A Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF.

IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded.

IOF conducted 7 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.   

IOF arrested 7 Palestinians. 

Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians in Hebron. 

IOF have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli municipality of Jerusalem decided to establish 12 tower buildings in Jabal Abu Ghunaim ("Har Homah" settlement, south of Jerusalem.

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

IOF legitimized am unplanned settlement outpost.

5 dunums[1] of agricultural land were razed and water well was destroyed in al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (09 – 15 August 2012):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 

During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli practices in the West Bank.  As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded.  Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 11 August 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at al-Zanna area between al-Qarara and 'Abassan villages. 

IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  During the reporting period, PCHR documented two attacks in this regard, which did not cause casualties. 

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 7 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF arrested 7 Palestinians, including a child.  

Restrictions on Movement:

Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip.  Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem:

During the reporting period, the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem decided to build 12 tower buildings in Jabal Abu Ghunaim ("Har Homah" settlement) between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  The online Hebrew news1 reported on Monday, 13 August 2012 that each building will be comprised of 24-33 floors, and the area of contraction will be one million square meters.  A part of the project will include new offices for the municipality, while the largest part will be commercial and tourist and will provide 40,000 job opportunities according to the municipality’s claim.

Settlement Activities:  

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 12 August 2012, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported the GOC Central Command, Nitzan Alon, signed an order legitimizing "Brokhin" settlement outpost, practically implementing a decision by the Israeli government to legitimize 3 settlement outposts: Brokhin’ Rahalim; and Sansana.  Alon also ordered annexing the settlement outpost to "Shomron" district settlement council.

On the same day, Israeli settlers sprinkled poisonous materials at pastures in Sousia area, south of Hebron.  They targeted sheep belonging to Jihad al-Nawaj’a.  According to eyewitnesses, 7 sheep died.

On 13 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "El’azer" settlement, which stands on the lands of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, accompanied by bulldozers and heavy machinery and escorted by IOF, razed a 5-donum areas of agricultural land belonging to Rezeq Salah and destroyed a water well.     

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (09 – 15 August 2012)

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

Thursday, 09 August 2012

At approximately 21:15, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

Saturday, 11 August 2012  

At approximately 06:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at al-Zannah area between al-Qarara and 'Abassan villages.  As a result, Mohammed Sidqi al-Qarra, 18, was wounded by two bullets to the left hand and the right foot, when he was working on an agricultural field belonging to his father nearly 700 meters away from the border.  

In the evening, IOF moved into al-Tawani village, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Munther Khader 'Amour, 20, and arrested him.

Sunday, 12 August 2012

At approximately 20:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit.  The patrolled in the streets amidst indiscriminate shooting while chasing a civilian vehicle to force it to stop.  When the vehicle stopped, IOF searched it, verified the ID cards of passengers and then allowed them to travel.  IOF withdrew from the village later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 13 July 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Hadi Masalma, 22, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into al-Zawia village, northwest of Salfit.  They raided a house and questioned a number of Palestinian civilians.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Masaken al-Sha’biya neighborhood in the northeast of Nablus.  They raided a house belonging to the family of Riad Bassam Fahad, 24, who was not t home as he was praying in the mosque together with his father.  When the father saw a number of Israeli military vehicles near the he called the house telephone, but there was no answer.  He then called a mobile phone in the house, and Israeli officer answered.  The officer introduced himself as Captain Tamir.  He ordered the father to bring Riad and the father did.  IOF then arrested Riad.  

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nabeel Abu Shadouf, 24, and arrested him.  

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched 3 houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Rasheed Mohammed 'Obaid, 18;

2. 'Alaa’ Mohammed 'Aamer, 27; and

3. Ma’awia Mohammed 'Aamer, 21. 

When they first did not find the third detainee in his house, they damaged the house.  He turned himself in to IOF a few hours later.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.       

Following the Friday Prayer on 10 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  They moved towards areas of the annexation wall.  They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in "Mitityahu" settlement to leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 10 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall.   Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 10 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.  Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 10 August 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF.  They moved towards the entrance.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg, and another one was hit by a tear gas canister to the head.   

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 10 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, southwest of Bethlehem, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  They raised the Palestinian flags and moved towards the main entrance of the village.  Israeli soldiers positioned in the area chased the demonstrators and beat a number of them.   

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 09 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians, a number of leaders and members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestinian (DFLP), the Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs and representatives of national factions in Ramallah organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to retrying Ibrahim Abu Hajla, Member of the DFLP Political Bureau, who was released in the Shalit prisoners swap deal.  The demonstrators moved towards Oufar Prison, southwest of Ramallah.  Before they arrived at the gate of the prison, IOF fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded. 

3. Continued Closure of the OPT

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.  

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

IOF have continued to impose 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 in the Gaza Strip.

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments.  The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

For approximately 61 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

06 – 14 August 2012

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

01 – 12 August 2012

Imports:

Exports:

On Tuesday, 07 August 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 16 tons of tomatoes.

