Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07– 13 March 2019)

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip.
• A Palestinian civilian was killed and 3 others, including a child, succumbed to their wounds.
• 150 civilians, including 43 children, four women, three journalists, and three paramedics, were wounded. The injury of four of them were reported serious.
• Three Palestinian civilians were killed; one of them was killed by the Israeli forces in the West Bank.
• Five Palestinian civilians sustained wounds in different incidents in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces continued their collective punishment policy
• The house of the prisoner ‘Asem al-Barghouthi was demolished in Kubar village, north of Ramallah.
• Israeli forces conducted 82 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 other incursions into Jerusalem.
• 88 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children and 8 women, were arrested in the West Bank.
• 43 of them, including 11 children and 7 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Among those arrestees was Mohamed Abu Tair (68), Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
• Shooting incidents were reported against Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the border areas of the Gaza Strip and no injuries were reported.

• Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

• Two Palestinian civilians were forced to self-demolish their houses, in addition to confiscating an agricultural caravan.
• Israeli authorities continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
• Israeli forces demolished a house and an agricultural room, in addition to damaging 4 residential tents and 3 other tents used for breeding livestock. They also uprooted 110 trees.
• Israeli settlers leveled 10 dunums in Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus.
• 9 shooting incidents were reported against the fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.
• Israeli warplanes targeted 2 seaports in the central Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis, causing damages to 4 fishing boats.
• Seven fishermen were arrested and 4 others were wounded, in addition to confiscating 2 fishing boats and damaging another one.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 13^thconsecutive year.
• Israeli forces established 92 permanent checkpoints and 113 temporary checkpoints in the West Bank.
• 21 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 women, were arrested at military checkpoint in the West Bank. One of the arrested women is from the Gaza Strip.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (07-13 March 2019).

Shooting:

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized along the Gaza Strip borders, which witnessed the peaceful protests for the 50^th week along the eastern and northern border area of the Gaza Strip. They also continued to use force as well during the incursions into the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and 3 other civilians, including a child, succumbed to their wounds. Moreover, 150 civilians, including 43 children, 4 women, 3 journalists, and 3 paramedics, were wounded while participating in the Return March. The injury of four of them was reported serious.  Furthermore, four Palestinian fishermen were wounded.  In the West Bank, the Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians; one of them was shot dead by the Israeli police. Moreover, five civilians were wounded in different shooting incidents in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces killed Tamer Khaled Mustafa ‘Arafat (23) while participating in the Return and Breaking Siege March, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Tamer was hit with a live bullet to the head at approximately 17:25, while he was around 150 meters away from the border fence, east of al-Shoka, east of Rafah. Tamer’s death was declared at approximately 18:40.

In the same context, three civilians, including a child, succumbed to wounds they sustained while participating in the Return and Breaking Siege March. On 07 March 2019, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza City, declared the death of Saif al-Deen Abu Zaid (14), from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, after he succumbed to his wound he sustained. Saif was hit with a live bullet to the head when the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire at Palestinian young men and children present in Malaka area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.

On 11 March 2019, medical sources at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, declared the death of Bassam Safi (22), from Khan Yunis Camp. Bassam succumbed to wounds he sustained after being hit with a tear gas canister at the head on 22 February 2019  while participating in the Return and Breaking Siege March in eastern Khuza’ah, east of the city.

On 11 March 2019, the medical sources at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, declared the death of Mussa Mohammed ‘Abd al-Karim Mussa (23), from Deir al-Balah, who succumbed to his wounds. On Friday, 01 March 2019, Mussa was hit with a live bullet to the abdomen while he was participating in the Great March of Return, east of al-Buraj in the central Gaza Strip. Mussa was taken to al-Aqsa Hospital, where he underwent a surgery and then admitted to the ICU until he succumbed to his wounds.

In excessive use of lethal force against the peaceful protesters in eastern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 150 civilians, including 43 children, 4 women, 3 journalists, and 3 paramedics, while participating in the Return March. The injury of four of them was reported serious.

Injuries in the Gaza Strip from 28 February to 06 March 2019 According to the Governorate

• As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, indicating the on-going Israeli policy to target their livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 9 incidents were as follows: 7 incidents adjacent to al-Waha Resort, 1 incident adjacent off Dir al-Balah Shore, and  1 incident off Rafah Shore. The Israeli naval forces’ attacks on Palestinian fishing boats resulted in the arresting of 7 fishermen and the injury of 4 others, in addition to confiscating 2 fishing boats and damaging another one.

• As part of targeting the border areas, on 07 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, opened fire at Palestinian shepherds and agricultural lands, east of Deir al-Balah in the Central Gaza Strip. At approximately 14:00, the Israeli shooting recurred in the area.

• On 09 March 2019, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands, east of al-Maghazi Camp in the Central Gaza Strip.

• On 10 March 2019, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli shooting recurred at approximately 15:40 and no injuries were reported.

• As part of airstrikes, on 09 March 2019, an Israeli drone fired one missile at a land, east of Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Dik), southeast of Gaza City, and no casualties or damage to property were reported.

• On 10 March 2019, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a seaport in the vicinity of a building belonging to the General Union of Fishing Workers in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, three fishing boats were damaged and three windows were broken in the building of the General Union of Fishing Workers, and no casualties were reported.

• On the same day, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a seaport in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. As a result, a building belonging to the General Union of Fishing Workers and a fishing boat sustained damage and no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, in a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, Israeli police officers killed a Palestinian civilian, from Fassayel village, north of Jericho. “Yedioth Ahronoth” published that Israeli security sources said that a Palestinian civilian was driving his car and while passing through a police checkpoint, he passed a parked vehicle and refused to stop, so that the Israeli police officers opened fire and killed him. It should be noted that the Israeli forces could have used less lethal force against him, arrest him and reffer him to investigation.

In a new crime of excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while passing by al-Rajaby building, which the settlers took over several years ago, in al-Ras neighborhood, east of Hebron, and his corpse was taken to an unknown destination. He was killed under the pretext that he intended to carry out a stabbing attack, but PCHR’s investigations refuted those allegations.

In a similar crime, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Jamil ‘Abdel Fattah Shahin (24), from Salfit. Mohammed was killed when the Israeli forces moved into the village. Dozens of Palestinian young men gathered to confront the Israeli soldiers, who opened fire at the protestors.

In the same context, the Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians in different shooting incidents in the West Bank.

• Collective Punishment Policy:

• As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, on Thursday, 07 March 2019, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of ‘Asem ‘Omer al-Barghouthi in Cooper village, north of Ramallah.It should be mentioned that the Israeli supreme court refused on 04 March 2019 the petition submitted by al-Barghouthi family against the house demolition decision. Thus, the court proved again its violation of the international humanitarian law and international human rights law and being one of Israel’s mechanisms to punish the Palestinian civilians and take revenge from innocents.  It is noteworthy that on 08 January 2019 the Israeli forces arrested ‘Asem al-Barghouthi and  accused him of shooting at Israel soldiers near “Givat Asaf” settlement outpost, north of Ramallah on 13 December 2018 and killing at the time 2 Israeli soldiers and seriously wounded 2 others.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 82 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 other incursions into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 45 Palestinians, including 3 children and a woman, from the West Bank, while 43 other civilians, including 11 children and 7 women, were arrested from Jerusalem and its suburbs. Moreover, the Israeli forces mal-treated the families whose houses were stormed, in addition to confiscating their money. Among those arrestees was the PLC member, Mohamed Hasan Abu Tair (68).

Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

• As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices, 08 March 2019, ‘Atallah ‘Eliwat self-demolished his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, to implement the Israeli Municipality decision. ‘Atallah said that the Israeli Municipality issued a decision to demolish the house, despite his attempts to license it and paying fines estimated at NIS 100.000. He added that on Friday evening, he self-demolished parts of his 80-sqaure-meter house built 8 years ago. It should be noted that the house sheltered 7 members, including 5 children.

• On 09 March 2019, Elham Ja’abees self-demolished her house in al-Mokaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, to impellent the Israeli Municipality decision. Elham’s brother ‘Ali said that the municipality notified his sister on 03 March 2019 to demolish her house under the pretext of non-licensing. He pointed out that she paid a lot of money as a fine building, but the municipality insisted to demolish it or the municipality will demolish the house and force her to pay the demolition costs, which is estimated at NIS 30.000. The mentioned house was built on an area of 130 square meters and sheltered 9 members, including 7 children.

• On 12 March 2019, the Israeli authorities confiscated a caravan used as an agricultural facility in al-Walajah village, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The caravan belongs to Waleed Abi ‘Ali.

• In the same context, 07 March 2019, the Israeli Municipality handed Ayman Rezeq Zarinah and his sons notices to demolish two residential buildings; one of them is under-construction, in Bir ‘Onah area, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality gave the family until 10 April 2019 to demolish the buildings or it will demolish them and force them to pay the demolition costs. Moreover, the Israeli forces handed Basema ‘Isaa, from Bir ‘Onah area, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem, a notice to demolish her an under-construction building comprised of 2 floors. She said that the Israeli forces raided her house and handed her husband Ibrahim ‘Abdullah ‘isaa a notice issued by the court to demolish their building on 01 April 2019. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities targeted the buildings of Bir ‘Onah area, which are located near al-Nafaq Road, in order to expand this road.

• As part of seizing Palestinian civilians’ property in favor of settlement associations, on 11 March 2019, the Israeli Execution and Procedure Department handed the heirs of the late Maryam Abu Zowair a notice to evacuate their facility in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem in favor of El’ad” Settlement Association. The Israeli Court gave the family until the end of March to implement the eviction decision for the facility located in Wadi al-Helwa neighborhood. The facility is a house, where Elham Siyam and her four children live in, in addition to 1.5- dunum plot of land.  The sons of Monirah and Fatemah Siyam, the heirs of the late Zowair, are fighting from 22 years in the Israeli Courts to protect their facility, prove their ownership and refute the settlement association’s claims. The settlement association did all its efforts to seize the facility during the past years.

Israeli Forces continued their settlement activities, and the settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property

• As part of house demolitions, on 07 March 2019, Israeli forces demolished an under-construction house belonging to Mosheer Suliman Mahmoud Saif, from the mentioned village. The house was comprised of 2 floors; the first one built on an area of 150 square meters while the second built on an area of 250 square meters. The demolition was carried out under the pretext of non-licensing in area classified as Area C, noting that the house built on the land classified as Area B, according to the Palestinian classification.

On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Kherab al-Sakinah in al-Masafer area in Yatta, south of Hebron, and confiscated 4 residential tents and 3 other tents used for breeding livestock in (al-Fakhit- al-Majaz- al-Dakikah) areas, under the pretext of building without a prior permission.

• On 13 March 2019, Israeli forces demolished a 120-sqaure-meter barrack used for breeding livestock and a 12-sqaure-meter agricultural room attached to it. The barrack and agricultural room, which were built 2 years ago, belong to Basem Zait.

• As part of levelling lands and uprooting trees, on 10 March 2019, Israeli forces leveled a 800-sqaure-meter plot of land, demolished stone chains and uprooted 80 trees. The trees were as follows: 40 olive trees, 3 almond trees and 10 grapes. The plot of land belongs to Khaled Mohamed Salman al-Samaheen.

• On 12 March 2019, Kastro was surprised with cutting and damaging 30 olive trees planted in 12-dunum-plot of land. Kastro said that the Israeli settlers cut the trees 2 days ago. It should be noted that this is not the first time that Israeli settlers attack the plot of land, but this is the fifth time during the past 5 years.

• As part of Israeli settlers’ attacks, Israeli settlers levelled 10 dunums in Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus. The dunums belong to the heirs of the late Ibrahim ‘Abed al-Haji Mohamed.

Details

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

Thursday, 07 March 2019:

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura City, south of Hebron and stationed in Hnaina neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hussain Mohammed ‘Amro (55). They then withdrew and no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved in al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ashraf Salah al-Din ‘Ali Badarin (48) and then arrested him along with his son’s wife Nassiba Ahmed ‘Othman BAdarin (22), taking them to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, a large Israeli force backed by an Israeli undercover unit (Mista’arvim) dressed in Palestinian civilian clothes, moved into al-Dhaisha Refugee Camp, south of Ramallah. Dozens of Palestinian young men gathered on the camp’s streets and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live and rubber bullets at the Palestinian young men. The Israeli forces deliberately fired tear gas canisters at Palestinians’ houses. As a result, many civilians fainted and felt nausea due to gas inhalation. They were then treated on the spot. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers raided many houses in the camp and then arrested  Mohammed Ra’ed Sharmoukh (19), who sustained serious wounds after being hit with a live bullet to the chest two months ago by the Israeli forces. Mohammed stayed for two weeks at hospital and still needs treatment as his life is at risk.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Doha village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Omar Moussa Qwar (17) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that Omar was arrested three times and the last of which was two months ago.

• At approximately 02:40, Israeli forces moved into Shabqa village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bassem Mohammed Qadah (22) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin Refugee Camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Wissam Eyad Hanoun (24) and Ihab Jamil Salama (21) and then arrested him, taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Sila al-Harethia village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Khaled ‘Abd al-Karim Jradat (39) and Ra’fat Tayseer Hammad (24) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, opened fire at Palestinian shepherds and agricultural lands, east of Deir al-Balah in the Central Gaza Strip. At approximately 14:00, the Israeli shooting recurred in the area. As a result, the shepherds and farmers were forced to flee for fear of their lives and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 11:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort shore, north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile and chased them. The Israeli shooting caused fear and panic among fishermen, who fled for fear of their lives and no casualties among the fishermen or damage to their boats were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6 incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Hebron, Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron; Habla village, south of Qalqilia; Saffa, Kherbetha Mosbah and Beit Sira villages in Ramallah and al-Bireh.

