Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (16– 22 May 2019)

Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

(16-22 May 2019)

• Eight Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded in the northern West Bank.
• Israeli forces conducted 55 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 other incursions into Jerusalem.
• 47 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children, were arrested in the West Bank.
• Eighteen of them, including 10 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Israeli authorities continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
• A residential tent was demolished and confiscated in Sosiya village, south of Hebron, for the fourth time.
• Israeli authorities continued to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Israeli forces prevented Palestinian worshipers from al-I’tikaf (a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days to perform prayers) and forcibly ordered them to leave the al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Five Shooting incidents were reported against the fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 13thconsecutive year.
• Israeli forces established 92 permanent checkpoints and 134 temporary checkpoints in the West Bank.
• Four Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (16-22 May 2019).

Shooting:

• During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized along the Gaza Strip borders. In the West Bank, Israeli forces wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. Five of them, including 2 children, were wounded in the northern West Bank, while 3 others, including a child, were wounded in the southern West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen and target their livelihoods.
• In the West Bank, in excessive use of lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests, Israeli forces wounded 5 protestors, including 2 children, while participating in Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqiliyia. The abovementioned protest was organized on Friday, 17 May 2019, and on Saturday, 18 May 2019.

• On 21 May 2019, Israeli forces opened fire at Mahmoud Husain Salah (15), from al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, when he was near the annexation wall, which surrounds the village. As a result, Mahmoud was hit with 2 live bullets to the lower limbs. The soldiers then arrested him and took him to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.

• On 22 May 2019, Israeli forces wounded 2 protestors while moving into al-Duhisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, to carry out an arrest campaign. They then opened fire at dozens of Palestinian young men who were protesting against them.

• 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 5 incidents were as follows: 3 incidents in the northern Gaza Strip Shore and 2 incidents in the southern Gaza Strip Shore.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 55 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 other incursions into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 29 Palestinians, including 2 children, from the West Bank, while 18 other civilians, including 10 childre, were arrested from Jerusalem and its suburbs.

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

• As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices, on 16 May 2019, Israeli forces moved into Sosiya village, south of Yatta, south of Hebron. They dismantled a 30-sqaure-meter residential tent built with sheds, rubber tires and steel pillars. The tent belongs to Hussain Radi Nawaj’ah (55). The Israeli authorities claimed that the tent was confiscated and demolished under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that it was the fourth time that the tent was confiscated and the latest was on 16 April 2019.

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

Despite their claims to provide facilities for Palestinian civilians in Ramadan and allow them to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque yards in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, Israeli forces continued to impose restrictions on them, including the city residents. During this week, a large force of Israeli soldiers raided al-Aqsa Mosque after al-‘Isha and al-Taraweeh prayers and forcibly ordered al-Mo’takefeen, who are staying in the al-Aqsa Mosque for a certain number of days to perform prayers, to leave the mosque.

In the same context, the Israeli authorities confiscated dozens of food parcels prepared by Jerusalem Endowment Fund. Those parcels were supposed to be distributed to poor families. The Jerusalem Endowment fund said that the Israeli authorities claimed that the food parcels are funded by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that is banned by the Israeli authorities and considered in violation of its law.

Details

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

Thursday, 16 May 2019:

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiyah village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Yusuf Nassar Kamil (25) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Esah (43) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’ah al-Gharbiyah village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested 3 civilians namely Mohammed Faisel Ladadwah (18), Mohammed ‘Ali Shraiteh (25), and Yazan Ahmed Abu Qare’a (19).

• At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ourif village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Omer Faleh al-Safadi (25) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura and Beit Awla villages in Hebron; Howarah village, south of Nablus.

Friday, 17 May 2019:

• At approximately 01:20, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Arabah village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mazen Lutfi al-Sha’er (26) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Atarah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Osamah Nasser Abu Zaid (35) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Samou’a, Beit Ummer, Sa’ir and Karmah villages in Hebron.

Saturday,18 May 2019:

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Twanah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jom’ah Mousa Rab’ei (44). They then withdrew and no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 12:15, Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’ah al-Gharbiyah village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ha’el Shraiteh (27) and Mohammed Ha’el Shraiteh (30) and then arrested them.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Samou’a, Sa’ir, Beit ‘Omrah and al-Karmel villages in Hebron; Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of the city.

