“وزير الفشل الذي عيّنه نتنياهو”.. إعلام إسرائيلي ينتقد أداء بن غفير

2023الأحد 12فبراير

المصدر: الميادين نت + وكالات

صحيفة “هآرتس” الإسرائيلية تتحدث عن الأخطاء التي ارتكبها وزير الأمن الإسرائيلي إيتمار بن غفير بعد العمليات الفدائية التي حصلت في القدس المحتلة، وتقول إن رئيس الحكومة مسؤول عن ذلك.

“هآرتس”: نتنياهو معلّق ببن غفير في حملة هروبه المدمّرة من رعب القانون

قالت صحيفة “هآرتس” الإسرائيلية، اليوم الأحد، في افتتاحيتها إن “هجوم الدهس القاسي حصد أرواح ثلاثة إسرائيليين. لكنّ الوزير المسؤول عن الأمن القومي إيتمار بن غفير يعمل على مفاقمة الوضع، وليس تهدئته”.

وأشارت الصحيفة إلى أنّ “حتى قبل إخلاء جثث القتلى، سارع بن غفير إلى الإعلان عن أنه وجّه الشرطة بالاستعداد لعملية “سور واقي 2″ في القدس، ونصب حواجز وتصعيب روتين حياة مئات آلاف الفلسطينيين المقيمين في المدينة”.

ووفقاً لـ”هآرتس”، فإنه “على الرغم من أنه تبين بعد الهجوم أن عائلة منفّذ الهجوم، حسين قراقع، لا صلة لها بالأحداث، أصر بن غفير على فرض عقوباتٍ جماعية تسبب بالتأكيد تدهوراً أمنياً”.

وقالت الصحيفة إن “بن غفير انبرى بإعلانٍ بناءً لرأيه، من دون أن يسمع مواقف رجال الأمن، ومن دون أن يأخذ بالحسبان آثار خطوة كهذه، والأخطر، من دون صلاحية ومن دون نقاشٍ مسبق في الكابينت السياسي–الأمني”.

اقرأ أيضاً: إيتمار بن غفير: “حارس الأسوار 2” على الأبواب وأمننا في خطر

واعتبرت أن “بن غفير لا يعمل كشخصٍ يسعى إلى وقف التصعيد، بل كشخصٍ يسعى إلى المفاقمة من أجل دهورة البلد إلى انتفاضة شبيهة بما سبق عملية “السور الواقي” في سنة 2002″، لافتةً إلى أن “كلامه يمكن أن يفسّره الفلسطينيون بأنه إعلان حرب، ومن الممكن أن يؤجج هجماتٍ إضافية”.

وأضافت الصحيفة الإسرائيلية أنه “لا يكفي انتقاد بن غفير، وممنوع أن ننسى من عيّن ناشط اليمين المتطرف، الاستفزازي والمجرم المُدان، الذي وضع هدفاً له السيطرة على الشرطة وجر البلد إلى صِدامٍ مباشر مع الفلسطينيين”، قائلةً إن “أعضاء حزبه تواقون إلى انتقام، في حين أنهم ينسون وظيفتهم، الحفاظ على الأمن”.

واعتبرت أن “أصابع الاتهام يجب توجيهها إلى من اختار تعيين بن غفير في منصبه أي رئيس الحكومة بنيامين نتنياهو”، مشيرةً إلى أن “من يضع شخصاً خطيراً وفاشلاً كبن غفير في منصب وزير الأمن القومي، لا يتعجبنّ من أن تلميذ الحاخام كاهانا معني باستغلال الوضع الأمني الصعب من أجل جر البلد بأسره إلى حربٍ شاملة”.

وقالت إن “نتنياهو معلّق ببن غفير في حملة هروبه المدمّرة من رعب القانون، والثمن الباهظ يضطر لدفعه كل مواطني إسرائيل”.

يأتي ذلك في وقت، كثرت الانتقادات التي طالت بن غفير بسبب السياسات المستفزة التي يتبعها. وشنّ مسؤولون إسرائيليون، هجوماً على وزير الأمن القومي الإسرائيلي، إيتمار بن غفير، بسبب تصريحاته بشأن إطلاق عملية “السور الواقي 2” في القدس المحتلة.

وعلقت وسائل إعلام إسرائيلية، أمس السبت، على العملية الفدائية التي حصلت في القدس المحتلة، قائلةً إن “السور الواقي لن توقف مهاجماً منفرداً، وكذلك الإغلاق سيضر أكثر مما ينفع”.

اقرأ أيضاً: التحدّيات التي تواجه “إسرائيل”.. في ظل تَأَكُّل نظرية “الأمن القومي”

فيديوات متعلقة

مقالات متعلقة

Israeli Human Rights Violations in Palestine (Weekly Update 26 January- 01 February 2023)

 February 2, 2023

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity:

16 Palestinians were killed, including 7 civilians: one was a woman, by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)’ fire.  Among those killed, one was shot dead by an Israeli settler, and three, including 2 children, succumbed to their previous injuries. Meanwhile, 51 Palestinians, including 12 children, were injured by IOF fire, and dozens of others suffocated. All those incidents took place in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, except for a child who succumbed to his previous injuries in the Gaza Strip. Details are as follows:

On 26 January 2023, IOF killed 9 Palestinians, including 4 civilians; one of them was a woman, and injured 29 others, including 2 children and 9 seriously injured, during IOF’s incursion into Jenin Refugee camp, west of Jenin. On 29 January 2023, a member of Palestinian armed groups succumbed to his injury. (Details available at PCHR’s press release.)

On the same day, Yousef Yehia Muhassin (22) was killed after being shot with a live bullet in his abdomen and two other Palestinians, including a child, were injured by IOF’s fire during the latter’s incursion into al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, and being thrown with stones and Molotov cocktails.

On the same day, Nayif Khaled al-‘Ewidat (11) died after sustaining a shrapnel injury in his head as Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural land in ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis, on 06 August 2022.

On 27 January 2023, Wadee’ ‘Aziz Abu Romouz (16) succumbed to an explosive bullet injury he sustained in his abdomen on 25 January 2023 during clashes with IOF in Silwan village in occupied East Jerusalem. During his treatment at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, he received around 150 blood units and underwent 3 surgeries to stop the severe bleeding caused by the explosive bullet. Despite his critical health condition, IOF remained him under arrest, tied him to the bed, deployed inside and outside the room, and kept his body in custody.

On the same day, Khairy Mousa ‘Alqam (21) was killed during an exchange of fire with IOF in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. ‘Alqam was being chased by IOF after he carried out a shooting attack in Nabi Jacob settlement.

On 29 January 2023, Karam ‘Ali Salman (18) was killed by a settlement guard’s fire in the industrial area, east of Qalqilya, while trying to infiltrate into Kedumim settlement with a rifle as shown in a footage published by the Israeli media.

On 30 January 2023, Naseem Nayif Fouda (26) was killed after being shot with a live bullet in his head while driving his vehicle near a military checkpoint at the entrance to al-Salaymah neighborhood, southeast of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. ( Details available in PCHR’s press release.)

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of IOF’s excessive use of force and shooting during their incursion into the Palestinian cities and villages, or suppression of peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians, and they were as follows:

On 26 January 2023, 7 Palestinians, including 2 children, were shot with live and rubber-coated bullets during clashes with IOF in front of Beit Eil military checkpoint at the northern entrance to al-Bireh City.

On the same day, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were shot with rubber-coated bullets during clashes with IOF at the northern entrance to Jericho.

Also, a child sustained a live bullet injury in his hand during IOF’s incursion into Tammun village southeast of Tubas. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested a Palestinian.

On 27 January 2023, 3 Palestinians were injured with rubber-coated bullets during IOF’s suppression of Kafr Qaddoum weekly protest in northern Qalqilya.

On the same day, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were injured with rubber-coated bullets during clashes with IOF at ‘Azzun village entrance, east of Qalqilya. Additionally, a child was shot with a rubber-coated bullet during clashes with IOF in southern Qalqilya. 

On 28 January 2023, a Palestinian was injured with an explosive bullet during clashes with IOF in front of Mavi Dotan checkpoint at the entrance to Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. As a result, part of his right foot was amputated.

On the same day, a child was injured with a live bullet in his right foot during clashes with IOF at Abu al-Rish military checkpoint near al-Ibrahimi Mosque, south of Hebron. Also, a child was shot with 2 live bullets in his foot during IOF’s incursion into Al- Izzariya village in occupied East Jerusalem. Additionally, a child was injured with a live bullet during IOF’s incursion into Bir Nabala village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.

On 29 January 2023, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were injured by IOF’s fire during clashes with IOF in front of a military watchtower established at the entrance to Nabi Salih village, northwest of Ramallah. The child was shot with a rubber-coated bullet and the other Palestinian was shot with a live bullet.

In the Gaza Strip, 5 IOF shootings were reported on agricultural lands in eastern Gaza Strip.

So far in 2023, IOF attacks killed 36 Palestinians, including 17 civilians; 6 of them were children, and the rest were members of the Palestinian armed groups, including a child and 3 were killed by settlers allegedly for carrying out stabbing and shooting attacks. Meanwhile, dozens were injured in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Land razing, demolitions, and notices

IOF displaced 5 families of 25, including 12 children and 6 women, after demolishing 5 houses and 8 civilian facilities.  IOF also handed cease-construction notices in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 27 January 2023, IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his 65-sqm house in Jabel Mukaber village in occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction, rendering a family of 5, including a woman and 3 children, homeless.

On 28 January 2023, IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his 50-sqm under-construction house in Silwan village in occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On 29 January 2023, IOF demolished a 250-sqm house of 2 floors in Jabel Mukaber village in occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction. As a result, 3 families of 11, including 4 women and 3 children, were displaced.

On the same day, IOF handed a cease-construction notice for a 100-sqm under-construction house and a 100-sqm tinplate barrack in Al-Burj village, west of Dura in Hebron.

On 30 January 2023, IOF demolished a 200-sqm auto repair shop built of bricks and tinplate in Jabel Mukaber village in occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On the same day, IOF demolished 3 livestock barracks built on an area of 150 sqms in Silwan village in occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On 01 February 2023, IOF demolished a 100-sqm house in Al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.  As a result, a family of 9, including a woman and 6 children, was displaced.

On the same day, IOF demolished a 120-sqm under-construction house in Beit Jala village, northwest of Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Also, IOF demolished a 250-sqm café in Beit Hanina village in occupied East Jerusalem in addition to a 30-sqm wooden room in Silwan village in occupied East Jerusalem.  Moreover, they demolished two 30-sqm containers and a 5-meter retaining wall surrounding a 800-sqm plot of land in Sur Baher village in occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Meanwhile, IOF demolished a 500-sqm barrack that included agricultural tools and handed 9 cease-construction notices for inhabited and under-construction houses in Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit. 

Since the beginning of 2023, IOF made 31 families homeless, a total of 207 persons, including 27 women and 96 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 31 houses; 5 were forcibly self-demolished by their owners and 3 were demolished on grounds of collective punishment. IOF also demolished 36 other civilian objects, razed other property, and delivered dozens of notices of demolition and cease-construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Settler-attacks on Palestinian civilians and their properties:

Settlers, protected by IOF, carried out 12 attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 27 January 2023, 5 Palestinians were injured with live bullets after an Israeli settler directly opened fire at them at Beita village intersection, southeast of Nablus.

On the same day, Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian near Wadi al-Mutawi, west of Kafr ad-Dik village in western Salfit, causing bruises to him. Also, settlers opened fire at Palestinians in Sidat al-Tha’la area, east of Yatta in southern Hebron, but no casualties were reported.

On 28 January 2023, Israeli settlers, under IOF’s protection, burned 3 vehicles and smashed windows and lights of an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in ‘Aqraba and Majdal Bani Fadil villages, southeast of Nablus.

On the same day, setters burned a house, smashed the windows of another, uprooted 6 olive trees, and closed the main street connecting Turmus’Ayya village with Al-Mughayyir village in northern Ramallah. Also, Israeli settlers, protected by IOF, threw stones at Palestinians’ vehicles on a road connecting Nablus with Qalqilya near Kedumim intersection, and on a road connecting Turmus’Ayya village with Al-Mughayyir village, north of Ramallah. They also smashed the windows of 2 vehicles.

On 29 January 2023, settlers beat a Palestinian and fractured his leg, and burned two vehicles in Jalud village, southeast of Nablus.

On 30 January 2023, Israeli settlers, under IOF’s protection, uprooted 50 olive trees and wrote racist slogans dubbed “Death to Arabs” in Sinjil village, northeast of Ramallah.

On the same day, settlers punctured the tires of 30 vehicles in al-Eskan area near the industrial area in Al-Bireh.

On 01 February 2023, settlers punctured the tires of 10 vehicles and wrote racist slogans against Arabs calling for revenge in Deir Dibwan village, east of Ramallah.

Since the beginning of the year, settlers conducted at least 29 attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property.

Collective Punishment:

On 29 January 2023, as part of their collective punishment policy, IOF sealed off a residential apartment in al-Tur village in occupied East Jerusalem. The apartment belongs to the family of Khairy ‘Alqam, who was killed after carrying out a shooting attack in occupied East Jerusalem on 27 January 2023. A As a result, a family of 9, including 5 children and 3 women, were displaced. Following the shooting attack, IOF raided ‘Alqam’s family house, arrested his parents and some of his relative, expelled the rest of his family members, and prevented anyone from entering it. Meanwhile, IOF is still stationed around the house.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 280 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 113 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 women and 8 children; one of them was with a mobility impairment.

So far in 2023, IOF conducted 1103 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 510 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 women and 55 children.

Israeli closure and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly-update in the Gaza crossings.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continues to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 110 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 192 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, and arrested 10 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

On 26 January 2023, IOF closed Shu’fat military checkpoint, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and reopened it later.

On 28 January 2023, IOF blocked traffic at al-Zaytona military checkpoint in al-Tur village and closed with cement cubes the entrance to Anata village in occupied East Jerusalem.

On the same day, IOF closed the western entrance to Husan village to vehicles’ movement, and closed the military checkpoint 300 in northern Bethlehem, and reopened them later.

On 29 January 2023, IOF closed Qalandia and al-Jib checkpoints in occupied East Jerusalem and later reopened them. On the same day, IOF closed the northern and western entrances to Tekoa village and reopened them later.

On 30 January 2023, IOF obstructed vehicles’ movement at Jab’ military checkpoint and closed Qalandia military checkpoint in occupied East Jerusalem and reopened it later. On the same day, IOF tightened restrictions at al-Container military checkpoint in Bethlehem, blocking traffic.

On 31 January 2023, IOF closed the western entrance to Husan village to vehicles’ movement and reopened it later.

On 28 January 2023, IOF tightened restrictions at military checkpoints established at the main and sub entrances to Jericho, including blocking traffic, searching vehicles and checking Palestinians’ IDs. 

So far in 2023, IOF established 618 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 31 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

Israeli Human Rights Violations in Palestine (Weekly Update 19 – 25 January 2023)

January 26, 2023

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity:

4 Palestinians were killed: 3 of them, including a civilian and a child, were shot by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) while the fourth was shot dead by a settler.  Moreover, 17 others, including 2 children, were wounded, and dozens of others suffocated in IOF attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 19 January 2023, IOF killed 2 Palestinians, including a civilian, wounded 3 others and arrested five during the IOF’s incursion into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. Details available in PCHR’s press release.

On 21 January 2023, an Israeli settler shot dead Tareq ‘Odah Ma’ali (43), who allegedly tried to stab the settler with a sharp tool at “Sde Ephraim” settlement outpost near Ras Karkar village, north of Ramallah. A footage showed Ma’ali running after the settler, who fired several bullets at him, and captured him falling on the ground. Later on, IOF announced his death and kept his body in custody.

On 25 January 2023, Mohammad Ali Abed Mohammad Ali (17) was killed with a live bullet in the chest, and 4 others were wounded by IOF’s fire after the latter moved into ‘Anata village in East Jerusalem. A footage showed MohammadAli taking part in the confrontations while being masked and carrying a weapon. After IOF arrested him while wounded, it turned out that the weapon he was carrying was a toy. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested 3 Palestinians, including a child, and destroyed a residential apartment belonging to the family of ‘Uday al-Tamimi, who was killed after carrying out 2 shooting attacks in occupied Jerusalem last October.  This demolition falls under IOF’s collective punishment policy.

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of excessive use of force and shooting that accompanied IOF incursions into cities and villages or suppression of peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians, and they were as follows:

On 20 January 2023, 5 Palestinians were wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets during IOF’s suppression of Kafr Qaddoum peaceful weekly protest, northern Qalqilya.

On 25 January 2023, 2 children were seriously injured in Al-Lawza neighborhood in central Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, during IOF’s incursion into the village to arrest a Palestinian.  IOF surrounded the 2 Children and prevented anyone from approaching them.  They were then transferred by an Israeli ambulance to Israel.

On the same day, 3 Palestinians were wounded with live bullets during IOF’s incursion into Nour Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm.

In the Gaza Strip, 12 IOF shootings were reported on agricultural lands in eastern and northern Gaza Strip, and 7 shootings were reported on fishing boats off the western Gaza shores.

So far in 2023, IOF attacks killed 20 Palestinians, including 9 civilians; 4 of them were children, and the rest were members of the Palestinian armed groups, including a child and 2 killed by two settlers allegedly for carrying out stabbing attacks. Meanwhile, dozens were injured in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Land razing, demolitions, and notices

IOF displaced 5 families of 40, including 28 children after demolishing 10 houses and confiscating cactus seedlings in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 19 January 2023, IOF confiscated 120 cactus seedlings in Al-Jawaya area, eastern Yatta, south of Hebron.

On 21 January 2023, IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his 120-sqm house in Ras Al-‘Amoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction in Area C. As a result, a family of 7, including 5 children, was displaced.

On 22 January 2023, IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his 150-sqm under-construction house in Ras Al-‘Amoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction in Area C.

On 25 January 2023, IOF demolished 6 houses in Al-Dyouk Al-Tahta village, west of Jericho, under the pretext of unlicensed construction in Area C, noting that PCHR’s fieldworker could not collect more information about the 4 houses, but was able to document displacement of 2 families of 16, including 2 women and 12 children.

On the same day, IOF demolished a 50-sqm agricultural house built of bricks and tinplate in Ma’in village, southern Yatta, south of Hebron, rendering a family of 9, including 6 children, homeless. In the same area, another 40-sqm agricultural house was demolished, displacing a family of 8, including 5 children, under the pretext of unlicensed construction in Area C.

Since the beginning of 2023, and according to what we have been able to document, IOF made 22 families homeless, a total of 152 persons, including 17 women and 68 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 26 houses; 7 were forcibly self-demolished by their owners and 3 were demolished on grounds of collective punishment. IOF also demolished 20 other civilian objects, razed other property, and delivered dozens of notices of demolition, cease-construction, and evacuation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

House demolitions on grounds of Collective Punishment

On 25 January 2023, large forces of Israeli soldiers raided ‘Anata village in East Jerusalem and surrounded an 11-storey residential building, which was evacuated.  They closed a residential apartment on the 6th floor belonging to the family of ‘Uday Al-Tamimi after destroying its walls and internal contents as part of IOF’s collective punishment policy. Al-Tamimi was killed after carrying out 2 shooting attacks in occupied Jerusalem last October. Due to the apartment demolition, a family of 7, including 3 women, was displaced. During the incursion, clashes broke out between the young men and IOF, killing a 17-year-old Muhammad Ali Abd Muhammad Ali, and wounding 4 civilians. Before withdrawing, IOF arrested 3 Palestinians, including a child.

So far in 2023, 3 houses were demolished as a result of collective punishment.

Settler-attacks

Settlers, protected by IOF, carried out 4 attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 19 January 2023, a settler razed and excavated 2 plots of land of 225 dunums, after confiscating them to turn them into an agricultural settlement outpost in Al-Ras area between Qalandia and Rafat villages, northwest of East Jerusalem.

On 20 January 2023, a settler uprooted 25 olive seedlings in Al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem.

On 22 January 2023, settlers, supported by IOF, razed a plot of land planted with 300 olive trees in Kafr Qaddoum village, north of Qalqilya.

On 23 January 2023, settlers threw stones at a Palestinian vehicle and smashed its windows in Sinjil village, northeast of Ramallah.

Since the beginning of the year, settlers conducted at least 17 attacks against Palestinians and their property.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 200 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 106 Palestinians were arrested, including a journalist, 3 women and 19 children; one of them was sick.

According to PCHR’s documentation, so far in 2023, IOF conducted 819 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 397 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 women and 47 children.

Israeli closure and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly-update in the Gaza crossings.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continue to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 110 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 122 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and arrested 7 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

On 20 January 2023, IOF closed Qalandia military checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, and later reopened it.

On 22 January 2023, IOF closed the detector gate at the western entrance to Husan village, west of Bethlehem, and later reopened it.

On 23 January 2023, IOF closed the northern entrance to Teko’a village, southeast of Bethlehem and later reopened it.

On 25 January 2023, IOF closed Shu’fat refugee camp checkpoint, northeast of East Jerusalem, during IOF’s incursion into the camp and demolition of ‘Uday Al-Tamimi’s house.  Later, IOF reponed the checkpoint.

So far in 2023, IOF established 426 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 21 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

Israeli Forces Shoot, Injure Palestinian Youth near Hebron

January 13, 2023

Israeli occupation forces shot and injured a Palestinian youth in the town of Beit Ummar, near Hebron.(Via: eidsh929 TW Page)

Israeli occupation forces shot and injured a Palestinian youth in the town of Beit Ummar, near the occupied West Bank city of Al-Khalil (Hebron), the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

WAFA correspondent said that Israeli forces violently dispersed a rally demanding the release of Palestinians’ bodies withheld from burial. Israeli soldiers hit a participant with a round in the foot and caused dozens of others to suffocate from tear gas.

The rally participants demanded that Israel return the bodies of Palestinian prisoners who die in imprisonment and those who allegedly committed attacks, most notably veteran prisoner Nasser Abu Hamid, who died recently in Israeli custody.

According to official Palestinian sources, the Israeli occupation authorities have been withholding the bodies of 256 persons who are buried in the so-called ‘Cemeteries of Numbers’. Additionally, the bodies of 117 others are withheld in morgues and refrigerators.

Israeli authorities resumed the policy regarding the decision to withhold the bodies of the deceased in October 2015.

(WAFA, PC, SOCIAL)

LATEST POSTS

Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Weekly Update 08-14 December 2022)

 December 15, 2022

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity:

Five Palestinian, including 3 civilians, were killed and 7 others, including 2 children, were injured, while dozens of others suffocated in Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) attacks in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

On 08 December 2022, as part of extrajudicial executions, IOF directly shot and killed three Palestinians: one was a civilian and the two others were members of Palestinian armed groups, in an IOF ambush in eastern Jenin. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested three Palestinians. ( Details are available in PCHR’s press release).

On the same day, IOF killed a child namely Diaa Irhamieh (16) and wounded 3 other Palestinians; one was arrested, in clashes at the main entrance to ‘Aboud village in Ramallah. (Details are available in PCHR’s press release).

On 11 December 2022, IOF killed a 16-year-old Palestinian girl namely Jana Zakarneh and arrested three Palestinians, including two brothers, during IOF’s incursion into Jenin’s eastern neighborhood. (Details are available in PCHR’s press release). IOF admitted that following an initial inquiry it was determined that the girl might have been unintentionally shot by an Israeli sniper[1].

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of excessive use of force that accompanied IOF’s incursion into the Palestinian cities and villages, or suppression of peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians, and they were as follows:

On 08 December 2022, a Palestinian was shot with a rubber-coated bullet during clashes with IOF stationed near Detector Gate (104), which is established at the annexation wall, west of Tulkarm.

On 09 December 2022, three Palestinians, including two children, were shot with rubber-coated bullets during IOF’s suppression of Kafr Qaddoum weekly protest in northern Qalqilya.

On 10 December 2022, IOF suppressed a gathering organized by dozens of Palestinians at the Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem, in celebration of the winning of the Moroccan team in the World Cup. They also assaulted a person with a mobility impairment and arrested him in a detention center. He was then taken to a hospital for treatment.

In the Gaza Strip, 9 shootings were reported on agricultural lands in eastern Gaza Strip, and 3 shootings were reported on fishing boats off the western Gaza shores.

So far in 2022, IOF attacks killed 185 Palestinians, including 123 civilians: 37 children, 8 women, 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli settler and the rest were activists; 20 of them were assassinated. Also, hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, were wounded in IOF’s attacks in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Moreover, 5 Palestinian detainees, including a woman, died in the Israeli prisons.

Land razing, demolitions, and notices

IOF demolished 5 houses, displacing 3 families of 16, including 5 children and 3 women. They also demolished 7 civilian facilities and handed notices to cease construction works in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 11 December 2022, IOF handed five Palestinians notices to cease construction works in three inhabited houses, a plot of land, and a tinplate shop selling construction materials in al-Zuwaidin Bedouin village in Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On 12 December 2022, in implementation of an Israeli municipality’s order, IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his under-construction house built on an area of 100 square meters in Isawiya village in occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. On the same day, IOF dismantled a 100-square-meter agricultural nursery in Tuqu village in Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.  Also, IOF handed 18 notices to cease construction in 9 house, 4 agricultural rooms, 3 industrial facilities, and two plots of lands in Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Saflit, under the pretext of being in area classified as Area C.  The notices say that you may appeal the notices before 28 December 2022.

On 13 December 2022, IOF demolished a 135-square-meter house comprised of one floor in Al-Jiftlik village, north of Jericho, rendering two families of 9, including 3 children, homeless. In the same area, IOF demolished a 36-square-meter house, displacing a family of 7, including 2 children. Also, IOF demolished two under-construction houses; one built on an area of 165 sqms and comprised of two floors while the other built on an area of 100 sqms. Additionally, IOF demolished a tinplate barrack built on an area of 150 sqms and four plastic livestock barns built on an area of 240 sqms, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.

On the same day, IOF demolished an under-construction house built on an area of 100 sqms in Furush Beit Dajan village in central valleys in Nablus, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C. Also, IOF demolished a barrack used as an auto repair shop, a container, a barrack, an agricultural room, a fence, and a stone chain in an agricultural land in al-Jib village in occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

Since the beginning of 2022, Israeli occupation forces made 139 families homeless, a total of 821 persons, including 161 women and 373 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 159 houses and dozens of residential and agricultural tents. IOF also demolished 116 other civilian objects, leveled vacant areas of land, and delivered hundreds of notices of demolition, cease-construction, and evacuation.

Settler-attacks on Palestinian civilians and their properties:

On 08 December 2022, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing near Kedumim settlement square on the main street connecting Nablus with Qalqilya.

On 10 December 2022, Israeli settlers uprooted 15 olive trees in the lands of Haris village, north of Salfit.

Since the beginning of the year, settlers conducted at least 255 attacks. In two of the attacks, 2 Palestinians were killed.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 168 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 117 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 children, and a Palestinian vehicle was confiscated.

So far in 2022, IOF conducted 8,438 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 4,698 Palestinians were arrested, including 466 children and 49 women. IOF also conducted 34 limited incursions into eastern Gaza Strip and arrested 105 Palestinians, including 64 fishermen, 32 infiltrators, and 9 travelers via Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing.

Israeli collective punishment and closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly-update in the Gaza crossings.

On 08 December 2022, IOF have banned 382 Christians from Gaza to travel to Bethlehem in order to join the Christmas celebrations after refusing to issue travel permits for them. Mr. Elias al-Jalda, Member of the Arab Orthodox Churchwarden Council in Gaza, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that those banned travel were on a list of 900 persons whose names were sent by the churches in the Gaza Strip to obtain travel permits.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continues to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 110 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 76 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem arrested 6 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

On 08 December 2022, IOF closed the metal detector gate established at the western entrance to Husan village, west of Bethlehem.

On 09 December 2022, IOF closed the metal detector gate established at the western entrance to Tekoa village, east of Bethlehem.

So far in 2022, IOF established at least 4,342 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 197 Palestinians at those checkpoints

Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine ( Weekly )

 December 1, 2022

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity:

Five Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers, were killed and 18 others, including 5 children and a paramedic, were injured, while dozens of others suffocated in Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) attacks in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

On 29 November 2022, three Palestinian Civilians, including 2 brothers, were killed and 6 others, including 2 children, were injured by IOF fire in the West Bank. The two brothers were killed in Ramallah, while the third civilian succumbed to his injury in Hebron. ( Details are available in PCHR’s press release).

On 29 and 30 November 2022, two Palestinian civilians were killed by IOF fire during the latter’s incursion into Jenin and Ramallah in the West Bank. ( Details are available in PCHR’s press release).

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of excessive use of force that accompanied IOF’s incursion into the Palestinian cities and villages, or suppression of peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians, and they were as follows:

On 25 November 2022, three Palestinians, including a child, were shot with rubber-coated bullets during IOF’s suppression of Kafr Qaddoum weekly protest in northern Qalqilya.

On 29 November 2022, a Palestinian was shot with a live bullet in his foot by IOF while trying to infiltrate through a hole in the annexation wall near Rummanah village in western Jenin, to work in Israel. Also, another Palestinian sustained a rubber bullet injury in his foot during clashes with IOF in Zeita village in Tulkram.

On the same day, six Palestinians, including a paramedic and 2 children, were shot with live and rubber-coated bullets, while dozens of others suffocated during clashes with IOF following the latter’s suppression of the participants in the funeral of Mofeed Ikhlayil, who at dawn succumbed to his injury he sustained the day before by IOF fire.

In the Gaza Strip, 2 shootings were reported on agricultural lands in eastern Gaza Strip, and 2 shootings were reported on fishing boats off the western Gaza shore. The shooting on 24 November 2022 wounded a fisherman with a rubber-coated bullet in his leg off Beit Lahia shore. (Details available in PCHR’s press release.)  

So far in 2022, IOF attacks killed 175 Palestinians, including 118 civilians: 35 children, 8 women, 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers and the rest were activists; 18 of them were assassinated. Also, hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, were wounded in IOF’s attacks in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Moreover, 5 Palestinian detainees, including a woman, died in the Israeli prisons.

Land razing, demolitions, and notices

IOF demolished 4 houses and 4 residential tents, rendering 3 families of 22, including 4 women and 14 children, homeless. Also, IOF demolished 5 economic facilities, razed, and seized a plot of land and confiscated agricultural vehicles in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 26 November 2022, IOF confiscated a bulldozer belonging to Qarawet Bani Hassan Municipality in Salfit while cleaning the sides of the main street and water channels from stones and sand. They also chased the workers while working in various areas in the village.

On 27 November 2022, the Israeli occupation authorities confiscated an excavator and a generator in al-Bowaib village in southern Hebron.

On 28 November 2022, IOF demolished a 120-sqm house in southern Hebron, displacing a family of 7, including 5 children. In the same area, IOF demolished another 105-sqm house, displacing a family of 8, including 6 children. Additionally, IOF demolished a 2-storey house of 170 sqms in Kafr ad-Dik village, west of Salfit.  Moreover, IOF demolished a plant nursery and a stone chain and arrested 3 Palestinian young men in al_Jib village in occupied East Jerusalem.

On the same day, IOF handed a demolition notice to Khashm al-Karam School built of bricks and tinplate a week ago with European funds in eastern Yatta city in Hebron, under the pretext that the construction located in the firing zone (917). The school was built to serve 50 male and female students from the village, who were receiving their education in Hamida School, which is about 6 km away from their houses. Also, IOF distributed a notice to raze a 500-meter-long paved street in Wad al-‘Amayir area in southern Hebron, under the pretext of working without a prior Israeli permission.

On 29 November 2022, IOF demolished a 70-sqm residential barrack in ‘Anata village in occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction, rendering a family of 7, including 2 women and 3 children, homeless. Also, IOF razed a 2-dunum agricultural land (2 dunums) and uprooted olive, citrus and palm trees in Hizma village in occupied East Jerusalem for settlement expansion purposes. It is worth noting that last year the Israeli authorities announced the confiscation of 13 dunums from Hizma village’s lands to build a new settlement road (one kilometer long and 16 meters wide), including the land mentioned above.

On 30 November 2022, IOF demolished 4 residential tents and 4 livestock barns in eastern Aqraba village in Nablus, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.

Since the beginning of 2022, IOF made 137 families homeless, a total of 805 persons, including 158 women and 368 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 154 houses and dozens of residential and agricultural tents. IOF also demolished 107 other civilian objects, leveled vacant areas of land and delivered dozens of notices of demolition, cease-construction, and evacuation.

Settler-attacks on Palestinian civilians and their properties:

On 24 November 2022, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles travelling on Yitzhar Bypass Road, southeast of Nablus, with stones and sticks, causing material damage to two vehicles.

On 29 November 2022, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling on Road (90), northeast of Ramallah, wounding a Palestinian and damaging two vehicles.

Since the beginning of the year, settlers conducted at least 249 attacks. In two of the attacks, 2 Palestinians were killed.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 181 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 54 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 children and a journalist. In the Gaza Strip, on 27 November 2022, Israeli naval forces arrested 6 fishermen on board of 2 fishing boats off Gaza shore and confiscated the fishing boats. The fishermen were released later. (Details available in PCHR’s press release)

So far in 2022, IOF conducted 8094 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 4496 Palestinians were arrested, including 443 children and 45 women. IOF also conducted 34 limited incursions into eastern Gaza Strip and arrested 105 Palestinians, including 64 fishermen, 32 infiltrators, and 9 travelers via Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing.

Israeli collective punishment and closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly-update in the Gaza crossings.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continues to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 108 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 92 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem arrested 5 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

So far in 2022, IOF established at least 4181 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 190 Palestinians at those checkpoints

Israeli Human Rights Violations in Palestine (Weekly Update 04 – 10 August 2022)

 August 11, 2022

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity

IOF launched a 3-day military widescale offensive on the Gaza Strip that started on 05 August and ended on 07 August 2022 when an Egypt-brokered ceasefire was declared between Israel and Islamic Jihad.  During the offensive, the israeli occupation forces conducted widescale airstrikes and artillery-shelling against residential houses, agricultural lands, military sites, and crowds.  As a result, 25 Palestinians, including 12 civilians: 3 children and 3 women, were killed and 172 others, including 59 children and 33 women, were injured.  Meanwhile, PCHR is still investigating other incidents that inflicted casualties and damage to property.  Moreover, the offensive completely and partially destroyed tens of residential housing units that PCHR is still documenting.

The incidents were as follows

On 05 August, IOF launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip and carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling against houses and military sites.  As a result, 10 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, were killed while tens others were injured, including women and children.  Among those killed was Doniana al-‘Amour (22), who was killed after an artillery shell fell on her house in al-Fokhari village, eastern Khan Younis, while her mother and sister were injured.  Also, Alaa’ ‘Abdullah Riyadh Qaddoum (5), and ‘Emad ‘Abdel Rahim Ibrahim Shallah (52) were killed after IOF’s warplanes fired a missile at a group of people gathering on the street near their houses in Wadi al-Shija’aiya neighborhood, eastern Gaza City; also, a member of the Palestinian armed groups, Yousif Salman Mohammed Qaddoum (24) was killed  in the same strike.  Moreover, IOF’s warplanes targeted a residential apartment in Palestine Tower in central Gaza City, assassinating the commander of al-Quds Brigades, Taysir al-Ja’abari and his companion.

Today in the morning, medical sources at al-Quds Hospital declared the death of Layan Mesleh al-Sha’er (10), succumbing to shrapnel wounds in her head.  Also, members of her family were injured; they were coincidentally passing by a military site when IOF struck it in al-Namsawi neighborhood in Khan Younis.

On 06 August 2022, IOF continued its offensive on the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row and heavily struck houses, agricultural lands, and military sites. As a result, 12 Palestinians, including 6 civilians: a woman and a child with his mother, were killed while tens others were injured.  Among those killed was Nour al-Deen Hussein al-Zuwaidi (18), who was killed in an Israeli airstrike near his house, northeastern Beit Hanoun, along with Ibrahim Shehdah Salah Abu Salah (42), who succumbed to his serious injury on 09 August 2022.  Also, 7 Palestinians, including a child and 2 women, were killed while 35 civilians were injured, including 18 children and 12 women, when IOF’s warplanes launched 6 missiles at a 3-storey house in Rafah refugee camp and destroyed it over its residents, without a prior warning, in addition to destroying 7 neighboring houses. IOF declared that they targeted Khaled Sa’id Mansour (47), the Commander of al-Quds Brigades in the southern Gaza Strip, and his body was retrieved from under the rubble along with his 2 companions.  Meanwhile, the rest casualties were merely civilians living in the neighboring houses: Mohammed Eyad Hassounah (14), Ismail Abdul-Hameed Mohammad Salama/Dweik (30), and his mother, Hana’a Ismail Ali Dweik (50), and Alaa’ Saleh Abdul Mohsen Al-Mallahi (30).

Moreover, IOF’s warplanes struck 3 other multistory houses; one of them is uninhabited in Khan Younis and the 2 others in Gaza City, and destroyed them completely, rendering tens of individuals, including children and women, homeless.

On 07 August 2022, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed in central Gaza City, and others sustained various injuries in Israeli airstrikes conducted only few hours before the ceasefire was declared.  Those killed were identified as: Shadi ‘Emad Nemer Kuhail (27) and Khaled Ayman Jamil Yasin (27), who were both killed after IOF launched a missile at a horse cart at al-Samer Intersection in central Gaza City.  Also, ‘Abdel Rahman Jom’ah Khalaf al-Silik (22), from Shuja’iyya neighborhood, was killed when he was coincidentally passing by in a taxi returning from a shoe shop he owns in al-Shati refugee camp. Moreover, a traffic officer namely Ahmed Sabe’a Dawoud (21), from al-Nafaq Street, was critically injured when he was on duty at al-Samir intersection and then referred to al-Shifa Hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the next morning.

On the same day, IOF’s warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house in al-Tannour neighborhood, Rafah City, and completely destroyed it, rendering a family of 5, homeless.  No casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, Four Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed and 59 others were injured, including 13 children and a woman.  Also, tens others suffocated due to teargas inhalation.  The incidents were as follows:

On 09 August 2022, IOF killed 3 Palestinians, including a child, and wounded 40 others during their incursion into Nablus’s Old City deep inside the Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled areas in the West Bank. They cordoned off and targeted a residential house with a barrage of bullets and missiles. Among those killed were 2 members of Palestinian armed group members while the child was killed near the area. ( Details available in this press release)

In the evening, IOF killed Mo’men Yasin Jaber (16) and critically wounded 7 others, including 3 children, in clashes between Palestinians and the IOF stationed at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Al-Shuhada street in Hebron, southern West Bank. (Details available in this press release)

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of excessive use of force that accompanied IOF incursions into Palestinian cities and villages and suppression of peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians, and they were as follows:

On 06 August 2022, IOF suppressed a peaceful sit-in on Bab al-‘Amoud stairs in central occupied East Jerusalem against the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.  IOF attacked and beat up the participants and forcibly emptied the place.  They arrested a Palestinian after beating him.

On 07 August 2022, IOF pushed and beat up worshipers and journalists during the former’s protection of hundreds of settlers, who raided al-Aqsa Mosque yards.  IOF arrested 13 Palestinians, including 4 jouranlists, and assaulted 6 other journalists after breaking their equipment.

On 09 August 2022, 8 Palestinians were wounded with rubber and live bullets in clashes with IOF at the northern entrance to al-Bireh.  On the same day, a 2 Palestinians sustained rubber bullet wounds; one in clashes with IOF near Qalendia and the other in clashes near ‘Anata village.  Also, a Palestinian sustained a rubber bullet  and 3 others were arrested, including a child, in clashes with IOF in al-Tour neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.  A child sustained a live bullet wound in clashes with IOF at Beit Ummar village entrance, northern Hebron.

So far in 2022, according to PCHR’s documentation, IOF attacks killed 102 Palestinians, including 71 civilians: 21 children, 8 women (one was journalist Shireen Abu ‘Aqlah), a person with disability, 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers and the rest were activists; 11 of them were assassinated.  Meanwhile, PCHR is still investigating incidents that inflicted casualties in the latest offensive on Gaza. Also, 1229 others were wounded in these attacks, including 187 children, 39 women, and 20 journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Moreover, 3 Palestinian prisoners, including a woman, died in the Israeli jails.

Land razing, demolitions, and notices

IOF demolished 7 dwellings and a residential tent, rendering 8 families of 44 persons, including 16 children and 8 women, homeless. Also, IOF demolished 8 facilities: mostly livestock barns, and levelled lands in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Details are as follows:

On 04 August 2022, IOF levelled an agricultural land, uprooted 20 olive trees, and closed a well in Teqoa village, eastern Bethlehem.

On 07 August 2022, IOF notified to demolish 2 rooms and a water tank in Marj Na’ajah village, western Jericho.

On 08 August 2022, IOF demolished 9 barracks; 5 are residential housing 25 individuals and 4 are used as livestock barns, in ‘Arab al-Ka’abnah Bedouin Community, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On 08 August 2022, IOF demolished an 80-sqm dwelling in Bayrouq village, southern Hebron, rendering a family of 7 individuals, including children, homeless.

On 09 August 2022, IOF demolished a commercial warehouse over its content of spare parts in al- ‘Isawiya village in occupied eAst Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

On 10 August 2022, IOF demolished a commercial facility for wood trade in Husan village, western Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.  On the same day, IOF demolished a residential tent and a livestock barn in al-‘Oja village in Jericho, rendering a family of 6, including 4 children, homeless.  Also, IOF confiscated an excavator and a truck while working in eastern Yatta, south of Hebron.  IOF forced a Palestinian to self-demolish his 50-sqm house in Beit Hanina village, in occupied East Jerusalem, rendering a family of 4, including 4 children, homeless.

Since the beginning of 2022, Israeli occupation forces made 91 families homeless, a total of 541 persons, including 104 women and 255 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 95 houses and 41 residential tents. IOF also demolished 72 other civilian objects, leveled vacant areas of land and delivered dozens of notices of demolition, cease-construction, and evacuation.

Israeli Setters’ Attacks

on 04 August 2022, settlers from ‘Ali Zehav” vacated truckloads of construction waste and stones in a plot of land, western Kafr al-Deek village in Salfit.

On 05 August 2022, settlers damaged a fence surrounding an agricultural land and cut branches of 16 olive trees in al- ‘Oja area in Jericho.

On 06 August 2022, settlers from “Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost established in place of Usamah Bin al-Monqez School in central Hebron’s Old City threw stones at parked Palestinian vehicles under full view and protection of IOF.  As a result, windows of many vehicles were broken.

On 07 August 2022, under IOF’s protection, settlers raided the Archaeological area in Tuwani village in Hebron and performed religious rituals.

On 09 August 2022, settlers from “Yitsahar” settlement established on the southeastern Nablus lands attacked the outskirts of ‘Orif village and threw stones at a house and a vehicle, causing damage to both.

Since the beginning of the year, settlers conducted at least 166 attacks. In two of the attacks, 2 Palestinians were killed.

Collective Punishment

Under its collective punishment policy against families of Palestinians accused of conducting attacks against IOF or settlers, on 08 August 2022, IOF demolished 2 family houses of 2 Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails in Jenin in the West Bank.  The first 3-sotrey house built on 600 sqms belongs to the family of Prisoner Subhi ‘Emad Sbeihat and housed a family of 6, including his wife, while the second is a 240-sqm house belongs to the family of prisoner As’ad al-Refa’ie and shelters a family of 7, including 3 children.

So far in 2022, IOF demolished 10 houses and sealed another after destroying its internal contents under IOF’s collective punishment policy. Meanwhile, there are many houses threatened of demolition on the same grounds.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians

 IOF carried out 182 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 122 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 children and a woman.

So far in 2022, IOF conducted 5211 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 3172 Palestinians were arrested, including 303 children and 27 women.  IOF also conducted 24 limited incursions into eastern Gaza Strip and arrested 74 Palestinians, including 41 fishermen, 28 infiltrators, and 5 travelers via Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing.

Israeli collective punishment and closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

On 08 August 2022, IOF announced the reopening of the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip to the humanitarian cases; the move is subject to a situational assessment, after they were closed on 02 August 2022.  IOF said that the full opening of the crossings “will be possible later in the day depending on the security situation.”

During IOF’s closure of crossings and offensive on the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation seriously deteriorated, threatening the operation of many vital sectors, particularly heath, electricity, water, sanitation, and public services. (More details available here)

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly update in the Gaza crossings.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continues to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 108 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 60 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem arrested 5 Palestinians at those checkpoints.

On 04 August 2022, IOF closed the entrance to al-Mughaiyer village, eastern Ramallah, with cement cubes and prevented civilians from entering or leaving the village.

So far in 2022, IOF established 2626 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 119 Palestinians at those checkpoints

Israeli Human Rights Violations in Occupied Palestine (Weekly Update 01 – 08 June 2022)

09. 06. 2022

Violation of right to life and bodily integrity:

Two Palestinians were killed and 11 others, including 4 children, were injured by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)’s fire while dozens of others suffocated and sustained bruises in IOF attacks in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, except three fishermen in the Gaza Strip. Details are as follows:

On 02 June 2022, Ayman Muhassain (29) was killed in front of his house after IOF unjustifiably opened fire at him during the latter’s withdrawal from Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem. More information available here.

On the same day, ‘Odah Sedqah (17) was killed by IOF’s fire while he was playing with his friends near the annexation wall in Ramallah. More information available here.

Meanwhile, those injured were victims of IOF excessive use of force and suppression of peaceful protests and gatherings organized by Palestinian civilians and they were as follows:

On 02 June 2022, a Palestinian was hit with a live bullet in his right foot during clashes with IOF at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.

On 03 June 2022, three Palestinians were injured during clashes that accompanied IOF’s suppression of Kafr Qaddoum weekly protest in Qalqilya.

On 04 June 2022, a Palestinian child was hit with a live bullet in his left leg during clashes with IOF in central Hebron.

On 07 June 2022, three children were wounded; one was hit with a rubber bullet in his face during clashes with IOF on Ramallah-Jerusalem Street in occupied East Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, three fishermen were wounded with rubber bullets and four others were arrested. Also, a fishing boat was confiscated, and 3 other boats sustained damage after IOF targeted Palestinian fishing boats off northern Gaza Shore on 04 June 2022. More information available here.  Moreover, IOF opened fire 5 times at agricultural lands in access restricted areas in eastern Gaza Strip. Also, eleven IOF shootings were reported on fishing boats off the western Gaza shore.

So far in 2022, IOF attacks killed 55 Palestinians, including 44 civilians: 13 children, 5 women (one was a journalist) and the rest were activists; 3 of them were assassinated. Also, 852 others were wounded in these attacks, including 88 children, 4 women, and 19 journalists all in the West Bank, except 12 fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

Land razing, demolitions, notices, and settlement activity

On 03 June 2022, IOF confiscated an excavator while reclaiming a plot of land in eastern Yatta city, south of Hebron.

On 06 June 2022, IOF distributed eviction notices of 600 dunums in Kherbet al-Tiba, northwest of Hebron, under the pretext of being “Stated-owned Lands”, and as a prelude to annex them to Israeli settlements. The orders gave Palestinians 45 days to challenge.

Since the beginning of 2022, Israeli occupation forces made 76 families homeless, a total of 441 persons, including 89 women and 208 children. This was the outcome of IOF demolition of 73 houses and 16 residential tents. IOF also demolished 47 other civilian objects, leveled 246 dunums and delivered dozens of notices of demolition, cease-construction, and evacuation.

Settler-attacks on Palestinian civilians and their properties:

Settlers conducted at least 6 attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.  The attacks included raiding a church, attacking vehicles and shooting in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Details are as follows:

On 02 June 2022, an Israeli settler attacked Palestinians’ vehicles at the entrance to Deir Istiya village in Salfit, causing damage to them.

On 03 June 2022, Israeli settlers, from “Efrat” settlement, threw stones at Palestinians’ vehicles and passersby near the settlement entrance, southwest of Bethlehem. As a result, windows of several vehicles were broken and a Palestinian was wounded.

On 06 June 2022, an Israeli settler indiscriminately opened fire at a group of Palestinians near Al-Funduq village in Qalqilya, under the pretext of throwing stones at him. No casualties were reported.  Also, settlers gathered near the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village in easterm Qalqilya and removed Palestinian flags in the area. On the same day, dozens of settlers raided and vandalized the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Greek Garden on Zion Mount in occupied East Jerusalem. Also, they threw garbage in the Greek Garden, dug up the graves and threatened its guard with death.

On 08 June 2022, Israeli settler threw stones at Palestinians’ vehicles in western Salfit. As a result, a vehicle’s windows were broken.

So far this year, settlers carried out 146 attacks on Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank.

Collective Punishment Policy

As part of its collective punishment policy against Palestinians accused of conducting attacks against IOF or settlers, on 02 June 2022, IOF blew up the family house of Diaa Hamarsha, who was killed after carrying out a shooting attack that resulted in the killing of 5 Israelis in Tel Aviv on 29 March 2022.  As a result, 5 apartments were completely destroyed; one of them was an office while the rest were residential apartments, rendering a family of 6 persons, including a child, homeless. Also, IOF arrested the owner of the house.

So far this year, IOF demolished 6 houses and closed a sixth house after damaging its contents as part of its collective punishment policy.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 198 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids and searches of civilian houses and facilities and establishment of checkpoints. During those incursions, 78 Palestinians, including 11 children and 2 women, were arrested. Also, on 07 and 08 June 2022, IOF conducted two limited incursions into Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF arrested 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip; 6 of them, including 3 children, tried to infiltrate via the border fence, eastern Rafah and eastern Juhor al-Deek in the central Gaza Strip. Also,  6 fishermen were arrested by Israeli naval forces; 4 while sailing off northern Gaza shore on 04 June 2022 , and were released  the next day. More information available here; and 2 while sailing off Gaza City shore on 08 June 2022, and later released, more information available here.

So far in 2022, IOF conducted 3775 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during which 2573 Palestinians were arrested, including 260 children and 19 women. IOF also conducted 18 limited incursions into eastern Gaza Strip and arrested 62 Palestinians, including 41 fishermen, 20 infiltrators, and 3 travelers via Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing.

Israeli collective punishment and closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation maintains its illegal and inhuman 15-year closure on the Gaza Strip. Details available in PCHR’s monthly update on the Gaza crossings.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF continues to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement. On top of its 108 permanent checkpoints, IOF established 115 temporary military checkpoints and arrested a Palestinian at those checkpoints.

So far in 2022, IOF established 1824 temporary military checkpoints and arrested 104 Palestinians at those checkpoints

As Ramadan Ends, Israeli Provocations Seem Aimed at a Religious War

Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° 

Jessica Buxbaum

“Israel uses this month [of Ramadan] to humiliate Palestinians, as much as they can. Especially at the doors of al-Aqsa Mosque, knowing how much this situation is sensitive for Palestinians.” – Younes Arar, PLO Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission

OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM, PALESTINE — On the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at least 42 Palestinians were injured when Israeli police raided al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in occupied East Jerusalem, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said. With nearly 300 Palestininians injured in the last two weeks at al-Aqsa compound, this year’s Ramadan in Palestine has been marked by bloodshed once again.

Since the start of Ramadan on April 2, human rights organizations have monitored a significant increase in violence against Palestinians. Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq has documented a worrying trend “in killings, excessive use of force, settler colonial violence, attacks on holy sites and worshippers, and collective punishment measures against Palestinians, including widespread raids, arbitrary arrests, and movement restrictions.”

According to Al-Haq’s information, the Israeli army has killed 17 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in April. Since Al-Haq’s publication, Israeli forces fatally shot 18-year-old Ahmad Fathi Masad in the head during a raid on the Jenin refugee camp this week.

Uptick in religious violations

Israeli police raids on al-Aqsa compound have become routine this month, with the PRCS noting the majority of injuries were to the upper areas of the body. Israeli forces have used rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades against Palestinian worshippers at al-Aqsa.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have also broken the iconic stained-glass windows of al-Qibli Mosque, the main mosque in the compound, and have attacked Palestinian journalists, children, women and the elderly at the holy site.

Palestinian Authority (PA) Minister for Religious Endowments Sheikh Hatem al-Bakri told MintPress News that Israel’s actions at al-Aqsa compound are in violation of international regulations, UNESCO resolutions and religious traditions.

In 2016, UNESCO, the UN’s world heritage organization, adopted a resolution decrying Israeli violations at al-Aqsa including restricting access to Muslim worship and storming of the compound by Israeli forces and extremists.

“Israel is not respecting religious treaties at all, instead using their privilege of power to enact these policies,” al-Bakri said, emphasizing how the Jordanian Ministry of Waqf has full jurisdiction over the holy site. “And because of our weaknesses, we cannot run any military confrontation with Israel. We have to just witness what’s happening.”

Israeli police are not the only ones violating the sanctity of al-Aqsa. This month, the Jewish festival of Passover coincided with Ramadan. Jewish extremists used the holiday season to storm the compound and pray at the site more frequently. On April 17, Israeli forces shut Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank city of Hebron to Muslim worshippers for two days. That following Tuesday, hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed the mosque to perform Talmudic rituals in celebration of Passover. The Israeli army also erected military barricades surrounding the area of the mosque to facilitate the settlers’ movement. The director of the mosque, Ghassan Al-Rajabi, said the closure was a continuation of “Zionist authorities’ attempts to dominate and occupy the mosque.”

In 1994, Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein killed 29 Muslim worshippers at Ibrahimi Mosque during Ramadan. Following the massacre, Israel divided the holy site into Muslim and Jewish sections, with Muslim access cut to 40%.

Last year, Israel authorities initiated excavation works at the mosque in order to install an elevator there. A Palestinian petition against the settler project was rejected by Israel’s Supreme Court on the grounds the elevator’s purpose is to ensure greater disability access. However, Palestinans stress the plan isn’t humanitarian in its purpose, instead giving cover for an attempt to confiscate land and further Judaize the mosque.

Sheikh al-Bakri, who is also a preacher at Ibrahimi Mosque, said Israel’s tightened security measures around the religious site suggest a more sinister intention. “Israel has been trying to control that site through converting it from a place for worshipers to a military zone,” al-Bakri said. “All of the events that have been happening around that site make us believe that Israel is trying to turn the Muslim praying side into a synagogue.”

April saw an escalation against Palestinian Muslim and Christian worship as well. According to documentation from the Jerusalem Governorate, on April 23 Israeli forces prevented hundreds of Palestinian Christians from reaching the Church of Holy Sepulcher to celebrate the “Holy Fire” ceremony on the eve of Orthodox Easter.

Minister al-Bakri said Israeli violations against some mosques in Jerusalem have occurred this Ramadan, but emphasized the main offenses against Islam have been at the al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi mosques.

“If Israel is violating these two big sites, then they can violate every site in the country,” al-Bakri said. “And we keep saying that if Israel is violating al-Aqsa, it’s violating every single Palestinian.”

Israel seeking a religious war

As the end of Ramadan nears, Israeli police have banned non-Muslims from entering al-Aqsa compound for the last ten days of Ramadan. According to Jerusalem Governorate statistics, about 3,670 Jewish settlers invaded al-Aqsa Compound during the Passover holiday.

Amid the spike in Jews praying at the site, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid asserted Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo at al-Aqsa Compound.

“Muslims pray on the Temple Mount [what Israel calls al-Aqsa Compound], non-Muslims only visit. There is no change, there will be no change,” Lapid said during a press conference.

Yet Jordan, which has custodianship over the site, disagreed. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry warned in a statement that Israel is taking “targeted steps to change the historical and legal situation in the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif,” specifically condemning Israeli forces for raiding the area and allowing Jews to pray at al-Aqsa Compound.

Jewish extremists often argue that denying Jewish prayer at al-Aqsa Compound is an obstruction of freedom of worship, given the area is deemed the holiest site in Judaism.

“Al-Aqsa is only for Muslims,” PA Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Abdullah Siam told MintPress News, in response to accusations of religious discrimination. He suggested the current status quo has pushed Israel to take the site through force.

Al-Bakri also agreed that al-Aqsa is strictly for Muslim worship.

But Jewish extremists who spout claims of religious discrimination ignore the stark political element at play, Israeli journalist and activist Haggai Matar said. “[T]here are no equals in Israel-Palestine,” Matar wrote in +972 Magazine. “[I]t is Israel that has created a system of apartheid wherein … Jewish supremacy over Palestinians is guaranteed, maintained, and entrenched by law and by force.”

Just before the start of Ramadan, Israeli parliament member and leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party Itamar Ben-Gvir toured al-Aqsa Compound, escorted by police. This wasn’t his first incursion, and Minister al-Bakri said such provocative, politically-charged tours are how the Israeli government attempts to stabilize its fragile coalition. “Through these practices, [the government is] trying to get political acquisitions,” al-Bakri said. “The government of [Prime Minister] Naftali Bennett is weak, and in order for them to keep going, they have to encourage settlers to do more raids so as to win from that situation.”

Yet ultimately, Israel’s ongoing violations against Muslim worship, al-Bakri said, are “leading the area to a religious war between Islam and Judaism.” “We always say that our main problem is not with Judaism as a religion, but with the occupation,” al-Bakri said. “Although Israel has been using Judaism to shape its occupation.”

Ramadan violence on repeat

As they were last year, tensions in Palestine have been at a maximum high during Ramadan.

In May 2021, violence erupted into a war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamic faction governing Gaza. Israel’s 10-day assault on the besieged Gaza Strip left 256 Palestinians dead, including 66 children. Media pundits and experts have feared this Ramadan may reach last year’s deadly levels.

For Minister al-Bakri, the atmosphere in Palestine is always volatile during Ramadan because Israel encourages a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. “Three months ago, Israel started talking in the media about a potential escalation, while the Palestinians hoped for a quiet month,” al-Bakri said, highlighting the number of Palestinians killed recently as meeting Israeli predictions. “Israel has been preparing the area for a potential problem by repeating these crisis slogans.”

Younes Arar, director of international and public relations and media for the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, suggested the large number of Palestinians flocking to Jerusalem during Ramadan is part of why the holy month is a tense time — emphasizing how the restrictions on freedom of movement add to the provocations. “Israel uses this month to humiliate Palestinians, as much as they can,” Arar said. “Especially at the doors of al-Aqsa Mosque, knowing how much this situation is sensitive for Palestinians.”

Collective Punishment Gets Complicated: “Israel” is Helpless in Face of Jenin العقاب الجماعي يتعقّد: إسرائيل «قاصرة» أمام جنين

Collective Punishment Gets Complicated: “Israel” is Helpless in Face of Jenin

 April 15, 2022

Translated by Al-Ahed News

Yahya Dbouk | Al-Akhbar Newspaper

“Israel” is facing a security challenge with components that are unprecedented in its decades-long conflict with the Arabs – a spate of Palestinian-led operations against the occupation. One of the main motivators is the same punitive measure that “Israel” employs in an effort to prevent the operations.

It’s a self-sustaining dilemma with no prospects of a solution. According to the assessment of the “Israeli” intelligence, it is likely that the attacks will continue even if Tel Aviv hopes to reduce them through a series of measures. It is impossible to enumerate the complications for “Israel”.

In addition to these complications comes the “Israeli” problem in focusing on and addressing incentives instead of motives. The first is circumstantial and changing, while the second, which is primary, and fixed, is the existence of the occupation with all its characteristics, including the deprivation of rights and identity and racist settlement policies. However, there are no guarantees that these incentives will be addressed.

Based on its approach of deterrence-by-punishment, “Israel” does not only eliminate the perpetrators of the operations even if they failed to execute them, but it also punishes everyone around them by demolishing the homes of their relatives, arresting their fathers and brothers and abusing them, robbing them of their financial resources, and changing their circumstances for the worse at every level. This collective punishment also affects the entire town or city from which the perpetrator originates, especially in the occupied territories outside the Green Line.

This is a consistent “Israeli” strategy in the face of guerrilla operations; although the recent attacks had a unique element, as they were carried out without any direction or leadership from Palestinian resistance organizations. In addition to this policy, there is the functional role played by the security services of the Palestinian Authority. The security services are tasked with achieving what the occupation is unable to, cause operational losses, and obtain intelligence information on the resistance for the enemy.

However, in the latest spate of operations, “Israel” has identified additional factors that were not previously observed, such as in the improvised stabbing and car-ramming attacks.

The recent attacks were carried out in part by Palestinians from within, that is, holders of “Israeli” identity papers, who have in common what the “Israelis” call religious fanaticism as well as identifying in one degree or another with Islamic groups carrying extremist ideology. The media emphasized the presence of Daesh to serve the occupation’s strategy.

The other operations were carried out by Palestinians who set out from the northern occupied West Bank, specifically from the Jenin area, which represents a complex challenge for “Israel”, for several reasons, the most important of which are the following:

First: Jenin is considered an area relatively outside the security control of the PA, for reasons that are difficult to enumerate, including the decline in support for the PA even within the Fatah organization, whether in the camp, the city, or the surrounding villages. This decline diminished the ability of the PA’s security services to move, control, and gather intelligence for the occupation, as well as facilitate and prepare for its tasks.

Second: The Islamic Jihad Movement is the party that attracts Palestinian youths in this area, specifically those who defected from Fatah or those who are dissatisfied the performance of the PA. This made it possible to provide means of combat in the camp and its surroundings at a level that has become alarming to the occupation, especially since the Islamic Jihad is a sizeable organization in numbers and equipment.

Third: Jenin, which is located in the north of the occupied West Bank, is very close to central “Israel”, which houses large population centers, including Gush Dan and Tel Aviv. The significance of this point is that it confirms the presence of holes in the security wall – in all its forms – in this area, which allowed the Palestinians to move to and from the 1948 territories with relative ease, for different purposes and goals, not primarily launching operations.

Based on the above, it can be said that it has become impossible for the occupation to direct its collective punishment in response to the operations executed by perpetrators from Jenin, where the Islamic Jihad protects the families of the martyrs from physical, material, as well as economic harm.

This puts a dent in the “Israeli” punitive strategy, destroys its effectiveness, and turns Jenin and its camp into a simulation model. This is the most dangerous thing for “Israel”. In addition, the structural weakness of the PA and the public rejection are forcing the enemy to operate directly in the camp, the city, and the surrounding areas, which means more friction with the Palestinians. This in turn may stimulate the execution of more operations, not to mention the possibility of “Israeli” casualties, especially since the images of storming the camp in 2002, which inflicted dozens of casualties on the occupation, are still fresh among the “Israelis”. In addition, any broad response implies the risk of dragging the Gaza Strip into a confrontation, similar to what happened in the al-Quds Sword Battle last year.

How can the occupation forces achieve their objective then? So far, “Israel” does not seem to have an alternative plan, except turning the father of martyr Raad Hazem into a first strategic goal. He has become the main concern of “Israel’s” security and military apparatus, although, from a realistic point of view, he is supposed to be a mere tactical goal.

But if reaching the martyr’s father proves impossible? What will become of “Israel’s” other goals that are driving operations, especially preventing the Jenin camp, which the occupation calls the hornets’ nest, into a mecca for the resistance fighters and an inspiring model for them?

العقاب الجماعي يتعقّد: إسرائيل «قاصرة» أمام جنين

الخميس 14 نيسان 2022

لاتكتفي إسرائيل بقتْل منفّذي العمليات، بل تعمل على معاقبة كلّ من يحيط بهم (أ ف ب )

يحيى دبوق 

تُواجه إسرائيل تحدّياً أمنياً قد تكون مركّباته غير مسبوقة في العقود الأخيرة من تاريخ الصراع مع العرب: موجة عمليات يقودها فلسطينيون ضدّ الاحتلال، فيما أحد أبرز محفّزاتها هو الإجراء العقابي نفسه الذي يسعى من خلاله العدو لمنع العمليات. معضلةٌ تغذّي نفسها بنفسها، من دون آفاق حلّ منظورة. وفقاً لتقدير الاستخبارات الإسرائيلية، المرجّح أن تتواصل الهجمات، وإن كانت تل أبيب تأمل الحدّ منها، من خلال سلسلة إجراءات، يتعذّر حصْر التعقيدات التي تمنع العدو من الذهاب بعيداً فيها. وإلى جانب تلك التعقيدات، تأتي الإشكالية الإسرائيلية المتمثّلة في التركيز، في «المعالجة»، على الحوافز بدلاً من الدوافع، والأولى ظرفية ومتغيّرة، بينما الثانية، وهي الأصل، ثابتة ولا تكاد تتبدّل، والمقصود بها أصل وجود الاحتلال، بما يعنيه من سلب للحق والهُوية، وسياساته الاستيطانية الإحلالية العنصرية. على أن مسألة التعامل مع الحوافز نفسها لا تبدو مضمونة من الجهات كافّة.

على مستوى مبدأ «الردع عبر العقاب»، لا تكتفي إسرائيل بقتْل منفّذي العمليات حتى لو لم يتمكّنوا من إتمامها، بل تعمل على معاقبة كلّ من يحيط بهم، عبر هدم منازل ذويهم، واعتقال آبائهم وإخوتهم والتنكيل بهم، وسلبهم مواردهم المالية، وتغيير ظروفهم إلى الأسوأ على كلّ صعيد. كما يطاول هذا العقاب الجماعي البلدة أو المدينة بأكملها التي ينطلق منها المنفّذ، خاصة في الأراضي المحتلّة خارج الخط الأخضر، وهو ما يمثّل استراتيجية إسرائيلية ثابتة في مواجهة العمليات الفدائية، وإن كانت الهجمات الأخيرة حملت عنصراً مغايراً، كونها نُفّذت من دون أيّ توجيه أو قيادة من تنظيمات فلسطينية مقاوِمة. ويُضاف إلى تلك السياسة، الدور الوظيفي الذي تضطلع به الأجهزة الأمنية التابعة للسلطة الفلسطينية، والموكَلة بتحقيق ما يعجز عنه الاحتلال، أو يمكن أن يتسبّب له بأثمان وخسائر عملياتية، إضافة إلى دورها في تحصيل المعلومات الاستخبارية عن المقاومين، لصالح العدو.

إلّا أنه في الموجة الأحدث من العمليات، شخّصت إسرائيل عوامل إضافية لم تكن مرصودة في السابق، كما في هجمات الطعن والدهس الارتجالية. فالهجمات الأخيرة نفّذ جزءاً منها فلسطينيون من الداخل، أي من حاملي الهوية الإسرائيلية، يجمع بينهم ما يُسمّى إسرائيلياً «التعصّب الديني»، والتماهي بقدْر أو بآخر مع جماعات إسلامية تحمل «فكراً متطرّفاً»، مع التشديد في المقاربة الإعلامية على حضور تنظيم «داعش»، بهدف خدمة استراتيجية الاحتلال في أكثر من اتجاه. أمّا الجزء الآخر، فقد نفّذه فلسطينيون انطلقوا من شمال الضفة الغربية المحتلة، وتحديداً من منطقة جنين، وهو ما يمثّل تحدّياً مركّباً بالنسبة إلى إسرائيل، لعدّة أسباب أهمّها ما يلي:
أوّلاً: تُعدّ جنين منطقة خارجة نسبياً عن السطوة الأمنية لأجهزة السلطة الفلسطينية، لأسباب يصعب حصرها، من بينها تراجع تأييد السلطة حتى داخل تنظيم «فتح»، سواءً في المخيم أو المدينة أو القرى المحيطة. ويعبّر هذا التراجع عن نفسه في فقدان القدرة على التحرّك والتحكّم والجمع الاستخباري لمصلحة الاحتلال، كما تسهيل مهامّه والتمهيد لها.
ثانياً: تُعدّ «حركة الجهاد الإسلامي» هي الجهة التي تستقطب الشبّان الفلسطينيين في هذه المنطقة، وتحديداً من المنشقّين عن «فتح»، أو من المتململين من أداء السلطة، وهو ما أتاح توفير وسائل قتالية في المخيم ومحيطه، بمستوى بات يدعو الاحتلال إلى القلق، خصوصاً أن «الجهاد» تنظيم لا يُستهان به، عدداً وعتاداً.

تُعدّ جنين منطقة خارجة نسبياً عن السطوة الأمنية لأجهزة السلطة الفلسطينية


ثالثاً: منطقة جنين، التي تقع في شمال الضفة المحتلة، قريبة جدّاً من وسط إسرائيل، حيث الوجود «المديني» للعدو، بما يشمل غوش دان وفي وسطها تل أبيب. وأهمية هذا المعطى أنه يؤكد وجود ثقوب في الجدار الأمني – على اختلاف أشكاله – في هذه المنطقة، ما أتاح للفلسطينيين الانتقال من وإلى أراضي عام 1948 بسهولة نسبية، لأغراض وأهداف مختلفة، ليس في أساسها شنّ عمليات.
بناءً على ما تَقدّم، يمكن القول إنه باتت متعذّرة على الاحتلال مباشرة عقابه الجماعي ردّاً على العمليات التي ينطلق منفّذوها من جنين، حيث تتصدّى «الجهاد» بنفسها لتأمين عائلات الشهداء من الأذى الجسدي والمادّي وكذلك الاقتصادي، وهو ما يثقب الاستراتيجية العقابية الإسرائيلية، ويهشّم فاعليتها، ويحوّل جنين ومخيّمها إلى نموذج للمحاكاة، وهنا الأخطر بالنسبة إلى إسرائيل. كما أن ضعف السلطة البنيوي، والرفض الجماهيري لها، يلزمان العدو بالعمل مباشرة في المخيم والمدينة والمناطق المحيطة بهما، الأمر الذي يعني مزيداً من الاحتكاك مع الفلسطينيين، والذي قد يحفّز بدوره على تنفيذ مزيد من العمليات، ناهيك عن التهديد المتمثّل في إمكانية سقوط خسائر بشرية إسرائيلية، ولا سيما أن صور اقتحام المخيم عام 2002، والذي كبّد الاحتلال خسائر بشرية بالعشرات، لا تزال ماثلة في الذاكرة الإسرائيلية. يُضاف إلى ما تَقدّم، أن أيّ ردّ موسّع يستبطن خطر جرّ قطاع غزة إلى المواجهة، على غرار ما جرى في معركة «سيف القدس» العام الماضي.

كيف يمكن للاحتلال تحقيق مطلبه إذاً؟ لا يبدو أن لدى إسرائيل، إلى الآن، خطّة بديلة، باستثناء تحويل والد الشهيد رعد حازم، إلى هدف استراتيجي أوّل، يكاد يصبح الشغل الشاغل لأجهزة العدو الأمنية والعسكرية، على رغم أنه، من ناحية واقعية، يُفترض أن يكون مجرّد هدف تكتيكي. لكن، إذا كان من المتعذّر الوصول إلى والد الشهيد، فكيف بأهداف إسرائيل الأخرى المتعلّقة بحوافز العمليات، وعلى رأسها تحوُّل مخيّم جنين الذي يسمّيه الاحتلال «عشّ الدبابير»، إلى قِبلة للمقاومين ونموذج مُلهم لهم؟

من ملف : إسرائيل «قاصرة» أمام جنين

Criminal ‘Israeli’ Regime Refusing to Hand over Bodies of Palestinian Kids

 FEB 23, 2022

By Staff, Agencies

A rights group said the criminal Zionist regime has refused to hand over the bodies of nine Palestinian children, whom it has killed since 2016.

Reporting the matter on Tuesday, Defense for Children International – Palestine [DCI] said the practice was in violation of both the international law and the principles of human rights.

The international law, which the regime was contravening by withholding the bodies, “includes an absolute prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and stipulates that parties to armed conflict must bury the dead in an honorable manner,” the DCI said.

“It falls under the policy of collective punishment practiced by the occupation against the Palestinian people, and the harm caused to the families of the martyrs as a result, amounts to collective punishment that violates international humanitarian law,” it added.

The Palestinian children were all under 18, when they were murdered by the regime under the pretext of “carrying out stabbing attacks.”

The youngest of the children, who were martyred as early as 2016 and as late as December 2021, were two 15-year-old.

The DCI called 2021 the deadliest year for Palestinian children since 2014, with ‘Israeli’ occupation forces killing as many as 76 Palestinians inside the occupied territories and the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip.

As early as 1967, when the regime occupied huge swathes of Palestinian and other regional Arab territories, the regime started setting up cemeteries inside closed-off military zones, where it would retain the bodies of the people, who had been killed as a result of its aggression.

Global Reaction, Call for Action on “Israel’s” Apartheid Against Palestinians

11 Feb 2022

Source: Al Mayadeen Net

Ruqiya Anwar

Apartheid has no place in the world, and countries that choose to make exceptions for “Israel will be on the wrong side of history.

Global Reaction, Call to Action on “Israel’s” Apartheid Against Palestinians

Amnesty International released a report on “Israel’s” Apartheid against Palestinians. The report delves into how “Israel” uses coercion and dominance to oppress Palestinians wherever it has control over their rights: Palestinians living in “Israel” and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), as well as displaced refugees in other countries. International law considers apartheid to be a crime against humanity. It is defined as “inhuman actions performed with the intent of establishing and maintaining dominance by one racial group over any other racial group and systematically oppressing them.”
 
In response to this report, several Palestinian civil society organizations called on other countries to take strong responses to end “Israel’s” illegal acquisition of Palestinian territory via force and its apartheid, as well as its rejection of Palestinian inherent right to self-determination.
 
Moreover, because of the growing recognition that “Israel” maintains an apartheid rule over Palestinians, regional and international civil society organizations have called on the United Nations General Assembly to take immediate and effective steps to address the root causes of Palestinian oppression, including ending “Israel’s” occupation, inhibition of Gaza, forcible acquisition of territories, its apartheid regime over the Palestinian people as a whole, and the continued denial of the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and the right to return to their homeland.
 
They further urged all UN General Assembly Member States to launch global investigations into “Israel’s” apartheid against the Palestinians and eliminate apartheid in the twenty-first century, particularly by reinstituting the UN Special Committee against Apartheid and the UN Centre Against Apartheid. Arms sales and military-security cooperation with “Israel” must also be prohibited. Restrictions should be imposed on trade with illegal occupied territories, and companies should refrain from doing business with “Israel’s” unlawful settlements.
 
Previously, civil society organizations urged the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to take comprehensive measures to secure justice and accountability for widespread and systemic human rights violations, including potential international crimes perpetrated against Palestinian people (Al-Haq, 2022).
 
Most importantly, the Palestinian civil society has called for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS); a global citizen reaction to the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. The BDS movement also stressed that “Israel’s” policies of apartheid against Palestinians are only possible because of international support. Governments around the globe refuse to hold “Israel” accountable, while corporations’ profit from their role in Israeli settlements or “Israel’s” militarized suppression of Palestinians because those in positions of authority refuse to take action to address this injustice,
 
In addition to this, the Palestinian activists in Australia have urged the Australian government not to overlook an Amnesty’s report accusing “Israel” of apartheid and stressed that Australia has a responsibility to report human rights violations wherever they occur. This report urges governments to employ political and diplomatic measures to stop this unjust situation, particularly those with close ties to “Israel”.

Nasser Mashni, vice-president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, discussed that Australia’s government has a history of sheltering “Israel” from accountability. It is Australia’s responsibility to denounce this in the strongest possible terms. Australia should follow the report’s recommendations and impose an arms embargo on “Israel” right away.

Significantly, there is no viable justification for a system based on millions of people being subjected to institutionalized and long-term racist oppression. Apartheid has no place in the world, and countries that choose to make exceptions for “Israel” will be on the wrong side of history. Governments that continue to support “Israel” and shield it from international accountability at the UN are backing apartheid, undermining international law, and exacerbating Palestinian suffering. The international community must address “Israel’s” apartheid reality and seek the many untapped paths to justice. (Amnesty International, 2022).
 
The international world must put pressure on “Israel” to remove this inhumane institution. All those who have jurisdiction over the crimes committed to keep the system running should look into them. Such acts are part of a systematic and widespread assault against the Palestinian people and constitute apartheid’s crime against humanity. The international world must put pressure on “Israel” to remove this inhumane institution.

For more than two decades, Palestinians who have been subjected to “Israel’s” repression have called for a recognition of “Israel’s” rule as apartheid. Over time, a larger international acknowledgment of “Israel’s” treatment of Palestinians as apartheid has emerged. Despite this, governments with the authority to intervene have hesitated to do anything to hold “Israel” accountable. Instead, they have been hiding behind a dormant peace process, putting human rights and responsibility on the back burner. This report sheds light on the Palestinian people’s cause and the best ways to achieve peace. Therefore, “Israel” must end the fragmentation, segregation, discrimination, and deprivation imposed on the Palestinian people.

The opinions mentioned in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Al mayadeen, but rather express the opinion of its writer exclusively.

Bouthaina Shaaban: ‘US Working With ISIS to Partition Syria!’

Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° 

We speak to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s political advisor Bouthaina Shaaban. She alleges that the US has been working with ISIS to demographically change Syria and make way for a Syrian Kurdistan, the US’ theft of Syrian oil and natural resources, Israeli bombing of Syria, Syria’s inclusion into China’s Belt and Road Initiative and much more.

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine (11 – 19 May 2021)

Source

11 – 19 May 2021

IOF military aggression on The Gaza Strip continues:

  • 207 Palestinians killed, including 55 children, 38 women, 3 persons with disabilities and a journalist
  • 1302 Palestinians wounded, including 262 women and 395 children.
  • 155 houses and residential buildings directly bombed, the majority destroyed completely; hundreds of houses and facilities sustained partial damage
  • 3 mosques destroyed and 35 others damaged, as well as a church and 6 graveyards
  • 27 media offices destroyed in IOF bombing of apartment buildings; 4 journalists sustained wounds
  • UNRWA HQ damaged, 66 schools and health centers, and 2 teachers wounded
  • Dozens of factories and economic establishments destroyed and damaged
  • IOF destroy 25 media offices and wounded 4 journalists
  • 50 thousand Palestinians displaced and sheltered at 52 centers in inadequate living conditions
  • Beit Hanoun and Karm Abu Salem crossings closed as well as the Gaza Sea

West Bank:

  • 26 Palestinians killed in IOF excessive use of lethal force, including a child and a woman
  • 2 killed, including a woman, by Israeli settlers in Hebron
  • 675 Palestinians, including 30 children, 4 women, 4 journalists and a medical crew member wounded in IOF excessive use of force, 28 classified in critical condition
  • In 72 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 151 civilians arrested, including 18 children, 2 women 3 writers and a man with a vision impairment; 3 of the arrested were wounded at the time of arrest
  • Repeated retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian civilians and their properties
  • IOF established 33 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary                                                                                        

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), particularly the Gaza Strip, as IOF launched operation “Guardian of the Wall,” in one of the worst aggressions and manifestations of organized state terror. Hundreds of Palestinians have fallen victims (dead and wounded), more than 40% are women and children, entire families were terminated in IOF aerial airstrikes on their homes.  IOF has systematically targeted Gaza City infrastructure and completely altered the city’s landmarks, as residential buildings, streets, electrical, water and sanitation networks were destroyed, as well as health centers. The city is a ghost of what it used to be. Moreover, the Israeli occupation’s attacks have resulted in the forcible displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians after their houses were shelled with artillery. These civilians sought refuge at UNRWA schools in extremely difficult conditions, particularly with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

To further worsen its aggression and within its collective punishment policy against Palestinians, the occupation authorities closed both the Beit Hanoun and Karm Abu Salem crossings, as well as the Gaza Sea.

The escalation in the Gaza Strip followed the Israeli escalation against the occupied East Jerusalem, and armed groups in Gaza launched rockets towards Israel in solidarity with the indigenous people of Jerusalem. This was followed by mass and dramatic deterioration across the oPt, particularly the West Bank, where many Palestinian civilians have fallen victims, dead and wounded.

The escalation on the Gaza front did not deter IOF from its usual violations of human rights and crimes in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, as raids into cities and neighborhoods continued, as did arrests of civilians. Israeli settlers also continued their crimes against Palestinian civilians and their properties.

IOF also continued its raids, arrests, and attacks on civilians that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning hours, purposefully terrorizing protected civilians. This week also IOF confiscated Palestinians’ properties and agricultural equipment, and safeguarded settlers’ attacks on Palestinians.

IOF military aggression on the Gaza Strip:

IOF escalated its military aggression on the Gaza Strip, which started since Monday, 10 May 2021, and continued to bombard Gaza from the air, land and sea in an intense and arbitrary manner on what-can-only be considered retaliatory and collective punishment grounds. IOF demolished houses over the heads of their residents, killing entire families; and destroyed the infrastructure across all the Gaza governorates in densely populated neighborhoods, as well as agricultural lands. IOF also targeted and destroyed government facilities and armed-groups’ sites, rendering the entire Gaza Strip without any safe zone.

Dozens of thousands of Palestinians were forced to evacuate their houses along the Gaza eastern border due to the intense and violent arterially shelling and firing of smoke bombs that have a foul smell that cause nausea and itching in the eyes. Shelter centers were opened to accommodate those forcibly displaced from their homes, in a scene that brings back to memory the images of the Palestinian Nakba on the 73rd anniversary.

During the reporting period, the Israeli offensive killed 207 Palestinians, including 38 women, 55 children, 3 persons with disabilities and a journalist. Among the killed victims are entire families or others who have lost more than one member of theirs. IOF killed 44, including 18 children and 13 women, in a single attack when its aerial bombings targeted several residential buildings over the heads of their civilian residents during the bombing that targeted al-Wehda St.

This week, 1302 Palestinians, including 262 women and 395 children, sustained wounds, at least 55 of them are in extremely crucial conditions.

Israeli warplanes bombed 155 houses and residential buildings and destroyed 8 towers; and hundreds of houses and facilities were partially destroyed. The bombing caused the destruction of 3 mosques, and partially damaged 35 mosques, 1 church and 6 graveyards. 27 media offices were destroyed during bombing of towers, and 4 journalists sustained wounds. 66 UNRWA schools and medical centers, and its HQ were damaged; dozens of factories and economic facilities were also destroyed.

The death toll since the beginning of the Israeli offensive has risen to 228, including 64 children and 38 women; and the number of those wounded has risen to 1,630, including 417 children and 269 women.

According to the daily update by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the total number of injuries has risen to 1630, including 55 in critical conditions, 400 in the upper extremities (153 in the head and neck) and 310 women and 470 children.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF killed 26 Palestinians, including a child and a woman, in excessive use of force and oppression of protests in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. IOF killed fifteen, including a child, in attacks on a peaceful protest against the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem; 5 others were killed when IOF soldiers targeted their vehicles on military checkpoints in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron. Another two were killed on Israeli military checkpoints in Nablus and Hebron: the first was killed in Nablus for allegedly shooting soldiers at the checkpoint, and the other was killed in Hebron for allegedly attempting a stab attack, without the presence of a real threat or danger to the lives of soldiers. Also, Israeli settlers killed two Palestinians in Hebron, including a woman, for allegedly shooting at “Kiryat Arba.”

Additionally, 675 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF excessive use of force against civilians, including 30 children, 4 women, and 4 journalists, as well as a paramedic; 28 of the wounded were rendered in critical condition. Dozens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, and others were bruised due to IOF assault.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 72 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 151 Palestinians were arrested, including 18 children and 2 women. Of the 115 arrestees, 3 were wounded at the time of arrest, and 3 writers and a man with a vision impairment.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 25 attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian civilians; 1 was killed and 3 wounded with live bullets. Settlers physically assaulted civilians with sharp tools, and attacked greenhouses, set fire to a car wash and attacked pedestrians and vehicles on the road with stones. The settlers burned at least 200 dunums, bird farms, and threatened to kill Palestinians. Additionally, two women were assaulted: one with stones and the other with a sharp tool, while exiting al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition to the two persons who were killed by settlers mentioned above.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Since Monday, 10 May 2021, the Israeli authorities continued to close Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing and the sole commercial crossing in the Gaza Strip (Kerm Abu Salem) one day after complete closure of the sea within the collective punishment policy against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

These decisions are part of the comprehensive closure and illegal and inhuman collective punishment policy imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip.  Due to the closure of Kerm Abu Salem Crossing, fuel supply needed to operate the Gaza Power Plant was banned entry, affecting the operation of the only power plant in light of disruption of 8 main electricity lines due to the Israeli airstrikes.  As a result, the electricity went out across the Gaza Strip that would have serious implications on the basic services provided to 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Shooting, Suppression of Protests and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity

 Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip

IOF escalated their offensive on the Gaza Strip, which started on Monday, 10 May 2021, and continued their indiscriminate and intense air, sea and land strikes as part of their collective punishment and retaliation policy. IOF targeted more residential buildings over its residents, massacring entire families, and destroyed the infrastructure in city centers and densely populated neighborhoods. They also targeted agricultural lands, governmental facilities and military sites belonging to Palestinian armed groups, rendering the Gaza Strip an unsafe zone. The forced displacement of thousands of residents from their houses in eastern Gaza Strip continued due to the violent artillery shelling and the firing of smoke grenades which spread bad smells and caused nausea and eye irritation. This recalls the scene of Palestinian Nakba on its 73rd anniversary.

As a result, 207 Palestinians were killed, including 38 women, 55 children, 3 persons with disabilities, and a journalist. Among those killed were entrie families that were wiped out and their family members were lost. Fourty-four members of those families were killed, including 18 children and 13 women, in an airstrike that destroyed several residential buildings on their residents’ heads on al-Wehda Street. The targeted residential buildings sheltered several families.

Furthermore, 1302 civilians, including 262 women and 395 children, were injured; at least 55 of them sustained critical wounds. 

Also, 155 residential houses and buildings, 8 towers and 3 mosques were targeted. Additionally, hundreds of houses and facilities were partially destroyed. The Israeli bombing caused severe damage to 35 mosques, a church and 6 cemeteries, in addition to 27 media outlets which sustained destruction while targeting the towers. Also, 4 journalists were injured during the airstrikes. Moreover, UNRWA headquarter and 2 schools sustained damage, in addition to 66 other schools, a medical center, dozens of factories and economic facilities.

Thus, the death toll since the beginning of the Israeli offensive has risen to 228, including 64 children and 38 women, and the number of those wounded has risen to 1370, including 417 children and 269 women. 

According to the daily update by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the total number of injuries has risen to 1630, including 55 serious injuries and 400 injuries in the upper parts; 153 of them in the head and neck. Also, among those wounded were 470 children and 310 women.

The Electricity Company announced that IOF airstrikes caused significant damage to 5 main power lines that supply electricity from the Israeli side, as well as 8 main power transformers, 62 high and192 low voltage lines, which inflicted a 4.97 million USD loss on the company. The company indicated that this situation will increase the burden and pressure on the electricity sector in an unprecedented manner, and will lead towards a dangerous situation that threatens the collapse of Gaza’s main sectors, including health, water, sanitation, public services. The company confirmed that at least 687,000 beneficiaries are currently affected by the grave destruction to the electricity network.

Furthermore, the communications network was cut off, and the internet services were affected in the southern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Telecommunications Company announced that one of the main lines of the fiber-optic internet service connecting the central and southern Gaza Strip’s governorates with Gaza City was targeted today in the dawn, isolating Gaza from the outside world, noting that it was a standby line for the services provided by the Palestine Cellular Communications Company “Jawwal.”

Following are the details of Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip:

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Northern Gaza:

Airstrikes resulted in the injury of (46) Palestinians, including (9) children and (4) women, and caused damage to a hospital, a clinic, a factory, a medical point, a municipality headquarter, a petrol station, an education center, a wedding hall, and a gym.

At approximately 16:40 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 5 missiles at an empty land in Qalibo area, east of Beit Lahia, causing damage to nearby houses and to the ceiling of the administrative office on duty inside the Indonesian Hospital near the targeted place. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:05, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house in Beit Lahia.  As a result, the house sustained damage and a passer-by was wounded.

At approximately 17:05, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at an empty land in ‘Izbet ‘Abed Rabu.  As a result, a Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) medical point located at ‘Izbet ‘Abed Rabu intersection sustained damage as the windows were broken.

At approximately 18:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at apartment No. (1) in building No. (25) in Sheikh Zayid housing project in central Beit Lahia. As a result, the building’s wall sustained damage but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00 on the same day, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Abu al-Khair farm in al-Qerem area in Jabalia. As a result, 5 civilians sustained wounds and nearby houses sustained damage.

At approximately 20:15, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at an empty land adjacent to Beit Lahia Police Station from the eastern side. As a result, 23 civilians, including 6 children and 2 women, were wounded; most of them were in their houses and others were walking on the street. The injuries were classified between moderate and minor. Furthermore, the Israeli airstrike caused severe damage to the police station and to Hala Jamil Al Shawa clinic, which is near the targeted area from the southern side. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that Hala Jamil Al Shawa clinic is off service after being bombarded, noting that it is a clinic providing maternal and child health services. Also, Beit Lahia Municipality sustained severe damage in addition to its garage, workshop and vehicles. Additionally, Beit Lahia post office, northern Gaza deputies’ office, Hamada Gas and Fuel Company’s Beit Lahia Municipality Fuel Station, New Generation Education Center, Revan wedding hall, and the Classico Gym sustained damage as well. Also, 8 houses near the targeted area sustained severe damage and dozens of other houses sustained partial damage as their windows were broken.

At approximately 23:40, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at an agricultural land in Jabalia. As a result, 6 civilians, including a woman and a girl, were wounded and taken to the Indonesian Hospital. Also, nearby houses sustained damage.

Gaza City:

At approximately 04:40 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, an Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at a residential apartment in Tiba building  and completely destroyed it, in addition to another apartment located on the 6th  floor, a property of Subeih family, which sustained major damage after the apartment’s roof fell over its residents’ heads. As a result, Ameera ‘Abed al-Fattah ‘Abed al-Rahman Subeih (58) and her son ‘Abed al-Rahman Yoused ‘Ali Subeih (19), a person with disability, were killed and 2 other civilians living in a nearby apartment were injured.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at al-Jaleel Ice Cream Factory, near al-Kuwait intersection, south of Gaza City, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 11:25. Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an apartment located on the 2nd floor of al-Jundi al-Majhoul Tower, in the center of Gaza City. As a result, 3 civilians were killed, and 8 others were wounded. Among those killed were: Kamal Tayseer Salman Qareqi’ (34), Sameh Faheem Hashim al-Mamlouk (34) and Mohammed Saleem Abu al-‘Atta (29).

At approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Eyad Fathi Fayiq Shareer’s (45) house in al-Manara neighborhood on al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City. As a result, the 2-story house (250 sqms) was destroyed over its residents’ heads while its owner, his wife Layali Taha ‘Abbas Shareer (41) and their daughter Lina (16) were killed. Also, the area sustained severe damage because it is densely populated. 

At approximately 19:35, Israeli warplanes launched 7 missiles at Hanadi Tower, west of Gaza City. As a result, the tower was completely destroyed while the nearby buildings and towers sustained severe material damage. Hanadi Tower was comprised of 14 floors and included a lot of residential apartments, institutions and offices; some of them were governmental.

At approximately 21:00, the Israeli warplanes sporadically launched missiles at al-Jawharah Building of 11 floors at the intersection of al-Jalaa’ and al-Wehdah streets in the central Gaza City.  Missile-launching at the building continued until 02:20 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, as it was targeted with 8 missiles.  As a result, all apartments inside the tower sustained severe damage, and the tower became in danager of collapse.  The tower housed residential apartments, offices and organizations, particularly media offices, which sustained severe destruction, including the National Information Agency, Palestine Newspaeper,  Al-Araby Al-Jadeed Newspaper, Al-Arabi channel, Al-Ittijah TV, Al-Nujaba Satellite TV,  Syrian TV, Al-Kufiya Channel, Al Mamalaka channel, APA Agency, Sabq Agency 24, Bawaba 24, the Palestinian Media Forum, Fusion Internet Network Company, and clinics. Moreover, nearby buildings, towers and shops sustained secere destruction as well. Also, Al Jazeera Media Network office, which is near the Al-Jawhara Tower, sustained material damage.

At approximately 22:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Mohammed ‘Abdel Ra’ouf Mohammed Hillis (34) from al- Shuja’iyya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, succumbing to wounds he sustained in an Israeli airstrike on a group of citizens in eastern al-Shuja’iyya neighborhood. 

Central Gaza Strip:

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at al-Sayedah Khadijah School and one of the Ahmed Harb al-Kurd School buildings, which both belong to al-Salah Islamic Charity, northwest of Deir al-Balah.  As a result, the Ahmed Harb al-Kurd School building was completely destroyed.  The school building was comprised of 2 floors and included 8 classrooms and 2 science and computer labs serving 550 students.  Moreover, the airstrike caused partial damage to the Sayedah Khadijah School for Girls which serve 400 students and to 7 nearby houses.

At approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched at least a missile at an agricultural land, southwest of Deir al-Balah.  As a result, 2 brothers were killed with shrapnel that hit different parts of their bodies when they were in a 14-dunum rented agricultural land that included 3 poultry farms, which belong to their father ‘Abdel Karim Mohammed Barakah and where they worked.  The 2 killed were identified as Monther ‘Abdel Karim Mohamed Barakah (21) and his brother Manar (18), from al-Barouk neighborhood in Deir al-Balah.  

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes carried out many airstrikes that targeted 2 uninhabited houses in al-Qarara and Abasan al-Jadida, and agricultural lands. As a result, a child sustained moderate wounds.

Wednesday,12 May 2021

Northern Gaza:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of ( 5) Palestinians and the injury of (56) others, including (15) children and (12) women. Also, several houses were targeted; 2 of them were completely destroyed while dozens of other houses were partially destroyed. Additionally, a medical point sustained material damage.

At approximately 03:20, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural land near al-Qerm intersection, east of Jabalia. As a result, nearby houses sustained damage after their windows were broken. Also, 26 civilians, including 4 children and 9 women, were wounded due to the shattering glass. 

At approximately 07:45, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Jehad Kamal al-‘Ajrami’s (33) house in al-‘Alami neighborhood in Jabalia camp, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 08:15, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Sa’dallah Sa’ied Mohammed Dahman’s (62) house in Jabalia camp, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 10:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car near Hamouda intersection, east of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, four were killed in the car and another one was wounded. Those killed were identified as: Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah (34), ‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi (47), Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi (22), Wael Mahmoud  Fares Al-Ghoula (47).

At approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at a barrack near ‘Izbet ‘Abed Rabu intersection, causing damage to a PRCS medical point established there, to the Shari’a Court and other houses near the targeted area.

At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at residential apartment No. (1) in building (25) in Sheikh Zayid Housing Project in eastern Beit Lahia. As a result, the apartment sustained partial damage, but no casualties were reported. 

Around the same time, Israeli artillery fired 10 shells at border areas in eastern and northern Beit Hanoun and in northern and northwestern Beit Lahia, causing a dense white smoke. As a result, the residents of the areas adjacent to the border fence were forced to leave; no casualties were reported.

Around the same time, an Israeli drone fired 5 missiles at Mahmoud Nimer Abu Mahmoud Jaser’s (71) house in Jabalia. As a result, the eastern side of the house and its roof sustained damage.

At approximately 12:05, an Israeli artillery fired a shell at Hatem Wahdan’s house in Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house’s eastern wall sustained material damage.

At approximately 12:42, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Ibrahim Majed ‘Adel al-Fasees’s (28) barber shop (40 sqms) located in Tal al-Za’tar neighborhood in Jabalia, causing damage to the shop. Also, 4 civilians, including 2 children, sustained moderate and minor injuries.

At approximately 14:35, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at Ahmed Fayiq Abu Sitah’s house in Beit Lahia, causing damage to the roof of the house.

At approximately 19:30, the dead body of Mohammed Ahmed ‘Abed Abu ‘Ashma (35) arrived at Beit Hanoun Hospital in central Beit Hanoun, after losing track of him 2 days ago.  It should be noted that at approximately 07:30 on Monday, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the military site, and since then, no one entered the site fearing it would be targeted.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Zaher Mousa Ahmed Hamdan’s (55) 1-storey house on al-Qerman Street in Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house roof sustained material damage, but no casualties were reported.

 Gaza City:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of (15) Palestinians, including (2) women and (3) children. Also, 2 towers and 4 resedential multi-story buildings and 2 govermental sites belonging to the Ministry of Interrior were completely destroyed.

At approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at one of the Interior Ministries’ headquarters inside Ansar Security Compound, west of Gaza City, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 01:35, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 4-storey residential building next to al-Yaziji Bakery in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza city.  As a result, five were killed, including a mother and her child and another girl living in a nearby building.  Those killed were identified as Rima Sa’ed Kamel Sa’ed “al-Telbani” (31), her 5-year-old child Zaid Mohammed ‘Odah al-Telbani, Wael ‘Abdel Karim ‘Ali ‘Issa (41); Hasan Mohammed ‘Ali al-Qahwaji (43) and Hala Hussein Ra’fat al-Rifi (13), who was killed in the building adjacent to the targeted building. Note: the  dead body of Maryan al-Telbani (3) is still lost.

At approximately 05:55, Israeli warplanes continuously carried out dozens of airstrikes on various areas in Gaza city, most prominently targeting and destroying al-Jawazat Security Headquarter in al-Remal neighborhood in central Gaza City, causing severe damage to the nearby UNRWA schools, roads and streets.  They also targeted and completely destroyed the Interior Security headquarter in Ansar Compound and al-Rawdah 7-storey building on al-Abraj Street near the PRCS Emergency and Ambulances Services headquarter; as a result, the nearby buildings sustained damage, including al-Azhar Buildings (4) and (5); al-Sa’adah Building (1) and the Youth and Sports buildings, as well as the roads leading to the area.  Moreover, a security building near the Public Prosecution building next to the Islamic University was targeted and completely destroyed.

Israeli warplanes also targeted and completely destroyed the Interior Ministry’s Expatriates Registration offices in the ground floors of al-Sousi (B) 14-storey building on al-Sena’ah Street, west of Gaza City.  As a result, the building sustained severe damage as well as al-Sousi (A) building and the vehicles parked under the 2 buildings.  Additionally, the UNRWA Main Operations Head offices next to the 2 buildings sustained severe damage as well as the roads and streets.

At approximately 10:40, medical sources declared the death of Hamzah Mahmoud Yasin ‘Ali (12) after he succumbed to wounds he sustained in an Israeli airstrike in al- Shuja’iyya neighborhood.

At approximately 11:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a civilian white Skoda car traveling on al-Moghrabi Street in central Gaza City.  As a result, 6 were killed, including the driver, a man and his wife who were inside the car, a civilian in front of his house and 2 other passers-by. Those killed were identified as the driver Mustafa Mazen Salem Kurdiyah (22); Sa’id Hashim Sa’id al-Hatu (67) and his wife Maysoun Zaki Hashem al-Hatou (55); Mansour Yousif Hasan al-Dreimly (66), who was in front of his house in the area; and Nader Mohammed al-Ghazali (47) along with his nephew ‘Abdulsalam Mahmoud Nabih al-Ghazali (28), who were also from the same area.  Moreover, the children of Sa’id al-Hatou, Mohammed and Yara, were wounded.

At approximately 11:30, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Khaled Ahmed Yaser al-Namrouti’s (50) house in al-Sheikh Redwan neighborhood near an UNRWA Clinic. As a result, the 3-story house (250 sqms) was completely destroyed. It should be noted that one of the neighbors received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services ordering him to inform the residents of other houses to evacuate only few minutes before the airstrike.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a residential building belonging to Majed Hamed Bakir al-Yazji (63) in al-Manarah neighborhood on al-Nafaq street. As a result, the 3-story house (750 sqms) was completely destroyed.  The ground floor is an electric appliances factory where Majed al-Yazji, his 3 sons, and 10 other workers work while 4 families, including 9 children and 4 women, lived in the house. The building’s owner said that he received a phone call from a private number ordering him to evacuate the house.

At approximately 14:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a civilian grey car while traveling in al-Sha’af neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. As a result, Izz al-Dein Mohammed Abdullah Hillis (28) was killed, and his brother, Ashraf (48), was wounded.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at “al-Weqa’ie al-Gharbiya” residential building on al-Mokhabarat Street. As a result, the 5-storey building, which included 10 residential apartments, was completely destroyed while the nearby shops and buildings sustained severe damage.  Moroever, Layalina wedding hall, comprised of 2 floors and located next to the targeted building, sustained damage. The building’s owner said that he received a phone call from a private number ordering him to evacuate the house.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli warplanes launched 10 missiles at al-Shorouq 14-storey tower on Omar al-Mukhtar Street in al-Rimal neighborhood, which is considered one the most vital areas in the Gaza Strip. As a result, the tower was completely destroyed, and the surrounding buildings and shops sustained severe damage. It should be noted that al-Shorouq tower housed various media outlets and civilian institutions, including Al-Hayat al-Jadida Newspaper, Al-Aqsa TV and Al-Aqsa Radio, Taiff Media institution, and media production company PMP.

At approximately 19:25, an Israeli warplane launched a missile in front of Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Sakran’s (56) house in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, where a number of civilians were gathering before al-Maghreb Adhan  in the last day of Ramadan. As a result, the house owner and his relative namely Mohammed Nahed Jaber Abu Sakran (24), were killed, while ‘Ali Hisham Ahmed Abu Sakran (8) was wounded and his condition was described serious by medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital.

At approximately 21:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Salah al-Deen Street in front of al-‘Ijlah Meat Shop in al-Zaytun neighborhood in southern Gaza City. As a result, Yahiya Mazen Shehada Khalifa (14) was killed with shrapnel that hit different parts of his body as he was in front of his house.  Moreover, 4-storey building sustained severe damage.

At approximately 21:30, Israeli warplanes sporadically launched 24 missiles at main streets and vital roads.  They targeted al-Saraya Intersection on Omar al-Mukhtar Street, Abu Khadra Intersection and the Shari’a Court Street in the central Gaza City. As a result, the area, which include public facilities, residential buildings and governmental institutions, sustained severe damage.

At approximately 21:30, Israeli warplanes launched 10 missiles at the main road which connects Tal al-Hawa neighborhood with al-Zaytun neighborhood and targeted the street next to Alaa’ al-Dein petrol station and the Rosary Sisters School on Street “8”. Additionally, Mazen Foqaha football field sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli warplanes continued launching missiles sporadically until 03:00.

Central Gaza Strip:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of (4) Palestinians and the injury of (5) others. Also, a house was destroyed and a school and other houses sustained damage.

At approximately 18:30 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli drones launched one missile at a group of citizens in an open land near al-Ihsan Mosque in Nusseirat refugee camp.  As a result, 4 Palestinians were killed and identified as Hamzah Mahmoud al-Hor (25); Mohammed ‘Abdel Men’em Shahin (27); Mohammed Mo’in al-Qar’ah (26); and Ahmed Walid al-Talla’a (29); all of them were members of the Palestinian armed groups from Nusseirat refugee camp.  Moreover, 2 others were wounded moderately and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 11:50, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles; the first launched by a drone, at the Islamic National Bank on Salah al-Deen Street, south of al-Bureij refugee camp’s entrance.  As a result, the Bank’s 2-storey building (500 sqms) was completely destroyed while the nearby shops and houses sustained partial damage in addition to the electricity network, causing power outage in the area.  Moreover, 3 passers-by sustained various injuries and were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

At approximately 01:40, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Eyad Belal al-Tayeb (45) in al-Bureij refugee camp.  As a result, the 2-storey house (166 sqms) was completely destroyed and around 15 nearby houses sustained severe and partial damage.  Moreover, the electricity and wastewater networks were destroyed.  No causalities were reported.

Khan Younis:

Eight Palestinians, including 3 children, were killed. Among those killed were a mother and her daughter. Also, 34 Palestinians, including 3 women, were injured and 3 houses were targeted; 2 of them were completely destroyed.

At approximately 04:50 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at 2 houses belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdel Salam al-Yazouri and Rafe’a Salah ‘Odah Salamah, and completely destroyed them.  Due to the shattering rubble, 3 civilians sustained minor wounds.  Only an hour before the airstrike, one of the area residents received a call from the IOF ordering him to tell the residents to leave their houses.

At approximately 06:05, Israeli warplanes targeted again with 4 missiles the 2 houses and nearby lands, causing wide-ranging damage to the houses in the area.  One of the missiles fell on a poultry shop, which is 300 meters away to the west, and did not explode but its roof was destroyed.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched 20 missiles within minutes at al-Madares Street, a military site belonging to the Palestinian armed groups and a municipality park; all of them are in the same area.  As a result, the area sustained wide destruction, including the street, the electricity and water supply network, and the municipality park.  Moreover, the Public Prosecution headquarter, and the antidrug police station were partially destroyed while the windows of the nearby houses were broken and sustained cracks.  Additionally, residents of the area and Khan Younis were terrified due to the intensive explosions and heavy airstrikes, which were carried out within only few minutes without any prior warning.  At approximately 07:00, Mahmoud Jamil Kalousa (29) arrived a dead body at Naser Hospital in Khan Younis after retrieving his body from the targeted area.

At approximately 10:15, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a rickshaw in al-Fokhari area, east of Khan Younis.  As a result, two were wounded, including a child who sustained moderate wounds.  

At approximately 10:30, IOF stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire at farmers in eastern Khuza’ah, east of Khan Younis. As a result, Bashar Ahmed Ibrahim Sammour (16) was killed.

At approximately 14:05 On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution vehicle while passing by al-‘Awdah Bakery in Bani Suheila.  The missile hit the vehicle and injured 3 citizens, including a child, with shrapnel and burns.  They were all taken to Naser Hospital, where 2 of them were pronounced dead upon arrival and were identified as Majed ‘Abed Raboh Mahmoud Abu Sa’adah (38), from Bani Suheila, and Mahmoud Ahmed Abu ‘Amer (37), from ‘Abasan in eastern Khan Younis.  The child injured was identified as Muhanad Taysir Abu ‘Alian (15) and his condition was reported serious.

At approximately 14:25 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 4-storey house belonging to Mahmoud ‘Arafah in al-Amal neighborhood.  The missile hit the second floor of the house, causing destruction and killing a mother and her daughter; Miami ‘Abdullah Mousa ‘Arafah (49) and Hadil Khaled Mahmoud ‘Arafah (28); whose body was retrieved from the rubble an hour later.  Moreover, 3 citizens sustained various injuries during the airstrike and were all taken to Naser Hospital to receive treatment.  The persons injured were identified as Isma’il Mahmoud al-Khawaladah (48), who was injured in his head and abdomen; his daughter Nagham (16), who was injured in her back; and Mahmoud ‘Arafah.

At approximately 17:30, an Israeli helicopter launched a missile near Temraz Fuel Station in al-Fokhari area.  As a result, 2 children were killed and 2 citizens were wounded; one of them is a child and in serious condition.  All of them are residents of the area.  Those killed were identified as ‘Ammar Taysir ‘Ayesh al-‘Amour (11) and Hamadah ‘Atiyah ‘Abed al-‘Omor (13) while the persons injured were identified as ‘Alian Munir Ibrahim al-‘Amour (13) in serious condition and ‘Omer ‘Abed Ibrahim Abu Mustafa al-‘Omor (21).  All of them were taken to Gaza European Hospital while ‘Alian was referred to Nasser Hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to his serious injury.

At approximately 23:50, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles near houses in al-Najjar neighborhood in Khuza’ah.  As a result, a woman and 2 children were wounded, and a number of houses sustained damage.

Rafah:

The Israeli bombing resulted in the murder of an elderly man and caused damage to agricultural lands.

At approximately 16:20 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, the dead body of Hammad ‘Ayyad Mansour al-Debari (86), from al-Shokah in eastern Rafah, arrived at Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital after he sustained shrapnel wounds in the head inside his house near al-Sabereen Mosque.  PCHR’s staff is still investigating the circumstances of the incident, which coincided with the Israeli Iron Dome’s interception of the Palestinian rockets fired from the Gaza Strip along with Israeli artillery shelling.

Thursday, 13 May 2021:

Northern Gaza:

20 Palestinians were killed; including 7 children and 7 women, one of them was pregnant. Also, 118 Palestinians, including 44 children and 20 women, were wounded. Moreover, 9 houses were completely destroyed while shops, companies, a law firm, a lending institution, an education center, cars, and dozens of houses sustained partial damage. Also, public roads and infrastructure sustained severe damage.

At approximately 00:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Ministry of Interior’s internal security headquarter in al-Sheikh Zayid area. As a result, the headquarter was completely destroyed, while the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, Shari’a Court, al-Quds Open University, a vocational center and a secondary school for boys sustained damage and windows were broken.

At approximately 00:10, an Israeli drone targeted Jameel Abu Jarad’s 3-storey house located in the center of al-Zaitoun neighborhood in Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house’s roof sustained damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 01:10, Israeli warplanes fired at least 20 missiles at a residential neighborhood on Beit Lahia Main Street, near Zayid intersection in Beit Lahia. As a result, 9 houses, including apartments for rent, education centers, Faten financial institution, a law firm, and commercial companies and shops were completely destroyed. These houses sheltered 15 families of 86 members, including 29 children and 28 women. Also, ‘Abed al-Raheem Mohammed ‘Abdullah al-Madhoun (62) and his wife Halima ‘Ali Mohammed al-Madhoun (65) were killed, 7 other civilians were missed, and 33 civilians, including 10 children and 8 women, were wounded due to the bombing. The injury of one of the wounded was classified serious while the other injuries were classified between moderate and minor.

Furthermore, the airstrikes completely destroyed the Main Street, water and sanitation pipelines, electricity and communication networks. Also, several houses sustained material damage; 6 houses and a residential tower located near the targeted area sustained severe damage while dozens of houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 11:10, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Amjad Majdi al-Masri’s house, which is comprised of one floor and a roof built of tin plates, east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house was destroyed.

At approximately 11:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Eyad Nasr’s house located in Nazla area in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the house sustained partial damage.

At approximately 13:45, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens near al-Nada residential tower (19), in Izbat Beit Hanoun in Beit Hanoun. As a result, Khaled Emad Khaled al-Qanua’ (17) was killed while 8 others were wounded.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Mousa Reda Hamad’s 3-story house on Qa’ al-Bir Street in Beit Hanoun. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded and taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital for treatment.

Around the same time, the Israeli artillery fired 2 shells at a group of farmers in their land near the American Hospital near Beit Hanoun Crossing, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, one of the farmers namely Suhaib ‘Abed al-Raheem ‘Awad Ghanem (25) was killed while another namely Yehia Mansour Ghaben (24) was seriously injured, both are from Beit Lahia.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli artillery violently fired many shells at the areas adjacent to border fence in northern Beit Hanoun, northern Um al-Naser Bedouin village, and north and northwest of Beit Lahia. The Israeli shelling continued until 20:30 on the same day. As a result, 6 civilians, from Um al-Naser Bedouin village, were killed, including an infant, a girl and 3 women, after their houses were targeted without a prior warning. Those killed were identified as: Nisreen Naser Mohammed Abu Qleeq (25), Ni’ma Saleh Salama ‘Ayyash (47), Hashim Mohammed ‘Ayed al-Zugheibi (20), Sabreen Naser Mohammed Abu Dayyah (27); Mohammed Salamah Mohammed Abu Dayah (10 months), and Fawziyia Naser Mohammed Abu Fares (17).

Also, 25 civilians, including 7 children and 2 women, were wounded and taken to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia. Additionally, dozens of houses sustained severe damage.

Moreover, at least 7000 civilians, from Um al-Naser village, left their houses and headed to two UNRWA schools in Jabalia and in Beit Lahia Housing Project due to the violent shelling and fearing of forthcoming ground operation.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ licensing headquarter in al-Sheikh Zayid area in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the northern part of the headquarter was destroyed. During the airstrike, a Skoda Octavia car belonging to Careem Taxi Company was traveling in the area and carrying 2 journalists from Anadolu News Agency and the driver. As a result, the car sustained damage while the journalist Mohammed Jamal al-‘Aloul (34) sustained shrapnel wounds in his legs,  and journalist Mostafa Mohammed al-Badri Hassona (44) sustained bruises The driver Mahmoud al-Khudari (32) and the journalist Mahmoud Abu al-Kas were wounded.

In the evening, medical and civil defense crews managed to retrieve a man, his wife and their 4 children from under the rubble after losing track of them as Israeli warplanes bombarded at dawn a residential compound near al-Sheikh Zayid intersection on the public road of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. Those killed were identified as Ra’fat “Mohammed Ismail” ‘Attah al-Tanani (39), his wife Rawiyia Fathi Hasan al-Tanani (36), and their children Ismai’l (7), Adham (4), Ameer (6) and Mohammed (3). It should be noted that al-Tanani rented a residential apartment in Rabah al-Madhoun’s building, which was completely destroyed due to the bombing.

At approximately 23:50, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a 4-story house belonging to Jehad Mohammed Sha’ban al-‘Aloul (51), in Beit Lahia Housing Project in Beit Lahia. As a result, four were killed, a father and his 3 daughters, one of them was pregnant, were identified as identified as Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Amen (51) and his daughters, Hadeel (18), Warda (22) and Walaa’ (24), who was 6-month pregnant. Furthermore, 27 civilians were wounded, including 6 women and 10 children, while 3 houses sheltering 91 civilians, including 24 women and 41 children, were completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage.

Gaza Strip:

At approximately 09:00, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at al-Waleed building, destroying it completely. The seven-floor building (17 apartments) includes offices and organizations, coiffure and Momen Quraiq’s media production company.

In the morning, 14 dead bodies were retrieved from a military site belonging to the Palestinian armed groups that was previously targeted in an Israeli airstrike.  The dead bodies arrived at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and the Forensic Department there announced that the main cause of death is suffocation, suspecting that they inhaled toxic gases, so several samples were taken in order to make the necessary examinations.

At approximately 12:10 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at al-Ribat College belonging to the Ministry of Interior in al-Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 15:15, Israeli warplanes launched two missiles at Sameh Faheem al-Mamlouk’s house in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. As a result, the 3-storey house and nearby houses sustained partial damage. It should be noted that al-Mamlouk was killed when an airstrike targeted his apartment in al-Jondi al-Majhoul Tower in al-Rimal neighborhood on the first day of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens on al-Dahdouh Street, in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City. As a result, ‘Abdul Rahman Istabitah Khalaf Azzam (34) and Mustafa Hasan Ahmed al-‘Abed (35) were killed.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli military vehicles and tanks stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza, launched many shells at al-Shuja’iya and al-Zaytun neighborhoods, and continued until 05:00, causing fear among civilians in the eastern neighborhoods.  As a result, many families were forced to leave their houses for fear of the indiscriminate and sought refuge in the UNRWA schools in central and western Gaza City. Moreover, the Israeli artillery shelling forced dozens of families in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia to seek refuge in an UNRWA school on al-Naser Street, north of Gaza City.

Central Gaza Strip:

At approximately 15:20 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to ‘Eyadah Family in al-Bureij Refugee camp.  As a result, the house was completely destroyed and the nearby houses sustained partial damage.  Moreover, two were killed, including a child, and 2 others were wounded.  Those killed were identified as Ahmed Rami Mahmoud al-Hawajri (15) and Mo’ayad Taysir ‘Abdel Rahman al-Khatib (20), from al-Bureij refugee camp.  All casualties were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Mohammed ‘Issa (42) from al-Bureij refugee camp.  As a result, his wife and daughter were killed namely: Manar Kahder Ahmed ‘Issa (Salamah) (39) and Lina Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Issa (13) while 3 others were injured.  Moreover, the nearby houses sustained damage.

At approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at an agricultural land behind a house belonging to Mohammed Khaled ‘Omer al-Tawashi on al-Mazra’ah Street, south of Deir al-Balah.  As a result, Mohammed Khaled ‘Omer al-Tawashi (21) was killed, and his body was found the next day at approximately 08:00.

At approximately 22:40, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a carwash near al-Zawaydah entrance on Salah al-Deen Street.  As a result, the carwash and an uninhabited house were completely destroyed while a number of houses, 3 shops and 3 nearby auto repair shops sustained partial damage.  Moreover, five were wounded, including a child, and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah; two of those wounded sustained serious wounds and referred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Khan Yunis:

A Palestinian killed while 5 others wounded. Moreover, 2 houses and a bank were completely destroyed.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained severe destruction.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at the Ministry of Interior and National Security’s headquarter, west of Khan Yunis. After 20 minutes, they launched 2 other missiles. As a result, the headquarter was completely destroyed.

At approximately 06:40, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Islamic National Bank in Khan Younis.  The bank is comprised of 4 apartments in the ground and first floors in al-Agha Building next to the Khan Younis Municipality in the city center.  It should be noted that only half an hour before the airstrike, one of the sons of the building’s owner received a call from the IOF asking them to evacuate it.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens in Abu T’eimah neighborhood in ‘Abasan al-Kabirah.  As a result, two were wounded; one of them was identified as ‘Abdel ‘Aziz ‘Abdel Hamid Abu T’eimah (27) from the area.

At approximately 13:05, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Samer Isma’el Khader Abu Daqqa’s house in Abasan al-Kabira. As a result, the house was completely destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at the Palestine Production Bank in the ground floor of a 2-storey building while the first floor is home in Khan Yunis.  As a result, the bank was completely destroyed while the residential floor sustained severe damage.  Moreover, a nearby 3-storey building, which includes 5 residential apartments, sustained severe damage. It should be noted that half an hour before the airstrike, IOF called the building’s owner asking him to evacuate and tell the residents of the area to evacuate as well.

At approximately 19:40, Israeli warplanes fired a missile near a house belonging to ‘Omer Khaled Saleh al-Shorabji in al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, causing a big hole in the street, destroying a room and causing severe damage and cracks in the 2-storey house (220 sqms.)  The house shelters 2 families of 7 persons, including 3 women and a girl.  It should be noted that 20 minutes before the airstrike, Khaled al-Shorabji received a call from the IOF, asking him to tell his uncle ‘Omer to evacuate his house as it would be targeted.

Rafah City:

At approximately 07:55, Israeli drone fired 3 missiles at the Islamic National Bank in Rafah. After 10 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched a missile causing severe destruction in addition to nearby offices and institutions which sustained damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 09:50, an Israeli drone fired one missile at a house belonging to Wael Mohammed Khalil ‘Abdeen in al-Naser town. After 10 minutes, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and completely destroyed it. Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage, and no casualties were reported. Before the airstrike, one of the residents received a call from the Israeli forces ordering him to tell the residents to evacuate the houses in the area.

At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Shabanah, west of Rafah City.  Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and completely destroyed it.  As a result, nearby houses sustained partial damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at the Interior Ministry’s Internal Security site, southwest of Rafah City.  Fifteen minutes later, another 4 missiles were launched at the site and completely destroyed it.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:40, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Jamal Isma’il Soliman al-Zamli in al-Tannour neighborhood.  As a result, his granddaughter Hoor Mo’men Jamal al-Zamli (3) and her mother Kholoud Fo’ad Farhan al-Zamli (27), who was 6-month pregnant.  Moreover, 7 others were variously wounded, including 3 children and 3 women.  All of them were taken to Abu Yousif Al-Najjar Hospital to receive treatment.

At approximately 20:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Yousif Ibrahim al-Rantisi (‘Azarah) and his brothers in al-Juneinah neighborhood.  As a result, the mother, her grandson, her son and his wife were killed.  Those killed were identified as Siham Yousif Mohammed al-Rantisi (66); her 2-year-old grandson Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim al-Rantisi; her son Ra’ed Ibrahim Khamis al-Rantisi (29) and his wife Shaimaa’ Diab Mohammed al-Rantisi (21.) Moreover, 15 others were wounded variously, including 7 children and 3 women.  All of them were taken to Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital to receive treatment.

At approximately 21:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Adel ‘Ali ‘Atiyah ‘Arafat and his brother in al-Salam neighborhood.  Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house, causing massive destruction to it and partial damage to the nearby houses.  No casualties were reported.  It should be noted that the house’s owner received a call from the IOF asking him to evacuate the house and nearby houses.  The 3-storey house was 350 square meters and sheltered 7 families of 54 members.

At approximately 21:30, and over 5 hours, IOF stationed along the border fence fired many artillery shells sporadically at empty lands.  No casualties were reported.

Friday, 14 May 2021:

Northern Gaza:

12 Palestinians, including 4 children and 2 women, were killed while 276 others, including 93 children and 87 women, were wounded. Also, the airstrikes targeted 5 houses and a mosque, which were both completely destroyed. Additionally, 150 missiles were launched at dozens of other houses, public roads and infrastructure sustained severe destruction.

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes violently targeted many agricultural and empty lands, and houses in various areas in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and Um al-Nasser village. The airstrikes continued for 2 hours; during which at least 150 missiles were launched.  As a result, five were killed, including 2 women and 3 children, while 68 others were injured, including 21 women and 20 children.

According to PCHR’s investigations, Israeli warplanes targeted an agricultural land near a 3-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Hashem al-‘Attar’s sons in Beit Lahia on the Street beyween al-‘Atatrah and al-Salatin neighborhoods in Beit Lahia. As a result, Lamyaa’ Hasan al-‘Attar (27) and her 3 children namely Islam (8), Amira (7), and Mohammed “Zain al-Dein” (8 months) were killed, and their house was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at an agricultural land in al-Amal neighborhood in Beit Lahia near a 2-storey house belonging to Ibrahim Mousa Ahmed Salama (49). As a result, his wife, Faiza Ahmed Mohammed Salama (45) was killed, and the house owner and his son were injured. Additionally, the violent airstrikes destroyed many houses, especially on al-Ba’li Street in central Beit Hanoun.

At approximately 10:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Abdul Karim Shihada in Nazla area in Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 13:05 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a 4-storey house belonging to the sons of Mohammed Mostafa Zarandah in Bir al-Na’jah area, west of Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 16:30, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Mahmoud Mohammed Ahmed al-Madhoun (30), who lived to the east of Hala al-Shawa Clinic in Beit Lahia Housing Project, succumbing to wounds he sustained at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, when a plot of land near his house was targeted. Al-Madhoun was hit with shrapnel in the left side of his head when he was in front of his house.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at Shadi ‘Abed Rabbu’s house in ‘Izbet ‘Abed Rabbu in Jabalia. As a result, 6 civilians, including 3 women and 2 children, were wounded and taken to the Indonesian Hospital, where the injuries of 2 of them were described as serious while the rest injuries were moderate. Additionally, the house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 20:20 on the same day, the dead bodies of Ahmed “Mohammed al-Mahdi” Isma’il al-Najar (32) and Ahmed ‘Awad Mohammed al-Neder (36), from Jabalia, arrived at the Indonesian Hospital after Israeli warplanes targeted them at 10:05 on Jaffa Street in Jabalia.

At approximately 21:30, shrapnel of a missile fell on a house belonging to the sons of ‘Issa ‘Obaid on al-Nozhah Street in Jabalia. As a result, a girl with disability namely Buthaina Mahmoud ‘Issa ‘Obaid (6) was killed after being hit with shrapnel in the right side of her head when she was in front of her house.

At approximately 23:50, Israeli warplanes launched at least 15 missiles at ‘Abed al-Razeq Qlaibo Mosque and its surrounding near Qlaibo Hill in Beit Lahia. As a result, the mosque was completely destroyed. Five minutes later, the residents of the area thought that the targeted house belonged to Hatem al-Mansi, which is to the southern side of the mosque, so they ran to evacuate al-Mansi family members. When the residents arrived at al-Mansi’s house and entered it, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the house garden. As a result, 3 civilians, including 2 brothers, were killed while 5 others, including a woman, were injured. One of those injured sustained serious wounds. Those killed were identified as: Ahmed (34) and Yousef (22) Hatem Mahmoud al-Mansi (34) and Ahmed Mohammed ‘Abed al-‘Aziz Sabbah (28). Moreover, 4 houses near the targeted mosque from the western side, other nearby houses and electricity and communication networks sustained severe damage

Gaza City:

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent and successive airstrikes, which lasted until 00:30, on the main roads and vital areas in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, including Baghdad, al-Nazzaz, Muntar and al-Biltaji Streets, causing severe damage.  Moreover, al-Shuja’iya Cemetery was targeted with several missiles.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Mahmoud Abu Halima Company for Metal Trading near al-Shawwa petrol station on the intersection of al-Mansourah and Salah al-Deen Streets in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, east of Gaza.  The 1.5-dunum company belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Halima (46) and its equipment and goods were completely destroyed.  Moreover, the nearby buildings and facilities sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called two neighbors and ordered them to evacuate the area because the company would be targeted.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Yafa workshop belonging to Shareef Mohammed Sa’eed al-Lulu (47) in front of al-Zaytun police station on Salah al-Dein Street in al-Zaytun neighborhood. As a result, the nearby houses and shops sustained severe damage.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens, east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. As a result, two were killed, identified as Saqer Abdul Majid Isma’el al-Hayya (27), and Hussam Baker Mohammed al-Hayya (33).

At approximately 07:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital announced that Mahmoud Hamed Hasan Tolba (13), from al-Zaytun neighborhood, succumbed to his wounds on 12 May 2021. Tolba sustained serious shrapnel wounds in different parts of his body in an Israeli airstrike on Salah al-Deen Street.

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes sporadically launched several missiles at facilities belonging to the Palestinian Naval Police at the fishermen seaport, west of Gaza. The airstrike continued until 06:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021.

At approximately 17:15, warplanes launched 4 missiles at the Palestine Production Bank in Nour al-Dein building belonging to Hussam Fo’ad Mahmoud Nour al-Dein (56) on Izz al-Dein al-Qassam Street next to al-Shifa Hospital, west of Gaza. As a result, the 5-storey building (480 sqms), sheltered 5 families, was completely destroyed as the bank was located in the ground floor, and the nearby facilities, buildings and shops sustained severe damages.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at the Ministry of Interior and National Security’s headquarter in Ansar Security Compound, west of Gaza. As a result, the compound was completely destroyed and the nearby buildings sustained severe damage. It should be noted that IOF targeted the same place the next day morning.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at two apartments located in the southwestern side of the second and third floor in al-Rabi’a 6-storey building, which includes 5 residential apartments on an area of 800 sqms in central Gaza city. As a result, Abdullah Ashraf Abdullah Jouda (13) was killed in the second floor, and Adam Mohammed Subhy al-Far’awi (20), was killed in the third floor.

Central Gaza:

At approximately 13:40 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 5 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Ayman Nofal in al-Bureij refugee camp. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and the nearby houses sustained partial damage.  Moreover, Mahmoud Mohammed Isma’el al-Khaldy (27) was killed when he was passing by. Also, 15, including 4 women and 2 children, were wounded and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where their injuries varied between minor to medium.

At approximately 13:45, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at a 2-storey house (300sqms) belonging to Marwan Abdul Karim Issa, in al-Bureij refugee camp. As a result, the house was completely destroyed, nearby houses sustained damage and a person was injured.

At approximately 14:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles, one by a drone, at a house belonging to Mahmoud Abdul Hadi in al-Bureij refugee camp.  As a result, the tinplate-roofed house of one floor (200sqms) and sheltering 3 families of 16 members, including 5 children and 2 women, was completely destroyed. Moreover, nearby houses and 6 shops sustained partial damage.

At approximately 15:30, Israeli drones launched a missile at a fishing boat in fishermen seaport, west of Deir al-Balah. As a result, the fishing boat was destroyed and on fire and fishing equipment and nets were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:15, Israeli artillery fired shells at the civilian houses in eastern Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.  Four shells fell on a 3-storey (140 sqms) house, which sheltered 3 families of 25 members, including 7 children and 4 women, belonging to Marwan Mohammed Abu Muhareb (51). As a result, the third floor sustained severe damage, but no casualties were reported. It should be noted that the residents evacuated their house after the shelling.

At approximately 19:10, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles, one by a drone, at a 2-storey house (180 sqms) belonging to Mohammed Qatamish in al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, 3 persons, including a child, were wounded and the house sustained partial damage.

Khan Yunis:

A Palestinian was killed and 13 others were wounded. Also, 5 houses were destroyed and nearby houses sustained severe damage.

At approximately 12:10 on Friday, 14 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Omer Jihad Ahmed al-Astal (26) in the Satar al-Gharbi neighborhood in Khan Younis.  Five minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired 4 missiles at the ground floor house, which sheltered a family of 3, and the nearby land.  As a result, the house was completely destroyed while the nearby 2-story house of his father, Jihad Ahmed Fayez al-Astal, was almost completely destroyed as it sheltered 2 families of 9.  Moreover, a nearby house sustained damage, noting that half an hour before the airstrike, IOF called one of the family members and asked him to evacuate his house and tell the neighbors to evacuate as well.

At approximately 16:28, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house belonging to Mazen Shubeir, west of the Islamic Complex in Khan Younis.  Few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a land next to the house, causing a hole in the ground and damage to nearby houses.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ziad ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Abu Shaqrah in al-Sheikh Naser neighborhood in Khan Younis.  Few minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a one-story house (360 sqms) and completely destroyed it.  As a result, nearby houses sustained damage, and 7 civilians were injured due to the shattering rubble.  It should be noted that half an hour before the airstrike, IOF called residents of the area to tell the residents of the house and nearby houses to evacuate.  The house sheltered a family of 7, including 2 women and 3 children.

At approximately 19:00, IOF stationed along the border fence in eastern Khan Younis fired shells at al-Zannah, ‘Abasan al-Jadidah and Khuza’ah areas in eastern Khan Younis.  The shelling sporadically continued until the evening, and some shells fell in the center of the neighborhoods.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:05, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Ahed ‘Abdel Malek Abu Shahla in al-Sheikh Nasser neighborhood.  Few minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 4-storey house and completely destroyed it, causing damage to nearby houses.  It should be noted that the before the drone missile, IOF called one of the house residents to inform him to evacuate the houses.  The targeted house was 130 sqms and sheltered 4 families of 20, including 5 women and 10 children.

At approximately 20:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a group of citizens in ‘Abasan al-Kabirah in eastern Khan Younis.  As a result, Walid Zuhair Mohammed Abu Shab (23), from Bani Suheila, was killed while another was wounded.  Both were taken to Naser Hospital.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli gunboats fired shells off Khan Younis shore, causing severe destruction to the coffee shops there.  No casualties were reported.

Rafah:

At approximately 14:20 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a motorbike on al-‘Oroubah Street in al-Tannour neighborhood.  As a result, the motorbike’s driver Mousa Ghaleb Ibrahim Madi (25) was killed.

At approximately 15:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Suheil ‘Abdel Jabbar Jaber al-Qotati in al-Barahmah neighborhood.  Five minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the house and completely destroyed it and a car parked in front of it.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage, but no casualties were reported.  It should be noted that the brother of the house’s owner received a call from IOF and asked him to evacuate the house and nearby houses. The one-story house is 160 sqms and sheltered one family of 8.

Saturday, 15 May 2021:

Northern Gaza:

Airstrikes wounded 92 Palestinians, including 27 children and 26 women.  Many houses were completely destroyed while many others sustained partial damage.

At approximately 11:25, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at al-Hussoumi Shops for Construction Materials in al-Qar’ah al-Khamesah area in al-Salatin neighborhood in Beit Lahia.  As a result, the area sustained damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 14:25 on Sunday, 15 May 2021, the Israeli artillery fired a shell at a residential apartment on the second floor in Tower No. (8) in al-Nada Towers, west of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the apartment sustained material damage; but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on the same day, the Israeli artillery fired 2 shells at Hamed al-Shembari’s 4-story house in Borat Jamil al-Shawa, northeast of Beit Hanoun, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 17:15, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Shehada family’s 2-story house in Bloc No. (2) in Jabalia. As a result, the house and al-Kurdi shops for construction materials, which was on the ground floor, were completely destroyed. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 17:50, the Israeli artillery fired dozens of shells at the northern and western areas of Beit Lahia. As a result, fire broke out in Khudair Brothers Company and al-Modawer Medicine Company. The targeted companies included stores that contained large quantities of plastic and agricultural materials. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:15, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a gathering of citizens on the Old Gaza Street in Jabalia. As a result, 5 citizens were injured and taken to the Indonesian Hospital for treatment.

At approximately 18:35, the Israeli artillery fired 4 shells at Hitham Zakaria Nusair’s 3-story house on al-Qerman Street, east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house sustained severe damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:15 on the same day, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Raied Sa’d’s house in ‘Anan area, west of Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained material damage. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at al-Sifa Cemetery, northwest of Beit Lahia, but no casualties were reported.

Gaza City:

Airstrikes killed 12 Palestinians, including 8 children and 2 women.  Moreover, al-Jalaa’ Tower and 3 multi-story houses were completely destroyed while al-Andalus and al-Qaherah towers sustained severe and partial destruction.

At approximately 01:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at a residential building belonging to Abdul Shafi Khamis Ahmed al-Shobaki (62) near al-Sahabah Medical Complex in central Gaza City. As a result, the 4-storey building, which housed 8 apartments and sheltered 10 families, including 16 children and 5 women, was partially and severely destroyed as it was directly targeted.  Moreover, 2 nearby buildings sustained severe damage. It should be noted that one of the residents received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services to evacuate the area.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at a 3-storey house (250 sqms) belonging to ‘Alaa Abdul ‘Aall Abu Hatab in al-Shati refugee camp, without informing its residents to evacuate. As a result, 9, including 2 women and 7 children, were killed and identified as: the house owner’s wife, Yasmine Mohammed Khamees Abu Hatab (31), and her 4 children, Yousef (11), Maryam (8), Belal (9) and Yamin (6), the house owner’s sister, Maha Mohammed Abdul ‘Aal Abu Hatab “al-Hadidi” (35), and 3 of her children, Osama (6), ‘Abdul Rahman and Suhaib (13) Mohammed Subhi al-Hadidi, while their 5-month old brother was moderately injured.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli warplanes fired 5 missiles at al-Rawdah (1) residential tower, comprised of 5 floors and storehouses.  The tower is one of Tal al-Hawa Housing Project towers, and the targeted apartments were in the first, second and third floors in the northwestern side.  As a result, the apartments were completely destroyed while the tower and the nearby Rawadah (2) and al-Sa’adah (2), (3) and (4) towers sustained severe damage.

At approximately 13:35, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens near the Friday Market in al-Shejaiya neighborhood. As a result, two, including a child, were killed, and were identified as Saif al-Dein Hani Mohammed Abu al-‘Atta (19), and Mohammed Ahmed Attiya Bahar (17.)

At approximately 15:15, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at al-Jalaa’ tower near al-Watan tower on al-Jala’ street in Gaza City. As a result, the 12-storey tower, which housed residential apartments, offices and organizations, particularly media offices, including the head offices of al-Jazeera Channel and Associated Press (AP), was completely destroyed. It should be noted that Israeli Intelligence Services called the owner of the tower and informed him to evacuate it as it would be destroyed.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to the Hamas Movement leader, Khalil al-Hayya, in al-Sha’af neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, it was completely destroyed.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Khaled al-Mana’ma’s house on al-Quds Open University Street in al-Naser neighborhood. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Hamdi SAlim ‘Abed Hassounah (58) in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, causing severe damage in the upper floors.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles and directly targeted the 8th and 9th floors in the northwestern and southwestern sides of al-Qahira (Cairo) tower on the Arab League Street near the Ministry of Finance. As a result, the 14-storey tower, which includes 48 apartments, sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the tower’s guard received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services asking him to tell the residents of the tower to evacuate.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a civilian car travelling on al-Oyoun Street in al-Naser neighborhood, north of Gaza City. As a result, the driver, Sa’eed Khaled Sa’eed Abu Ghalyoun (27), was killed.

At approximately 21:45, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at the Endowments Ministry’s shops in al-Zaitoun neighborhood.  The shops are rented by al-Reyashi Shop for Batteries, a lathe workshop and a refrigerators shop belonging to Abu Zor Family.

At approximately 22:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Palestinian National Bank located at the ground and first floor of Kazem Abu Sha’ban’s building, on Omar al-Mukhtar Street, west of Gaza City. As a result, the bank was completely destroyed.

At approximately 22:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Owda Salman Ahmed Abu Suhaiban (70) house near ‘Abdel ‘Aal intersection on al-Jalaa’ street, north of Gaza City. As a result, the 4-storey house, sheltering 8 families, was completely destroyed causing severe damage in the area.

At approximately 23:35, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of al-Andalos tower, comprised of 12 floors, near Gaza Seaport, next to Hanadi tower, which was completely destroyed on the first day of the Israeli offensive on Gaza. As a result, the 3 floors were completely destroyed and the other apartments sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the tower’s guard received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services ordering him to evacuate it.

Central Gaza Strip:

Airstrikes killed 3 Palestinians; one of them succumbed to his wounds, and wounded another.  Moreover, 3 houses were completely destroyed while al-Kabeer Mosque sustained damage.

At approximately 00:20 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at a 3-storey house (300 sqms), which sheltered 6 families of 30 members, most of them are children and women, belonging to Abdul Karim Ali Issa. As a result, the house sustained severe damage and might collapse while nearby houses and a mosque sustained partial damage.

At approximately 04:00, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Hasan Ahmed al-Maqadma’s house in al-Bureij refugee camp. After 30 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at the house. As a result, the 3-storey house (140 sqms), which sheltered 3 families of 15 members; most of them are women and children, was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at the Traffic Police Station in Deir al-Balah, causing damage to it, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 00:10 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural land in eastern al-Bureij.  As a result, Mohammed Salem Yousif Abu ‘Ayesh (34), from al-Maghazi refugee camp, and were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. 

At approximately 13:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike in eastern al-Maghazi refugee camp.  As a result, the motorbike’s driver, Zaher ‘Atiah Mohammed ‘Anbar (38), from al-Nussairat. Was killed and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 13:20, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at an open land near the municipal warehouses in eastern al-Bureij.  As a result, a person was wounded and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where medical sources said that his condition is moderate.

At approximately 16:10, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles; one of them by a drone, at a house belonging to Ghazi Abu Tamma’ah in Deir al-Balah.  As a result, the 1-story house (140 sqms) was completely destroyed while the nearby houses sustained partial damage. 

At approximately 21:00, Medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Ahmed Eyad Ahmed Fattouh (22) after succumbing to wounds he sustained in a previous Israeli airstrike on a carwash at approximately 22:40 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, at the entrance to al-Zawaydah.  At the time, his condition was reported serious and referred to al-Shifa Hospital until his death was announced.

Khan Younis

Airstrikes wounded 2 Palestinians, including a child, and destroyed 2 houses after directly targeting them.

At approximately 02:00, IOF’s tanks fired tens of smoke   grenades at eastern Khan Younis, particularly at al-Qararah, making a fog that headed to the west.  The residents of the area suffered eye irritation and nausea due to the smoke inhalation.

 At approximately 10:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ramzi Abu Daqqah in ‘Abasan al-Kabirah.  Few minutes later, the Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at the house and completely destroyed it.  The 4-storey house is home to 2 families of 11 members, including 4 children.

At approximately 11:22, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Taysir al-Mubasher in the Emirati neighborhood in western Khan Younis.  Few minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the 2-storey house and completely destroyed it, causing partial damage to the nearby houses.

At approximately 14:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Qararah Municipality in northern Khan Younis.  As a result, a person sustained serious wounds and was taken to Naser Hospital.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli tanks stationed along the border fence fired tens of shells at eastern Khan Younis.  Two shells fell on the roof of the Khuza’a Municipal cultural center in eastern Khan Younis and caused damage to it.

Rafah:

Airstrikes targeted 2 houses; one was completely destroyed while the other sustained damage.  Moreover, a mosque, shops, a tailoring shop, 3 poultry farms and a Navy Police boat sustained damage while dozens of families were forcibly displaced from al-Shokah village in Rafah.

At approximately 04:10 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a boat belonging to the Palestinian Navy Police off the Fishermen Seaport, west of Rafah City.  As a result, the boat was completely destroyed, and other fishing boats sustained damage.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 04:20, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at 3 poultry farms (2000 sqms) belonging to Talal Ramadan Salman al-Sha’er in al-Salam neighborhood.  Around 25 minutes later, another missile was fired and completely destroyed the farms, killing 10,500 chickens.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 11:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Jamil Hasan Ibrahim Abu Zaid in al-Shabourah refugee camp.  Around 15 minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and completely destroyed 3 shops in the ground floor.  Moreover, the rest of house floors were partially destroyed while the nearby houses, shops and al-Abrar Mosque sustained partial damage.  No casualties were reported.  It should be noted that IOF called one of the neighbors and asked him to evacuate his house and tell the residents of the nearby houses to evacuate as well.  The targeted house was comprised of 2 floors on an area of 170 sqms and sheltered 3 families of 13 members.

At approximately 15:25, IOF fired artillery shells at a house belonging to al-Shawi Family and a tailoring workshop belonging to Khafajah family in al-Shokah village. As a result, both places sustained material damage, but no casualties were reported.

Sunday, 16 May 2021:

Northern Gaza:

Airstrikes killed 4 Palestinians and wounded 37 others, including 16 children and 5 women.  Many houses were completely destroyed while tens others sustained partial damage.

At approximately 00:15 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a gathering of citizens near al-Qerem intersection in Jabalia. As a result, Tareq Ziyad Mostafa Abu Hmeidan (19) was killed while 2 others were injured and taken to the Indonesian Hospital. The injury of one of them was serious as his leg was amputated, while the other’s injury was moderate.

At approximately 08:10, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at Ahmed al-Batsh’s 2-story house on the Old Gaza Street in Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained material damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 15:20, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at a 4-story house belonging to Hamed al-Shembari (55), east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house and nearby houses sustained severe damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 17:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 2-story house belonging to Mohammed Fawzi Naser (47) in central Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 17:35, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 2-story house belonging to Hussain Khalil Hussain Fayyad (44), east of Beit Hanoun, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli artillery fired a shell at a 2-story house belonging to Hitham Mohammed Abu ‘Osda (43), east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, fire broke out in the house.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 2-story house belonging to Nabil Foad Mahmoud al-Masri (57) in central Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the house sustained damage.

At approximately 19:15, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of citizens in the center of Zaytun neighborhood in Beit Hanoun. As a result, 3 of them were killed namely Mo’ath Nabil Mohammed al-Za’aneen (27), Mohammed Yousef Mahmoud ‘Abdullah (31) and Mohammed ‘Awni ‘Abdullah al-Za’aneen (25).

At approximately 19:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Belal Mustafa Yahiya ‘Asaliyia’s (30) house in central Jabalia, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 20:20, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 2-story house belonging to Mohammed Shehdah Mas’oud al-Moghrabi (52), east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained damage.

At approximately 20:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 3-story house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Ahmed Ba’lousha in al-Salateen neighborhood, west of Beit Lahia, and completely destroyed it.

Gaza City:

Airstrikes killed 44 Palestinians, including 18 children and 13 women.  6 residential buildings, the Ministries of labor and social development, Doctors without Borders office, many main roads and public facilities, organizations, shops and 2 factories were completely destroyed.

At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out intense huge airstrikes on several places in Gaza City and continued until 02:10. The airstrikes targeted Abu al-Ouf 4-storey building, which included residential apartments and shops on al-Wehda Street, and destroyed it over the heads of its residents without a prior warning. Furthermore, Israeli warplanes targeted 2 other 4-storey residential buildings belonging to Ameen Mohammed al-Qolaq and Mo’een Mohammed al-Qolaq, near Abu al-Ouf building, and destroyed it over the heads of its residents. In addition, al-Ahlam building was targeted as well in the same area.  As a result, 43 persons were killed, including 18 children and 12 women.

The airstrikes on al-Rimal neighborhood and on al-Wehda Street destroyed the main roads and infrastructure starting from al-Rimal Clinic’s intersection to Palmira intersection and the Middle East Council of Churches Street in addition to the Thai Restaurant intersection and al-Thawrah Street. Additionally, the Labor Ministry’s headquarter was completely destroyed while the Ministry of Social Development, Doctors Without Borders organization,‘Ajour  and al-Omara 4-storey buildings, and a 2-story house, which is inhabited, belonging to Mattar family sustained severe damage.

Deaths at Abu al-Ouf building: Ayman Tawfiq Abu al-Ouf (50), an internist of al-Shifa Hospital, his two children, Tawfiq (17) and Tala (13); Abeer Nimir Ali Shkontana (30), 3 of her children, Yehya Ruyad Hasan Shkontana (5), Dana (9), and Zain (2); Dima Rami Riyad al-Ifranji (16), Reem Khalil Ahmed Abu al-Ouf (41), Hazem Adel Na’eem al-Qamea’ (48), and Rawan Alaa Subhi Abu al-Ouf (19).

On Sunday evening, the Medical and Civil Defense crews pulled out 13 dead bodies, including 3 women and 7 children, from under the rubble of their houses on al-Wehda Street, raising the number of deaths to 43, most of them were children and women.

The bodies retrieved were identified as Subhiya Isma’el Hussain Abu al-Ouf (73), Ameen Mohammed Hamad al-Qolaq (90), Tawfiq Isma’el Hussain Abu al-Ouf (80) and his wife, Majdiya Khalil Hussain Abu al-Ouf (82), Raja’ Subhi Isma’el al-Ifranji “Abu al-Ouf and  3 of her children, Mira Rami Riyad al-Ifranji (12), Yazan (13), Ameer (9), and Hala Mohammed Mo’een al-Qolaq (13), and her sister, Yara (10), Rola (6) and Lana (4) Riyad Hasan Shkontana, and Mohammed Ahmed Musbah Ikki (40).

Deaths at al-Qolaq family Building: Fawwaz Ameen Mohammed al-Qolaq (63) along with 4 of his sons and daughters; Abdul Hameed (23), Reham (33), Bahaa (49) and Sameh (28); and the latter’s wife, Ayat Ibrahim Khalil al-Qolaq (19), and their 6-month old son, Qusay; Amal Jameel Salama al-Qolaq (42) and 3 of her children, Taher Ameen al-Qolaq (24), Ahmed (16), and Hanaa (15); Mohammed Mo’een Mohammed al-Qolaq (42), his brother, Izzat (44), and his 2 children, Zaid (8) and Adam (3). Doaa’ Omar Abdullah al-Qolaq (39), and Sa’diya Yousef Daher al-Qolaq (84).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to Mustafa Khalaf Daloul (50) from al-Zaytoun neighborhood and completely destroyed it.  The house was of 2 floors and sheltered 11 members, including 4 children and 3 women.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at 3 residential buildings namely “Anas Ben Malek”, each was of 7 floors, on an area of a dunum and a half on al-Yarmouk Street in Gaza City. As a result, the 3 buildings were completely destroyed, and nearby buildings, institutions and facilities sustained severe damage. It should be noted that IOF called a number of residents and informed them to evacuate.

 At approximately 18:50, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Ali Mousa Mohammed Affana’s (64) house, north of Gaza City. As a result, the 5-storey house (200 sqms), which included 10 apartments and sheltered 10 families, including 11 women and 21 children, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that Israeli Intelligence Services phone called the neighbors and ordered them to evacuate the house as it would be targeted.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Abdul Kareem Isma’el Ibrahim al-Ashram’s (60) house in al-Sabra neighborhood, south of the Gaza City. As a result, the 6-storey house (400 sqms) sheltering 7 families, including 12 women and 16 children, sustained severe destruction in the 3rd, 4th and fifth floors. It should be noted that Israeli Intelligence Services called the neighbors and ordered them to evacuate.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Jamal Attiya Hamdiya’s (62) house in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. As a result, the 4-storey house and a nearby 3-storey house belonging to Mohammed Sa’eed Khalil al-Manasra, sheltering 5 families, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services phone called the neighbors and ordered them to evacuate.

Central Gaza Strip:

Airstrikes killed a Palestinian and wounded 17 others, including 5 children and 7 women.  Mroeover, 2 houses were destroyed while the main street of al-Maghazi was targeted.

At approximately 02:10 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes on al-Maghazi refugee camp, targeting its infrastructure and causing partial damage to the houses and to the main street to al-Maghazi entrance.

At approximately 02:10 Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural land belonging to al-Musadar family in central al-Maghazi refugee camp.  As a result, 6 were wounded, including 2 women, and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive treatment.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli artillery heavily fired the eastern side of the central Gaza Strip, where one of the shells fell on a house belonging to Khaled Hasan al-Masalhah (50) in northern Nussairat.  As a result, the house’s owner was killed while his wife and wife of his son, Ayman, were wounded.  The house is comprised of 2 floors; the first is built of concrete while the second is built of tinplate, on an area of 150 sqms, sheltering 15 members; mostly children and women.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a tinplate-roofed house belonging to Hussam Mohammed ‘Aqel, from al-Nussairat refugee camp.  As a result, 9 members of the house’s family were wounded, including 5 children and 3 women, and were all taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for treatment.  Medical sources said that the injuries ranged between moderate and minor.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage.  It should be noted that the 1-storey house was built on an area of 250 sqms and sheltered a family of 9, including 4 children and 3 women.

At approximately 06:40, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles; one by a drone, at a house belonging to the heirs of Fathi Qatamesh in al-Maghazi refugee camp.  As a result, the 2-storey house (150 sqms), which sheltered 2 families of 7, including 2 women and 2 children, was totally destroyed and.  Moreover, 3 nearby houses sustained severe damage while other houses sustained partial damage.

Khan Younis

Airstrikes destroyed 2 houses and caused damage to a third one.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes within only one minute, launching tens of missiles at different targets.  As a result, 2 houses belonging to Yehia al-Senwar, Head of Hamas Politburo in Gaza, and his brother, Mohammed al-Senwar, were destroyed.  Each house was comprised of 2 floors and located in separate areas on Street 5 in al-Satar al-Gharbi neighborhood.  Moreover, the nearby houses sustained damage.  The airstrikes also targeted agricultural lands, streets and intersections in Khan Youns, particularly on the mentioned street and other places.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile near the fence of a 2-storey villa belonging to Jihad ‘Ali al-Fara in al-Satar al-Sharqi area.  As a result, the villa fence was destroyed while a car, house windows and nearby houses sustained damage as well as the street.

IOF’s tanks and artillery stationed along the border fence and the gunboats stationed off shore continued on Saturday and Sunday to target with dozens shells the eastern and western outskirts of Khan Younis.

Rafah:

Airstrikes killed 2 Palestinians  and wounded 5 others, including a journalist.  Moroever, 9 houses, agricultural lands and a National Security Site were targeted.

At approximately 00:20 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, IOF fired shells and flare bombs in Rafah City; some fell on 6 houses in al-Shabourah refugee camp.  As a result, 2 persons were wounded; one of them a journalist, when they were in front of their houses.  Those wounded were identified as Ra’ed Mohammed ‘Abdel Wahab Sabbah (46) and sustained serious shrapnel wounds in the abdomen and ‘Alam al-Deen ‘Abdel Rahman Mohammed Sabbah (23), a freelance journalist, sustained moderate shrapnel wounds in the upper extremities.  Moreover, a number of houses sustained damage.

At approximately 02:45, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a site belonging to the Palestinian National Security near Salah al-Deen Gate.  Fifty minutes later, 2 other missiles were launched at the site, completely destroying it.

At approximately 03:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud Zayed ‘Abdel al-‘Aal in the Tannour neighborhood.  Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired one missile at the house and completely destroyed it.  Moreover, a house adjacent to the targeted house was completely destroyed as well while nearby houses sustained partial damage. However, no casualties were reported. Before the airstrike, IOF called one of the neighbors, asking him to evacuate the house and the nearby houses. It should be noted that the targeted one-story house (250 sqms) sheltered a family of 12 members.

At approximately 12:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ibrahim Taysir Ibrahim Abu Shammalah in Yebna refugee camp in Rafah.  Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and completely destroyed it.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained damage, and 3 persons were moderately wounded due to the shattered rubble.  Before the airstrike, IOF called one of the neighbors and asked him to evacuate the house and nearby houses.  It should be noted that the one-story house (200 sqms) sheltered a family of 5 member.

Monday, 17 May 2021

Northern Gaza Strip:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of 4 Palestinians; one of them succumbed to his wounds, and the injury of 56 others, including 15 women and 22 children. Also, 8 houses and a company were targeted.

At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, the Israeli artillery fired at least 2 shells at Foam Co. Sponge Company in eastern of Jabalia. As a result, a fire broke out in the area.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Abdul Aziz al-Khaldi’s house. As a result, the 3-storey villa, southwest of al-Sudaniya, was completely destroyed and nearby houses, Mathaf Hotel, al-Khaldi Mosque and Hamad Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Hospital sustained damage.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Fayez Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Ali’s house. As a result, the 3-storey house in Jabalia refugee camp was completely destroyed.

At approximately 10:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Abdullah Abu Rayya’s house. As a result, the ground-floor house, located in Jabalia, was completely destroyed, and Husam Mohammed Othman Abu Harabeed (36), a commander in al-Quds Brigades, was killed, as IOF declared targeting him.

At approximately 10:45, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Yousef al-Liddawi’s sons in Jabalia. As a result, the roof of the 6-storey house sustained damage.

At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the third floor in the sons of Yousef al-Leddawi’s residential building and completely destroyed the floor. Five minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Abu Jalhoum family’s house, west of Beit Lahia.

At approximately 13:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, declared the death of Yehia Mansour Ghaben (22), succumbing to wounds he sustained last Thursday when the Israeli artillery fired shells at farmers in their land near the American Hospital, west of Beit Hanoun Crossing.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Ayman Siyam’s house in central Jabalia camp, and destroyed it completely. Five minutes later, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of citizens in central Beit Lahia. As a result, Ahmed Ziyad Hussain Sabbah (28) and Mohammed Nazeer Mohammed Abu ‘Oun (18) were killed while 2 other civilians were injured; one of them sustained serious wounds.

At approximately 17:50, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a 3-story house belonging to ‘Abed al-Rahman Abu al-Jabeen in central Jabalia. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.

At approximately 18:35, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Abu ‘Ajinah’s house in Beit Lahia. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.

Gaza City:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of 7 civilians, including a child who was killed along with her uncle. Also, 2 commercial mutli-story buildings were completely destroyed and Ghazi al-Shawa building was partially destroyed. Additionally, the headquarters of Ministry of Health and military medical services, Palestinian organizations, Nahdah bookshop and printing house, the Orphans Fund head office, a bank, and 5 factories sustained severe damage.

At approximately 00:15 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Mohammed Ahmed Saleh al-Dairi’s (47) house in al-Sabra neighborhood. As a result, the 4-storey house (500 sqms), comprised of 16 apartments and sheltering 17 families of 115 members, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that Israeli Intelligence Services phone called the neighbors and ordered them to evacuate.

After 5 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Hamdiya Othman Abdul Rahman Hamdan’s (60) house in al-Sabra neighborhood. As a result, the 3-storey house comprised of 3 apartments (each is 200 sqms) sheltering 3 families, including 6 women and 6 children, was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services phone called the residents and ordered them to evacuate.

At approximately 01:00 and for an hour, Israeli warplanes carried out a huge number of intense airstrikes on Gaza City targeting main roads and infrastructures on al-Rasheed Street and other streets, in addition to destroying main roads and streets, which connect Tal al-Hawa neighborhood with al-Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood.  Moreover, the tourist facilities along the Gaza seaside sustained severe damage while nearby residential buildings and towers sustained partial damage.  Many security sites in Ansar Security Compound, west of Gaza City.

At approximately 12:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a civilian car travelling near Abu Hasira crossroad, west of Gaza City. As a result, the driver, Adeeb Sa’eed Deeb al-Sourani (43), was killed.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens who were near the Maldives Coffeshop at Gaza seaside. As a result, 4 of them were killed and identified as Mohammed Jamal ‘Ali Abu Sam’an (24), Mohammed Hasan Hasan Abu Sam’an (32), ‘Ali Waleed al-‘Abed Burais (30). And Ahmed Khalil Hejazi al-Louh (24).

At approximately 13:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Shehab al-Dein Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Mishal’s (45) house, northwest of Gaza City. As a result, the 2-storey house, sheltering 9 members, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called the residents before the airstrike and ordered them to evacuate it.

At approximately 17:45, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Ghazy al-Shawwa building in Central Gaza City. As a result, Zeyad Kamel Abdullah Abu Dayer (55) and his niece, Rafeef Mershed Kamel Abu Dayer (11), both residents of the area, were killed, while the upper floors of the building, comprised of 6 floors and a roof and housing offices and organizations, were completely destroyed. Moreover, the administrative building of the Ministry of Health in Shuhada al-Rimal clinic next to al-Shawwa building and al-Amal Institute for Orphans and its building which includes a number of private clinics, sustained severe damage.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Mashareq building belonging to the Ministry of Endowments near Ansar crossroad, west of Gaza City. At approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes targeted the same building again with several missiles. As a result, the 5-storey building housing al-Nahdah bookshop and printing house and Abu al-Einain pharmacy in the ground floor as well as the Orphans Fund head office, was completely destroyed while the nearby Abbas Police Station, the Military Medical Services headquarter, office of lawyer Mohammed Adel Besaiso, other multi-story buildings and shops sustained severe damage.

At approximately 19:00, IOF stationed along the eastern border fence fired several shells at Ahmed Hasan Barawi al-Falouji’s (55) house, east of Gaza City. As a result, 4 floors of the 6-storey house, sheltering 7 families of 60 members, was completely destroyed.  Also, a shell fell on a nearby ground house belonging to Salah Hasan Barawi al-Falouji (45) was completely destroyed.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at al-Dahdouh’s house in al-Zaytun neighborhood, south of Gaza City. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed.

Central Gaza Strip:

During the airstrikes, a child was killed, 7 others, including a child, were injured, and 2 houses were completely destroyed. Also, a carwash sustained damage.

At approximately 03:40 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to the heirs of Tawfiq al-Fallit in Deir al-Balah. As a result, the 2-storey house (250 sqms), which sheltered 4 families of 18 members, including 9 children and 3 women, was completely destroyed, while 5 nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 08:00, the Israeli artillery launched several shells at a vacant land, east of Deir al-Balah. As a result, a child sustained shrapnel wounds and a woman suffocated.

At approximately 12:40 on Monday, 17 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house in Deir al-Balah. As a result, Yousef Rafiq al-Baz (13) was killed, his brother, Ramadan (16), was wounded, and a nearby carwash sustained severe damage.

At approximately 15:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at an uninhabited house belonging to Ayman Mohammed Saidam, north of al-Maghazi. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained partial damage.

Khan Yunis:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of a Palestinian and the injury of 6 others. Also, 2 houses and a farm were destroyed.

At approximately 12:22, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of citizens in ‘Abasan al-Jadidah.  As a result, Ahmed Fayez Hasan ‘Arafat (29), from the village, were killed while another sustained minor wounds.

At approximately 13:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Amjad Mousa Mohammed Abu al-Naja’s house, in Ma’an. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 14:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Mahdi Jaber Hamdan Kawarea’s house, in Jorat al-Lout in Khan Yunis. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained severe damage.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli warplanes targeted a farm in ‘Abasan al-Jadidah area, and completely destroyed it.

Rafah:

At least 5000 Palestinians were forced to leave their houses in eastern Rafah due to the bombing. Also, a residential house, 3 trucks, a bulldozer, and agricultural lands sustained destruction.

At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, IOF fired artillery shells at houses in al-Shokah village in eastern Rafah.  As a result, one of the shells hit a house belonging to Mohammed Safa Mohammed Abu Sheiban, and fire broke out in the first floor. 

At approximately 13:30, IOF fired artillery shells at houses in al-Naser village, northeast of Rafah.  As a result, a number of trucks and a bulldozer belonging to al-‘Attar Family were hit and burnt.  No injuries were reported.

IOF stationed along the border fence in eastern Rafah fired artillery shells, sound bombs and smoke grenades at houses, agricultural lands and streets in al-Shokah and al-Naser village, north and east of Rafah City, causing fear among civilians.  As a result, 5000 civilians were forced to leave and seek refuge in 5 UNRWA schools, noting that they forcibly entered the schools without the guards’ approval while no services were provided by the UNRWA and the donations were provided by local societies and benefactors.

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Northern Gaza Strip

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the injury of 20 Palestinians, including 9 children and 3 women. Also, 3 houses were completely destroyed and dozens of other houses were partially destroyed.

At approximately 03:45 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired 15 missiles at various areas in northern Gaza Strip, including several lands and an under-construction house in western Jabalia. As a result, the lands, streets and infrastructure sustained severe damage.

At approximately 10:25, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a 3-story house belonging to Omar Suliman in Jabalia, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 10:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 3-story house belonging to Ahmed ‘Abed al-Fattah Baker al-Kafarna in central Beit Hanoun. As a result, 5 Palestinians were wounded while the house roof and walls sustained material damage.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of citizens on al-Qerman Street in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, a woman was injured.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at a 2-story house belonging to Ra’fat Salman Salman in northern Jabalia, and completely destroyed it. Also, nearby houses sustained varying damage.

At approximately 11:55, Israeli warplanes fired a missile a 2-story house belonging to Raied Ya’qoub al-Kafarnah in northern Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.  

At approximately 14:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of persons in al-Karama neighborhood. As a result, one was seriously injured.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at As’ad Deeb Ahmed Tubail’s house in al-Turk area in Jabalia, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Abed al-Razeq al-Kafarna’s house in central Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Anwar Nimer Mousa al-Masri’s house in Beit Hanoun, causing damage to it.

Gaza City:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of 2 Palestinians, including a child succumbed to her wounds. Also, 2 commercial buildings, 3 residential houses, 2 bookshops, a printing house, a site belonging to the Ministry of Interior, and 2 factories were completely destroyed.

At approximately 00:20 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Zaher Ramadan Mousa Abu al-‘Amrein’s (47) house, west of Gaza City. As a result, the 1-storey house (120 sqms) sheltering 3 families, including 4 women and 9 children, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called the residents and ordered them to evacuate the house.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Munir Abdul Rahman Mustafa al-Rantisi’s sons, in al-Naser neighborhood, a completely destroyed the 4th floor. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Izz al-Dein al-Haddad’s house, east of Gaza City, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 05:00, the Israeli artillery stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza City, fired many shells; some of them fell on the “Karny” Industrial Area. As a result, 2 factories were set on fire and completely destroyed.

At approximately 06:10, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at Kuhail building next to the Islamic University, which housed private offices, educational institutions, Samir Mansour Bookshop, Iqra’ Library, al-Ro’ya and Dar al-Manara printing houses. As a result, the building was completely destroyed and nearby buildings and facilities sustained severe damage.

At 17:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Mohammed Ramadan Omar Ishtawi’s (19) house. As a result, Ishtawi was killed when he was in his family agricultural land behind his house in southern Gaza City.

At 18:30, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital announced the death of Menna Eyad Fathi Shreer (2), succumbing to wounds she sustained in an israeli airstrike that destroyed her family’s house on their heads on al-Nafaq Street on 11 May 2021. It should be noted that Menna’s father, mother and her sister were killed in that airstrike as well.

Central Gaza Strip:

During the airstrikes, 7 Palestinians, including 2 children, were injured, a house was destroyed and dozens of other houses were partically destroyed.

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Basem al-Hazeen’s house, in al-Nusairat neighborhood. As a result, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded and the house sustained partial damage.

At approximately 00:00, Israeli warplanes targeted a house belonging to Abu Sill family in al-Bureij camp. As a result, the 4th floor sustained severe damage.

At approximately 20:20, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at an agricultural land, west of al-Nusseirat refugee camp. As a result, 4 persons, from the same family, sustained minor injuries.

Khan Yunis:

During the airstrikes, 10 persons, including 3 women and 2 children, were injured, 5 houses were destroyed and other houses were partially destroyed.

At approximately 07:10 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes targeted Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed al-Shawaf’s house in Abasan al-Kabeera. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 10:20, Israeli warplanes targeted a famr in ‘Abasan al-Kabira area and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 14:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile near a house in Khuza’a, and a child sustained serious wounds.

At approximately 15:15, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Mahmoud Jamal al-Agha’s house, in al-Satar al-Gharbi area, and destroyed the 3rd floor. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called one of the residents and ordered him to vacate.

At approximately 18:05, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Redwan Family in Bani Suheila, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Mohammed Baker al-Najjar’s house in Qizan al-Najjar area, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 22:05, Israeli warplanes launched 30 missiles at various areas, including lands and a house in Qizan al-Najjar area. As a result, four were wounded, including a baby, while the lands, streets and infrastructure sustained severe damage. It should be noted that most of citizens in the bombarded areas emphasized that most of the missiles fired by the Israeli warplanes rocked the area with the heavy blasts.

Rafah:

During the airstrikes, a woman was killed in a heart attack, 4 Palestinians were injured,  and 2 residential houses, a Paint Company’s storehouse, a car, a rehabilitation center, streets, and agricultural lands were destroyed

At approximately 10:50 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Omar Lotfi Khamis al-Jazzar’s house in al-Jneina neighborhood. Ten minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile. As a result, the ground floor house (135 sqms), sheltering 3 families of 15 members, was completely destroyed.

At approximately 13:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a restaurant at the seaside, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 13:10, the Israeli artillery launched several shells at Hneif Paint Company’s storehouse in Khirbet al-Adas neighborhood. As a result, fire broke out in the storehouse and its contents.

At approximately 19:35, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Central Rafah Rehabilitation Center. As a result, the center was completely destroyed and 2 citizens were wounded due to the shattering rubble.

At approximately 19:50, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Yaser Mohammed al-Sheikh Eid’s house in al-Tanour neighborhood. After 30 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at the house and destroyed it while nearby houses sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Service called one of the neighbors before the airstrike and ordered him to vacate.

At approximately 22:05, Israeli warplanes launched 15 missiles at streets, agricultural lands and military sites, north, east and west of Rafah, causing fear and panic among citizens in Rafah. As a result, Sa’diya Yousef Hussain Abu Gharara (57) died of a heart attack before arriving at the hospital.

At approximately 23:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile targeting al-Emam Ali Street. As a result, a passer-by sustained moderate wounds.

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Northern Gaza Strip:

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the murder of (4) Palestinians, including a child, and the injury of (40) others, including (12) children and (7) women. Also, 4 houses were completely destroyed and dozens of other houses were partially destroyed.

At approximately 03:45, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Ramiz Kamal Ramadan al-Masri’s house in Beit Hanoun, and completely destroyed it. Also, 5 nearby houses sustained severe damage.

At approximately 05:40, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at Ramadan ‘Ali al-‘Abed Saleh’s house in Jabalia camp, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of persons in eastern Beit Hanoun, wounding 2 of them.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at Isma’il Hekmat Suliman Hunaid’s house in Jabalia, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 09:45, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the last floor in al-Andalous Tower comprised of 14 floor, west of Jabalia. As a result, an apartment located in the southeastern side was destroyed.

At approximately 11:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of ‘Alaa Mohammed al-Bahri (20), succumbing to wounds he sustained on 13 May 2021 near Tower No. (19) in al-Nada Towers in ‘Izbet Beit Hanoun.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of citizens in Jabalia. As a result, ‘Ammar ‘Abdullah Fawzi al-Deder (31) was killed as he sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his body.

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli artillery stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, fired at least 10 shells at Palestinians’ houses in Beit Hanoun. One of those shells fell on Zakaria Mohammed Hamad’s house and targeted the 3rd floor. As a result, Zakaria’s son Raied (32) was killed and another child was wounded.

At approximately 20:05, Israeli warplanes fired a missile behind Sa’d ‘Ali ‘Asaliyia’s house in eastern Jabalia. As a result, Sa’d’s daughter namely Dima (10) was killed as she sustained shrapnel wounds throughout her body.

Gaza City:

During the Israeli airstrikes, 4 Palestinians were killed and 4 residential multi-story buildings, 4 cars and a factory were partially destroyed.

At approximately 00:30, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Jalal Subhi al-Thalathini’s house in southern Gaza City, and completely destroyed it. The 2-story house (330sqms) sheltered 4 families, including 3 women and 4 children, and housed in the ground floor Bonjour Coffee Factory. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Service called the house’s owner before the airstrike and ordered him to vacate.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the upper floors of Zo’rob building in al-Rimal neighborhood. As a result, Omar Mohammed Ameen al-Mankoush (20) was killed while the building sustained material damage.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at an apartment belonging to Abu Hussain family building near al-Shiekh Redwan intersection. As a result, al-Aqsa Radio announcer namely Yousef Mohammed ‘Abed al-Qader Abu Hussain (33) was killed while the 4th and 5th floors in the targeted building were destroyed.  Also, the Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Yousef Abu Hussein’s car which was parked in front of his house, destroying 3 other civilian vehicles parked in the area.

On this day, medical crew retrieved a dead body of Aysar Mohammed al-Halabi (48), from al-Shati’ camp, who was killed in a previous bombardment on the camp. 

Note: the total number of injuries in Gaza City during this week was 375, including 70 women and 116 children.

Central Gaza Strip:

5 Palestinians killed, including a person with disability, his pregnant wife, their daughter and other woman. Also, 3 houses were completely destroyed and dozens of nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles; one fired by a drone, at Sabri al-Hasanat’s house, west of Deir al-Balah. As a result, the 2-storey house (180 sqms) was completely destroyed.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to al-Masri family in Deir al-Balah. As a result, a Palestinian was seriously wounded and the house sustained partial damage.

At approximately 17:00, a missile fell on Eyad Abdul Fattah Salha’s (35) house in Deir al-Balah. As a result, 4 citizens were killed, including the owner of the house who is a person with disability, his wife, Amany Yousef Salha (Muhawish) (29), who is 7 months pregnant, her fetal and her 2 years old daughter, Nagham. Moreover, the house sustained partial damage.

At approximately 16:10, an artillery shell fell on Eyad Ameen al-Qidra’s house in Deir al-Balah. As a result, Fida’ Fakhry al-Qidra (32) was killed while her husband, Eyad, and his brother were wounded and taken to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital.

At approximately 16:20, IOF stationed inside the border fence, east of Johr al-Dik area, southeast of Gaza, opened fire at agricultural lands. As a result, Hasan Sami Ramadan al-Borno (63) was killed after he sustained a live bullet in the chest while present in his land. Al-Borno was taken to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 19:10, Israeli warplane and drone launched 2 missiles at Hameed al-Hindi’s house in Deir al-Balah camp, causing partial destruction.

Khan Yuins:

8 Palestinians were killed, 7 houses were destroyed and water well belonging to al-Qarara Municipality was damages.

At approximately 00:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Abdul Sattar Ibrahim al-Najjar’s house in Mawasi Khan Yunis. As a result, the roof of the 3-storey house, sheltering 5 families of 35 members including 16 children, sustained damage.

At approximately 05:45, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Mahmoud Mustafa al-Astal’s house, in al-Katiba area. As a result, the house was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Service called one of the residents before the airstrike and ordered them to evacuate it.

At approximately 06:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to Tabash family in Abasan al-Kabira. As a result, the house was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called one of the residents before the airstrike and ordered them to evacuate it.

At approximately 07:45, an Israeli airstrike caused damage to the water well belonging to al-Qarara Municipality, west of Khan Yunis.

At 10:35, Israeli warplanes launched a missile near Abdul Malik Mosque in Khuza’a. As a result, a person sustained moderate injuries.

At approximately 11:04, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Ashraf al-Ja’bari’s house in the Emirati neighborhood. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained damage.

At approximately 12:50, Israeli warplane and drone launched 2 missiles at Owda Abu Mustafa’s house in Bani Suheila, and completely destroyed it. It should be noted that the Israeli forces called the residents before the airstrike.

At approximately 17:40, Israeli warplane and drone launched 2 missiles at Asfour’s house in Abasan al-Jadida, and completely destroyed it. It should be noted that the Israeli forces called the residents before the airstrike.

At approximately 22:45, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Ali Abu Zarqa’s house. As a result, the 2-storey building in al-Amal neighborhood was completely destroyed while nearby houses sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli forces called the residents before the airstrike.

Rafah:

The Israeli airstrikes targeted 5 houses and a charitable society and completely destroyed them. Also, a hospital, many houses and infrastructure sustained destruction.

At approximately 03:25, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Social Charity’s building in al-Salam al-Gharbi neighborhood. As a result, the building was completely destroyed and nearby houses and Kuwait Specialist Hospital sustained damage.

At approximately 08:30, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Atallah Abdul ‘All Mohammed Abu al-Sabah’s house in al-Juneina neighborhood. After 10 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched another missile at the house and completely destroyed it while nearby houses sustained damage.

At approximately 14:50, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Naser al-‘Attar’s house in southern Rafah, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 15:45, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Mohammed al-Bawab’s house in al-Juninah neighborhood, and completely destroyed it.

16:45, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Isma’il al-Masri’s house in southern Rafah, and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 23:40, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Hussain al-Moghair’s house in al-Shabora camp, causing damage to it.

Murder sand Shooting Incidents in the West Bank, Including occupied East Jerusalem:

Coinciding with what’s going on the Gaza Strip, and in excessive use of force and the suppression of peaceful protests in solidarity with Gaza and Jerusalem, during this week, IOF killed 26 Palestinians, including a child and a woman. Also, 15 Palestinians, including a child, were killed during the suppression of peaceful protests organized against the Israeli offensive on Gaza and Jerusalem. Additionally, 4 other Palestinians were killed after targeting their vehicles at Israeli military checkpoints in Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem and Hebron. IOF claimed that those Palestinians tried to carry out run-over attacks, noting that there was not imminent threat or danger to the soldiers’ lives. Also, 2 Palestinian were killed at military checkpoints; one in Nablus under the pretext of opening fire at soldiers stationed at the checkpoint and wounding 2 of them; and the other killed in Hebron under the pretext of trying to carry out a stabbing attack while there was no imminent danager to the soldiers’ lives. Moreover, Israeli settlers killed 2 Palestinians, including a woman. IOF claimed that she attepnted to open fire from a machine gun at a bus parking established at the entrance to “Kiryat Arba” settlement in Hebron.

Moreover, IOF injured 675 Palestinains, including 30 children, 4 women, 4 journalists, and a paramedic. Among those injured 28 sustained critical wounds.

Ramallah:

At approximately 12:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, IOF stationed at a military checkpoint established at the entrance to “Ofra” settlement, which is established on Palestinians’ lands, east of Ramallah, opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle. As a result, the driver was killed after being shot with several live bullets in the upper part of his body. Moments later, an Israeli ambulance arrived and took him to an unknwoun destination. It was later discovered that the victim was Mohammed Rohi ‘Abed al-Haleem Hammad (30), from Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. IOF claimed that Hammad attpemted to carry out a run-over attack at the mentioned checkpoint. Moreover, peaceful protests were organized at the northern entrance to al-Bireh city, near “ Beit El” settlement; in Nabi Salih village, near a military watchtower established there; and at the entrances to Deir Nidham and Sinjil villages. As a result,17 Palestinians were wounded; 11 with live bullets and 6 with rubber bullets. One of those injured sustained serious wounds.

On Tuesday, 18 May 2021, mass protest took off from the centers of West Bank’s cities and villages towards seam zones and Israeli military checkpoints after a general strike titled ” Dignity” was declared all over the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) in protest against the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and occupied Jerusalem.

In Ramallah, a mass protest, which was organized by thousands of Palestinians who raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the Israeli offensive on Gaza, took off in al-Manara intersection in central Ramallah, towards the northern entrance to al-Bireh city, near al-Mahkama military checkpoint, which is established at the entrance to “ Beit El” settlement. When the protestors arrived at the checkpoint, IOF suppressed them and fired sound bombs, teargas canisters and live and rubber bullets at them. Violent clashes broke out in the area and continued until the evening. As a result, 74 Palestinians were wounded. Among those wounded were: Mohammed Mohammed Ishaq Humaid (25), from al-Bireh city, who was shot with a live bullet in his chest from the left side, and Adham Fayiz Mousa Kashif (21), from Um al-Sharayit neighborhood in al-Bireh city, who was shot with a live bullet in the chest. Both of them were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, where doctors declared their death, succumbing to their serious wounds. Also, among those wounded 6 were shot with live bullets; one of them sustained serious wounds, and 66 others were shot with rubber bullets in their lower limbs.

At approximately 16:00, IOF killed Islam Fahmi Dar Naser (14) after hitting him with a live bullet in his head during clashes erupted near the annexation wall in Abu Limon area in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah. It should be noted that Islam was seriously injured and taken to Palestine Medical Complex, where doctors declared his death at 20:20.

At approximately 14:30, a group of Palestinians gathered in northwest of Ramallah, at the main entrance to the city, near a military watchtower established there. Violent clashes erupted, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 14 of them were injured; 13 of them were shot woth live bullets, including an 18-year-old male, from Rima village, who sustained serious wounds after being shot with a live bullet in his abdomen; and another one was shot with a rubber bullet. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Jericho:

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, a group of Palestinian young men gathered at the southern entrance to Jericio, and closed the main street with rocks and vehicles tires. They also threw stones at IOF stationed at the checkpoint. IOF immediately fired sound bombs and live and rubber bullets at the protestors.  Violent clshes erupted in the area and continued for 5 hours. As a result, Mohammed ‘Adel Shoqair (20), from al-Khedawi neighborhood in Jericho, was shot with a live bullet in his chest from the left side. The bullet penetrated his heart. Shoqair was immediately taken via the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS)’s ambulance to Jericho governmental hospital, where he was pronounced dead at the emergency department, succumbing to his serious wounds. Also, 2 Palestinians, from Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in southern Jericho, were wounded.

At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered at the southern entrance to Jericho, near a military checkpoint established there. Violent clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 5 of them were wounded; 4 with live bullets and one with rubber bullets. All of the wounded were taken to Jericho Governmental Hospital. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Jenin:

At approximately 00:15 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, a group of Palestinian young men gathered near al-Jalma military checkpoint, north of Jenin, north of the West Bank, and organized a peaceful protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes broke out in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets and stun grenades at the protestors. As a result, a 21-year-old male was shot with a live bullet in his thigh and taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin, where medical sources described his health condition as moderate. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inahaltion and received treatment on the spot. The clashes continued until 03:00.

At approximately 06:10 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF moved into Kafr Dan village, west of Jenin, to conduct an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at IOF’s vehicles. IOF immediately fired live bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at them. As a result, 16-year-old child and a 22-year-old male were injured with live bullets in their feet and taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. IOF also arrested Foad Nayif Kamanjah (56) and released him later.

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, IOF stationed at Mavi Dotan military checkpoint, which is established at the entrance to Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, killed Yousef Mahdi Nawasrah (26), from Fahma village, southwest of the city. Nawasrah died after being shot with a live bullet in the main artery of his left thigh during clashes erupted at the checkpoint. Also, 18 other civilians were injured; most of them with live bullets. Two of the civilians that were injured at Mavi

Dotan, al-Jalma and Salem checkpoints, sustained serious wounds. Moreover, IOF arrested 7 civilians, including 2 children, during clashes erupted at al-Jalma military checkpoint, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as:

  • Omar As’ad Hantouli (15), from Silat ad-Dhahr village in southern Jenin;
  • Mohammed Redwan Sha’ban (15), from Jalamah village, northeast of Jenin;
  • Hussain Majdi ‘Abed al-Kareem al-Sa’di (20), from Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin;
  • Naji Kamal Abu al-Rub (19), from Qabatiya village, southeast of Jenin;
  • Ibrahim ‘Asem Dalbah (20), from Jenin;
  • Khaldoun Omar Ibrahim Suliman (18), from Jenin; and
  • Omar Sameer Saleh Salah (21), from Jenin.

At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered near Jalamah military checkpoint, north of Jenin, north of the West Bank, and threw stones at IOF, who responded with live and rubber bullets, stun grenades and teargas canisters. As a result, a 23-year-old male was wounded with a live bullet in his left leg and a 46-year-old male was wounded with a live bullet in his waist. Also, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. Moreover, 9 Palestinains were arrested while chasing them during clashes erupted at the checkpoint, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as:

  • Ahmed Ref’at Rabai’a (20);
  • Omar SAMEER Salah (18);
  • Amjad Khaled Abu ‘Obaid (18);
  • Fadi Amjad Abu ‘Obaid (19), from Jenin;
  • ‘Alaa Majed Abu al-Rub (18);
  • Nedal ‘Awad Saleh Abu al-Rub (19), from Qabatiya;
  • Bahaa al-Deen Mahmouf Zayoud (23);
  • Salah al-Deen Zayoud (21), from Silat al-Harithiya village, west of Jenin; and
  • ‘Abed al-Salam Khaled al-Safouri (22), from Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin.

At approximately 21:30 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, a grpup of Palestinians gathered near Jalamah military checkpoint, north of Jenin, north of the West Bank. The protestors threw stones at IOF, who responded with live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters. As a result, 6 protestors were injured woth live bullets. Also, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. Moreover, IOF arrested 5 civilians while chasing them during clashes erupted at the checkpoint, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as:

  • Hamza Bahaa Mahmoud Abu al-Hasan (20);
  • Mahmoud Raied ‘Abed al-Latif ‘Ajjawi (19), from Jenin;
  • Fareed Qusai Fareed Zayoud (20), from Silat al-Harithiya village;
  • Mohammed Nedal Farouq Hosheih (18), from Al-Yamun village, west of Jenin; and
  • ‘Abed al-Latif Shaker al-Sa’di (21), from Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin.

At approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered near Mavi Dotan military checkpoint; at the entrance to Tura village, southwest of Jenin; at the entrance to Silat ad-Dhahr village, south of Jenin; and near Jalamah military checkpoint, north of Jenin, north of the West Bank. Violent clashes broke out in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 8 protetors were wounded; one of them (28) sustained critical wounds after being shot with a live bullet in his head, and he is clinically dead at al-Razo Hospital. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation.

Nablus:

At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered near Huwara military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, and organized a peaceful protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 5 of them were injured and identified as:

  • The Deputy Governor of Nablus, Mrs. ‘Anan al-Aterah (60), who was shot with a rubber bullet in the chest;
  • A leader at Fatah Movement namely Jehad Ramadan (53), who was shot with a rubber bullet in his shoulder;
  • 39-year-old member of Settlement and Wall Resistance Commission, who was shot with a rubber bullet in his foot;
  • A 22-year-old male, who was shot with a ruuber bullet in his waist; and
  • A 40-year-old male, who was shot with a rubber bullet in hos right foot.

Moreover, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation during clashes continued until 02:00 and received treatment on the spot. Also, IOF stationed at Huwara checkpoint targeted a Palestinian ambulance with a rubber bullet that hit the ambulance’s windshield and broke it. The ambulance was driven by Hamouda Habash along with Ahmed Amjad.

Around the same time, a group of Palestinians gatherd near the intersection of Deir Sharaf  village, near “Shafi Shimron” settlement’s checkpoint, west of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 17-year-old child was shot with a live bullet in the main artery of his left thigh and taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, where he was admitted to opertation room, due to his critical health condition. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation.

Around the same time, a group of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to Al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, branching from Ramallah-Nablus Street, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Around the same time, a group of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to Beita village, branching from Ramallah-Nablus Street, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Around the same time, a group of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to Qusra village, branching from (505) Aber al-Samira road, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

In new murder crime committed without any justification, IOF killed a Palestinian and wounded another one at Za’tarah military checkpoint. Borth of them were officers at the Palestinian Intelligence Service. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 18:39 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, IOF stationed at Za’tarah military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, fired many live bullets from a zero distance at a Palestinian vehicle carrying 2 Palestinians. The vehicle was travelling from Ramllah and heading to Nablus, and intending to cross the checkpoint. As a result, the driver was seriously injured while a person sitting next to him was killed. After his injury, the driver opened the vehicle door and remained sitting in the seat. He was left bleeding for 15 minutes and none approached him until the arrival of an Israeli ambulance, which took them to an Israeli hospital. It was discovered later that the victim was Ahmed ‘Abed al-Fattah Suliman Daraghmah (38), who was shot with many live bullets in the head, chest, abdomen and legs. The wounded person was Mohammed ‘Ali ‘Abed al-Rahman Nobani (28), who was seriously injured with 6 live bullets in the shoulder and legs. Two other civilians working at the Palestinian Intelligence Service in Ramallah and living in Al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, southeast of Nablus, were injured as well. IOF claimed that Israeli soldiers stationed at checkpoint shouted at the driver, ordering him to stop, but he did not obey their orders. The soldiers thought that the driver was seeking to carry out a run-over attack against them, so they opened fire at the vehicle, killing Daraghmah immediately and wounding his friend  Nobani. PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ testimonies refuted IOF’s claims. At approximately 23:00, IOF delivered Daraghmah’s dead body to the Palestinian ambulance at the checkpoint. Daraghmah’s dead body was then taken to Rafidia Hospital while Nobani remained receiving treatment at Pilinson Hospital in Israel, and his health condition is serious.

At approximately 21:30, following the killing of a Palestinian civilian and the injury of another one at Za’tarah military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, clashes renewed at Huwara military checkpoint, southeast of the city. IOF stationed at the checkpoint fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, an 18-year-old male was shot with a live bullet in his right foot. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. 

At approximately 22:00, clashes renewed at the entrance to Qusra village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed at a military checkpoint fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. IOF also chased the protestors and arrested Mohammed Jamil ‘Odah (19), taking him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, clashes renewed at the entrance to Beita village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed at a military checkpoint fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Around the same time, clashes renewed at the entrance to al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed at a military checkpoint fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

At approximately 02:10 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF accompanied with a mounted-crane truck moved into Tell village, south of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to conduct an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinians gathered and threw empty bottles at IOF’s vehicles. IOF immediately fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 21-year-old male was shot with a live bullet in his left leg and a 28-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his right leg. Both of them were taken to Rafidia Hospital for treatment. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

At approximately 22:00, a group of Palestinians gathered near Huwara military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 3 of them were injured; 2 with live bullets and one with a rubber bullet. All of them were taken to hospitals in Nablus. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Huwara village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, to secure Israeli settlers who pass on the village’s main street and on Ramallah-Nablus Street in central the village, and carry out riots. Meamwhile, many Palestinians gathered and threw stones at IOF’s vehicles. IOF immeadately fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 24-year-old male sustained wounds in hos left eye while a 20-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his jaw.

At approximately 23:30, IOF stationed at Huwara checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, killed Mohammed Omar Sa’eed al-Najjar (36), who lived on al-Ta’awoun Street, south of Nablus, claiming that he opened fire at Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint, wounding 2 of them. No eyewitness was available to confirm or refute the Israeli claims.

At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Urif village, southeast of Nablus, and killed Nedal Sayil Mostafa al-Safadi (28). Al-Safadi died after being shot with 3 live bullets in the back and chest during clashes erupted to counter IOF and settlers who attacked the village’s outskirts from the eastern side and wounded 4 Palestinians with live bullets; 2 of them sustained serious wounds and received treatment at hospitals in Nablus.

At approximately 16:20, IOF moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus, and killed ‘Issa Suliman Barham Dawoud (41), a prosecutor in the Salfit district court, after hititing him with a live bullet in his chest during clashes erupted in Subaieh Mount, southeast of the village. Also, 4 other civilians, including a child, were wounded; 2 of them sustained serious wounds. The wounded were taken to hospitals in Nablus.

At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into Salim  village, northeast of Nablus, and killed Malek Musbah As’ad Hamdan (21), after hitting him with a live bullet in the chest. Also, 2 other civilians were wounded during clashes erupted in the village and taken to hospitals in Nablus for treatment.

At approximately 19:25, IOF moved into Asira al-Qibliya village, southeast of Nablus, and killed Husam Wael Mousa ‘Asairayh (18), after hitting him with a live bullet in the chest during clashes erupted with IOF and settlers at the village’s outskirts from the eastern side. Also, clashes erupted between Palestinians and IOF in eastern Beit Dajan village, in eastern Azmut village, at Beit Furik checkpoint, at Huwara checkpoint, at the entrances to Osarin, Aqraba and Qusra villages, and during IOF’s incursion into Tell, Burin and Madama villages, southeast of Nablus. As a result, 62 civilians, including 12 children, were injured; 15 with live bullets and sustained critical wounds; 4 with rubber bullets and one was hit with a sound bomb in his face.

At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, Israeli settlers under IOF’s protection took place from “Aish Kodesh” settlement established at the southeastern side of Qusra village, attacked and burnt southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. Meanwhile, a number of citizens gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with firing live bullets, sound and gas bombs to disperse the protestors and protect the settlers. As a result, 11 citizens, including a child, were hit with live bullets, as they were taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, one of the injuries was classified as serious, and many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 19:00, clashes renewed near Huwwarah military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus. The protestors threw stones at threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with firing live and rubber bullets, sound and gas bombs. As a result, 2 children were hit with live bullets, a 17 years old citizen was hit with a live bullet in his right leg and the other was 16 years old and was hit with a live bullet in his right knee, both were taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus. Additionally, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 11:50 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, medical sources at Rafidia Hospital declared the death of Tareq Omar Ahmed Snobar (27), from Yatma village, southeast of Nablus, succumbed to his wounds, as he was wounded on Friday, 14 May 2021 during the clashes erupted in Huwwarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 17:30, a number of citizens gathered near Huwwarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus. They threw stones at threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with firing live and rubber bullets, sound and gas bombs. As a result, 4 protestors were wounded, including 3 were hit with live bullets; first one was 17 years old who was hit with a live bullet in his left leg, the second was 23 years old and hit with a live bullet in his left leg, the third was 18 and sustained a shrapnel in his abdomen, and the last was 20 and hit with a live bullet in his head. They were taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to receive treatment while many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 22:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered at Deir Sharaf rotary, which connecting Nablus with Tulkarm, near “Shavei Shomron” settlement, west of Nablus. Two minutes later, several Israeli forces came and deployed in the area and took places after their vehicles, as the clashed occurred immediately. A group of citizens gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with firing live bullets, sound and gas bombs to disperse the protestors and protect the settlers. As a result, an 18 years old citizen and 16 years old child were wounded in the leg and knee, and taken to Rafidia Hospital to receive treatment while many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a group of settlers gathered near Hura military checkpoint and Jabal Sbeih where a settlement was established, south of Beita village, and also at the entrances of Tell, Usarin and al-Luban al-Sharkiya vilages southeast of Nablus, and near “Shavei Shomron” settlement, near Deir Sharaf rotary, northwest of Nablus. Heavy clashes erupted between the Israeli settlers and Palestinians, as the Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 32 Palestinians sustained live bullets, including a woman and a 16 year old child who was hit with a live bullet in his chest and he is in critical condition, and the photojournalist at al-Raya Press, Jamal Shehada Mohammed Rayyan (50), who was hit with a live bullet in his right leg while covering the protests at Huwwarah checkpoint. Also, 3 Palestinians were hit with rubber bullets, 2, including a child, were hit with sound bombs and teargas canisters, while many other protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

Hebron:

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, a group of citizens gathered at the entrance of al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, near an Israeli watchtower, and threw stones at the watchtower. Meanwhile, a number of Israeli soldiers got out of the watchtower and prosecuted the protestors until the UNRWA distribution center, and randomly fired sound bombs and teargas canisters. As a result, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 16:00, a group of citizens gathered at the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. Meanwhile, two Israeli units arrived and the soldiers deployed in the area which the Palestinians closed with stones and barricades. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with firing teargas canisters. As a result, a 26 years old citizen was hit with a live bullet in his right leg, and he was taken to Hebron Governmental Hospital in Hebron, while many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

Around the same time, hundreds of Hebron residents organized a peaceful demonstration took place from Ben Rashed crossrad in Hebron. The demonstration was to denounce the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and attacks in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans, then headed to Bab al-Zawiya, where the Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint on the northern entrance of al-Shuhada closed street. IOF deployed in the area while the Palestinians sat fire on tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who responded with randomly firing teargas canisters and prosecuted them. As a result, a 20 years old and 17 years old Palestinians were wounded with live bullets and taken to Hebron Hospital, while many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At approximately 19:00, a group of citizens gathered on the northern entrance of Yatta, south of Hebron, leads to Bypass Road (60), closed the way leading to the city with stones and barricades and sat fire on tires. Meanwhile, 3 Israeli units arrived, deployed in the area, and fired sound bombs at the Palestinians, who responded with throwing stones and fire crackers at the Israeli soldiers and vehicles. The Israeli soldiers started firing live and rubber bullets at the Palestinians, resulted in a 23 years old Palestinian sustained a live bullet in his left leg and a 19 years old Palestinian sustained a live bullet in his right thigh, as they were taken to Abu al-Hasan al-Qasem Hospital, while many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot. The clashed continued until 23:00.

At approximately 15:00 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, south of Hebron, and stationed near the UNRWA schools, the Israeli soldiers stormed the camp, raided and searched two houses and arrested Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Hashhash (30) and Mohammed Khaled al-Najjar (28). While IOF was taking the 2 arrestees to the military vehicles, a group of citizens gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails, and then they closed the way in front of the military vehicles with burnt tires. The Israeli soldiers randomly fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at the stone throwers and houses. As a result, Hussain Atiya al-Titi (26) was hit with a live bullet in his right shoulder penetrated the right side of his chest, while present on the roof of his house, and arrived dead to the emergency center of PRCS due to a severe internal bleeding. Also, 2 civilians (29 and 19 years old) were hit with live bullets in their legs, while many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot. The clashes continued until 20:00, during of which IOF closed the main entrance of the camp, banned the entry and exit of the Palestinian vehicles, and the 2 arrestees were taken to unknown destinations.

At approximately 17:00, a group of citizens gathered at the entrance of Sa’ir village, north of Hebron, leads to Bypass Road (60), threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed at the entrance of the village. IOF responded with firing live and rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs at the Palestinians. As a result, a 15 years old child was hit with a live bullet and taken to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron to receive treatment, while many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated on the spot.

At the same time, hundreds of Palestinians in Hebron organized a peaceful protest that took off from Al-Hussein bin Ali stadium to Ein Sarah area in Hebron city, in protest to the Israeli occupation’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem. Participants held Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans as they marched towards Bab al-Zawiya area where the Israeli occupation maintains a military checkpoint on the northern entrance of the closed Shuhada St. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area, on top of buildings, and behind cement blocks. Meanwhile, Palestinian protestors set tiers on fire, threw rocks and fire crackers at the checkpoint. The soldiers responded with the arbitrary firing of tear gas canisters and chased protestors. As a result, 12 Palestinians, including 3 children, sustained wounds with rubber and live bullets. Additionally, IOF arrested Osama Munther Fanoun (22) after he sustained a live bullet in the leg. The soldiers took Fanoun into the checking. Also, several Palestinians present in the nearby market area suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and treated in the field.

At approximately 18:00, a group of citizens gathered on the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, leads to Bypass Road (60), where IOF are establishing a watchtower. Palestinians closed the road with stones and sat fire on tires before several Israeli vehicles arrive and deployed in the area. Palestinians threw stones and fire crackers at the soldiers, who responded with the arbitrary firing of tear gas canisters and chased protestors. As a result, 3 Palestinians, including a 15 years old child, sustained wounds with live bullets, and they were taken to Hebron Governmental Hospital to receive treatment. Also, IOF closed the entrance of the village and banned the vehicles’ entry and exit.

At approximately 20:00, a number of citizens gathered at the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron, leads to Bypass Road (60), sat fire on tires. Meanwhile, several Israeli units arrived and deployed in the area, the Palestinians started to throw stones and fire crackers at the Israeli soldiers, who responded with firing live and rubber bullets at them. As a result, 3 citizens sustained wounds, including a 15-years-old child, and taken to Hebron Governmental Hospital to receive treatment. Moreover, IOF closed the entrance of the village, and banned the movement to and from the village.

At approximately 23:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, two settlers attacked civilians’ homes with rocks in al-Tawaneh village, eastern Yatta, in the southern parts of Hebron. At the same time, another group of settlers closed the main road leading to the village, and to Bypass road 60. As locals confronted the settlers to leave the area, one of the settlers fired bullets from his gun into the air; large number of IOF troops arrived to the area and infantry troops raided the village, firing tear gas canisters and stun grenades arbitrarily at civilians’ homes. As a result, several Palestinians were wounded:

  1. Foad Mohammed al-Ammour (45) sustained a rubber bullet behind his ear;
  2. Sami Hafez al-Hariney (28) sustained a rubber bullet wound;
  3. Fadel Jebrin Rab’ie (40) sustained a rubber bullet wound in the foot;
  4. Rebhi Mohammed Rebhi Rab’ie sustained a live bullet in the foot;
  5. Sabha Ali Rab’ie (42) sustained a rubber bullet wound in her right foot.

Dozens of others suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

Following Friday prayers, 14 May 2021, dozens of Palestinians gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area, center Hebron, and set tiers on fire, threw rocks and fire crackers at the military checkpoint established by the Israeli occupation on the northern entrance of the closed Shuhada St. Israeli soldiers deployed in front of the checkpoint and proceeded to fire tear gas canisters and stun grenades at the protestors. As a result, dozens of protestors suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and Mashhour Hussein al-Wahwah (37), Wafa News Agency correspondent, was hit with a tear gas bomb in his right foot. The Israeli soldiers chased the protesters and the clashes continued until late Friday evening. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, a group of Israeli settlers of “Beit Hagai” settlement, south of Hebron, stormed Palestinian lands in al-Rayhiyya village adjacent to the abovementioned settlement, and attempted to set fire on the trees and crops. A group of angry young men gathered and threw stones at the settlers to vacate them, but the settlers opened fire at the Palestinian young men. As a result, 2 citizens were wounded, including Jamal Isma’el Hasan al-Tubas (32), who sustained a live bullet in the head and taken to Abu al-Hasan al-Qasim Hospital in Yatta, where he was declared dead succumbed to his wounds.

Clashes occurred after demonstrations in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem erupted in the western entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, the northern entrance to Yatta, and Asida area in Beit Ummar, where IOF used excessive force to disperse the protesters. As a result, 10 citizens sustained live bullets.

At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a group of citizens gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area in Hebron, threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint, who responded with firing live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters. As a result, several citizens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and treated in the field.

Protestors changed the clashes point, and headed to Riq Abu al-Humus, where Israeli took place between shops near the abovementioned checkpoint to undermine the protestors. Meanwhile, serious clashes erupted between the Israeli soldiers and the stones throwers, as the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs. As a result, 9 citizens were hit with bullets in several parts of their bodies, and they were taken Hebron Hospital to receive treatment.

At approximately 18:00, a group of Palestinians gathered in Muthalath Kharsa area, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. The protestors closed the main street with rocks, set fire to tires and threw stones at a military watchtower established on the street. IOF arrived at the area and fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers and ordered the shops’ owners to close their shops. As a result, a 22-years-old citizen sustained a live bullet in the right leg, and taken to one of the medical centers in the area and then to Hebron’s hospitals, while many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated in the field.

At approximately 19:00, a group of Palestinians gathered in Asida area, near Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They sat fire to tires and threw stones at an Israeli watchtower. Meanwhile, several military vehicles and wastewater vehicle to spray the protestors arrived, opened fire, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 20-years-old man sustained a live bullet in the right leg, and he was taken to Hebron’s hospitals, while many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and treated in the field.

At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, IOF opened fire at a vehicle near al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. As a result, the driver Wajdi Waleed Abdullah Ja’afra (21), from Tarqumiyah, northwest of Hebron, was wounded with several live bullets in the face, right side of the body and back. IOF deployed in the area and prevented the ambulances to approach for 30 minutes, and then he was taken to Dura Governmental Hospital in Hebron governorate, where he was declared dead succumbed to his wounds.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 16 MAY 2021, medical sources at al-Ahli Hopsital in Hebron announced the death of Mohammed Khalil Yunis Mohammed Frijat (15), from Hebron, succumbing to wounds he sustained on Wednesday, 12 May 2021 during clashes erupted in Bab al-Zawiyia area in central Hebron. Frijat was shot with a live bullet in his head, and the bullet settled in his left eye. He underwent a surgery and was then admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

At approximately 11:00, a group of Israeli settlers, from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles crossing on Bypass road (60), causing a jam traffic on the road. Meanwhile, an Israeli settler opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle and wounded its driver namely Eyad Yunis Salameen, from as-Samu village, south of Hebron, with a live bullet in his left foot. Salameen was taken the governmental Hospital in Hebron for treatment.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 17 May 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered in Bab al-Zawiyia area, near a military checkpoint established at the northern entrance to al-Shuhaha closed street in Hebron, south of the West Bank. Violent clashes broke out in the area, during which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 6 of them were shot with live bullets in their lower limbs and taken via ambulances to the governmental hospital in Hebron. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

At approximately 21:00, , a group of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, south of the West Bank, where a military checkpoint was established. The protestors set fire to tires, placed huge rocks at the entrance and closed it. After that, they threw stones at IOF deployed on the main street and at the entrance to Al-Arroub Agriculture College. IOF immediately fired live bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, ‘Obaida Akran ‘Abed al-Rahman Jawabrah (18) was shot with a live bullet in his chest. The bullet penetrated his heart, causing severe bleeding. Jawabrah was taken via a Palestinian ambulance to a medical center in Beit Fajjar village, where doctors declared his death.

At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 18 May 2021, IOF stationed in the Old Vegetable Market in al-Karantina area in Hebron’s Old City opened fire at Islam Ghayyad “Mohammed Haider” Zahdah (32), from Hebron. IOF claimed that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack and prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching him. Moreover, 9 Palestinians were shot with live bullets during clashes erupted in Bab al-Zawiyia area in central Hebron and at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of the city.

9 citizens were wounded with live bullets during clashes erupted in Bab al-Zawiya area in Hebron, Idhna village, west of Hebron, Kharsa village, south of Dura, and al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.

At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 19 May 2021, an Israeli settler opened fire at Wafa Abdul Rahman al-Baradi’y (37), while present near the bus station of “Kiryat Arba’” settlement, established on the east of Hebron. Al-Baradi’y was left bleeding on the floor for 30 minutes before an Israeli ambulance came and took her to the hospital. Later, al-Baradi’y was declared dead on the Israeli media claiming that she attempted to shot a settler.

Tubas:

At approximately 03:30 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF moved into Tubas in the northern West Bank to carry out an arrest campaign in the City.  Meanwhile, a number of youngsters and children threw stones and empty bottles at IOF’s vehicles, and IOF immediately fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers to disperse them.  As a result, a 22-year-old man was hit with a bullet to the left thigh while another 21-year-old was hit with a rubber bullet in the foot.  Also, an Israeli military SUV deliberately ran over a 25-year-old man, causing him pelvic fractures and an injury in the abdomen.  He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in Tubas Turkish Hospital.  Moreover, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation. 

At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into ‘Aqaba village, northwest of Tubas in the northern West Bank, to carry out an arrest campaign in the village.  A number of children gathered to throw stones at IOF’s vehicles, and the IOF responded by firing live and rubber-coated bullets and toxic gas canisters.  At approximately 06:40, IOF shot dead a 16-year-old child after firing 2 bullets at his chest and abdomen. The child was later identified as Rashid Mohammed Rashid Abu ‘Erah, from the village, and taken a dead body to Tubas Turkish Hospital in Tubas.  IOF then withdrew from the village taking with them Mustafa Mohammed Sa’id Abu ‘Erah (57), a Hamas leader who was arrested from his house.

Following Friday prayer, 14 May 2021, violent clashes erupted at Tayasir Checkpoint and ‘Atouf Prairie in Tubas.  IOF opened fire at the protesters and wounded 4 civilians.

At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a number of civilians gathered near Tayasir Checkpoint in eastern Tubas, north of the West Bank.  The protesters threw stones at the IOF stationed at the checkpoint, and IOF immediately fired live bullets, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters and chased them into the field.  As a result, an 18-year-old civilian, from Tayasir village, was critically wounded with a bullet which entered his shoulder and exited his back while a 35-year-old civilian, from Tamoun village, southeast of Tubas, was wounded with a rubber bullet in the foot.  They were both taken to Tubas Turkish Hospital while many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.  Moreover, Karam Ibrahim Yadak (13) was arrested during the clashes and taken to unknown destination.

At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of civilians gathered near Tayasir Checkpoint in eastern Tubas, north of the West Bank.  Violent clashes broke out, and IOF immediately fired live bullets, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters.  As a result, 6 were wounded, including a child, with live bullets, and a seventh was wounded with rubber-coated bullet.  They were taken to Tubas Turkish Hospital while many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

Jerusalem:

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, IOF suppressed the persons gathered in solidarity at the entrance to al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City and denied them access to the neighborhood to join the sit-in organized with the neighborhood’s residents under the threat of evacuation.  IOF pumped skunk water at the persons in solidarity and chased them into the nearby streets.  They arrested and beat up Hisham Yousif al-Salaymah, his daughter Alaa’ and his son Mohammed, taking them to a police station in the occupied City.

At approximately 18:00 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance to Qalendia refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem, and chanted pro-Gaza Strip slogans, heading towards Qalendia checkpoint established near the camp’s entrance. The protesters threw stones and Molotov Cocktail at the IOF stationed at the checkpoint, and IOF immediately fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters.  As a result, Mohammed Khalil Mohammed and Mohammed Hammad were wounded with live bullets.

At approximately 21:00, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered near “Beit Hoshen” settlement established on al-Tour neighborhood lands, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City and threw stones and Molotov Cocktail at IOF’s vehicles in front of the settlement.  IOF immediately attacked the protesters and chased them into the main street amid heavily firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters in the area.  As a result, Nadim ‘Ali al-Leddawiyah was wounded with a rubber bullet while many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.  Moreover, Amin Anis Abu al-Hawa (23) and Yazan Akram al-Kiswani (21) were arrested.

Late at night, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at al-Nabi Mousa intersection in eastern occupied East Jerusalem and fired stones at the Israeli military vehicles traveling on the street.  The vehicles stopped and IOF fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters.  As a result, ‘Amer ‘Abed Hamed al-Khatib, from Hizma village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, was wounded with a bullet and then arrested by IOF.

Following the Friday Prayer, 14 May 2021, IOF used excessive force to disperse the protesters in different clashes in the vicinity of occupied Jerusalem, al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Beit Hanina, Silwan, Beit Safafa, Abu Dis, at the intersection of Ma’ale Adumim settlement in al-Eizariya, in the vicinity of Qalendia checkpoint, the Bridge area, on ‘Anata Street and at the entrance to Hizma village.  As a result, 19 civilians were wounded; 2 with live bullets; 15 with rubber-coated bullets and 2 with sound bombs.

At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a number of civilians gathered near ‘Anata village intersection, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF stationed there.  IOF immediately and heavily fired live bullets, rubber-coated bullet and teargas canisters.  As a result, a civilian sustained moderate live bullet wounds in the thigh and taken to Jericho Governmental Hospital for treatment while many suffocated and were treated in the field.

