The Holy month of Ramadan started at the first week of June 2016, but the Israeli violations against Palestinians and their properties did not stop. Where the Palestinian territory witnessed a different types of attacks which carried out by the Israeli Army and the Israeli settlers living the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Actually ,the Israeli Occupation Authorities aimed to double the suffering of the where the Israeli newspaper of Haaretz revealed that “Since the start of June 2016, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been suffering the harsh effects of a drastic cut in the water supplied to them by Israel’s Mekorot water company.
In Salfit, Jenin and Nablus Governorates have had no running water for more than two weeks”. In addition, the Israeli settlers closed the water supply for Ar Rashayida village, southeast of Bethlehem Governorate. Furthermore, the Israeli Occupation Army seized water tanks and water networks from several areas in the occupied West Bank. More than that, the Israeli Authorities issued demolition orders that targeted 5 water wells and a water pools, in additional to the demolition campaign that targeted 3 water tanks and wells in a number of areas in the occupied West Bank.
Whereas the Israeli Occupation Army intensified storming the Palestinian towns, cities and villages, which led to arrest women, children, old men and youth, where clashes erupted between Palestinians and the Israeli Army during their military operations in the Palestinian areas. During these clashes, the Israeli Army used live and rubber bullets, and teargas and stun grenades to attack Palestinians, causing the injury of tens of Palestinians, a number of martyrs, and dozens of suffocation cases.
Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Army moved forward with closing main and sub roads, and the entrances of some villages and communities, while a number of Israeli military checkpoints installed with the aim of splitting Palestinian towns and villages and Governorates from each other’s, which led to obstruct the movement of the Palestinian residents in many parts in the oPt.
On the ground ,the Israeli Occupation Army imposed blockade over Yatta town, south of Hebron Governorate, which continued for several days, where during the Israeli blockade over Yatta town, the Israeli Army stormed and searched dozens of Palestinian houses and structures, and questioned the residents.
Furthermore, in Huwara village, south of Nablus city, which witnessed several Israeli military operations during the month of June, where the Israeli Army stormed and searched Palestinian houses and stores and imposed curfew over the residents. Moreover, the Israeli Authorities closed Huwara military checkpoint and a number of main and sub roads in the village. Also, the Israeli Army occupied a number of Palestinian houses and buildings located at the main road in Huwara village, and turned them to military bases, to fortify their control over the streets and to protect the movement of the Israeli settlers. The Israel Occupation Authorities closed the entrance of Beita village, south of Nablus city, for the purpose of narrowing the noose on the Palestinians and disrupt their daily lives.
In parallel with these violations and restrictions on the ground , the Israeli right-wings parties, raised their ideas to legalize the expropriation of private Palestinian lands in the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, thereby legalizing structures already built there. Where the Likud right-wing party push a bill to legalize the expropriation of private Palestinian land. Moreover, the Israeli Minster of Agriculture; Uri Ariel (Likud Party) declared that Israel must work on the evacuation of Palestinians from the area classified as “Area C” (according to Oslo agreement, 1995), which it about 60 % of the total area of the West bank, and which it controlled by the Israeli Authorities, and annexed it.
New aids for the Israeli Settlements in additional to the approval of new colonial projects
During the month of June 2015, the Israeli Authorities issued and approved tenders and plans in a number of illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, to move forward to expand these settlements.
Also, the Israeli Government, approved on 19th of June, a massive financial package of 72 million shekels for the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Where the new financial package will disturbed on several serves that benefits the Israeli settlers, such as Education, improve the road network, and to provide social care for youths.
Following are the headlines for the Israeli Colonial projects that issued during the month of June 2016:
In Bethlehem Governorate: on the 8th of June 2016, the Israeli settlers living in Neve Danyyil settlement; which located in the illegal Israeli Settlement bloc of Gush Etzion, razed more than 30 dunums of Palestinian land, located near the southern entrance of the aforementioned settlement. This showed that the Israeli Authorities gave the green light for the Israeli settlers to start the construction of “Mekor Haim Religious Institute”, according to the Israeli plan which issued on the 19th of August 2015, where the new religious institute in additional to public buildings and national parks will construct on 66.71 dunums of Palestinian land located within the village boundary of Wadi An Nis village, southwest of Bethlehem city.
While in Jerusalem Governorate: on the 7th of June 2016, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 82 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement, north of Jerusalem city. It’s worth pointed that these housing units are part from an Israeli plan issued on 2010 to construct more than 1500 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo.
And on the 11th of June 2016, the Israeli Planning and Construction Committee in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 150 new housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Gilo, which located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem Governorates.
Furthermore, the Israeli newspaper of “Kool Ha’ir” revealed that an Israeli construction company started the implementation of “Nofi Adumim” project in the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem city. Accordingly, two buildings to be constructed in the settlement, the first building consist of 6 housing units, and the second one consist of 8 housing units.
On the other hand, and on the illegal Israeli settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev, north of Jerusalem city, the Israeli Authorities started the implementation of “Pisgat Ze’ev park” project, which includes the construction of 53 housing units in the settlement. According to the Israeli resources the first marketing step is for two buildings; the first one consist of 5 floors with 17 housing units, and the second building consist of 6 floors with 25 housing units.