On Wednesday, 08 August 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 12 tons of tomatoes.

On Sunday, 12 August 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 12 tons of tomatoes.

Notes:

On Wednesday, 01 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement, 770 tons of construction aggregates and 16 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; and 160 tons of cement, 1,260 tons of construction aggregates and 52 tons of construction steel for the Development Bank.   They also allowed the entry of 1,443 tons of fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

On Thursday, 02 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 1,190 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 2,100 tons of construction aggregates, 280 tons of cement and 80 tons of construction steel for the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility.  They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat. 

On Sunday, 05 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement and 33 tons of construction steel for the Ministry of Education; 1,260 tons of construction aggregates fo the Costal Municipalities Water Utility; and 1,750 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.   They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.

On Tuesday, 07 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 123 tons of construction steel and 2,520 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of fodders.   

On Wednesday, 08 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

On Thursday, 09 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement and 1,400 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,053 tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

On Sunday, 12 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 580 tons of cement, 27 tons of construction steel and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

08 – 14 August 2012

The West Bank

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Jerusalem and inside the city.  On Friday, 10 August 2012, IOF imposed severe restriction on the movement of Muslim worshippers to pray in the al-Aqsa Mosque.  The Israeli police declared that they would allow male Palestinians aged above 40 and less than 12, in addition to all women, to enter Jerusalem without permits.  This decision excluded Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who have been denied access to Jerusalem since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  Thousands of Israeli soldiers and police officers were deployed throughout the city, especially in the old town, in the vicinity of the al-Aqsa Mosque and at crossings and checkpoints established at the entrances of the city.  On Monday morning, 13 August 2012, IOF closed the sole entrance to Palestinian villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem, which links them with Ramallah and al-Bireh.  On Tuesday noon, 14 August 2012, IOF declared that they would allow make Palestinians aged above 40 and all women to enter Jerusalem without permits. 

Ramallah and al-Bireh:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 09 August 2012, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit 'Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 10 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 11 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 12 August 2012, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.        

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:40 on Thursday, 09 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 19:00 on Friday, 10 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the etrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 11 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 18:35, IOF established a checkpoint between 'Azzoun and 'Izbat al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 12 August 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.   

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 09 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 10 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 11:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  

Hebron:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 14 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the road that links between Dura town, southwest of Hebron, and villages located to the south of Hebron.  At approximately 22:30 on Wednesday, 15 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Dura town.     

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Sunday morning, 12 August 2012, the family of Bassam Suleiman al-Muhtasseb, 30, from al-Jalajel area to the northeast of Hebron, received a phone call from IOF, indicating that he was detained in Kfra Etzion detention center, south of Bethlehem.  Al-Muhtasseb had left his house on Thursday, 10 August 2012, and went to the old market in al-Karantina area in Hebron, and did not come back home.  According to his family, he suffers from a psychological disorder.

On Wednesday evening, 15 August 2012, IOF arrested 'Abdul 'Aziz Nidal al-Fakhouri, 20, in al-Shallala Street in the center of Hebron.  . 

4. Efforts to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem

Israeli occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.

During the reporting period, the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem decided to build 12 tower buildings in Jabal Abu Ghunaim ("Har Homah" settlement) between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  The online Hebrew news1 reported on Monday, 13 August 2012 that each building will be comprised of 24-33 floors, and the area of contraction will be one million square meters.  A part of the project will include new offices for the municipality, while the largest part will be commercial and tourist and will create 40,000 job opportunities according to the municipality’s claim.  The news website added that one of these building will be a hotel comprised of 800 rooms, while the municipality decided to build 2,000 hotel rooms in this project, without explaining how the remaining 1,200 rooms will be built.  The municipality did not give details about the source of funding or the investing parties in the project.     

5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On Sunday, 12 August 2012, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported the GOC Central Command, Nitzan Alon, signed an order legitimizing "Brokhin" settlement outpost, practically implementing a decision by the Israeli government to legitimize 3 settlement outposts: Brokhin’ Rahalim; and Sansana.  Alon also ordered annexing the settlement outpost to "Shomron" district settlement council.

On Sunday morning, 12 August 2012, Israeli settlers sprinkled poisonous materials at pastures in Sousia area, south of Hebron.  They targeted sheep belonging to Jihad al-Nawaj’a.  According to eyewitnesses, 7 sheep died.

At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 13 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "El’azer" settlement, which stands on the lands of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, accompanied by bulldozers and heavy machinery and escorted by IOF, razed a 5-donum areas of agricultural land belonging to Rezeq Salah and destroyed a water well.  According to Salah, this land is part of a 26-donum area of agricultural land belonging to his family, of which the families are denied access to 11 dunums.  According to residents of al-Khader village, an Israeli settler, Nadia Matar, head of green Israel association, support the settlers and provide them with heavy machinery and other needs.  She recently facilitated the establishment of public seats and wrote names and histories for some deceased Jews to establish a history for them on Palestinian lands.    

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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question.  Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region.  Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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Public Document

For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).

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