Friday, 08 March 2019:

• At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sodaniya shore, west of Jabalia, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within three nautical miles and chased them. The Israeli gunboats then surrounded a fishing boat manned by Yasser Soliman Yussuf Baker (31), Tamer Soliman Yussuf Baker (27), Waleed Mohssen ‘Eid Baker (24), and Yossry Zakaria Sa’ed Baker (21), from al-Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The Israeli naval soldiers then ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards one of the gunboats. The fishermen were then arrested and taken to Ashdod Port and their fishing boat was kept in custody. Moreover, at approximately 18:00 on Friday, 08 March 2019, the Israeli authorities released the arrested fishermen through Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing and kept their fishing boat in custody. It should be mentioned that the four fishermen were hit with rubber bullets in different parts of their bodies and were taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, where doctors classified their wounds between minor and moderate.

• At approximately 10:50, Israeli gunboats stationed off Deir al-Balah shore, in the central Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6-9 nautical miles and chased them. The Israeli shooting caused fear and panic among fishermen, who fled for fear of their lives and no casualties between them or damage to their boats were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (15) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Ula, al-Thaherya, al-Majd, and Abu al-‘Asja villages in Hebron; Baqat al-Sharqeya, ‘Atil, ‘Alar, Zita, and Nazlet Abu al-Nar villages in Tulkarm; ‘Azoun and Kaffr Jamal in Qalqilia; alBalou’ neighbourhood in al-Bireh; al-Quds Street in Ramallah, Deir Jarir villagem east of Ramallah and Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah.

Saturday, 23 February 2019:

• At approximately 01:00, an Israeli drone fired one missile at a land, east of Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Dik), southeast of Gaza City, and no casualties or damage to property were reported.

• At approximately 07:35, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within two nautical miles and chased them. The Israeli shooting caused fear and panic among fishermen, who fled for fear of their lives and no casualties among the fishermen or damage to their boats were reported.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces backed by three military vehicles moved into Kherbet Jorat al-Khalil, east of Sa’ir, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Moahmmed Mustafa al-Shalalda (70) and then withdrew and no arrests were reported. It should be noted that on 16 August 2018, the Israeli authorities demolished Ibrahim’s house, which was built with concrete on an area of 140 square meters, under the pretext of non-licensing. Ibrahim is living now in a 36-square-meter house built of tin plates with his son Abdullah. Kherbet Jorat al-Khalil is located into the east of Sa’ir village. Moreover, on 24 February 2019, the Israeli soldiers raided and searched Ibrahim and ‘Abdullah’s house and damaged the house contents.

• At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire at agricultural lands, east al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli shooting caused fear among farmers, who fled for fear of their lives, and no casualties were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul and Yatta in Hebron; Jenin; Jit and Kaffr Qadoum villages in Qalqilia.

Sunday, 10 March 2019

• At approximately 01:40, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a seaport in the vicinity of a building belonging to the General Union of Fishing Workers in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, three fishing boats were damaged and three windows were broken in the building of the General Union of Fishing Workers, and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 02:00, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a seaport in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. As a result, a building belonging to the General Union of Fishing Workers and a fishing boat sustained damage and no casualties were reported.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Hindaza Mount in the center of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’tasem Mohammed al-‘Arouj (21) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bashir Mohammed al-Rejbi (44) and then withdrew and no arrests were reported.

• In a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, Israeli police officers killed a Palestinian civilian, from Fassayel village, north of Jericho. “Yedioth Ahronoth” published that Israeli security sources said that a Palestinian civilian was driving his car and while passing through a police checkpoint, he passed a parked vehicle and refused to stop, so that the Israeli police officers opened fire and killed him. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 03:00, Salama Salah Salama Ka’bana (22), from Fassayel village, north of Jericho, was returning to his family house in Fassayel village through Street (90), northwest of Jericho. Salama was returning from Jericho with two of his friends and then he was surprised with two Israeli police vehicles and a military jeep at a checkpoint established on the street. When Salama was 50 meters away from the checkpoint, an Israeli officer ordered him to stop, but he deviated to the other side. After that, one of the police officers immediately shot him dead. After that, Salama’s two friends escaped from the car towards plains and later knew that Salama died. It should be noted that the Israeli forces kept Salama’s body and on Monday, 11 March 2019, his corpse was handed to his family.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud brahim al-Sir (22) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kaffr Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Moammed Samih Mohammed Shtaiwi (35) and ‘Aqel Mahmoud ‘Abd al-Qader Shtaiwi (30) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Barta’a al-Sharqeya village, which is isolated behind the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Erwa ‘Abd Jad Qabha (25) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Ar approximately 08:45, Israeli gunboats stationed of al-Waha resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and chased them. The Israeli gunboats surrounded a fishing boat manned by Hussam Khader Khalil Barakat (22), from al-Shate’ Camp in Gaza City. Israeli naval soldiers ordered him to take off his clothes, jump into water and swim towards one of the gunboats. He was then arrested and taken to Ashdod Port, in addition to confiscating his boat. According to the head of the Fishermen Committees in the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Zakria Bakr, Hussam was arrested while sailing within 1.5 nautical mile.  It should be noted that the Israeli authorities released Hussam at approximately 20:20 but kept the boat in custody.

• At approximately 09:10, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Skoka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at agricultural lands. At approximately 15:40, the shooting recurred at the same area and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, north of Um al-Nasser village, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested ‘Ali Fathi Hussain al-‘Arrini (19) and Isma’il Sa’id Sliman al-Hamadin, from ‘Izbet Beit Hanoun, after they sneaked into Israel. The Israeli forces later declared that they arrested two civilians sneaked into Israel and referred them to investigation.

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Moghir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested the two brothers ‘Abd al-Jalil (23) and Hamid Khatab Abu Mura (26), from Deir Abu Falah village, adjacent to al-Moghir village. Both of them were arrested while they were in a visit.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Forik village, east of Nablus; Sorif and Beit Marsam villages in Hebron.

Monday, 11 March 2019

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested ‘Abd al-Karim Anwar Fathi Mona (32), from al-Daheya neighborhood, southeast of Nablus; Montasser Mustafa al-Shenar (28), from Tal Street, West of Nablus; and Mohammed Nimer al-Shatawi (42), from al-M’ajeen, northwest of Nablus.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Led village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Jamal ‘Abd al-Rahman Jom’a (28), and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that Mohammed works as an officer at Preventive Security Service (PSS).

