ARIJ Monthly Report on the Israeli Colonization Activities in the West Bank & Gaza Strip

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Volume 108, July 2007 Issue

Israeli Colonization Activities in the West Bank & Gaza Strip

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Jerusalem	Ramallah	Hebron	Bethlehem	Jericho
Qalqilyia	Nablus	Salfit	Tulkarem	Tubas
Jenin	Gaza	others

Bethlehem

• The local action committee's in Qiryat Arba' settlement and the surrounding Israeli settlements are planning to construct a new Israeli settlement on Givat HaEitam hilltop near Efrat settlement which is located within the master plan of Gush Etzion settlements' bloc. Quds (Jul 2, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli settlers in the West Bank are planning to establish several illegal outposts on the hills surrounding Gush Etzion settlements' bloc, four others along with the one to be constructed on Efrat’s Eitam hill. Ynet (Jul 4, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli bulldozers started razing lands at the northern entrance of al Walajeh village northwest of Bethlehem city preparing for the construction of the Segregation Wall. Quds (Jul 10, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli authorities handed out residents of Beit Jala military notices stating the confiscation of vast areas of agricultural lands located in the area of Cremisan to continue constructing the Segregation Wall. Quds( Jul 15, 2007).
  
  
• The IOF demolished the 200 m² house along with two caravans owned by Muhammad Hussein Al Kamel in Al 'Asakra village east of Bethlehem for not being licensed. Wafa (Jul 19, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli Forces staged into Al Duha town west of Bethlehem city,  searched several Palestinian houses and caused losses to the properties. Wafa (Jul 19, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli occupation army handed out residents of Artas and Khalayel al Luz orders to evacuate their 3000 dunums of lands and properties in 45 days under the pretext that these lands are classified as state lands. Wafa (Jul 24, 2007).
  
  
• The IOF took over the house of Odeh Al Hramy in Abu Njaim area east of Bethlehem city and turned it into military barracks. Wafa (Jul 25, 2007).
  
  
• Hundreds of Israeli settlers tried to take over lands in Artas village in an attempt to construct a new outpost in the area. Wafa (Jul 25, 2007).  

Hebron  

• The IOF notified resident Ibrahim Abu Shrar in fuqeiqis village southwest of Hebron city of their intention to demolish his agricultural nursery claiming that it was built without license. Moreover, the IOF notified Kazem Al Halaq in Al Rehiya village to evacuate his 50 dunums of lands planted with Olive and Almond trees. Wafa (Jul 1, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli troops aggressed on three Mosques (Al Haras, 'Abed El Hai Shahen and Al Sharabaty) north of Hebron city, causing damages to the properties. Wafa (Jul 4, 2007)
• The IOF broke into the deaf and hard of hearing society in Hebron city, causing severe losses to the properties. Wafa (Jul 4, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli settlers of Havat Ya'er southeast of Yatta town south of Hebron city aggressed on two Palestinian houses in Susiya village and tried to uproot Olive trees in the area. The houses are owned by Musa Muhammad Shanaran and Khalil Muhammad Al Herani. Wafa (Jul 9, 2007).
  
  
• Settlers of Otni'el settlement northwest of Hebron city uprooted trees belonging to the Palestinian village of Rabud . Ma'an news (Jul 16, 2007).
  
  
• The Peace Now Settlement Watch team discovered a new outpost in the Southern Hebron Hills, close to the settlement of Ma'on, in which a tent and two water containers have been erected. Peace now (July 16, 2007).
• Settlers of 'Otni''el settlement seized 30 dunums of lands belonging to residents of Yatta and Karma villages near the settlement, south of Hebron city, and uprooted tens of Olive, Almond and Vine trees. Wafa (July 17, 2007).
  
  
• Settlers of Ramat Yashi settlement in Tel Al Rumeida neighborhood set fire into 7 dunums of lands and caused damage to 70 olive trees and hundreds of Almond and Vine trees owned by the inheritance of Ratib Salem Abu Haykal. Wafa (Jul 23, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli settlers took over 13 dunums of lands owned by Al Jabarin family in Yatta town south of Hebron city and supplied the area with equipments in order to construct a new outpost. In addition, settlers of Ma'on settlement closed the road leading to the helmets and villages in the area. Wafa (Jul 23, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli troops invaded Hebron city and searched a number of Palestinian houses. Among the owners, the following was known: Muhyi Al Batat in Karm Al Ashqar neighborhood and caused severe losses. Wafa (Jul 24, 2007).
  