At approximately 18:00, IOF suppressed a peaceful assembly organized in commemoration with the 73rd anniversary of Palestinian Nakba in front of the houses under threat of eviction in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.  IOF beat up the neighborhood’s residents and the persons in solidarity with them and pumped skunk water at them.  As a result, a journalist was hit with a sound bomb in his foot and treated on the spot.

At approximately 22:00, a number of Palestinians gathered near “Beit Hoshen” settlement established on al-Tur neighborhood lands, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.  They threw stones and Molotov Cocktail at the IOF’s vehicles while IOF immediately attacked them and chased them into the main Street amid heavily firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters.  IOF also heavily pumped skunk water at the houses and near al-Makassed Hospital.  IOF deliberately fired teargas canisters in the hospital yards via the gates.  As a result, many civilians suffocated.  IOF also arrested Ahmed Amin Abu Isbeitan (23) and later withdrew taking him with them. 

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, IOF opened fire at a grey Ford car that veered off course towards an iron barrier, where Israeli soldiers are stationed near the entrance to al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.  The driver was killed with 5 bullets that penetrated his body and later identified as Shaher Mahmoud Abu Khadijah (44), from al-Ram, north of occupied East Jerusalem, married and a father of 5.  IOF claimed that Khadijah deliberately ran over the soldiers, wounding 4 of them at the checkpoint; 2 in serious condition.

Following his murder, IOF completely closed the scene for hours and prevented civilians from leaving their houses, declaring the area as a closed military zone and denying PRCS ambulance access to the neighborhood.  IOF randomly fired sound bombs to prevent the persons in solidarity and press crews from entering the scene.

Following the incident, a number of civilians gathered to throw stones at the IOF stationed at the checkpoint and its surrounding.  As a result, violent clashes broke out in the area.  During which, IOF fired rubber-coated bullets and sound bombs, wounding 5 civilians with rubber-coated bullets and hitting another with a sound bomb. 

At approximately 18:00, 4 vehicles carrying armed settlers in al-Ashqariyah area in Beit Hanina, north of occupied East Jerusalem, claiming they were searching  for a house seized by settlers years ago.  When they were busted, a number of Palestinian civilians confronted them with stones.  The settlers fired live bullets at the civilians and wounded 2 of them with live bullets. 

Tamer Adris (28) said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

“At 18:00, a number of settlers in al-Ashqar area in Beit Hanina neighborhood, north occupied Jerusalem.  The settlers stayed in the neighborhood for 20 minutes; during which they threw stones at the children in the neighborhood.  A number of the Palestinian civilians gathered in the neighborhood, including I, and confronted them with stones to force them to leave.  The settlers then opened fire at us and I was wounded with a bullet in my hand while Ra;ouf Barakat (23) was wounded with a bullet in his abdomen.  The settlers withdrew, while we were taken to the hospital.”

After the settlers left at approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Beit Hanina and Sho’afat neighborhoods, north of occupied East Jerusalem.  A number of civilians gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at IOF, and clashes broke out in the 2 neighborhoods; during which IOF heavily fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters.  As a result, 8 were wounded; 6 of them were hit with rubber bullets and 2 with sound bombs.  Four of them were taken to the hospitals to receive treatment.

At approximately 22:00, dozens of outraged Palestinians gathered at the entrance to al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, in protests against the ongoing IOF’s crimes on the Gaza Strip.  They threw stones and empty bottles at IOF’s vehicles that protect the annexation wall adjacent to the village.  IOF immediately fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, a protesters was hit with live bullets and taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah.  Moreover, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and was treated. 

At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to Sho’afat refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem; in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and Bab al-‘Amoud area in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.  Violent clashes broke out; during which, IOF fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 18 civilians were wounded, including journalist Rama Yousif Salah (29), who was hit with a rubber bullet; lawyer Razan al-Ja’abah, who was wounded in her leg; and Jana Mohammed al-Kisswani (15) and her father who were hit with 2 rubber bullets when they were in their house yard. One of those wounded was hit with a bullet in the thigh while many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.  IOF also beat up a child namely Sabrin Jamjoum and photojournalist Latifa Redwan ‘Abdulatif (30) and tried to take off her hijab.  Moreover, IOF arrested Yassin Sbeih and Naji ‘Abbas.

Bethlehem:

At approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the gate at the annexation wall, north of Bethlehem, near Rachel’s Tomb.  The protesters set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF who guard the wall.  IOF went out of one of the wall’s gates and fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 7 civilians were wounded with rubber bullets while many others suffocated and were treated on the spot.

On Wednesday evening, 12 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians protesting against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and occupied Jerusalem gathered in front of one of the wall’s gates, north of Bethlehem near Rachel’s Tomb.  They sat fire to the tires and threw stones at the IOF guarding the wall.  IOF went out of one of the wall’s gates and fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 11 were wounded with rubber bullets while many others suffocated and were treated on the spot.

Following the Friday Prayer, IOF used excessive force to disperse the protesters in various clashes in Bethlehem; most prominently at the northern entrance and in al-Khader, Dar Salah, Teqoa, Beit Fajjar villages and on Jerusalem-Hebron Street.  As a result, 39 civilians were wounded; including 8 with live bullets; one of them sustained serious injuries and 31 with rubber-coated bullets.   Moreover, many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, IOF suppressed a peaceful protest, which set off from Bab al-Zeqaq in Bethlehem towards the northern entrance to the city near Rachel’s Tomb area, to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of Nakba in protest against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.  As a result, 18 injuries were reported; four were wounded with two-two bullets, and 14 others were wounded with rubber-coated bullets in the lower extremities.  Moreover, many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

On Sunday evening, 16 May 2021, hundreds from Bethlehem organized a peaceful sit-in in front of the gate at the annexation wall, north of Bethlehem, near Rachel’s Tomb to call for end of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.  The protesters raised the Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans; meanwhile, IOF’s patrols arrived and hidden behind the annexation wall gates.  IOF immediately fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  The protest turned in violent clashes that continued for hours in the vicinity of Checkpoint 300 near the annexation wall.  As a result, 3 civilians were wounded with live bullets and 5 were wounded with rubber bullets.  All of them were taken to Beit Jala Hospital to receive treatment.  Moreover, many suffocated due to teargas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the northern entrance to Bethlehem near Rachel’s Tomb, south of the West Bank.  Violent clashes broke out, and IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the proesters.  As a result 18 were wounded; 15 of them with live bullets and 3 with rubber bullets, including a direct injury in the eye.  Meanwhile, IOF deliberately fired toxic gas canisters at a field emergency medical service point that was established by the PRCS at the entrance.  Many suffocated and were treated on the spot.

Salfit:

At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, IOF killed ‘Awad Ahmed Harb (23,) from Iskaka village, with a live bullet in the abdomen during clashes in the village following Friday Prayer.

At approximately 16:10, IOF killed Sherif Khaled Suleiman (38), from Marda village, north of Salfit, with a live bullet in the thigh when he was at his front door at Marda’s western entrance. He was taken to Yasser ‘Arafat Hospital.

Moreover, 7 other civilians sustained various wounds in clashes with IOF across Salfit.

At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of civilians gathered at the entrance to Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit, and at the northern entrance to Salfit.  As a result, violent clashes broke out, and IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 3 civilians were wounded; one (25 years old) with a live bullet in the left leg, another 25-year-old with a bullet in the left leg and the third (42 years old) with a rubber bullet in the right leg. Moreover, many suffocated and were treated on the spot

Tulkarm:

At approximately 21:45 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, a number of civilians gathered near the annexation wall adjacent to Deir al-Ghusun village, north of Tulkarm.  IOF guarding the annexation wall fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protesters, and clashes broke out.  As a result, ‘Abdul Karim Ahmed Jamil Ghanem was hit with a rubber bullet in the extremities while many suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 22:30, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered near Gate 104 in the annexation wall adjacent to Shweikah village, north of Tulkarm.  IOF guarding the wall fired a barrage of sound bombs and teargas canisters at the civilians and dispersed them.  As a result, many of them suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 22:35, a number of civilians gathered near the annexation wall adjacent to Zeita, Baqa ash-Sharqiyya and Nazlet ‘Issa village, north of Tulkarm, and threw stones at the vehicles of IOF who guard the wall.  IOF immediately fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 3 civilians aged (22), (24) and (24) were wounded with live bullets in the extremities and taken to Tulkarm’s hospitals for treatment.  Moreover, many suffocated and were treated on the spot. 

At approximately 22:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, IOF killed Nizar Riyad Marouf Abu Zeina (22) with a live bullet in the chest during clashes near the Annexation Wall, northern Tulkarm. Abu Zeina’s initial wounds were serious and he was transported to Darwish Nazzal Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Immediately as news of his death broke out, outraged protests took off in Tulkarm, Anabta, Ramin, Shwiaka, Beit Lid, Qaffin and Zeita.  As a result, 39 Palestinians sustained wounds.

At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021 until midnight, violent clashes erupted in the villages of Qaffin, Zeita, Deir al-Ghusun, Attil, Kafr al-Labad, ‘Anbta, Far’oun, Shofa and Bizzariya in Tulkarm, north of the West Bank.  During which, IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 13 civilians were wounded with live and rubber bullets while many suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 00:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, during the clashes adjacent to the annexation wall, IOF who guard the wall, west of Zeita village, north of Tulkarm, north of the West Bank, opened fire at Yasin Hasan Hamad (26), from Sayda village, north of Tulkarm and wounded hit with a bullet in the Chest that penetrated his heart.  He was taken to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm, where his death was announced in the Emergency Department.

Moreover, 7 civilians were wounded with live bullets and taken to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm for treatment.

At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of ‘Inab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, north of the West Bank.  Violent clashes broke out, and IOF stationed at the checkpoint fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 6 civilians were wounded with live bullets while many suffocated and were treated on the spot.

Qalqilya:

Following Friday Prayer, IOF used excessive force to disperse protesters during clashes across Qalqilya. As a result, 24 Palestinians sustained varied wounds.

At approximately 12:30, IOF stationed at the Kafr Qaddum checkpoint at the “northern entrance” to the village, north of Qalqilya, suppressed with live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and poison gas canisters a peaceful protest organized by dozens of Palestinian civilians and chased them. As a result, 5 civilians were wounded; one of them was a 17-year-old child, who was hit with a gas canister in the foot, while the four civilians were wounded as follows: a 23-year-old civilian was hit with a sponge bomb in the abdomen, a 22 year- old was with a sponge bomb in the abdomen, a 25-year-old was hit with a sponge bomb in the shoulder, and a 21-year-old was hit with a sponge bomb in the face. All of them were taken to hospitals in Qalqilya for treatment. In addition, many of them suffocated and were treated in the field.

At approximately 10:15 on Saturday, 15 May 2021 until late at night, violent clashes broke out in the villages of Jayyus, Hableh, and Azzun; between the village of Azzun and Izbat al-Tabib; at the northern and southern entrances to Qalqilya; and at the entrances to the villages of Ematin, al-Funduq, and Hajjah in Qalqilya in the northern West Bank. During the clashes, IOF fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 17 civilians were wounded with live and rubber bullets while many of them suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 15:30, IOF stationed at Kafr Qaddoum checkpoint established at the northern entrance to the village, north of Qalqiliya, suppressed a peaceful protests, where dozens of Palestinians participated, with live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters and chased them. As a result, a 13-year-old child was wounded with a bullet that entered his back and exited the shoulder.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, violent clashes broke out in Qalqiliya, in the vicinity of Eyal permanent checkpoint, north of Qalqiliya and adjacent to the villages of Jayyous and Hableh, north of the West Bank.  During which, IOF fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 10 were wounded with live and rubber bullets while many others suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 17 May 2021, violent clashes broke out in Qalqiliya, in the vicinity of Eyal permanent checkpoint, north of Qalqiliya and adjacent to the villages of Jayyous and Hableh, north of the West Bank.  During which, IOF fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 24 were wounded with live and rubber bullets and were taken to Qalqiliya’s hospitals while many others suffocated and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the northern entrance to Qalqiliya, and the entrances to ‘Azoun and Jayyous villages in the city, north of the West Bank.  Violent clashes broke out, and IOF fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 9 civilians were wounded; 6 of them with live bullets and 3 with rubber bullets.  Moreover, many suffocated and were treated on the spot

Incursions and arrests:

Tuesday, 11 May 2021:

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF stationed at Gate (104) in Netanya adjacent to Tulkarm, arrested 4 civilians, including 3 children. The arrestees are: Ayman Jamal Mohammed Jallad (17), Kareem Mohammed Mofeed Shneiter (15), Ahmed Alaa al-Dein Ali Abu Zahra (14) and Mohammed Mofeed Jallad (22).
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Hijazi’s (14) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 09:25, IOF stationed at Gate (104) in Netanya, adjacent to Tulkarm, arrested 6 civilians during clashes occurred with the Israeli soldiers in the area and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Hamza Marwan Abu Ghalya (18), Sami Ashraf Abu Ghalya (23), Abdul Rahman Hamdan (18), Ayman Jamal Jallad (16), Mohammed Mofeed Jallad (24), and Ahmed Alaa al-Dein Abu Zahra (14).
  • At approximately 13:55, IOF stationed at Huwwarah military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, arrested Rania Marzouk Thaher (22), from Yasid, north of the village, claiming that she attempted to carry out a stab attack.
  • At approximately 19:30, IOF stationed at Isawiya checkpoint, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem, severely beaten and arrested 4 young men from al-Tur neighborhood, and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Dawoud Abu Hatab, Ahmed Kabaja, Mahmoud Abu Laban and Wael Abu Hatab.
  • At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched the house of the writer, Yazan Abu Jom’a, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 22:20, IOF moved into Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Faraj Shehab al-Sanouri (41). IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 22:30, IOF stationed at Salem military checkpoint, west of Jenin, arrested Mustafa Na’eem Maraheen (18) and Mo’een Mohammed Ammour (19), from Rummanah, west of Jenin. IOF took them to unknown destination.

Wednesday, 12 May 2021:

  • At approximately 00:35, IOF moved into Bir al-Basha village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses, arrested 3 civilians and took them to unknown destination. The arrestees are: Emad Basem Ghawadra (31), Tamer Ghannam Awwad (30) and Diaa Adnan Ghawadra (25).
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Salem village, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested al-Mo’tasem Billah Nasouh Ishtayya (38).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOD moved into Rujeib village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Senan Mohammed Ahmed Abu Ayesh (45).
  • Around the same time, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Hamza Jaber Abu Sill’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Firas Oweida and Khaled Abdul ‘Aall, and arrested them.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Dajan village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayman Rebhi Abdul Karim Hanani (35).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Beit Furik, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Diaa Basem Suliman Hanani (17).
  • Around the same time, IOF stationed at Inab military checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Hazem Emad Naser (31), a reporter at al-Najah TV, from al-Shwiaka in Tulkarm.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Huwwarah village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Samer Khaled Yousef Owda (32).
  • At approximately 04:20, IOF moved into Qabatiya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses, arrested (3) civilians and took them to unknown destination. The arrestees are: the writer Thamer Abdul Ghani Saba’na (45), Awni Adnan Kmeil (33) and al-Shaikh Ali Abdullah Abu al-Rab (59).
  • At approximately 04:50, IOF moved into Anabta, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched Mohammed Naji Sabha’s (47) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:55, IOF moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested a Hamas leader, Nazeeh Sa’eed Abu Own (59), and his son, Islam (31). IOF took them to unknown destinations.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Silwan, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Faraj Da’na’s (25) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched the house of the writer Ibrahim Mazen Sa’eeda, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Thuri neighborhood, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Jehad Oweida’s (19) house, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Jabal Mukaber village, southeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched the house of the journalist and writer Rasem Enad Obaidat (63), and arrested him.

Thursday, 13 May 2021:

  • At approximately 00:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Surif village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched Ahmed Mohammed al-Hor’s (30) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem, south of the West Bank. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mohammed Ja’far al-Da’doua’ (19) and Mohammed Issa Salah (22), and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:45, IOF moved onto al-Ta’awon street, south of Nablus. They raided and searched Mohammed Omar Sa’eed al-Najjar’s house, the perpetrator of Huwwarah operation on 12 May 2021, and field investigated his family.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested 5 young men while present near Bab al-Amoud “Damascus Gate” and al-Musrara area in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and took them to one of the police centers in the city. The arrestees are: Omar Mo’ammar, Baha’ Najeeb, Mustafa Abdul Latif, Ahmed al-Natshah and Mohammed Ghassan.
  • At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested 5 civilians, including 2 children. The arrestees are: Yousef Tareq Darwish (24), his sisters, Tala (15) and Hadeel (17), Qusai Owda Dirbas (22), and Laith Abu Riyala (26).
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Abu Dis, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Zeyad Saleh al-Sheikh’s (60) house, one of the candidates on the Hamas-affiliated list “Jerusalem is Our Destination”, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim al-Sharbati’s (23) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:50, IOF moved into Um al-Rokba area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Shadi Hussain Ali Salah’s (42) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF severely beaten and arrested Jaber al-Asmar (22), while attempting to defend his house in al-Qirami neighborhood, in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Israeli settlers stormed al-Asmar’s house, assaulted and harassed its residents, in light of the brutal attacks that Israeli settlers carry out against Palestinians in Jerusalem, West Bank and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), under the protection of the Israeli police.
  • IOF carried out (2) incursions in al-Aroub refugee camp and Sa’ir village, in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 14 May 2021:

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Ammar Yaser Mutair (30), Mohammed Ali Mutair (22), and Osama Hasan Mutair (26).
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and stationed in al-Baten area, east of the village. They raided and searched 2 houses and arrested Ahmed Ali Slaiby (27 and Muhannad Zuhair al-‘Allami (22).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Sa’ir, north of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the village. They raided and searched Jalal Mustafa Jabarin’s (28) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed al-Sayyad’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses, severely beaten and arrested (4) civilians. The arrestees are: Taha Ra’ed Jweihan, Talab Ra’ed Jweihan, Mus’ab Husam Jweihan and Lo’ay Issam Jweihan.
  • At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Sur Baher, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohammed Ali Atwan and Mohammed Mazen Nimir, and arrested them.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Hebron, Shuyukh, Yatta, and Surif in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 15 May 2021:

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (5) civilians, including a child. The arrestees are: Mohammed Tawfiq Abu al-Hums (21), Kareem Bassam Alian (24), Waleed Dawoud Alian (25), Aziz Ghassan Alian (18), and Mohammed Ghanem Mustafa (15).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians, including a child. The arrestees are: Ra’ed Hazem al-Sayyad (16), Mo’tasem Abed Abu Ghannam (33), and Khalil Kamal Abu al-Hawa (21).
  • At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mohamed Abu Mariam and Ihsan Mohammed Abu Mariam, and took them to unknown destination.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Khader Mohammed Owda (15) and Mohammed Samer Sarhan (16), and arrested them.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Sur Baher village, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mousa Hamads’s (71) house and took him along with his son, Owais (40), to one of the detention centers in the city. It should be noted that Owais is a former prisoner who spent over than 13 years in the Israeli prisons.
  • At approximately 21:15, IOF moved into Kafa village, south of Tulkarm, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Qusai Kamal Isma’el (16) and Mus’ab Adel Abu Safaqa (22), and took them to unknown destinations.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF arrested Ali Khaldon Salah (20), while returning from work to his home in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. It should be noted that Ali Salah is suffering from severe eye vision problems.

Sunday, 16 May 2021:

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into several neighborhoods in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (10) civilians. The arrestees are: Mohammed Qasem Salayma, eyad Qasem Salayma, Mohammed Amer Salayma, Shaher al-Salayma, Mohammed Shaher al-Salayma, Adnan Shalloudi, Yazan and Khaled al-Basti, Jehad Naser Qaws and Fares Jaber.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Yousef Na’eem Ghunaim’s (36) house, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Majd village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Imran Isma’el al-Mallah’s (18) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF accompanied with their police dogs moved into Wadi Qadum neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Da’na’s house, threw sound bombs inside the house, sprayed pepper gas at the residents, hit the women and children, and arrested (5) of the residents. The arrestees are: Maher Da’na, Zeyad Da’na, Zaki Da’na, Qusai Da’na and Yaser Da’na.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Talal Mohammed al-Shalloudi’s (13) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out (4) icursions in al-Shuyukh, Surif, Samu and Beit Awafi village in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 17 May 2021:

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Sa’ir, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Murad Zayed al-Farroukh’s (22) house, and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Alaa Mohammed al-Rajabi (23) and his brother, Ali (19). IOF took them to unknown destination.
  • At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Barakat Mahdi al-Za’tari’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Mohammed Fawzi al-Arna’out’s (52) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Kayed al-Rajabi’s (45) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out (2) incursions in Hebron and Sa’ir in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 18 May 2021:

  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Batin al-Hawa neighborhood, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Ahmed Jameel al-Silwadi’s (18) house and arrested him.

Wednesday, 19 May 2021:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tell village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched the house of the former prisoner Amro Emad Rihan (25), and arrested him. IOF took him to unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched Abdullah Fareed Abu al-Rab’s (21) house and took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin. They raided and searched Hasan Mustafa Jaradat’s (37) house and took him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Yamun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched Mahmoud Hasan Abu al-Hasan’s (38) house and took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into Beita, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched the former prisoner Owda Sbeih Ahmed Hamayel’s (35) house, and took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Birzeit, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Shja’ Jaber Musa Darwish’s (42) house and took him to an unknown destination.

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property

  • At approximately 19:10 on Tuesday, settlers from “Yitzahar” settlement established on the southeastern lands of Nablus threw stones at ‘Abdel Naser Yousif Ahmed Demdi (50) and his son ‘Abdullah (20), who were both in front of their house at the intersection, and beat them up. The villagers then confronted the settlers and called a Palestinian ambulance to evacuate ‘Abdel Naser to Rafidia Governmental Hospital in Nablus, where it was found that he sustained a nose fracture and cuts in the face in addition to epistaxis.
  • At approximately 12:40, Israeli settlers from “Itmar” settlement established on the lands of Beit Furik and ‘Aqraba, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank attacked the farmers’ tents in al-Fajem area, east of ‘Aqraba village, and tore with sharp tools the tent sheds.  One of the tents is used as a sheep barn while the other is residential and was torn while its residents were inside; both belonging to Ahmed Yousif Bani JAber from ‘Aqraba village. 
  • At approximately 00:00 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, a group of settlers from al-Nabi Samuel village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, set fire to a carwash belonging to Anas ‘Adel ‘Abeid, causing severe damage to it.
  • At approximately 01:00, settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and cars in al-Tur and al-Sowana neighborhoods, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the Israeli Police’s protection. They broke windows of the houses and vehicles.
  • At approximately 05:30, an Israeli settler attacked with a sharp tool Sahar Naser Ghaith ‘Abdeen (29) when she was on her way out of al-Aqsa Msoque to her houses in Bab al-Selselaah in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. As a result, she sustained cuts in her face.

Sheikh ‘Amer ‘Abdeen, Sahar’s husband, said to PCHR that he and his wife went to perform al-Fajer Prayer in al-Aqsa Mosque but he went back home before his wife in Bab al-Selselah while she stayed at al-Aqsa until the sunrise.  On her way back home and as the street was empty, a settler attacked her with a sharp tool and wounded her in the lips and forehead.  Suddenly, 2 young men arrived and confronted the settler.  ‘Abdeen said that Bab al-Selselah has recently witnessed daily attacks by settlers against the Old City’s residents, adding that there are many settlers only next to his house and only 10 meters away.

  • At approximately 23:00, riots by settlers broke out near al-Za’im military checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem, and broke the windows of the Palestinians’ cars passing through the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 00:10 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, riots by settlers’ broke out at ‘Inab Checkpoint, east of Tulkarm and threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles passing by. Neither damage nor casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 22:30 on Friday, 14 May 2021, a group of settlers attacked the Palestinian vehicles passing through ‘Izbet Shofa checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a group of armed settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement established on the Palestinian lands of southern Hebron attacked lands in Ar-Rihiya village adjacent to the settlement. The settlers set fire to the olive trees and winter crops and uprooted summer vegetables.  As a result, around 200 dunums were completely burnt.  It should be noted that it was the second attack within 24 hours as the first attack included shooting that killed a civilian from al-Tubasi Family.
  • At approximately 17:30, settlers gathered, rioted and opened fire at Palestinian civilians near Abu al-Joud Tomb, east of Fre’ta village, north of Qalqiliya. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 19:00, settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron, near the security fence of the settlement gathered near the Palestinian houses in al-Hareek neighborhood. The settlers shot in the air and insulted Arabs.  An IOF’s patrol moved into the neighborhood and raided a house belonging to ‘Adnan No’man Shokri Da’na.  One of the soldiers broke a window of the house windows with his riffle’s butt, claiming that ‘Adnan’s son insulted one of the settlers.  As a result, the house residents were terrified.
  • At approximately 19:30, a settler opened fire at the Palestinian vehicles traveling on the main Qalqiliya-Nablus Street. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 20:00, under IOF’s protection, a number of settlers from the settlement outpost established in the center of Hebron;s Old City, threw stones at the Palestinian houses in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood and on al-Suhadaa’ Street, amid threats to kill the Palestinians and displace them. Among those houses was a house belonging to an activist in the Human Rights Defenders Forum as teargas canisters, which were fired by IOF at the Palestinian houses to protect the settlers, fell in the vicinity of the activist’s house.  As a result, many Palestinian civilians gathered and confronted with stones the IOF and settlers.  As a result, the activist’s wife suffocated and was taken by an ambulance to the governmental hospital in Hebron.  The windows of Abu ‘Eishah Family houses were broken due to settlers’ stone-throwing at the houses.  Moreover, settlers beat up Ahmed Abu ‘Eishah (22) and withdrew to their settlement.
  • Around the same time, settlers threw stones at a house belonging to ‘Abdul Jabbar Mohammed Isma’il in KAfa village, east of Tulkarm, north of the West Bank. They sat fire to the greenhouses and then fled away from the village.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, a group of settlers from “Adora” settlement established on the Palestinian lands, west of Hebron, threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles heading to Tarqumiyah and Idhna villages, northwest of Hebron. As a result, Monir Elian Tumeizi (36) sustained wounds in the chest and face after a stone hit the windshield of the truck he was driving and broke it.
  • At approximately 23:00, a group of settlers attacked the outskirts of Burqin and Kafr al-Deek villages, west of Salfit, north of the West Bank. The settlers set fire to the agricultural lands and fled away.  Fire broke out in tens of dunums before the villagers and Civil Defense could extinguish it.
  • At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, a group of settlers from “Kermi Tsour” settlement established on the Palestinian lands of southern Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, set fire to the Palestinian lands adjacent to the settlement’s fence. As a result, fire broke out in tens of dunums.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 17 May 2021, under IOF’s protection, a number of Israeli settlers from the settlement outposts in Silwan, south of occupied East Jerusalem, attacked Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem and threw stones at the Palestinian houses and vehicles. As a result, windows of the vehicles parked in the house yards and on the street were broken.  The neighborhood’s residents went out to confront the settlers and IOF, who started beating them and fired sound bombs and toxic gas canisters at them in order to protect the settlers.
  • At approximately 22:30, settlers threw stones at Sadil Mohammed Raja in Um Rokbah area in al0Khader village, south of Bethlehem, south of the West Bank. As a result, she sustained wounds after stones hit different parts of her body.

Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip:

Since Monday, 10 May 2021, the Israeli authorities continued to close Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing and the sole commercial crossing in the Gaza Strip (Kerm Abu Salem) one day after complete closure of the sea within the collective punishment policy against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

These decisions are part of the comprehensive closure and illegal and inhuman collective punishment policy imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip.  Due to the closure of Kerm Abu Salem Crossing, fuel supply needed to operate the Gaza Power Plant was banned entry, affecting the operation of the only power plant in light of disruption of 8 main electricity lines due to the Israeli airstrikes.  As a result, the electricity went out across the Gaza Strip that would have serious implications on the basic services provided to 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West bank:

  • In addition to 108 permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals  33 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 8 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Nablus:

  • On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Einabus and Beita villages, at the intersection of Deir_Sharaf village ( on Nablus-Tulkarm main road).
  • On Thursday, 13 May 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Qusra and Beita villages.
  • On Saturday, IOF established a checkpoint at the Al-Badhan village’s intersection ( on Nablus-Tubas main road), north of Nablus, north of the West Bank. No arrests were reported.

Hebron:

  • On Tuesday, 11 May 2021, IOF established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Ash-Shuyukh and Beit Awwa village, at the entrances to Fawwar and Al-Arroub refugee camps, and at the northern entrance to Yatta city.
  • On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Hebron, at the northern entrance to Halhul city, and at the entrance to Idhna village.
  • On Thursday, 13 May 2021, IOF established 6 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Einun, Tarqumiyah and Beit Ummar villages, and on ‘Ayoun Abu Saif ,Farsh al-Hawa and al-Jalajel roads.
  • On Friday, 14 May 2021, IOF established 7 checkpoints at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp, at the entrances to Beit Ummar, Susya and Tarrama villages, at the southern entrance to Hebron, at the southern entrance to Yatta city, and on Wad Abu al-Samen Road.

Salfit:

  • On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the western entrances to Kafr ad-Dik and Deir Ballut villages, at the entrances to Qarawat Bani Hassan and Marda villages, north of Salfit. No arrests were reported.
  • On Tuesday, 13 May 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit.

Israel: Is this the beginning of the end of apartheid?

Richard Falk

18 May 2021 15:35 UTC 

Israel has already long lost the main legal and moral arguments and is in the process of losing the political argument

An Israeli soldier walks past a 155mm self-propelled howitzer and ammunition at the army’s position along the border with the Gaza Strip, on 16 May 2021 (AFP)

The current crisis of Palestine-Israel deepens and widens: casualties mount, smoke from destroyed buildings blacken the sky over Gaza, there’s rioting on the streets of many Israeli and West Bank towns; Israeli police disrupt worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque while protecting extremist Jewish settlers shouting genocidal slogans – “death to the Arabs” – in inflammatory marches through Palestinian neighbourhoods.

Western leaders pathetically call for calm on both sides as if both sides shared equal blame, while perversely affirming the one-sidedness of ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’

Underlying this entire eruption of tensions between the oppressor and the oppressed were the flimsy legalised evictions of six Palestinian families long resident in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. These evictions epitomised the long Palestinian ordeal of persecution and banishment in what remains their homeland.

While this mayhem continues, the lights have remained scandalously dim at the UN. Western leaders pathetically call for calm on both sides as if both sides shared equal blame, while perversely affirming the one-sidedness of “Israel’s right to defend itself”, which supposes that Israel had been attacked out of the blue. 

Is this but one more cycle of violence exhibiting the unresolvable clash between a native people overwhelmed by a colonial intruder emboldened by a unique religiously grounded settler sense of entitlement?

Or are we witnessing the beginning of the end of the century-long struggle by the Palestinian people to defend their homeland against the unfolding Zionist project that stole their land, trampled on their dignity, and made Palestinians victimised strangers in what had been their national home for centuries?

Only the future can fully unravel this haunting uncertainty. In the meantime, we can expect more bloodshed, death, outrage, grief, injustice, and continuing geopolitical interference.

The spirit of resistance

Last week’s events have made clear that the Palestinians are withstanding prolonged oppression with their spirit of resistance intact, and refuse to be pacified regardless of the severity of the imposed hardships

.Israel has long been an apartheid state. Admitting it now is too little, too late

Read More »

We also are made to appreciate that the Israeli leadership and most of its public is no longer in the mood even to pretend receptivity to a peaceful alternative to the completion of their settler-colonial undertaking despite its dependence on a weaponised version of apartheid governance. 

For Israelis and much of the West, the core narrative continues to be the violence of a “terrorist” organisation, Hamas, challenging the peaceful state of Israel with destructive intent, making the Israeli response seem reasonable. It is thus framed as not only a response to Hamas’ rockets but also as a harsh punitive lesson for the people of Gaza, designed to deter future attacks.

The Israeli missiles and drones are deemed “defensive” while the rockets are acts of “terrorism”, even though Israeli human targets are seldom hit, and despite the fact that it is Israeli weaponry that causes 95 percent of the widespread death and destruction among the over two million civilian Palestinians in Gaza. They have been victims of an unlawful and crippling blockade that since 2007 has brought severe suffering to the impoverished, crowded and traumatised enclave, with unemployment levels above 50 percent.  

In the current confrontation, Israel’s control of the international discourse has succeeded in de-contextualising the timeline of violence, thus leading those with little knowledge of what induced the flurry of Hamas rockets to believe falsely that the destruction in Gaza was a retaliatory Israeli reaction to hundreds of rockets launched by Hamas and Gaza armed groups.

A Palestinian girl, who fled her home due to Israeli air and artillery strikes, plays at a school hosting refugees in Gaza city, on May 14, 2021,
A Palestinian girl, who fled her home due to Israeli air and artillery strikes, plays at a school hosting refugees in Gaza city, on 14 May, 2021 (AFP)

With abuses of language that might even surprise Orwell, Israel’s state terrorism is airbrushed by the world along with the rebuff of Hamas’ peace diplomacy over the past 15 years that has repeatedly sought a permanent ceasefire and peaceful coexistence.

Symbolic victories

For Palestinians and those in solidarity with their struggle, Israel knowingly allowed the subjugated population of occupied East Jerusalem to experience a series of anguishing humiliations to occur during the holy period of Muslim religious observances in Ramadan, rubbing salt in the wounds recently opened by the Sheikh Jarrar evictions. This had the inevitable effect of refreshing Palestinian memories of their defining experiences of ethnic cleansing days before the annual observance of the Nakba on 15 May.

The record of struggles against colonialism since 1945 support reaching the conclusion that the side that wins a legitimacy war will eventually control the political outcome

This amounted to a metaphoric reenactment of that massive crime of expulsion accompanying the establishment of Israel in 1948, which culminated in the bulldozing of several hundred Palestinian villages that signalled a firm Israeli intention to make the banishment permanent.

Unlike South Africa, which never claimed to be a democracy, Israel legitimated itself by presenting itself as a constitutional democracy. This resolve to be a democracy came with a high price tag of deception and self-deception, necessitating to this day a continuing struggle to make apartheid work to secure Jewish supremacy while hiding Palestinian subjugation.

For decades, Israel was successful in hiding these apartheid features from the world because the legacy of the Holocaust lent uncritical credence to the Zionist narrative of providing sanctuary for the survivors of the worst genocide known to humanity. 

Additionally, the Jewish presence “was making the desert bloom“, while at the same time virtually erasing Palestine grievances, further discounted by hasbara visions of Palestinian backwardness as contrasting with Israeli modernising prowess, and later on by juxtaposing a political caricature of the two peoples, portraying Jewish adherence to Western values as opposed to the Palestinian embrace of terrorism.

Recent developments in the symbolic domains of politics that control the outcome of “Legitimacy Wars” have scored several victories for the Palestinian struggle. The International Criminal Court has authorised the investigation of Israeli criminality in Occupied Palestine since 2015 despite vigorous opposition from the leadership of the Israeli government, fully supported by the United States. The investigation in The Hague, although proceeding with diligent respect for the legalities involved, was not openly engaged by Israel, but rather immediately denounced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “pure antisemitism”.

Beyond this, allegations of Israeli apartheid were unequivocally confirmed in an academic report commissioned by the UN, concluding that Israeli policies and practices were designed to ensure Palestinian subjugation and Jewish domination. This too was similarly denounced by Israeli leaders.

In the past few months both B’Tselem, Israel’s leading human rights NGO, and Human Rights Watch, have issued carefully documented studies that reach the same startling conclusion that Israel indeed administers an apartheid regime within the whole of historic Palestine, that is, the Occupied Palestinian Territories plus Israel itself.

While these two developments do not alleviate Palestinian suffering or the behavioural effects of enduring denial of basic rights, they are significant symbolic victories that stiffen the morale of Palestinian resistance and strengthen the bonds of global solidarity. The record of struggles against colonialism since 1945 support reaching the conclusion that the side that wins a legitimacy war will eventually control the political outcome, despite being weaker militarily and diplomatically.  

‘Then you win’

The endgame of South African apartheid reinforces this reassessment of the changing balance of forces in the Palestinian struggle. Despite having what appeared to be effective and stable control of the African majority population through the implementation of brutal apartheid structures, the racist regime collapsed from within under the combined weight of internal resistance and international pressure.Al-Aqsa attacks: How Israel is sowing the seeds of a new uprising

Read More »

Outside pressures included a widely endorsed BDS campaign enjoying UN backing and military setbacks in Angola against Cuban and liberation forces. Israel is not South Africa in a number of key aspects, but the combination of resistance and solidarity was dramatically ramped upwards in the past week.

Israel has already long lost the main legal and moral arguments, almost acknowledging this interpretation by their defiant way of changing the subject with reckless accusations of antisemitism, and is in the process of losing the political argument. 

Israel’s own sense of vulnerability to a South African scenario has been exposed by this growing tendency to brand supporters of BDS and harsh critics as “antisemites” which seems in the context of present development best described as “a geopolitical panic attack”.

I find it appropriate to recall Gandhi’s famous observation along these lines: “First, they ignore you, then they insult you, then they fight you, then you win.”

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.

Richard Falk

Richard Falk is an international law and international relations scholar who taught at Princeton University for forty years. In 2008 he was also appointed by the UN to serve a six-year term as the Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine ( 6 – 10 May 2021)

Serious Escalation in Gaza Strip: 26 Palestinians Killed, including 9 Children and Woman and her Child with Disability, and 75 Others Injured, including 22 Children and 7 Women

Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine

IOF military escalation on Gaza Strip: 21 Palestinians killed, including 9 children; 68 wounded, including 22 children and 7 women

  • 969 Palestinians wounded in IOF attacks on Palestinians in East Jerusalem and worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque, including 17 journalists, 9 in critical conditions and 3 lost their eyes
  • IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem: 14 Palestinians wounded, including a girl
  • Six IOF shootings reported at agricultural areas (east) and three others on fishing boats in the Gaza sea
  • In 122 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 115 civilians arrested, including 2 children
  • Construction vehicle confiscated in Hebron and an agricultural caravan in Nablus
  • Settler-attacks: attacks on civilians and their vehicles, lands set on fire in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem
  • Israeli occupation authorities close Beit Hanoun and Karm Abu Salem crossings and the Gaza Sea
  • IOF established 39 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary   

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force. This week, the occupation continued its attacks in East Jerusalem, violating the sanctity of the al-Aqsa Mosque and conducted large oppressive campaigns across the city, with the participation of Israeli settlers. These attacks rendered hundreds of injuries amongst Palestinian civilians. As the situation escalated in the occupied East Jerusalem, Gaza armed groups launched missiles at Israeli settlements and towns and the Israeli occupation responded with multiple airstrikes across the Gaza Strip announcing the launch of a military operation, “Operation Guardian of the Walls,” against the territory. The Israeli occupation’s attacks on the Gaza Strip continue as of writing this report, causing extensive casualties. Additionally, the Israeli occupation authorities closed both Beit Hanoun and Karm Abu Salem crossings, as well as the Gaza Sea under its systemic policy of collective punishment.

IOF also continued its raids, arrests, and attacks on civilians that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning hours, purposefully terrorizing protected civilians. This week also IOF confiscated Palestinians’ properties and agricultural equipment, and safeguarded settlers’ attacks on Palestinians.

Note: The 19th edition of PCHR’s Weekly Report of Israeli Violations in the oPt is issued early this week for the Eid al-Fitr Holidays. We wish you all peace and prosperity on the occasion of this holy Eid.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

In the Gaza Strip, 21 Palestinians, including 9 children -1 of them died along with his father, were killed and 68 others sustained wounds, including 22 children and 7 women after wide-scale Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Also, one Palestinian civilian was wounded, and 6 IOF shootings were reported on agricultural lands eastern Gaza, and 3 shootings at fishing boats, western Gaza.

In the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, 983 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF excessive use of force against civilians.  Among the wounded, 969, including 17 journalists, and 9 in critical condition, sustained their wounds in Israeli attacks on civilians and worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque and in East Jerusalem. Fourteen others sustained wounds due to IOF excessive use of force and dozens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, and others were wounded in various IOF assaults across the West Bank.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: 

IOF carried out 122 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 115 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 children. Of the 115 arrestees, 63 were taken during the clashes and IOF attacks on Palestinian civilians and worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque, Bab al-Amoud, and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Demolitions:

PCHR fieldworkers documented two violations: excavator confiscated in Kherbet Khelet al-Dabe’a, east of Yatta, south of Hebron and an agricultural caravan in Nablus.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 7 attacks:

Ramallah: assault on a vehicle and agricultural fields set on fire

Nablus: assault on a vehicle and Palestinian civilians, and agricultural fields were set on fire

Hebron: assault on a civilian and a shepherd with stones

East Jerusalem: along with the wide-scale attacks in the City, settlers assaulted civilians in Issaweya

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

On Monday, 10 May 2021, the Israeli authorities closed Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing one after complete closure of the sea within the collective punishment policy against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

According to PCHR’s follow-up, the Israeli authorities declared Monday morning the closure of Beit Hanoun crossing, and only humanitarian cases are allowed, which was confirmed by PCHR.  IOF also declared on Monday, 09 May 2021, withdrawing the decision of allowing the businessmen to travel via the crossing after the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry announced on Thursday afternoon, 06 May 2021, that the Israeli authorities informed them of allowing again their travel via the crossing after they have been denied since the outbreak of coronavirus in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday evening, the Israeli authorities closed Karm Abu Salem Crossing, the sole commercial crossing in the Gaza Strip, until further notice.

These decisions are part of the comprehensive closure and illegal and inhuman collective punishment policy imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip, and shall carry negative implication on the already restricted number of groups who are allowed travel via Beit Hanoun crossing.

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life. The United Nations confirmed that the Gaza conditions are worsening, with deteriorating health, power, and water services. The UN emphasized that the Gaza Strip requires immense efforts in the housing and education sectors and to create job opportunities.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

Shooting and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity

IOF Attacks in occupied East Jerusalem:

On Thursday, 06 May 2021, 22 Palestinians were wounded; 6 of them with rubber bullets when IOF suppressed a peaceful protest organized to sand in solidarity with Sheikh Jarrah’s residents, whose houses are threatened to be evicted in favor of Israeli settlers. IOF also arrested 15 Palestinians, taking them to a police station. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 19:30, dozens of Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem and Arabs holding Israeli ID cards organized breakfast (Iftar) for Sheikh Jarrah’s residents whose houses are under the threat of eviction. While the Palestinians were eating their Iftar, an Israeli settler living in al-Ghawi’s house, which was seized, assaulted the Palestinians and pepper-sprayed them. As a result, the Palestinians threw chairs and water bottles at the settlers and damaged their tent, which was established in front of al-Ghawi family’s house, which was seized by Israeli settlers in 2009, to receive a member of the Knesset, Itamar Bin Ghafir, who moved his office to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in front of houses that are under the threat of eviction to support the settlers and provoke Palestinians present in the neighborhood. After that, a fighting erupted between the settlers, guarded by IOF, Sheikh Jarrah’s residents and other Palestinians who stand in solidarity with Sheikh Jarrah, during which, they threw chairs at each other and settlers along with IOF fired live bullets to disperse the peaceful protestors.

At approximately 20:30, despite the closure of Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood’s entrances and ban on vehicles’ entry into the neighborhood by IOF, Palestinians who stand in solidarity with the neighborhood residents continued to flock to the streets. When hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the center of Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and chanted slogans, IOF assaulted them, heavily sprayed skunk water at them, beat them up, pushed and dragged them on the ground, and chased them around the neighborhood streets in an attempt to vacate the area. IOF also fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at the Palestinians. As a result, 22 Palestinians were wounded; 6 with rubber bullets, 3 sustained teargas canisters shrapnel wounds, 4 sustained bruises throughout their bodies, 8 suffocated due to teargas inhalation, and others were pepper-sprayed in the face. The clashes continued until dawn, during which settlers indiscriminately fired live bullets after an Israeli vehicle was set ablaze. IOF also raided al-Kurd and Diyab houses, beat up the residents, and pepper-sprayed them.

Additionally, 15 Palestinians were arrested and beaten. PCHR keeps the names of the arrestees. It should be noted that al-Ja’ouni, al-Kurd, al-Qsem, and Iskafi families headed to the Israeli Supreme Court, which set a new session on Monday, 10 May, to consider a petition submitted by the mentioned families on eviction orders. It is worth noting that 28 Palestinian families comprised of 87 persons, including women and children, are threatened to be expelled from their houses in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood; 4 families on 10 May 2021 and 3 other families will face a similar fate on 01 August 2021.

On Friday, 205 Palestinians, including 5 journalists, were wounded; 2 were deemed serious and 3 others lost their eyes during mass suppression by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) against tens of thousands of Palestinian worshipers in al-Aqsa Mosque and its yards, in Bab al-‘Amoud area and in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. IOF raided al-Aqsa Mosque, violated its sanctity, deprived Palestinian worshipers of performing prayers, assaulted dozens of them, dragged them on the ground, and arrested 17 of them.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), on Friday, 07 May 2021, while tens of thousands of Palestinian worshipers were heading to al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the last Friday prayer in Ramadan, thousands of Israeli soldiers flocked into occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, stationed on its streets and at al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates, established dozens of military checkpoints, and closed the city entrances. Before Maghrib prayer, IOF tightened their measures around al-Aqsa Mosque; closed al-Wad Road, which leads to al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates from the western side (the gate: Bab al-Majlis, Bab al Hadid, Bab al Qattanin and Bab al Silsilah); denied worshipers’ access to the mosque, fired sound bombs at them; pointed their guns at them to scare them and force them to leave. As a result, the worshipers tried to find alternative roads to enter the mosque from its northern gates, causing a traffic jam in the Old City. Before ‘Isha and Tarawih prayers, verbal altercation erupted between one of the worshipers and Israeli police officers stationed at Bab al Silsilah. After that, IOF suddenly raided al-Aqsa Mosque via Bab al Silsilah and fired heavy sound bombs and rubber bullets at the worshipers present in the mosque’s western yards, which caused clashes continued between IOF and worshipers in the mosque’s yards for 4 hours. During the clashes, IOF cut the wires of Bab al Magharibah Minaret, cut off the electricity in al-Aqsa Mosque’s facilities, topped and raided al- Qibli Mosque, fired sound bombs at the worshipers, detained them inside the mosque, and closed its doors with iron chains. In Bab al-Rahma Mosque, IOF fired sound bombs and rubber bullets at the worshipers while performing prayers. They also fired sound bombs at the Dome of the Rock gates, which designated for women entry. Additionally, IOF stormed and targeted al-Aqsa Mosque’s clinic, fired sound bombs inside it, damaged its contents, assaulted medical crews and injuries present there. After that, IOF used excessive force to evacuate and disperse tens of thousands of worshipers from al-Aqsa Mosque, its facilities, and yards, and indiscriminately fired heavy rubber bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, dozens of worshipers were shot with rubber bullets in their upper limbs, including 5 journalists who were wounded while covering incidents in al-Aqsa Mosque.

The wounded journalists were identified as Fayiz Abu Irmilah, ‘Atta ‘Ewisat, ‘Abed al-‘Afou Bassam, Mohammed Abu Suninah, and Mohammed Samreen. Journalist ‘Ewisat said to PCHR’s fieldworker that a police officer fired 3 rubber bullets at him from a distance of 0.5 meter and damaged his cellphone. He added that despite all bullets fired at him, he remained standing. After that, seven police officers approached him and beat him up throughout his body, so he fell to the ground.

When the worshippers were forcefully removed from al-Aqsa Mosque to the Old City’s neighborhoods and its surrounding, clashes broke out between dozens of Palestinian young men and IOF in Bab Huta, Bab al-‘Amoud and al-Saherah neighborhoods.  IOF closed the two gates with iron barriers and denied citizens’ access via which.  During the clashes, IOF arrested many young men and wounded others. 

Meanwhile in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, IOF and settlers’ attacks continued against its residents and those in solidarity for the second consecutive week.  Since Friday early morning, IOF heavily deployed in the neighborhood, closed its entrances, and prevented persons in solidarity from reaching the houses under the threat of eviction.  In a serious development, IOF allowed more than 200 armed settlers to enter the neighborhood.  Following the Friday Prayer, tens of Palestinians and internationals gathered in solidarity at the neighborhood’s entrance, chanted national slogans condemning the occupation. Those in solidarity stayed at al-Sheikh entrances until al-Maghreb Prayer, away from the neighborhood’s families, who organized an Iftar in front of their houses, amid heavy deployment of IOF which prevented the persons standing in solidarity from joining the families and had their Iftars on pavements.  After they finished, they chanted national slogans condemning settlers’ attacks.  IOF immediately beat them, pumped wastewater at them and fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at them.  As a result, many injuries and arrests were reported.

Due to IOF’s wide-scale suppression in Jerusalem, 205 Palestinians were injured in al-Aqsa Mosque, al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and Bab al-‘Amoud; 88 injuries were referred to Jerusalem’s hospitals, 20 were referred to the field hospitals and the rest were treated on the spot as stated by PRCS.

PRCS said that most injuries were with rubber bullets in the chest and face.  As a result, 3 persons lost their eyes and were transported to ST John Eye hospital in al-Sheikh Jarrah, Makassed Hospital and Hadassah Medical Center.  The medical staff at al-Makassed Hospital in At-Tur neighborhood, east of Jerusalem’s Old City, said that they treated 83 injuries with rubber bullets: 3 were in the eye, including one lost his eye, 2 were serious injuries in the head, 2 were jaw fractures and the rest were minor injuries. 

In addition to their attacks on the medical staff who were on duty, IOF prevented 2 PRCS ambulance crews from Bethlehem and Ramallah from providing help in aid and treatment due to the increasing number of injuries.  The crews arrived at Qalendia and Tunnel checkpoints to enter Jerusalem, but they were denied, in violation of the international humanitarian law principles, which emphasizes respect for the PRCS badge and protection and facilitation of their medical duties.

During the intense attacks on citizens and worshippers and pulling down some of them, IOF arrested 17 citizens in al-Aqsa Mosque, Bab al-‘Amoud and al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and took them to the police station in the occupied city.

On Saturday, 90 Palestinians were wounded, and 16 others were arrested when IOF violently suppressed dozens of Palestinian young men in the Old City and in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 16:00, thousands of Israeli soldiers flocked to occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, stationed on its streets and at its gates, closed main streets leading to the Old City, established dozens of military checkpoints on the main streets leading to Jerusalem, and prevented dozens of buses carrying thousands of Palestinian worshipers holding Israeli IDs from entering the city. As a result, the worshipers were forced to walk several kilometers in order to reach Jerusalemite people’s vehicles, which will drive them to al-Aqsa Mosque. Also, IOF stationed in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the Old City, prevented trucks holding Iftar meals prepared by the Islamic Endowment Department (Awqaf) for Palestinians from reaching the mosque. Before Maghrib prayer, thousands of Palestinian worshipers flocked to al-Aqsa Mosque via Bab al Asbat, Bab al-Malik Faisal and Bab al Hittah. Suddenly, IOF fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at the worshipers and severely beat and dragged Naser Ghaith and their two sons Laith and Mohammed. IOF arrested Laith (27) and took them to the hospital as he sustained wounds and bruises throughout his body. When the worshipers ate their Iftar meal, they gathered in al-Qibli Mosque’s yard and chanted national and religious slogans. Following al-Tarawih prayer, thousands of worshipers got out of al-Aqsa Mosque via Bab al-‘Amoud, Bab al-Sahera and Bab al-Asbat. During which, IOF assaulted them, fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at them, and pumped skunk water on the area and around the Old City. As a result, violent clashes erupted and continued for next day dawn. During these clashes, 90 Palestinians, including 6 children, were wounded; 90 of them received treatment at al-Maqased Hospital, according to the PRCS’s crew. Also, a paramedic was wounded, and a woman was directly shot with a rubber bullet in her face. According to PRCS, most of injuries were with rubber bullets, sound bombs and beating.

In Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, IOF and settlers’ attacks continued against the neighborhood’s residents and other persons who stand in solidarity with them. The neighborhood’s residents along with dozens of Palestinians who stand in solidarity with them organized a breakfast (Iftar) in front of their houses, which are under the threat of eviction. Following the Iftar, the Palestinian organized a sit-in, chanted national slogans, and performed al-Tarawih prayer. During which, IOF beat them up, pumped skunk water at them and fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at them. Also, IOF severely beat Nour Hammad and Maryam al-‘Afifi and dragged them on the ground before arresting them. Additionally, 4 other Palestinians, from Umm al-Fahm city, were arrested.

It should be noted that during clashes erupted near the Old City and in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, IOF arrested 16 Palestinians, beat them up, dragged them on the ground, and took them to police stations. PCHR holds record of the names of the arrestees.

Following Fajr prayer, on Sunday, 09 May 2021, thousands of Palestinian worshipers, who were performing al-I’tikaf (a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days to perform prayers) got out of al-Aqsa Mosque raising Palestinian flags. In the meantime, IOF raided al-Aqsa Mosque via Bab al Hittah and Bab al Magharibah. Also, Israeli snipers topped the mosque’s roofs from the western side and fired heavy rubber bullets and sound bombs at the worshipers while getting out of the mosque. After that, violent clashes erupted between the worshipers and IOF near Bab al Hittah and Bab al Asbat from the northern side and near Bab al Silsilah and Bab al Magharibah from the western side. During which, IOF fired heavy rubber bullets at the Palestinians. As a result, 21 Palestinians were wounded; 8 received treatment at the hospital while the rest on the spot, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). IOF also closed Bab al Asbat and prevented anyone from entering or exiting, which hindered medical crew’s work, who were providing first aid for worshipers injured inside the mosque.

At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 09 May 2021, IOF closed Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and prevented anyone from entering it. Also, Palestinians who stand in solidarity with Sheikh Jarrah residents were denied access to the neighborhood, while hundreds of armed settlers were allowed to enter the neighborhood, establish a tent, open loudspeakers and dance to provoke Palestinians. Following al-Maghrib prayer, hundreds of Palestinians gathered on the neighborhood’s main street, chanted slogans and sang. IOF immediately suppressed them, fired rubber bullets and sound bombs at them, and pumped skunk water at them. Also, police on horseback chased the Palestinians. As a result, clashes erupted and continued for several hours. During which, Israeli settlers, guarded by IOF, opened fire at the Palestinians and threw stones at them.

It should be noted that other clashes erupted between Palestinian young men and IOF in al-Tur and Shuafat neighborhoods and in Silwan village against the ongoing IOF’s attacks in al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

PRCS crews stated that they treated 19 Palestinians during clashes erupted with IOF in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and Bab al-‘Amoud area; 5 of them were taken to the hospital for treatment. Also, the PRCS crew said that a paramedic was shot with a rubber bullet during clashes in al-Tur neighborhood, and an ambulance was shot with rubber bullet and hit with sound bombs in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

At approximately 22:30, Palestinian worshipers performed Isha and Tarawih prayers and got out of al-Aqsa Mosque. During which, IOF fired rubber bullets and sound bombs in Bab al-‘Amoud area in the center of occupied East Jerusalem, to vacate the area. They also chased and beat dozens of Palestinian young men and shops’ owners. As a result, several young men were wounded, and 3 others were arrested. Also, the shops owners said that their shops and goods sustained damage due to pumping skunk water at their shops.

On Monday, 10 May 2021, IOF violated al-Aqsa Mosque and its facilities, suppressed, and assaulted Palestinian worshipers and fired sound bombs and rubber bullets inside the Mosque and in its yards. As a result, 305 Palestinians, including 8 journalists, were wounded- 7 were deemed in critical condition. This serious escalation came only a few hours before a planned demonstration by thousands of Israeli settlers in Bab al-‘Amoud area and near al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), following Fajr prayer, on Monday, 10 May 2021, thousands of Palestinian worshipers gathered in al-Aqsa Mosque’s yards and facilities in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, to counter Israeli settlers, who called for a packed demonstration to commemorate the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of Jerusalem in 1967, according to the Hebrew calendar. At approximately 08:19, Chief of Israel Police ordered a large force to raid al-Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to facilitate the entry of Israeli settlers, who were gathering in Bab al Magharibah, into the Mosque. Afterwards, IOF moved into al-Aqsa Mosque’s yards and its facilities via Bab al Magharibah and Bab al Silsilah amid heavy firing of rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs for 4 consecutive hours.

During that time, Israeli snipers topped al-Aqsa Mosque’s western roofs, in addition to al-Qibli Mosque’s roof, and then raided the Mosque, assaulted Palestinian worshipers, and fired rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, dozens of Palestinians, old and young, men and women, who were detained inside the Mosque sustained wounds. Also, IOF prevented medical and paramedics crew from providing first aid for the wounded. Moreover, IOF assaulted and severely beat worshipers present in the Old, El-Marwani, Bab al-Rahma and Dome of the Rock Mosques, fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at them and surrounded them inside these mosques. Additionally, IOF raided the Islamic Endowment (Awqaf) offices and expelled its employees, in addition to the fire station office, and welded the medical clinic doors shut to impede the provision of treatment for the wounded civilians.

All of the al-Aqsa Mosque Gates, particularly Bab Huta, Bab al Asbat and Bab al Silsilah, witnessed violent clashes after Israeli forces were reinforced with backups as the clashes at al-Aqsa Mosque intensified. At Bab al Asbat, IOF assaulted paramedics while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s crews were transporting the injured, wounding several of them with rubber bullets and banned others entry into the Mosque to transport the wounded to the ambulances and hospitals. In the midst of the violent clashes inside the Mosque, an armed Israeli settler ran-over Palestinian civilians with his vehicle on the outskirts of Bab al Asbat, injuring several ones; then stepped out of the vehicle and started shooting at them while protected by an Israeli police officer who kept away angered Palestinian youth.

During the Israeli violent escalation, which al-Aqsa Mosque has not witnessed for more than 20 years, 8 journalists were wounded while covering the incidents at the mosque; most with rubber bullets, and were identified as: Maisaa’ Abu Ghazaleh, Mohammed Abu Sneineh, Lewaa’ Rmeileh, Mohammed Jaradat, Eithar Abu Gharbiyeh, Fatmah al-Bakri, Rami al-Khatib, and Osayd ‘Amarneh.

At approximately 16:00, despite the Israeli authorities’ decision to move the planned demonstration by thousands of Israeli settlers from Bab al-‘Amoud area, Salah al-Deen and al-Wad Streets and al-Islami neighborhood to Bab al-Khalil area, IOF assaulted and severely beat dozens of Palestinians gathered in Bab al-‘Amoud area, fired heavy stun grenades at them and arrested 4 of them.

In al-Aqsa Mosque, following Isha prayer, clashes renewed in the mosque’s yards and in its facilities, as a large number of Israeli soldiers raided the mosque amid firing rubber bullets and stun grenades. As a result, al-Marwani and al-Qibli Mosques sustained material damage and dozens of Palestinian worshipers detained inside the mosques sustained wounds, noting that medical crew were prevented from providing first aid to the wounded civilians.

Moreover, the Dome of the Rock Mosque witnessed violent clashes after Palestinian young men set an Israeli police station ablaze. The clashes continued for several hours, during which, dozens of Palestinians, including 4 journalists, were wounded. The journalists were identified as: Turkish journalist Turgut Alp Boyzar, Baraa Shaludi, Muhammad Sharif, and Ayman Qawarik. It should be noted that IOF closed all al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates, hindered paramedics’ entry to the Mosque and wounded them with rubber bullets.

In Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, hundreds of Israeli soldiers flocked to the neighborhood to secure and protect Israeli settlers. Following al-Maghrib prayer, IOF prevented Palestinians who stand in solidarity with Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood from entering it and participating in the sit-in. The Palestinians gathered and protested at the neighborhood’s entrance. Before chanting slogans, IOF suppressed them, pumped skunk water at them, beat young and old, men and women, and fired stun grenades at them.

Ras al-Amud, al-Tur, Silwan, al-Ram, and al-Thawri neighborhoods witnessed violent clashes. During which, IOF pumped skunk water and fired rubber bullets and sound bombs to disperse the protestors who gathered in support of Jerusalem and against IOF’s attacks in al-Aqsa Mosque.

Also, Kalandia military checkpoint witnessed violent clashes erupted between hundreds of Palestinians and IOF, who fired live and rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the protestors, according to PRCS crew.

The PRCS crew said that the IOF’s attacks in al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, resulted in the injury of 612 Palestinians; 7 were deemed in critical condition. The PRCS added that more than 411 injuries were referred to al-Makassed and Augusta Victoria “al-Mutale’a” hospitals in at-Tur neighborhood, Saint Joseph Hospital in al-Sheikh Jarrah and PRCS’s field hospital in al-Sowannah neighborhood. PRCS added that a number of paramedics were wounded with rubber bullets while rescuing those injured at al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF also broke the windshield of an ambulance in Bab al-‘Amoud area after targeting it with stun grenades.

IOF Military Escalation on the Gaza Strip

21 Palestinians killed, including 9 children; 68 wounded, including 22 children and 7 women

Since yesterday evening, 10 May 2021, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a major military escalation that resulted in the killing of 26 Palestinians, including 9 children; one of them was killed with his father while another was with a disability and was killed along with his mother, and the injury of 75 others, including 22 children and 7 women, during wide ranging Israeli airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) declared that a wide-range military operation has begun in the Gaza Strip and has been given an official name: “Operation Guardian of the Walls” after rockets were fired, as claimed by the Palestinian armed groups in response to the Israeli violence in Jerusalem that escalated in the last 2 days when al-Aqsa Mosque was raided and hundreds of worshipers were injured.  The Israeli threats warn of a growing number of casualties among civilians and further destruction in the civilian objects.  While this report was in preparation, many Palestinians have fallen casualties to IOF attacks in Gaza; details will be included in next week’s report.

At approximately 18:10 on Monday, 10 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural land located in al-Kashif Mount in Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, Saber Ibrahim Mahmoud Suliman (38) and his son Mohammed (15), from Jabalia, were killed while they were present in the agricultural land. Both were taken to the Indonesian Hospital, where medical sources stated that they sustained shrapnel wounds throughout their bodies.

Around the same time, an Israeli drone targeted with one missile Mohammed ‘Abdullah Zidan (26) when he was in the center of al-Salah neighborhood in al-Bourah area in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, he was immediately killed and taken to Beit Hanoun Governmental Hospital.

Around the same time, a missile fell on a gathering of civilians next to al-Basha Farm in al-Thahrah area at the end of al-Masriyeen Street, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, eight were killed, including 6 children, and 18 were injured, including a woman and 10 children.  Those killed were identified as Ibrahim Yousif ‘Atallah al-Masri (11); his brother Merwan (6); Ahmed Mohammed ‘Atallah al-Masri (20); his sister Rahaf (10); Yazan Sultan al-Masri (2 years old); Hussein Munir Hussein Hamad (11); Mohammed ‘Ali Mohammed Nasir (24); and Ibrahim ‘Abdullah Mohammed Hasanein (16).  Moreover, 3 houses sustained partial damage from the southern side of the scene.

According to the field investigations and the scene inspection, the scene is around 800 meters away from the western side of the border fence with Israel.  Al-Masri Family works in collecting straws in the outskirts of al-Basha Farm next to their houses.  Children were playing at the time near their families who were collecting the straw while other members of Hamad Nasir and Hasanein families were present at the same time.

At approximately 21:30, an Israeli missile fell near al-Rahman Mosque in Zaytun neighborhood in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, Ibrahim Ahmed Khamis al-Shenbari (20), from Zaytun neighborhood, was killed and 13 others, including 4 women and 2 children, were wounded. All of them were taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital, where their injuries were classified between moderate and minor. Also, the mosque and nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 21:35, Israeli drone fired a missile at a plot of land in eastern Buraij refugee camp, in the center of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the land sustained material damage and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:15, Israeli drones fired a missile at a group of Palestinians in al-Manara neighborhood, south of Khan Yunis. As a result, 3 of them were injured and taken to Naser Hospital, where the injury of one of them namely Saleem Mohammed Saleem al-Farra (37), from Khan Yunis, was classified serious. Al-Farra was pronounced dead later.

At approximately 22:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a plot of land in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, the land sustained material damage and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 23:40, Israeli warplanes fired 4 missiles near a quarantine center in Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah. As a result, the center sustained material damage and no casualties were reported.

Other IOF violations of the right to life in the oPt

At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 06 May 2021, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and opened heavy fire around them, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli infantry units moved into Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and deployed between residential houses. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered on the main street near an UNRWA distribution center and threw stones at IOF, who responded with sound bombs and teargas canisters. As a result, many stone-throwers suffocated due to teargas inhalation. The clashes continued until 23:00 and IOF withdrew later; no arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:00 on Friday, 07 May 2021, following the murder of two civilians and the injury of another one in shooting incident occurred at Salem military checkpoint, which separates Jenin and Green Line, IOF closed the checkpoint and prevented press crew and ambulances from approaching the checkpoint. When journalists attempted to approach the checkpoint to cover the incident, IOF beat them up. The journalists were identified as:

‘Ali Sadeq Saleem Samoudi, a reporter at al-Quds Newspaper.

‘Alaa Tawfiq Badarnah, cameraman in the European News Agency.

Raneen Sawaftah, photographer at Reuters News Agency.

Sakher Rawatba, photographer at Palestine T.V.

Also, IOF assaulted a number of PRCS paramedics and chased them until they left the area.

Journalist ‘Ali Sadeq Saleem al-Samoudi said to PCHR’s researcher that: “Following the murder of two civilians and the injury of another one at Salem military checkpoint, IOF closed the sole checkpoint, which leads to the camp, and prevented journalists and PRCS paramedics from entering the camp. When we attempted to approach, IOF threatened to open fire at us. Despite our commitment to the soldiers’ orders, they assaulted, chased and cursed us and fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at us. As a result, journalist Raneen Sawaftah suffocated due to teargas inhalation. They also beat the two journalists Sakher Rawatba and ‘Alaa Tawfiq Badarnah. Additionally, IOF beat me up with their gun butts and violently beat my colleague ‘Alaa Badarnah while he was inside his vehicle.  IOF attacked ambulances and paramedics and forced all to leave and vacate the area, or they will be arrested.”

At approximately 13:30, a peaceful protest took off in front of Beit Dajan village council, northeast of Nablus, at the call of the villagers and with the participation of the National Action Factions in Nablus, towards lands under the threat of confiscation, east of the village. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation and settlers. When the protestors arrived at the area, they found a large number of Israeli soldiers awaiting them. IOF immediately suppressed the protest and fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 50-year-old man was shot with a live bullet in his right foot. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

At approximately 12:50 on Saturday, 08 May 2021, IOF stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets and teargas canisters at Palestinian young men gathered along the fence. The IOF’s sporadic shooting continued for several hours; no casualties were reported.  At approximately 21:30, the protest renewed, during which, IOF fired rubber and live bullets and teargas canisters that reached the outskirts of Khuzaʽa village. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation.

At approximately 16:30, IOF stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, fired heavy live bullets and teargas canisters at about 50 Palestinian young men gathered in eastern Bureij refugee camp along the border fence. The young men set fire to tires and fired incendiary balloons in response to IOF’s attacks in Jerusalem. At approximately 20:30, the young men gathered again, during which, IOF fired heavy teargas canisters at them. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation; 6 of them were taken to al-Aqsa Hospital for treatment.

At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, a number of Palestinian young men gathered near Huwara military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, and organized a protest to stand in solidarity with Jerusalemite people. Clashes erupted in the area, during which, IOF fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received a treatment on the spot.

Around the same time, a similar protest was organized to stand in solidarity with Jerusalem. The protest developed into clashes erupted at the entrance to Beita village, southeast of Nablus. During which, IOF fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received a treatment on the spot.

Around the same time, violent clashes erupted at al-Jalma military checkpoint, north of Jenin, after organizing a protest to stand in solidarity with Jerusalem. During which, IOF fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received a treatment on the spot.

At approximately 02:30 on Sunday, 09 May 2021, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and opened heavy fire around them, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 14:20 on Sunday, 09 May 2021m IOF stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets and teargas canisters at Palestinian young men gathered along the fence. As a result, a 24-year-old male was shot with a live bullet in his right thigh and taken to Naser Hospital for treatment. The protest continued for several hours, during which, IOF fired live bullets and teargas canisters at the protestors.  As a result, dozens of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation.

At approximately 20:30, at least 80 Palestinian young men gathered in eastern Buraij refugee camp to stand in solidarity with Jerusalemite people. The protestors set fire to tires, fired incendiary balloons and threw stones at IOF stationed along the border fence. The soldiers responded with live bullets and teargas canisters; no casualties were reported.

At approximately 21:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, and off al-Sudaniyia Shore, west of Jabalia camp, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within varying nautical miles, opened heavy fire around them and fired flare bombs in the sky. Israeli naval forces ordered all the fishermen to leave the sea in implementation of the Israeli authorities’ decision. The fishermen were forced to leave; and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 08:05 on Monday, 10 May 2021, a rocket fell on Saleh Dardona St in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, while packed with civilians. As a result, 7 Palestinians lost their lives, including a child, and 34 others sustained wounds including 10 children and 2 women. Five of the wounded were classified in critical condition at first, and one of them – a child- was later pronounced dead. Those killed were identified as Nabil No’man Mohammed Dardonah (23); ‘Issmat ‘Abdullah al-Zain (49); Rae’d ‘Abed Zaki Abu Wardah (28); Zakaria Ziad Mohammed ‘Aloush (18); Mousa Khamis Mousa Jneid (18); Bashir Mohammed Mohammed ‘Aloush (55); and Mustafa Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Obeid (17). At approximately 23:00, the Indonesian Hospital pronounced Baraa al-Gharably (14) dead after succumbing to his wounds. PCHR continues to investigate this incident.

At approximately 21:00, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in Muthalath Kharsa area, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. The protestors closed the main street with rocks, set fire to tires and threw stones at a military watchtower established on the street. IOF arrived at the area and fired stun grenades and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers, residential houses and shops. As a result, many Palestinians suffocated due to teargas inhalation. The clashes continued until 02:00 dawn; no arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, hundreds of Palestinians, from Hebron, organized a peaceful protest against IOF’s attacks in Jerusalem. The protest took off in Dura city and headed towards Bab al-Zawiyia area, where a military watchtower was established on the closed Shuhada Street. The protestors chanted slogans and raised Palestinian flags. When they arrived at the checkpoint, dozens of Israeli soldiers suppressed them and fired stun grenades and teargas canisters at them. As a result, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation. The protestors also set fire to tires and threw stones at IOF, who chased them between shops and on Wad al-Tuffah street and fired live and rubber bullets at them. As a result, 13 protestors were wounded: 5 with live bullets and 8 with rubber bullets. The clashes continued until 02:00 dawn, and all shops were closed.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinians, from Beit Ummar village, organized a peaceful protest against IOF’s attacks in Jerusalem. The protest took off in front of the city’s mosque and headed towards the village’s entrance, where a military watchtower was established. When the protestors arrived at the area, IOF deployed and fired stun grenades, teargas canisters and rubber bullets at them. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation.

Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 06 May 2021:

At approximately 01:15, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Silwad, northeast of Ramallah. They deployed in several neighborhoods in the city, raided and searched several houses, mosques and even houses under instruction, and held field investigations to find the perpetrator of Za’tara operation on 02 May 2021. Meanwhile, they arrested Montaser al-Shalaby al-Sahlawi (46), from Turmus Ayya, who was charged of conducting the shooting attack at Za’tara military checkpoint, and Zeyad Abdul Jalil Hamed (57).

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jannatah village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Ahmed Naser Asakra’s (22) house and arrested him.

At approximately 06:20, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Khalil Majdi al-Masri (24) and Munir Ibrahim Fuqha (23). IOF took them to unknown destination.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Isawiya, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Khaled Khalil’s (22) house and arrested him.

At approximately 17:00, IOF arrested the guard of the Aqsa Mosque, Bader al-Rajabi, while working near al-Sisila Gate “Chain Gate”, in the western side of the Aqsa Mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

At approximately 18:00, IOF arrested Shadi Nidal Abu Subaih (11), while present in front of his house in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Khaled Fawwaz Ali Salah’s (29) house and arrested him.

IOF carried out an incursion in Beit Lid, east of Tulkarm. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 07 May 2021:

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Khalil Mustafa Kan’an’s (22) house, severely beaten him and his family, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Montaser al-Shalaby al-Sahlawi’s (44) house, who was arrested yesterday, and charged of conducting the shooting attack at Za’tara military checkpoint on 02 May 2021. IOF took the measurements of his house as a preliminary step for demolition, under the pretext of collective punishment against those who carrying attacks.

At approximately 02:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Habib Aziz Issa’s (28) house and arrested him.

At approximately 03:15, IOF arrested Jehad Mehraj Shehada (22) and Mohammed Ahmed Sudani (18), from Tulkarm refugee camp, while passing through Za’tara military checkpoint, south of Nablus. IOF took them to unknown destinations.

At approximately 23:00, IOF stationed at Qalandiya military checkpoint, north of the occupied East Jerusalem, arrested Sayyaf Mohammed Abdo (28) and Saji Farah Ataya (36), from Kafr Ni’ma, west of Ramallah, while attempting to enter the Aqsa Mosque.

IOF carried out (8) incursions in Bir al-Basha, Jalamah, Jalbun, Deir Ghazaleh, and Beit Qad, northeast of Jenin; Beita, southeast of Nablus; Beddya, west of Salfit; Bani Na’im and al-Kum in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 08 May 2021:

At approximately 01:30, IOF stationed at a military checkpoint established at the southern entrance of Jericho, arrested Abdullah Montaser al-Hinnawi (20) and Mahmoud Khaled Musleh (20), from Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, southwest of Jericho. IOF took them to unknown destinations.

In morning hours, IOF raided and searched several houses in various neighborhoods in the occupied East Jerusalem and arrested (23) civilians and took them to several investigation centers in the occupied city. PCHR keeps the names of the arrestees.

Amjad Abu Asab, head of the family committee of Jerusalem prisoners, said that all the arrestees were arrested in cases belonging to the Aqsa Mosque. He added that the arresting campaign coincided with “al-Qadr Night”, and the so called “Jerusalem Day”, to empty Jerusalem from its civilians and open the way for settlers to enter it.

Sunday, 05 May 2021:

At approximately 05:00, IOF (3) civilians from al-Izariya, east of the occupied East Jerusalem, while present near Bab Huta, one of the Aqsa Mosque’s gates. The arrestees are: Khaled Yaser Abu Zeyad, Bashar Bader, and Hamza Taqesh.

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Shu’afat neighborhood, north of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Nasr al-Dein Subhi Abu Khudair (59), one of the Palestinian National Movement leaders, and arrested him.

It should be noted that Abu Khudair is a former prisoner who spent up to 26 years in the Israeli prisons, and he was released two months ago after three months of the administrative arrest.

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Beit Hanina village, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Tareq al-Joulani’s (21) house and arrested him.

At approximately 17:00, IOF stationed at Qalandiya military checkpoint, west of the Aqsa Mosque, in the West Bank, arrested Hamza Ahmed Yamen (31), from Tal village, while returning from the Aqsa Mosque. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Sur Baher village, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Dandis’s (20) house and arrested him.

IOF carried out (4) incursions in Yatta, Kharas, Fawwar refugee camp, and Shwiaka, north of Tulkarm. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 10 May 2021:

At approximately 01:00, IOF and a crane moved into Aqraba, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched the prisoner Raddad Fawzi Bani Minnah’s house and confiscated his vehicle. Raddad was arrested since 04 May 2021, while searching for Montaser al-Shalaby, the perpetrator of Za’tara operation on 02 May 2021.

At approximately 02:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Tarqumiyah, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched (3) houses and arrested (3) civilians; including a girl and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Saqer Khalil Qutniya (28), Awwad Abdul Rahman Ja’afra (20), and Mais Tha’er al-Mraqtan (21).

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Suhaib Ragheb al-Sa’di (27), and his cousin, Ayman Ghassan Ragheb al-Sa’di (22), and took them to unknown destinations.

IOF carried out (4) incursions in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, Beit Ula, Halhul, and Deir Samit in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

At approximately 11:00 On Sunday, 09 May 2021, IOF backed by military vehicles and accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle moved into Kherbet Khelet al-Dabe’a, east of Yatta, south of Hebron.  They deployed in the area, and the Civil Administration officer confiscated an excavator belonging to Jihad Mohammed Harb while he was digging a water wall.  The confiscation was under the pretext of working Area C.

At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 10 May 2021, IOF accompanied with a crane moved into the monuments area in Sebastia, northwest of Nablus.  IOF confiscated a 25-sqm agricultural caravan belonging to ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Rayes ‘Abdel ‘Aziz al-Nabulsi from Nablus under the pretext of its presence in Area C.

Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property

At approximately 18:45 on Thursday, 06 May 2021, settlers from “Kawkab al-Sabah settlement  established on al-Mughayyir village land, west of Ramallah, threw stones at a car belonging to Yazeed Mustafa Hussein Zaid al-Deen from Majdal Bani Fadel, southeast of Nablus, and broke its windshield before he could run away from them to his village.

At approximately 10:30, settlers from “Yitzahar” settlement established on the southeastern lands in Nablus threw stones at a car belonging to Belal Mohammed Sa’id Qat from Madma village and broke the windshield.  He managed to run away to his village.

At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 07 May 2021, 2 settlers from “Avigayil” settlement outpost established on Palestinian lands confiscated from eastern Yatta, south of Hebron, threw stones at Mahmoud Hussein Hamamdah (49), from al-Mafqarah village, when he was in the lands near the outpost taking his sheep to the water well there.  As a result, he sustained bruises and a rupture in his right arm, forcing him to leave and go to a medical center, where he received treatment.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 08 May 2021, 2 settlers from “Havat Ma’oun” settlement outpost established on Palestinian lands in eastern Yatta, south of Hebron, threw stones using slingshots at a shepherd who was in the pastoral lands adjacent to the outpost.  After 20 minutes, the 2 settlers ran away while a number of soldiers accompanied with a group of settlers arrived at the area.  Residents of at-Tuwani village arrived as well and clashes and stone-throwing broke out with the settlers while the soldiers fired randomly teargas canisters at the village residents and nearby houses.  As a result, winter grain plantings were burnt belonging to Meghnem al-Harini, and a girl was hit with a teargas canister in her shoulder while she was in her house. During this, one of the settlers opened fire in the air, and IOF did not intervene to stop the settlers’ attacks but even provided them protection and participated in the suppression of the Palestinians.  The villagers withdrew at 19:00 while backups of Israeli Border Guard Police officers arrived and stayed until 21:00.

At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 09 May 2021, a group of settlers from “Adei Ad” settlement, northeast of Ramallah, moved into al-Saher area, east of al-Mughayer village, northeast of Ramallah.  The settlers set on fire the agricultural fields planted with wheat crops on an area of 40 dunums belonging to Fadel Ibrahim Hamed al-Na’asan.  After what they did, the settlers went back to the settlement and after hours the villagers could extinguish the fire.

At approximately 17:00, dozens of settlers gathered near the Hebrew University established on the lands near al-‘Issawiya village, northeast of East Jerusalem and threw stones at the Palestinians there.  Clashes broke out in the area for 2 hours, and IOF intervened to provide full protection for the settlers.  IOF fired rubber-coated bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs at the Palestinians and arrested 2 of them, who have not been identified yet, taking them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 10 May 2021, with IOF’s backup, settlers from “Price Tag” group coming from “Yitzahar” settlement established on the southeastern lands of Nablus, attacked the eastern outskirts of Urif village   and threw stones at a high school for boys in al-Safafir area.  They damaged the solar panels on the school roof before a number of civilians could confront them and threw stones, forcing them to go back to their settlement.  When they were on their way to the settlement, the settlers damaged 15 olive seedlings behind the school in al-Marah area belonging to Nidal Mohammed Kamel Sabbah, from Urif village.

Around the same time, another group of settlers attacked Palestinian lands in Burin village to the east of the settlement and set fire in Khashabah area and Khelet ‘Amer.  The fire caught tens of dunums before the villagers and Civil Defense could extinguish the fire.

  1. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip:

On Monday, 10 May 2021, the Israeli authorities closed Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing one after complete closure of the sea within the collective punishment policy against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

According to PCHR’s follow-up, the Israeli authorities declared Monday morning the closure of Beit Hanoun crossing, and only humanitarian cases are allowed, which was confirmed by PCHR.  IOF also declared on Monday, 09 May 2021, withdrawing the decision of allowing the businessmen to travel via the crossing after the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry announced on Thursday afternoon, 06 May 2021, that the Israeli authorities informed them of allowing again their travel via the crossing after they have been denied since the outbreak of coronavirus in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday evening, the Israeli authorities closed Karm Abu Salem Crossing, the sole commercial crossing in the Gaza Strip, until further notice.  The Coordination Committee for the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip stated that the Israeli authorities declared the closure of the crossing starting from Tuesday until further notice and banning the entry of goods, food supplies and Gaza Strip’s needs.

On Sunday, 09 May 2021, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), MG Ghassan Alian, announced closure of the allowed fishing area in the Gaza Strip starting from the moment of the announcement until further notice. Afterwards, the Israeli gunboats started chasing the Palestinian fishing boats and ordering them to leave the Sea.

The decision to close the Gaza Sea and ban fishermen from fishing and sailing has affected the livelihoods of 4,160 fishermen and 700 workers in professions associated with the fishing sector; the main providers for their families (a total of 27,700 persons) are threatened with further deterioration. Even before this decision, Gazan fishermen already suffered and were unable to fish and sail freely in the allowed fishing area due to the recurrent Israeli attacks at sea and the ban on the entry of equipment and necessary supplies for fishermen. Consequently, hundreds of fishermen are effectively unable to provide for their families’ basic needs, such as food, medicine, clothing, and education.

These decisions are part of the comprehensive closure and illegal and inhuman collective punishment policy imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West Bank:

In addition to 108 permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of 43 temporary checkpoints that restrict the movement of goods and individuals, where IOF searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 6 of them. IOF tightened its restrictions on the movement at the checkpoints and closed some of them for hours.

Jerusalem:

On Sunday evening, 09 May 2021, IOF closed Sheikh al-Jarrah neighborhood and denied entry into it except for the residents.

On Saturday evening, 08 May 2021, IOF closed Beit Iksa checkpoint and denied movement from and into the village.

On Saturday evening, 08 May 2021, IOF closed al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and denied entry into it except for the residents.

Bethlehem:

On Thursday, 06 May 2021, IOF established 3 checkpints at the entrance to al-Khader and Beit Fajjar villages and at al-Nashash intersection, south of the City.

On Friday, 07 May 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Beit Fajjr village and at Fureidis village intersection, east of Bethlehem.

On Saturday, 08 May 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tekoa village and western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem.

On Sunday, 09 May 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Husan and Nahalin villages and at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village.

Nablus:

On Thursday, 06 May 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints near Deir Sharaf village intersection (on the Nablus-Jenin main road), “Shavei Shomron” settlement intersection (on the Nablus-Tulkarm main street), west of Nablus, and at Bita intersection, southeast of Nablus.

Jericho:

On Thursday, 06 May 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the Dead Sea intersection.

On Friday, 07 May 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at southern entrance to Jericho.

On Saturday, 08 May 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho.

Hebron:

On Thursday, 06 May 2021, IOF established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Awwa village, Sa’ir village, al-‘Arroub refugee camp, al-Shyoukh village and northern Yatta.

On Friday, 07 May 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna, al-Samou’a, southern Hebron and Beit Ummar village.

On Saturday, 08 May 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Hebron, southern entrance to Halhul and the entrance to Beit Kahel village.

On Monday, 10 May 2021, IOF established 6 checkpoints at entrances to al-‘Arroub and al-Fawwar refugee camps, eastern Duraa, al-Thaheriya village, Bani Na’im village and northern Hebron.

Qalqilya:

On Sunday, 09 May 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.

Salfit:

On Saturday, 08 May 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Salfit and Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit.

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestine 28 January – 03 February 2021

Israeli Human Rights Violations in Palestine

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 28 January – 03 February 2021

28 January – 03 February 2021

  • Palestinian killed at “Gush Etzion” junction in alleged stab attack
  • IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem: 13 Palestinians wounded, including two children
  • Four IOF shootings reported at agricultural lands, and once at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip
  • In 123 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 137 civilians arrested, including 22 children
  • 51 homes and facilities demolished, displacing dozens of Palestinians in northern Jordan valleys
  • 1 commercial facility demolished, as well as 3 houses (one self-demolished) in occupied East Jerusalem; another house was demolished in Hebron; and 51 street vendor carts and stands removed in Jenin
  • Supreme Court of Israel ratifies house demolition of Palestinian imprisoned by Israel
  • Settler-attacks: attacks on civilians in Qalqilya and 8 car windows smashed
  • IOF established 76 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning hours.

This week witnessed a continued escalation in IOF demolitions particularly in the northern Jordan valleys, which witnessed 3 razing operations that displaced more than 20 families. IOF also dismantled and destroyed dozens of street vendor carts and stands near Jalamah checkpoint and the Annexation Wall in Jenin, depriving dozens of Palestinians of their livelihoods.

This week, PCHR documented 237 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

IOF killed Mohammed Hussain Mohammed Amr (36), from Hebron, on 31 January 2021, in an alleged stab attack on the “Gush Etzion” junction, southern Bethlehem. PCHR investigations indicate that IOF could have resorted to a less lethal force to control Amr. Also this week, IOF shot and injured 13 civilians, including two children, in excessive use of force against civilians in the West Bank: 8 shot and wounded, including one child, in IOF attack on Kafr Qaddum – Qalqilya weekly protest; 3, including a child, were shot near the Annexation Wall in Tulkarm and Jenin; and 2 others were shot and wounded in Kafr Malik, Ramallah.

In the Gaza Strip, four IOF shootings were reported on agricultural lands eastern Gaza Strip, and once at fishing boats off Gaza’s northern shore.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 123 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 137 Palestinians were arrested, including 22 children.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 15 incidents:

  • Northern Jordan valleys: 8 barracks demolished ( 5 used for cattle, and 3 for residence); 28 homes and facilities demolished in Hemsa al-Foqa, displacing 85 Palestinians including 45 children. Also, 15 tents, used for residential purposes and for cattle, were demolished along with other properties of9 Palestinian families in Kherbet Hemsa al-Bikai’a.
  • East Jerusalem: tin-plated residence home demolished in as-Sawahira; house self-demolished in Jabel Mukaber; commercial facility self-demolished in Ras al-Amud; another under-construction house was demolished in Anata.
  • Hebron: agricultural room self-demolished; 3 cease-construction notices served to 3 houses, and an under-construction house was demolished
  • Jenin: 40 street carts removed near Jalamah checkpoint; 11 other street vendor stands were removed near the Annexation Wall.
  • Nablus: notice served to remove fence surrounding a land in Sebastia.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 3 settler-violence incidents that included assaults on civilians in Qalqilya and breaking the windows of 8 vehicles in Salfit.

Collective Punishment:

Within the Israeli collective punishment policy practiced against Palestinians and the families of those accused of carrying out actions against IOF or settlers, the Supreme Court of Israel ratified on 03 February 2021 the decision to demolish Mohammed Kabha’s home in Tura, Jenin. Kabha is imprisoned by Israel.

 Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

  1. Shooting and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity
  • At approximately 01:30 on Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at IOF, who responded with teargas canisters to disperse them. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF accompanied with Israeli intelligence officers moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Marwan Muneer Dari’s (47) house after blowing up their doors, beat his family members and electrocuted them with stun guns. IOF also arrested Marwan’s sons Mohanad (13) and Majd (19), taking them to Moscovia Detention Centre in west Jerusalem. Marwan said that at least 10 soldiers attacked his sons, electrocuted them with stun guns, pushed them to the ground, handcuffed them, prevented them from wearing clothes or shoes, blindfolded them, and took them in the cold weather to an unknown destination. Marwan added that when he attempted to help one of his sons, Israeli soldiers beat him with gun butts, fracturing his bottom teeth.
  • At approximately 04:40, IOF moved into Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah. In the meantime, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF, who responded with teargas canisters, sound bombs, live and rubber bullets to disperse them. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. IOF also raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children. The arrestees were identified as Mohammed Raed Masarwa (16), Mahmoud Mohammed al-Ghaleeth (17) and Mohammed Ahmed Sharaka (29).
  • At approximately 12:00, IOF stationed near the annexation wall on Zeita village’s lands, north of Tulkarm, opened fire at Palestinian workers who attempted to enter Israel for working. As a result, a 25-year-old male, from Zeita village, north of Tulkarm, was shot with a live bullet in his lower limbs.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire at border areas, causing fear among Palestinian farmers. No causalities or material damage were reported.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF stationed at the northern entrance to Kafr Qaddum village, north of Qalqilya, suppressed a peaceful protest organized by dozens of Palestinian young men. IOF chased Palestinian young men gathered in the area, clashed with them, and fired sponge bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at them. As a result, 8 civilians, including a child were shot with sponge bullets in their limbs; a child was shot in his head; a civilian was shot in his abdomen; and another civilian was shot in his waist.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian, claiming that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack at “Gush Etzion” junction, south of Bethlehem. According to PCHR’s investigations, IOF could have used less lethal force. PCHR’s fieldworker stated that at approximately 06:00, an Israeli soldier stationed behind a sand berm near “Gush Etzion” intersection, south of Bethlehem, opened fire (5 m distance) at a Palestinian male, who was walking on the street and suddenly ran towards the soldier. The Palestinian male was wounded. He then fell on the ground and bled to death. IOF detained his corpse and took it to an unknown destination. IOF declared later that the Palestinian male attempted to carry out a stabbing attack at “Gush Etzion” intersection against Israeli soldiers, who could have neutralized him immediately. Israeli authorities published a video clarifying the incident, and the video showed the Palestinian male while he was walking on the sidewalk and suddenly running towards a soldier stationed behind a sand berm. During which, the Palestinian male was trying to pull out  a sharp tool, which later turned out to be a small knife attached to a stick. The soldier, who was 5 meters away from the Palestinian male, opened fire at him and directly hit him, killing him immediately. It should be noted that the Palestinian male did not pose threat to the life of the soldier, who could have used less lethal force or could have arrested him. It was later found that the victim is Mohammed Hussain ‘Amro (36), married with 3 children from Wad al-Jeef area, east of Halhul city, north of Hebron. ‘Amro was working in the cleaning services of Halhul municipal. At approximately 23:00, IOF summoned the victim’s brother Suliman to Halhul city northern intersection, told him about what happened and interrogated him before releasing him. It should be noted that on 05 January 2021, and in similar circumstances, IOF killed ‘Ahed ‘Abed al-Rahman Quqas Ikhlayil (25), from Hebron, in the same area, claiming that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack.  “Gush Etzion” complex is comprised of 20 settlements and random settlement outposts, and the intersection there is fortified and full of advanced surveillance cameras and guards.
  • At approximately 14:05, IOF stationed in military site no. 16, north of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire at Palestinian shepherds who approached the border fence, causing fear among them and forcing them to flee. No causalities or material damage were reported.
  • At approximately 07:23 on Monday, 01 February 2021, IOF stationed near the annexation wall, near Barta’a checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, opened fire at Palestinian workers who attempted to enter Israel through openings in the wall. As a result, 2 workers were shot and injured with live bullets in their lower limbs. At approximately 17:33, IOF stationed in the same area re-opened fire at Palestinian workers, wounding 2 of them, including a 15-year-old child, with live bullets in their lower limbs. The wounded were taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin for treatment.
  • At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and stationed in al-Hedra neighborhood. IOF established military checkpoints at the neighborhood entrances, searched Palestinian civilians and checked their IDs. During which, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones, Molotov Cocktails and fireworks at IOF and their vehicles. IOF immediately attacked the protestors, chased them in the neighborhood streets and fired rubber bullets and heavy teargas canisters at them. As a result, dozens of protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation. IOF also arrested 3 civilians after severely beating them and electrocuting them with stun guns. The arrestees were: ‘Ali Sameer Abu Ghannam (22), Mostafa Mohammed Abu al-Hawa (28) and Mo’taz Khaled Abu al-Hawa (19).
  • At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF moved into Kafr Malik village, northeast of Ramallah. In the meantime, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at IOF, who responded with teargas canisters, sound bombs, rubber and live bullets to disperse them. As a result, two civilians sustained wounds; a 22-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his foot; and a 19-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his thigh. Both of them received treatment on the spot. Also, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation.  IOF raided and searched several houses and arrested Fadi Ahmed Shokat ‘Imrah (23). They also handed Yaseen Ahmed B’irat’s family a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service (Shabak) in “Ofer” prison, west of Ramallah.
  • At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Deir al-Balah city and Maghazi refugee camp, in the center of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands; no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 07:15 on Wednesday, 03 February 2021, Israeli gunboats stationed off Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, and off al-Sudaniyia Shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3-6 nautical miles, opened heavy fire around them and pumped water at them, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of al-Shoka village, east of Rafah, fired teargas canisters at Palestinian farmers. As a result, many farmers suffocated to due teargas inhalation, and were forced to leave.
  1. Incursions and arrests:

Thursday, 28 January 2021:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hizma, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians; Mohammed Hussain al-Khateeb (19), Ali Yasser Kan’an (24), Waleed Salem al-Khateeb (20), and Mohammed Hamza Mobarak (23).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Eizariya village, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Islam Bassam Odwan’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Araqa village, west of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) children; Ahmed Nidal Yehya (15), Abdul Rahman Abdullah Salah (15), and Ibrahim Ammar Salama (15).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Halhul, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Yaser Ahmed Zama’ra’s (26) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Karf Aqab, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Izz al-Dein Atef Mutair (24) and Rajab Maher Mutair (26) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Omar Zaki Khwais’s (18) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:10, IOF moved into Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, southwest of Jericho. They raided and searched Mohammed al-Mimi’s (23) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services at Beit El DCO checkpoint, in the southern entrance of Jericho.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Abu Dis village, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Dawoud Afana’s (59) house and arrested him along with his son, Mo’tasem (27). IOF took them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kafr Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and handed Alaa’ Baker Naser (18) a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Ofer” detention, west of Ramallah. Meanwhile, IOF arrested (4) civilians; Mohammed Sameer Abu ‘Adi (23), his brother Ahmed (29), Mohammed Sa’di Naser (22), and Mohammed Suliman Abu ‘Adi (23).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kafr Thulth, east of Qalqilya, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Arkan Yousef Abu Safiya (23).
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Azzun, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians including a child; Yehya Wael Shbeita (26), Mohammed Emad Shbeita (18), and Waleed Isma’el Redwan (15).
  • At approximately 03:45, IOF moved into al-Yamun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Omar Kamel al-Ja’bari (32).
  • At approximately 03:55, IOF moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Omar Zakarna (24).
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Dheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Yousef Hisham Arafa’s (19) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF arrested Alaa Baker Naser (18), from Kafr Ni’ma, west of Ramallah, while referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Ofer” detention, west of Ramallah.
  • At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Mohammed Ayyoub Abu Hadwan’s (17) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF stationed at Beit Furik military checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, arrested Anas Basel Abu al-Reesh (23), from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, and took him to an unknown destination. After four hours and half, IOF arrested (3) children from the abovementioned camp. The arrestees are: Omar Emran Hashash (16), Ameer Naser Hashash (17), and Hamadallah Ahmed Hashash (16).
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF arrested Mohammed Marwan Obaid (21) and Ali Sufian Obaid (19), while present near the western entrance of al-Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. IOF took them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into al-Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Mohammed Ma’moun Muhaisen (17), Hasan Belal Mahmoud (18), and Mahmoud Sa’di al-Rajabi (25).
  • IOF carried out (8) incursions in Atuf village southeast of Tubas; Beita, Qusra, Asira al-Shamaliya, and Sebastia in Nablus governorate; Dhahiriya, Beit Ummar, and al-Shuyukh in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 29 January 2021:

  • At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of then occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yazan Emran Obaid’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF arrested Ahmed Ayesh Obaid (23), while present near the western entrance of al-Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. IOF took him to one of the investigation centers in the city.
  • IOF carried out (6) incursions in Samu and Dura in Hebron governorate; Tulkarm; Qarawat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit; Saffarin and Beit Lid, south of Tulkarm. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 30 January 2021:

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Obaidat neighborhood in Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, southeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohammed Mousa Obaidat (20) and Maher As’ad Obaidat (19) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Mo’taz Kamal Fahmawi (26), Mohammed Fayez Nasra (25), and Mosallam Sa’eed Masarwa (23).
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Dawood Mahmoud Abu al-Hawa’s (19) house and arrested him. It should be noted that Abu al-Hawa spent several days in the Israeli prisons, and he was released 6-days ago.
  • IOF carried out (10) incursions in Qabatiya and Misilyah; Ya’bad, Arraba and Kafr Ra’i in Jenin governorate; Hebron and Surif in Hebron governorate; Jayyous, Azzun, and Sir in Qalqilya. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 31 January 2021:

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (2) civilians; Khaled Saleh Hashash (21) and Mohammed Kayed Hashash (19).
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Ahmed Ali Zakarna (19), Bashar Mahmoud Abu al-Rab (20), and Mohammed Ali Abu al-Rab (19).
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF arrested Basel Dawood Abu Sbeih (22), from Hebron, after stopping him at a temporary military checkpoint established on the southern entrance of Hebron.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Hara al-Wusta area (central quarter) in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Marwan Othman al-Ghoul’s (47) house, the chairman of Silwan football club, and confiscated several documents and files. Meanwhile, IOF headed to the club, they raided and searched it and then they took al-Ghoul to Moscovia Detention Centre.
  • At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into al-Thawri neighborhood, south of the occupied East Jerusalem, and threatened to break the doors if they did not open. They raided and searched the school, the classes, and the club next to the school.

Eng. Ahmed al-Safadi, the former principal of Silwan School, said that while he was with the engineering crew of the Ministry of Education in the school yards making surveys for the school walls and yards, they were surprised to see large numbers of Israeli soldiers storming the school. Al-Safadi clarified, after IOF stormed the school, they called the school principal, Suha Shwaiky, and head of the sport club close to the school, to open all the classes and rooms in order to search them. He added that IOF only found books and stationery and withdrew from the school and no confiscates were reported.

Monday, 01 February 2021:

  • At approximately 00:45, IOF moved into al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Omar Khaled Jaber (25), a soldier in the Palestinian Security Forces.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Ahmed Abu Shanab (25).
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Lo’ay Monjed Qazzaz’s (27) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Abdul Baset Abu Alya’s (48) house and arrested his sons; Abdul Rahman (22) and Watan (19).
  • At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Hebron, and stationed at Ein Sara street. They raided and searched Abdul Haleem al-Oweiwi’s (30) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Isma’el Dawood Abu al-Hawa (15) and Ra’ed Hazem al-Sayyad (16) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 21:15, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint on the entrance of Jit village, east of Qalqilya, and arrested Mohammed Jawad Qafini (22), from Tulkarm.
  • At approximately 22:30, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint on the entrance of Azzun village, east of Qalqilya, and arrested Yehya Ali Odwan (22), from the village.
  • IOF carried out (8) incursions in Jalamah, Beit Qad, Arranah, Faqqua, Yamun, and Jaba’ villages in Jenin governorate; Far’un village and Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 02 February 2021:

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Isma’el Ahmed al-Awawda’s (55) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the camp. They raided and searched (4) houses and arrested (4) civilians, two of them were children. The arrestees are: Bashar Yaser Hassan (15), Nimir Hasan Jawabra (16), Jamal Nawwaf Jawabra (18), and Ahmed Ra’fat al-Badawi (20).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Taffuh, west of Hebron, and stationed in the west of the village. They raided and searched three houses and arrested (3) civilians; Ghassan Mohammed Irzeiqat (32), Waleed Mahmoud Irzeiqat (28), and Yousef Abdul Kareem Irzeiqat (29).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Qatanna village, northwest of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ashraf Ibrahim Shamasna’s (37) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Barta’a village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (9) civilians; Mo’nes Marwan Qabha (27), Baker Nafe’ Qabha (26), Ma’moun As’ad Qabha (27), Ahmed Mahmoud Qabha (28), Orwa Abdul Qader Jad (28), Suhail Nasif Jad (25), Mohammed Jad Jad (32), and his brothers Haitham (35) and Anan (26).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Tura village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched Riyad Ayyoub Qabha’s (26) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Abdul Salam al-As’ad (16).
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tammun, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Monawar Mohammed Bsharat (47), along with his son, Fahed (23).
  • At approximately 03:50, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Ramallah, and stationed in several neighborhoods in the city. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Wissam Saqer Hanaisha (28), and Atta Khattab (30).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Beitunia, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Naseem Sami Owda (26), and Diaa’ Mahmoud al-Faroukh (26).
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Ahmed Riyad Hashash (24), Ahmed Naser Hashash (20), and Saleh Mohammed Abu Asab (38).
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Jenin, and stationed in al-Hadaf area and Burqin valley near Jenin refugee camp. They raided and searched Ahmed I’temad Qasrawi’s (26) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Yaser al-Jayyar’s (15) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 10:00, IOF arrested Nathir Mohammed Nassar (23), after referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, after summonsing him via a phone call.
  • Around the same time, IOF arrested Yassin Ahmed Ba’irat (22), from Kafr Malik village, northeast of Ramallah. While referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Ofer” detention, west of Ramallah.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Obeid neighborhood in al-Isawiya village, northeast the occupied East Jerusalem. They stormed and searched a fish store and arrested Saif Ramadan Obaid (25).
  • At approximately 21:15, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint on the main street between Nablus and Qalqilya. They arrested Mohammed Qaher Abu Haniya (22), Bara’ Qaher Abu Haniya (25), and Mahmoud Khaldoun Redwan (26), from Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Ya’bad and Burqin in Jenin; Shuqba and Budrus in Ramallah governorate. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 03 February 2021:

  • At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus, and stationed in the eastern side of the city, in “Joseph Tomb” area to secure the entry of dozens of settlers to the Tomb. The settlers prayed then IOF secured their withdrawal.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kafr al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched several houses and arrested the lawyer Hussam Abdul Hakim al-Dik (34).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Eizariya, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians; Ibrahim Hafez al-Warni (16), Abdullah Mohammed Ma’touq (19), and Salam Salah (22).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Qasem Saba’na (27).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Shwiaka, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayman Khaled Obaid (23), Wassim Maher As’ad (20), and Yousef Mohammed Muhanna (24).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two civilians: Ibrahim Mostafa Abu Awad (21), and Mohammed Bassam Ghatasha (22).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Hizmah, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (5) civilians, including a child. The arrestees are: Hamad Ali al-Khateeb (34), Owda Ahmed Askar (25), Bashar Askar al-Khateeb (25), Qusai Hamed al-Khateeb (19) and his brother, Fadi (16).
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Ibrahim Hussain Abu Ayyash (20), and Izzat Ahmed Awad (25).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Sebastia, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians; the twins Naser and Nasr Ahmed al-Sha’er (19), Malik Medhat Kayed (22), and Assem Abdul Majeed Dababsa (20).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Asira al-Shamaliya, north of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Azzam Emad Jawabra (23).
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Teqoa, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (5) civilians including two children. The arrestees are: Ahmed Suliman Abu Mfarreh (17), Bashar Hatem Sabbah (16), Ahmed Owdallah al-‘Ammour (29), Oday Mohammed al-‘Ammour (22) and Awadallah Adel al-‘Ammour (19).
  • At approximately 11:30, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint on the entrance of Jericho. They arrested Samer Mohammed Abu Murad (19) from Jenin refugee camp and took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into al-Thawri neighborhood, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several stores and arrested Ehab Zakariya Nasr al-Dein (42), and Rabea’ Nidal Ghaith (32).
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Yatta, Sa’ir, and al-Aroub refugee camp, in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

  • At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 28 January 2021, the Israeli Municipality bulldozers demolished an agricultural room in Khelet al-Nahel area in Wadi Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem, allegedly for unlicensed construction.
  • Rami Abu ‘Ahour, Head of Wadi Rahhal village council, said that IOF moved into Khelet al-Nahlah area and demolished a 20-sqm agricultural room belonging to Na’im Mohammed Mustafa Radi and levelled areas of Palestinian agricultural land. They uprooted dozens of olive trees and beat up Mousa Mohammed Herzallah, causing him bruises.
  • Around the same time, IOF backed up by military vehicles and accompanied with an Israeli Administration vehicle and crane moved into al-Wad al-Ahmar area, north of Fasayil village in the Northern Jordan Valley, north of Jericho. IOF deployed in the area and surrounded it.  They brought workers from Israeli private companies to dismantle 8 barracks; 5 were used for grazing sheep and 3 were residential.  Those barracks belong to Ibrahim Soliman Abu ‘Arouj (48) and his son Ra’fat (27) and were demolished without a prior warning allegedly for building in Area C.
  • At approximately 12:00, IOF backed by 2 military vehicles and accompanied with an Israeli Administration vehicle and a truck moved into Um al-Rayan area in as-Sawahira village, east of occupied Eat Jerusalem. The Civil Administration officers dismantled a tinplated dwelling built on area of 60 Sqms and a barrack for grazing sheep belonging to Isma’il Saray’ah and confiscated them allegedly for unlicensed construction.
  • On Saturday morning, 31 January 2021, Mazen ‘Abdel Fattah ‘Awawdah, from Deir Sammit village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron, self-demolished an agircutotural room built of bricks and tinplate on an area of 15 Sqms in his land near the annexation wall 4 months ago in western Deir Sammit. The demolition came after ‘Awawdah received a military notice to demolish the room within 72 hours, during which he could not file any challenge before the competent authorities in the Israeli Administration.
  • His son, Mousa (30), said to PCHR’s fieldworker that: “we carried out the demolition fearing that the military bulldozers would enter and damage our land as well as cutting olive trees. Moreover, the demolition decision did not give us the enough time to challenge it.”                                   
  • At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 01 February 2021, IOF backed by a military vehicle and accompanied with an Israeli Administration vehicle moved into Khelet al-Fara near Umm el Amad village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed in the area while the Israeli Administration officer handed Fawzi Hammad Khalil Abu Tabikh 3 notices to stop construction works in 3 dwellings that shelter his family of 15 members: his 3 wives and children.  The notices were allegedly for unlicensed construction in Area C, noting that IOF previously handed Abu Tabikh notices to stop work when he started constructing those dwellings back in 18 July 2018.
  • On Monday morning, 01 February 2021, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out a large-scale demolition operation against civilian properties in Hemsa al-Foqa area in the northern Jordan valleys, eastern Tubas. Twenty-eight homes and facilities were demolished, displacing 85 Palestinians, including 45 children in the operation. These demolitions are part of an accelerated campaign by IOF to demolish and destroy Palestinians’ homes and properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, under the Israeli annexation and settlement-expansion schemes in what can only be considered an act of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Palestinian population.
  • According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 08:45 on Monday, IOF accompanied by Israeli Civil Administration SUVs and construction vehicles, moved into Kherbet Hemsa al-Foqa in the northern Jordan valleys, eastern Tubas. Immediately, workers accompanying IOF proceeded to demolish and dismantle civilian homes and sheep barns, loaded them onto their trucks and confiscated their contents. The demolition included 14 residential tents, 7 tents and 5 barracks for cattle; the destroyed structures belonged to 11 families (85 civilians, including 45 children) who were rendered homeless. IOF told the affected area’s residents to accompany them to be transferred to Ein Shibley area, west of Al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan valleys; however, they refused to leave the area. IOF threatened the residents that they would return the following day and expel them from Hemsa al-Foqa. It should be noted that on 03 November 2020, IOF conducted a wide-scale demolition campaign in the same area that included the demolition of 70 homes and facilities and displacing 60 Palestinians (mostly children).
  • At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF accompanied with a truck-mounted crane moved through al-Jalama village entrance on Jenin- Nazareth Street near al-Jamalah Checkpoint, north of Jenin. IOF removed 40 stalls for selling vegetables, fruits and food supplies near al-Jalamah checkpoint after confiscating all the contents, including the vegetables, fruits, strollers and tin plates, under the pretext of being located near the checkpoint.  Some owners of the stalls were identified as Mohammed, Rayeq, Mahmoud and Fayez Sha’aban; Ahmed Zidat, Walid Abu Zahow; Mazen NAssar; Ahmed Abu Hannanah; Mohammed Abu Shahlah; Mohammed Abu Jomhour; Mohammed al-‘Ejawi; Mohammed Jerar; Ma’an Qasrawi; Papers al-Sa’di and Monjeh Jaramnah.   The owners’ losses were estimated at more than ILS30,000.
  • At approximately 12:00, IOF accompanied with the Israeli Civil Administration SUV moved into the archeological site near al-‘Aaj Palace in western Sebastia village, northwest of Nablus. The Civil Administration officer stuck a notice to remove the fence surrounding the 3.5-dunum land owned by Mustafa Yousef Sokar from the village under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.
  • In the evening, Mo’ataz Ahmed Khalil self-demolished his house in al-Shayyah area in Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, pursuant to the Israeli Municipality’s decision allegedly for unlicensed construction.

The houseowner, Moa’taz Khalil, said that he built his house 10 years ago where he lived with his wife and 2 kids, Norsin and Wadi’a.  Khalil added that the Israeli Municipality has been haunting him since he moved to his house.  Over the last years, the Israeli court held 9 hearings for the house and fined him with 24,000 shekels.  Khalil said that the Israeli court asked his lawyer in the last hearing to pay 35,000 shekels as a guarantee until the next hearing on 17 February or he demolishes the house within a month.  The lawyer informed the court that he cannot afford it as he has been unemployed since last March due to coronavirus pandemic.  Khalil added that an Israeli officer arrived at the house and threatened him if he did not demolish his house, he will be forced to pay 50,000 shekels as well as the demolition costs for the Israeli Municipality officers.  As a result, he had to self-demolish his house with his brothers’ help so that he spares himself the high demolition costs, which he cannot afford.  Khalil also said that his 50Sqm house is comprised of 2 rooms and a bathroom in addition to an old room built on an area of 20 Sqms.  Khalil pointed out that building his house cost him 200,000 shekels and he had to pay tens of thousands of shekels as lawyer’s fees over the last years.

  • On the same evening, Ihsan Abu al-So’oud self-demolished his commercial facility in Ras al-‘Amoud, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, pursuant to the Israeli Municipality’s decision allegedly for unlicensed construction. The facility’s owner said that he had owned an automobile repair shop in Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood for 17 years on an area of 120 Sqms. Abu al-So’oud added that when renewed the shop 7 years ago, the Israeli municipality chased him and imposed construction fines of more than 70,000 shekels and he still pays for it.  Abu al-So’oud also said that the court held several hearings for the shop, and in the last one, it issued a final decision to demolish it and gave him 21 days to carry out the demolition.  As a result, he had to implement the demolition decision by himself although the shop was the only source of living for him and his sons who work with him.
  • At approximately 06:45 on Wednesday, 03 February 2021, IOF accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration SUVs and workers in Israeli private companies and backed by 2 bulldozers and 3 truck mounted cranes moved into Kherbet Humus (al-Baqi’ah) in the Northern Jordan Valleys, east of Tubas. Immediately, the bulldozers and accompanied workers demolished and dismantled dwellings and sheep barns and loaded them on the cranes.  They confiscated them along with all the residential contents.  The demolition included 15 residential and sheep barn tents in addition to other property belonging to 9 Palestinian families.  They also confiscated 2 cars belonging to the Wall Resistance Commission and another car belonging to Ayman Rabah Bani ‘Odah.
Person AffectedDamage
1-Harb Soliman Ifreij Abu Kabbash and his brother Mohammed3 sheep barns demolished and confiscated (800 meters)3 residential tents demolished and confiscated (120 meters)An open sheep barn demolished (700 meters)A mud oven demolishedA 40-meter tent confiscated
2-‘Abdel Ghani al-‘Awawdah and his sons Anas and Mo’azA sheep barrack demolished and confiscated (200 meters)A feeds barrack demolished and confiscated (100 meters)2 residential tents demolished and confiscated (90 meters each)A mobile bathroom demolished and confiscated2 water tanks confiscated
3-Isma’il Freij Abu al-Kabbash and his sons, Nazem and Nizam,3 mobile bathrooms demolished2 sheep tents demolished (200 meters)Residential tents (80 meters) demolished2 tents confiscated (90 meters)A mud oven demolishedA water tank confiscated

In the evening, IOF headed to Kherbet Humus al-Foqa and removed 4 tents set by Palestinians to protect the residents whose dwellings were demolished in the last few hours.

  • At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 03 February 2021, IOF accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration SUV and a bulldozer moved into ‘Anin village, west of Jenin. Immediately, the bulldozer demolished 11 stalls near the annexation wall in al-Thaher area near ‘Anin School for Boys in western ‘Anin.  Those stalls were the only source of income for their owners as they sell food supplies for the workers heading to work in Israel via the holes in the wall.  IOF expelled the owners after damaging the contents under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.  It should be noted that IOD notified the stalls’ owners on 16 February 2020 of removing them.  On 17 January 2021, IOF damaged contents of the stalls belonging to Radi, Mahmoud and Mohammed Yehia Khaddour; Osayd, Yazid and Walid Yousif ‘Issa; Isma’il Khalil Yasin; ‘Issam Dawwas ‘Issa; Hakam and Ashraf Hussein Yasin; and Mohammed Nader ‘Issa.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF bulldozers demolished an under-construction house and 70-meter fences in Marj al-‘Anati area in ‘Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Taha No’man, ‘Anata Mayor, said that IOF demolished an under-construction house which included a concrete-roofed room and fences belonging to ‘Abdel Majeed ‘Eid Ziyad, under the pretext of unlicensed-construction. No’man said that the Israeli authorities demolished 12 facilities in ‘Anata village last January and still carry out a fierce demolition campaign against houses and facilities in the village.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF backed by a military vehicle and accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle and two excavators moved into ​​Khelet al-Forn, south of Hebron. IOF deployed in the area while vehicles began to demolish a 200-Sqm under construction house belonging to Mohammed Jamal al-Sarsour. The demolition was carried out allegedly for illegal construction in Area C. The Israeli authorities had previously notified al-Sarsour to stop construction work and demolish it.

Kherbet Khelet al-Forn is located in southern Hebron, west of the Bypass Road 60, opposite to the intersection leading to the “Bani Hefer” settlement built on the Bani Na’im village.  The village is inhabited by 150 persons; most of them are Bedouins who came from Beersheba and bought part of its lands.  The residents work in agriculture and sheep grazing.

Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property

  • At approximately 19:15 on Thursday, 29 January 2021, a group of Israeli settlers closed the main street that connects Nablus with Qalqilya (Street 55.) Immediately, citizens from Izbat al-Tabib village in eastern Qalqilya, attempted to open the street and prevent settlers from closing it.  IOF then fired sound bombs and teargas canisters to disperse the citizens and beat some of them, including the head of the village council, Bayan al-Tabib, IOF detained a number of citizens and later released them.
  • At approximately 10:20, a group of settlers sneaked into the Jinsafut village outskirts in eastern Qalqilya. And when they were recognized, citizens confronted them and forced them to leave, especially after citizens’ calls to gather in the area.
  • At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 01 February 2021, a group of settlers moved into Kafl Haris village, north of Salfit, under the pretext of visiting tombs to perform religious rituals inside. During which, settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles and houses and threw stones at them.  As a result, windows of 8 vehicles were broken and a house’s lighting.

Collective Punishment Measures:

As part of the IOF’s collective punishment policy against the families of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against it and/or settlers, the Israeli Supreme Court approved the demolition of a prisoner’s house in Jenin.

On Wednesday, 03 February 2021, the Israeli Supreme Court approved the demolition of a house belonging to Mohammed Kabha, a Palestinian prisoner in the Israeli jails from Tourah village, southwest of Jenin. IOF accused Kabha of killing an Israeli female settler, Esther Horgen, in an attack in Ahrash Rihan on 20 December 2020.  The Court decided to demolish 2 floors of the house where he lived with his wife and 3 kids.

  1. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West Bank:

In addition to 108 permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals 76 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 8 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Jerusalem:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Hizma village, east of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at Az-Za’ayyem village intersection and at the western entrance to Isawiya village, northeast of the city.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Biddu village and at the intersection of Al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem.

Ramallah:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint on a road connecting between Ras Karkar and Deir Ibzi villages, west of the city.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Ni’lin village.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Beit Ur al-Fauqa village.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sinjil village.
  • On Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Silwad, Turmus Ayya, Sinjil, and Deir Abu Mash’al villages, and on a road connecting between Ras Karkar and Deir Ibzi villages, west of the city.

Bethlehem:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint in ‘Aqabet Hussina area.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF closed al-Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, and re-opened it later. IOF also established 2 checkpoints in in ‘Aqabet Hussina area and near al-Nashnash area, south of Bethlehem.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance to Beit Jala city.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village and at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem.
  • On Monday, 01 February 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village and near al-Nashnash area, south of Bethlehem.
  • On Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village and near al-Nashnash area, south of Bethlehem.

Jericho:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the southern and northern entrances to Jericho, and at the entrance to Ein ad-Duyuk village.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance to Jericho.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the southern and northern entrances to Jericho.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat road, which connects between Ramallah and Jericho.
  • On Monday, 01 February 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Jericho, and near the intersection of Ein ad-Duyuk village.
  • On Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho.

Jenin:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint between Silat al-Harithiya and Ti’inik villages, west of Jenin.

Hebron:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established 5 checkpoints at the southern and western entrances to Hebron, at the entrances to Bani Na’im and Jalajel villages, and at the entrance to Fawwar refugee camp.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Awwa and Idhna villages, at the northern entrance to Halhul city.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Sa’ir, Beit Ummar and Idhna villages, at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the northern entrance to Halhul city.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Beit Ummar village and at the southern entrance to Halhul city.
  • On Wednesday, 03 February 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna and Yatta, at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the northern entrance to Halhul city.

Qalqilya:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village, east of the city.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Azzun and Jayyous villages, north of the city.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azzun village, at the southern entrance to Qalqilya, and between Jayyous and Nabi Ilyas villages, east of the city.
  • On Monday, 01 February 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Azzun village and at the eastern entrance to Qalqilya.

Salfit:

  • On Thursday, 28 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint twice at the northern entrance to Salfit.
  • On Friday, 29 January 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit.
  • On Saturday, 30 January 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Deir Ballut, Kifl Haris and Kafr ad-Dik villages, west of Salfit.
  • On Sunday, 31 January 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Salfit and at the entrance to Deir Ballut village, west of the city.
  • On Tuesday, 02 February 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Deir Ballut and Kifl Haris villages, and at the northern entrance to Salfit.

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in Palestine (15– 21 October 2020)

 in Weekly Reports

15 – 21 October 2020

  • 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a journalist, wounded in IOF excessive use of force
  • shootings reported at agricultural lands and 2 others against fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip
  • In 97 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 95 civilians arrested, including 8 children
  • Collective punishment policy: IOF seals a detainee’s room in Jenin
  • Settler-attacks: Olive trees damaged, and lands flooded with wastewater in the West Bank
  • IOF established 85 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, IOF attacks rendered 5 Palestinian civilians wounded in excessive use of force. IOF also continued to create new-facts on the  ground by maintain its policy of demolishing, confiscating and razing Palestinian houses and facilities for its settlement expansion schemes. Israeli-settler attacks witnessed an increase against farmers and agricultural lands as this time of the year marks the olive harvest season.

The publishing of this report is accompanied by the rapidly deteriorating health condition of on-hunger-strike Palestinian administrative detainee Maher al-Akhras (50); al-Akhras has been on hunger strike since the first day of his arrest by IOF on 27 July 2020, marking the 87th consecutive day in protest to his detention without charge or trial. Al-Akhras continues to be locked in under administrative detention despite his critical health. PCHR renews its call upon the international community to pressure Israel to release al-Akhras, as no legal means can be pursued for this purpose due to the nature of administrative detention which is conducted without charge or trial. PCHR urges the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 1967 to intervene immediately to facilitate his release.

This week, PCHR documented 178 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt. It should be noted that the limitations due to the corona virus pandemic, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information contained in this report are only part of the continued IOF violations.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: 5 civilians wounded in IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank, including 2 children and a journalist. The journalist was shot and wounded due to IOF oppression of a protest in Ramallah, 2 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF suppression of Kafr Qaddum – Qalqilya weekly protest; 2 children wounded in clashes in Hebron.

In the Gaza Strip, 2 IOF shootings were reported at agricultural lands and twice at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike at a vacant land eastern Deir al-Balah, Central Gaza.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 97 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 95 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 children.

Collective Punishment Policy: As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed Nazmi Asfour’s room; Asfour is imprisoned by Israel and he is from Yabad village in Jenin.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 7 violations, including:

  • Tubas: construction vehicle and truck confiscated; tin-plated barracks (100sqm) demolished, and a spring razed.
  • East Jerusalem: store vacated for demolition, and a tent was demolished;
  • Hebron: 4 facilities demolished;
  • Qalqilya: supermarket demolished;
  • Jericho: a house (made of bricks and tin plates) demolished.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers documented 2 attacks: 25 olive trees damaged in Qaryut; agricultural lands flooded with wastewater in Nablus.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

 I. Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

  • At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF stormed the main road of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, positioned on the rooftops of the buildings and forced stores’ owners to close shop. Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses in al-Mahmoud neighborhood, and arrested Mohammed Dawoud Mahmoud (16). Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered at the entrance of the neighborhood and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF vehicles, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 16 October 2020, villagers from Barqa village, east of Ramallah, organized a peaceful demonstration, attended by Waleed Assaf, the head of the National Commission against the Annexation Wall and Colonies, and a number of foreign solidarity activists. The demonstrators gathered and launched from al-Nour mosque, in the center of the village, heading to the agricultural lands in Ra’s al-‘Aqaba area, northwest of Barqa, adjacent to Bypass (60). The protest was against settlers’ attacks on their lands during the annual olive harvest, as the protestors sang their national slogans calling for ending the occupation and condemning its crimes. As they arrived, they found a group of settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, who attempted to prevent Palestinians from entering their lands for the olive harvest, but the protestors confronted them and managed to access their lands. IOF fired rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs. The clashes resulted in dozens of protestors suffocating due to teargas inhalation, and (4) civilians were hit with rubber bullets, including the journalist Hisham Abu Shaqra, a photographer at the Anadolu Agency, who was hit with a rubber bullet in the neck. The injured civilians were taken to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah. During the clashes, IOF attacked the three journalists; Emad Mohammed Is’eid Khaled Sabarna and Abood Younis, by pushing and assaulting them. The clashes continued until 11:00; the settlers set fire to 5 perennial olive trees, parts of them were damaged before the villagers succeeded in putting out the fire.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF stationed at the “northern entrance” established on Kafr Qaddum lands, north of Qalqilya, suppressed a protest attended by dozens of Palestinian civilians. IOF chased the young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them, and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were shot; one of them was shot in his chest, and the other was shot in his lower limbs.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, and started searching civilians and checking their ID cards. Meanwhile, dozens of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, a group of Palestinian activists organized a peaceful protest near the bypass road (317), east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans, until the Israeli forces came and banned the participants to move further. Meanwhile, IOF attacked Suliman Eid al-Hathalin (70), and took him to their military vehicles, and then to a detention center in “Carmiel” settlement; he was released an hour later.
  • At approximately 16:00, a group of young men gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area, in the center of Hebron, where the Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint on the entrance of al-Shuhada’ closed street. A group of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by chasing the stone-throwers and firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes continued until approximately 19:00 and resulted in 2 children sustaining wounds; a 14-year-old was shot in the head, and a 13-year-old was shot in the right leg. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 08:25 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened heavy fire at them causing fear and panic among them and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened fire at them and a number of flare bombs in the sky, causing fear and panic among the Palestinian fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at an empty land east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, no injuries were reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF stationed inside the border fence with Israel east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza’a, and no injuries were reported. At approximately 14:30, IOF opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, and no injuries were reported.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 15 October 2020:

  • At approximately 12:35, IOF moved into Sebastya village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayham Nahed Aqel (21) and Shahed Arafat Kayed (20).
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Arafat Hamdan (19) and Mohammed Khalil Hamdan (22) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mawalih area, in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Awwad Awwad’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yitma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Moheeb Lafi Snobar (21) and Oday Ahmed Snobar (20).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Anas Maher Jouda (23) and Mo’taz Nazih Badawna (21) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Nobough Najm al-Barghouthi (33) and Melad Tawfiq Sha’ban (32) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched three houses belonging to Montaser Abdullah Zemari (30) and Esam Rasheed Radwan (31) and his brother Mohammed (33) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Yehya Abdul Fattah al-As’ad (20) and Salem Mohammed Abu Mas’oud (23) and arrested them. Meanwhile, IOF raided and searched Abdul Salam Mahmoud Abu Ya’qoub’s (30) house, by broking the door of the house.
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al0Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested (12) civilians including 4 children and took them to al-Maskoubeya police station in West Jerusalem. (Arrestees names are available at PCHR).
  • During dawn hours, IOF moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched Sohaib Ibrahim Shuqair’s house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Amjad Gharouf and As’ad Ajaj, while documenting the entrance of a Gulf delegation to al-Aqsa Mosque under the Israeli forces’ heavy protection and took them to one of the investigation centers in the occupied city.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Khalayil al-Lawz area, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Morad Melsh’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested Mohammed Khaled Toffaha (21), from the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, while present in al-Sultan Suliman street in the occupied city center. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Tubas and Sebastya in Nablus governorate, Deir Istiya and al-Zawiya villages in Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 16 October 2020:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Owa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Qusai Ghazi al-Shalash’s (20) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Ashraf Samir Jawabra’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:40, an Israeli infantry unit moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Samir Fayez al-Tirawi (50) and Musallam Yousef Ghawanmah (20).
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Dawoud Amer (34), while passing through it. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mohammed Ladadwa’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Lo’ay Ashraf Mahmoud’s (17) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out two incursions in Hebron and Beit Kahel in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 17 October 2020:

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura city, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 siblings, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as Jevara Ma’an al-Namoura (24), Akram (33)  and Kayed (30) Mohammed al-Fasfous.
  • IOF carried out (10) incursions in Sebastia and Beit Dajan villages in Nablus; Halhul city and Nuba, Taffuh and Hadab villages in Hebron; and Yatma, Iraq Burin, Urif, and Tell villages in Nablus. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 18 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Nimer al-Nouri’s house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Khaled Abu al-Hawa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 07:00, IOF stationed at al-Za’im military checkpoint, east of occupied East Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed Murshed Za’aqeeq (24), from Beit Ummar village in northern Hebron, while passing through the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested Yousef Ashraf Jawabrah (19) after stopping him at a military checkpoint, at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. Jawabrah was taken to a detention center in “Gush Ezion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tarqumiyah in Hebron; Jalazone camp in northern Ramallah .No arrests were reported.

Monday, 19 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adam Yousef ‘Obaid’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Saf Street in central Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner ‘Abed al-Hado ‘Aref Hammad and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Yehia Mosbah ‘Alawi’s (26) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Beit El” settlement, north of Al-Bireh.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Rashad Sowan (21) and Hozaifa ‘Abed al-Naser Ghanem (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Helwa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Al-Eizariya village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Majd Mohammed Mutair (24) and Fahmi Mohammed ‘Edwan (21) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. They raided and searched 4 houses, from which they arrested Saleem Mazen Jawabrah (19), Qusai Sakem al-Badawi (19), Tamer Samer al-Badawi (20), and Mohammed Jamal al-Badawi (21).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Mohammed Yehia Mutair (29) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Hebron, where they raided and searched ‘Abed al-Qader ‘amer Abu ‘Ishah’s (59) house and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 07:58, IOF moved into ‘Atouf village in Central Jordan Valley, east of Tammun village, southeast of Tubas, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed in the village’s eastern side, where they prevented ‘Ayid Mostafa ‘Abed al-Razeq Bani ‘Odah from casting his house roof. IOF also detained the workers’ IDs and ordered the mounted-crane truck owner to leave the village.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested Fatama Rabah Abu al-Humus (17) and Sadeen Fadi Mostafa (17) while present on Salah al-Deen Street in central occupied East Jerusalem. IOF pushed them under the pretext that they did not wear masks and imposed fines of NIS 1500 on them. Both of them were taken to a police station on Salah al-Deen Street. Meanwhile, Palestinian young men gathered in the area to help the two girls and verbal altercation erupted between them and IOF. 
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood, one of al-Aqsa Mosque neighborhoods. They raided and searched Hamza al-Joulani’s (19) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested al-Aqsa Mosque guards Saied al-Salimah (48) and Issa Barakat (42) from their workplace in the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, taking them to al-Qashla Police Station. They were interrogated for several hours and released later, provided that they will be deported from al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
  • At approximately 18:50, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ameen ‘Obaid’s (46) house and arrested him along with his son ‘Odai (20). It should be noted that ‘Odai served 18 months in the Israeli jails, and he was released few hours before raiding his house.
  • IOF carried out (1) incursion in Al-Bireh city. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Hitham Mer’i Shehada (34) and Saif Hafzi Abu Lebda (27) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Abu Subaieh’s (24) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched Nour Waleed Mohammed Musbah’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 12:15, IOF stationed at the entrance to  Jit village, north of Qalqilya, arrested Khaled ‘Ali Redwan (26), from Nabi Ilyas village, east of Qalqilya.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm’s eastern neighborhood. They raided and searched a restaurant in the mentioned neighborhood and arrested Amjad Mohammed Ahmed Abu Shanab (45), who is working the restaurant, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, IOF stationed near the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, arrested 3 civilians, from Azzun village. The arrestees were identified as Yehia ‘Abed al-Hafiz ‘Ali Edwan (22), Mohammed Qaher Abu Haniyia (22) and Majd Radi Ahmed Radi (24).
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF stationed at Tayaseer military checkpoint, east of Tubas, north of the West Bank, arrested Hitham Nedal Qasrawi (19), from Tubas, while returning from his workplace and passing through the checkpoint.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tulkarm city and in Deir al-Ghusun and Zeita villages in northern Tulkarm .No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Aida Camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wesam Yousef Badawna (20) and Mostafa Ibrahim Qanees (34) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into Beitunia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ahmed Riyad Shehada’s house and arrested his sons ‘Abed al-Hadi (22) and Mohammed (26).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kalandia Camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mostafa Mohammed Mutair (20) and Osama Nai’em Hamad (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Hamza Habes ‘Alami’s (20) house and arrested him. 
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mahmoud Mohanad ‘Odah (15) and Sultan Samer Sarhan (15) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Dawha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Anas ‘Adnan Malash (25) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kafr Qallil village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched houses and arrested Thaier Waleed ‘Abed al-Jaleel Ahmed ‘Amer (40).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Freha area, north of Beit Sahour city. They raided and searched Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Abiyat’s (42) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Ash-Shuyukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Marwan Mohammed Hasasnah’s (28) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Nasrallah Mahmoud Mahmoud (18) and Taj al-Deen Maher Muhaisin (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 20:00, Israeli infantry unit moved into Sebastia village, southwest of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They arrested Ramzi Naser al-Haj (20), ‘Ali Maher Ghazal (19) and Khaled Nadi ‘Azzam (20).
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Yatta, Surif and Idhna villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Collective Punishment Measures

  • As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed a room belonging to a Palestinian imprisoned by Israel.

According to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a truck loaded with plastic pipes filled with water and other materials moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, northern West Bank. They stationed in the village’s southern neighborhood and surrounded ‘Asfour family 3-storey building that shelters 3 families (20 persons, including 8 children). The building is owned by 3 brothers, including Nazmi Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (49), who is imprisoned by Israel on charges of killing an Israeli soldier in Ya’bad village on 12 May 2020. IOF locked the three families in a room on the ground floor; then soldiers went up to ‘Asfour’s bedroom on the third floor, closed the room and hung a small board on its door written on it: “The room was closed with polyurethane foam (a flammable substance that has an unpleasant odor), upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander.” At approximately 06:30, IOF withdrew, but the family was unable to enter the building due to the foul smell stemming from the substance placed in the room.

Ra’fat ‘Atiyia Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (25) stated the following to PCHR’s fieldworker:

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF raided our 3-storey house in al-Saliymah neighborhood in Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. The house shelters 3 siblings and their families. I live on the 1st floor along with my father ‘Atiya Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour, my mother, and my brother; while my uncle Rebhi and his family of 7 members live on the 2nd floor; and my uncle Nazmi and his family of 9 members live on the 3rd floor. IOF detained us in one room located on the 1st floor. Meanwhile, some soldiers went up to the third floor and entered my uncle’s bedroom, who is a prisoner in Israeli jails, and closed it upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander. My family denies all charges against my uncle Nazmi. IOF stayed in the building until 6:30. After their withdrawal, we headed towards the third floor, but we could not enter the building due to the unpleasant smell emanating from the material placed in the room. I could see a board written on it “Upon a decision issued by the Israeli military commander, the room was closed with polyurethane foam.”

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

  • At approximately 14:05 on Thursday, 14 October 2020, IOF stormed Al-Hamma village in Jordan’s northern valleys, southeast of Tubas, north of the West bank. IOF confiscated a bulldozer and a truck, which were beside an agricultural road that was paved in the abovementioned village. The confiscated bulldozer and the truck that were owned by Obai Mustafa Kamel Thaher, from Ain Al Beida village in Jordan’s northern valleys were taken to “Mehola” settlement in the northern valleys without any confiscation paper.  IOF claimed that the confiscation was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C).
  • On Saturday morning, 17 October 2020, Ayman Mousa Ja’abis started evacuating his commercial shop in al-Salah neighborhood in Jabel Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem in order to self-demolish to implement the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of illegal construction.

Ja’abis said that he established his 60-square-meter shop to sell construction materials in 2015. After one week of his construction, Israeli municipality raided the shop and handed Ja’abis the demolition decision. Ja’abis clarified that he headed to the Israeli court to freeze the demolition decision and he hired a lawyer and an engineer to start measures of obtaining the shop. He added that the Israeli municipality rejected giving him a license under the pretext of establishing “The American Road” Project and imposed a fine of NIS 70,000 in addition to the lawyer and the engineer’s fees. Ja’abis emphasized that IOF lately raided his shop and gave 72 hours to demolish it, or the municipality crews will demolish it and then impose him demolition costs. Therefore, he had to self-demolish his shop. Ja’abis said that his shop was his sole source of income for him and his family comprised of 7 individuals and he searched for a small shop in the village and nearby villages, but he failed to find one.

  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF backed by several military construction vehicles, a bulldozer, and 2 diggers, and accompanied with Civil Administration officers stormed al-Fakhit area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed in the area while the bulldozers demolished  4 facilities owned by  Akram Sari Mohammed Nawajah (45):
  • A tent comprised of shader and built on (20sqm) and used as a store.
  • A residential room built of bricks and tin plate on (30sqm).
  • Barracks build of tin plate and rocks on (130sqm) and used for sheltering 100 sheep.
  • A barn built of shader and rocks on an area of (80sqm).
  • At approximately 10:40 on Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a bulldozer stormed Kherbat al-Farisiyah village in Jordan’s northern valleys, east of Tubas. The demolished a barracks built on (100sqm) used for living owned by Radad Hamed Rezeq Daraghmah. The demolition was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C). The bulldozer also demolished a water spring that was repaired more than 7 years ago by a group of hydrologists. Demolishing it caused damage to a fish project. IOF also confiscated a vehicle and power engine owned by Daraghmah.
  • At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer stormed Qalqilya. They demolished a market stall built on (500sqm) owned by Abdulla Abdul Fattah Yasin and Mahdi Redwan Dawoud, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (G) that is under the IOF’s control. It should be noted that the demolition implemented before the end of the appeal period to the Israeli Supreme Court as no final decision was issued for the demolition. The owners received a demolition notice 4 months ago and they hired a lawyer who filed a case. However, the submitted appeal received no response.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF demolished a tent in Beit Iksa village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem and forced its owner to leave it by force. Beit Iksa Village’s Municipality stated that IOF stormed north of the village and demolished a tent owned by Khalil Abu Dahouk and forced him to leave the area along with his sheep. It should be noted that Beit Iksa village faces difficult conditions as IOF established a permanent checkpoint at its entrance and they prevent civilians from entering or leaving it, except under impossible conditions. IOF also deny this village’s resident from communication with other adjacent villages. Beit Iksa village also is subjected to harassments by IOF that seek to isolate it from other villages. IOF allow Beit Iksa village’s residents to live and construct in 700 dunums only of a 7398 dunums of the village. The Israeli the Israeli Civil Administration  seize control of most of the village distance and use it to prevents its residents from urban expansion in the village that is surrounded by the annexation wall. IOF also confiscated large areas of Beit Iksa lands for various purposes, such as establishing “Ramot” and “Har Shmuel” Settlements in addition to the annexation wall that isolates the village of its agricultural lands.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF backed by several military SUVs and accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a digger stormed “Tal Al-Samadi” area in Jiftlik village, north of Jericho. They demolished a house built of bricks and tin plates on (40sqm) owned by Hasan Salem Ka’abna under the pretext of illegal construction.

Israeli Settlers’ Attacks

  • At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, Bilal Mohammed Raja went to his land in al-Sahlat area, east of Qaryut village, southeast of Nablus near Shvut Rachel settlement, to harvest the olive. Raja found out that Israeli settlers broke and uprooted 25 olive trees, knowing that these trees were implanted 6 years ago.
  • On Monday morning, 19 October 2020, a group of setters from “Elon Moreh” settlement established on lands of Salim, Azmut , and Deir al-Hatab villages, northeast of Nablus, pumped waste-water from inside their settlement to civilians’ lands implanted with olive trees in the eastern side of Deir al-Hatab village, coinciding with the time to harvest the olive, which caused  big loss for farmers after the trees were polluted.

V. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West bank:

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. IOF established 58 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 9 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against

Individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Jerusalem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Ijza village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem.

Bethlehem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, east of Bethlehem.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, the northern entrance to Tuqu village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village, and the southern entrance to Nahalin village, west of the city.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, northern entrance to al-Khader village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, and the square of Fureidis village, east of Bethlehem.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Tuqu village, the intersection to al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem.

Ramallah:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the intersection of At-Tayba village ( at the road linking between Ramallah and Jericho), east of Ramallah, the entrance to Ein Yabrud village, east of the city, and the main entrance to Nabi Salih village, northeast of Ramallah.

Hebron:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Yatta, Dura, and as-Samu village.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Surif and Bani Na’im villages.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: al-Fawar refugee camp, Ash-Shuyukh village, Hebron’s southern entrance, and Kharsa village.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: Hebron’s northern entrance, al-Aroub refugee camp, and Jalajel village.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 7 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna village, al-Fawar refugee camp, ad-Dhahiriya village, Hebron’s southern, entrance, and northern entrances, and as-Samu village.

Nablus:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sarra village, southwest of Nablus.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Marba’a area ( at the road linking between villages in southeast and southwest of Nablus).
  • On Monday 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sebastia village (at the road linking between Nablus and Jenin).

Jenin:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Zahrat al-Fenjan, and the entrance to Az-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Yabad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank.

Salfit:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a t the entrance to Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit.

Qalqilya:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the road linking between Azzun and Jayyous villages, east of Qalqilya.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.

Jericho:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho. The soldiers searched civilians and checked their ID cards.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint near the Arab Development Society, east of Jericho.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint  at the southern entrance to Jericho.
IOF closed prisoner Nazmi ‘Asfour’s room in Jenin

15 – 21 October 2020

  • 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a journalist, wounded in IOF excessive use of force
  • shootings reported at agricultural lands and 2 others against fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip
  • In 97 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 95 civilians arrested, including 8 children
  • Collective punishment policy: IOF seals a detainee’s room in Jenin
  • Settler-attacks: Olive trees damaged, and lands flooded with wastewater in the West Bank
  • IOF established 85 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, IOF attacks rendered 5 Palestinian civilians wounded in excessive use of force. IOF also continued to create new-facts on the  ground by maintain its policy of demolishing, confiscating and razing Palestinian houses and facilities for its settlement expansion schemes. Israeli-settler attacks witnessed an increase against farmers and agricultural lands as this time of the year marks the olive harvest season.

The publishing of this report is accompanied by the rapidly deteriorating health condition of on-hunger-strike Palestinian administrative detainee Maher al-Akhras (50); al-Akhras has been on hunger strike since the first day of his arrest by IOF on 27 July 2020, marking the 87th consecutive day in protest to his detention without charge or trial. Al-Akhras continues to be locked in under administrative detention despite his critical health. PCHR renews its call upon the international community to pressure Israel to release al-Akhras, as no legal means can be pursued for this purpose due to the nature of administrative detention which is conducted without charge or trial. PCHR urges the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 1967 to intervene immediately to facilitate his release.

This week, PCHR documented 178 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt. It should be noted that the limitations due to the corona virus pandemic, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information contained in this report are only part of the continued IOF violations.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: 5 civilians wounded in IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank, including 2 children and a journalist. The journalist was shot and wounded due to IOF oppression of a protest in Ramallah, 2 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF suppression of Kafr Qaddum – Qalqilya weekly protest; 2 children wounded in clashes in Hebron.

In the Gaza Strip, 2 IOF shootings were reported at agricultural lands and twice at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike at a vacant land eastern Deir al-Balah, Central Gaza.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 97 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 95 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 children.

Collective Punishment Policy: As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed Nazmi Asfour’s room; Asfour is imprisoned by Israel and he is from Yabad village in Jenin.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 7 violations, including:

  • Tubas: construction vehicle and truck confiscated; tin-plated barracks (100sqm) demolished, and a spring razed.
  • East Jerusalem: store vacated for demolition, and a tent was demolished;
  • Hebron: 4 facilities demolished;
  • Qalqilya: supermarket demolished;
  • Jericho: a house (made of bricks and tin plates) demolished.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers documented 2 attacks: 25 olive trees damaged in Qaryut; agricultural lands flooded with wastewater in Nablus.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

 I. Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

  • At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF stormed the main road of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, positioned on the rooftops of the buildings and forced stores’ owners to close shop. Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses in al-Mahmoud neighborhood, and arrested Mohammed Dawoud Mahmoud (16). Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered at the entrance of the neighborhood and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF vehicles, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 16 October 2020, villagers from Barqa village, east of Ramallah, organized a peaceful demonstration, attended by Waleed Assaf, the head of the National Commission against the Annexation Wall and Colonies, and a number of foreign solidarity activists. The demonstrators gathered and launched from al-Nour mosque, in the center of the village, heading to the agricultural lands in Ra’s al-‘Aqaba area, northwest of Barqa, adjacent to Bypass (60). The protest was against settlers’ attacks on their lands during the annual olive harvest, as the protestors sang their national slogans calling for ending the occupation and condemning its crimes. As they arrived, they found a group of settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, who attempted to prevent Palestinians from entering their lands for the olive harvest, but the protestors confronted them and managed to access their lands. IOF fired rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs. The clashes resulted in dozens of protestors suffocating due to teargas inhalation, and (4) civilians were hit with rubber bullets, including the journalist Hisham Abu Shaqra, a photographer at the Anadolu Agency, who was hit with a rubber bullet in the neck. The injured civilians were taken to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah. During the clashes, IOF attacked the three journalists; Emad Mohammed Is’eid Khaled Sabarna and Abood Younis, by pushing and assaulting them. The clashes continued until 11:00; the settlers set fire to 5 perennial olive trees, parts of them were damaged before the villagers succeeded in putting out the fire.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF stationed at the “northern entrance” established on Kafr Qaddum lands, north of Qalqilya, suppressed a protest attended by dozens of Palestinian civilians. IOF chased the young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them, and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were shot; one of them was shot in his chest, and the other was shot in his lower limbs.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, and started searching civilians and checking their ID cards. Meanwhile, dozens of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, a group of Palestinian activists organized a peaceful protest near the bypass road (317), east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans, until the Israeli forces came and banned the participants to move further. Meanwhile, IOF attacked Suliman Eid al-Hathalin (70), and took him to their military vehicles, and then to a detention center in “Carmiel” settlement; he was released an hour later.
  • At approximately 16:00, a group of young men gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area, in the center of Hebron, where the Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint on the entrance of al-Shuhada’ closed street. A group of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by chasing the stone-throwers and firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes continued until approximately 19:00 and resulted in 2 children sustaining wounds; a 14-year-old was shot in the head, and a 13-year-old was shot in the right leg. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 08:25 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened heavy fire at them causing fear and panic among them and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened fire at them and a number of flare bombs in the sky, causing fear and panic among the Palestinian fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at an empty land east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, no injuries were reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF stationed inside the border fence with Israel east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza’a, and no injuries were reported. At approximately 14:30, IOF opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, and no injuries were reported.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 15 October 2020:

  • At approximately 12:35, IOF moved into Sebastya village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayham Nahed Aqel (21) and Shahed Arafat Kayed (20).
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Arafat Hamdan (19) and Mohammed Khalil Hamdan (22) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mawalih area, in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Awwad Awwad’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yitma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Moheeb Lafi Snobar (21) and Oday Ahmed Snobar (20).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Anas Maher Jouda (23) and Mo’taz Nazih Badawna (21) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Nobough Najm al-Barghouthi (33) and Melad Tawfiq Sha’ban (32) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched three houses belonging to Montaser Abdullah Zemari (30) and Esam Rasheed Radwan (31) and his brother Mohammed (33) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Yehya Abdul Fattah al-As’ad (20) and Salem Mohammed Abu Mas’oud (23) and arrested them. Meanwhile, IOF raided and searched Abdul Salam Mahmoud Abu Ya’qoub’s (30) house, by broking the door of the house.
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al0Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested (12) civilians including 4 children and took them to al-Maskoubeya police station in West Jerusalem. (Arrestees names are available at PCHR).
  • During dawn hours, IOF moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched Sohaib Ibrahim Shuqair’s house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Amjad Gharouf and As’ad Ajaj, while documenting the entrance of a Gulf delegation to al-Aqsa Mosque under the Israeli forces’ heavy protection and took them to one of the investigation centers in the occupied city.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Khalayil al-Lawz area, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Morad Melsh’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested Mohammed Khaled Toffaha (21), from the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, while present in al-Sultan Suliman street in the occupied city center. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Tubas and Sebastya in Nablus governorate, Deir Istiya and al-Zawiya villages in Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 16 October 2020:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Owa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Qusai Ghazi al-Shalash’s (20) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Ashraf Samir Jawabra’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:40, an Israeli infantry unit moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Samir Fayez al-Tirawi (50) and Musallam Yousef Ghawanmah (20).
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Dawoud Amer (34), while passing through it. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mohammed Ladadwa’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Lo’ay Ashraf Mahmoud’s (17) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out two incursions in Hebron and Beit Kahel in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 17 October 2020:

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura city, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 siblings, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as Jevara Ma’an al-Namoura (24), Akram (33)  and Kayed (30) Mohammed al-Fasfous.
  • IOF carried out (10) incursions in Sebastia and Beit Dajan villages in Nablus; Halhul city and Nuba, Taffuh and Hadab villages in Hebron; and Yatma, Iraq Burin, Urif, and Tell villages in Nablus. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 18 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Nimer al-Nouri’s house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Khaled Abu al-Hawa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 07:00, IOF stationed at al-Za’im military checkpoint, east of occupied East Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed Murshed Za’aqeeq (24), from Beit Ummar village in northern Hebron, while passing through the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested Yousef Ashraf Jawabrah (19) after stopping him at a military checkpoint, at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. Jawabrah was taken to a detention center in “Gush Ezion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tarqumiyah in Hebron; Jalazone camp in northern Ramallah .No arrests were reported.

Monday, 19 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adam Yousef ‘Obaid’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Saf Street in central Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner ‘Abed al-Hado ‘Aref Hammad and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Yehia Mosbah ‘Alawi’s (26) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Beit El” settlement, north of Al-Bireh.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Rashad Sowan (21) and Hozaifa ‘Abed al-Naser Ghanem (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Helwa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Al-Eizariya village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Majd Mohammed Mutair (24) and Fahmi Mohammed ‘Edwan (21) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. They raided and searched 4 houses, from which they arrested Saleem Mazen Jawabrah (19), Qusai Sakem al-Badawi (19), Tamer Samer al-Badawi (20), and Mohammed Jamal al-Badawi (21).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Mohammed Yehia Mutair (29) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Hebron, where they raided and searched ‘Abed al-Qader ‘amer Abu ‘Ishah’s (59) house and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 07:58, IOF moved into ‘Atouf village in Central Jordan Valley, east of Tammun village, southeast of Tubas, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed in the village’s eastern side, where they prevented ‘Ayid Mostafa ‘Abed al-Razeq Bani ‘Odah from casting his house roof. IOF also detained the workers’ IDs and ordered the mounted-crane truck owner to leave the village.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested Fatama Rabah Abu al-Humus (17) and Sadeen Fadi Mostafa (17) while present on Salah al-Deen Street in central occupied East Jerusalem. IOF pushed them under the pretext that they did not wear masks and imposed fines of NIS 1500 on them. Both of them were taken to a police station on Salah al-Deen Street. Meanwhile, Palestinian young men gathered in the area to help the two girls and verbal altercation erupted between them and IOF. 
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood, one of al-Aqsa Mosque neighborhoods. They raided and searched Hamza al-Joulani’s (19) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested al-Aqsa Mosque guards Saied al-Salimah (48) and Issa Barakat (42) from their workplace in the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, taking them to al-Qashla Police Station. They were interrogated for several hours and released later, provided that they will be deported from al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
  • At approximately 18:50, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ameen ‘Obaid’s (46) house and arrested him along with his son ‘Odai (20). It should be noted that ‘Odai served 18 months in the Israeli jails, and he was released few hours before raiding his house.
  • IOF carried out (1) incursion in Al-Bireh city. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Hitham Mer’i Shehada (34) and Saif Hafzi Abu Lebda (27) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Abu Subaieh’s (24) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched Nour Waleed Mohammed Musbah’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 12:15, IOF stationed at the entrance to  Jit village, north of Qalqilya, arrested Khaled ‘Ali Redwan (26), from Nabi Ilyas village, east of Qalqilya.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm’s eastern neighborhood. They raided and searched a restaurant in the mentioned neighborhood and arrested Amjad Mohammed Ahmed Abu Shanab (45), who is working the restaurant, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, IOF stationed near the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, arrested 3 civilians, from Azzun village. The arrestees were identified as Yehia ‘Abed al-Hafiz ‘Ali Edwan (22), Mohammed Qaher Abu Haniyia (22) and Majd Radi Ahmed Radi (24).
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF stationed at Tayaseer military checkpoint, east of Tubas, north of the West Bank, arrested Hitham Nedal Qasrawi (19), from Tubas, while returning from his workplace and passing through the checkpoint.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tulkarm city and in Deir al-Ghusun and Zeita villages in northern Tulkarm .No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Aida Camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wesam Yousef Badawna (20) and Mostafa Ibrahim Qanees (34) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into Beitunia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ahmed Riyad Shehada’s house and arrested his sons ‘Abed al-Hadi (22) and Mohammed (26).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kalandia Camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mostafa Mohammed Mutair (20) and Osama Nai’em Hamad (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Hamza Habes ‘Alami’s (20) house and arrested him. 
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mahmoud Mohanad ‘Odah (15) and Sultan Samer Sarhan (15) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Dawha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Anas ‘Adnan Malash (25) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kafr Qallil village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched houses and arrested Thaier Waleed ‘Abed al-Jaleel Ahmed ‘Amer (40).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Freha area, north of Beit Sahour city. They raided and searched Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Abiyat’s (42) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Ash-Shuyukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Marwan Mohammed Hasasnah’s (28) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Nasrallah Mahmoud Mahmoud (18) and Taj al-Deen Maher Muhaisin (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 20:00, Israeli infantry unit moved into Sebastia village, southwest of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They arrested Ramzi Naser al-Haj (20), ‘Ali Maher Ghazal (19) and Khaled Nadi ‘Azzam (20).
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Yatta, Surif and Idhna villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Collective Punishment Measures

  • As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed a room belonging to a Palestinian imprisoned by Israel.

According to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a truck loaded with plastic pipes filled with water and other materials moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, northern West Bank. They stationed in the village’s southern neighborhood and surrounded ‘Asfour family 3-storey building that shelters 3 families (20 persons, including 8 children). The building is owned by 3 brothers, including Nazmi Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (49), who is imprisoned by Israel on charges of killing an Israeli soldier in Ya’bad village on 12 May 2020. IOF locked the three families in a room on the ground floor; then soldiers went up to ‘Asfour’s bedroom on the third floor, closed the room and hung a small board on its door written on it: “The room was closed with polyurethane foam (a flammable substance that has an unpleasant odor), upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander.” At approximately 06:30, IOF withdrew, but the family was unable to enter the building due to the foul smell stemming from the substance placed in the room.

Ra’fat ‘Atiyia Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (25) stated the following to PCHR’s fieldworker:

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF raided our 3-storey house in al-Saliymah neighborhood in Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. The house shelters 3 siblings and their families. I live on the 1st floor along with my father ‘Atiya Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour, my mother, and my brother; while my uncle Rebhi and his family of 7 members live on the 2nd floor; and my uncle Nazmi and his family of 9 members live on the 3rd floor. IOF detained us in one room located on the 1st floor. Meanwhile, some soldiers went up to the third floor and entered my uncle’s bedroom, who is a prisoner in Israeli jails, and closed it upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander. My family denies all charges against my uncle Nazmi. IOF stayed in the building until 6:30. After their withdrawal, we headed towards the third floor, but we could not enter the building due to the unpleasant smell emanating from the material placed in the room. I could see a board written on it “Upon a decision issued by the Israeli military commander, the room was closed with polyurethane foam.”

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

  • At approximately 14:05 on Thursday, 14 October 2020, IOF stormed Al-Hamma village in Jordan’s northern valleys, southeast of Tubas, north of the West bank. IOF confiscated a bulldozer and a truck, which were beside an agricultural road that was paved in the abovementioned village. The confiscated bulldozer and the truck that were owned by Obai Mustafa Kamel Thaher, from Ain Al Beida village in Jordan’s northern valleys were taken to “Mehola” settlement in the northern valleys without any confiscation paper.  IOF claimed that the confiscation was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C).
  • On Saturday morning, 17 October 2020, Ayman Mousa Ja’abis started evacuating his commercial shop in al-Salah neighborhood in Jabel Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem in order to self-demolish to implement the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of illegal construction.