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Barqin village, west of Jenin and stationed in the western neighborhood of the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Tawfiq ‘Obaidi (36), and confiscated NIS 3300 and 90 JD. The Israeli forces then withdrew and handed the family a seizure warrant signed by Mohammed. Mohammed, a former prisoner, said to the PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 11 March 2019, while I was deep asleep, my family and I woke up to the screaming of five soldiers in our bedroom, ordering us to wake up. My wife Eman ‘Ali ‘Obaidi (30) and I woke up terrified. While the Israeli soldiers were screaming, one of them asked me about the money I have. I brought it to them from the closet, which is NIS 3500 and 90 JD. The soldiers took me along with my wife to the living room and searched it. A female soldier took my wife to our children’s room, strip-searched her and threatened her that if we did not bring the whole money we have, they would search our children, Leen (3) and Sarah (50 days). We told the soldier that this is all we have and then they thoroughly searched the house after chackling (Shabeh) me in the living room while my face was to the wall and my hands up. They continued searching the house for two hours, and then ordered me to give them the key of my car parked in front of my house and searched it. After the searching, they gave me back NIS 200, confiscated the rest of the money and handed me a seizure warrant after I signed it.”

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain Yabrod village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Zuhair Hatim Hwaih (26) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Balout village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sliman Nasser Sliman ‘Abdullah (20) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 04:40, Israeli forces moved into Bitonia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abd al-Rahman Ahmed Shhada (25) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Fathi Mohammed “Dar Zaid” Shna’a (26) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 06:45, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and chased them. They surrounded a fishing boat manned by Hassan Akram Diab Zayed (31) and Moahmmed Adnan Moahmmed al-Sultan (28), from al-Salatin neighborhood in Beit Lahia. The Israeli soldiers ordered them to take off their clothes, jump into water and swim towards one of the gunboats. The fishermen were arrested and took to an unknown destination, in addition to confiscating their fishing boat. According to Jehad al-Sultan, Head of the fishermen’s union of fishing workers in the northern Gaza Strip, the fishermen were arrested while sailing within 1 nautical mile. It should be noted that the Israeli forces released the fishermen at approximately 14:30 through Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing. When the fishermen arrived at the Gaza Strip, they knew that their boat was hit with seven live bullets and was not confiscated.

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into Kubar village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the village’s neighborhood, raided houses and shops and threw tear gas canisters and sound bombs surrounding them. Meanwhile, the bulldozer leveled a-2200-meter- length agricultural street, which connects between Kubar and Bitlo village. The village’s residents use this street to reach their agricultural lands. Moreover, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 19-year-old male was hit with a rubber bullet to the head and was then taken to the al-Istishari Hospital in al-Raihan Suburb, north of Ramallah, to receive treatment.

• At approximately 12:30, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, west of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within three nautical miles and chased them. The Israeli shooting caused fear and panic among fishermen, who fled for fear of their lives, and no casualties among them or damages to their boats were reported.

• At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces stationed near a military watchtower established on al-Nabi Salih village’s lands, northwest of Ramallah, fired tear gas canisters at the civilians’ vehicles passing in the area. After that, Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, an 18-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to his right foot and then taken to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, where his wound was classified as moderate.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Beit Ula and Deir al-‘Assal al-Foqa villages in Hebron; ‘Atil village, north of Tulkarm; ‘Azoun village; east of Qalqilia; Salfit, Haress and Iskaka villages in Salfit.

Tuesday, 12 March 2019

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ezbit Salman village in Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Obaida Suliman Salman (25) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested two civilians, including a child, namely Jouda Mohammad Sobeih (17) and Ahmad Yusuf Moussa (22).

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Huthaifa Lutfy al-Bargouthi (22). They then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within two nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen fled for fear of their lives and no injuries or damage to the boats was reported.

• In a new crime of excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while passing by al-Rajaby building, which the settlers took over several years ago, in al-Ras neighborhood, east of Hebron, and his corpse was taken to an unknown destination. He was killed under the pretext that he intended to carry out a stabbing attack, but PCHR’s investigations refuted those allegations. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 12:30, Yasser Mohammad Fawzi Khaleel al-Shweiky (42), a court officer from Hebron, arrived in al-Ras area, east of the city, to hand Hebron First Instance Court’s summons for civilians living in Jaber and Wadi al-Hussien neighborhoods. Al-Shweiky stopped his work car, which has a governmental registration plate, 100 meters away from the metal detector established in front of al-Rajaby building, which the settlers took over several years ago. As al-Shweiky stepped out of the car and approached the building, a solider from the soldiers guarding the building fired a bullet at him then he fell on the ground. Minutes later, the Israeli soldiers took him to the building without providing him first aid and prevented PRCS ambulances from reaching there. Half an hour later, al-Shweiky was taken to an unknown destination. Following that, dozens of settlers gathered around al-Rajaby building and organized a protest calling for killing Arabs. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers completely closed the area and prevented civilians from moving freely in or out of the area. At approximately 18:00, Israeli authorities confiscated the car al-Shweiky was driving and took it to an unknown destination.

• In a similar crime, Israeli forces in the afternoon killed a Palestinian civilian in Salfit. According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ accounts, at approximately 16:30, large forces of Israeli soldiers moved into Salfit via many entrances.  They raided shops to confiscate the DVR of the surveillance cameras in order to monitor the vehicles’ plates under the pretext that a settlers’ bus was subject to shooting on Monday, 11 March 2019, by unknown persons near “Arayel” settlement established on Palestinian lands in northern Salfit.  Meanwhile, clashes broke out between the Israeli forces and civilians who gathered in 3 main areas where the Israeli forces stationed: al-‘Ein area in the west, al-Quds Street near al-Quds Open University in the city center and the northern entrance to the city near al-Huda Petrol Station. The Israeli soldiers fortified in their vehicles fired teargas canisters and rubber bullets while the civilians threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles.  Within minutes, the Israeli forces stationed at the northern entrance moved towards al-Madinah al-Monawarah Street in the city and started shooting at the demonstrators. At approximately 17:40, Mohammed Jamil ‘Abdel Fattah Shahin (24) was hit with a bullet that penetrated his chest and sotaken to Yaser ‘Arafat Governmental Hospital in the city.  Shortly, the doctors at the hospital declared his death.  According to eyewitnesses, Shahin, who worked in a dairy factory in the city, left his house shortly before to meet his colleagues and got injured when he was in the city center, which was witnessing clashes with the Israeli soldiers.  The shooting also resulted in the injury of 2 other civilians; a 22-year-old young man who was wounded with a rubber bullet to the head, and another 27-year-old who was hit with a similar bullet.  At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces withdrew from the city.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Orta village, south east of Nablus and Sa’ir and Bani Na’eem villages in Hebron.