  
• The Israeli Supreme court issued an order to remove 10 kilometers Wall section that has been constructed on road # 60 and pay NIS 30,000 to the landowners that has been affected by the construction of that wall section. Wafa (Jul 25, 2007).
  
  
• The IOF staged in al Hawouz area south of Hebron city and searched several numbers of commercial stores. In addition the IOF erected a checkpoint in the area and restricted Palestinian access. Wafa (Jul 29, 2007).   
  

Jenin

• The Israeli Forces invaded Kafr Dan village under heavy barrage of gunfire and took over more than 10 houses and turned them into military watch points. Among owners, the following was know: Nabil 'Amir 'Abed. Wafa (Jul 11, 2007).

• The IOF constructed a checkpoint between Jenin city and the American University hindering students from accessing it. Wafa (Jul 15, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces added several numbers of caravans between Silat Al Dhahr town and Bizariya near Jenin- Nablus main road. Quds (Jul 17, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces staged into Rummana village northwest of Jenin city, took over the house of Tareq Subhy Nemer Sbeihat and caused severe damages to the properties. Wafa ( Jul 17, 2007)

Jerusalem

 

 

• The Israeli Forces closed a permanent checkpoint near Jaba' village northeast of Jerusalem city and restricted Palestinian movement. Wafa (Jul 1, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers started razing 180 dunums of agricultural lands in Al Jib village northwest of Jerusalem city in an attempt to erect roads leading to the nearby settlement of Pisgat Ze'ev. Wafa (Jul 2, 2007).

• The Israeli authorities' inaugurated new two-way, three-kilometer road leading to the Western Wall aimed at easing traffic congestion in Jerusalem's Old City . The road was constructed at a cost of NIS 22 million, runs from opposite the Sultan's Pool, alongside the Hinnom Valley , and up to the City of David across from the Old City 's Dung Gate. Jpost (Jul 3, 2007).

• Plans to construct a major new bridge to the Mughrabi Gate adjacent to Jerusalem 's Western Wall directly through an archeological garden. The planned major bridge was meant to replace a temporary bridge that was constructed on the section of the Western Wall allocated for women's prayer. The bridge is three times the size of the original one. Jpost (Jul 3, 2007).

• The Israeli local court in Jerusalem postponed orders to demolition the two houses of Ashraf Al Ja'bary and Muhammad 'Eid Al Hadad in Jerusalem city. Quds (Jul 14, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers continued razing lands in the vicinity of 'Anata-Shu'fat refugee camp northeast of Jerusalem city in an attempt to transfer it into a terminal. Quds (Jul 17, 2007).

• The Israeli committee for planning and construction agreed on opening road # 9 that connects Mutsa junction on Jerusalem road with Tel Aviv and Ramot settlement north of Jerusalem . Quds (Jul 18, 2007).

• The IOF demolished the 70 m² house of Muhammad 'Eid Al Ja'bary in Tal Al Ful in Beit Hanina for not being licensed. The IOF also demolished the 100 m² house of Muhammad Mustafa Al 'Eisawi in 'Anata town for the same pretext. It is worth mentioning that in Khalet Al 'Ein in At Tur, a Palestinian resident was forced to demolish his own house for the same pretexts. Quds (Jul 18, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers demolished the house of Walid Khalil Mershid Al Rajaby (150 meters) in Beit Hanina under the pretext of being unlicensed and charged a penalty of NIS 40,000. Quds (Jul 19, 2007).

• The Israeli committee for building and construction agreed on a new plan to construct an iron gate at Al Magharba gate in Jerusalem city. Wafa (Jul 26, 2007).

• The Custodian of Absentee Law charged resident Omran Subhi Sa'ed Al Na'agy in Bab Hatta neighborhood in the old city of Jerusalem a penalty of $ 76,500 as an alternative for renting his two-storey house which the Custodian claims ownership of. Quds (Jul 27, 2007).

• The Israeli authorities are planning to confiscate lands in Silwan town to construct a park lot that will accommodate 280 cars and 100 buses. Lands are separated into two plans, the first of which, will take over 9 parcels of lands owned by Issa Al Hadad, Mahmud 'Atta Allah, Ahmad 'Atta Allah, Abu Wael Masuda, the Orthodox Monaster, 'Abasy and Hilwa Al Hussein, Abu Yasin Al Kurky, Mahmud 'Atta Allah and Fuad Siyam; while the second will take over 150 dunums of lands owned by Salim Ramadan (7 dunums), Yasin 'Atta Allah (2 dunums), Amin Ramadan (30 dunums), Yas' Sha'ban (1 dunum) Al Jadwal (50 dunums), Al 'Alyout Mountain (50 dunums) and Mahmud Ramadan (3 dunums). Quds (Jul 29, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers demolished the fifth floor (260 m²) of a  residential building owned by Khalawy Iskafy in Beit Hanina under the pretext of being unlicensed. Quds (Jul 31, 2007).  