Sunday, 19 May 2019

• At approximately 00:10, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amer Ra’fat al-Zayah (25) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Nuba village and Dura in Hebron; Beta village, south of Nablus.

Monday, 20 May 2019

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Sair neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Omer Abdul Qader  Abu Aishah (55). They then withdrew from the village and no arrests were reported. It should be noted that the Israeli forces killed Omer’s son ‘Amer (34) in June 2014, after accusing him of kidnapping and killing 3 settlers along with others. Moreover, part of the family house was exploded at that time. The house was also  raided and searched dozens of times in addition to confiscating money from it.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu Romman Mount neighborhood in the southwestern area in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Abu Aishah. They then withdrew from the house and no arrests were reported.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Taffuh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Diya’a Mohammed Ismail Izriqat (20) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Silah al-Harithiyah village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Qusai ‘Isam Jaradat (22) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 03:15, Israeli forces moved into Tayasir village, east of Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed Yusuf Abdul Razeq (48) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Arourah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Qasem al-Khatib (22) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 06:20, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ghazi Mohammed al-Darbani (18) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Deir Netham and Betunia villages, west of Ramallah; al-Samuou’a, Surif and al-Hadab village in Hebron.

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

• At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to journalist Sami Radi al-‘Asi (48) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jericho. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Na’im Hijazi and Diya’a Eden Abu Zainah and then arrested them.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Qalil village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to journalist Nawaf al-‘Amer and then arrested his son Bara’a (22). It should be noted that Bara’a is a Law School student at En-Najah National University in Nablus.

• At approximately 08:30, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Sudaniyah area, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces opened fire at Mahmoud Husain Salah (15), from al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, when he was near the annexation wall, which surrounds the village. As a result, Mahmoud was hit with 2 live bullets to the lower limbs. The soldiers then arrested him and took him to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment. Mahmoud’s family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that they did not receive any information about the health condition of their son and they only know what was published on the Israeli media that Mahmoud was wounded when he threw a Molotov Cocktail at the settlers’ cars passing by the bypass road of al-Khader village. Mahmoud’s family expressed their deep concern over their son’s live and his health condition.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp and Shuyoukh al-‘Aroub, north of Hebron.

Wednesday, 22 May 2019

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Abed Mahmoud al-‘Alami (22) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Thaheriyah village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abed Rabbuh Mohammed Mousa al-Tal (25) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 04:40, Israeli forces moved into Safa village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Jamal Abdul Mo’ti Zaid (66) and Rashed Saleh Karajah (49).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Birah and stationed in the industrial area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ehab Zeyad Mas’oud (20) and the arrested him.

• At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 3 military vehicles and group of special units dressed like civilians, moved into al-Duheishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem from the eastern entrance. They raided and searched several houses in al-Salam and al-Motanazah neighborhoods and al-Dahiyah area. The soldiers then arrested Mohammed (24) and his brother Shadi Mahmoud Abu Hadras (21) and their relative, Wesam al-Shawabkah (25). Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers heavily fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 young men were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs. They were taken to al-Husein Hospital in Beit Jala to receive medical treatment.

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Sudaniyah area, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 to 4 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

• At approximately 09:30, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Waha Resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 to 4 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, east of Bethlehem. They stationed in al-‘Amour neighborhood and deployed along the main street. Dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and bottles at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers fired rubber bullets at the protestors and chased them. They also arrested Noor Mahmoud al-‘Amour (15).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul, Hebron, al-Majd, Deir al-‘Asal al-Tahta, Deir Netham, and al-Nabi Saleh villages, northwest of Ramallah.

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:

West Bank:

• At approximately 13:30 on Friday afternoon, 17 May 2019, a group of Palestinians organized a peaceful demonstration from the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, into the eastern entrance to the village, which has been closed for 15 years in favor of “Kedumim” The protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers. The soldiers immediately fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were hit with rubber bullets.

(PCHR keeps the names of the injured civilians)

• At approximately 16:30, on Saturday, 18 May 2018, a group of Palestinians organized a peaceful demonstration from the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, into the eastern entrance to the village, which has been closed for 15 years in favor of “Kedumim” The protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers. The soldiers immediately fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a child was hit with a rubber bullet to the head.

(PCHR keeps the name of the injured child)

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.

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

(14-21 May 2019)

• Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank between 16-22 May 2019:

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

• At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 18 May 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandia checkpoint, north of occupied East Jerusalem, arrested ‘Obada Mahmoud Joda (24), from Qublan village, south of Nablus. He was arrested while heading to occupied Jerusalem.

• At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, Israeli forces arrested Hitham Ibrahim Zama’rah (44) while working in his plot of land located in al-Shinnar neighborhood, north of Halhoul, north of Hebron, near “Karmei Tsur “settlement.

• At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ahmed Mohamed Hameid Hashash (22) and Mahmoud Jameel Mohamed al-Howati (24). Both of them are from Balata refugee camp, east of the city.

• 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 02:00 on Thursday, 16 May 2019, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Mousa al-‘Abasi (16) and then arrested him.

• Following al-Taraweeh prayer, on Saturday, 18 May 2019, a large force of Israeli soldiers raided al-Aqsa Mosque yards in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, ordered the worshipers to get out of the mosque, pushed them, and beat them up. Eyewitnesses said that thousands of Palestinian worshipers performed al-‘Isha and al-Taraweeh prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque yards before raiding it by the Israeli forces from al-Magharebah Gate. The eyewitnesses added that the Israeli soldiers pushed and beat the worshipers while getting them out of the mosque. The eyewitnesses also said that after forcing the worshipers to leave the al-Aqsa Mosque, dozens of them, who were staying in the al-Aqsa Mosque for a certain number of days (mo’takefeen), headed to the Red Minaret Mosque in al-Sahera Gate in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. It should be noted that since the beginning of Ramadan, the Israeli authorities ordered the mo’takefeen to leave the mosque prevented them from staying in it after al-‘Isha and al-Taraweeh prayers.

• At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 19 May 2019, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yazan Mohamed Farroukh (16) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafur ‘Aqub village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched shops and then arrested Mohamed Mostafa Subeh (26).

• At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested the guard of al-Aqsa Mosque, Saied Rafeeq al-Salimah (43); and the driver of the Islamic Endowment Department (Awqaf), Sameer Khalil al-Yaman (46), while they were near al-Asbat Gate area, one of al-Aqsa Mosque Gates.

• At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, the Israeli authorities confiscated dozens of food parcels prepared by Jerusalem Endowment Fund. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli police detained the food parcels for several hours in al-Mosrarah area in the center of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, prevented the distribution of them, and then confiscated them. The eyewitnesses said that the Israeli soldiers arrested the activist Naser Quos, Sajed al-Saliymah and Nayyaz al-Saliymah while preparing to distribute the food parcels. The Israeli authorities released them few hours later. Naser said that the Israeli police claimed that the food parcels funded by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that is banned by the Israeli authorities and considered in violation of its law. Naser confirmed that the food parcels is a campaign belonging to Jerusalem endowment fund and were supposed to be distributed to poor families.

• At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 20 May 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abu Romi and then arrested his two sons Ahmed (19) and Mahmoud (21).

• At approximately 23:00 on Monday, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Adam Mansour al-Reshiq (16) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, Israeli forces stationed in Bab al-‘Amoud (Damascus Gate Liason) in the center of Jerusalem, arrested 6 students while they were in the area. They searched their bags and then took them to an investigation center in the city. The arrested students were identified as Yaser Mahmoud Qirsh (14), Mohi al-Deen Ayman Abu Taleb (15), Sa’ied ‘Anati (15), Shi’iab Murad Abu Rumuz (16), Ahmed ‘Anous (15), and Yousef Mohamed Masalmah (14).

• At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 22 May 2019, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Mousa Adkidak (15) while he was neae al-Ashqariyia square in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. He was then taken to an unknown destination.

• Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks:

• At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 16 May 2019, Israeli forces backed by 2 military vehicles and accompanied with a bulldozer and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Sosiya village, south of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers dismantled a 30-sqaure-meter residential tent built with sheds, rubber tires and steel pillars. The tent belongs to Hussain Radi Nawaj’ah (55). The Israeli authorities claimed that the tent was confiscated and demolished under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that it was the fourth time that the tent was confiscated and the latest was on 16 April 2019.

• Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967.  PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.  PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.