On the 14th of June 2016, the Israeli Settlement Organization called “Nahal” declared that the Israeli Planning and Construction committee in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem will hold a meeting to discuss a new plan to construct 258 housing units on Palestinian land located between At Tur and Al Issawiya towns in Jerusalem city. According to the plan, the new housing units will built on land aims to use for the construction of an “Israeli National Park”, but nowadays the Israeli Authorities studied a plan to use the land for the construction of 258 housing units in additional to a school, park and Synagogue. And to implement this plan, the Israeli Authorities will have to demolish 23 Palestinian houses in Al Issawiya town.
Also, on the 14th of June, the Israeli resources revealed that the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem intend to establish a new residential neighborhood near ‘Atarot industrial settlement, north of Jerusalem city. According to the plan a 1500 housing units will build in the area.
On the 15th of June 2016, the Israeli Planning and Construction committee in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 3-storey building for the Israeli settlers in Battan Al Hawa neighborhood in Silwan town, south of the old city of Jerusalem.
Moreover, and on the 21st of June, the Israeli newspapers declared that the Israeli Authorities established a “Jewish city” under the ground of the old city of Jerusalem, which stretching from the middle of Silwan town in the south through the Buraq Wall of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city of Jerusalem.
While on the 25th of June, the Israeli newspaper of “Yorshalem” declared that the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem prepared the construction of 750 housing units in additional to water pool and sport center in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ramot, northwest of Jerusalem city. Furthermore, the Israeli newspaper of “Kool Ha’ir” revealed that an agreement sign between the Deputy Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Environment and the City Council of Ma’ale Adumim settlement, east of Jerusalem, to construct a recycle waste station in Ma’ale Adumim settlement.
In Hebron Governorate: the Israeli Civil Administration issued the military order No. T/3/16 to confiscate 8.855 dunums of Palestinian land in Beit Ummer town, north of Hebron city. The targeted land will use to construct a new road interchange for the Israeli Bypass road No.60, in the section link between Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates, near the Gush Eztion settlement bloc junction. The new interchange will be used by the Palestinians, in other word, the Israeli Authorities will separate the movement between Palestinians and the Israeli settlers in that section.
While on the 16th of June, the Israeli Civil Administration submitted in Al Quds Daily Newspaper for Public Review the regional building Plan Scheme No. 508/1/1, mandate Scheme RJ/S and 508, which targeted land in the basin No. 2 in Khirbet At Ta’ale area in Yatta town, south of Hebron Governorate. The new plan will change the status of the land in the aforementioned area, which located around the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’on, from agricultural and open area to area used for the construction of public and commercial buildings, road networks and open areas. Obviously Ma’on settlement will expanded
At the end of June 2016, the Israeli Occupation Army started the construction of a section from the Segregation wall at the western part of Al Burj village, southwest of Hebron Governorate. Where at the beginning the Israeli Army erected “security fence” and later on they replace it with “cement blocks”, its high reach to 7 meters.
Israeli settlers violations reached to 50 attacks during the month of June 2016
The daily follow-up carried by the Settlement Monitoring Department at the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ), for the Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territory, showed that the Israeli settlers attacks carried out during the month of June 2016, reach to 50 attacks. These attacks distributed on several Palestinian governorates in the West Bank. Where the most affected governorate was Jerusalem, where the Israeli settlers carried out about 24 attacks, while in Nablus Governorate 9 attacks were reported, in Hebron Governorate 5 attacks were reported, and in Bethlehem and Salfit Governorates 4 attacks were reported.
However the type of the Israeli settlers attacks varied between storming the religious and historic sites, 21 attacks were reported, storming Palestinian towns and villages and closing the entrances, and closing roads, about 9 attacks were reported, assaulting Palestinians, 7 attacks were reported, and 7 attacked were reported as attacking Palestinian lands; storming and razing Palestinian lands, for the construction of the illegal Israeli settlements and outposts, and preventing Palestinians from working in their lands.
It’s worth pointed that the Israeli “Incitement actions against Palestinians” escalated during the month of June, with 6 attacks were reported, where one of the Israeli Rabbis allowed and called the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, to poison the drinking water for Palestinians in order to force them to abandon their towns and villages and their land, and therefore the Israeli settlers can occupy the Palestinian land "without suffering."
Israeli Demolition/ halt construction orders targeted 45 Palestinian houses and structures
During the month of June 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted 45 houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank. Where the Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted houses and structures, which located in areas controlled by the Israeli Authorities, and built without permits form the related Authorities.
Where in Tubas Governorate, an Israeli halt-construction order targeted a Palestinian house in Al Furish area. While the Israeli Civil Administration issued 3 halt construction and 10 demolition orders that targeted a number of residential tents, animal sheds, and a water network, in Ar Ras Al Ahmar area. In addition, the Israeli demolition orders targeted 4 water pools in Al Maleh and Um Jamal areas.