Nablus

 

• The Israeli administration of Huwwara military camp is attempting to expand the nearby Huwwara prison to accept more people. Wafa (Jul 2, 2007).

• The IOF restricted Palestinian movement at Al Bathan checkpoint and hindered access to and from Nablus city; whereby, several numbers of flying checkpoints were erected on the roads north, south and northwest of the city. Wafa (Jul 3, 2007).

• The IOF staged into Nablus city and took over several numbers of houses and turned them into military watch points. Among the owners, the following was known was Jamal Hamad. The IOF also took over Riham residential building. Wafa (Jul 5, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces surrounded two Palestinian residential buildings and razed a wall that surrounds one of the buildings in Rafidya neighborhood west of Nablus city and forced all dwellers to evacuate their houses under the threat of weapons. Wafa (Jul 10, 2007).

• The IOF closed Huwwara checkpoint located at the southern entrance of Nablus city and hindered people from passing through. Quds (Jul 18, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces manning Al Bathan checkpoint hindered Palestinian students from Jenin, Tubas and the valleys from accessing the city of Nablus . Wafa (Jul 18, 2007).

• The IOF demolished the two-storey house of Al Natour family in Zawwata village west of Nablus city. Wafa (Jul 19, 2007).

• More than 30 Israeli bulldozers accompanied by a number of Israeli troops staged into 'Ein Beit Al Mai' refugee camp in Nablus city and took over Palestinian houses and turned them into military posts. Quds (Jul 21, 2007).  

• The Israeli settlers of Allon Moreh set fire into more than 150 dunums of lands planted with Olives in Salem and Deir Al Hatab villages near Nablus . Wafa (Jul 22, 2007).

• The Israeli settlers supplied the evacuated settlement of Homesh north of the West Bank with infrastructure in an attempt to rebuild it. Wafa (Jul 22, 2007).

• The Israeli settlers of the evacuated settlement "Homesh" aggressed on a number of Palestinian houses in Burqa village northwest of Nablus city. Among the owners, the following were known: Nizar Seif, 'Abed El Slama Salah and Faleh Ahmad Salah. Wafa (Jul 22, 2007).

• The Israeli settlers of Yizhar settlement set fire into vast areas of lands planted with Almonds and Olives in 'Einabous village southeast of Nablus city. Quds (Jul 23, 2007).

• The IOF closed Al Bathan checkpoint from both sides and hindered Palestinians from accessing into or out of Nablus city. Wafa (Jul 29, 2007).

• The IOF closed Tel- Nablus road and hindered Palestinian movement. Wafa (Jul 31, 2007).  

Qalqiliya

 

• For the second week on row the Israeli forces close the northern entrance of 'Azun 'Attma town east of Qalqiliya city which connects Qalqiliya and Tulkarm governorates. Quds (Jul 1, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces demolished a house, pool and Water tank in Ras Tira village northeast of Qalqiliya city under the pretext of being unlicensed which belong to 'Ali 'Awad Marab'a and Muhammad Hashim Marab'a. Wafa (Jul 12, 2007).

• The IOF demolished agricultural structures in Hijja village east of Qalqiliya city which belong to Zein Higawy and the inheritance of Safiya Basalat. Wafa (Jul 12, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers demolished the two-storey house of 'Abed El Fatah Rashid Bashir (360 m²) in Jinsafut village east of Qalqiliya city claiming that the house lies within Area C, area classified to be under the full Israeli control according to Oslo II Interim Agreement signed in 1995. Wafa (Jul 12, 2007).

• The Israeli occupation army manning the military checkpoint located at the eastern entrance of Qalqiliya city hindered Palestinians living inside the 1948 Israeli borders from accessing Qalqiliya city. Wafa (Jul 22, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces hedged with barbed wires thousands of dunums of agricultural lands in Al Marj area north of Qalqiliya city. Maan news (Jul 30, 2007).    