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Attil village in Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mujahed Mahmoud Saleem Saleem (22) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Thanaba suburb adjacent to Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Hashem ‘Abdullah ‘Oda and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ez al-Deen Mohammad Hafeth Abu Daia (30) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Seida village in Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Momin Nawwa ‘Afeef Raddad (28) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’eem village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sayel ‘Abdul al-Mahdi Zeidat (26) and then arrested him. They later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Kareem Mohammad Abu Sil (26) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basel Rami Al-Wawy (23) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah and stationed in ‘Ein Musbah and Um al-Sharayet neighborhood. They raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested Mohammad Hassan Abu Teir (68), Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and Hafeth Mo’een ‘Omar (35), taking them to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that that the PLC member Abu Teir had served around five consecutive years in Israeli jails.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched the houses of two civilians namely Laith Mahmoud Hamran (21) and Nezar Mohammad Hammad (23) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested four civilians namely Sohaib Majdy Abu al-Haija (18), ‘Abdul Rahman Hani ‘Abdul Rahman Bani Ghora (20), Shera’ Samouh Nayef al-Hendawy (24), and Ayman Jamal al-Qombo’s (23), taking them to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Surif village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Iyad Mahmoud Ghnimat (33) and Khaled ‘Ali Ghnimat (36) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the Palestinian fishermen fled for fear of their lives and no casualties were reported.

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, south of Nablus and Qalqas and Beit Kahil villages in Hebron.

Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:

Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and it was named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstration was in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed large participation by Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstration were fully peaceful. The demonstration was as follows during the reporting period:

Gaza Strip:

In the 50^th week of the Return and Breaking Siege the March activities, Israeli forces wounded 150 civilians, including 43 children, 4 women, 3 journalists and 3paramedics.  The injury of four of them was reported as serious. The incidents were as follows:

• Gaza City: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 59 civilians, including five children and a women. 30 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, 19 were directly hit with tear gas canisters and ten were hit with rubber bullets.

• Northern Gaza Strip: the Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 14 civilians, including seven children. Four of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, eight were directly hit with tear gas canisters and two were hit with rubber bullets.
• Central Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 18:00, resulted in the injury of 36 civilians, including 18 children, a woman and a journalist. Twenty-three of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 13 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The injury of one of them was classified as serious. The wounded journalist identified as Hussain Jamal Mohammed Mansour (27), from al-Buraij Refugee Camp, was hit with shrapnel to his hands. Hussain works as a freelance journalist.

• Khan Younis: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 18:00, resulted in the injury of 26 civilians, including eight children, a woman, three paramedics, and two journalists. Thirteen of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 13 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded paramedics are:

• ‘Ali Bahjat al-Qassas (36), a volunteer paramedic at the PRCS, who was hit with a tear gas canister to the face.
• Ghaleb Samir Abu Khater (29), a volunteer paramedic at the PRCS, who was hit with a tear gas canister to the hand.
• Mohammed Rajab Abu Jazar (21), a volunteer paramedic at PMRS, who was hit with a tear gas canister to the neck.

The two wounded journalists were identified as:

• Yasser Mamdouh al-Qadi (32) who was hit with a live bullet to the right foot and works at Kan’an Agency.
• Hussam Saleh Ahmed al-‘Adlony (30) who was hit with a tear gas canister to the left thigh and works as a freelance journalist.

• Rafah: The Israeli shooting at the demonstrators, which continued from 14:00 until 17:00, resulted in the killing of Tamer Khaled Mustafa ‘Arafat (23) and the injury of 15 civilians, including five children and a woman. Nine of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and six were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The injury of three of them was classified as serious. Moreover, Tamer was hit with a live bullet to the head at approximately 17:25, while he was around 150 meters away from the border fence, east of al-Shoka, east of Rafah. Tamer’s death was declared at approximately 18:40.

• Three civilians, including a child, succumbed to their wounds:

At approximately 00:40 on Thursday, 07 March 2019, the medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared the death of Saif al-Din ‘Emad Nasser Abu Zaid (14), from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, who succumbed to his wound. It should be noted that at approximately 21:40 on Wednesday, 6 March 2019, Saif al-Din arrived at al-Shifa Hospital after being hit with a live bullet to the head when Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence with Israel fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinian children and young men in Malaka area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.

• At approximately 03:50 on Monday, 11 March 2019, the medical sources at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, declared the death of Bassam Sami ‘Othman Safi (22), form Khan Younis, who succumbed to his wound. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 16:00 on Friday, 22 February 2019, Bassam was directly hit with a tear gas canister to the head while he was around 150-200 meters away from the border fence with Israel, southeast of Return Camp in Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis. Bassam was standing among a group of demonstrators doing nothing. He was then taken to a medical field point then to the European Gaza Hospital. Bassam was admitted to the ICU due to his serious health condition until he succumbed to his serious wound.

• At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 11 March 2019, the medical sources at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, declared the death of Mussa Mohammed ‘Abd al-Karim Mussa (23), from Deir al-Balah, who succumbed to his wounds. On Friday, 01 March 2019, Mussa was hit with a live bullet to the abdomen while he was participating in the Great March of Return, east of al-Buraj in the central Gaza Strip. Mussa was taken to al-Aqsa Hospital, where he underwent a surgery and then admitted to the ICU until he succumbed to his wounds.

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer, on 08 March 2019, dozens of Palestinian civilians headed to Beit Sira village’s entrance, west of Ramallah, and gathered near an Israeli military watchtower established in the area, calling for returning the bodies of Amir Daraj and Youssof ‘Enqawi, who were killed on 04 March 2019 by the Israeli forces in Kafur Ni’mah village, and their bodies were detained. After the demonstrators arrived at the area, the Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs at them. As a result, a 22-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the head and then taken via a PRCS ambulance to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive treatment.

• Collective Punishment Policy:

• As part of the collective punishment policy adopted by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers, on Thursday, 07 March 2019, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of ‘Asem ‘Omer al-Barghouthi in Cooper village, north of Ramallah. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 01:30 on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces backed by 20 military vehicles and armored personnel carriers in addition a Volvo military bulldozer moved into Cooper village, north of Ramallah.  The soldiers got off their vehicles and deployed in the center of the village and between the houses.  A number of them topped the roofs and closed the entrances leading to the vicinity of the family house belonging to detainee ‘Asem ‘Omer al-Barghouthi (33). Many Israeli soldiers then raided the abovementioned house to implement the demolition order which the family previously was informed of.  Dozens of Palestinian youngsters and young men then gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers deployed in the center of the village and set fire to tires.  The Israeli soldiers then in response heavily fired teargas canisters at them; as a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and fainted.  Meanwhile, the Israeli military bulldozer was demolishing the walls of the 2-storet house built on an area of 280 square meters.  At approximately 04:00, the Israeli forces completely demolished the house and later withdrew from the village. It should be mentioned that the Israeli supreme court refused on 04 March 2019 the petition submitted by al-Barghouthi family against the house demolition decision.  Thus, the court proved again its violation of the international humanitarian law and international human rights law and being one of Israel’s mechanisms to punish the Palestinian civilians and take revenge from innocents.  It is noteworthy that on 08 January 2019 the Israeli forces arrested ‘Asem al-Barghouthi by officers from the Yamam Unit, which is part of the Israeli “Mista’arvim” units and dressed like Palestinian civilians, when he was in Abu Shkeihdem village, north of Ramallah.  The Israeli authorities accused al-Barghuthi of shooting at Israel soldiers near “Givat Asaf” settlement outpost, north of Ramallah on 13 December 2018 and killing at the time 2 Israeli soldiers and seriously wounded 2 others.  Further, the Israeli authorities accused him of participating with his brother Saleh, who was assassinated by the Israeli soldiers on 12 December 2018, in a shooting incident near “‘Ofra” settlement, east of the city.

