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sraeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(20 – 26 June 2019)
- Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protesters in the Gaza Strip.
- 124 Palestinian civilians, including 28 children, 3 women and a paramedic, were wounded, in the 63rd week of the Great March of Return.
- Four civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in the West Bank.
- Israeli forces conducted 68 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 other incursions into Jerusalem.
- 62 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, a woman and a journalist, were arrested in the West Bank.
- 11 of them, including 2 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
- Israeli forces continued to open fire at the farmers and shepherds in the border areas of the Gaza Strip, but no injuries were reported.
- Israeli authorities continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
- A residential tent was dismantled and confiscated, as well as a mounted-crane truck and 2 vehicles belonging to Beit Ummer Municipality were confiscated.
- Settlers leveled lands in Salfit and Bethlehem to build new settlement housing units.
- Israeli authorities continued to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
- The Israeli forces gave the residents of 11 residential buildings in Surbaher village until 18 July to self-demolish their houses.
- An under construction gas station was demolished in ‘Anata village.
- Five Shooting incidents were reported against the fishing boats off the Gaza Strip shore.
- Two fishing boats sustained damage, the fishing nets of 3 boats were confiscated, and 3 fishermen, including a child, were arrested.
- Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 13thconsecutive year.
- Five Palestinian civilians, including a child, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (20-26 June 2019).
Shooting:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized within the activities of “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed the 63rd Friday of the peaceful protests along the eastern and northern border area of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, the Israeli forces also used force against civilians who participated in the demonstrations organized against the Israeli incursions into the West Bank cities and villages. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces wounded 124 Palestinian demonstrators, including 28 children, 3 women and a paramedic. In the West Bank, the Israeli forces wounded 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 124 Palestinian demonstrators, including 28 children, 3 women and a paramedic, while participating in peaceful protests organized within the activities of the March of Return and Breaking Siege, which witnessed the 63rd Friday of the peaceful protests.
Injuries in the Gaza Strip from 20 – 27 June 2019 According to the Governorate
Governorate | Injuries | |||||
Total | Children | Women | Journalists | Paramedics | Critical Injuries | |
Northern Gaza Strip | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Gaza City | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Central Gaza Strip | 33 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Khan Yunis | 35 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Rafah | 28 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 124 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, indicating an ongoing Israeli policy of targeting fishermen’s livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 5 incidents. As a result, a fishing boat front belonging to ‘Emad al-Deen Mansour sustained damage and fishing nets that belong to him in addition to fishing nets of other fishermen were confiscated. According to Emad, his around 10 fishing nets cost around NIS 5,500. Moreover, another fishing boat sustained material damage and three fishermen, including a child, were arrested.
As part of targeting the border areas, on 24 June 2019, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Fakhari village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. Around the same day, the Israeli forces opened fire and fired flare bombs in the sky along the border area, east of ‘Abasan al-Jadidah, east of the city, and no casualties were reported.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces wounded 4 civilians, including 2 children.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 68 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 other incursions into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 51 Palestinians, including 7 children, a journalist and 1 woman, in the West Bank while 11 other civilians, including 2 children, were arrested from Jerusalem and its suburbs.
Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
- As part of settlement expansion, demolitions and house demolition notices, on Thursday, 20 June 2019, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Humus neighborhood in Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They then handed dozens of civilians notices to demolish their houses and gave them until 18 July 2019. The Committee of Wadi al-Humus neighborhood stated that on 13 June 2019, the Israeli Supreme Court approved on the Israeli forces’ decision to demolish 16 residential buildings, comprising of over 100 houses, under the pretext of being close to the annexation wall. The Committee added that the buildings, which were approved for demolition, are located in area classified as Area “A” and licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
- On 26 June 2019, Israeli forces demolished an under-construction gas station in ‘Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. The gas station, which was built on 3-dunum of land, belongs to Mohamed Ibrahim Helwa.
Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
- As part of settlement expansion, demolitions and house demolition notices, on 24 June 2019, Israeli forces dismantled a 40-sqaure-meter residential tent built of sheds and iron pipes in al-Mofaqarah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, and then confiscated it without any prior notice to stop construction works or demolition. The tent belongs to Qasem Mohamed Hasan Hamamrah (40), who was living in the tent along with his wife and their 5 children.
- On 25 June 2019, Israeli forces confiscated a mounted-crane truck and a vehicle belonging to Beit Ummer Municipality, north of Hebron, while the Electricity Company staff belonging to the municipality was working in Beit Za’tah area adjacent to the Bypass Road (60) in order to supply the residents’ houses with electricity.
- As part of settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, on 22 June 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, from “Ariel” settlement, leveled Palestinians’ agricultural lands located adjacent to ‘Abed al-Rahman Valley in Salfit. The settlers aimed at building a settlement road, establishing infrastructure and conducting excavation for settlement housing units in order to expand the abovementioned settlement.
- On 23 June 2019, dozens of Israeli settlers leveled 300 agricultural dunums in Khelet al-Nahlah area adjacent to Wad Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem. Those lands belong to Mohamed Yaieh ‘Ayish. The settlers leveled the lands in order to place mobile houses and establish a settlement outpost called” Givat Etam “. This outpost will connect “Efrat “and “Tekoa“ settlements together and isolate Bethlehem from its southern countryside and southern West Bank by plan “E2”.
Closure and Restrictions on Freedom of Movement:
The Israeli authorities continued to impose the illegal closure policy on the oPt in order to establish an unprecedented reality that would economically and socially strangulate the Palestinian civilian residents and to tighten their restrictions on the freedom of movement for persons in addition to imposing measures that would undermine the freedom of trade, including imports of the residents’ basic and important needs and the exports of agricultural and industrial products.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli authorities continued their tightening closure and naval blockade on the Gaza Strip to isolate it completely from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and from the outside world for 13 years. This closure has resulted in grave violations of the residents’ social, economic and cultural rights and a deterioration of the living conditions of around 2 million residents living in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, the Israeli closure has increased the poverty rate up to 65% while the unemployment rate has recently amounted to 47%. Youth constitutes around 65% of the unemployed persons while 80% of the Gaza residents depend on foreign aids to secure the minimum level of their daily needs. These rates indicate that there is an unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces continued to tighten the screws on the cities, villages and refugee camps of the West Bank by increasing the number of military checkpoints around and/or in between as they created what is so called “small isolated cantons” which restrict the movement of civilians. The suffering of the Palestinian civilians during their movement between the cities, particularly on the two sides of the annexation wall, has increased due to the Israeli forces’ inhuman and degrading treatment. Furthermore, these checkpoints are used as ambushes to arrest the Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces almost daily carry out arrest campaigns at these checkpoints and at the border crossings with the West Bank.
Details
- Use of Force against Peaceful Demonstrations:
Israeli forces continued to use excessive lethal force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip within the so-called “Great March of Return and Breaking Siege” and in the West Bank against the settlements, confiscation of lands, and Israeli crimes. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations on the 63rd Friday, the border area witnessed large participation from Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstrations were fully peaceful. The incidents during the reporting period were as follows:
Gaza Strip:
- Northern Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting and teargasing at Palestinian demonstrations, which continued from 16:30 until 19:30, resulted in the injury of 9 civilians, including 4 children. Two of them were hit with live bullets, 5 were hit with rubber bullets and 2 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. Doctors classified their injuries between minor and moderate.
- Gaza City: The Israeli shooting and teargasing at Palestinian demonstrations, which continued from 16:30 until 19:30, resulted in the injury of 19 civilians. Nine of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel, 7 were hit with rubber bullets, and 3 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. Doctors classified their injuries between minor and moderate.
- Central Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting and teargasing at the demonstrations, which continued from 15:00 until 19:30, resulted in the injury of 30 demonstrators, including 8 children and a woman. Twenty-three of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel, and 7 were hit with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. Doctors classified their injuries between minor and moderate.
- Khan Younis: The Israeli shooting and teargasing at the demonstrations, which continued from 16:30 until 19:30, resulted in the injury of 31 civilians, including 4 children, a woman, and a paramedic. Omer Fathi Ahmed al-Najjar (26), who is a volunteer paramedic at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), was hit with a tear gas canister to the testicle.
- Rafah:The Israeli shooting and teargasing at the demonstrations, which continued from 16:00 until 19:00, resulted in the injury of 28 civilians, including 9 children and a woman. Eleven of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel, 7 were hit with rubber bullets, and 11 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. Doctors classified their injuries between minor and moderate.
- At approximately 12:10 on Tuesday, 25 June 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Khan Younis, opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinian demonstrators in the vicinity of Return encampment, east of Khuza’ah. At approximately 17:00, the Israeli shooting recurred at groups of demonstrators in the abovementioned area. As a result, a 22-year-old young man was hit with a shrapnel to the left knee and a 17-year-old child was hit with a live bullet to the left foot.
- At approximately 12:50 on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Khan Younis fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinian young men, who protested in the vicinity of the Return encampment, east of Khuza’ah, adjacent to the abovementioned border fence. At approximately 18:00, the Israeli shooting recurred at a group of young men, who protested in the area. As a result, a 30-year-old male and a 16-year-old child were both hit with a live bullet to the lower limbs. They were transferred to Gaza European Hospital to receive medical treatment.
- At approximately 19:00 on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms along the border fence, east of al-Buraij, opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at around 100 young men, who gathered near the border fence adjacent to the Return encampment. As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded to the lower limbs. They were then transferred to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified their injuries as moderate.
West Bank:
- At approximately 18:10 on Saturday, 22 June 2019, a group of Palestinians organized a peaceful demonstration, which started from the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, and then headed to the eastern village entrance, which has been closed for 15 years in favor of “Kedumim” settlement The demonstrators chanted national slogans demanding end of the occupation and protesting the Israeli forces’ crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms while the soldiers immediately fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 children were wounded and identified as:
- Tareq Hekmat Mahmoud Shtaiwi (14), who was hit with a rubber bullet to the right leg.
- ‘Ali Mohammed ‘Amer (14), who was hit with a rubber bullet to the right leg.
- At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 25 June 2019, a group of Palestinians organized a demonstration, which started from Nissan intersection on al-Mahd new Street in the center of Bethlehem and then headed to Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque (Rachel ‘s Tomb), condemning the “Deal of the Century” and the Bahrain Conference. When the demonstrators approached the area, Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters towards them. As a result, Mohammed al-Laham, Member of Fatah Revolutionary Council, was hit with a rubber bullet.
- At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 25 June 2019, Palestinian national factions in Hebron organized a protest against the “Deal of the Century” and the “ Bahrain Conference “ in Ben Rushd intersection in the center of the city. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans. After that, a number of outraged young men headed to military checkpoint established at the entrance to the closed al-Shuhada’a street in al-Zawiyah Gate area. They then threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who indiscriminately fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers and pursued them between commercial shops. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. The soldiers then arrested 4 civilians namely: Sameh Shahdah Shuweiki (18), Maher Nidal al-Shuweiki (19), Ahmed Abdul Mon’em Neroukh (18) and Diya’a Talal Zablakh (18).
- At approximately 14:30, on Tuesday, following the end of the protest against the “Deal of the Century” and the Bahrain Conference” at al-Shuhada’a entrance in the center of Nablus, which was organized by national and Islamic factions, dozens of participants made their way to Howarah checkpoint established at the southern entrance to the city. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind cement cubes and military vehicles parked on the roadsides. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at them. As a result, a 20-year-old male was hit with a rubber bullet to the right leg. He was then taken to Rafidiya Hospital to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his injury as minor.
- Shooting Incidents, Bombardments and Incursions:
Thursday, 20 June 2019:
- At approximately 00:20, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Omer Zahran Suwedan (17) and Sa’ed Ayoub Zamari (16) and then arrested them.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Mohyee Eden Ahmed al-Shahrouri (22), from the northern Mount in the city, and Ahmed ‘Ali al-Khabbas (23), from al-Sekkah Street.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Taha Ahmed Qatanani (52) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu Shakhedem village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Suhail Abu Shakhedem (23) and Rami Ahmed Abu Shakhedem (25) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, an Israeli force moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and then stationed in al-Karmel neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Salam Rateb Taha (21) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah. The soldiers surrounded a house belonging to Mohammed Khalil Abu Fakhidah (21) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah and stationed in al-Masayef neighborhood. They raided and searched a residential building after which they arrested Shadi Ayoub Barabrah (35) and Bilal Rashid Bader (26).
- At approximately 22:20, Israeli forces moved into Hablah village, south of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Kamal Shahwan (21) and then arrested him.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Tirah and Beit Rema villages in Ramallah and al-Birah; Hebron, Tarqumiya, al-Hadab and Beit al-Roush villages in Hebron; Noor Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm; and Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit.
Friday, 21 June 2019:
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul, Sa’ir, al-Shuyoukh villages in Hebron.
Saturday, 22 June 2019:
- At approximately 05:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to former al-Waha Resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased them. The Israeli shooting recurred in the same area at approximately 10:00 on the same day morning. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
- At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, fired flare bombs and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
Sunday, 23 June 2019
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Riyad Talal al-‘Amour (15) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Feras Fares Meghnem (40) and then arrested him. Following that, the Israeli forces moved into Roq’ah neighborhood. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Saleem Mohammed Meghanna and Mohammed Khalil Abu Shaker and then withdrew from the neighborhood. However, no arrests were reported.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ra’ed Salah Abu al-Hasan (44) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they handed 2 summonses to Mohammed Jamal Asa’ad Ramadan (24) and Ja’afar Yusuf Mohammed Rehan (50) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in Howarah military camp, south of the city.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Mawaleh Mount area, in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 children namely: Mustafa Mousa Hejazi (17), Yazan ‘Ataa al-Haremi (17), and Tamer Nasser ‘Awad (17).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (11) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Hebron, Surif village, and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron; Tulkarm, Qifin, Zeta, Shuweikah Suburb, and Noor Shams and Tulkarm refugee camps in Tulkarm; and Joyous and Hablah villages in Qalqiliyah.
Monday, 24 June 2019:
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Asem Ismail Omer (21) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in al-Namous neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Tawfiq Mousa Abu Haleil (55) and then arrested his son journalist ‘Amer (25), taking him to an unknown destination. ‘Amer’s mother said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:
” I woke up to heavy knocking on the door. When I opened the door, a number of Israeli soldiers rushed inside the house and detained my son ‘Ammar (18), who is a heart patient, and me. The soldiers took our ID cards and cell phones and then searched the house. An Israeli officer asked me about my son ‘Amer (25), and I told him that he along with his wife were in their apartment in the first floor. The officer then ordered me to come with them. I headed with a number of soldiers to ‘Amer’s apartment, who woke up after hearing the soldiers’ movement and opened the door for us. The soldiers rushed towards him and handcuffed him to the back. After that, a number of the soldier searched the apartment rooms and later left the house. We don’t know where ‘Amer is detained.”
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tamoun village, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Kefah Ahmed Mohammed Busharat (35) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Salem village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Omer Majed Eshtiyah (18) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Balout village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 3 civilians namely Bassam Salman Mousa (23), Odai Mustafa Shalouf Abdullah (21), and ‘Ahed ‘Adel Qar’oush (22).
- At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah and stationed in al-Tirah neighborhood. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed ‘Ata al-Wawi (23) and Mohamed Tareq al-Faqih (25) and then arrested them.
- At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands in al-Fukhari village, west of the abovementioned border fence, southeast of the city. However, no casualties were reported.
- At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufor al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Anan Ibrahim al-Deek (23) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 21:45, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire and fired flare bombs in the sky along the border area, east of ‘Abasan al-Jadidah, east of the city. The shooting continued for few hours, but no casualties were reported.
- At approximately 23:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, chased opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, a fishing boat belonging to Emad Eden Khalil Ahmed Mansour (29) sustained damage and his fishing nets were confiscated in addition to fishing nets belonging to 2 other boats. ‘Emad Eden, from Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli soldiers confiscated 10 fishing nets belonging to him, which are about 555 meters long and cost around NIS 5,500.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kufor Zebad village, south of Tulkarm; Yasouf, Bruqin, Kufor al-Deek and Deir Balout villages in Salfit; Kuber And Abu Shakhedam villages in Ramallah; and Beit Rema village, northwest of the city.
Tuesday, 25 June 2019:
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Marsam village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nafeth Mohammed al-Shawamrah (44) and then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jama’in village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Mo’ayad Ahmed ghazi Haj ‘Ali (47), Mo’ath As’ad Mohammed Zetawi (27) and ‘Ala’a Moqbel Kassab Haj ‘Ali (28).
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohanned Hamzah al-Tamemi (17) and then arrested him. It should be noted that Mohanned is a high school student.
- At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tawanah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hafeth Husein al-Hareni (55) and then arrested him, his son Mohammed (21) and his brother Ghanem (35). The soldiers took them to investigation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers claimed that Hafeth entered into the forest area near “Havat Maon“ settlement, adjacent to their lands, which is an area where Palestinians are prohibited to enter.
- At approximately 21:00, the Israeli gunboats chased a fishing boat belonging to the heirs of fisherman Akram Jamil al-Nada. The boat, which was manned by Akram’s son Hazem (16) and Mohammed Hesham Ahmed al-Nahal (25), were sailing off Rafah shore within 3 nautical miles. The Israeli soldiers pumped water towards the fishing boat. As a result, the fishermen fell into the water and Hazem was arrested and taken to the Israeli gunboat. Moreover, Mohammed Hesham al-Nahal sustained bruises to the face, chest and lower limbs while the fishing boat sustained damage. Mohammed said to PCHR’s fieldworker that he managed to get into the boat and then fainted. Another fisherman sailing near him managed to reach him and drove him back to the shore. Mohammed was taken to Abu Yusuf al-Najjar Hoapital in Rafah and then referred to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis to receive medical treatment. At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, the Israeli authorities released the 3 fishermen via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing.
- At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the boat sustained damage and 2 fishermen on board namely Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Ayash (23) and his brother Mos’ab (20), from Deir al-Balah, were arrested. A number of fishermen managed to pull the boat after it was broken.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin; Dura; Halhoul and Deir al-‘Asal village in Hebron.
Wednesday, 26 June 2019:
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Khaldoun Qasem Abu Dayah (19) and Abdullah Bassam al-Titi (18) and then arrested them.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Younis al-Haroub (37) and then withdrew from the village. However, no arrests were reported.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Talal Jetawi (24) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Zeta village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Shalabi (19) and then arrested him.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron and then stationed in Roq’ah neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Akram Isamil Eqtaish (44) and then withdrew from the city. However, no arrests were reported.
- At approximately 06:45, Israeli forces moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp in the center of al-Birah. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 6 Palestinian civilians; 3 of which were brothers, namely Husam Khader al-Wawi (23), Ra’ed al-Yazouri (22), Na’el Abu Kwuaik (33), his brothers Mohammed (22) and Mahmoud (26), Abdul Rahman Ahmed Dar Salah (32).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Um Safa and al-Nabi Saleh villages, northwest of Ramallah; al-Ersal and al-Tirah neighbourhoods in the city.
- Continued closure of the oPt
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
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.
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.
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 also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank between 20 – 26 June 2019
Governorate | Permanent temporary | Temporary checkpoints | Closed Roads | Arrested persons |
Jerusalem | 13 | 9 | – | – |
Nablus | 10 | 23 | 2 | – |
Jenin | 5 | 8 | – | 3 |
Ramallah | 11 | 10 | 4 | – |
Tulkarm | 7 | 4 | 1 | – |
Tubas | 2 | 3 | 1 | – |
Salfit | 3 | 4 | 1 | – |
Qalqiliyia | 5 | 15 | 4 | – |
Hebron | 20 | 38 | 15 | 1 |
Bethlehem | 11 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Jericho | 5 | 3 | – | – |
Al-Karama Crossing | – | – | – | – |
Total | 92 | 122 | 30 | 5 |
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
- On Saturday, 22 June 2019, Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Talal ‘Isaa al-‘Amour (43), from Taqou’a village, southeast of the city. Talal was arrested while passing through the checkpoint and then taken to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 23 June 2019, Israeli forces arrested As’ad Mohamed al-Natsha (15) while he was on al-Shalalah Street in Hebron’s Old City. He was then taken to a police station in “Kiryat ‘Arba’” settlement, east of the city.
- At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 24 June 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohamed Kalbani (20), from Nablus, and then took him to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Haded village tourist road, east of Jenin. The Israeli forces arrested Adham Abu Tabiekh (20), from Jenin refugee camp, west of the city, and later removed the checkpoint, taking Adham to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 18:30 on Monday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Jenin-Hifa Road, at the western entrance to the city. The Israeli forces arrested Shoja’ Rasem ‘Abed (35), from Kafurdan village, west of the city, and later removed the checkpoint, taking Shoja’ to an unknown destination.
- Efforts to Create A Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Arrests and Incursions:
- At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 25 June 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Shaikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Hamam Ibrahim al-Hussani (16) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 24 June 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahrah area in al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They then raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Husam Samieh ‘Eliyan (18), Majd Basheer Ahmed (21), ‘Abed al-Qader Mohamed Mohamed Dari (19), Nour al-Deen Maher Muhasin (20), Mohamed Rafat Dari (19), Ayoub Abu al-Humus (19), and Akram Mostafa (20).
- At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 15 June 2019, Israeli forces moved into Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested ‘Abdullah Mohamed Abu Latifa (17) and ‘Ali Abu Latifa (19).
- On Tuesday, Israeli forces arrested Yousef ‘Ali Hazinah (19), from al-Sa’diyia neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of hanging a banner on the Old City wall written on it ““Down with the Bahrain conference! “. The Israeli forces then took him to a police station on Salah al-Deen Street for investigation. It should be noted that on Tuesday evening, a number of Palestinian young men hung a large banner written on it ““Down with the Bahrain conference! “. The banner was hung on the Old City wall in the area located between al-‘Amoud and al-Sahera Gates (al-Sultan Suliman Street). Moreover, the Palestinian young men fixed the Palestinian flag on the Old City wall, condemning Bahrain conference and Deal of the Century. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces took down the banner and flag, and then arrested Yousef.
- House Demolitions:
- On Thursday, 20 June 2019, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Humus neighborhood in Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They then handed dozens of civilians notices to demolish their houses and gave them until 18 July 2019. The Committee of Wadi al-Humus neighborhood stated that on 13 June 2019, the Israeli Supreme Court approved on the Israeli forces’ decision to demolish 16 residential buildings, comprising of over 100 houses, under the pretext of being close to the annexation wall. The committee added that the Israeli forces gave the houses’ residents until 18 July to self-demolish the houses or the Israeli forces will demolish them later. The committee clarified that the Israeli forces handed the residents demolition notices 3 years ago under the pretext of being close to the annexation wall. According to the Israeli authorities’ decisions, construction works are banned up to 250 meters from the annexation wall for security reasons. This means that around 1500 dunums of Wadi al-Humus neighborhood are threatened to be levelled, constituting half of the neighborhood area. The Committee added that the buildings, which were approved for demolition, are located in area classified as Area “A” and licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
- At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, Israeli forces demolished an under-construction gas station in ‘Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. Head of ‘Aata village municipality, Taha Nu’man, said that 3 military bulldozers accompanied with a large force of Israeli soldiers demolished the gas station built on 3-dunum of land at the northern entrance to the village. The gas station, which was demolished under the pretext of being in area C, belongs to Mohamed Ibrahim Helwa. Taha added that the Israeli forces fired a barrage of tear gas canisters while demolishing the station in order to prevent residents from approaching the area.
- Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
- At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 24 June 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Mofaqarrah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli workers dismantled a 40-sqaure-meter residential tent built of sheds and iron pipes and confiscated it without any prior notice to stop construction works or demolition. The tent belongs to Qasem Mohamed Hasan Hamamrah (40), who was living in the tent along with his wife and their 5 children. An Israeli Civil Administration officer handed Qasem a list of the confiscated items and later left the area.
- At approximately 13:30 on Tuesday, 25 June 2019, Israeli forces confiscated a mounted-crane truck and a vehicle belonging to Beit Ummer Municipality, north of Hebron. They then took them to a detention facility in “Ghush Etizon” settlement, south of Bethlehem. The mounted-crane truck and the vehicle were confiscated while the Electricity Company staff belonging to the municipality were working in Beit Za’tah area adjacent to the Bypass Road (60) in order to supply the residents’ houses with electricity.
- Settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and property
- Israeli settlers’ attacks:
- At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 22 June 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, from “ Ariel” settlement, leveled Palestinians’ agricultural lands located adjacent to ‘Abed al-Rahman Valley in Salfit. The settlers aimed at building a settlement road, establishing infrastructure and conducting excavation for settlement housing units in order to expand the abovementioned settlement. The levelled lands belong to the heirs of the late ‘Abed al-Ghaffar Zaghloul Qayil, the heirs of the late ‘Izzat Zaid, the heirs of the late Mousa Daib Ishtaeih, the heirs of the late ‘Abed al-Ghaffar ‘Afanah, the heirs of the late Hussain ‘Abed al-Ghani ‘Afanah, the heirs of the late Ahmed Daib Dahdoul, the heirs of the late Ahmed Naseef Ishtaieh, and the heirs of the late ‘Abed al-Hadi al-Bashar.
- On Sunday morning, 23 June 2019, dozens of Israeli settlers levelled 300 agricultural dunums in Khelet al-Nahlah area adjacent to Wad Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem. Hasan Barijiyah, Head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance in Bethlehem, said that settlers’ bulldozers levelled lands in Khelet al-Nahlah area, under the Israeli forces’ protection. Those lands belong to Mohamed Yaieh ‘Ayish. He pointed out that the settlers levelled the lands in order to place mobile houses and establish a settlement outpost called” Givat Etam “. This outpost will connect “Efrat “and “Tekoa“settlements together and isolate Bethlehem from its southern countryside and southern West Bank by plan “E2”.
- Recommendations to the International Community
- PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of the State of Israel.
- PCHR calls upon the ICC for an ongoing investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and serious violations in the Gaza Strip.
- PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law, considering settlements as a war crime.
- PCHR calls upon the international community to work jointly and seriously to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination and establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including punitive means, to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
- PCHR calls upon the international community and UN to take all necessary measures to stop the Israeli policy aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in the Palestinian territory and at emptying Palestine from its original inhabitants through expulsions and the policy of house demolitions as a punishment, which are serious violations of the international humanitarian law and may amount to crimes against humanity.
- PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work for guaranteeing accountability and prosecution of the Israeli war criminals.
- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. This is achieved by activating the principle of universal jurisdiction to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
- PCHR calls for an urgent and prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the total closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, which restricts the freedom of movement of goods and individuals, and to save the life of 2 million civilians living in the Gaza Strip in unprecedented and strangulating economic, social, political and cultural conditions due to the collective punishment policy and retaliatory actions against civilians.
- PCHR calls upon the EU to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
- PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the competent committees.
- PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.
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