 

 

 

 

 Ramallah

• The Israeli Forces restricted Palestinian movement at 'Atara checkpoint north of Ramallah city and prevented Palestinians under the age of 35 from access it. It is worth pointing out that this checkpoint connects the northern governorates with Ramallah district. Wafa (Jul 3, 2007).

• Hundreds of Israeli settlers tried to erect a new outpost in Al Midya village near Ramallah. Maan news (Jul 13, 2007).

• The IOF closed the iron gate located at the main entrance of At Tira village near Ramallah and hindered access to the village; in addition, the IOF closed 'Atara checkpoint and detained Palestinians for hours. Quds (Jul 17, 2007).

• The IOF started constructing a new gate at the eastern entrance of Rantis village west of Ramallah city. Wafa (Jul 18, 2007).

• The IOF erected two temporary checkpoints the first, the first of which was erected at the northern entrance of Al Bireh city while the second was erected at the entrance of 'Ein Yabroud village northeast of Ramallah city. Wafa (Jul 29, 2007). 

Salfit

• The Israeli occupation Forces manning Za'tara checkpoint east of Salfit city hindered Palestinians aging less than 35 from accessing the checkpoint which caused delays to Palestinians heading to their destinations particularly to Ramallah city. Wafa (Jul 5, 2007).

• The Israeli authorities handed out military orders to demolish seven houses in Deir Ballut town west of Salfit city. Houses belong to Sa'ed Deeb Salem Kheir, Haytham 'Abed El Rahman 'Abed Allah, Nasr Suleiman Muhammad 'Abed Allah, 'Amer Yusif Mahmud 'Abed Allah, Hikmat Hussein 'Ali 'Abed Allah, Sameh Masoud Mashal and Muhammad Ibrahim Mahmud Isma'il. Wafa (Jul 5, 2007).

• The IOF handed out military notices to 9 owners in Yasuf town in Salfit to stop constructing their houses claiming that the houses were built in Area C which is under the full Israeli control and requires a license permit from the Israeli Civil Administration. Houses belong to Muhammad Yusif Qasem 'Ebaya, basel Mefleh Reziq Yasin, Najeh Ibrahim Khalil Yasin, Ayoub Hasan Ayoub, Mash-hour Shaher Muhammad Yasin, Zakariya Shaher Muhammad Yasin, Na'em Ahmad Musa Hussein, Jihad Mahmud 'Abed Al Fatah and 'Abed Allah Met'eb 'Abed El Qader 'Abed El Fatah. Wafa (Jul 8, 2007).

• The IOF closed the wall gate located west of Al Zawiya village and hindered landowners from accessing their lands. Wafa (Jul 19, 2007).

• The Israeli settlers of Ariel freed pigs to the nearby lands of Salfit and caused severe damages to the cultivations. Wafa (Jul 19, 2007).

• The IOF handed out military notices to residents Muhammad Hassan 'Abady, 'Ali Hassan 'Abady, Diab Mash-hour 'Asy, Amin Yasin Mir'y, 'Ayman Yasin Mir'y and Ahmad Ibrahim 'Asy in Qarawet Bani Zeid town west of Salfit to demolish their houses for not being licensed. Wafa (Jul 28, 2007).  
      

 

 

 

 

 Tulkarm

• The IOF closed Al Nafaq checkpoint south of Tulkarm city and detained Palestinian cars for hours which caused traffic jam. Wafa (Jul 2, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces closed Al Nafaq checkpoint and Jubara gate south of Tulkarm city and hindered Palestinians from accessing in and out of the city. Wafa (Jul 10, 2007).

• The IOF constructed flying checkpoint on the junction of Far'oun village south of Tulkarm city and hindered Palestinian access to and from the city. Wafa (Jul 23, 2007).

• The IOF closed 'Enav gate located at the eastern entrance of Tulkarm city and hindered Palestinian cars from accessing to and from the city claiming that the city of Tulkarm is a closed military area. Wafa (Jul 30, 2007).
   

Tubas

• The IOF restricted the Palestinian movement through Tayseer checkpoint in the northern valleys. Wafa (Jul 25, 2007).

• The IOF detained hundreds of Palestinian people at Al Hamra checkpoint southeast of Tubas city. Quds (Jul 28, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces confiscated agricultural tractor owned by Ahmad 'Abed Allah Hafez Bani Odeh in Al Hadidya hamlet east of Tubas city. Wafa (Jul 29, 2007).  

Gaza 

• The Israeli bulldozers staged into Beit Hanoun town under heavy barrage of gunfire and razed the under construction "Al Nur Mosque" in the area. Wafa (Jul 2, 2007).

