Just another week in Palestine

Palestinians carry a protester wounded by Israeli fire during a demonstration in the northern Gaza Strip on 5 December. Photo by Khaled al-Sabbah / APA images

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11- 17 Dec. 2014)

PCHR
December 18, 2014

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

·Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in excessive use of force in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem.

·Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip.
– 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded, east of Jabalia town in the north of the Gaza Strip.
– 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were wounded due to the explosion of 2 suspicious objects.

·Israeli forces continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded during peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
– 2 Palestinian children were wounded during other protests in Hebron.

·Israeli forces conducted 29 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip.
– 54 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and 2 women, were arrested in the West Bank.
– 31 of these civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
– 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested while attempting to sneak into Israel via the border fence.

·Israel continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
– Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
– At least 8 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

·Israeli forces continued their measures to create Jewish majority in occupied Jerusalem.
– Israeli forces issued new administrative demolition orders against Palestinian houses.

·Israeli forces continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– Israeli forces issued new house demolition notices in area (C).

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (11 – 17 December 2014).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in excessive use of force in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. They also wounded 9 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including 2 children; 5 of whom were wounded in the West Bank and 5 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were wounded due to the explosion of a suspicious object, north of the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, in excessive use of force, on 16 December 2014, a Palestinian civilian was killed in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, when Israeli forces moved into the camp to arrest Palestinians.

Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the chest and a 16-year-old one sustained a bullet wound to the leg.

In the Gaza Strip, on 12 December 2014, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians, who were present around.

In the context of explosions of suspicious objects of the Israeli military remnants in the Gaza Strip, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, sustained moderate wounds, due to the explosion of a suspicious object in the north of the Gaza Strip.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 29 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 54 Palestinians, including 8 children and 2 women. Thirty-one of these Palestinians, including 6 children and a woman, were arrested in Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, on 16 December 2014, Israeli forces moved about 150 meters into the east of al-Fokhari village, southeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence for few hours and withdrew later.

Furthermore, Israeli forces station along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, arrested 2 Palestinian children who attempted to sneak into Israel through the border fence.

Restrictions on movement:

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

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for

edical treatment.

Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli municipality issued more house demolition notices. On 14 December 2014, they handed notices to demolish a number of houses in Silwan village under the pretext of lacking construction permits. Most of the houses were established 15 years ago. They also handed notices to destroy numerous houses in ‘Ain al-Foqa neighborhood.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

On 14 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Koum village, south west of Hebron and handed 6 residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.

On 15 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, and handed two residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.

On the aforementioned day, Israeli forces moved into Tqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, and handed 4 residents notices to demolish their houses under the pretext of illegal construction in Area “C”.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (11 – 17 December 2014)

PCHR
December 18, 2014

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

Thursday, 11 December 2014

· At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij, arrested ‘Oday Saqer Mohammed Abu Hjeir (16) and Muheisen Turky Mohammed Abu ‘Ateiwi (17), both from al-Bureij when they attempted to infiltrate across the border. The father of Abu Hjeir said that at approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 11 December 2014, he lost his son, ‘Oday, so he started looking for him and asking his friends and neighbours about him but in vain. At approximately 22:00 on the aforementioned day, he received a call from a private number on his cell phone, but the caller did not introduce himself. He said that ‘Oday was detained in Israel and when he asked him which prison he is in, the caller did not answer and ended the call. Around 5 minutes later, the caller called the father back and told him that Muheisen Turkey Abu ‘Ateiwi is arrested as well. He told the father to inform his family.

