Weekly report on israel’s terrorism against the State of Palestine

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (13 – 19 October 2016)

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

(13 – 19 October 2016)

Jerusalem: Construction Works Ongoing in Abu Ghunaim Mount Settlement Photo by: Mohammed Elayan

 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• A Palestinian woman was shot dead at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus.
• 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded. Two of them were seriously wounded.

• Israeli forces targeted the border areas in the Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported.
• An electricity company crew was targeted while maintaining the electricity network, east of Khan Yunis.

• Houses shut down on grounds of collective punishment.
• A room in a house belonging to a Palestinian prisoner was shut down. Another apartment was shut down also under the pretext it contains a metal workshop in Nablus.

• Israeli forces conducted 98 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
• 83 civilians, including 26 children and 3 women, were arrested. Forty-eight of them, including 23 children and the 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Contents of a publishing house were confiscated for the third time. In addition, a grocery was raided and some of its contents were damaged while other contents were stolen in Hebron.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• An orphans’ school was raided; and the director of the Ministry of Education and 10 students were arrested.

• Israeli forces continued settlement activities in the West Bank.
• The road leading to Kherbet al-Hadidiya in northern Jordan Valley was levelled and a sand barrier was placed at the entrance to the Kherbe.
• 50 olive trees were burnt as a settler set fire to lands in Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya.
• 2 settlers dismissed Palestinian farmers harvesting olives, west of Beit Foreek village, and another farmer was dismissed from his lands in Burin village in Nablus.
• Settlers stabbed and attacked a Palestinian man, north of East Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea
• Israeli frequent attacks on Palestinian fishing boats off al-Sudaniya and al-Waha areas, north of the Gaza Strip.

• 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.
• 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints.

 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (13 – 19 October 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, in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman and wounded 6 others, including 3 children. Two of them were directly targeted and seriously wounded.

In the West Bank, on Sunday, 19 October 2016, Israeli forces shot dead Raheeq Shajee’ Mohammed Yusef (19) while being present near Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, under the pretext of a stabbing attack.

In excessive use of deadly force, on 13 October 2016, Israeli forces fired a tear gas canister right to Mostafa Hassan al-Jamal (12) after moving into Beit Soreek village, northwest of Jerusalem. As a result, the boy suffered concussion.

On 15 October 2016, Israeli forces opened fire at the entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded, including 2 children. One of the children named Fares al-Bayedh (15) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the forehead, due to which, his wound was classified as serious.

On 16 October 2016, 2 civilians were wounded; one of whom was arrested, after Israeli special forces moved into Qabatiya village, south of Jenin.

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at an electricity company crew while attempting to maintain the network that is 300 meters away from the border fence. As a result, they stopped their work and fled.

On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed in the east of al-Ahmar area, east of Bait Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at the aforementioned area. As a result, the farmers fled fearing for their lives. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 13 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed in the sea off al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen. As a result, the fishermen sailed back to the seaport. The same attack was carried out 4 times during the reporting period in the same area and off al-Sudaniya shore as well. No casualties were reported.

 

 House demolitions on grounds of collective punishment:

On 16 October 2016, Israeli forces sealed a room for prisoner Yunis al-Nadi (19) in his family house in Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They sealed another room on the roof as well.

On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces sealed the second floor of a house belonging to Abdul Ra’ouf Majdalawi in Balata refugee camp, southeast of Nablus, under the pretext there was a metal workshop in it. This claim was negated by the family.

 

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 98 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 83 Palestinian civilians, including 26 children and 3 women. Forty-eight of them, including 23 children and the 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion. On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces moved 50 meters into the southeast of Beit Hanoun village. They levelled lands and then redeployed.

 

Creating jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

 

Israeli forces continued their attacks and carried out over 14 incursions into Palestinian villages and neighbourhoods. They carried out also house raids and practiced maltreatment against civilians.

Moreover, Israeli forces raided the Islamic Orphans’ School in the Old City in East Jerusalem and re-arrested the director of the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem along with 10 students under the pretext the students threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who were present at al-Aqsa gates.

Concerning settler attacks, on 13 October 2016, a group of settlers guarded by Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighbourhood in East Jerusalem’s Old city. They attacked Palestinian property, attempted to raid some houses and attacked their inhabitants.

The next day, settlers stabbed and attacked Mohammed al-Razem (26), from Silwan village, while he was walking in a street, north of East Jerusalem.