Ja’abis said that he established his 60-square-meter shop to sell construction materials in 2015. After one week of his construction, Israeli municipality raided the shop and handed Ja’abis the demolition decision. Ja’abis clarified that he headed to the Israeli court to freeze the demolition decision and he hired a lawyer and an engineer to start measures of obtaining the shop. He added that the Israeli municipality rejected giving him a license under the pretext of establishing “The American Road” Project and imposed a fine of NIS 70,000 in addition to the lawyer and the engineer’s fees. Ja’abis emphasized that IOF lately raided his shop and gave 72 hours to demolish it, or the municipality crews will demolish it and then impose him demolition costs. Therefore, he had to self-demolish his shop. Ja’abis said that his shop was his sole source of income for him and his family comprised of 7 individuals and he searched for a small shop in the village and nearby villages, but he failed to find one.

  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF backed by several military construction vehicles, a bulldozer, and 2 diggers, and accompanied with Civil Administration officers stormed al-Fakhit area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed in the area while the bulldozers demolished  4 facilities owned by  Akram Sari Mohammed Nawajah (45):
  • A tent comprised of shader and built on (20sqm) and used as a store.
  • A residential room built of bricks and tin plate on (30sqm).
  • Barracks build of tin plate and rocks on (130sqm) and used for sheltering 100 sheep.
  • A barn built of shader and rocks on an area of (80sqm).
  • At approximately 10:40 on Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a bulldozer stormed Kherbat al-Farisiyah village in Jordan’s northern valleys, east of Tubas. The demolished a barracks built on (100sqm) used for living owned by Radad Hamed Rezeq Daraghmah. The demolition was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C). The bulldozer also demolished a water spring that was repaired more than 7 years ago by a group of hydrologists. Demolishing it caused damage to a fish project. IOF also confiscated a vehicle and power engine owned by Daraghmah.
  • At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer stormed Qalqilya. They demolished a market stall built on (500sqm) owned by Abdulla Abdul Fattah Yasin and Mahdi Redwan Dawoud, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (G) that is under the IOF’s control. It should be noted that the demolition implemented before the end of the appeal period to the Israeli Supreme Court as no final decision was issued for the demolition. The owners received a demolition notice 4 months ago and they hired a lawyer who filed a case. However, the submitted appeal received no response.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF demolished a tent in Beit Iksa village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem and forced its owner to leave it by force. Beit Iksa Village’s Municipality stated that IOF stormed north of the village and demolished a tent owned by Khalil Abu Dahouk and forced him to leave the area along with his sheep. It should be noted that Beit Iksa village faces difficult conditions as IOF established a permanent checkpoint at its entrance and they prevent civilians from entering or leaving it, except under impossible conditions. IOF also deny this village’s resident from communication with other adjacent villages. Beit Iksa village also is subjected to harassments by IOF that seek to isolate it from other villages. IOF allow Beit Iksa village’s residents to live and construct in 700 dunums only of a 7398 dunums of the village. The Israeli the Israeli Civil Administration  seize control of most of the village distance and use it to prevents its residents from urban expansion in the village that is surrounded by the annexation wall. IOF also confiscated large areas of Beit Iksa lands for various purposes, such as establishing “Ramot” and “Har Shmuel” Settlements in addition to the annexation wall that isolates the village of its agricultural lands.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF backed by several military SUVs and accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a digger stormed “Tal Al-Samadi” area in Jiftlik village, north of Jericho. They demolished a house built of bricks and tin plates on (40sqm) owned by Hasan Salem Ka’abna under the pretext of illegal construction.

Israeli Settlers’ Attacks

  • At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, Bilal Mohammed Raja went to his land in al-Sahlat area, east of Qaryut village, southeast of Nablus near Shvut Rachel settlement, to harvest the olive. Raja found out that Israeli settlers broke and uprooted 25 olive trees, knowing that these trees were implanted 6 years ago.
  • On Monday morning, 19 October 2020, a group of setters from “Elon Moreh” settlement established on lands of Salim, Azmut , and Deir al-Hatab villages, northeast of Nablus, pumped waste-water from inside their settlement to civilians’ lands implanted with olive trees in the eastern side of Deir al-Hatab village, coinciding with the time to harvest the olive, which caused  big loss for farmers after the trees were polluted.

V. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West bank:

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. IOF established 58 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 9 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against

Individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Jerusalem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Ijza village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem.

Bethlehem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, east of Bethlehem.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, the northern entrance to Tuqu village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village, and the southern entrance to Nahalin village, west of the city.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, northern entrance to al-Khader village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, and the square of Fureidis village, east of Bethlehem.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Tuqu village, the intersection to al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem.

Ramallah:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the intersection of At-Tayba village ( at the road linking between Ramallah and Jericho), east of Ramallah, the entrance to Ein Yabrud village, east of the city, and the main entrance to Nabi Salih village, northeast of Ramallah.

Hebron:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Yatta, Dura, and as-Samu village.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Surif and Bani Na’im villages.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: al-Fawar refugee camp, Ash-Shuyukh village, Hebron’s southern entrance, and Kharsa village.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: Hebron’s northern entrance, al-Aroub refugee camp, and Jalajel village.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 7 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna village, al-Fawar refugee camp, ad-Dhahiriya village, Hebron’s southern, entrance, and northern entrances, and as-Samu village.

Nablus:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sarra village, southwest of Nablus.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Marba’a area ( at the road linking between villages in southeast and southwest of Nablus).
  • On Monday 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sebastia village (at the road linking between Nablus and Jenin).

Jenin:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Zahrat al-Fenjan, and the entrance to Az-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Yabad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank.

Salfit:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a t the entrance to Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit.

Qalqilya:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the road linking between Azzun and Jayyous villages, east of Qalqilya.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.

Jericho:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho. The soldiers searched civilians and checked their ID cards.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint near the Arab Development Society, east of Jericho.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint  at the southern entrance to Jericho.
IOF closed prisoner Nazmi ‘Asfour’s room in Jenin

15 – 21 October 2020

  • 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a journalist, wounded in IOF excessive use of force
  • shootings reported at agricultural lands and 2 others against fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip
  • In 97 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 95 civilians arrested, including 8 children
  • Collective punishment policy: IOF seals a detainee’s room in Jenin
  • Settler-attacks: Olive trees damaged, and lands flooded with wastewater in the West Bank
  • IOF established 85 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, IOF attacks rendered 5 Palestinian civilians wounded in excessive use of force. IOF also continued to create new-facts on the  ground by maintain its policy of demolishing, confiscating and razing Palestinian houses and facilities for its settlement expansion schemes. Israeli-settler attacks witnessed an increase against farmers and agricultural lands as this time of the year marks the olive harvest season.

The publishing of this report is accompanied by the rapidly deteriorating health condition of on-hunger-strike Palestinian administrative detainee Maher al-Akhras (50); al-Akhras has been on hunger strike since the first day of his arrest by IOF on 27 July 2020, marking the 87th consecutive day in protest to his detention without charge or trial. Al-Akhras continues to be locked in under administrative detention despite his critical health. PCHR renews its call upon the international community to pressure Israel to release al-Akhras, as no legal means can be pursued for this purpose due to the nature of administrative detention which is conducted without charge or trial. PCHR urges the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 1967 to intervene immediately to facilitate his release.

This week, PCHR documented 178 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt. It should be noted that the limitations due to the corona virus pandemic, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information contained in this report are only part of the continued IOF violations.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: 5 civilians wounded in IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank, including 2 children and a journalist. The journalist was shot and wounded due to IOF oppression of a protest in Ramallah, 2 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF suppression of Kafr Qaddum – Qalqilya weekly protest; 2 children wounded in clashes in Hebron.

In the Gaza Strip, 2 IOF shootings were reported at agricultural lands and twice at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike at a vacant land eastern Deir al-Balah, Central Gaza.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 97 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 95 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 children.

Collective Punishment Policy: As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed Nazmi Asfour’s room; Asfour is imprisoned by Israel and he is from Yabad village in Jenin.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 7 violations, including:

  • Tubas: construction vehicle and truck confiscated; tin-plated barracks (100sqm) demolished, and a spring razed.
  • East Jerusalem: store vacated for demolition, and a tent was demolished;
  • Hebron: 4 facilities demolished;
  • Qalqilya: supermarket demolished;
  • Jericho: a house (made of bricks and tin plates) demolished.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers documented 2 attacks: 25 olive trees damaged in Qaryut; agricultural lands flooded with wastewater in Nablus.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

 I. Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

  • At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF stormed the main road of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, positioned on the rooftops of the buildings and forced stores’ owners to close shop. Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses in al-Mahmoud neighborhood, and arrested Mohammed Dawoud Mahmoud (16). Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered at the entrance of the neighborhood and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF vehicles, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 16 October 2020, villagers from Barqa village, east of Ramallah, organized a peaceful demonstration, attended by Waleed Assaf, the head of the National Commission against the Annexation Wall and Colonies, and a number of foreign solidarity activists. The demonstrators gathered and launched from al-Nour mosque, in the center of the village, heading to the agricultural lands in Ra’s al-‘Aqaba area, northwest of Barqa, adjacent to Bypass (60). The protest was against settlers’ attacks on their lands during the annual olive harvest, as the protestors sang their national slogans calling for ending the occupation and condemning its crimes. As they arrived, they found a group of settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, who attempted to prevent Palestinians from entering their lands for the olive harvest, but the protestors confronted them and managed to access their lands. IOF fired rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs. The clashes resulted in dozens of protestors suffocating due to teargas inhalation, and (4) civilians were hit with rubber bullets, including the journalist Hisham Abu Shaqra, a photographer at the Anadolu Agency, who was hit with a rubber bullet in the neck. The injured civilians were taken to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah. During the clashes, IOF attacked the three journalists; Emad Mohammed Is’eid Khaled Sabarna and Abood Younis, by pushing and assaulting them. The clashes continued until 11:00; the settlers set fire to 5 perennial olive trees, parts of them were damaged before the villagers succeeded in putting out the fire.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF stationed at the “northern entrance” established on Kafr Qaddum lands, north of Qalqilya, suppressed a protest attended by dozens of Palestinian civilians. IOF chased the young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them, and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were shot; one of them was shot in his chest, and the other was shot in his lower limbs.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, and started searching civilians and checking their ID cards. Meanwhile, dozens of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, a group of Palestinian activists organized a peaceful protest near the bypass road (317), east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans, until the Israeli forces came and banned the participants to move further. Meanwhile, IOF attacked Suliman Eid al-Hathalin (70), and took him to their military vehicles, and then to a detention center in “Carmiel” settlement; he was released an hour later.
  • At approximately 16:00, a group of young men gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area, in the center of Hebron, where the Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint on the entrance of al-Shuhada’ closed street. A group of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by chasing the stone-throwers and firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes continued until approximately 19:00 and resulted in 2 children sustaining wounds; a 14-year-old was shot in the head, and a 13-year-old was shot in the right leg. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 08:25 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened heavy fire at them causing fear and panic among them and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened fire at them and a number of flare bombs in the sky, causing fear and panic among the Palestinian fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at an empty land east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, no injuries were reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF stationed inside the border fence with Israel east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza’a, and no injuries were reported. At approximately 14:30, IOF opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, and no injuries were reported.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 15 October 2020:

  • At approximately 12:35, IOF moved into Sebastya village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayham Nahed Aqel (21) and Shahed Arafat Kayed (20).
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Arafat Hamdan (19) and Mohammed Khalil Hamdan (22) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mawalih area, in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Awwad Awwad’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yitma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Moheeb Lafi Snobar (21) and Oday Ahmed Snobar (20).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Anas Maher Jouda (23) and Mo’taz Nazih Badawna (21) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Nobough Najm al-Barghouthi (33) and Melad Tawfiq Sha’ban (32) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched three houses belonging to Montaser Abdullah Zemari (30) and Esam Rasheed Radwan (31) and his brother Mohammed (33) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Yehya Abdul Fattah al-As’ad (20) and Salem Mohammed Abu Mas’oud (23) and arrested them. Meanwhile, IOF raided and searched Abdul Salam Mahmoud Abu Ya’qoub’s (30) house, by broking the door of the house.
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al0Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested (12) civilians including 4 children and took them to al-Maskoubeya police station in West Jerusalem. (Arrestees names are available at PCHR).
  • During dawn hours, IOF moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched Sohaib Ibrahim Shuqair’s house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Amjad Gharouf and As’ad Ajaj, while documenting the entrance of a Gulf delegation to al-Aqsa Mosque under the Israeli forces’ heavy protection and took them to one of the investigation centers in the occupied city.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Khalayil al-Lawz area, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Morad Melsh’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested Mohammed Khaled Toffaha (21), from the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, while present in al-Sultan Suliman street in the occupied city center. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Tubas and Sebastya in Nablus governorate, Deir Istiya and al-Zawiya villages in Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 16 October 2020:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Owa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Qusai Ghazi al-Shalash’s (20) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Ashraf Samir Jawabra’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:40, an Israeli infantry unit moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Samir Fayez al-Tirawi (50) and Musallam Yousef Ghawanmah (20).
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Dawoud Amer (34), while passing through it. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mohammed Ladadwa’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Lo’ay Ashraf Mahmoud’s (17) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out two incursions in Hebron and Beit Kahel in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 17 October 2020:

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura city, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 siblings, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as Jevara Ma’an al-Namoura (24), Akram (33)  and Kayed (30) Mohammed al-Fasfous.
  • IOF carried out (10) incursions in Sebastia and Beit Dajan villages in Nablus; Halhul city and Nuba, Taffuh and Hadab villages in Hebron; and Yatma, Iraq Burin, Urif, and Tell villages in Nablus. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 18 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Nimer al-Nouri’s house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Khaled Abu al-Hawa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 07:00, IOF stationed at al-Za’im military checkpoint, east of occupied East Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed Murshed Za’aqeeq (24), from Beit Ummar village in northern Hebron, while passing through the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested Yousef Ashraf Jawabrah (19) after stopping him at a military checkpoint, at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. Jawabrah was taken to a detention center in “Gush Ezion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tarqumiyah in Hebron; Jalazone camp in northern Ramallah .No arrests were reported.

Monday, 19 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adam Yousef ‘Obaid’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Saf Street in central Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner ‘Abed al-Hado ‘Aref Hammad and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Yehia Mosbah ‘Alawi’s (26) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Beit El” settlement, north of Al-Bireh.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Rashad Sowan (21) and Hozaifa ‘Abed al-Naser Ghanem (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Helwa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Al-Eizariya village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Majd Mohammed Mutair (24) and Fahmi Mohammed ‘Edwan (21) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. They raided and searched 4 houses, from which they arrested Saleem Mazen Jawabrah (19), Qusai Sakem al-Badawi (19), Tamer Samer al-Badawi (20), and Mohammed Jamal al-Badawi (21).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Mohammed Yehia Mutair (29) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Hebron, where they raided and searched ‘Abed al-Qader ‘amer Abu ‘Ishah’s (59) house and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 07:58, IOF moved into ‘Atouf village in Central Jordan Valley, east of Tammun village, southeast of Tubas, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed in the village’s eastern side, where they prevented ‘Ayid Mostafa ‘Abed al-Razeq Bani ‘Odah from casting his house roof. IOF also detained the workers’ IDs and ordered the mounted-crane truck owner to leave the village.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested Fatama Rabah Abu al-Humus (17) and Sadeen Fadi Mostafa (17) while present on Salah al-Deen Street in central occupied East Jerusalem. IOF pushed them under the pretext that they did not wear masks and imposed fines of NIS 1500 on them. Both of them were taken to a police station on Salah al-Deen Street. Meanwhile, Palestinian young men gathered in the area to help the two girls and verbal altercation erupted between them and IOF. 
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood, one of al-Aqsa Mosque neighborhoods. They raided and searched Hamza al-Joulani’s (19) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested al-Aqsa Mosque guards Saied al-Salimah (48) and Issa Barakat (42) from their workplace in the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, taking them to al-Qashla Police Station. They were interrogated for several hours and released later, provided that they will be deported from al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
  • At approximately 18:50, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ameen ‘Obaid’s (46) house and arrested him along with his son ‘Odai (20). It should be noted that ‘Odai served 18 months in the Israeli jails, and he was released few hours before raiding his house.
  • IOF carried out (1) incursion in Al-Bireh city. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Hitham Mer’i Shehada (34) and Saif Hafzi Abu Lebda (27) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Abu Subaieh’s (24) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched Nour Waleed Mohammed Musbah’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 12:15, IOF stationed at the entrance to  Jit village, north of Qalqilya, arrested Khaled ‘Ali Redwan (26), from Nabi Ilyas village, east of Qalqilya.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm’s eastern neighborhood. They raided and searched a restaurant in the mentioned neighborhood and arrested Amjad Mohammed Ahmed Abu Shanab (45), who is working the restaurant, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, IOF stationed near the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, arrested 3 civilians, from Azzun village. The arrestees were identified as Yehia ‘Abed al-Hafiz ‘Ali Edwan (22), Mohammed Qaher Abu Haniyia (22) and Majd Radi Ahmed Radi (24).
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF stationed at Tayaseer military checkpoint, east of Tubas, north of the West Bank, arrested Hitham Nedal Qasrawi (19), from Tubas, while returning from his workplace and passing through the checkpoint.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tulkarm city and in Deir al-Ghusun and Zeita villages in northern Tulkarm .No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Aida Camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wesam Yousef Badawna (20) and Mostafa Ibrahim Qanees (34) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into Beitunia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ahmed Riyad Shehada’s house and arrested his sons ‘Abed al-Hadi (22) and Mohammed (26).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kalandia Camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mostafa Mohammed Mutair (20) and Osama Nai’em Hamad (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Hamza Habes ‘Alami’s (20) house and arrested him. 
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mahmoud Mohanad ‘Odah (15) and Sultan Samer Sarhan (15) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Dawha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Anas ‘Adnan Malash (25) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kafr Qallil village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched houses and arrested Thaier Waleed ‘Abed al-Jaleel Ahmed ‘Amer (40).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Freha area, north of Beit Sahour city. They raided and searched Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Abiyat’s (42) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Ash-Shuyukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Marwan Mohammed Hasasnah’s (28) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Nasrallah Mahmoud Mahmoud (18) and Taj al-Deen Maher Muhaisin (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 20:00, Israeli infantry unit moved into Sebastia village, southwest of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They arrested Ramzi Naser al-Haj (20), ‘Ali Maher Ghazal (19) and Khaled Nadi ‘Azzam (20).
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Yatta, Surif and Idhna villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Collective Punishment Measures

  • As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed a room belonging to a Palestinian imprisoned by Israel.

According to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a truck loaded with plastic pipes filled with water and other materials moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, northern West Bank. They stationed in the village’s southern neighborhood and surrounded ‘Asfour family 3-storey building that shelters 3 families (20 persons, including 8 children). The building is owned by 3 brothers, including Nazmi Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (49), who is imprisoned by Israel on charges of killing an Israeli soldier in Ya’bad village on 12 May 2020. IOF locked the three families in a room on the ground floor; then soldiers went up to ‘Asfour’s bedroom on the third floor, closed the room and hung a small board on its door written on it: “The room was closed with polyurethane foam (a flammable substance that has an unpleasant odor), upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander.” At approximately 06:30, IOF withdrew, but the family was unable to enter the building due to the foul smell stemming from the substance placed in the room.

Ra’fat ‘Atiyia Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (25) stated the following to PCHR’s fieldworker:

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF raided our 3-storey house in al-Saliymah neighborhood in Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. The house shelters 3 siblings and their families. I live on the 1st floor along with my father ‘Atiya Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour, my mother, and my brother; while my uncle Rebhi and his family of 7 members live on the 2nd floor; and my uncle Nazmi and his family of 9 members live on the 3rd floor. IOF detained us in one room located on the 1st floor. Meanwhile, some soldiers went up to the third floor and entered my uncle’s bedroom, who is a prisoner in Israeli jails, and closed it upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander. My family denies all charges against my uncle Nazmi. IOF stayed in the building until 6:30. After their withdrawal, we headed towards the third floor, but we could not enter the building due to the unpleasant smell emanating from the material placed in the room. I could see a board written on it “Upon a decision issued by the Israeli military commander, the room was closed with polyurethane foam.”

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

  • At approximately 14:05 on Thursday, 14 October 2020, IOF stormed Al-Hamma village in Jordan’s northern valleys, southeast of Tubas, north of the West bank. IOF confiscated a bulldozer and a truck, which were beside an agricultural road that was paved in the abovementioned village. The confiscated bulldozer and the truck that were owned by Obai Mustafa Kamel Thaher, from Ain Al Beida village in Jordan’s northern valleys were taken to “Mehola” settlement in the northern valleys without any confiscation paper.  IOF claimed that the confiscation was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C).
  • On Saturday morning, 17 October 2020, Ayman Mousa Ja’abis started evacuating his commercial shop in al-Salah neighborhood in Jabel Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem in order to self-demolish to implement the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of illegal construction.

Ja’abis said that he established his 60-square-meter shop to sell construction materials in 2015. After one week of his construction, Israeli municipality raided the shop and handed Ja’abis the demolition decision. Ja’abis clarified that he headed to the Israeli court to freeze the demolition decision and he hired a lawyer and an engineer to start measures of obtaining the shop. He added that the Israeli municipality rejected giving him a license under the pretext of establishing “The American Road” Project and imposed a fine of NIS 70,000 in addition to the lawyer and the engineer’s fees. Ja’abis emphasized that IOF lately raided his shop and gave 72 hours to demolish it, or the municipality crews will demolish it and then impose him demolition costs. Therefore, he had to self-demolish his shop. Ja’abis said that his shop was his sole source of income for him and his family comprised of 7 individuals and he searched for a small shop in the village and nearby villages, but he failed to find one.

  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF backed by several military construction vehicles, a bulldozer, and 2 diggers, and accompanied with Civil Administration officers stormed al-Fakhit area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed in the area while the bulldozers demolished  4 facilities owned by  Akram Sari Mohammed Nawajah (45):
  • A tent comprised of shader and built on (20sqm) and used as a store.
  • A residential room built of bricks and tin plate on (30sqm).
  • Barracks build of tin plate and rocks on (130sqm) and used for sheltering 100 sheep.
  • A barn built of shader and rocks on an area of (80sqm).
  • At approximately 10:40 on Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a bulldozer stormed Kherbat al-Farisiyah village in Jordan’s northern valleys, east of Tubas. The demolished a barracks built on (100sqm) used for living owned by Radad Hamed Rezeq Daraghmah. The demolition was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C). The bulldozer also demolished a water spring that was repaired more than 7 years ago by a group of hydrologists. Demolishing it caused damage to a fish project. IOF also confiscated a vehicle and power engine owned by Daraghmah.
  • At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer stormed Qalqilya. They demolished a market stall built on (500sqm) owned by Abdulla Abdul Fattah Yasin and Mahdi Redwan Dawoud, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (G) that is under the IOF’s control. It should be noted that the demolition implemented before the end of the appeal period to the Israeli Supreme Court as no final decision was issued for the demolition. The owners received a demolition notice 4 months ago and they hired a lawyer who filed a case. However, the submitted appeal received no response.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF demolished a tent in Beit Iksa village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem and forced its owner to leave it by force. Beit Iksa Village’s Municipality stated that IOF stormed north of the village and demolished a tent owned by Khalil Abu Dahouk and forced him to leave the area along with his sheep. It should be noted that Beit Iksa village faces difficult conditions as IOF established a permanent checkpoint at its entrance and they prevent civilians from entering or leaving it, except under impossible conditions. IOF also deny this village’s resident from communication with other adjacent villages. Beit Iksa village also is subjected to harassments by IOF that seek to isolate it from other villages. IOF allow Beit Iksa village’s residents to live and construct in 700 dunums only of a 7398 dunums of the village. The Israeli the Israeli Civil Administration  seize control of most of the village distance and use it to prevents its residents from urban expansion in the village that is surrounded by the annexation wall. IOF also confiscated large areas of Beit Iksa lands for various purposes, such as establishing “Ramot” and “Har Shmuel” Settlements in addition to the annexation wall that isolates the village of its agricultural lands.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF backed by several military SUVs and accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a digger stormed “Tal Al-Samadi” area in Jiftlik village, north of Jericho. They demolished a house built of bricks and tin plates on (40sqm) owned by Hasan Salem Ka’abna under the pretext of illegal construction.

Israeli Settlers’ Attacks

  • At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, Bilal Mohammed Raja went to his land in al-Sahlat area, east of Qaryut village, southeast of Nablus near Shvut Rachel settlement, to harvest the olive. Raja found out that Israeli settlers broke and uprooted 25 olive trees, knowing that these trees were implanted 6 years ago.
  • On Monday morning, 19 October 2020, a group of setters from “Elon Moreh” settlement established on lands of Salim, Azmut , and Deir al-Hatab villages, northeast of Nablus, pumped waste-water from inside their settlement to civilians’ lands implanted with olive trees in the eastern side of Deir al-Hatab village, coinciding with the time to harvest the olive, which caused  big loss for farmers after the trees were polluted.

V. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West bank:

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. IOF established 58 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 9 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against

Individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Jerusalem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Ijza village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem.

Bethlehem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, east of Bethlehem.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, the northern entrance to Tuqu village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village, and the southern entrance to Nahalin village, west of the city.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, northern entrance to al-Khader village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, and the square of Fureidis village, east of Bethlehem.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Tuqu village, the intersection to al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem.

Ramallah:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the intersection of At-Tayba village ( at the road linking between Ramallah and Jericho), east of Ramallah, the entrance to Ein Yabrud village, east of the city, and the main entrance to Nabi Salih village, northeast of Ramallah.

Hebron:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Yatta, Dura, and as-Samu village.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Surif and Bani Na’im villages.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: al-Fawar refugee camp, Ash-Shuyukh village, Hebron’s southern entrance, and Kharsa village.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: Hebron’s northern entrance, al-Aroub refugee camp, and Jalajel village.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 7 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna village, al-Fawar refugee camp, ad-Dhahiriya village, Hebron’s southern, entrance, and northern entrances, and as-Samu village.

Nablus:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sarra village, southwest of Nablus.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Marba’a area ( at the road linking between villages in southeast and southwest of Nablus).
  • On Monday 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sebastia village (at the road linking between Nablus and Jenin).

Jenin:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Zahrat al-Fenjan, and the entrance to Az-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Yabad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank.

Salfit:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a t the entrance to Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit.

Qalqilya:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the road linking between Azzun and Jayyous villages, east of Qalqilya.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.

Jericho:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho. The soldiers searched civilians and checked their ID cards.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint near the Arab Development Society, east of Jericho.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint  at the southern entrance to Jericho.
IOF closed prisoner Nazmi ‘Asfour’s room in Jenin

15 – 21 October 2020

  • 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a journalist, wounded in IOF excessive use of force
  • shootings reported at agricultural lands and 2 others against fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip
  • In 97 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 95 civilians arrested, including 8 children
  • Collective punishment policy: IOF seals a detainee’s room in Jenin
  • Settler-attacks: Olive trees damaged, and lands flooded with wastewater in the West Bank
  • IOF established 85 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, IOF attacks rendered 5 Palestinian civilians wounded in excessive use of force. IOF also continued to create new-facts on the  ground by maintain its policy of demolishing, confiscating and razing Palestinian houses and facilities for its settlement expansion schemes. Israeli-settler attacks witnessed an increase against farmers and agricultural lands as this time of the year marks the olive harvest season.

The publishing of this report is accompanied by the rapidly deteriorating health condition of on-hunger-strike Palestinian administrative detainee Maher al-Akhras (50); al-Akhras has been on hunger strike since the first day of his arrest by IOF on 27 July 2020, marking the 87th consecutive day in protest to his detention without charge or trial. Al-Akhras continues to be locked in under administrative detention despite his critical health. PCHR renews its call upon the international community to pressure Israel to release al-Akhras, as no legal means can be pursued for this purpose due to the nature of administrative detention which is conducted without charge or trial. PCHR urges the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 1967 to intervene immediately to facilitate his release.

This week, PCHR documented 178 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt. It should be noted that the limitations due to the corona virus pandemic, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information contained in this report are only part of the continued IOF violations.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: 5 civilians wounded in IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank, including 2 children and a journalist. The journalist was shot and wounded due to IOF oppression of a protest in Ramallah, 2 Palestinians sustained wounds in IOF suppression of Kafr Qaddum – Qalqilya weekly protest; 2 children wounded in clashes in Hebron.

In the Gaza Strip, 2 IOF shootings were reported at agricultural lands and twice at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike at a vacant land eastern Deir al-Balah, Central Gaza.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 97 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 95 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 children.

Collective Punishment Policy: As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed Nazmi Asfour’s room; Asfour is imprisoned by Israel and he is from Yabad village in Jenin.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 7 violations, including:

  • Tubas: construction vehicle and truck confiscated; tin-plated barracks (100sqm) demolished, and a spring razed.
  • East Jerusalem: store vacated for demolition, and a tent was demolished;
  • Hebron: 4 facilities demolished;
  • Qalqilya: supermarket demolished;
  • Jericho: a house (made of bricks and tin plates) demolished.

Settler-attacks: PCHR fieldworkers documented 2 attacks: 25 olive trees damaged in Qaryut; agricultural lands flooded with wastewater in Nablus.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

 I. Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

  • At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF stormed the main road of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, positioned on the rooftops of the buildings and forced stores’ owners to close shop. Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses in al-Mahmoud neighborhood, and arrested Mohammed Dawoud Mahmoud (16). Meanwhile, a group of young men gathered at the entrance of the neighborhood and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF vehicles, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 16 October 2020, villagers from Barqa village, east of Ramallah, organized a peaceful demonstration, attended by Waleed Assaf, the head of the National Commission against the Annexation Wall and Colonies, and a number of foreign solidarity activists. The demonstrators gathered and launched from al-Nour mosque, in the center of the village, heading to the agricultural lands in Ra’s al-‘Aqaba area, northwest of Barqa, adjacent to Bypass (60). The protest was against settlers’ attacks on their lands during the annual olive harvest, as the protestors sang their national slogans calling for ending the occupation and condemning its crimes. As they arrived, they found a group of settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, who attempted to prevent Palestinians from entering their lands for the olive harvest, but the protestors confronted them and managed to access their lands. IOF fired rubber bullets, teargas canisters and sound bombs. The clashes resulted in dozens of protestors suffocating due to teargas inhalation, and (4) civilians were hit with rubber bullets, including the journalist Hisham Abu Shaqra, a photographer at the Anadolu Agency, who was hit with a rubber bullet in the neck. The injured civilians were taken to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah. During the clashes, IOF attacked the three journalists; Emad Mohammed Is’eid Khaled Sabarna and Abood Younis, by pushing and assaulting them. The clashes continued until 11:00; the settlers set fire to 5 perennial olive trees, parts of them were damaged before the villagers succeeded in putting out the fire.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF stationed at the “northern entrance” established on Kafr Qaddum lands, north of Qalqilya, suppressed a protest attended by dozens of Palestinian civilians. IOF chased the young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them, and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were shot; one of them was shot in his chest, and the other was shot in his lower limbs.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and deployed between civilians’ houses and stores, and started searching civilians and checking their ID cards. Meanwhile, dozens of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, a group of Palestinian activists organized a peaceful protest near the bypass road (317), east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans, until the Israeli forces came and banned the participants to move further. Meanwhile, IOF attacked Suliman Eid al-Hathalin (70), and took him to their military vehicles, and then to a detention center in “Carmiel” settlement; he was released an hour later.
  • At approximately 16:00, a group of young men gathered in Bab al-Zawiya area, in the center of Hebron, where the Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint on the entrance of al-Shuhada’ closed street. A group of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by chasing the stone-throwers and firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters at them. The clashes continued until approximately 19:00 and resulted in 2 children sustaining wounds; a 14-year-old was shot in the head, and a 13-year-old was shot in the right leg. The clashes resulted in dozens of civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
  • At approximately 08:25 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened heavy fire at them causing fear and panic among them and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed off  al-Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, and in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles, opened fire at them and a number of flare bombs in the sky, causing fear and panic among the Palestinian fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at an empty land east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, no injuries were reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF stationed inside the border fence with Israel east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza’a, and no injuries were reported. At approximately 14:30, IOF opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara, and no injuries were reported.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 15 October 2020:

  • At approximately 12:35, IOF moved into Sebastya village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ayham Nahed Aqel (21) and Shahed Arafat Kayed (20).
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Arafat Hamdan (19) and Mohammed Khalil Hamdan (22) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mawalih area, in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Awwad Awwad’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yitma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Moheeb Lafi Snobar (21) and Oday Ahmed Snobar (20).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Anas Maher Jouda (23) and Mo’taz Nazih Badawna (21) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Nobough Najm al-Barghouthi (33) and Melad Tawfiq Sha’ban (32) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched three houses belonging to Montaser Abdullah Zemari (30) and Esam Rasheed Radwan (31) and his brother Mohammed (33) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Yehya Abdul Fattah al-As’ad (20) and Salem Mohammed Abu Mas’oud (23) and arrested them. Meanwhile, IOF raided and searched Abdul Salam Mahmoud Abu Ya’qoub’s (30) house, by broking the door of the house.
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al0Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested (12) civilians including 4 children and took them to al-Maskoubeya police station in West Jerusalem. (Arrestees names are available at PCHR).
  • During dawn hours, IOF moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched Sohaib Ibrahim Shuqair’s house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Amjad Gharouf and As’ad Ajaj, while documenting the entrance of a Gulf delegation to al-Aqsa Mosque under the Israeli forces’ heavy protection and took them to one of the investigation centers in the occupied city.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Khalayil al-Lawz area, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Morad Melsh’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested Mohammed Khaled Toffaha (21), from the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, while present in al-Sultan Suliman street in the occupied city center. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • IOF carried out (4) incursions in Tubas and Sebastya in Nablus governorate, Deir Istiya and al-Zawiya villages in Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 16 October 2020:

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Owa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Qusai Ghazi al-Shalash’s (20) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Ashraf Samir Jawabra’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:40, an Israeli infantry unit moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Samir Fayez al-Tirawi (50) and Musallam Yousef Ghawanmah (20).
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Dawoud Amer (34), while passing through it. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mohammed Ladadwa’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Issawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Lo’ay Ashraf Mahmoud’s (17) house and arrested him.
  • IOF carried out two incursions in Hebron and Beit Kahel in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 17 October 2020:

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura city, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 siblings, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrestees were identified as Jevara Ma’an al-Namoura (24), Akram (33)  and Kayed (30) Mohammed al-Fasfous.
  • IOF carried out (10) incursions in Sebastia and Beit Dajan villages in Nablus; Halhul city and Nuba, Taffuh and Hadab villages in Hebron; and Yatma, Iraq Burin, Urif, and Tell villages in Nablus. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 18 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Nimer al-Nouri’s house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Khaled Abu al-Hawa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 07:00, IOF stationed at al-Za’im military checkpoint, east of occupied East Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed Murshed Za’aqeeq (24), from Beit Ummar village in northern Hebron, while passing through the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested Yousef Ashraf Jawabrah (19) after stopping him at a military checkpoint, at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. Jawabrah was taken to a detention center in “Gush Ezion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tarqumiyah in Hebron; Jalazone camp in northern Ramallah .No arrests were reported.

Monday, 19 October 2020

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adam Yousef ‘Obaid’s (22) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Saf Street in central Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner ‘Abed al-Hado ‘Aref Hammad and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Yehia Mosbah ‘Alawi’s (26) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Beit El” settlement, north of Al-Bireh.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Rashad Sowan (21) and Hozaifa ‘Abed al-Naser Ghanem (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Helwa’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Al-Eizariya village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Majd Mohammed Mutair (24) and Fahmi Mohammed ‘Edwan (21) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Al-Arroub refugee camp in northern Hebron. They raided and searched 4 houses, from which they arrested Saleem Mazen Jawabrah (19), Qusai Sakem al-Badawi (19), Tamer Samer al-Badawi (20), and Mohammed Jamal al-Badawi (21).
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Mohammed Yehia Mutair (29) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Hebron, where they raided and searched ‘Abed al-Qader ‘amer Abu ‘Ishah’s (59) house and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 07:58, IOF moved into ‘Atouf village in Central Jordan Valley, east of Tammun village, southeast of Tubas, north of the West Bank. IOF stationed in the village’s eastern side, where they prevented ‘Ayid Mostafa ‘Abed al-Razeq Bani ‘Odah from casting his house roof. IOF also detained the workers’ IDs and ordered the mounted-crane truck owner to leave the village.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested Fatama Rabah Abu al-Humus (17) and Sadeen Fadi Mostafa (17) while present on Salah al-Deen Street in central occupied East Jerusalem. IOF pushed them under the pretext that they did not wear masks and imposed fines of NIS 1500 on them. Both of them were taken to a police station on Salah al-Deen Street. Meanwhile, Palestinian young men gathered in the area to help the two girls and verbal altercation erupted between them and IOF. 
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood, one of al-Aqsa Mosque neighborhoods. They raided and searched Hamza al-Joulani’s (19) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF arrested al-Aqsa Mosque guards Saied al-Salimah (48) and Issa Barakat (42) from their workplace in the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, taking them to al-Qashla Police Station. They were interrogated for several hours and released later, provided that they will be deported from al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
  • At approximately 18:50, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ameen ‘Obaid’s (46) house and arrested him along with his son ‘Odai (20). It should be noted that ‘Odai served 18 months in the Israeli jails, and he was released few hours before raiding his house.
  • IOF carried out (1) incursion in Al-Bireh city. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Hitham Mer’i Shehada (34) and Saif Hafzi Abu Lebda (27) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Abu Subaieh’s (24) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched Nour Waleed Mohammed Musbah’s (21) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 12:15, IOF stationed at the entrance to  Jit village, north of Qalqilya, arrested Khaled ‘Ali Redwan (26), from Nabi Ilyas village, east of Qalqilya.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm’s eastern neighborhood. They raided and searched a restaurant in the mentioned neighborhood and arrested Amjad Mohammed Ahmed Abu Shanab (45), who is working the restaurant, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, IOF stationed near the entrance to Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, arrested 3 civilians, from Azzun village. The arrestees were identified as Yehia ‘Abed al-Hafiz ‘Ali Edwan (22), Mohammed Qaher Abu Haniyia (22) and Majd Radi Ahmed Radi (24).
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF stationed at Tayaseer military checkpoint, east of Tubas, north of the West Bank, arrested Hitham Nedal Qasrawi (19), from Tubas, while returning from his workplace and passing through the checkpoint.
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Tulkarm city and in Deir al-Ghusun and Zeita villages in northern Tulkarm .No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Aida Camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wesam Yousef Badawna (20) and Mostafa Ibrahim Qanees (34) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into Beitunia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ahmed Riyad Shehada’s house and arrested his sons ‘Abed al-Hadi (22) and Mohammed (26).
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kalandia Camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mostafa Mohammed Mutair (20) and Osama Nai’em Hamad (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Hamza Habes ‘Alami’s (20) house and arrested him. 
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mahmoud Mohanad ‘Odah (15) and Sultan Samer Sarhan (15) and arrested them.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Dawha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Anas ‘Adnan Malash (25) and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kafr Qallil village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched houses and arrested Thaier Waleed ‘Abed al-Jaleel Ahmed ‘Amer (40).
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Freha area, north of Beit Sahour city. They raided and searched Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Abiyat’s (42) house and arrested him.
  • Around the same time, IOF moved into Ash-Shuyukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Marwan Mohammed Hasasnah’s (28) house and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Nasrallah Mahmoud Mahmoud (18) and Taj al-Deen Maher Muhaisin (20) and arrested them.
  • At approximately 20:00, Israeli infantry unit moved into Sebastia village, southwest of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They arrested Ramzi Naser al-Haj (20), ‘Ali Maher Ghazal (19) and Khaled Nadi ‘Azzam (20).
  • IOF carried out (3) incursions in Yatta, Surif and Idhna villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Collective Punishment Measures

  • As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, IOF sealed a room belonging to a Palestinian imprisoned by Israel.

According to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a truck loaded with plastic pipes filled with water and other materials moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, northern West Bank. They stationed in the village’s southern neighborhood and surrounded ‘Asfour family 3-storey building that shelters 3 families (20 persons, including 8 children). The building is owned by 3 brothers, including Nazmi Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (49), who is imprisoned by Israel on charges of killing an Israeli soldier in Ya’bad village on 12 May 2020. IOF locked the three families in a room on the ground floor; then soldiers went up to ‘Asfour’s bedroom on the third floor, closed the room and hung a small board on its door written on it: “The room was closed with polyurethane foam (a flammable substance that has an unpleasant odor), upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander.” At approximately 06:30, IOF withdrew, but the family was unable to enter the building due to the foul smell stemming from the substance placed in the room.

Ra’fat ‘Atiyia Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour (25) stated the following to PCHR’s fieldworker:

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF raided our 3-storey house in al-Saliymah neighborhood in Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. The house shelters 3 siblings and their families. I live on the 1st floor along with my father ‘Atiya Mohammed Yunis ‘Asfour, my mother, and my brother; while my uncle Rebhi and his family of 7 members live on the 2nd floor; and my uncle Nazmi and his family of 9 members live on the 3rd floor. IOF detained us in one room located on the 1st floor. Meanwhile, some soldiers went up to the third floor and entered my uncle’s bedroom, who is a prisoner in Israeli jails, and closed it upon an order issued by the Israeli military commander. My family denies all charges against my uncle Nazmi. IOF stayed in the building until 6:30. After their withdrawal, we headed towards the third floor, but we could not enter the building due to the unpleasant smell emanating from the material placed in the room. I could see a board written on it “Upon a decision issued by the Israeli military commander, the room was closed with polyurethane foam.”

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

  • At approximately 14:05 on Thursday, 14 October 2020, IOF stormed Al-Hamma village in Jordan’s northern valleys, southeast of Tubas, north of the West bank. IOF confiscated a bulldozer and a truck, which were beside an agricultural road that was paved in the abovementioned village. The confiscated bulldozer and the truck that were owned by Obai Mustafa Kamel Thaher, from Ain Al Beida village in Jordan’s northern valleys were taken to “Mehola” settlement in the northern valleys without any confiscation paper.  IOF claimed that the confiscation was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C).
  • On Saturday morning, 17 October 2020, Ayman Mousa Ja’abis started evacuating his commercial shop in al-Salah neighborhood in Jabel Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem in order to self-demolish to implement the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of illegal construction.

Ja’abis said that he established his 60-square-meter shop to sell construction materials in 2015. After one week of his construction, Israeli municipality raided the shop and handed Ja’abis the demolition decision. Ja’abis clarified that he headed to the Israeli court to freeze the demolition decision and he hired a lawyer and an engineer to start measures of obtaining the shop. He added that the Israeli municipality rejected giving him a license under the pretext of establishing “The American Road” Project and imposed a fine of NIS 70,000 in addition to the lawyer and the engineer’s fees. Ja’abis emphasized that IOF lately raided his shop and gave 72 hours to demolish it, or the municipality crews will demolish it and then impose him demolition costs. Therefore, he had to self-demolish his shop. Ja’abis said that his shop was his sole source of income for him and his family comprised of 7 individuals and he searched for a small shop in the village and nearby villages, but he failed to find one.

  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF backed by several military construction vehicles, a bulldozer, and 2 diggers, and accompanied with Civil Administration officers stormed al-Fakhit area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed in the area while the bulldozers demolished  4 facilities owned by  Akram Sari Mohammed Nawajah (45):
  • A tent comprised of shader and built on (20sqm) and used as a store.
  • A residential room built of bricks and tin plate on (30sqm).
  • Barracks build of tin plate and rocks on (130sqm) and used for sheltering 100 sheep.
  • A barn built of shader and rocks on an area of (80sqm).
  • At approximately 10:40 on Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a bulldozer stormed Kherbat al-Farisiyah village in Jordan’s northern valleys, east of Tubas. The demolished a barracks built on (100sqm) used for living owned by Radad Hamed Rezeq Daraghmah. The demolition was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (C). The bulldozer also demolished a water spring that was repaired more than 7 years ago by a group of hydrologists. Demolishing it caused damage to a fish project. IOF also confiscated a vehicle and power engine owned by Daraghmah.
  • At approximately 00:00 on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer stormed Qalqilya. They demolished a market stall built on (500sqm) owned by Abdulla Abdul Fattah Yasin and Mahdi Redwan Dawoud, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area (G) that is under the IOF’s control. It should be noted that the demolition implemented before the end of the appeal period to the Israeli Supreme Court as no final decision was issued for the demolition. The owners received a demolition notice 4 months ago and they hired a lawyer who filed a case. However, the submitted appeal received no response.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF demolished a tent in Beit Iksa village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem and forced its owner to leave it by force. Beit Iksa Village’s Municipality stated that IOF stormed north of the village and demolished a tent owned by Khalil Abu Dahouk and forced him to leave the area along with his sheep. It should be noted that Beit Iksa village faces difficult conditions as IOF established a permanent checkpoint at its entrance and they prevent civilians from entering or leaving it, except under impossible conditions. IOF also deny this village’s resident from communication with other adjacent villages. Beit Iksa village also is subjected to harassments by IOF that seek to isolate it from other villages. IOF allow Beit Iksa village’s residents to live and construct in 700 dunums only of a 7398 dunums of the village. The Israeli the Israeli Civil Administration  seize control of most of the village distance and use it to prevents its residents from urban expansion in the village that is surrounded by the annexation wall. IOF also confiscated large areas of Beit Iksa lands for various purposes, such as establishing “Ramot” and “Har Shmuel” Settlements in addition to the annexation wall that isolates the village of its agricultural lands.
  • At approximately 09:00, IOF backed by several military SUVs and accompanied with Civil Administration officers and a digger stormed “Tal Al-Samadi” area in Jiftlik village, north of Jericho. They demolished a house built of bricks and tin plates on (40sqm) owned by Hasan Salem Ka’abna under the pretext of illegal construction.

Israeli Settlers’ Attacks

  • At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2020, Bilal Mohammed Raja went to his land in al-Sahlat area, east of Qaryut village, southeast of Nablus near Shvut Rachel settlement, to harvest the olive. Raja found out that Israeli settlers broke and uprooted 25 olive trees, knowing that these trees were implanted 6 years ago.
  • On Monday morning, 19 October 2020, a group of setters from “Elon Moreh” settlement established on lands of Salim, Azmut , and Deir al-Hatab villages, northeast of Nablus, pumped waste-water from inside their settlement to civilians’ lands implanted with olive trees in the eastern side of Deir al-Hatab village, coinciding with the time to harvest the olive, which caused  big loss for farmers after the trees were polluted.

V. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.

The West bank:

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. IOF established 58 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 9 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against

Individuals’ movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Jerusalem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Ijza village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem.

Bethlehem:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, east of Bethlehem.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, the northern entrance to Tuqu village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF tightened its measures at the Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem and established 2 checkpoints at the western entrance to Tuqu village, and the southern entrance to Nahalin village, west of the city.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Tuqu village, western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, northern entrance to al-Khader village, and near the intersection of al-Nashash area, south of the city.
  • On Tuesday, 20 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Beit Fajjar village, and the square of Fureidis village, east of Bethlehem.
  •  On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Tuqu village, the intersection to al-Nashash area, south of Bethlehem.

Ramallah:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the intersection of At-Tayba village ( at the road linking between Ramallah and Jericho), east of Ramallah, the entrance to Ein Yabrud village, east of the city, and the main entrance to Nabi Salih village, northeast of Ramallah.

Hebron:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Yatta, Dura, and as-Samu village.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Surif and Bani Na’im villages.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: al-Fawar refugee camp, Ash-Shuyukh village, Hebron’s southern entrance, and Kharsa village.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to: Hebron’s northern entrance, al-Aroub refugee camp, and Jalajel village.
  • On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, IOF established 7 checkpoints at the entrances to Idhna village, al-Fawar refugee camp, ad-Dhahiriya village, Hebron’s southern, entrance, and northern entrances, and as-Samu village.

Nablus:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sarra village, southwest of Nablus.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Marba’a area ( at the road linking between villages in southeast and southwest of Nablus).
  • On Monday 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Sebastia village (at the road linking between Nablus and Jenin).

Jenin:

  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the intersection to Zahrat al-Fenjan, and the entrance to Az-Zawiya village, south of Jenin.
  • On Sunday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Yabad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank.

Salfit:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a t the entrance to Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit.
  • On Friday, 16 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit.

Qalqilya:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the road linking between Azzun and Jayyous villages, east of Qalqilya.
  • On Sunday, 18 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.

Jericho:

  • On Thursday, 15 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Jericho. The soldiers searched civilians and checked their ID cards.
  • On Saturday, 17 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint near the Arab Development Society, east of Jericho.
  • On Monday, 19 October 2020, IOF established a checkpoint  at the southern entrance to Jericho.
IOF closed prisoner Nazmi ‘Asfour’s room in Jenin
PCHR’s fieldworker, Emad Abu Hawash documents IOF demolition in Hebron

Russia responds to Trump’s revelation about potentially assassinating Bashar Al-Assad

By News Desk -2020-09-19

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:20 P.M.) – Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s revelation about wanting to assassinate Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad after Washington accused his government of carrying out a chemical weapons attack.

“We recently heard about plans to assassinate the president of a sovereign state, President Bashar Al-Assad,” Nebenzia said during the U.N. Security Council session on Friday. “How is this not a policy of regime change?”

Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations stressed that “the unilateral sanctions, which are unlawful in and of themselves, which are used as a tool of collective punishment and aim to stir up social discontent impede the efforts of those who want peace in Syria.”

He called on parties that show their lack of respect for international law to abandon this practice.

Trump previously said in a televised interview with Fox News earlier that he had the opportunity to “get rid of Bashar al-Assad,” but then Defense Secretary James Mattis objected.

For its part, Damascus condemned the recent statements of U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing that Trump’s recognition of such a step confirms that the U.S. administration is a rogue and outlaw country, and is pursuing the same methods as terrorist organizations with killing and liquidation without taking into account any legal, humanitarian or ethical measures.

Related Videos

Related Articles

UN Rights Expert Lashes Out At ‘Israeli’ Anti-Palestinian ‘Collective Punishment’

UN Rights Expert Lashes Out At ‘Israeli’ Anti-Palestinian ‘Collective Punishment’

By Staff, Agencies

United Nations [UN] Human Rights Expert Michael Lynk slammed the ‘Israeli’ regime’s “collective punishment” against Palestinians, which is “most strikingly” in its persisting siege against the Gaza Strip, stressing that this must end.

“It is an affront to justice and the rule of law to see that such methods continue to be used in the 21st century and that Palestinians collectively continue to be punished,” Lynk said on Friday.

Lynk, who is the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, also warned that ‘Israeli’ punitive actions are harming millions of innocent people on a daily basis.

“These practices entail serious violations against Palestinians, including the right to life, freedom of movement, health, adequate shelter, and an adequate standard of living,” the UN official further stressed following the submission of a report to the 44th session of the Human Rights Council this week.

Gaza has been under a Zionist siege since June 2007.

Since 2008, the occupation regime has waged three wars against Gaza, where two million Palestinians live under a 12-year Zionist blockade. Thousands of Gazans have been killed in each of these deadly wars.

The crippling blockade has caused a decline in the standard of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty in the Gaza Strip.

“The extent of the devastating impact of ‘Israel’s’ collective punishment policy can be most strikingly seen in its ongoing 13-year-old closure of Gaza, which now suffers from a completely collapsed economy, devastated infrastructure, and a barely functioning social service system,” Lynk further said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the UN official touched on Tel Aviv’s condemned policy of demolishing Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank, stressing that such practice is in clear violation of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

“Since 1967, ‘Israel’ has destroyed more than 2,000 Palestinian homes,” Lynk said.

Zionist occupation authorities usually demolish Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank, claiming that the structures have been built without permits. They also sometimes order the Palestinian owners to demolish their own homes or pay the demolition costs to the municipality if they do not.

%d bloggers like this: