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

 

Scores of Palestinians Injured and Abducted, Homes Demolished, Human Rights Violated by Israeli Occupation Forces

July 21, 2019 

Editor's Note:

While brutal force has been used to create Zionist Israel and sustain it thus far, Zionist claims to Palestine are false. Actually, from the five thousand years of known written history, there has been a continuous Palestinian-Canaanite presence in the Holy Land. Despite the Zionist false claims, the ancient Israelites ruled part of the land for only 85 years (during the reign of David, Solomon, and Solomon's son).

 After that, the Egyptians conquered Palestine-Canaan in 925 BC, followed by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, before the Arab Muslim rule, starting from 636 AD.

By the Time Jesus started his mission, the three population groups of Canaanites, Palestinians, and Israelites were melted together in religion and language. Most of them became Christians when Constantine converted in 313 AD. Then, most of them became Muslims in the 7th and 8th centuries AD.

So, Palestinian Muslims, Christians, and Jews are the ones who have the right to claim descent from ancient Israelites, Palestinians, and Canaanites, not Zionists from other continents.

The following news stories are just examples of the Israeli occupation government violations of Palestinian human rights, on daily basis.

More detailed news stories can be found at the following sources: https://english.palinfo.com/, http://imemc.org/, https://paltoday.ps/ar/

 

Palestinian 9 years old child, Abdul-Rahman-El-Shitaiwi, in critical condition after attacked with a bullet in the head by an Israeli soldier, on July 12, 2019	Palestinian protesters inside Gaza attacked with tear gas by Israeli occupation soldiers from across the border, on July 12, 2019

Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem attacked with tear gas by Israeli occupation soldiers, on July 20, 2019	A Palestinian protester injured with a live bullet inside Gaza by Israeli occupation soldiers from across the border, on July 20, 2019

 

97 Palestinians in Gaza Injured by Israeli Live Fire and Tear Gas Bombs

July 20, 2019

GAZA, (PIC) + -

At least 97 Palestinians were injured on Friday by Israeli live fire and tear gas bombs while taking part in the Great March of Return on Gaza border.

The Ministry of Health announced that four paramedics and two journalists were among the wounded on the 67th Friday of the Great March of Return.

Since the start of Gaza border protests on 30 March 2018 the Israeli occupation forces stationed on the border between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories have killed dozens of protesters and injured thousands others.

Palestinians injured in protest against home demolition Short url Related

July 20, 2019

BETHLEHEM, (PIC) + -

A number of Palestinian citizens were injured by Israeli gas bombs on Saturday during a protest in Bethlehem in solidarity with the residents of Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood near Jerusalem where tens of homes are threatened with demolition.

Local sources said that the Israeli forces heavily fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades at the protesters.

Dozens choked on tear gas while photojournalist Ayat Arqawi was wounded by a tear gas canister to the abdomen.

Scores of Palestinians staged a protest ten east of Bethlehem city against Israel's plan to demolish over 100 homes in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood in Sur Baher town.

Israeli Occupation Soldiers Attack Anti-Settlement Protest in Kafr Qaddoum, Injuring 40 Palestinians

July 20, 2019

QALQILYA, (PIC) + -

At least 40 Palestinian citizens were injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces violently quelled a peaceful march against the settlement in Kafr Qaddum town, east of the West Bank city of Qalqilya.

Local sources said that 40 protesters were injured by Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.

The residents of Kafr Qaddum organize mass protests every Friday against Israel's settlement policies.

UN Officials Call On Israel To Halt Sur Baher Demolitions

July 19, 2019 4:25 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

UN officials, on Wednesday, called on the Israeli occupation government to halt plans for mass demolitions in the neighborhood of Sur Baher, East Jerusalem.

This came in a statement by Jamie McGoldrick (Humanitarian Coordinator), Gwyn Lewis (Director of West Bank Operations for UNRWA), and James Heenan (Head of OHCHR in the occupied Palestinian territory), according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“We are following very closely developments in the Sur Baher area of the Jerusalem governorate. Seventeen Palestinians, including nine Palestine refugees, face the risk of displacement, and over 350 others risk massive property loss, due to the Israeli authorities’ intention to demolish 10 buildings, including around 70 apartments, due to their proximity to the West Bank barrier. One month ago, following the exhaustion of almost all domestic legal remedies, Israeli forces sent the residents, a “Notice of Intent to Demolish” which will expire tomorrow, 18 July,” the UN officials said in their statement.

“Demolitions and forced evictions are some of the multiple pressures generating a risk of forcible transfer for many Palestinians in the West Bank. Residents of East Jerusalem and adjacent areas have been particularly affected, with a significant rise in demolitions there in 2019.

“Amongst the seventeen Palestinians now at risk of displacement, nine of them are Palestine refugees, including an elderly couple and five children. For many refugees in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, displacement is both a living memory and an imminent risk. Displacement, particularly for the most vulnerable, is traumatic and has lasting consequences.

“We join others in the international community in calling on Israel to halt plans to demolish these and other structures and to implement fair planning policies that allow Palestinian residents of the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, the ability to meet their housing and development needs, in line with its obligations as an occupying power,” they concluded their statement.

Israeli occupation forces ordert Area A Palestinian residential buildings to be demolished near Jerusalem

July 19, 2019 3:57 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Israeli occupation forces, today, took measurements of 16 Palestinian residential buildings slated for demolition in Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood, located on the edge of Sur Baher, southeast of the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Head of the Wadi al-Hummus Committee Hamada Hamada told WAFA that Israeli forces, along with staff from the so-called Israeli municipality. took measurements of the 16 buildings, which comprise of 100 apartments, in preparation to demolish them as was confirmed one of the owners, Mohammed Abu Tair.

This step, Hamada explained, came after the period given by Israeli authorities to the owners, to demolish their apartments on their own, came to an end today, thus the demolition will be carried out at any moment.

The owners are expected to pay exorbitant demolition fees, as Israeli authorities will carry out the demolition.

The Israeli high court has recently approved the demolition of the buildings, thus upholding military allegations that the buildings are “close to the Annexation Wall” and “pose a security threat” due to their proximity to the illegal wall.

Palestinian appeals to demolition orders are frequently dismissed by Israeli courts, which are in fact complicit in perpetuating the Israeli policies of forcible transfer and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The buildings are located in Area A, supposedly under the full jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority as per the Oslo Accords.

The demolition is expected to have a disastrous effect on all other areas of the West Bank adjacent to Israel’s wall, putting these areas at a high risk of mass demolitions, under security pretenses, and putting the lives of Palestinians living in such areas at the risk of imminent forcible transfer.

Due to the Israeli Siege, Gaza Facing Unprecedented Shortage of Medical Supplies

July 19, 2019 3:52 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip said that  it was facing an “unprecedented” shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies, on Tuesday.

“The medical crisis in hospitals and health centers is the most difficult during the years of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip,” a statement from the ministry read.

The ministry’s annual requirement of medicines and medical supplies amounts to $40 million but only $10 million was available for medicines and medical supplies in the last 6 months, PNN further reports.

The statement noted that the shortage deprived 50 per cent of patients in the Gaza Strip from treatment.

It called on all parties to take urgent and effective measures to provide essential medicines for patients with cancer, blood diseases, kidney failure, neurological and psychological illnesses, as well as chronic diseases.

The Gaza Strip has suffered more than 12 years under siege by Israel, with support from Egypt and the international community. Goods, food, aid, construction materials and other essentials have not been allowed in, and people have been left unable to leave even to access medical care.

The General Federation of Palestinian Labour Unions reported, last year, that, as a result of the siege, unemployment in the enclave almost doubled to 50 per cent, rising from 27.2 per cent before 2007.

Due to the ban on the entry of fuel, Gaza’s sole electricity plant has been forced to shut down leaving civilians with only 4 hours of electricity a day; further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

A report released by the UN last month raised concerns that Gaza would be “unliveable” by 2020.

B’Tselem: Contrary to Israeli military statement: ‘Abdul Rahman Al-Shteiwi, 9, was shot in the head with live ammunition”

July 18, 2019 9:10 PM B'Tselem The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories

Al-Shteiwi was injured last week with a live bullet by Israeli occupation soldiers, while playing in the entrance to a home in Kafr Qadum during the weekly demonstration in the village. Now hospitalized in critical condition, he is the latest victim of the reckless open-fire policy that allows soldiers to use live fire even when neither they nor anyone else is in any danger.

At about 1:30 PM on Friday, 12 July 2019, the regular weekly demonstration against the closure of the main access road from Kafr Qadum to the regional capital Nablus took place. The military blocked the road in the early 2000s, following the expansion of the adjacent settlement of Kadum. Since then, residents have been forced to use a bypass road that lengthens the journey by about half an hour.

The street where ‘Abd a-Rahman a-Shteiwi was shot. ‘Abd a-Rahman was sitting at the entrance to the home in the center of the photo. The man who helped evacuate ‘Abd a-Rahman to the ambulance was sitting with his children opposite the boy, under the shade of the olive tree. Photo: Eyal Sagiv, B’Tselem, 17 July 2019

During the demonstration, a few dozen youths threw stones at a number of soldiers deployed along the ridge on the outskirts of the village, several dozen meters from the demonstrators. The soldiers fired rubber coated metal bullets at the protestors, but, in a departure from previous practice in Kadum protests, this time, they also fired a large number of live rounds in the air.

At a distance of about 200 meters from the main protest, about ten protestors threw stones at four soldiers who were a few dozen meters away from them, on another hill on the same ridge. About 100 meters away from this group, further down the road, a resident of Kafr Qadum was sitting under an olive tree with his two 10-year-old children. Opposite them, about 10 meters away, ‘Abd a-Rahman a-Shteiwi, 9, was sitting at the entrance of one of the homes on the edge of the village playing with a piece of wood.

At about 2:20 PM, as the main demonstration, some 200 meters away from ‘Abd a-Rahman a-Shteiwi, began to disperse, a soldier fired a live bullet. It hit boy’s head and he immediately fell to the ground. The resident who was sitting nearby and a young man who was in the area evacuated the boy to an ambulance waiting some 50 meters away down the road. ‘Abd a-Rahman was taken unconscious to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus and underwent head surgery. Two days later, on 14 July 2019, sedated and ventilated, he was transferred to the intensive care unit at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer.

View from the point where ‘Abd a-Rahman was injured to the hill where the soldiers were standing. The man on the hill is standing where the soldiers were standing at the time of the firing. Photo: ‘Abd al-Karim Sa’adi, B’Tselem, 14 July 2019.

In its statements to the media, the military denied that soldiers used live fire, and even rejected any responsibility for the incident. A response the military released claimed that the soldiers had used “various crowd-control methods” and that “a report was received of an injured boy aged around ten.” However, 9-year-old A-Shteiwi’s injury is a direct result of the open-fire policy implemented by the military in the Occupied Territories. This policy illegally and without any justification permits the use of live fire against Palestinians who are not endangering anyone. The policy remains in force despite the fact that it has resulted in hundreds of Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries.

The military prides itself on regulations restricting the circumstances in which live fire may be used, while at the same time claiming that the law enforcement system will take action against soldiers who violate the regulations. However, these statements are hollow and meaningless. In many cases, the open-fire regulations are completely disregarded. Meanwhile, the law enforcement system is actually a whitewashing system intended to create the illusion of investigations. A-Shteiwi is the latest victim of this policy, but unless it is changed, it is only a matter of time before the next victim is added to the list.

Israeli Occupation Army Abducts Fifteen Palestinians Celebrating High-School Graduation In Jerusalem

July 18, 2019 6:16 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers abducted, on Thursday evening, fifteen young Palestinian men in occupied Jerusalem, who were celebrating their high-school graduation using fireworks, after illegal Israeli colonists complained that the Palestinians are “firing live rounds.”

Palestinian sources said dozens of Palestinians, including the graduating students, were celebrating the graduations, and using fireworks.

They added that illegal Israeli colonialist settlers, living on Palestinian lands in and around the area, complained to the army and the police, and alleged that the Palestinians were also firing rounds of live ammunition.

The colonists also alleged that “some of the bullets reached their homes and cars and endangered their lives.”

The Israeli army and the police then invaded many Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and abducted fifteen young men, in addition to initiating searches trying to abduct more of them.

Israeli Occupation Soldiers Abduct Seven Palestinians in Qalqilia, Jenin And Salfit

July 18, 2019 5:22 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation PS office in Qalqilia, in northern West Bank, said the soldiers invaded the city, before storming and ransacking a local shop, and abducted its owner, Saed Jamal al-‘Arabi, 35.

In addition, the soldiers invaded and searched many homes in Jenin refugee camp, and abducted two young men, identified as Amin Hasan Bani Gharra and Kassoum Sa’adi.

The soldiers also fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinian protesters in the refugee camp.

Furthermore, the soldiers invaded the az-Zawiya village, west of Salfit in central West Bank, and abducted four young men, identified as Nahel Ahmad Shqeir, Laith Ibrahim Shqeir, Rafat Yousef Shqeir and his son Arqam Shqeir.

During the invasion, the soldiers detained Rifat Shqeir and his son Amro, in addition to Najeeb Mustafa Moqadi and his son Karam, but released them a few hours later.

The soldiers also invaded the home of the mayor of az-Zawiya, Na’im Hammouda, before searching the property, and summoned him for interrogation.

The soldiers fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinians, protesting the invasions, and installed many roadblocks in and around the town, in addition to various villages and towns in Salfit governorate.

It is worth mentioning that Israeli military surveillance drones have been constantly flying over the area for the third consecutive day.

Israeli Occupation Army Abducts Two Palestinians, Injures One, In Deheishe Refugee Camp

July 18, 2019 5:11 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, abducted two Palestinians and shot one.

Media sources said dozens of soldiers invaded the refugee camp after surrounding it, searched and ransacked homes, before abducting Fares Hasan Shamarkha, 35, and Ismael Tawfiq al-‘Ayasa, 19.

The invasions, violent home searches and abductions led to protests in the refugee camp, before the soldiers fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.

Medical sources in Bethlehem have confirmed that a young man, 25, was shot with a live round in the thigh, and was moved to a hospital in the city. Several Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.

During the violent searches of homes, the soldiers assaulted Ali Sami Shahin and his family, causing cuts and bruises.

Illegal Israeli Settler Rams Palestinian With Car, Flees The Scene

July 18, 2019 5:11 AM IMEMC News

An illegal Israeli settler rammed, on Wednesday evening, a young Palestinian man from the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, causing fractures and bruises, and fled the scene.

The Maan Palestinian News Agency said the young man, identified as Adnan Samer Mojahed, 19, suffered various fractures, in addition to cuts and bruises to several parts of his body.

It added that the young man was driving to his work when his car broke down in Abu Ghosh Street, and when he stepped out to try to fix it, a speeding Israeli colonialist settler rammed him with his car and fled the scene.

The Palestinian was rushed to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem.

Israeli Occupation Army Demolishes Four Stores In Silwan, Abducts One Child

July 17, 2019 6:34 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers invaded, Wednesday, Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, and demolished four stores owned by a Palestinian, identified as Mohammad al-Abbassi, and abducted one child.

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said dozens of soldiers, including undercover officers, and the police, invaded Abu Tayeh neighborhood, in Ein al-Louza area, in Silwan, after surrounding and isolating it.

Silwanic added that the soldiers then demolished the four stores, under the pretext of being built without permits.

The soldiers also assaulted many Palestinians before, during and after the demolitions.

It is worth mentioning that al-Abbassi was only informed of the demolition orders a day ago and started removing their contents with the help of his family.

Furthermore, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Ali Taweel, 15, from Wadi Hilweh neighborhood, and took him to an interrogation facility in the city.

Israeli Occupation Soldiers Injure Many Palestinians In Ramallah

July 17, 2019 6:19 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers injured, Wednesday, many Palestinians near Beit El military roadblock, north of al-Biereh city, in the Ramallah and al-Biereh governorate, in central West Bank, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported.

WAFA said the soldiers resorted to the excessive use of force against students of Bir Zeit University, who were nonviolently marching in condemnation of death of a political prisoner, identified as Nassar Taqatqa, 31, who died while in solitary confinement in Nitzan Israeli Prison.

The sources added that dozens of soldiers were deployed in and around the military roadblock, while more troops were deployed on the surrounding hills.

The soldiers fired a barrage of high-velocity gas bombs, concussion grenades, in addition to rubber-coated steel bullets at the protesters.

Medical sources said dozens of Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and others suffered cuts and bruises.

Israeli Occupation Army Abducts Fifteen Palestinians In The West Bank

July 17, 2019 4:58 PM IMEMC News

Israeli occupation soldiers abducted, on Wednesday at dawn, fifteen Palestinians from their homes, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has confirmed.

The PPS said the soldiers stormed and violently searched many homes in the Ramallah and al-Biereh governorate, in central West Bank, and abducted seven Palestinians, identified as Sami Hussein, Ibrahim Hasan Mosaffar, Khaled Hussein Mosaffar, Yousef Abu al-Baha, Maher Dalaysha, Fayez Warda and Mohammad Hasan Abu Salim.

It is worth mentioning that Sami Hussein works at the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society’s main office in Ramallah.

In Bethlehem, south of occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted Sayyed Mohammad al-Jabri, Sharaf-Eddin Yassin Abu Salem and Mousa Jaradat al-‘Amour.

In Jenin, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted two siblings, identified as Mazen and Adnan Mustafa Zakarna.

In Qalqilia, also in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Mohammad Abdul-Rahman Nofal.

In Hebron, in southern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Shehab Aref Qazzaz and Omar Suleiman Abu Ayyash.

Palestinians Losing 60 Million Work Hours Per Year on Israeli Occupation Military Checkpoints

July 17, 2019 1:22 AM IMEMC News & Agencies

Palestinians lose about 60 million hours of work per year, due to the military checkpoints and restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation army, on Palestinian movement between the towns and villages of the West Bank, the Applied Research Institute (ARIJ) reported Monday, according to Al Ray.