• The Municipality of Al Maghazi in the middle of the Gaza Strip assured that the shells against the Municipality caused severe losses and damages to the building and to the nearby houses and commercial stores. Quds (Jul 2, 2007).

• The Israeli Forces staged into the refuge camps of Al Bureij and Al Maghazi took over several numbers of Palestinian houses and shelled on others causing losses and damages. Wafa (Jul 5, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers invaded Beit Hanoun town north of the Strip under heavy barrage of gunfire and razed agricultural lands in the eastern part of the town. Moreover, the IOF searched the house of 'Adnan Al Shenbary in Al Banat Street eastof the town and detained family members in one room and caused damages to properties. Quds (Jul 6, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers staged into Al Kaf area in Beit Hanoun town and razed vast areas of lands and trees; whereby, the IO bulldozers partially demolished the house and the farm of Ahmad Al Nabahin. Quds (Jul 7, 2007).

• The Israeli troops invaded the eastern part of Rafah city and took over Gaza International Airport and turned it into military post and started razing lands in the area. Quds (Jul 14, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers razed lands in Al Nahda neighborhood northeast of Rafah city and took over houses and them into military posts. The IOF also hindered farmers from reaching their agricultural lands. Maan news (Jul 14, 2007).

• The IOF destroyed the four-storey building owned by Al Khateb family in Al Nasr neighborhood west of Gaza city and caused severe losses to the nearby houses and buildings. Wafa (Jul 24, 2007).

• The Israeli troops staged into Al Fakhary area and took over ten houses and turned them into military barracks and surrounded the Municipality building for several hours. Wafa (Jul 26, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers razed agricultural lands and plastic houses in Juhr El Deik area southeast of Gaza which belong to Al 'Alamy, Al Burno and Al Ifrangy families. Quds (Jul 26, 2007).

• The Palestinian agricultural committees assured that the last Israeli incursion into Juhr El Deik and Al Fakhary areas caused the damage of 1250 dunums of lands planted with Vegetables, Fruits, Citrus and Olives and also damaged the infrastructures of water, electricity and waster water. Total losses were estimated at $ 4 millions. Wafa (Jul 30, 2007).

 

Others

• An Israeli plan to construct a city on the ruins of Homesh settlement which was evacuated on august 2005. The Israeli city will contain 20,000 housing units, educational, industrial and services centers. Arabs48 (Jul 2, 2007).

• The Israeli authorities issued about 70 military orders to demolish Palestinian houses in Al Sura village in the Negev . Wafa (Jul 5, 2007).

• In a report issued by the Israeli movement peace now assured that Ma'ale Adumim has an area of 48,000 dunums of lands which is very similar to Tel Aviv city. The report also assured that among the Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank there were about 92 that witnessed expansion following the signing of Oslo accords in 1995. Wafa & Jpost (Jul 6, 2007).

• According to Israeli sources, 220 new immigrants from North America to arrive in during the coming days. Haaretz (Jul 10, 2007).

• The Israeli bulldozers razed lethal workshops and a house owned by Karam 'Awad in 'Ibilen town inside the 1948 Israeli borders. Wafa (Jul 10, 2007).

• The IOF demolished 24 houses in three village in the Negev . Wafa (Jul 20, 2007).

 

District	Land Confiscated)Dunum)	Land Threatened (Dunum)	Uproted Trees	Houses Demolished	Houses threatned of Demolition
Bethlehem	3000	0	0	1	0
Jerusalem	330	0	0	5	0
Jenin	0	0	0	0	0
Tulkarm	0	0	0	0	0
Ramallah	0	0	0	0	0
Nablus	0	0	3000	2	0
Salfit	0	0	0	0	22
Jericho	0	0	0	0	0
Gaza	1250	0	0	4	0
Qalqilyia	0	0	0	3	0
Hebron	50	50	1120	0	0
Tubas	0	0	0	0	0
Total	4630	50	4120	15	22

The Monthly overview report gives a list of the Israeli Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory which are based on reports provided by field workers and\or by one or more of the following news sources: Al-Ayyam daily newspaper, Al-Quds daily newspaper, Palestinian National Information Center, Haaretz Daily Newspaper, The Jerusalem Post - English-language daily newspaper, International Press Center, Palestine News Agency-Wafa, Ma'an News Agency, and Yediot Achronot. 

The text is not quoted directly from the sources but is edited for size and clarity.

 

The Monthly report does not necessarily reflects ARIJ's opinion