Friday, 12 December 2014

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghazalah village, north of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Borqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Wessam Murtada Nafe’a Murtada (21). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

· At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghazalah village, north of Jenin for the second time within few hours. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 12:15, Israeli forces moved into Far’one, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuhadaa’ Cemetery, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians, who were present in the area. A number of civilians threw stones towards the aforementioned fence, so Israeli forces immediately opened fire at them. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded and were then taken by ambulances belonging to the PRSC to Martyr Kamal ‘Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. Medical sources said that their injuries were moderate. The wounded persons were identified as:

1. Khaled Waleed Khaled al-Namnam (20), from Jabalia refugee camp, hit by a bullet to the left leg (the bullet exited).

2. Shadi ‘Emad Rafiq al-Madhoun (20), from Jabalia refugee camp, hit by a bullet to the right leg (the bullet exited).

3. Ahmed Munir Ramdan Abu Ghori (22), from al-Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza City, hit by a bullet to the left leg (the bullet exited).

4. Ahmed Ismail Hasan al-Bayyari (19) from al-Sheikh Redwan neighbourhood in Gaza City, hit by a bullet to the left leg (the bullet exited).

Saturday, 13 December 2014

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Abdel ‘Aal Mohammed Abu Mayyalah (25) and Hamzah Mohammed ‘Abdel Razeq Zablah (23).

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Mohammed ‘Odah Mousa Awlad Mohammed and ‘Eid Mousa Mahmoud Abryoush. They withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. The Israeli soldiers handed each of Shadi Ibrahim Mohammed Baher (24), Wahid Hamdi Zamel Abu Mariah (42) and Yousif Ahmed Rashid Sabarnah (25) summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses. The Israeli soldiers handed ‘Amr Mahmoud al-Sheikh (23) a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of the city.

· At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 14 December 2014

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested ‘Oday Hussein Hammash (26).

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, where they handed Zaid Mahmoud Taqatqah (26) a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of the city.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Hamad Bassam al-Zeer (27) and Ayman Salmah al-Darbee’a (40).

Monday, 15 December 2014

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Turky Ahmed Hasan Qotban (72) after blowing up the main door. Meanwhile, Israeli forces blew up the main door of his son’s house, ‘Abel Salam (37). After raiding the two houses, Israeli forces found out that the wanted person and former prisoner, Mohammed Turkey Ahmed Qotban (33) does not live in the aforementioned houses. Therefore, Israeli forces took Turky and his two sons, ‘Abdel Salam and Yazan, using them as human shields and raided Mohammed’s houses using tracker dogs. The aforementioned civilian was arrested without being allowed to take his medicine. It should be mentioned that Mohammed suffers from tracheal inflammation and slipped disk and had a surgery a couple of days ago. Israeli forces redeployed and stationed in Abu Thaheir Mountain, south of the city. Israeli soldiers then raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed ‘Ali Ahmed al-Darbi (27) and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:10, Israeli forces moved into Bedia village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdel Wahab Mustafa Ahmed. They withdrew later and no further incidents were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp adjacent to Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mustafa ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Saleh Nayfah (26). They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that on Monday, 08 December 2014, Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned civilian’s brother, Mahmoud (23), from the same house.

· In the evening, Israeli forces arrested 3 civilians after they referred to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem: Baraa’ Ra’ed al-‘Amour (19); Khalil Ibrahim al-‘Amour; and Mohammed ‘Ezat al-‘Amour (24), from Taqou’a village southeast of the city.

· At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Jabone village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:10, Israeli forces moved into Bedia village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Adam al-Aqra’ (30). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Baqet al-Sharqiyah, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Majed Hamed al-Haymouni (19), Hazem al-Haymouni (23) and ‘Ammar ‘Abdel Qader Taleb ‘Amer (29). Israeli forces later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqah village, south of Dura southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Tayseer Riyad Abu Ras (17) and Mahmoud Hasan ‘Abdel Latif Hreibat (16).