ARIJ estimated the loss at about $ 270 million per year, according to the wage of workers per hour, in addition to extra fuel consumption at about 80 million liters per year, estimated at $ 135 million.

The consumption of the vehicle, which runs at a very low speed for long periods (1 – 10 km / h), according to certain calibrations, is about 0.049 liters / minute and 0.035 liters / minute for diesel engines and gasoline, according to the Institute.

The consumption of this amount of fuel leads to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, by about 196 thousand tons per year.

According to some scientific studies, the consumption of one liter of fuel leads to the emission of 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide.

The study includes monitoring and documenting the movement of Palestinians at 15 major Israeli military checkpoints between the cities of the West Bank and 11 checkpoints which have restricted the movement of Palestinians through Jerusalem and the occupied territories since 1948.

The study used GPS technology to monitor and document the movements at the checkpoints.

He pointed out that 70 GPS tracking devices were installed on Palestinian vehicles (public transport vehicles, buses, commercial transport, in addition to private vehicles). These vehicles were chosen according to their daily route and movement between the Palestinian cities.

Each tracking device monitors the location, time and speed of the vehicle every 10 seconds, which allowed to calculate the time spent by the vehicle at the military checkpoint accurately.

It noted that it collected data from the beginning of January to the end of July 2018, and during this period it collected more than 18 million readings of tracking devices.

The fieldwork team conducted a traffic count at the checkpoints, where all vehicles passing through these checkpoints were registered within one day from 6 am to 6 pm.

It also used the questioner at the checkpoints separating the West Bank cities from Jerusalem and the occupied territories of 1948, in order to know the time spent by the Palestinian worker at these barriers.

It pointed out that a questionnaire was prepared and a random sample (600 questionnaires) were distributed to 11 barriers used by workers.

***

Report: “Taqatqa Died Due To Abuse, Lack Of Medical Treatment”

July 18, 2019 6:22 AM IMEMC News

Updated: The Palestinian Detainees Committee has confirmed that the autopsy results in the death of Nassar Taqatqa, 31, from Beit Fajjar town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, revealed that he died due to abuse by Israeli interrogators and soldiers, and added that he suffered severe Pneumonia without treatment.

The Committee held Israel fully responsible for his death, especially by failing and refusing to send him to a hospital when his skin started showing signs of disease, and his body became very weak.

It added that Taqatqa was left alone in his prison cell, suffering from Pneumonia, and from exhaustion due to constant interrogation. 

The Committee also said that the corpse of the detainee showed signs of torture, with clear marks on his skin, especially from metal cuffs and shackles on his arms and legs.

In addition, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) also stated that Taqatqa  was constantly tortured during interrogation in Majeddo Israeli prison.

The PPS added that that the torture, and being denied the urgently needed medical attention, have led to serious  fatal complications.

Taqatqa was abducted on June 19th, 2019, after the soldiers invaded his home in Beit Fajjar town, and was transferred to the al-Maskobiyya interrogation facility in occupied Jerusalem.

The detainee was later transferred to the al-Jalama interrogation facility, where he was interrogated and tortured again, and started suffering from serious complications due to physical and psychological abuse.

In addition, sworn testimonies provided by Palestinian detainees who saw Taqatqa, said that he was forced into solitary confinement in Majeddo prison, where he was once again tortured and restrained in a bed.

On July 11th, the administration in Majeddo refused to remove him from solitary confinement, and place him with other detainees, under the pretext of him being punished.

On July 14th, he was moved to an Israeli hospital in al-Ramla due to serious deterioration in his health, and on July 16th, Israel announced his death in a solitary confinement cell in Nitzan (al-Ramla) prison.

Qaddoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the detainee is not the first to be tortured, especially to death, and added that most imprisoned Palestinians are tortured and subjected to very difficult conditions, in addition to being deprived the right to proper medical attention, in direct violation of International Law, and all related agreements and treaties.

Abdul-Nasser Ferwana, a Palestinian Researcher, a former political prisoner specialized in detainee’s affairs, and the head of the Studies and Documentation Unit at the Palestinian Detainees Committee, said the number of detainees, who died in Israeli prisons due to torture, lack of medical treatment and diseases they contracted in prison, since the year 1967, has arrived to 220.

Ferwana added that, in addition to the 220 detainees, dozens died shortly after their release from Israeli prisons, due to impacts of torture, bad conditions and diseases they contracted while imprisoned.

He called for immediate international intervention to secure the legitimate rights of the detainees, and to put an end to the ongoing Israeli violations against them.

On April 27, 2019, Omar ‘Awni Abdul-Karim Younis, 20, died from serious wounds he suffered a week earlier, after Israeli soldiers shot him at a military roadblock in northern West Bank.