2. Continued closure of the oPt

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods

• Note:Due to technical reasons, we could not obtain the official statistics from the department responsible for issuing the statistics

Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

 Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

(06-11 March 2019)

• Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank from 28 February to 06 March 2019:

• Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

• At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 07 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Firas Mahmoud Fattouh Hijy (34), from Balatah refugee camp, east of the city; and Mohamed Amjad Mansour ‘Iwais (19), from the eastern Laban village, south of the city.

• At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 07 March 2019, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq ‘Abed (25), from Kafur Dan village, west of Jenin, after stopping him at a military checkpoint on Ramallah-Nablus Road.

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Mohamed Tayim (23), from ‘Ain Beit al-Maa’ Refugee Camp, west of Nablus, after stopping him at Za’tarah military checkpoint, south of Nablus.

• At approximately 19:15 on Thursday, Israeli forces arrested Nirmeen Mostafa Abu Doyouk (22), from Gaza City, after stopping her at a military checkpoint on al-Moraba’ah road, which connects between southeast Nablus’s villages.

• At approximately 23:00 on Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli forces arrested Yousef al-Shayib (25) while passing through a military checkpoint established near Kafur Malek village, east of Ramallah.

• At approximately 23:30 on Friday. Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Hani ‘Awni Mahmoud Sabbah (43), from ‘Oreef village, south of Nablus.

• At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, Israeli forces arrested Mohamed Anwar Abu Mussalam (8), from al-Taweel Mount area in al-Bireh city, while he wa along with his friend near a military checkpoint established in the center of the mentioned area. Mohamed was then taken to “Pisgat “ settlement, which is established on al-Bierh city lands. At approximately 22:00, Mohamed was released.

• At approximately 23:00 on Saturday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Dir Ballout village, west of Salfit, and then arrested Ghanem Mahmoud ‘Abed al-Kareem ‘Abdullah (37), from the mentioned village.

• At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 10 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mahmoud Tawfiq ‘Adnan ‘Abdullah (24), from Nour al-Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm.

• At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 10 March 2019, Israeli forces while patrolling on Jenin-Hifa Road arrested Ahmed ‘Abed al-Kareem Jaradat (30), from al-Silah al-Harithiyia village, west of the city. He was arrested from his land in Marj Bin ‘Amer.

• At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 11 March 2019, Israeli forces established a military checkpoint on Jenin-Hifa Road, west of Jenin. They stopped Palestinian civilians’ vehicles and searched the passengers. They then arrested Mohamed ‘Adnan ‘Abed (28), from Kafurdan village, west of the city. .

• On Monday, Israeli forces stationed at Ayal military crossing, north of Qalqiliyia, arrested Mahmoud Ayman Mahmoud Barham (17) and Mahmoud ‘Abed Yousef Dawwoud (17) while playing near the checkpoint area.

• At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Jenin-Hifa Road, west of Jenin. They stopped Palestinian civilians’ vehicles and searched the passengers. They then arrested Loai Mahmoud al-Natour (17), from Jenin refugee camp.

• At approximately 17:30 on Tuesday, Israeli forces established a military checkpoint on al-Bathan Road, which connects between Nablus and Tubas, north of Nablus. They stopped Palestinian civilians’ vehicles and searched the passengers. They then arrested Mohamed Nidal Mohamed Subeh (25), from al-Fari’ah camp, south of Tubas. Mohamed works at Nablus Court.

• At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab military checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Jehad Muhraj Ibrahim Shehadah (20), from Tulkarm refugee camp.

• On Wednesday, 13 March 2019, Israeli forces patrolling in al-Hummah area in northern Jordan Valley, arrested 3 shepherds identified as Hasan and Ibrahim Ahmed Salem Abu Zahou and Hani Mahmoud Ayoub.

• On Wednesday, Israeli forces arrested Maha Hasan al-Turk (30) at a military checkpoint in Hebron’s Old City.

Closing Roads:

• At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 11 March 2019, the Israeli authorities closed 6 dirt roads in the southern area of Hebron. The residents used these roads to access their houses and agricultural lands. The Israeli Civil Administration officer did not clarify the closure reasons. The closure included the following roads: the road connects between Ma’een village and Kherbit Sha’b al-Baten, southeast of Yatta; the sub-raod leading to Kherbit Wad Jehish, south of Yatta; the road of Khelet al-Mayiah leading to Yatta’ the road connects between Kherbit Ghowain and al-Kharabah area; the road leading to Kherbit Raffat, southwest of Samou’a; and the road leading to Kherbit Maqtal Musallam, south of Samou’a.

• Efforts to Create A 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 13:00, on Thursday, 07 March 2019, Israeli police raided al-Rahma Gate Mosque, east of al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City in occupied east Jerusalem, and took pictures for those who were there. In addition, eyewitnesses said that the Israeli police raided the mosque and took photos for the worshipers who were there, resulting in an altercation between both the Israeli police and the Palestinian worshipers. This tension came after the Israeli police sealed with chains the door on the top of the stairway leading to “al-Rahma Gate” building last month, outraging the worshipers who broke the door after performing their prayers near the mosque. The events continued to escalate as the worshipers were attacked and arrested in addition to denying them entry to al-Aqsa Mosque as well as attacking al-Aqsa guards. As a result, the worshipers, in cooperation with Islamic Endowment Department (Awqaf), were able to open the mosque, which has been closed for 16. After that, the Israeli police conducted a two-week arrest campaign targeting religious figures, activists, women, and children, who were able to break the steel gate and participated in opening al-Rahma Gate Mosque. Moreover, they denied more than 130 Palestinian civilians to enter al-Aqsa Mosque for period ranging from weeks to months.

• On the same day evening, Israeli forces arrested seven Palestinian women and a man when they were on their way out of al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem, taking them to al-Qashala police station in west Jerusalem to interrogate them. Lawyer Khaled Zabarqa said that Israeli police extended the women’s detention on charges of disturbing public order. The arrested women were identified as Nehad Mahajna, Islam Mahameed, Nour Mahameed, Montaha Emara, Samah Mahameed, Raeeda Sa’eed, and Sou’ad in addition to sheikh Nour al-Deen Ishaq al-Rajabe (57), who was released several hours after being arrested. Eyewitnesses said that the arrests were carried out at al-Asbat (Lion), Hata and al-Majles gates. That coincided with settlers raiding al-Rahma Cemetery, adjacent to al-Aqsa Mosque, performing their religious rituals and violating the sanctity of the graves by stepping over them. It should be mentioned that on the same day evening the settlers organized the monthly “Gates March”, in which they dance, sing and perform their rituals while raising the Israeli flags. The March started from al-Buraq Wall and passed by al-Aqsa gates. Moreover, eyewitnesses said that the Israeli police provided settlers full protection and closed the roads leading to al-Maghariba (Dung Gate).