While in Hebron Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration issued halt construction/ demolition orders that targeted 12 houses and structures, distributed on several areas, towns and villages in the governorate. Where in Beit Ummer town, north of Hebron city, the Israeli orders targeted two Palestinian buildings; the first building consist of three floors, and the second one consist of two floors. Moreover, the Israeli orders also targeted three houses and water pool in several areas in Yatta town, and two houses in Beit Frush Al Fuqa village, west of Hebron Governorate.
And in Bethlehem Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration issued demolition/halt construction orders that targeted 8 houses and structures, where in Ar Rashiyda village, southeast of Bethlehem city, the Israeli military orders targeted two animal sheds. And in Al Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem city, the Israeli halt construction orders targeted four houses, an agricultural room and a mobile home.
In Nablus Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted two houses and a structure in Duma village, south of Nablus city, Furthermore, the Israeli halt construction orders targeted an agricultural barracks and an under construction road in Khirbet At Tawel, east of Aqraba village, south of Nablus city.
Israeli Demolition campaign targeted 11 houses and 12 structures in the occupied West Bank
During the month of June 2016, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished 11 houses and 12 structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank. Where the Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted houses and structures build without permits from the Israeli Authorities.
The most affected Governorate was Hebron, where the Israeli bulldozers demolished 4 houses and 7 structures. In Beit ‘Amra village, south of Hebron city, the Israeli bulldozers demolished a house consist of two-storey. And in Yatta town, south of Hebron city, the Israeli bulldozers demolished a 250 meters retaining wall surrounded a land, a water well and an animal shed. While in Susiya village, east of Yatta town, south of Hebron Governorate, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished two houses and three animal sheds.
To the north of the west Bank and in Qalqiliyah Governorate, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished a Palestinian house in Hajja village, east of Qalqiliyah city. Moreover, and in Kafr Qaddum village, east of Qalqiliyah city, the Israeli Army destroyed a water tank.
While in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Authorities destroyed “Wadi Hilwa Stadium” in Wadi Hilwa neighborhood in Silwna town in Jerusalem city. And the Israeli bulldozers demolished a commercial store and a mobile house in Ar Ram town, north of Jerusalem city.
In Jericho Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration escorted by the Israeli Army stormed Arab Al Ka’abnah Bedouin community, which located near An Nabi Musa area, south of Jericho city, and dismantled and seized 6 residential tents and a mobile house used as a kindergarten. It worth to mention that the targeted tents donated by a Spanish organization.
Israeli Army and Settlers destroyed more than 180 trees
The Israeli Occupation Army as well as the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West bank, cut, torched and destroyed more than 182 trees in Ramallah and Al Bireh, and Qalqiliyah Governorates.
Where in Ramallah and Al Bireh Governorate, the Israeli settlers torched 132 olive trees in an area located between Al Mughayyir and Turmus’ayya villages, northeast of Ramallah city. Furthermore, and during the month of June, the Israeli settlers set fire in Palestinian lands in several areas, such as in Sinjil village, north of Ramallah city, where the Israeli settlers set fire in Palestinian agricultural land, causing the torch of tens of olive and almond trees.
While in Qalqiliyah Governorate, particularly in Qalqiliyah city, the Israeli Army fired stun grenades at Palestinian agricultural land, causing the torch of 50 olive trees.
And in Nablus Governorate, especially an area located between Yatma and Qabalan villages, south of Nablus city, the Israeli settlers torched 40 dunums of Palestinian land planted with olive trees.
Israel Control over the Palestinian life in Gaza strip
The Israeli Authorities still imposing blockade over the Gaza strip, and breached the truce which was signed between the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli Government, sponsored by Egypt, at the end of the Israeli war against Gaza strip in Summer 2014. Where the Israeli Occupation Army stationed alongside of Gaza strip border, opened fire at Palestinians while they were in areas located near the border fence, also the Israeli Army launched missiles and opened fire at Palestinian houses and lands located near the border fence. It’s worth to mention, that the Israeli Authorities started the razing of Palestinian land, southwest of the border fence of Gaza strip, for the construction of “segregation wall”; which it’s height will reach to 5-6 meters above the ground, and 30 meters under the ground. The cost of this project estimated NIS 2.2 Billion ($ 578 million).
Furthermore, the Israeli gunboats stationed near the Palestinian shores of Gaza strip, attacked the Palestinian fishermen, while they were fishing, by opening fire at them. Also the Israeli Navy arrested fishermen and confiscated their boats. Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Authorities decided, at the beginning of June, to increase the fishing zone in the Gaza strip from 6 nautical miles to 9 nautical miles, after it reneged on that decision earlier, but at the end of June 2016, the Israeli Authorities issued their orders to reduce the fishing zone in the Gaza strip, from 9 nautical miles to 6 nautical miles, knowing that the Israeli gunboats attacked Palestinian fishing boats sailing in area less than 6 nautical miles.
Concerning the Gaza strip terminals, which entirely controlled by the Israeli Occupation Authorities, considered as trap for the Palestinians, where the Israeli Army stationed in these terminals arrested Palestinians during their crossing to these terminals. More than that, the Israeli Occupation Authorities prevented the import and export of foodstuffs and goods from and to the Gaza strip, and prevented the entering of the construction materials, to re-build what the last Israeli war destroyed.
Prepared By
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ
