The Israeli Occupation Authorities continued to impose more of “Collective punishment” over the Palestinians, where the suffering of the Palestinians increased, where during the month of May 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities demolished more Palestinian houses and structures, issued demolition, halt construction and evacuation orders that targeted Palestinian houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank, included the Jerusalem city.
Moreover, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers razed Palestinian lands and uprooted trees, for the interest of the Israeli colonial and expansionist projects. For example, the Israeli bulldozers razed 50 dunums of land in Kafr Qaddum village, east of Qalqiliyah city, and destroyed 50 olive trees.
Furthermore, the Israeli Occupation Army carried out their military trainings in the Palestinian areas, especially in the northern parts of the Jordan valley. Therefore, the Israeli Occupation Army handed out 57 Palestinian families living in Humsa, Ar-Ras Al Ahmar and Al Maleh areas, in the northern of Jordan valley, military orders to evacuate their houses and lands for several days, to allow the Israeli Army to carry out their military training where they used live ammunition.
On the other hand, the Israeli settlers attacks increased during the month of May, where these attacks which carried out by the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. These attacks which were escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army, targeted Palestinians and their houses, lands and properties and the historic and religious sites.
New Israeli Colonial projects…. New outposts… Expansion the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory
During the month of May 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities approved a number of colonial plans and projects that aim to capture more Palestinian lands and properties to benefit the Israeli settlers. In addition, the establishment of new outposts in the Palestinian lands by Israeli settlers were increased, with the purpose to construct new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Starting form Bethlehem Governorate, where the Israeli settlers set up two mobile houses on Palestinian land in Jubbet Adh-Dhib village, east of Bethlehem Governorate. And in Al Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem city, the Israeli settlers erected a colonial tent on Palestinian land, located near the illegal Israeli settlement of “Neve Daniyyal”, noted that the new tent set up outside the settlement border, and will lead to the expansion of the aforementioned settlement. Also in Al Khader village, the Israeli Occupation Army set up a “military tent” which confronting Al-Mardares neighborhood, which endangering students' lives
In Nablus Governorate, the Israeli settlers erected a tent on a hilltop in Beit Furik village, east of Nablus city. And on the 8th of May 2016, the former Israeli Defense Minister “Moshe Ya’alon”, declared a new plan to construct a new settlement near the illegal Israeli settlement of Shilo, where the newly settlement location used by the Israeli settlers to establish an Israeli outpost. According to the plan, about 139 housing units will be constructed in the new settlement.
Moreover, the Israeli bulldozers razed a Palestinian lands located nearby the illegal settlement of Shevut Rahel south of Nablus for the purpose of expanding the settlement. The targeted lands owned by a Palestinian residents from the adjacent Palestinian village of Jaloud.
In Salfit Governorate, the construction in the illegal Israeli colonial neighborhood of Leshem, located west of Alei Zehav settlement, continued. Where the Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian lands in Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit city, to construct the new colonial neighborhood. It’s worth to mention, that the so-called “World Zionist Organization” recognized the neighborhood of “Leshem” in the West Bank as a new settlement..
Furthermore and in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel, north of Salfit city, the Israeli settlers celebrated the “Foundation stone” to construct theater in the campus of Arial University in Arial settlement. Where during the event, the Israeli Minister of Science and Technology declared that “the Ariel settlement will be always the “Capital city” for the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank”.
In Jerusalem Governorate, a number of colonial projects were revealed during the month of May 2016. The Israeli Prime Minister “ Benjamin Netanyahu” approved the change of the construction plan in Ramat Shlomo settlement, north of Jerusalem city, by increasing the number of housing units that will be constructed in the settlement from 436 housing units to 6600 housing units, in addition to the construction of 28 villas between the Israeli settlement of Ramot and Shufat town, north of Jerusalem city.
Moreover and on the 14th of May 2016, the Israeli Planning and Construction committee in the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved, in the final stage ,the construction of the landfill, which will take place between Anata and Al Issawiya towns and Shufat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem city. According to the plan the landfill will constructed on 516 dunums of Palestinian land.
Moreover, the Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlement of “Almon”, northeast of Jerusalem city, established a stadium on Palestinian private land owned by the residents of Anata town, northeast of Jerusalem city.
And in the old city of Jerusalem, especially in As-Sa’diya neighborhood, the Israeli settlers occupied a Palestinian building consist of 3 floors owned by a Palestinian family, where the Israeli settlers claimed their alleged ownership of the building.
On the 9th of May 2016, the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz revealed that the Israeli Authorities captured three dunums of Palestinian land in Ash-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of Jerusalem city, and transferred its ownership to an Israeli Colonial organization, where this organization will use the land to construct its headquarter, noted that the organization main scope of work is occupying the Palestinian properties in Jerusalem city And transferring its ownership for the Israeli settlers in twisted methods.
Also in Ash Sheikh Jarrah Neighborhood, the Israeli court ordered to evacuate three houses, a small collage and a café in Kubaniyat Um Haroun area in Ash Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and handed out the ownerships of the targeted structures to the Israeli settlers to establish new outpost in the neighborhood. Where the Israeli Authorities claimed that the targeted structures owned by the Israeli settlers.
And on the 24th of May 2016, an Israeli settlers’ Association “Meyashvei Zion” revealed a new plan to construct 38 housing units in a Palestinian public park in Kubaniyat Um Haroun area in Ash-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of Jerusalem city. According to the plan the construction will include 3 building each one consist of 12 apartments.
