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by PCHR-Gaza

In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 10- 23 October 2013, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a member of an armed group in the West Bank.
4 Palestinian civilians, who tried to take the corpse of the victim from the Israeli forces, were wounded. Israeli forces opened fire in the northern Gaza Strip, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

In addition, Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank. A Palestinian civilian was wounded during Bil'in weekly protest, northwest of Ramallah.

Israeli attacks in the West Bank:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded 5 others in the West bank; 4 of whom were wounded when they tried to take the corpse of the victim, while the fifth one was wounded during a peaceful protest against the annexation wall in the West Bank. Israeli forces conducted 99 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 48 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and a girl, were abducted in the West Bank.

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 16 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a woman, were abducted at checkpoints in the West Bank.

In the West Bank, on Tuesday, 22 October 2013, Israeli forces killed Mohammed 'Assi, from Beit Luqia village, southwest of Ramallah. The aforementioned person was killed in an armed clash with Israeli forces after the latter surrounded a cave in which he was hiding. Israeli forces, according to Yediot Aharonot, claimed that 'Assi had planned for the explosive device that was detonated in an Israeli bus during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012. Israeli forces kept his corpse, but a number of boys and young men gathered trying to take the corpse from an Israeli vehicle. Israeli soldiers opened fire to disperse them. As a result, 4 persons were wounded and others suffered tear gas inhalation.

On 20 October 2013, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Essam Atawna (32) and took him outdoors. They attacked him and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 22 October 2013, Israeli forces stationed at Checkpoint (65), which is established at the entrance of al-Shuhada Street in the centre of Hebron, attacked Hamdan Mohammed Hamdan Sha'abnah (15) after detaining him at the aforementioned checkpoint by beating him with feet, hands and gun butts. As a result, he fainted and then was transferred by a Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance to the Hebron Governmental Hospital to receive treatment. An hour and a half later, a number of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who prevented people from reaching the child to rescue him. Israeli soldiers immediately fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers, but no injuries were reported. It should be mentioned that the soldier was the same one who attacked 'Awni 'Emad Abu Shamsiyeh (14) while passing through a checkpoint in Tal al-Ramidah area on 15 October 2013.

Hamdan Sha'abnah (15) said to a PCHR field worker that:
"I live with my family comprised of 4 members in al-Sahlah area (H2), south of Hebron. I am in the tenth grade at Tariq Bin Ziyad School. When I want to go to the city, I take the nearest road to our house through the Islamic Cemetery near Tal al-Ramidah area and then pass through checkpoint (65), which separates between the entrance of al-Shuhada Street and Bab al-Zawiyah area. At approximately 13:00 on 22 October 2013, I was on my way back home with my friend, Tariq Salhab (14), and we arrived at the aforementioned checkpoint. We entered a caravan room, where there was a militant predictor gate we passed through. When we went out of the caravan, one of the Israeli soldiers, who was with a light black beard, light skin and in an average height, called me and asked me to deliver my ID card. I told him: ‘I am still young and do not have an ID card.’ He then ordered me to stand against the wall, established near the checkpoint, and raise my hands up. The soldier approached me and kicked my feet to open them, and then I said: ‘Why are you beating me?’ He hit me with the gun butt to my back and pushed me to the wall. I then looked at him, so he hit me again with the gun butt on my chest, back and shoulder. At that time, another soldier came and twisted my hands to the back, and both of them kept kicking all over my body. Minutes after the attack on me, the soldier, who forced me to stand up, hit me with the gun butt to my head. As a result, I felt a great pain in my head and shortness of breath as a number of people gathered in the place to rescue me from the soldiers' hands, but in vain. I then fell unconscious to the ground out of pain. At approximately 14:30, I woke up to find myself in the Hebron Governmental Hospital where doctors were giving treatment. My mother later told me that she arrived at the place and military doctors tried to save me and roll me with pieces of tin as I suffer from excessive electrical discharges and attacks of nerves. She also told me that she waited a whole hour at the checkpoint when I was unconscious. I was then transferred by a Palestine Red Crescent ambulance to the Hebron Governmental Hospital. I still suffer till this moment from pain in the head, feet, and hands and have different bruises all over my body."

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces carried out 4 limited incursions into the central and southern Gaza Strip on 15, 20 and 22 October 2013. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

In the context of targeting fishermen in the sea, Israeli gunboats positioned in the sea opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats 5 times on 11, 12, 13 and 21 October 2013.

A companion of a Palestinian patient was abducted at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people. The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.

Israeli settlement activities:

Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 19 October 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the annexation wall in Ethna village, west of Hebron, denied Palestinian farmers access to their lands to harvest the olives.

On the same day, Israeli forces prevented civilians from Kherbet Um al-Kheir, east of Yatta, in the southern Hebron, from grazing their sheep in the fields around the village. At the same time, Israeli authorities allow the expansion in "Carmiel" settlement around the village.

On the same day also, Israeli forces prevented electricity workers from Ethna village from performing their work in Souba area, south of the village, under the pretext it is part of area (C) and they needed an a permit from the Israeli competent department.

