpoints inside and around Hebron. At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 25 September 2011, IOF closed a number of roads in the south and southeast of Hebron to secure the funeral procession of two Israeli settlers who were killed in a car accident. They forced Palestinian civilians to close their shops and turned a number of houses into observation points. On Tuesday morning, 27 September 2011, IOF ordered the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque for Palestinians on Thursday and Friday, 29 and 20 September 2011 for celebration of the new Hebrew year.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF established 9 checkpoints around the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:20 on Monday, 26 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 22 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 14:15, IOF established a checkpoint near Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 24 September 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:45 on Sunday, 25 September 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Ras intersection, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 26 September 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 27 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Jour and Beit Leed villages, southeast of Tulkarm.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Araqa village, west of Jenin. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 24 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arraba village, south of Jenin. At approximately 12:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kfiret village, south of Jenin. At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 27 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Sanour and al-Jarba villages, south of Jenin.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 24 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 25 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 23 September 2011, IOF established 10 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 24 September 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around the town. At approximately 06:25 on Monday, 26 September 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Brouqin village, west of Salfit.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 22 September 2011, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Oufra” settlement, northeast of Ramallah, set fire to olive and fig trees in Wad Zaghoura area in the west of Deir Jarir village. At least 40 dunums of agricultural land, including 100 olive trees and 40 fig trees, were burnt before villagers were able to extinguish fire.
On Saturday, 24 September 2011, Israeli settlers raised large banners that had racist slogans against Arabs near some checkpoints, intersections and the entrances of Palestinian communities.
At approximately 17:30 also on Saturday, at least 20 Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at houses belonging to al-Tawil family. IOF arrived at the area and evacuated the settlers.
On Sunday morning, 25 September 2011, Palestinian farmers in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, found that Israeli settlers had uprooted 400 trees in Shu’ab al-Kharab area, which is located nearly 1,500 meters away from “Yish Kodish” settlement.
Also on Sunday morning, Palestinian farmers in Douma village, southeast of Nablus, found that Israeli settlers had uprooted 150 trees in Shu’ab al-Kharab area, which is located nearly 1,500 meters away from “Yish Kodish” settlement.
At approximately 10:05 on Sunday, IOF moved into Magharat al-Dab’a village, south of Qalqilya. They handed a notice to Hani Manasra ordering him to stop establishing a greenhouse in the village.
On Sunday evening, Israeli settlers living in settlement communities inside and around Hebron launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. In this context, Ra’ed Jihad Abu Ermaila, 38, sustained burns to the eyes, the shoulder and the neck, and bruises throughout the body. Israeli settlers stopped Abu Ermaila and his child, 7-year-old Ussama, near the Ibrahimi Mosque and threw stones at them. The settlers then violently beat the father and sprinkled an incendiary gas onto him. Relatives of Abu Ermaila were then able to evacuate him to the hospital. It should be noted that IOF are permanently present in this area.
Also on Sunday evening, during the funeral procession of two Israeli settlers who died in a car accident in the weekend to the Jewish cemetery near Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron, dozens of settlers attacked Palestinian houses using stones and empty bottles. Windows and doors of two houses were damaged. IOF were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.
At approximately 09:30 on Tuesday, 27 September 2011, a number of Israeli settlers raised racist banners against Palestinians on Tulkarm-Nablus road and near Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.
During the reporting period, the Israeli District Planning and Construction Committee approved a plane to construct 1,100 housing units in “Gilo” settlement, south of Jerusalem. The plan included the establishment of a footpath, a school, public buildings and an industrial zone. The Israeli Ministry of Interior issued a press release on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 stated that the committee approve the plan, which would be open for objections for 60 days. According to Ahmed Sab Laban, a researcher in settlement issues, stated that the units would be established on a 620-dunum area of land, and that those units constitute the first stage of a wider plan, as additional 600 units would be established in the future. It should be noted that the construction of 942 units was approved last August.
On Wednesday, 28 September 2011, IOF handed notices to Palestinian civilians in Battir village, west of Bethlehem, ordering confiscation of 148 dunums of land planted with fruits, olives and vegetables belonging to at least 40 Palestinian families.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4- PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5- PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6- PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7- PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8- In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9- PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10- PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11- PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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