· In excessive use of force, on Tuesday early morning, 16 December 2014, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. The aforementioned civilian was killed when Israeli forces moved into the said refugee camp to arrest Palestinians. A number of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers to stop arrests. As a result, a civilian was wounded as he was standing on the roof of his family’s house in Antar quarter in the north of the refugee camp. Israeli forces claimed that an Israeli unit was fired at near Qalandya refugee camp, so they opened fire in response, killing a Palestinian and wounding another one. However, investigations conducted by PCHR refute the Israeli claim.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 16 December 2014, Israeli forces moved into Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, to arrest Palestinians. Dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who opened fire in response. As a result, 21-year-old Mahmoud Abdullah Odwan sustained a bullet wound to the head. Odwan was standing on the roof of his family’s house in Antar quarter in the north of the refugee camp, less than 700 meters away from Qalandya checkpoint. He was transported to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah, but a medical source pronounced him dead upon his arrival at the Medical Compound. Israeli forces arrested 26-Mojahed Hamad, a playground security officer of the Palestinian Football Federation.

· At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved around 150 meters into the east of al-Fakhari village, southeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel for hours and then re-deployed along the border fence.

· At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets when a number of Palestinian boys gathered to throw stones at the invaded vehicles. The Israeli soldiers in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Shweikah Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

· At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bod village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hamzah Hussein Herzalla. They arrested two of his sons, Feras (22) and Hussein (19).

6 Palestinian civilians were wounded due to the explosion of a suspicious object, north of the Gaza Strip

· At approximately 15:00, on Thursday, 11 December 2014, an explosion occurred in a house belonging to Abdul Qader Abdul Rahman Mohammed Meqdad (43), from al-Sekka area in Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip. The asbestos-roofed house is resided by 12 family members, including 8 children and 2 women. As a result of the explosion, 6 civilians, who were inside the house, including 3 children and 2 women, were wounded. The wounded were taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive the necessary medical treatment. Their wounds were moderate.
The wounded were identified as:

1. Abdul Qader Abdul Rahman Mohammed Meqdad (43), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs;

2. His wife, Manal Hassan Yusef Meqdad (43)m who sustained shrapnel wound to the legs too;

3. Their son Mohammed (13), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs and belly;

4. Their daughter Enas (5), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the left leg;

5. Their daughter Do’aa (17), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the chest; and

6. Abdul Qader’s niece, Reem Abdullah Abdul Rahman Halabi (29), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the right leg and belly.

According to field investigations, Palestinian police sources and the statement of Abdul Qader Meqdad, on the abovementioned day, some of his sons went to al-Jamal land and al-Sekka area to bring firewood for making bread over firewood. The man and his wife set fire to the wood by the house door. After a while, they noticed heavy smoke coming out of the fire. An explosion occurred, due to which they felt severe pain throughout their bodies. The explosion resulted from a suspicious object that was accidently brought by his sons with the firewood. The Palestinian police arrived and inspected the scene. In addition, they took the testimony of Meqdad and investigations are in process.

2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 demonstrators were wounded.

In the same context, 2 Palestinian children were wounded during 2 other protests organized against the Israeli forces’ and settlers’ attacks in al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity

· Following the Friday prayer, on 12 December 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a protestor was hit by a gas canister to the head and another was hit by a gas canister to the leg. Moreover, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

· On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a protestor sustained a bullet wound to the thigh. Moreover, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

· Also at approximately 13:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

Other Demonstrations

· On Thursday afternoon, 12 December 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the center of Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, in protest at Israeli policies and the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. They headed to al-Daher and Safa areas near “Karmi Tsour” settlement, west of the village. Once they approached there, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, a 14-year-old child sustained 2 bullet wounds to the chest and leg. He was then taken to the village’s medical compound for medical treatment.

· Also on Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the southern neighbourhoods of Hebron to protest at Israeli policies and the killing of Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ain, Director of the Palestinian Authority Commission against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, 35-year-old Abdul Razaq Abdul Hay Abu Turky and 15-year-old Taleb Ghaleb Taha were wounded.

· On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on Selwad-Yabroud road near street (60) to organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

3. 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.

The total closure of al-Mentar (“Karni”) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the 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 capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

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.

The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing

tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.

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.

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 denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.