Israeli violations 

Killings

On 13 July 2020, Assin Dhuheir, a 34-year-old Palestinian woman, died of injuries sustained during the 2014 Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. Dhuheir was seriously wounded in an Israeli missile attack on 4 August 2014. She suffered injury complications until she passed away on 13 July 2020. Dhuheir was injured when the Israeli occupying forces (IOF) bombed her uncle’s house while she and a number of her family members were inside. The Israeli bombardment resulted in the killing of two girls. Assin sustained wounds in the bone marrow, leaving her with partial paralysis up to the time of her death. 

Deaths in peculiar circumstances 

A Palestinian young man died in peculiar circumstances in the Kifl Haris village, Salfit. The young man was injured while the IOF were present in the village square. It was not established whether the Israeli occupying soldiers killed him or not. Al-Haq investigation did not reach a proven conclusion on who opened fire on the young man. 

Home demolitions 

Worth noting that it is almost impossible to receive building permits in the Area C, which constitutes about 60 percent of the West Bank, as well as in areas annexed by the Israeli occupying authorities in the occupied city of Jerusalem. Figures indicate that just 1 percent of Palestinians living in Area C have obtained building permits.[1] Only 16.5 percent of building permits in East and West Jerusalem have been given for construction in Palestinian neighbourhoods.[2]

Of all demolitions, six homes were self-demolished. In recent years, self-demolitions have been an increasing phenomenon across the occupied city of Jerusalem to avoid hefty fines and fees imposed by the Israeli occupying authorities on affected home owners. The homes of four Palestinian families were demolished for the second time. Having had their homes destroyed earlier, affected families rebuilt new housing units only to be demolished once again. Of all demolished residential structures, one home provided shelter to more than one family. 

Demolition of private structures 

Other than homes, the Israeli occupying authorities demolished 30 private structures. While four were located within the Israeli-declared municipal boundary of Jerusalem, the majority of demolished private structures (26) were in Area C, so designated by the Oslo Accords. This is a relatively large number compared to 19 structures demolished in July 2019. 

Demolished private structures were as follows: 

Five private structures belonged to householders, whose homes were demolished together with these structures. Three structures were under construction. Of all demolitions, 17 structures were used to provide a main source of livelihood, causing significant adverse economic consequences to affected family members. Following previous demolition and reconstruction, seven private structures were destroyed for at least the second time. Damage was caused to personal belongings in 15 private structures because relevant owners could not evacuate their possessions before the demolitions were carried out. The Israeli occupying authorities did not allow an opportunity to challenge demolition orders in at least seven cases. 

Other violations^[3]

Al-Haq documented another 26 Israeli violations, including seven by Israeli settlers, throughout the Palestinian governorates. 

Abuses included arrests, beatings and physical violence, unwarranted house raids and searches, and casualties caused by live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets. In addition, the Israeli occupying authorities placed restrictions on movement, refused to issue access permits, set up flying and permanent checkpoints, and continued to construct the Annexation Wall and install iron gates. 

Most notably, the Israeli occupying authorities stole a baptismal font from an ancient church in the Tuqu’ town, Bethlehem. On 20 July 2020, the IOF raided the home of the Tuqu’ Mayor. To protect it from the Israeli occupying authorities, the Mayor had put the baptismal font on land near to his home. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had turned down the Mayor’s application for construction of a museum to preserve the baptismal font and other ancient stones in the town.  

Also, in July, Israeli occupying soldiers severely beat, insulted, and humiliated two Palestinian workers on the Meitar crossing into the Palestinian territory inside the Green Line in the vicinity of the Adh-Dhahiriya town. Later, a video was widely circulated, showing the Israeli soldiers assaulting the Palestinian workers. According to Al-Haq documentation, the soldiers assailed the Palestinian workers so violently and unjustifiably, searched their bags, and subjected them to a humiliating body search. The soldiers themselves documented the assault. Documentation demonstrates that, in the meantime, the soldiers stole some money form the Palestinian workers. 

Violations by the Palestinian Authority and de facto authority in the Gaza Strip 

Killings and deaths in peculiar circumstances 

During the reporting period, Palestinian security agencies killed ‘Ameed Dweikat, 51 years old and Secretary of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) in the Balata refugee camp, during a law enforcement operation in the West Bank. Palestinian security forces were deployed in the refugee camp to impose lockdown in the context of a plan to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A fight took place between security agencies and young men. Meantime, a security officer opened fire, killing Dweikat and injuring another young man.

In the Gaza Strip, a detained person died of a brain stroke at the Khan Yunis correction and rehabilitation centre. It was not proven that the man died as a result of torture. However, it was known to the security agencies that the detainee had suffered from chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Security agencies did not provide adequate health care to him. 

Other violations^[4]

In July 2020, Al-Haq documented 65 violations committed by Palestinian authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The most prominent abuses included arbitrary detention, violation of conditions of detention in correction and rehabilitation centres, infringement on the right to a fair trial, and violation of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. 

The past month was marked by crackdown on peaceful assemblies. Palestinian security agencies dispersed or banned the organisation of five peaceful assemblies or group activities across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Along this vein, security agencies prevented a peaceful assembly against corruption in Ramallah. In the Bruqin town, Jenin, security agencies dispersed worshippers during Friday prayers, allegedly because they violated instructions on the ban of gatherings to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, security agencies dispersed a gathering set to receive a prisoner released from Israeli detention in Jenin, banned an information seminar by Fatah in Gaza city, and detained a number of participants in a funeral procession of a young man in Beit Lahiya. The procession turned into a peaceful assembly, calling for improving living conditions in the Gaza Strip.