Furthermore and at the end of May 2016, the Israeli Occupation Authorities in its way to approve the construction of a new colonial project in Silwan town, south of the old city of Jerusalem. Where the meeting will be carried out by the Israeli Planning and construction committee at the beginning of June 2016, to approve the construction of 3-stroey building for the Israeli settlers, and which it will locate near a 7-storey building occupied by the Ateret Kohanem colonial Association.
Furthermore, on the 31st of May 2016, the Israeli newspaper of “Haaretz” revealed that the so-called “Blue Line Team” in the Israeli Civil Administration related to the Israeli Defense Ministry, remapped more than 61,000 dunums of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, to be used for the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlement in the oPt.
Israeli Settlers attacks against Palestinians increased during May 2016
The Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army, carried out about 65 attacks against the Palestinians and their properties and the Historic and religious sites, where these attacks distributed on several areas in the occupied West Bank included the East Jerusalem.
In fact, the most effected governorate was Jerusalem, where about 24 attacks were reported. And in Hebron Governorate, the Israeli settlers carried out 14 attacks, while in Nablus and Salfit Governorates, 8 attacks were reported. And in Bethlehem Governorate, the Israeli settlers carried out 7 attacks.
As a matter of fact, the type of these attacks varied between storming the historic and religious sites, 23 attacks were reported during the month of May 2016, assaulting Palestinian civilians, 10 attacks were reported, storming of the evacuated settlements and the establishment of new outposts, the Israeli settlers carried out 8 related attacks.
Israeli bulldozers demolished more than 20 houses and 8 structures in the occupied West Bank
During the month of May 2016, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished 21 houses and 8 structures (agricultural structures, animal sheds and commercial stores) in several areas in the occupied West Bank.
Where in Jerusalem Governorate, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished 18 houses and 6 other structures in several area in the Jerusalem Governorate. In Jabal Al Baba Bedouin community, east of Jerusalem city, the Israeli Army dismantled and confiscated 12 mobile homes, funded by the European Union to reside the Palestinians in the community after the Israeli Authorities demolished their houses in a previous demolition campaigns. Also, the Israeli Army demolished houses and structures in: Al Issawiya and Silwan towns, and Shufat refugee camp, Bab Al Amoud and Wadi Al Joz areas, in addition to An-Nabi Samwial village.
And in the rest of the Palestinian Governorates, the Israeli Occupation bulldozers demolished an under-construction house and a room in Ein Jwieza neighborhood in Al Walaja village in Bethlehem Governorate. And in Qalqiliyah Governorate, the Israeli bulldozers demolished an agricultural structure, east of Qalqiliya city. While in Deir Ghsoun village in Tulkarm Governorate, the Israeli Army demolished an agricultural barracks. And in Nablus Governorate, a Palestinian house was demolished in Nablus city.
Israeli Demolition/ Halt construction orders targeted in total 77 houses and structures
In addition to the demolition campaign that carried out by the Israeli Occupation Authorities during the month of May 2016, the Israeli Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted Palestinian houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank included Jerusalem city, under the claim of “building without permits” from the Israeli Authorities.
As usual, the demolition/halt construction orders targeted Palestinian houses and structures located in the Area “C” (according to Oslo agreement, 1995), or the Palestinian areas that located within the border of Jerusalem Municipality. Where the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued demolition/ halt construction orders that targeted 77 houses and structures in several areas in the occupied West Bank included the East Jerusalem.
In Nablus Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration, issued military orders to demolish or halt the construction of 24 houses and structures, these orders distributed on Duma and Qusra villages at the southern part of Nablus city. In Duma village, the Israeli Authorities handed out the residents of Abu Safi area halt construction orders that that targeted 16 houses and barracks in addition to electricity network and an agricultural road.
While in Tubas Governorate, the Israeli Civil Administration handed out military orders to demolish or halt the construction of 20 houses and structures, where in Bardala area, which is located at the northern part of Jordan Valley, the Israeli Authorities issued orders to stop the construction of 13 houses and barracks. Also, the Israeli Authorities handed out the residents of Al ‘Aqaba village and Khirbet Ibziq, military orders to halt the construction of 7 houses and structures.
And Hebron Governorate, the Israeli Authorities issued halt construction and demolition orders that targeted in total 14 houses and structures distributed on: Yatta and Beit Ummet towns, and Khirbet Ghuwein, south of As-Samu town, in addition to Susiya village, east of Beit Ummer town. It’s worth to mention that the Israeli Authorities issued demolition orders that targeted four water tanks in Beit Ummer town funded by the European Union.
Gaza Strip facing the Israeli Violations
From the beginning of May 2016, the Israeli warplanes launched several missiles at a number of areas and locations in the Gaza strip, causing the damage in a number of houses and residential neighborhoods and the kill of a Palestinian woman. Also, the Israeli bulldozers escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army staged into the Palestinian lands located near the border fence, and razed vast areas of the land. Where all of the Israeli violations against the Gaza strip breached the truce which was signed between the Palestinian factions in Gaza Strip and the Israeli Government, sponsored by Egypt, at the end of the Israeli war against Gaza strip in Summer 2014. Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Authorities still imposing its blockade over Gaza strip, where they control over the Gaza strip terminals and prevented the entering or existing of the goods and building materials from and in the Gaza strip, which is negatively affected on the re-building what the Israeli war destroyed in the last war against the stip.
Furthermore, after the Israeli Authorities declared that they will expand the fishing area that allowed for Gaza strip, from 6 nautical miles to 9 nautical miles, the Israeli Authorities retreated from this declaration at the end of May 2016, which displays Palestinian fishermen to chase form the Israeli Navy, where they opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, and forced them to go back to the beach, in addition to the arresting campaign that targeted tens of Palestinian fishermen.
Prepared By
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ
