Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Israeli Brutal Occupation of Palestine Continues with More Attacks, Abductions, Demolition of Homes, and Theft of Lands

August 13, 2017 

Editor's Note:

The following news stories are just examples of the Israeli occupation government violations of Palestinian human rights, on daily basis. This cannot continue without the full financial and media support from Zionists as well as financial and military support from the US-EU governments, which have been active participant in the persecution and subjugation of the Palestinian people.

The Israeli occupation government has received more than $3.8 billion annually from the US successive administrations, Democrat and Republican alike, to enable it to continue the subjugation and persecution of the Palestinian people. The Obama administration made sure that the US support for the Israeli occupation government will continue by obligating its successors to give the racist, apartheid, Zionist state $38 billion in the next ten years.

 

Palestinian Ibtisam Al-Abid and her son were abducted from their home in Koaber by Israeli occupation soldiers, August 13, 2017	A Palestinian young man who was injued by Israeli occupation soldiers' fire inside Gaza Strip, August 11, 2017

Israeli occupation soldiers abducting a Palestinian man in Jerusalem, August 13, 2017	A Palestinian house demolished by Israeli occupation soldiers as punishment for the family of an activist, August 13, 2017

 

 

Israeli Occupation Soldiers' Attacks on Palestinians

Undercover Israeli Occupation Soldiers Injure Seven Palestinians Near Ramallah

August 11, 2017 12:44 AM IMEMC News Israeli attacks,

Undercover Israeli occupation soldiers infiltrated, on Thursday evening, into Beit Rima town, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and shot seven young men with live fire, after the soldiers attempted to abduct a Palestinian.

The WAFA Palestinian News Agency has reported that the undercover soldiers infiltrated into the town using a fruits and vegetables truck, carrying Palestinian license plates, and attempted to abduct a young man, but he managed to escape.

After their undercover assault was exposed, the soldiers started firing live rounds at many Palestinians who gathered in the area, and shot seven young men with live rounds in their limbs.

Regular army units then invaded the town and secured the released of its undercover officers, who barricaded themselves in a building in the town, leading to more clashes.

Medical sources said the wounded Palestinians have been transferred to Salfit governmental hospital, while one of them suffered various fractures in his injured leg, and will require additional surgeries, likely at a different medical center in the West Bank.

Following the assault, many Palestinian youngsters hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at the military vehicles, while the soldiers fired many live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets.

 Israeli Occupation Soldiers Injure Several Palestinians, Including A Teen In Serious Condition, In Gaza

August 11, 2017 11:10 PM IMEMC News Gaza City,

Israeli occupation soldiers shot and injured, Friday, many young Palestinian men, including a teenager who suffered life-threatening wounds, during clashes that took place in several parts of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Medical sources said a teenage boy, 16 years of age, suffered a serious injury after the soldiers, stationed across the border fence, shot him with a gas bomb in the head, during clashes that took place in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The sources added that the soldiers also targeted several ambulances and medics, during their attempts to provide aid to wounded Palestinians.

Furthermore, two young men suffered moderate wounds during clashes that took place east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, after the soldiers opened fire on Palestinian protesters.

More clashes took place between the soldiers, also across the border fence, near Nahal Oz military base, when the army fired many live rounds at the protesters, wounding two young men in their legs, before medics rushed them to the Shifa medical center, suffering moderate wounds.

Abduction of Palestinians by Israeli Occupation Soldiers

Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct Mother And Brother Of Detained Palestinian Near Ramallah

August 13, 2017 8:32 AM IMEMC News

For the second time in just a few weeks, Israeli occupation soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, Ibtisam al-‘Abed, the mother of Omar, who was taken prisoner on June 21st, after stabbing three Israeli settlers to death in Halamish colony. The soldiers also abducted her other son Khalid.

Following the fatal stabbing, the soldiers imposed a tight siege on Koabar village, the hometown of Omar, in an act of collective punishment against its inhabitants, and frequently invaded al-‘Abed family home.

Ibtisam was abducted, at dawn Sunday, after dozens of soldiers invaded and ransacked her home, and interrogated her along with her family, before taking her prisoner along with her son, Khalid.

Her husband was taken prisoner several days ago, after the soldiers invaded the family’s home.

Ibtisam’s abduction came just a few weeks after her release on a 10.000 Israeli Shekels bail.

Kobar village, northwest of Ramallah, remains under tight Israeli siege since the stabbing attack took place on June 21st, 2017, leading to the death of  Yosef Salomon, 70, his daughter Chaya, 46, and his son Elad, 36. 

Israeli Navy Abducts Two Fishermen In Northern Gaza

August 11, 2017 9:55 AM IMEMC News Gaza City,

Israeli occupation navy ships attacked, on Friday at dawn, several Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, abducted two fishermen, and confiscated their boat.

Eyewitnesses said the navy fired dozens of live rounds the fishing boats, confiscated a small boat, and abducted two fishermen, identified as Saddam Abdul-Bari Sultan, 22, and his brother Odai, 25.

The navy cuffed the two fishers, and took them, along with the small boat, to an unknown destination.

 Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct Ten Palestinians In The West Bank

August 13, 2017 10:46 AM IMEMC News

Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, at least ten Palestinians, including two children, during invasions and violent searches of homes, in different parts of the occupied West Bank.

Many army vehicles invaded Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, searched many homes, and abducted two children identified as Mousa Mohammad al-‘Amour, 15, and Riyad Talal al-‘Amour, 16.

Furthermore, for the second time in just a few weeks, the army invaded Kobar village, near Ramallah, and abducted Ibtisam al-‘Abed, the mother Omar, who was taken prisoner on June 21st, after stabbing three Israeli settlers to death in Halamish colony. The soldiers also abducted her other son Khaled.

The soldiers also abducted a Palestinian, identified as Ma’moun Qabaha, 28, after stopping his car at the Barta’a military roadblock, southwest of Jenn, in the northern part of the West Bank.

The army said its soldiers stopped and searched the car at the roadblock, and located an M-16 rifle.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers have abducted ten Palestinians in several parts of the West Bank, and moved them to several interrogation centers.

Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct A Young Man In Jerusalem

August 13, 2017 12:13 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers invaded, Sunday, the town of al-‘Eesawiyya, in occupied East Jerusalem, and abducted a young Palestinian man.

The invasion was carried out by a large military force; the soldiers invaded many neighborhoods in the town, installed roadblocks, before stopping and searching several Palestinians and cars.

The army then abducted a young man, whose identity remained unknown until the time of this report, and took him to an unknown destination.

On Sunday at dawn, the soldiers abducted at least ten Palestinians, including two children, during invasions and violent searches of homes, in different parts of the occupied West Bank.

Among the abducted Palestinians was Ibtisam al-‘Abed, the mother Omar, from Kobar village near Ramallah, who was taken prisoner on June 21st, after stabbing three Israeli settlers to death in Halamish colony. Ibtisam was taken prisoner along with her other son Khalid.

Palestinian Youth Activist Tareq Mattar Imprisoned Without Charge or Trial

August 13, 2017 6:19 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Palestinian youth activist Tareq Mattar was ordered to six months imprisonment without charge or trial under administrative detention on 10 August 2017. The order was issued by the Israeli occupation military commander over the West Bank and a confirmation is expected from an Israeli military court within 72 hours.

Mattar, 28, is a Palestinian youth leader who is active in a variety of projects, initiatives and forums to organize Palestinian youth and promote study and discussion of the Palestinian cause.

Mattar was seized on 3 August after Israeli occupation forces invaded his family home twice in two days, ransacking and destroying his family’s belongings. While in the family home, occupation forces threatened his family members that they will return every day, tear apart the home and harass and even arrest if Tareq did not report for interrogation. When Mattar appeared at the occupation military base with his family, he was seized by occupation forces and his family sent back. Only days later, he has joined 500 other Palestinians in being ordered imprisoned without charge or trial under an indefinitely renewable administrative detention order and 6,200 total Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.

Administrative detention orders are frequently used to target and imprison community leaders and Palestinian organizers. The orders are indefinitely renewable, and Palestinians have spent years at a time held in indefinitely-renewable administrative detention.

Via the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.

36 Palestinian Homes Demolished as Punishment since October 2015

August 12, 2017 4:58 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Israel’s demolition policy of Palestinian homes as a punitive measure has affected dozens of families, such as this one in Silwad demolished on Thursday to punish the family of a Palestinian alleged to have attacked Israeli soldiers. (WAFA photo/Baha Nasr)

With the demolition of three Palestinian homes in the West Bank, on Thursday, and the sealing of a fourth, the total number of homes Israel had demolished or sealed shut since October of 2015, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as a punishment to families, has now reached 41, according to the Abdullah Hourani Center for Studies.

Center director Suleiman Waari said Israel demolished 36 homes of Palestinians who allegedly attacked and killed Israelis, sealed shut with cement four others and welded shut a fifth after it was impossible to demolish it.

He said that 16 homes were for families of Palestinians who are currently in Israeli custody while the rest for families whose sons or daughters were killed.

Waari said, according to WAFA, that while Israel is quick to demolish family homes of alleged Palestinian attackers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which is a collective punishment policy, it has not taken any similar action against Israeli Jews who killed Palestinians in terror attacks.

He mentioned the murderers of the child Muhammad Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem, who was burnt alive, or the Dawabsha family in Douma, who were also killed after settlers set their home on fire.

He said the Israeli courts rejected petitions by the families of the Palestinian victims to demolish the homes of the convicted Jewish terrorists because, they said, demolition of homes is a deterrent policy aimed at Palestinians only.

 Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct Two Children In Beit Ummar

August 12, 2017 12:30 AM IMEMC News Hebron,

Several Israeli occupation military jeeps invaded, on Friday evening, Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, before the soldiers abducted two children.

Media activist, Mohammad Awad, said the soldiers abducted Baha’ Raed Moqbel, 16, and Odai Bassam Za’aqeeq, 15, and took them to Karmie Tzur illegal colony, built on Palestinian lands south of Beit Ummar.

In related news, a number of extremist Israeli colonists chased a Palestinian child, and hurled stones at a home, in Wad al-Hasseen area, close to Keryat Arba’ illegal colony, in Hebron city.

*** 

Israeli Theft of Palestinian Lands: Illegal Israeli Settlement Activities

Illegal Israeli Settlers Erect Mobile Homes Near Nablus

August 13, 2017 6:02 AM IMEMC News & Agencies I

Illegal Israeli Jewish settlers, on Saturday, set up mobile homes in the illegal Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, near the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, said Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlements activities in the northern West Bank.

He told WAFA that the homes were set up on land overlooking the villages of Burin and Urif, south of Nablus.

Mobile homes were also set up on land near Qosin as well as in the illegal settlement of Innab, west of Nablus.

It is believed the mobile homes were set up as part of a larger land-grab scheme in order to expand the existing settlements on nearby Palestinian land.

Settlement Activity Tripled in First Half of 2017

August 12, 2017 5:13 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Israeli occupation authorities have escalated the illegal plunder of Palestinian land to build illegal settlements in West Bank, defying international consensus.

Illegal settlement activities in occupied Palestine have skyrocketed in recent months, almost tripling in 2017, compared to the number in the same period last year, according to a newly published report.

The report, which was issued by the Palestinian National Office for the Defence of Land and Resistance of Settlement, revealed striking facts about the illegal Israeli settlements, according to Days of Palestine,.

Illegal Israeli Settlements are considered illegal under the international law and even the Israeli law.

However, the consecutive Israeli government, right or left wing, allowed the expansion of settlements built on private Palestinian lands, which are considered unconstitutional by the occupation authority’s courts.

In clear defiance of the international public opinion, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is giving the greenlight to the settlement enterprises.

He laid the corner stone for 1,000 new settlement units in the illegal settlement of Beitar Illit, in the south of Bethlehem, where 50,000 Zionist settlers live.

“No other government has done as much for settlement in the land of Israel [occupied Palestine] as the government which I lead,” Netanyahu has said. “Our generation has succeeded in achieving what past generations only dreamed of.”

Having US President Donald Trump as a settlement supporter, Israel approved the construction of 2,500 new illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, in January.

This came after an earlier announcement approving the construction of another 566 illegal settlement units in East Jerusalem.

Israel receives more than US$3bn of annual support from the United States.

(PNN archive image)

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Illegal Israeli Settlers Torch Palestinian Vehicles

August 12, 2017 4:30 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Illegal Israeli settlers, yesterday, set fire to two Palestinian vehicles and painted racist-vengeance slogans on the walls of local homes, in Ramallah’s northern town of Umm Safa.

The head of the village’s council, Marwan Sabah, said that a group of settlers attacked the town in the early hours of yesterday morning and burned two vehicles belonging to local residents of the village.

Sabah added, according to the PNN, that the Jewish settlers also painted slogans vowing revenge from the town’s residents, following the killing of three in the illegal Helmish settlement, which borders the Palestinian town in the north of Ramallah.

In days past, Israeli settlers of the Helmish and Ateret settlements carried out several attacks against Palestinian properties in the village, he noted.

Violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces also broke out today, in Ramallah’s northern village of Kubber, after forces brutally stormed the town amid heavy fire of rubber-coated bullets and tear gas bombs.

According to locals, a young Palestinian was hit by a rubber bullet during the clashes, while two relatives of a Palestinian prisoner were detained. The town’s entrance was also closed.

Illegal Israeli Settlers Chase A Child, Hurl Stones At A Home, In Hebron

August 12, 2017 12:14 AM IMEMC News Hebron,

A number of extremist illegal Israeli settlers chased, on Friday at night, a Palestinian child, and hurled stones at a home, in Wad al-Hasseen area, close to Keryat Arba’ illegal colony, in Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.

Kayed Da’na said the colonists attacked his nephew, then chased him, before throwing stones at his home, when the child ran into the building to seek shelter.

Da’na added that the colonists have recently escalated their assaults against the Palestinians, their homes and property in the area.

“For more than a month now, every Friday and Saturday seem to witness most of the attacks, against us, our children and our homes,” he stated, “This night, they chased my nephew, and hurled stones at my home… if they managed to capture my nephew, only God knows what they would have done to him…”

Furthermore, resident Aref Jaber from the Salayma nearby neighborhood, said dozens of soldiers invaded the area, stopped and searched many Palestinians, and interrogated several residents while inspecting their ID cards. 

***

PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

(03 – 09 August 2017)

August 13, 2017 6:11 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the week of 03 – 09 August 2017.
Ten Palestinian were wounded, including 9 civilians, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Five of them were wounded in the West Bank and 5 others in the Gaza Strip, while Israeli warplanes targeted two military sites in northern Gaza.

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 10 Palestinian civilians, including 9 civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Five of them were in the West Bank while the 5 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip continued to chase the Palestinian fishermen in the sea.  Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes against military training sites belonging to the Palestinian armed groups.
 
In the West Bank, on 28 July 2017, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians. Three of them were hit with metal bullets during Kafr Qaddoum weekly demonstration, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest against the closure of the eastern entrance to the village with an iron gate.  The 2 others were hit with bullets when the Israeli forces raided Dheisheh refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, to arrest them.
 
In the Gaza Strip, border areas witnessed protests against the continued and unjust closures imposed on the Gaza population.  The Israeli forces used force against the participants.  Due to the shooting used to disperse the protestors, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded; 2 of them with live bullets while the other 2 with tear gas canisters and sound bombs that directly hit them.
 
In the context of airstrikes, on 09 august 2017, Israeli warplanes targeted in separate air strikes a military training site and checkpoint belonging to Al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas Movement) in the northern Gaza Strip.  The first airstrike resulted in the injury of a Member of Palestinian armed groups with shrapnel to the head.  The 2 airstrikes caused damage to the site and checkpoint.
 
Concerning attacks on fishermen, on 04 August 2017, Israeli gunboats sporadically opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen, northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, and chased them. Similar attacks recurred against the Palestinian fishing boats in the same area on 05, 07 and 08 August 2017.
 
Incursions:
 
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 710 ones in Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 106 Palestinian civilians, including 21 children and 4 women. Thirty-six of them, including 8 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs.
 
In the Gaza Strip, on 03 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into east of Khuza’ah village, northeast of Khan Younis.  They levelled lands along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Efforts to create Jewish Majority
 
In the context of house demolitions, on 08 August 2017, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Hamzah al-Shaloudi in al-Rabay’ah neighbourhood in al-Mukaber Mount village, south of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of no licensing.  The wife of the house’s owner said that she lived with her husband and 2 children for 3 months in the 65-square-meter house.  She added that the Israeli Municipality demolished the house without any prior warning.  When the Municipality staff arrived to demolish the house, she called the lawyer who headed to the Municipality and managed to get a decision to delay the demolition.  However, the bulldozers had already demolished the house.
 
On 09 August 2017, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished an under-construction room belonging to Siyam family in Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of no licensing.  The family said that the 45-square-meter room was built of wood as the family started building it 2 months ago.
 
Settlement activities and settler attacks
 
In the context of demolition notices and house demolitions, the Israeli authorities notified 14 residential, commercial and industrial facilities in Silwad village, east of Ramallah, to be demolished under the pretext of no licensing although the facilities are located within Area B according to Oslo Accords.  The Head of the municipality said that among those notified facilities is a private school located within Silwad Municipality.  This school was built 10 years ago and is the only private school in the eastern Ramallah villages.
 
Concerning settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, on 04 August 2017, dozens of settlers from “Karayat Arba’” settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian houses in Jaber neighbourhood to the east of al-Ibrahimi Mosque with stones.  They also attacked Palestinian civilians under the protection of the Israeli police and forces, who did not lift a finger to prevent them.  As a result, Tariq Rebi’ie Tamimi (40) was wounded to the left hand and sustained fracture in the palm of his hand.  Moreover, Menwer Jaber (40) was wounded to the head and transferred to Hebron Governmental Hospital to receive medical treatment.
 
Restrictions on movement:
 
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
 
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 2 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons.  Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
 
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians.
Demonstrations Against Israeli Measures in al-Aqsa Mosque:
 
West Bank:
 
Following Friday prayers on 04 August 2017, dozens of Palestinian civilians from Dura organized a protest and made their way to Muthalath Kharsa area, south of the city, southwest of Hebron, in rejection to the Israeli policy of confiscating a 500-square-meter land belonging to al-Shahatit family as the soldiers transferred it to a military watchtower. The land is located in area (A) that is under the Palestinian control according to 1993 Oslo Accords near the bypass road (60) and “Negohot” settlement. At the end of the prayer, the protestors raised the Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans condemning the Israeli policy of confiscating lands. Large Israeli forces patrolled the area and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many civilians sustained tear gas inhalation. A number of young men threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers and set fire to tires. Meanwhile, a wastewater pumping vehicle arrived to the area and sprayed the main road and shops with wastewater. Clashes continued until the evening hours, but neither injuries nor arrests were reported.
 
At approximately 13:45 on Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and International activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah. They made their way to the eastern entrance to the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, the Israeli forces fired metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a 36-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the Back.
 
At approximately 13:45 on Saturday afternoon, 05 August 2017, Palestinian civilians and international activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah. They made their way to the eastern entrance to the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, the Israeli forces fired metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a 26-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the right hand and a 39-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the back.
 
Gaza Strip:
 
At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 04 August 2017, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered few meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, in response to calls for protests in the border area against the Israeli measures in occupied Jerusalem. A number of the young men set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the abovementioned border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. The clashes continued until approximately 20:00 on the same day. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded. Two civilians sustained live bullet wounds while the 2 others were hit with tear gas canisters.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
 
At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 04 August 2017, Israeli forces deployed in Tal al-Ramidah neighbourhood in the centre of Hebron, arrested ‘Emad ‘Awni Abu Shmaisah (45), a human rights defender, while he was in front of his house. ‘Emad was then taken to “Kiryat Arba“ investigations centre, east of the city, and was released in the evening. ‘Emad said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“While I was near my house, an Israeli patrol stopped me and then detained me. I was then taken to an investigation centre in “Kiryat Arba“ settlement, where they took me to an investigation room. After that, they informed me that there was a video showing I pushed an Israeli soldier in order to seize his firearm. I denied all their claims and asked them to show me the video. At approximately 18:00, I was released on one condition that I should return back for interrogation if they summon me.”
 
At approximately 12:10 on Sunday, 06 August 2017, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Jawhar Jameel Suliman al-Deek (35), from Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit, after checking his ID card.
 
At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 07 August 2017, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karama crossing, arrested Sa’d Khalid Riyad Haj Mohamed (22), from Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. Sa’d was arrested while travelling to Jordan through the crossing.
 
Efforts to Create Jewish majority
 
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
 
Arrests and Incursions:
 
At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 03 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into Maragha neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Yousef Maher al-Rajbi (19) and Mohamed Fayiz al-Rajbi (15).
 
At approximately 23:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces moved into occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children. The arrested persons were identified as Abdullah Abu ‘Asab (11), Ahmed Naser Dayiah (11) and Yousef al-Za’tari.
 
Following the Friday prayer, on 04 August 2017, Israeli forces deployed at al-Aqsa Mosque Gates in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City arrested 9 Palestinian civilians while they were on their way out from al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli forces stopped the civilians, checked their IDs and then searched them. In the meantime, the arrested persons were taken from al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate) to al-Rahama Gate Cemetery, where there was an investigation center. According to Lawyer Mohamed Mahmoud, the arrested persons were identified as photojournalist Mohamed al-Fateh Abu Isneinah; Mohamed al-Taweel; Mohamed al-Baby; ‘Obaidah al-Taweel; Nour al-Herbawi; Hassan Abu Lail; Samer Tawfiq Shaniq; Rayan Hamed and Basil Jaber.
 
At approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 05 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saleem Abu Kowaik and arrested him.
 
At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 06 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basil Dowaik (19) and arrested him.
 
On Sunday, 06 August 2017, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinian civilians after beating them up at al-Silsilah and al-Majles Gates of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. The Palestinian civilians were arrested in concurrent with an activity organized for children in al-Aqsa Mosque yards. Eyewitnesses stated that the Israeli forces beat up and pushed Palestinian worshipers while entering al-Majles and al-Silsilah Gates. They also raided nearby houses from which they arrested Mayada Shawamrah and 6 other civilians. The arrested persons were identified as ‘Alaa al-Haddad, Mo’ayad Idreis, Mo’az Idreis, Ahmed Idris, Abdullah Badran and ‘Atif Badran. At al-Silsilah Gate, the Israeli forces pepper-sprayed al-Aqsa Mosque guards and worshipers after beating them up. They also detained al-Aqsa Mosque guard, ‘Imran al-Rajbi, in the detention center for few minutes before he was released. Before al-Maghrib prayer, the Israeli forces arrested Tareq Ziyad Abu Mayalah at al-Majles Gate while attempting to enter al-Aqsa Mosque.
 
At approximately 02:30 on Monday, 07 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighborhood, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Amjad Hassonah (19) and arrested him.
 
At approximately 03:30 on Monday, Israeli forces moved into Beir Ayoub neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Adullah al-Qumairy and arrested his two sons Mohamed (22) and Rashid (20).
 
At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 07 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood, east of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mofeed Ziyad ‘Imran Sa’idah (17) and Jihad Naser Sa’idah (18).
 
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested and beat up Nour al-Deen Ishaq al-Rajabi (54) while he was near al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate), one of al-Aqsa Mosque’s Gates, in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City.
 
At approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighborhood, south of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Omar Mohamed Showaki (14), Sameer Bakhtan (13) and Omar Bseilah (14).
 
At approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, 08 August 2017, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Adli Khalil al-Salaimah (34) and arrested him.
 
At approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, Israeli forces moved into al-Mukaber Mount area, south of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mustafa Mohamed Abu Jamal (14) and arrested him.
 