On February 6, 2019, Fares Mohammad Baroud, 51, died in an Israeli prison from being denied the required specialized medical attention. He was from Gaza and was abducted in 1991.

Ferwana stated that the first Palestinian detainee to die was Ahmad Mohammad Noweiri, from the Nusseirat refugee camp in Gaza; he died on June 8th, 1967, after the soldiers shot him, along with Khalil Kamel Siyam, who died instantly after being shot, in addition to Zaki Hashem Siyam.

On January 4 1968, detainee Yousef al-Jabali died due to extreme torture in an Israeli prison in Nablus city, in northern West Bank, and on April 28 1968, another detainee, identified as Khalil Salama Rashayda, from Bethlehem, died due to torture and the lack of medical treatment.

Ferwana also said that one of the most gruesome causes of death of Palestinian detainees was the case of Qassem Ahmad Ja’bari, who was killed in 1969 when the soldiers threw him out of a military helicopter after abducting him.

***

PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11 – 17 July 2019)

July 19, 2019 4:32 AM PCHR

Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory for the week of 11- 17 July, 2019.

74 Palestinian civilians injured; 24 of them were children, a woman, 2 journalists including a female, and a paramedic at the Great March of Return in the Gaza Strip.

5 civilians, including a child, injured in the West Bank.

Shootings, i.e. killings and injuries 

At approximately 02:30 on Thursday, 11 July 2019, officers from the Israeli “Mista’arvim”undercover unit dressed like Palestinian civilians sneaked to al-Duheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, driving 2 civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plate. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sami Ismail al-Ja’fari (33) and then arrested him. Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian children and youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers while the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were shot with live bullets to the lower extremities. They were taken to Al-Hussein Hospital in Beit Jala for treatment. 

At approximately 22:00 on the same Thursday, Israeli occupation soldiers stationed along the border fence with Israel, northern Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire and arrested at Majed Mohammed Husein al-Shafei (44) after crossing the village. As a result, he sustained a live bullet to his lower extremities. According to field investigations, al-Shafei left his house in Jabalia approximately 21:30 on the same day and then disappeared. At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 12 July 2019, his brother Mazen received a phone call informing him that his brother is injured and detained by Israeli forces. 

At approximately 10:30 on Friday 12 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip in the vicinity of a Palestinian border control point. The shooting continued for few minutes, but no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 06:30 on Saturday, 13 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah Shore opened fire at Palestinian Fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. The Israeli gunboats then surrounded one of the boats manned by Mohammed Isma’el Isma’el al-Bardawil (40) and his nephew, Ahmed Wael Isma’el al-Bardawil (16); both from al-Mawasi neighborhood, west of Rafah. The Israeli naval soldiers then ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat. They were arrested and their boat was confiscated. At approximately 18:00, Ahmed was released through Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing while Mohammed al-Bardawil is still under arrest and their fishing boat is still confiscated. 

At approximately 13:35 on Sunday, 14 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Khan Youni in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands in eastern ‘Abasan village, west of the border fence. The shooting continued for few minutes, but no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 15 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Kahn Younis, in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at eastern Khuza’ah village. The shooting continued for few minutes, but no casualties were reported. 

Also on Monday evening, Israeli forces opened fire at Fares Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Azem (34), when he was between Ramina and Bazaria villages, east of Tulkarm. As a result, he sustained a live bullet wound to the back, causing him internal bleeding in the lungs. ‘Azem was taken to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm. Due to the serious injury, ‘Azem was transferred to Beilinson Hospital in Israel. An eyewitness stated that:

“At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 15 July 2019, I received a call telling me that a person from my village was wounded and screaming of pain and that the caller is trying to rescure him. I immediately headed to the site and knew that the victim is from Thanabeh village, carries an Israeli ID card and drives a vehicle with an Israeli registration plate. He was taken via an ambulance to Dr. Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarm and then transferred to Beilinson Hospital in Israel due to his serious injury.” 

‘Azem’s father said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“I received the news of my son’s injury and then headed to Israel to follow-up on his health condition. Doctors only informed me that his injury was serious and he suffers from bleeding in the lungs as the bullet penetrated his back to the lungs. We do not know how this happened to our son; he was probably visiting his in-laws in Ramin village. We are waiting until he wakes up to find out what happened with him.” 

At approximately 17:35 on Tuesday, 16 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Kahn Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at ‘Abasan al-Kabirah. The shooting continued for few minutes, but no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 08:10 on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Kahn Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Khuza’ah village. The shooting continued for few minutes, but no casualties were reported.

Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank including occupied East Jerusalem 

Demolitions and attacks on civilian property for settlement expansion 

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 11 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Beit Ummer village in northern Hebron. They then stationed in Wadi al-Shaiekh neighborhood, where the Israeli Civil Administration officers handed Mohamed ‘Ali al-‘Alami a 96-hour demolition notice, under the pretext of non-licensing.  Mohamed’s house was under-construction and built on an area of 150 square meters. On 17 April 2018, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the occupied Territory (COGAT), under the direct control of the Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, issued a military order that makes it possible for Israeli forces to demolish Palestinian homes in Area C within 96 hours after delivering demolition orders. Under the order, COGAT excuses itself from informing Palestinian homeowners directly that their homes are slated for demolition and only requires demolition orders be placed “next to” targeted structures 96 hours before Israeli forces arrive to execute demolitions. 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbit Shabouqa in western Hebron, where they handed Amjad Nofal Sulimah a notice to demolish his 150-sqaure-meter barn under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C, and gave him until 24 July 2019 to challenge. 

At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 11 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles moved into ‘Izbit Salman in southern Qalqiliyia, and demolished an agricultural barrack belonging to Dawoud Mahmoud Yousef Ahmed under the pretext of non-licensing. Dawoud said to PCHR’s fieldworker: “I returned from France 3 months ago and my family told me that they found a notice in my land written on it “this is the second notice to demolish the agricultural barrack”. My family, who live in Qalqiliyia, told me that they did not see the first notice as they usually go there for picnic. On Thursday evening, 11 July 2019, our neighbors phoned and informed us that Israeli forces are demolishing the barrack in our land, so they went there and found the barrack was already demolished. We told both the Israeli and Palestinian Liaisons and they informed us that we could challenge the demolition.” 

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces dismantled a sit-in tent established by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee in Wadi al-Humis neighborhood in Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, protesting at the Israeli decision to demolish 12 residential buildings under the pretext of being near the annexation wall. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces attacked civilians staying in the tent and fired tear gas canisters at them. As a result, dozens of them suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, and agricultural crops were burned. It should be noted that the Israeli Supreme Court issued a decision to demolish 16 residential buildings, comprising of 100 apartments, few weeks ago under the pretext of being close to the annexation wall and pose a security threat. This gives the green light to the Israeli forces to demolish all buildings near the annexation wall in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem. In 2003, the residents of Surbaher village submitted a petition against the annexation wall route, which passes in the center of their village, so the route was changed and the neighborhood was annexed within the wall. 

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 16 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Wadi al-Ghrouz area in eastern Hebron. Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area and the construction vehicles demolished a concrete pool used for irrigating plants under the pretext of non-licensing. The pool belongs to Zayid Nimer Mohamed al-Ja’bari (65), whose family attempted to stop the demolition, but Israeli border guard officers attacked and beat them. The Israeli border guard officers also attacked two photographers identified as ‘Abed al-Hafeez Daib ‘Abed al-Hafeez al-Hashlamoun (55), who sustained minor wounds in his hands and legs; and Mashhour Hasan Mahmoud al-Wahwah (34), who sustained minor bruises in his hand. Zayid al-Ja’bari said the Israeli authorities handed him a notice to stop construction works 3 months ago and handed him a demolition notice on 14 July 2019. Zayid was intending to file documents to the Israeli court for challenging the demolition. 

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Khelet al-Foron area in eastern Hebron. The construction vehicles demolished a water well used for irrigating plants. The well belongs to Nayif No’man Shokri Da’nah, who was handed a demolition notice on 10 July 2019. It should be noted that the well was partially funded by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture. 

At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Ghoween al-Foqah area in southern Hebron. The construction vehicles demolished a 100-sqaure-meter barrack built of concrete and tin plates and used for breeding livestock, under the pretext of non-licensing. The barrack belongs to Ahmed Mohamed Mousa Hawamdah (44), who was handed a 96-hour demolition notice on 03 July 2019, so there was no enough time to challenge the demolition. 

At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Khalilah neighborhood in al-Jeep village, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The construction vehicles demolished a 80-sqaure-meter garage and store belonging to Waddah Wasfi Abu Dayyiah, under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that the garage and store were demolished for the 3^rd time.

In the same context, Israeli construction vehicles demolished a 900-sqaure-meter commercial barrack and a concrete floor belonging to al-Natshah family in Beit Haninah village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. The construction vehicles also demolished a 400-sqaure-meter car wash belonging to ‘Atiyah and Bakirat families in Surbaher vilolage, south of occupied Jerusalem. 

At approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, Israeli construction vehicles demolished 5 shops built 4 years ago on an area of 250 square meters in Abu Tayieh neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Eyewitnesses said that a large force of Israeli police officers and Special Forces accompanied with bulldozers moved into Abu Tayieh neighborhood, where they surrounded 5 shops belonging to Mohamed Hamdan al-‘Abasi. The shops were demolished after the Israeli Supreme Court refused a petition submitted by Mohamed’s lawyer. The eyewitnesses also said that the Israeli forces forcibly disperse the neighborhood’s residents from the area and beat them up. Meanwhile, the Israeli forces arrested Mahdi Hamdan al-‘Abasi after beating him. It should be noted that al-‘Abasi family headed to the Israeli Supreme Court in order to freeze the demolition order and license the shops, but it refused.

Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods

Gaza Strip

As the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip enters its 14th consecutive year this July, severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of persons and goods enhance the de facto separation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The most significant implications of the continued Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip are:

Movement of goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip is restricted on all three functioning crossings: Rafah border crossing, under Egyptian control; Beit Hanoun “Erez” checkpoint and Karm Abu-Salem Commercial Crossing, under Israeli control. 

The Rafah Border Crossing operates only 5 days a week with severe limitation on travel of persons (300 travelers/day). 

Beit Hanoun checkpoint, designated for the movement of persons, is under severe restrictions for exit and entry of the Gaza Strip. Only limited categories are issued Israeli permits to cross the checkpoint after an exhausting and lengthy security process that may subject civilians to the threat of arrest and often blackmail by Israeli forces.[1] 

Karm Abu-Salem crossing, designated for the movement of goods, bans the export of Gaza Strip products, except for agricultural goods. Also, Israeli forces continue the 12-year ban on the import of 118 goods considered as “dual-use items.” [2] While Israeli authorities announced on Friday, 05 July 2019, that 18 of the banned dual-use items would be allowed into the Gaza Strip; the operating officers at Karm Abu-Salem crossing denied receiving new instructions in this regard. 

Electricity crisis: with power cuts of at least 12 hours a day, the electricity crisis continues to haunt the Gaza Strip and paralyze all sectors of life, including health, education, the economy and the environment. 

Naval blockade: Israel continues to restrict movement within the Gaza Sea, primarily on fishing. Despite imposing a 15-nautical-mile restricted fishing area, Israeli forces launch daily attacks on fishermen while at sea even within 1 – 6 nautical miles, including shootings, arrests and confiscation of fishing boats and equipment. It also restricts the import of necessary fishing equipment.

West Bank

Israeli forces continue to strangle West Bankers with continued restrictions on their freedom of movement, especially with frequent checkpoints between governorates. Currently, 92 permanent military checkpoints exist along the connecting roads between West Bank governorates, some of which have permanent military presence and others are staffed irregularly. Some of these checkpoints act as a terminal into Israel, even though they are located within Palestinian territory.

It should be highlighted that Israel continues to corporatize and privatize its occupation of the Palestinian territory by contracting military security corporations who operate checkpoints with fully armed civilian guards; yet, they act under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense.

Israeli occupation’s presence in the West Bank is not limited to permanent checkpoints, as temporary checkpoints are haphazardly erected across the territory on a daily basis. These temporary checkpoints impede traffic between Palestinian cities, with illegal searches of civilian vehicles and long wait times. These temporary checkpoints are used to ambush civilians as hundreds of arrests are reported at these checkpoints annually.

This week, Israeli forces established 110 temporary checkpoint across the West Bank and arrested four Palestinian civilians. A civilian was arrested while returning via King Hussein Bridge.

Additionally, with the ongoing closure of 30 key roads in the West Bank, Palestinian’s’ freedom of movement is heavily restricted especially in areas adjacent to the illegal Israeli settlements.

Israel allows holders of West Bank IDs (men over 55 and women over 50) to access East Jerusalem without a pre-issued permit; nonetheless, they have to undergo security checks.

In terms of the movement of Palestinians to and from the occupied territory via King Hussein Bridge, Israeli forces continue to impose security measures that threaten the well being of civilians by forcing them to go through a body-search machine that subjects them to harmful radiations. It is also a common practice to arrest civilians at the crossing or deny them travel.

A 6-month research conducted by the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ), stated that Palestinians lose about 60 million hours of work per year, due to the checkpoints and restrictions imposed by the Israeli forces on Palestinian movement between the towns and villages of the West Bank. ARIJ estimated the loss at about $ 270 million per year, according to the wage of workers per hour, in addition to extra fuel consumption at about 80 million liters per year, estimated at $ 135 million. The consumption of this amount of fuel leads to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, by about 196 thousand tons per year.

Full document available at the official website for the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).

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