• At approximately 20:00, on Thursday, 07 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Qanater Khdeir neighborhood in the Old City in occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested ‘Abdul Rahman Taher al-Sharbati (14) and Ihab Sa’eb Taha (15), taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 00:00, on Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into Al-Issawiya village, northeast of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fady ‘Ali Mohammad ‘Elayan (33) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that ‘Elyan was one of al-Aqsa guards, who were denied access to al-Aqsa Mosque in last January for six months. Moreover, he was arrested several times and spent a whole year in Israeli jails.

• At approximately 02:00, on Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into several neighborhoods in the Old City in occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested three civilians namely ‘Obada Sameer Yusuf Najeeb (20), Waheed Marwan Waheed al-Bakry (19) and Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Najeeb (21).

• At approximately 14:00, on Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mukabir neighborhood, southeast occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested three civilians namely ‘Amer Mahmoud Mash’al (33), Loai Mohammad Salama (27) and Hassan Yusuf Salama (45).

• At approximately 09:00, on Sunday, 10 March 2019, ‘Omar Ramzy ‘Omar al-Za’neen (18) turned himself in to the Prison Service in al-Ramla to serve his eight-month sentence. Amjad Abu ‘Assab, Head of the Prisoners’ Families Committee in Jerusalem, said that al-Zaneen was arrested many times, denied access to his place of residence in the Old City in al-Ramla and stayed in house arrest for months. Furthermore, the Israeli court sentenced him to eight months of imprisonment, thus he turned himself in. It should be mentioned that al-Za’neen is the goalkeeper of Helal al-Quds Club and plays also for Palestine Junior National Team.

• At approximately 19:00, on Sunday, 10 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Sa’dya village in the Old City in occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nedal Abu Diab. Before they withdrew, they arrested his child Nassrallah (13), taking him to Moscovia Detention Center in west Jerusalem. It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned civilian and released him few hours later under the condition of being under house arrest for three days. Later on the same day, they raided the house again and arrested him.

• At approximately 22:00, on Monday, 11 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Sa’dia neighborhood in the Old City in occupied east Jerusalem. They raided a house belonging to Bahjat Mohammad ‘Ali al-Razem (26) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 01:00, on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmad ‘Abdullah Abu Ghannam (15) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:00, on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Eizariya village, southeast of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammad Hassan Mattar (40) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Following the midday prayer, on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, Israeli authorities imposed a tightened siege on al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied east Jerusalem, closed the gates and completely evacuated it after the police station, which is located in the mosque, was set on fire. Eyewitnesses said that the fire was set to al-Asbat’s Gate Police Station following the midday prayer. Moreover, Israeli forces opened fire at the worshippers and completely locked down the vicinty of the police station. Furthermore, the Israeli forces backed by special forces, police and intelligence officers raided the mosque and closed its gates and then raided the Dome of the Rock and carried out arrests, which included children and women. The eyewitnesses added that the Israeli forces severely beat everyone at the mosque, including Islamic endowment “Awqaf” employees, worshippers, women, children, and young men and women, evacuated it and started searching the rooms and offices. Sheikh Wasif al-Bakri, acting chief justice of Jerusalem’s Islamic courts, said that the Israeli forces, upon the order of Jerusalem’s Police Chief, emptied the mosque of Islamic endowment “Awqaf” employees and worshippers. He also said that he along with a group of Islamic endowment “Awqaf” employees attempted to stay in the Dome of al-Nahawiyah, but the Israeli police raided it twice and threatened to get them out by force. PRCS reported that, during those events, their staff offered treatment for six persons injured after being beaten and sustained fractures. Five of them were taken to al-Makassed Hospital. Lawyers Mohammad Mahmoud and Rozan al-Jo’ba said that the Israeli forces arrested 17 civilians, including six children, and that they visited the arrestees in al-Qishla police station in Jerusalem’s Old City and Moscovia Detention Center in west Jerusalem. They added that the arrestees told them that they were hit against the wall and some of them were prevented from wearing their shoes at the moment they were arrested from al-Aqsa Mosque. Moroever some of them were hit on the head and suffocated. PCHR keeps the names of the arrestees.

• At approximately 02:00, on Wednesday, 13 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiya, northeast of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested four civilians, including a child. The arrested civilians were identified as Wassem Iyad Dari (17), Saleh Bader Abu ‘Assab (19), Majd ‘Ali ‘Ata (20), and Khaled ‘Awny Abu Gosh (19).

Notices and House Demolitions:

• At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 07 March 2019, the Israeli Municipality handed Ayman Rezeq Zarinah and his sons notices to demolish two residential buildings; one of them is under-construction, in Bir ‘Onah area, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli Municipality gave the family until 10 April 2019 to demolish the buildings or it will demolish them and force them to pay the demolition costs. Waleed Zarinah said that the Israeli authorities handed him a notice issued by the court to demolish a building belonging to his brother Ayman and his sons Rezeq, Mohamed and Salah, or the municipality will demolish it and force him to pay the demotion costs, in addition to confiscating NIS 230.000, which the family was forced to pay as a bail to release Ayman who refused to sign the demolition notice. Ayman’s building is comprised of two floors, including four apartments. Waleed added that the Israeli Court, which belongs to the Ministry of the Interior, detained Ayman after he refused to sign the self-demolition notice, so the family was forced to pay the mentioned money as a bail to release him and implement the demolition by himself before the specified date. Waleed pointed out that the family appoint an Israeli lawyer a year ago after the Israeli authorities threatened to demolish the mentioned building and paid a lot of money to him, but the court decided to demolish the building. He added that the Israeli authorities threatened the family to demolish the rest of the house, which belongs to his borthers Khaled and Ried.

• In the same context, the Israeli forces handed Basema ‘Isaa, from Bir ‘Onah area, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem, a notice to demolish her an under-construction building comprised of 2 floors. She said that the Israeli forces raided her house and handed her husband Ibrahim ‘Abdullah ‘isaa a notice issued by the court to demolish their building on 01 April 2019. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities targeted the buildings of Bir ‘Onah area, which are located near al-Nafaq Road, in order to expand this road.

• At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 08 March 2019, ‘Atallah ‘Eliwat self-demolished his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, to implement the Israeli Municipality decision. ‘Atallah said that the Israeli Municipality issued a decision to demolish the house, despite his attempts to license it and paying fines estimated at NIS 100.000. He added that on Friday evening, he self-demolished parts of his 80-sqaure-meter house built 8 years ago. It should be noted that the house sheltered 7 members, including 5 children.

• At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 09 March 2019, Elham Ja’abees self-demolished her house in al-Mokaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, to impellent the Israeli Municipality decision. Elham’s brother ‘Ali said that the municipality notified his sister on 03 March 2019 to demolish her house under the pretext of non-licensing. He pointed out that she paid a lot of money as a fine building, but the municipality insisted to demolish it or the municipality will demolish the house and force her to pay the demolition costs, which is estimated at NIS 30.000. The mentioned house was built on an area of 130 square meters. It should be noted that the Israeli Municipality forced around 7 civilians, from Jerusalem, to self-demolish their shops in late February, under the pretext of non-licensing.