House Demolitions:
 
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 08 August 2017, Israeli Municipality bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Hamza al-Shalodiy in al-Rabaiy’ah neighborhood in al-Mukaber Mount village, south of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Hamza said that large number of Israeli Special Forces accompanied with sniffer dogs, Israeli Municipality crews and bulldozers moved into al-Rabaiy’ah neighborhood. He added that the Israeli Special Forces raided his house, forced his family to leave the house, took some its contents out and then demolished it.
Sanna’ Halsah al-Shalodiy, Hamza’s wife, said that she lives with her husband and their 2 children in their house for 3 months. It should be noted that the house was built on an area of 65 square meters. She stated that the Israeli Municipality demolished the house without any prior warning. Sanaa’ added that when the bulldozers came to demolish the house, she called the lawyer who then headed to the municipality and managed to get a decision to delay the demolition, but the bulldozers had already demolished her house. Moreover, she said that the Israeli Municipality crews, who were surrounding the house, refused to delay the demolition until the lawyer came with the decision to delay the demolition. When the Israeli court decided to delay the demolition, the bulldozers had already demolished most of the house except for parts of a room.
 
At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 09 August 2017, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished an under-construction residential room belonging to Siyam family in Beit Haninah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Siyam family stated that the Israeli municipality bulldozers accompanied with Israeli forces surrounded the house and demolished it. They also demolished the fence surrounding the land on which the room is established. The family said that the 45-square-meter residential room was built of wood 2 months ago.
 
Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and property
 
On Tuesday, 08 August 2017, the Israeli authorities notified many residential, industrial and commercial facilities in Silwad village, east of Ramallah, under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that the abovementioned facilities is located in (B) areas according to the 1993 Oslo Accords.  The Chairman of Silwad village Municipality, ‘Abed al-Rahman Saleh, stated that Israeli forces accompanied with the Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Silwad village. They handed 14 administrative demolition notices to owners of houses, facilities and a private school. He added that among the notified facilities, there was a private school located within Silwad village municipality. He also said that this school is the only school for the villages in the eastern side of Ramallah.
 
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
 
Israeli settlers’ attacks
 
At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 04 August 2017, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba“ settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians’ houses in Jaber neighborhood “al-Masharqa al-Foqa”, east of al-Ibrahimi Mosque. They threw stones at the houses under the Israeli forces protection. As a result, Tareq Khadir Hasan “Rabi’y Tamimi” (40), sustained wounds to the left hand and the palm of his hand was fractured. Moreover, Ahmed Hamed Jaber (40) sustained wounds to the head. Both of them were then taken to Hebron governmental hospital to receive medical treatment. Minwer Jaber said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:
“I live with my family in al-Masharqa al-Fouqa area between “Kiryat Arba’“ settlement and al-Ibrahimi Mosque. At approximately 21:00 when I was home, I heard some shouting in front of the house. I then headed to the window and saw 5 children from our neighborhood walking on the street and around 30 Israeli settlers; most of whom were young, cursing them.

One of the children namely Mahmoud Nihad Jaber (7), shouted at the settlers. In the meantime, one of Israeli soldiers came and pushed Mahmoud to the wall and held his hand. I then opened my house door to see what was going on, during which a number of Palestinian young men gathered and attempted to rescue Mahmoud. Meanwhile, the Israeli settlers attacked Ahmed Abed al-Kareem Jaber (15) and hit him with their hands. Ahmed attempted to defend himself, but 3 Israeli soldiers attacked him and pushed him to the wall. Ahmed fell into the ground, during which 2 Israeli soldiers sat over him and started punishing his head and back and then took him away. The Israeli settlers threw stones towards the Palestinian young men and their houses; one of the settlers had an automatic firearm and then pointed it at the Palestinian young men.

After that, an Israeli soldier intervened and took the settler away. In the meantime, my neighbor, ‘Aref Jaber (45), arrived at my house filmed what was happening via his phone. Three Israeli settlers then attacked us, so a number of Israeli soldiers approached and took the Israeli settlers away from us, while another Israeli soldier came towards us and sarcastically asked us what is going on? The Israeli settlers continued to throw stones and curse us. The stones heavily fell over my house, so ‘Aref was hit with a stone to his head and started bleeding.  I then took him inside the house.”
 
Recommendations to the International Community
 
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 10 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. 

PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.  PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
 
PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.

PCHR calls upon the ICC in 2017 to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.

PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.

PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.

PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.

PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.

PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.

PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.

PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.

PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.

PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.

PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.

Fully detailed document available at the official website of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. 

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