 

Settlement activities

On 13 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet al-Hadidiya in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. They levelled the road leading to the Kherbeh and put a sand barrier at the entrance to that Kherbeh.

On 14 October 2016, a settler set fire to lands in Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. As a result, 50 olive trees belonging to the heirs of Abdul Mahdi Mohammed Ali were burnt before the Civil Defence crew could extinguish fire.

On 15 October 2016, 2 settlers accompanied by Israeli soldiers coming from “Itmar” settlement, dismissed the family of Fawaz Hanani at gun point. The settlers threw away the olives that family had collected.

 

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 (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. 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.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, while passing through those checkpoints.

 

Details

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

 

Thursday, 13 October 2016

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mohamed Reziq Najajrah (13), Mohamed Qasem Shakarnah (15) and Mo’az Ali Shakarnah (18).

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Naief Abu Mefreh (20) and Turki Mohamed Raja Sabaah (21) and then arrested both of them.

 

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli navy forces stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. At approximately 11:30, Israeli navy forces carried out a similar attack.

 

• At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus and stationed in al-Masaken al-Sha’biya neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ashraqat Taha Qatnani, who was killed at Hawarah checkpoint on 22 November 2015, claiming that she carried out a stabbing attack. Israeli forces also took measurements of the house. At approximately 10:15, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then stationed in the vicinity of Abu Sanienah house, where there were a condolences house for Mosbah Abu Sabeeh. It should be noted that Mosbah Abu Sabeeh was killed by Israeli forces because of carrying out a shooting attack in al-Shaykh Jarah neighborhood on 09 October 2016. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers deployed in the main street and obstructed the civilians’ movement. They also removed banners and flags hanged to the wall of Abu Saneinah house. Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Azoun village, east of Qaqilyia; Masha village, west of Salfit; Taramah village, Wad Abu Risha road, west of Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Beit Ummer, Sa’ir and Hadab al-Fawar villages in Hebron.

 

Friday,14 October 2016

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces arrested Hamdi ‘Aziz Khashan (25), from al-Ta’awon street; and ‘Alaa Ali ‘Arafat (24), from ‘Askar camp, and them withdrew.

 

• At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into old’ Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Yunis Medhat Mohamed al-Nadi (19) and arrested him.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Tafouh, Bani Na’iem, Beit Khahel and Ethna villages in Hebron.

 

Saturday, 15 October 2016

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village in Hebron and stationed in al-‘Ain area. They then deployed in the main street and surrounded a shop belonging to Ibrahim Khalil Kamel Ikhlayil (33). They destroyed the main doors and damaged its contents that were estimated at NIS 15000. Moreover, they stole NIS 6,580 and boxes of cigarettes, which were estimated at NIS 7,000. Ibrahim Ikhlayil said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

“At approximately 02:00, while I was sleeping, one of my friends called me and told me that Israeli soldiers were attempting to destroy the main door of my shop. I immediately headed to my shop in the center of the village. I stopped 50 meters away from my shop, and then stepped out of my car and walked towards the Israeli soldiers holding my ID in my hand. After that, two Israeli soldiers approached and searched me. They then took me to my shop, where I found the main door was damaged. I told them I had the shop’s key, so they took the key and opened the door. They destroyed the glass door that is behind the iron door of the shop. Israeli soldiers raided and searched the shop and then withdrew after 40 minutes. After that, I entered my shop and found Israeli soldiers damaged part of the goods and stole money and cigarettes.”

• At approximately 03:00, an Israeli infantry unit consisting of 50 Israeli soldiers went down of Jarzeem Mount towards al-Dahiya neighborhood, al-Quds Street and Balata camp, southeast of Nablus. While Israeli soldiers were moving into Balatah camp, they saw Ibrahim Mohamed Abu Sabeiha (50), an UNRWA sanitation worker was doing his work in the camp’s streets. They stopped and searched him and then let him complete his work. Another force of Israeli soldiers headed to ‘Askar camp and arrived at the area between the new and old ‘Askar camps, where they had maps and cameras. Few minutes later, a large explosion occurred and a house was raided. After that, Israeli soldiers gathered at the eastern area near Balata, ‘Askar and al-Hesbah camps and then 7 Israeli patrols arrived and took them to Hawarah camp. No arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 04:20, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into old ‘Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Yunis Medhat Moahmed al-Nadi (19) after blowing up the house main door. They also told his family to evacuate the house claiming that Yunis works in manufacturing explosives and homemade grenades.

 

• In excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian child from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ statements, at approximately 18:00, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, after commemorating the anniversary of the death of Ahmed Sharakah, who was killed on 11 October 2015 by Israeli forces. When the Palestinian young men arrived at the entrance, they were surprised by dozens of Israeli soldiers, who were present there, and threw stones at them. Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. Another Israeli soldier directly opened fire from a range of 15 meters at Fares Ziyad al-Bayyid (15). As a result, Fares  sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to his forehead. The protesters came to help Fares and took him by a private car, after which an ambulance transported him to the Palestine Medical Complex, where his wound was classified as serious due to the severe bleeding. Fares underwent an operation and his is still in the intensive care unit. In the same context, other protesters were wounded in the clashes, including Hisham Zahid Samad’ah (12), who was hit with a tear gas canister to the head; and Ziyad Abed al-Ghani Qatash (19), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the back. Both of the wounded were treated in the Palestine Medical Complex, where their wounds were classified as minor.

 

• At approximately 21:45, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone throwers. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces then withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (12) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, al-Burj, Sureef, al-Dahiryia, Kharsa, Halhoul, Samou’a, Beit Ummer and al-Burj villages in Hebron; and ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilyia.

 

Sunday, 16 October 2016

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into old’ ‘Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, after which Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to prisoner Yunis Medhat Moahmed al-Nadi (19), who was arrested the day earlier. Israeli forces handed the family a decision to seal Yunis’ room and another room on the roof. Eight Israeli soldiers, who were in the house, ordered Yunis’ sister, Majd (23), who is a lawyer, to get their belongings out of the room because they did not take into account the verbal warning the day before. It should be noted that the above mentioned house inhabited by 8 members. In the meanwhile, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli patrols that raided the city from the northeastern side. The area witnessed violent clashes. The clashes escalated in the new’ ‘Askar camp as well and continued until the morning. After that, Israeli forces withdrew from the camp and neither casualties or arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Bani Na’iem village, east of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then stationed in the western area of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses causing fear among civilians. Moreover, they raided and searched houses from which they arrested Fawzi Yousef Abdullah Khadour (32) and his brother Mounir (37); Suhaib Abed al-Hameed Abu Jarour (31); Murad Moahmed Ahmed Abu Sakout (18) and Fayiz Ibrahim Khalil al-Khadour (32).

 

• At approximately 02:15, a special force of Israeli soldiers moved into Qabatia village, south of Jenin, by 3 civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates. It should be noted that Israeli soldiers were wearing civilian clothes. They then raided cafes in the eastern neighborhood and a large group of shops after searching them, destroying their doors and confiscating cameras. After that, a large number of Israeli military vehicles and infantry units moved into the village and closed all the entrances leading to the village. They also fired live bullets and tear-gas canisters at the Palestinian civilians. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded; one of them was arrested, while the other was taken to receive medical treatment. The wounded persons were identified as:

1. Ahmed Omar Qatawi Hamamdah (22), who was hit with a live bullet to the right leg, and was then taken to Jenin Hospital, where his wounds were classified as moderate; and
2. Amjad Ahmed Mahmoud Kmail (33), who was hit with a live bullet to the left leg. He attempted to flee but Israeli soldiers saw him and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Salam Street in the center of Hebron. A number of Israeli soldiers raided a printing house belonging to Nidal ‘Imran al-Qawasmah (40) after blowing up its main doors. They also confiscated all its content and no arrests were reported. It should be noted that Israeli forces confiscated the abovementioned printing house’s content two times previously.

 

• At approximately 08:20, Israeli navy forces stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. No casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City, opened fire at eleven fishing boats. As a result, fishermen were forced to return to Gaza Seaport for fear of being arrested or wounded.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: the entrance to al-Koum village, the entrance to Beit Olah village, the northern entrance to Yatta village, and the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp.

 

Monday, 17 October 2016

• At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Talfeet village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while other Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Labib Jaber Haj Mohamed (28) and arrested him. It should be noted that Labib suffers from a kidney disease.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sureef village, northwest of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in the center of the village. A number of Israeli soldiers deployed between houses causing fear among civilians. Moreover, Israeli soldiers raided and searched 2 houses from which they arrested Abdullah Moahmed Ganiymat (23) and Ahmed Ibrahim Ganiymat (27).

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into ‘Ortah village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area after which Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Haza’ As’ad Lolah (27) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a maintenance crew of the Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) while they were carrying out maintenance works in Khoza’a village, 300 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the crew was forced to stop their work and then withdrew.

 

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to return to Gaza Seaport for fear of being arrested or wounded.

 

• Around the same day, Israeli forces moved into olive agricultural fields in Budrus village, west of Ramallah. They arrested 3 civilians identified as Mahmoud Hussain Yousef (29), Nizar Lotfi Khalaf (34) and Abdullah Mohamed Omar (22).

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (13) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Araq Bureen village, southeast of Nablus and al-Masaken al-Sha’biya neighborhood, northeast of Nablus; Kharsa, Beit ‘Awaa, Ethna, Dura, Tafouh and al-Dahiriya villages and the western entrance to Hebron, al-Yaqeen entrance, east of Bani Na’iem village, al-Jalajil road and al-Thirwa area in Halhoul village in Hebron; and Shaqbah village, west of Ramallah.

 

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Nabi Yunis area. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses and caused fear among civilians. They also raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Monther Sa’di Karjah (16) and Mohamed Mahmoud al-Sa’dah (35).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Karmel area. They deployed between houses and then raided and searched a house belonging to Diyab ‘Awad Abu Qubitah (59) and arrested his son Eyad (24).

 

• At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sabastiya village, northwest of Nablus. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear-gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, dozens of youngsters suffered tear gas inhalation and were then treated on the spot.

 

• In the morning, Israeli forces closed a road between al-Kasarah road and Jouhar Mount in the southern area of Hebron with cement cubes for security reasons. Israeli soldiers also deployed in the area.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: the southern entrance to Halhoul village, the northern entrance to Yatta village, the entrance to al-Majd village; al-Karmah village, Abu Katilah area in Hebron; Bitah village, southeast of Nablus and Qarawit Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit.

 

Wednesday, 19 October 2016

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Ma’damah village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area after which Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Mohamed ‘Amer Nasar (24) and Ali ‘Esam Ziyadah (25) and confiscated 2 laptops and 2 cell phones belonging to them.

• At approximately 02:45, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nour Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Murshid Abed al-Latif Ghanam (33) and ‘Odai Fayiz Ibrahim Sha’ban (38).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Balatah camp, southeast of Nablus, and stationed in al-Hashasheen neighbourhood, in the center of the camp. They raided and searched a 2-storey house built on an area of 95 square meters. The abovementioned house belongs to Abed al-Raouf Abed al-Qadir Majdalawi. Israeli forces locked 4 of the family members in a living room and before they withdrew from the house, they put a notice on the second floor’s door ordering them to close it claiming they found a metal lathe in it. Moreover, they handed Abed al-Raouf’s wife, Istiqlal Mahmoud Moahmed Majdalawi, a written notification and then withdrew. The family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that what was found in the second floor is a big drill machine.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Rimah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Obaidah ‘Adnan Mostafa al-Barghouthi (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved about 50 meters to the southeast of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. They headed towards the north and stationed in al-Qutbaniya area, east of Beit Hanoun. Israeli vehicles leveled lands and patrolled the area before redeploying along the border fence. Israeli soldiers sporadically opened fire, but no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces accompanied with a large number of Israeli settlers traveling by 7 buses to perform their religious ritual moved into al-Hafirah area in Marka village, east of Jenin. At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces along with the settlers withdrew from the area.

• At approximately 10:40, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Ahmar area, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire and caused fear among farmers. The farmers were forced to flee for fear of being wounded. No casualties were reported.

• In a new crime, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:05, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, shot dead Raheeq Shujaie’ Moahmed Yousef (19), from northern ‘Asirah village, northwest of Nablus. Israeli forces claimed that Raheeq attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against the Israeli soldiers and settlers, who were at the checkpoint. Israeli forces detained Raheeq’s corpse and did not deliver it to the Palestinian ambulance. PCHR’s fieldworker stated that Raheeq is married and is a university student.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Tafouh, Halhoul, Deir al-‘Asal and Ethna villages; and Jalajil and Tarousah raods in Hebron.

 

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

 

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer, 14 October 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses.  As a result, some of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Israeli forces stopped international solidarity groups and detained their passports, in addition to writing down their names. Moreover, Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone. It should be noted that a number of Palestinian young men climbed over the annexation wall and raised the Palestinian flag.

 

• Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men organized a protest against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages. The Protesters threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. As a result, a fire broke out in a plot of land belonging to Mo’amar ‘Aiyad, from Silwad village.

 

• At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 14 October 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, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

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