Thursday, 23 June 2011 | PCHR Gaza

Israeli soldiers arrest an Israeli human rights defender during the weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· A Palestinian was wounded and arrested by IOF in Qalqilya.
· Israeli warplanes bombarded a chicken farm in the central Gaza Strip, killing 3,500 chicks.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.
– IOF arrested 6 international human rights defenders.
· Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.
– Two fishing boats were damaged.
· IOF conducted 38 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
– IOF arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
– IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– IOF demolished 8 houses to the south of Hebron.
– At least 30 dunums of agricultural land planted with olives were burnt.
– Israeli settlers damaged two houses and a car in Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit.
– Israeli settlers violently beat a Palestinian civilian in Hebron..
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (16 – 22 June 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.
On 19 June 2011, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and arrested by IOF in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya. IOF claimed that he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 6 international human rights defenders.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip in 3 separate incidents. In one of these attacks, two Palestinian fishing boats were damaged.
On 22 June 2011, Israeli warplanes bombarded a chicken farm in the central Gaza Strip. The farm was damaged and 3,500 chicks were killed. IOF claimed that a tunnel was dug under the farm.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
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 Soafa 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 10 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 46 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 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 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
· 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 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· 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 16 June 2011, fire broke out in agricultural plots planted with olives belonging to the families of ‘Abbadi and al-Kilani to the southwest of Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, who accused IOF of responsibility for the incident, at least 30 dunums of land planted with olives were burnt. Palestinian civilians rushed to the area attempting to extinguish fire, but their attempts failed.
Also on 16 June 2011, IOF moved into Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit, escorting a number of Israeli settlers who were visiting a religious site. The settlers remained in the village until the following day. They threw stones at two houses breaking their windows. They also threw stones at a car belonging to Jalal Mahmoud As’ad, damaging it heavily.
On 18 June 2011, 15 Israeli settlers from “Beit Hadasa” settlement intercepted Anas Hashem Abu al-Halaw, 21, a university student, when he was on his way back to his house in Qub Janeb neighborhood, which overlooks al-Shuhada Street that has been closed by IOF. The settlers violently beat Abu al-Halawa for two minutes before he was able to flee. When he arrived near Cordoba School, the same settlers attacked him again. They violently beat him, while Israeli soldiers were present in the area. He bled from the shoulder and the arm. The settlers then escaped. Israeli soldiers gathered around him, but they did not offer him any help. A Palestinian ambulance evacuated him to the hospital.
On 20 June 2011, IOF moved into Khirbat Beer al-‘Abed village to the east of Yatta town, south of Hebron. They forced Palestinian civilians to vacate their houses and tents. They then demolished 8 houses and subordinate tents, in which 50 people live. They also damaged some crops. Additionally, IOF detained a female student for some time, claiming that she was banned from living in the area.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (16 – 22 June 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 16 June 2011
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Salah Khalil Hamamra, 18;
2. ‘Obaida Mohammed Sabatin, 18; and
3. Saber ‘Otham Sabatin, 19.
According to information available to PCHR, the three detainees were violently beaten during interrogation.
· At approximately 08:30, 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 11:30, IOF moved into ‘Aaboud village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:15, IOF moved into Nabi Elias villahe, east of Qalqilya. They raided a car maintenance workshop. They held and interrogated Malek ‘Abdul Latif Majd and Khaled ‘Ali Radwan. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into ‘Asala village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. 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 Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. 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 Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 17 June 2011
· At approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Farkha village, southeast of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 00:25, IOF moved into Khirbat Qais village, southeast of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Rabah Hissein Hraizat, 48, and his son Fadi, 26, and arrested both of them.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into al-Hashimiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and erected 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 20:40, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
· At approximately 00:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and delivered a notice to Bahaa’ Mohammed Eshtaiwi, summoning him for interrogation.
· At approximately 00:35, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into ‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ra’ei 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 15:30, IOF moved into Fahma village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided al-Khatib gas station and arrested Jihad Hisham Abu Maria, 21, a worker. They violently beat him causing a fracture to his nose.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. A number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They took positioned near the entrance of Palestine Technical College. They stopped, checked and questioned a number of students. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:55, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 12:45, Israeli soldiers positioned near the Israeli military liaison office at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya fired at Mahdi ‘Abdul Latif ‘Aamer, 22, from Qalqilya. He was moderately wounded. They also arrested him, claiming that he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and held Ahmed ‘Abdul Fattah Jom’a, 28, for half an hour. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Kufor Laqif 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 Artah suburb, southwest of Tulkarm. They raided a taxi office. They checked a car and then arrested Jameel Nemer Abu Safaqa, 50, the owner of the office, and Bassam ‘Abdul Fattah ‘Ali, 42, a driver. They also confiscated the car. The two detainees and the car were released on the following day morning.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday, 20 June 2011
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian school children:
1. Miras Mohammed Sabatin, 17;
2. Shaker ‘Abdul Wahab Hamamra, 17; and
3. ‘Omar ‘Abdul Wahab Hamamra, 18.
· At approximately 08:30, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into Juhor al-Dik village, southeast of Gaza City. They searched the area for some time and withdrew later.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They pulled back to the border at approximately 17:00.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
· At approximately 10:00, Israeli gunboats station opposite to Gaza seashore opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to Nasser Suleiman Baker, 24, from al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The boat was sailing nearly two nautical miles away from the beach. Baker, his two brothers, Ahmed and Jalal, and their cousin, Jouhar, were on board of the boat. The motor of the boat was damaged. Another boat belonging to Mohammed Subhi Baker, on board of which were 5 fishermen, came to offer help to the affected boat, but Israeli gunboats opened fire at it damaging its motor also. Many fishing boats gathered and fishermen were able to pull the two damaged boats to the beach.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the north and northwest of Hebron. They raided, searched and photographed 3 shops. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
· At approximately 00:25, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a 400-square-meter chicken farm belonging to ‘Alaa’ Hussein al-Louh in Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. The farm was damaged and 3,500 out of 5,000 chicks were killed.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Beit Sahour town near Bethlehem. They besieged the campus of al-Quds Open University. They stopped and checked a number of students. They also held Mohammed Sobeh, a university student, and George Qanawati, a journalist, for two hours.
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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested 6 international human rights defenders.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 17 June 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. James Shimos, a US director; Nassif al-Dik and Salah al-Khawaja, leaders of the Palestinian National Initiative; and members of Liberty Theater in Jenin participated in the demonstration. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 demonstrators, including a child, were wounded:
1. Rabi’ Turkman, 26, an artist, hit by a tear gas canister to the right hand;
2. ‘Eissa Mahmoud Abu Rahma, 42, hit by a tear gas canister to the shoulder; and
3. Mousa Yassin, 11, suffered from gas effects on his eyes.
Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 17 June 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 clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops 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 17 March 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 in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near “Halmish” settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 18 June 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in protest to Israeli settlement activities. They moved towards Palestinian land, which are closed by IOF, near “Karmi Tsur” settlement, south of the town. Israeli soldiers attacked the demonstrators and violently beat a number of them. They also detonated sound bombs. As a result, Rateb Yusri al-Jbour, 50, and his child, 15-year-old Lu’ai, sustained bruises throughout the body.
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:
Rafah International Crossing Point:
On Sunday, 19 June 2011, Miles of Smiles Convoy arrived in the Gaza Strip through Rafah International Crossing Point. The convoy included 62 European and Arab activists, 15 ambulances and some medications.
At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 21 June 2011, dozens of Palestinian children organized a sit-in at the crossing point. They distributed flowers to Egyptian border guards and called upon the Egyptian government to facilitate the movement of Palestinian civilians through the crossing point. They raised the Palestinian and Egyptian flags.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
15 – 21 June 2011
|
Day |
Date |
Traveling abroad |
Coming into Gaza |
Returned into Gaza |
|
Wednesday |
15 June 2011 |
462 |
412 |
18 |
|
Thursday |
16 June 2011 |
150 |
525 |
6 |
|
Friday |
17 June 2011 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Saturday |
18 June 2011 |
221 |
487 |
15 |
|
Sunday |
19 June 2011 |
338 |
331 |
16 |
|
Monday |
20 June 2011 |
462 |
579 |
6 |
|
Tuesday |
21 June 2011 |
550 |
495 |
— |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
08 – 21 June 2011
Imports:
|
Date |
Imports |
|||
|
Category |
Amount |
|||
|
Tons |
Number |
Liters |
||
|
09 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
1,223 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
1,524 |
|||
|
Various goods Boxes of clothes Washing machines Refrigerators Boxes of shoes Nylon machines Cars Electricity generators |
1,371 |
383 238 294 4,746 35 20 18 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
132,400 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
6 trucks |
|||
|
12 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
1,082 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
854 |
|||
|
Various goods Refrigerators Electricity generators Boxes of clothes Washing machines |
1,130 |
359 551 1,128 120 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
1,574 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
132.970 |
|||
|
13 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
1,129 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
950 |
|||
|
Various goods Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Refrigerators Washing machines |
2,115 |
737 909 288 42 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid Electricity generators |
1,508 |
10 |
||
|
cooking gas |
4 trucks |
|||
|
14 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
1,103 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
1,545 |
|||
|
Various goods Car tires Refrigerators Washing machines Water tanks Boxes of clothes Glass boards |
1,128 |
1,116 278 145 12 919 520 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
2,959 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
113.110 |
|||
|
15 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
802 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
1,443 |
|||
|
Various goods Washing machines Refrigerators Boxes of shoes Boxes of clothes Glass boards Benzene pumps |
1,160 |
209 335 411 705 520 9 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid Boxes of shoes |
2,277 |
6,324 |
||
|
cooking gas |
132 |
|||
|
16 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
964 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
1,967 |
|||
|
Various goods Refrigerators Boxes of clothes Washing machines Cars |
1,130 |
164 1,652 62 20 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
1,751 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
134.730 |
|||
|
19 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
792 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
575 |
|||
|
Various goods Boxes of clothes Water tanks Electricity generators Refrigerators Electricity towers Gas ovens Sweets machine |
908 |
834 316 18 201 180 144 1 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
904 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
222 |
|||
|
20 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
940 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
823 |
|||
|
Various goods Refrigerators Boxes of clothes Cars |
1,178 |
263 487 20 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid Water pumps |
2,321 |
3 |
||
|
cooking gas |
159.150 |
|||
|
21 June 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
839 |
||
|
Agricultural materials |
1,699 |
|||
|
Various goods Boxes of clothes Washing machines Refrigerators Car tires Boxes of shoes Electricity generators |
1,239 |
722 140 235 320 1,976 12 |
||
|
Humanitarian aid |
2,486 |
|||
|
cooking gas |
154.120 |
|||
Notes:
· On Thursday, 09 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 980 tons of construction aggregate, 72 tons of iron bars and 210 tons of base course for UNRWA; 350 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP; and 560 tons of base course for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,443 tons of fodders.
· On Sunday, 12 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 360 tons of cement and 72 tons of iron bars for UNRWA, and 840 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of wheat.
· On Monday, 13 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 40 tons of cement and 32 tons of iron bars for UNRWA, and 1,330 tons of construction aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of wheat and 195 tons of fodders.
· On Tuesday, 14 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 2,450 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, and 320 tons of cement and 58 tons of iron bars for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,521 tons of fodders.
· On Wednesday, 15 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 2,100 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,443 tons of fodders.
· On Thursday, 16 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 24 tons of construction aggregate and 55 tons of iron bars for UNRWA; and 1,470 tons of construction aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,365 tons of wheat and 569 tons of straws.
· On Sunday, 19 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement and 71 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
· On Monday, 20 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 1,540 tons of construction aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of wheat and 117 tons of fodders.
· On Tuesday, 21 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 140 tons of cement for UNRWA, and 80 tons of cement and 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,599 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
15 – 21 June 2011
|
Date |
15 June |
16 June |
17 June |
18 June |
19 June |
20 June |
21 June |
|
Patients |
32 |
25 |
4 |
Nil |
39 |
29 |
36 |
|
Companions |
34 |
25 |
4 |
Nil |
36 |
29 |
37 |
|
Arabs from Israel |
5 |
3 |
9 |
Nil |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Diplomats |
5 |
12 |
Nil |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
3 |
|
International Journalists |
6 |
1 |
1 |
Nil |
3 |
3 |
Nil |
|
International Workers |
48 |
42 |
10 |
Nil |
8 |
17 |
45 |
|
Travelers abroad |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Business People |
67 |
59 |
Nil |
Nil |
64 |
59 |
64 |
|
Economic Meetings |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Security Interviews |
4 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
VIP’s |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Ambulances to Israel |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ambulances from Israel |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
5 |
1 |
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.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday afternoon, 17 June 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at the southern entrance of Beit Ummmar town, north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians during the funeral procession of a dead Palestinian civilians. They fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the participants and chased them. Fire broke out in a wheat farm and about 20 almond trees. On Sunday evening, 19 June 2011, IOF moved into the southwest of Hebron. The established a checkpoint in the area and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday morning, 20 June 2011, IOF prevented a number of religious and public figures from having a tour in the old town of Hebron, claiming it was a closed military zone.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 16 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta – Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa road, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00 on Friday, 17 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on the road linking between Silwad and al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya villages, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 18 June 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, west of Ramallah.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 17 June 011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 18 June 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around the town. On Sunday, 19 June 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around the town. On Monday, 20 June 2011, IOF established 6 checkpoints around the town.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 16 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 18 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, near Far’oun village. At approximately 14:45 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Far’oun intersction, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 17:00, IOF established two checkpoints at the entrance of Baqa al-Sharqiya and Qiffin villages, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 19 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:30 on the same day, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians via Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 16 June 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 10 June 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at the northern entrances of the old town of Hebron arrested Hamada ‘Emad Da’na, 22.
· At approximately 18:20 on Tuesday, 21 June 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned a checkpoint at the northwestern entrance of al-Shuhada Street, which has been closed by IOF for several years, arrested Sarhan Isma’il al-Jamal, 26, and Majed Mustafa al-Jamal, 23.
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 11:30 on Thursday, 16 June 2011, fire broke out in agricultural plots planted with olives belonging to the families of ‘Abbadi and al-Kilani to the southwest of Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, who accused IOF of responsibility for the incident, at least 30 dunums of land planted with olives were burnt. Palestinian civilians rushed to the area attempting to extinguish fire, but their attempts failed.
· At approximately 23:20 on Thursday, 16 June 2011, IOF moved into Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit, escorting a number of Israeli settlers who were visiting a religious site. The settlers remained in the village until the following day. They threw stones at two houses belonging to ‘Ali Saleh Hammad and the sons of ‘Abdul Rahman Husni Shaqqour, breaking their windows. They also threw stones at a car belonging to Jalal Mahmoud As’ad, damaging it heavily.
· At approximately 16:20 on Saturday, 18 June 2011, 15 Israeli settlers from “Beit Hadasa” settlement intercepted Anas Hashem Abu al-Halaw, 21, a university student, when he was on his way back to his house in Qub Janeb neighborhood, which overlooks al-Shuhada Street that has been closed by IOF. The settlers violently beat Abu al-Halawa for two minutes before he was able to flee. When he arrived near Cordoba School, the same settlers attacked him again. They violently beat him, while Israeli soldiers were present in the area. He bled from the shoulder and the arm. The settlers then escaped. Israeli soldiers gathered around him, but they did not offer him any help. A Palestinian ambulance evacuated him to the hospital.
· At approximately 05:00 on Monday morning, 20 June 2011, IOF moved into Khirbat Beer al-‘Abed village to the east of Yatta town, south of Hebron. They forced Palestinian civilians to vacate their houses and tents. They then demolished 8 houses and subordinate tents, in which 50 people live. They also damaged some crops. Additionally, IOF detained a female student for some time, claiming that she was banned from living in the area. According to Ziad Mohammed Makhamra, an owner of one of the demolished houses, IOF had already destroyed at least 2,000 dunums of agricultural planted with wheat and parleys, and prevented Palestinian civilians from reaching their land, claiming that it is a closed military zone.
…………………………………………………………
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.
…………………………………………………………
Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).

June 27, 2011 
































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