On 21 October 2013, Israeli forces backed with 4 military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Se'da neighbourhood, east of Deir Samet village, southwest of Hebron. They stationed at the entrance of the neighbourhood and deployed between the houses. Moreover, the Civil Administration officer handed civilians 3 notices to demolish 2 houses and 2 sheds used for collecting scraps.

On 10 October 2013, a number of settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in Tal al-Rumaida area in the centre of Hebron threw stones at Palestinian farmers while they were collecting olives.

On 11 October 2013, a group of settlers from "Najohout" settlement, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, arrived at Tarousa Mountain and performed their religious rituals.

On the same day, a group of settlers from "Sousia" settlement, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers while they were collecting olives from their lands. As a result, 3 civilians sustained minor wounds.

On the same day also, about 100 settlers from "Afrat" settlement, in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, moved into Suleiman Pools area and performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli forces.

On 16 October 2013, a number of settlers from "Beir Ein" settlement, northwest of Hebron, stole olives from lands around al-Jaba'a village, west of the city.

On 19 October 2013, a number of settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, built a wooden caravan on a land belonging to Yunis Khalil Abu Rmaila (67) in order to seize the land. It should be noted the Israeli Civil Administration had issued a decision to return the land to its owner and declaring that that period of seizing the land for military purposes had been over. Israeli forces detained Manal al-Ja'bari, a researcher in B'Tselem, because she was filming the settlers’ attack.

On 22 October 2013, under the protection of Israeli forces, a number of settlers rehabilitated a building near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of the Old Town of Hebron.

On the same day, settlers from "Jabal Baten al-Mu'si" settlement outpost, south of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, uprooted 80 olive seedlings from a land belonging to Alaa' Omar Abu Ghalyoun (44).

On the same day also, settlers from "Afrat" settlement in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, pumped sewage water on agricultural lands in al-Abyar and al-Bassa areas, south of the city.

On the same day, about 20 settlers from "Taqou'" settlement, southeast of Bethlehem, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving in Qaber Helwa area, east of Bethlehem. As a result, glass of some vehicles was broken.

On 23 October 2013, a number of settlers from "Beit Ein" settlement, northwest of Hebron, attacked Hamad al-Salibi (78) while he was in his land. They also insulted him and threatened him not to return to his land.

Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a civilian was hit by a gas canister to the right leg, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer, 11 October 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed all the entrances of the village since morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the cement wall and tried to pass the fence before Israeli forces that are stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased them in olive fields. As a result, many suffered gas suffocation and bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli forces and were treated on the spot.

On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle of Ni’lin village, in the western Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbed wire and prevented the demonstrators from passing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. As a result, many suffered gas suffocation and bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli forces and were treated at the scene.

Around the same times, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in Nabi Saleh village, south-western Ramallah. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force, near Halamish settlement. Israeli forces closed all the entrances of the village since morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they had arrived at the land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased in the village. As a result, many suffered gas inhalation and bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli forces and were treated at the scene.

Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ma’sara village, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration started in front of the Candles Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. Demonstrators took to streets raising the Palestinian flag. When they had arrived at the area where the annexation wall is established, Israeli forces started firing tear gas canisters in attempt to disperse them, detained three international activists for one hour, and prevented the demonstrators from reaching the annexation wall.

At approximately 12:30, Palestinian civilians and international activists organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kafr Qaddoum village, north-western Qalqilia, and headed towards the eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate, which resulted in many injuries including cases of gas suffocation.

Following the Friday prayer, 18 October 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in village, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags before they headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed all the entrances of the village to prevent the demonstrators and journalists from participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched near the concrete wall and attempted to cross the border fence. Israeli forces stationed behind the new wall in the western area and a large number of Israeli soldiers who are deployed along the wall fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters and skunk water at the demonstrators and chased them in the olive fields. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded in the right leg, in addition to many cases of gas suffocation, fainting, and bruises. Israeli forces also abducted Amjad Ayed Khalil Aburahma, 18, while he was taking photos of the demonstration, confiscated his camera and took him to Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.

On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the centre of Ni’lin, west Ramallah, to organise the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Protestors took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the entrance of the annexation wall with barbed wire. Protesters threw stones when Israeli soldiers prevented them from crossing the barbed wire, so they responded by firing live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and skunk water and chased them in the village, which resulted in many injuries including cases of gas suffocation and cruises due to beating. Wounded were treated on the spot.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Shuhadaa’ square in Nabi Saleh village, in the north-western Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the occupation and its arbitrary procedures against the Palestinian prisoners, and in support of the national unity, adherence to national principles and resisting the occupation, before they headed to the lands that Israeli settlers are trying to rob by force near Halamish Settlement. Israeli forces closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they had arrived at the land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased in the village. As a result, many suffered gas suffocation and bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli forces and were treated on the spot.

At approximately 12:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international activists organised a demonstration in the centre of Kafr Qaddoum village, in the north-eastern Qalqilia, to the eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the entrance with an iron gate since the Aqsa Intifada. Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate. As a result, many suffered gas suffocation.

Recommendations to the international community:

Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions fulfill their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;

In addition, the PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals.

For the full text of the report, click on the PCHR News Source link