Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21– 27 July 2016)

Source

Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

(21 – 27 July 2016)

Jerusalem: Israeli Forces Demolish Number of Palestinian Houses in Qalandia Village 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• A Palestinian civilian was killed in Hebron and the house where he was holed up.
• 10 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a child and a young woman, in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 limited ones in the southern Gaza Strip.
• 94 civilians were arrested, including 22 children and 4 women.
• 50 civilians of them, including 16 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures against Palestinian civilians.
• New house demolition decisions were issued against houses of civilians accused of attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers.
• The entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, is closed for the third consecutive week.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• A civilian was forced to self-demolish a residential room.
• 11 residential buildings were levelled in Qalednia village adjacent to the annexation wall.
• A house in Silwan and another one and a commercial facility in al-‘Issawiyah were demolished.

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea
• 8 fishermen were arrested, 2 fishing boats were confiscated and a third sustained damage.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9^th
• Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
• A Palestinian Civilian was arrested at the internal military checkpoints.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (21 – 27 July 2016).

Shooting:

Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 10 others, including a child and a young woman. Nine of them were wounded in the West while the young woman was wounded at Qalendia checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the Sea.

In the West Bank, on 27 July 2016, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Jubarah al-Faqih (29) from Dura, south of Hebron.  The aforementioned was killed when a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into Sorif village, northwest of Hebron, and surrounded a 3-storey house belonging to al-Heeh Family.  The Israeli soldiers ordered al-Faqih, who was holed up in that house, to surrender but he refused so.  An armed clash then broke out between al-Faqih and the soldiers, who heavily opened fire from all sides at him.  They also fired shoulder-fired missiles at the house in addition to destroying parts of it by their vehicles. Due to the shelling and levelling, the house was completely destroyed.  It should be mentioned that Israeli forces accused al-Faqih of being involved in a shooting attack at a settlers’ car and killed one of them.

On 22 July 2016, two Palesinian civilians were wounded during Kafr Qaddoum weekly protest.  A 42-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left thigh while a 22-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet to the head.

On 26 July 2016, 7 civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah to carry out an arrest campaign.  Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response opened fire at them.  As a result, the seven civilians were wounded.

On the same day, Israeli security guard company officers stationed at Qalednia checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, opened fire at Raghd al-Sho’ani (18) while crossing the checkpoint via the vehicle track.  As a result, she was hit with several bullets in the lower limbs.  Israeli forces claimed that al-Sho’ani attempted to stab Israeli soldiers and transferred her to “Shaare Zedek” Medical Centre in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.

In the Gaza Strip and in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 27 July 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Northwest Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  The two gunboats surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat manned by 2 fishermen sailing within 1.5 nautical miles.  The Israeli soldiers ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes and jump into the sea in order to swim towards one of the gunboats.  They were arrested and then taken to an unknown destination.  The boat was also confiscated.

On the same day afternoon, another Palestinian fishing boat was subject to shooting in the same area.  Israeli forces chased and confiscated the boat and arrested 6 fishermen.  They also damaged another boat.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 94 Palestinian civilians, including 22 children and 4 women.  Fifty of them, including 16 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Collective Punishment Measures against Palestinian civilians

On 21 July 2016, Israeli authorities handed Sheikh Jamil ‘Abdel Rahim Hamami, Secretary of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem and Lecturer at al-Quds University, two travel ban decisions. These decisions provide that Hammami is denied access to the West Bank for 4 months and extend the ban on traveling abroad for 6 months.

On 23 July 2016, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They raided two houses belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdel Majeed ‘Amayrah (38) and Mohammed Jubarah al-Faqih.  The accompanying engineering explosive team took measurements of the two houses.  The Israeli soldiers then handed the two families house demotion orders and gave them until 26 July 2016 to appeal the decision.  The Israeli authorities accused the two aforementioned civilians of shooting dead a settler near Deir Razeh village, south of the city.

For the consecutive third week, the Israeli authorities continued to close alFawar refugee camp, south of Hebron with an iron gate at the western entrance and sand barriers at all the sub-entrances leading to it.  The camp residents suffer due to obstacle imposed on movement from and into the camp.

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

On 24 July 2016, ‘Abdel Nasser Qara’in self-demolished a residtial room he built years ago in Wadi Hilweh neighbourhood in Silwan villae, south of East Jeurslem’s Old city, to in order to avoid paying demolition costs to the occupation municipality.  Qara’in said that the Israeli Municipality Court issued an order to demolish a residential room and gave him until 04 August to self-demolish the room or they will demolish it and impose a fine on him for illegally building in addition to the demolition costs.

On 25 July 2016, Israeli authorities demolished 11 residential buildings in Qalendia village, north of East Jerusalem, adjacent to the annexation wall.  Head of the Village Council said that the demolishment targeted 11 buildings comprised of around 34 housing units and belonging to civilians holding East Jerusalem ID documents.  He added that most of the buildings are under construction except 2 of them which are inhabited.  He explained that 9 of these buildings are located within the Jerusalem Municipality borders while only 2 are located in Area (C) within the West Bank.  He also said that the destroyed buildings included 2 or 3-storey houses, 2-storey villa and foundations of a new house. It should be mentioned that on the aforementioned Monday afternoon, the Israeli forces handed owners of the 11 houses house demolition notices and gave them 72 hours to vacate them.  However, on the same day afternoon, they implemented the military order and destroyed all buildings.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

Details

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 21 July 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Kafur Qalil village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and damaged their contents. The abovementioned houses belong to Bashar Jamil Saleh, Waseem ‘Oqab Faleeh Mansour, and Wadah Nabil Abdul Jalil ‘Amer. At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces arrested 13 civilians, including Chief Security Officer of al-Najah National University, and withdrew later. PCHR keeps the names of the arrested persons.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Naqet Nouh area. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ayid Ahmed al-Faqeh (55) and his son, Yousef (29). Israeli forces then withdrew and no arrests were reported. In the meanwhile, other Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Nafiz Jibarah al-Faqeh and handed his three sons summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. At approximately 02:00, Israeli military vehicles moved into Krisah neighbourhood and stationed in Abu Jalas area. Israeli forces then raided and searched a house belonging to Hani Isma’il al-Rujoub (33) and his son, Hitham, and handed both of them summonses.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Handazah neighbourhood, east of the city. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Mahmoud Hasan al-Wardyian (40). Moreover, they handed Mahmoud’s brothers, Osaid and Islam, summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ayida camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Shadi Abdul Raziq Badawnah (27).

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ameen village, southeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli military vehicles made their way into the village streets and patrolled the area. A number of Palestinian young men threw stones at the vehicles, so Israeli soldiers arrested Islam Abed al-Rahman Mohamed Ali (15) and Ali Jalal Abed al-Hadi Ali (16) and took both of them to “Shaarei Tikva” settlement. The abovementioned arrested were released after the intervention of the Palestinian Liaison.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Dahiryia, Beit Olah, Beit ‘Awaa, Karmah, and al-Koum village in Herbron.

Friday, 22 July 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu Sninah neighbourhood, in the southern area of Hebron. They made their way in the village streets and patrolled the area. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli vehicles. Israeli soldiers stepped out of the vehicles and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. After that, Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported. 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Jum’a Jabarat and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, south of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayman Mohamed al-Muzian (40) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and handed each of ‘Obaida Radi Deriyah and Anas ‘Adnan Malash summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of the city.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Dahiryia, Beit Olah al-Shayoukh and al-Koum villages, and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

Saturday, 23 July 2016 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ethna, al-Dahiryia and Karzah villages in Hebron.

Sunday, 24 July 2016 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Khalid Jamil Abu Samrah (50), Mohamed Adib Mousa (33) and Yousef Mohamed ‘Adawi (30). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Bureij village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Isma’il Ahmed al-Faqeh (62) after locking all the family members in one room. Israeli forces then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters claiming that there are caves around the house. They also handed Isma’il a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, and withdrew later. 

• At approximately 01:45, Israeli forces moved into Askaka village, east of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Fawzi Lami and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service. No arrests were reported. 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Naqet Nouh area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saied Ahmed Yousef Talahmah. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Beit ‘Awaa, al-Shayoukh, Samou’a and al-Burj villages in Hebron.

Monday, 25 July 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ahmed Jamal al-‘Amour (18). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awaa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in al-Simiyia area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ziyad Ali al-Swaiti and arrested him. 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Moaied Jamil Saied Shurab (33) and Shadi Niyazi Mohamed Badawi ‘Awaad (33). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and then handed Ibrahim Ahmed Thawabta (38) a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of the city. Moreover, they raided a house belonging to Mohamed Khalid Taqatqah and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ali Mohamed Ahmed Sarahnah (23) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched 4 houses from which they arrested Amjad Ahmed Mahmoud Kmail (al-Kazha), 25, Mohamed Bilal Ali Kmail (27), Mahmoud Khalid Tawfiq Malalha ” Abu Ja’far), 23, and Husam Mahmoud Sadeq Hamamdah ” Kmail”, 25.

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Zabobah village, northwest of Jenin. Israeli vehicles made their way in the village streets and patrolled the area. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the vehicles. Israeli soldiers stationed in the vehicles fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response to disperse the stone throwers. Israeli forces arrested 4 children, who were identified as Ahmed Naiyz Ali Jaradat (11) and his brother Mohamed (10); Nour Foad Jaradat (10); and Omar Saied Ahmed Jaradat (10). All the above mentioned arrested were released two hours later following the intervention of the Palestinian Liaison.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, al-Hadab, Deir al-‘Asal, and al-Moureq villages in Hebron; Dersityia village, west of Salfit; Kaful Hares village, north of the village, and Kafur Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia.

Tuesday, 26 July 2016

• At approximately 01:00, a large number of Israeli soldiers moved into al-Am’ary refugee camp in Ramallah to carry out arrest campaigns. They raided and searched houses. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian young men threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who opened fire at them. As a result, 7 civilians, including a child, were wounded and were then taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. PCHR keeps the name of the wounded persons.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Handazah neighbourhood, east of the city. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ibrahim Khalid Hassan (22) and Ibrahim Harbi Hmaid (20). 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Abdullah Abed al-Rahman Thawabtah (20) and Mohamed Mousa al-‘Amour (19). 

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces accompanied with over 40 military vehicles and an armored personnel carrier moved into Sureef village, northwest of Hebron. They stationed in al-Matinah, Wad al-Jouz, Wad al-Jozour, and Muthalath areas. A number of vehicles with Palestinian registration plates carrying Israeli undercover agents in civilian clothes arrived at a house belonging to al-Heeh family in al-Matinah area. The abovementioned house consists of three floors, the first floor includes 80-square-meter vacant apartment, where Mohamed Jabarah al-Faqeh (29), from Dura, was present. Mohamed is wanted for Israeli authorities under the pretext of being involved in a shooting attack at a vehicle carrying Israeli settlers near Deir Razah village that resulted in killing one of the settlers. The second floor consists of two 100-square-meter apartments, the first apartment belongs to Samiha Ibrahim al-Heeh (76), while the second one belongs to her son, Mohamed Ali al-Heeh (45). The third floor also consists of two apartments, the first one belongs to Ibrahim Abed al-Qadir al-Heeh (33), who is married and have 2 children, while the second belongs to Ayman Ahmed al-Hour (35), who is married as well and has a child. After that, more backup forces accompanied with a bulldozer and two diggers arrived at the area. Israeli soldiers ordered the residents to get out of the building, while Samiha and Mohamed al- Faqeh were still in the building. Israeli soldiers again asked Mohamed to surrender. After few minutes, they heavily opened fire at the building from different directions. The shooting continued until 23:30, during which, Israeli forces brought Mohamed Ali al-Heeh (45) and asked him to get her out of the apartment. After that, they opened fire again. In the meanwhile, Israeli military vehicles were destroying the building. During the operation, Israeli forces declared Sureef village as a closed military zone and imposed a tight cordon on it. Moreover, they cut off electricity, internet and telecommunication. At approximately 04:30, on Wednesday, 27 July 2016, Mohamed al-Faqeh got out of the apartment and heavily fired live bullets at Israeli soldiers, who immediately opened fire at him and killed him as a result. The building was partially destroyed by military vehicles, while the rest of the building was damaged by the missiles fired by Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers sent sniffer dogs to check the corpse before they approached and then pulled the corpse with a digger that placed Mohamed’s corpse on the main street. After that, the corpse was taken by a military ambulance to an unknown destination and Israeli forces withdrew later. At approximately 06:00, the house was completely destroyed by Israeli forces that arrested Samiha Ibrahim al-Heeh and her son, Mohamed (45). Ibrahim al-Heeh, a doctor in al-Dahiryia hospital, said that he was not in his apartment. He also said that the house was demolished as it cost him over NIS 30,000. Moreover, about JD 3,000, US$ 700 and 250-gram gold jewelry were all buried beneath the rubble. Furthermore, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians, including a child. The arrested persons were identified as Mohamed Ziyad Hamidat (17) and Diyaa Khalid Ghnimat (25). 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Burqeen village, west of Salfit; Qarawah Bani Hassan village, northwest of the city; Bl’in village, west of Ramallah; and Deir Abu Mish’al village, northwest of the city.

Wednesday, 27 July 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Shareef Jamil Saied Shurab (30). 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Osaid Rajeh Suliman (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved into Johar mount, in the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rami Mahmoud Abu Ramilah (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm and stationed in the eastern neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abed al-Rahman al-Sanouri (24) and arrested him. Moreover, they raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner, Mohamed Shihad al-Sanouri (44), who served 14 years in the Israeli jails, and arrested him as well. 

• At approximately 06:55, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 1.5 nautical miles. Two Israeli gunboats approached a fishing boat manned by Mohammed Yaseen Ali Zayid (22) and Tareq Abed al-Bari Mohamed al-Sultan (21), both of them are from al-Salateen neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli forces obliged the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump in the sea and swim towards a gunboat. They then arrested them and confiscated their boat. 

• At 22:40, Israeli gunboats stationed in the northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile offshore. Two Israeli gunboats approached a fishing boat belonging to Mahmoud Maher Mohamed Zughrah (25), which was manned by Mohamed Rafat Radwan Baker (30), Mohamed Mahmoud al-Louh (24), Khamis ‘Awad Nimer Zughrah (25), Mostafa Nael Mostafa Baker (20) and Saleem Fayiz Saleem Abu Sadeq (21). All of the abovementioned fishermen are from al-Shati camp, west of the Gaza City. Israeli forces ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the sea, and swim towards the gunboats. They then arrested the fishermen and confiscated their boat. As a result of shooting, another fishing boat belonging to Iyad Rajab Mohamed al-Hesi (38), from al-Shati camp, was seriously damaged, while the fishing tools and equipment were lost. A third fishing boat pulled Iyad’s boat to Gaza Seaport. 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Beit ‘Awaa, Tafouh and Beit Olah villages in Hebron. 

• Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

West Bank:

• At approximately 13:30, on Friday, 22 July 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded, the first (42) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh, while the second (22) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

• Following the Friday prayer, on 22 July 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city, and Kafur Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians, including 2 journalists. They released the abovementioned arrested, while Ashraf Ahmed Abu Rahma (35) is so far in the Israeli custody. 

Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.

 Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethally if they hit the head of victim from a close range.

Collective Punishment: 

• At approximately 02:00, on Saturday, 23 July 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Wad Soud neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to prisoner Mohamed Abdul Majeed Mohamed ‘Amairah (38). An engineering unit took the measurements of the 1-storey house built on an area of 180 square meters. Israeli forces then handed the family an administrative demolition notice and give them a period until 26 July 2016 to challenge the Israeli court. Israeli authorities accused al-‘Amairah of killing an Israeli settler, along with Mohamed Jabarah al-Faqeh, after opening fire at him near Deir Razah village, south of the city. Israeli forces also raided al-Faqeh’s 3-storey house and took its measurements in addition to threatening the family.

• For the 3^rd consecutive week, Israeli authorities kept the cordon imposed on al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, with an iron gate at the western entrance. They also closed all the sub-entrances leading to the camp with sand barriers that resulted in obstructing the civilians’ movement into and from the camp. In the past months and at the beginning of October 2015, Israeli forces closed the iron gate established at the camp entrance for over a month and a half following the shooting attack carried out in Tel Aviv. The camp was closed for the third time since the stabbing attack in “Kharsina” settlement until the reporting period. Israeli forces also closed the iron gate established at the entrance to Dura village, the gate near ” Beit Hagai” settlement, and the iron gate established at al-Fahas entrance and the eastern Yatta entrance, which is supposed to be alternative entrances for the residents.

2. 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

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   

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