• At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, the Israeli authorities confiscated a caravan used as an agricultural facility in al-Walajah village, southwest of occupied East Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces moved into the entrance to al-Walajah village and then seized a caravan without a prior warning. The caravan belongs to Waleed Abi ‘Ali.

• Seizing Palestinian Civilians’ Property in Favor of Settlement Association:

• On Monday, 11 March 2019, the Israeli Execution and Procedure Department handed the heirs of the late Maryam Abu Zowair a notice to evacuate their facility in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem in favor of El’ad” Settlement Association. According to PCHR’s investigations, the Israeli Court gave the family until the end of March to implement the eviction decision for the facility located in Wadi al-Helwa neighborhood. The facility is a house, where Elham Siyam and her four children live in, in addition to 1.5- dunum plot of land. The Israeli authorities’ decisions came before looking for the land’s ownership in the Israeli Supreme Court, which emphasizes that the land, where the house is established, belonging to the late Jameel Siyam not to the late Zowair. Mahmoud Khalil, from Chicago, in collaboration with a broker forged the documents to facilitate the transferring of the facility to the association. The sons of Monirah and Fatemah Siyam, the heirs of the late Zowair, are fighting from 22 years in the Israeli Courts to protect their facility, prove their ownership and refute the settlement association’s claims. The settlement association did all its efforts to seize the facility during the past years.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks:

• At approximately 06:20 on Thursday, 07 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with 3 bulldozers moved into al-Mas’oudiyia area in Burqah village, northwest of Nablus. The bulldozers demolished an under-construction house belonging to Mosheer Suliman Mahmoud Saif, from the mentioned village. The house was comprised of 2 floors; the first one built on an area of 150 square meters while the second built on an area of 250 square meters. The demolition was carried out under the pretext of non-licensing in area classified as Area C, noting that the house built on the land classified as Area B, according to the Palestinian classification. Saif said that he did not receive demolition notice, but he received a notice to stop construction work and granted a chance to refer to the competent bodies in the Israeli Civil Administration. Following that, he headed to the al-Quds Center for legal aid and human rights in order to follow-up his case, but no any court session held to consider the case.

• At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Kherab al-Sakinah in al-Masafer area in Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers confiscated 4 residential tents and 3 other tents used for breeding livestock in (al-Fakhit- al-Majaz- al-Dakikah) areas, under the pretext of building without a prior permission. The confiscation was carried out without a prior permission or handing decisions to stop construction works or demolition notices. The confiscated tents belong to:
  • Isma’il Ibrahim al-‘Adrah (a 40-sqaure-meter tent in Kherbet al-Fakhith).
  • ‘Isaa Mohamed Abu ‘Arram (a 40-square-meter tent and a 50-square-meter tent used for breeding livestock(.
  • Mohamed ‘Eliyan ‘Awad (2 residential tents built on an area of 40 square meters and 2 other tents built on an area of 60 square meters and used as barns.)

• On Thursday, the Israeli authorities notified the owners of 4 agricultural dwellings in Shoshhalah area in al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The notified persons were identified as Mahmoud Salah, Monther Salah, Mousa Ahmed Salah, and Habbas Khalil Salah. The head of the office of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee in Bethlehem, Hassan Brejiya, said that the houses’ owners recently restored their houses in order to confront the Israeli forces’ plans aim at seizing the land in favor of settlement projects. He pointed out that the Israeli forces raided al-Rashidah village, southeast of the city and confiscated a truck carrying construction materials. They also handed the village residents notices to evacuate their lands under the pretext of being military areas.

• On Friday, 08 March 2019, Israeli forces attacked the Agricultural Relief Society in Nahaleen village, west of Bethlehem, and forced the workers to stop working in the project. Ziyad Salah, the coordinator of the Agricultural Relief Society, said that the Israeli forces forced the workers to stop working in the project and confiscated the tools using in implementing the project of agricultural roads. The project, which is implemented by the Agricultural Relief Society, aims at serving the Palestinian farmers. Ziyad also said that the Israeli forces arrived at the area, stopped the work and then confiscated the tools by loading them on military vehicles. He pointed out that this project is implemented in cooperation with Nahaleen’s municipality.

• At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 10 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, a bulldozer and a digger moved into Abu Sdodah Mount, north of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. The Israeli vehicle leveled a 800-sqaure-meter plot of land, demolished stone chains and uprooted 80 trees. The trees were as follows: 40 olive trees, 3 almond trees and 10 grapes. The plot of land belongs to Khaled Mohamed Salman al-Samaheen.

• At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a mounted-crane truck moved into the western area of Samou’a village, south of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed between houses and the Israeli Civil Administration officer handed Ya’qoub Mostafa Abu ‘Oqail a notice to stop construction works in his an under-construction house built on an area of 80 square meters. The Israeli Civil Administration officers confiscated 8 pallets built of bricks where in the vicinity of the house. The confiscation and stop working came under the pretext of non-licensing in area classified as Area C, according to Oslo agreement.

• At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, according to the security coordination previously declared by the Palestinian Liaison that allows Palestinians enter their lands in Bureen village, south of Nablus, Kastro Rezeq Mahmoud Qadous headed to a plot of land belonging to the heirs of the late Nimer Jaber, where he works. When he arrived at the land, he was surprised with cutting and damaging 30 olive trees planted in 12-dunum-plot of land. Kastro said that the Israeli settlers cut the trees 2 days ago. It should be noted that this is not the first time that Israeli settlers attack the plot of land, but this is the fifth time during the past 5 years.

• On Wednesday, 13 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a bulldozer moved into Wadi al-Makhrour area, west of Beit Jalah, west of Bethlehem. The Israeli bulldozers demolished a 120-sqaure-meter barrack used for breeding livestock and a 12-sqaure-meter agricultural room attached to it. The barrack and agricultural room, which were built 2 years ago, belong to Basem Zait.

Israeli settlers’ attacks:

• On Saturday, 09 March 2019, the residents of Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus, were surprised with leveling agricultural lands in Khelet Sahal Abu Shabraqah by Israeli settlers, from “Ahiya” settlement and “Ayish Kodesh” settlement outpost, east of Jaloud village. The agricultural lands belong to the heirs of the late Ibrahim ‘Abed al-Hajj Mohamed. The levelled land were around 10 dumuns. It should be noted that Palestinain farmers are only allowed to enter their lands for plowing them after getting a prior permission from the Israeli forces.

• At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, 10 March 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, from “ Shafi Shamroun” settlement, west of Nablus, carried out riots in the square of Dir Sharaf village, west of the city. They also threw stones at Palestinian civilians and their vehicles and shops, but no injuries among them or damages were reported.