PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

No. 33/2003

28 Aug.- 03 Sep. 2003

Israeli Forces Continue Violations of Human Rights in the OPT

This week, Israeli occupying forces escalated their illegal military actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), causing more casualties among Palestinian civilians. In flagrant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces committed more extra-judicial assassinations. They also conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian Authority controlled areas, during which they raided and destroyed houses and arrested dozens of Palestinians, razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a number of houses. Israeli occupying forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas and have maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT. This week, 28 August – 3 September 2003, 10 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments against Palestinian field activists and political leaders, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4 assassination attempts that left dead 5 Palestinian activists and injured approximately 30 passing Palestinian civilians, including a number of children. In addition, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child and an elderly woman, died from wounds they had sustained in previous assassination attempts. This brings the total number of assassination attempts carried out by Israeli occupying forces in the past two weeks to 8. These attacks have left 19 Palestinians dead and injured dozens of others.

Israeli occupying forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, particularly in Khan Yunis. This week, Israeli occupying forces shelled al-Nimsawi neighborhood in Khan Yunis, killing a 9-year-old Palestinian child, who was playing near her house. In addition, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded and a number of houses were damaged.

Israeli occupying forces conducted 3 incursions into Beit Hanoun, Khan Yunis and Rafah in the Gaza Strip. They moved into Beit Hanoun on 28 and 29 August 2003, razing hundreds of donums of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished 3 houses. In Khan Yunis, Israeli forces destroyed a branch road and in Rafah they demolished a Palestinian house.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling and shooting. They raided houses and arrested a number of Palestinians.

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces continued to take retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 2 Palestinian houses in Jenin and Hebron.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in the West Bank. While Israeli forces redeployed on the main roads in the Gaza Strip, they continue to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. This week, Israeli occupying forces closed Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip on 4 occasions. They have maintained the siege imposed on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and al-Sayafa area in the north.

Israeli occupying forces have also restricted movement at border crossings. This week, they closed Karni crossing, the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They have also restricted travel procedures at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border and this week arrested 4 Palestinians at the terminal.

On 3 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces reopened Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for Palestinian workers after a 2-week closure. Less than 4000 Palestinian workers were able to go to their work places in Israel, as Israeli occupying forces denied access to Palestinian workers from Rafah and Khan Yunis and those under the age of 35.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on Palestinian communities, isolating them from one another. They have restricted movement of Palestinians at military checkpoints. They re-closed a number of roads and erected dozens of roadblocks. They also moved into a number of towns. They have also imposed curfews on Hebron and a number of villages.

While Israeli occupying forces have continued to perpetrate violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians, they have also continued to establish a separating wall between the West Bank and Israel. For this purpose, they confiscated more areas of Palestinian land and demolished more Palestinian houses.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments against Palestinian field activists and political leaders, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4 assassination attempts that left dead 5 Palestinian activists and injured about 30 passing Palestinian civilians, including a number of children. In addition, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child and an elderly woman, died from wounds they sustained in previous assassination attempts. This brings the total number of assassination attempts carried out by Israeli occupying forces in the past two weeks to 8; leaving dead 19 Palestinians and injuring dozens of others.

In an assassination conducted by Israeli occupying forces in Khan Yunis, a Palestinian activist was killed and 3 passing Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a 5 year-old child who sustained serious injuries. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 28 August 2003, Israeli fighter jets were seen flying over Khan Younis. Approximately 20 minutes later, an Israeli helicopter launched a missile at a branch road linking Zo’rob neighborhood with al-Nimsawi neighborhood. The missile hit a man driving an animal cart, killing him instantly. 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded – a man, his child and his brother who were sitting in the vicinity of their house, located on the street. Palestinian ambulances and civil defense personnel arrived to the area and evacuated the dead and wounded to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The man killed was later identified as Hamdi Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Kalakh, 35, from al-Amal neighborhood, an activist of Hamas movement.

In a second assassination by aerial attack just 2 days later, 2 Palestinian activists were killed and 4 passing Palestinian civilians were wounded at the entrance of Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s preliminary investigation, at approximately 15:50 on Saturday, 30 August 2003, 2 Israeli combat helicopters launched 3 missiles at a civilian car (Peugeot Thunder) that was traveling along Salah al-Din Street, approximately 230 metres south of the entrance of the Nusseirat refugee camp. 1 missile hit the front of the car, killing its driver, Farid Yousef Mustafa Mait, 40, from al-Boreij refugee camp. A second person who was traveling in the car managed to climb out through a window but was hit by another missile fired from the helicopter and was killed instantly. He was identified as Mahmoud ‘Ali Ibrahim ‘Aqel, 36, also known as “Abdullah,” from al-Boreij refugee camp. In addition, 4 passing Palestinian civilians were wounded. Israeli sources stated that the two men killed were wanted by the Israeli military.

On Monday, 1 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces carried out a third assassination, killing 1 Palestinian and wounding at least 20 bystanders, including 7 children. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 15:15 on Monday, 1 September 2003, 4 missiles were launched at a Palestinian car traveling along a branch road just off al-Wahda Street; a main thoroughfare in central Gaza City that passes through a crowded civilian commercial and residential area. The first missile hit the roof of a three-storey apartment building, approximately 70 meters from the targeted vehicle. No casualties were reported. 3 further missiles hit the targeted vehicle (white Mitsubishi) totally destroying it and killing one of the passengers. 3 additional passengers managed to escape the burning vehicle. Emergency personnel arrived to the area and evacuated the dead and wounded to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The dead man was identified as Khader Badawi al-Hosari, 35, from Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City. Israeli military sources claimed that the 4 passengers in the targeted vehicle were all activists of the Hamas movement. At least 20 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were also injured in the attack and were evacuated for treatment to Shifa Hospital. According to medical sources, at least 3 of the wounded are in a critical condition.

A Palestinian activist from Tulkarm was killed in a fourth assassination committed by Israeli occupying forces. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:15 on Tuesday, 2 September 2003, an Israeli military jeep traveling between the entrances of the villages of ‘Anza and al-Zawia intercepted a civilian car (Volkswagen Polo) traveling from Tulkram to Jenin on the Nablus-Jenin road. Israeli soldiers ordered the 2 young Palestinian men who were traveling in the car to get out of the vehicle. When the 2 young men got out of the car, 4 Israeli soldiers fired at them, wounding both the men. The soldiers immediately closed the area and withdrew 2 hours later, leaving the body of one of the young men, while arresting the other man who was wounded. The body was transferred to a hospital in Jenin and later identified as ‘Abdul Qader Mohammed Da’mi, 21, from Tulkarm and a member of the Islamic Jihad. According to Palestinian medical sources, the victim was hit by 8-10 live bullets in the head, the chest, the abdomen and the legs fired at close range. The other young man who was arrested was identified as Wa’el Fu’ad Khaled Da’mi, 23. According to Palestinians who travel regularly in the area, Israeli forces seldom use the road where the incident occurred.

Note: PCHR has a complete list of the people who were wounded in these assassination attempts.

3 Palestinian Civilians Die from Wounds Sustained in Previous Assassination Attempts

At approximately 07:10 on Thursday, 28 August 2003, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Sabra Salem Hamdiya, 70, died from a wound she had sustained in an assassination attempt carried out by Israeli occupying forces on 21 August 2003, that killed prominent Hamas leader, Isma’il Abu Shanaab and 2 of his bodyguards. According to PCHR’s investigation, Hamdiya was walking only 7 meters away from the targeted car when the attack occurred. She was hit by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 2 September 2003, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Sanaa’ Jamil al-Da’our, 9, from Jabalya, died from a wound she had sustained in a failed assassination attempt carried out by Israeli occupying forces on 26 August 2003 that targeted 3 Hamas activists. The attempt left dead an elderly man and a child and wounded 27 other Palestinian civilians. PCHR’s field worker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that al-Da’our was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body while she was playing with other children near her house.

At approximately 20:00 on the same day, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Riadh Lutfi Subaih, 28, from Gaza City, has succumbed to a wound he sustained in an assassination attempt carried out by Israeli occupying forces on 1 September 2003, which left dead 1 Hamas activist.

Excessive Use of Force against Palestinian Civilians and Attacks on Their Property

This week, Israeli occupying forces fired at Palestinian civilians, shelled Palestinian residential areas and encroached into Palestinian Authority controlled areas. Following are details of these human rights violations:

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with a military bulldozer and helicopters and covered by intense gunfire, moved approximately 80m into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. The bulldozer leveled areas near “Gani Tal” settlement, while the helicopters flew over Khan Yunis during an incursion that lasted for 2 hours.

In the morning, Israeli soldiers in tanks, armored personnel carriers and military jeeps opened fire at Palestinian civilians in the center of Nablus, claiming that they had broken the curfew imposed on the city. 7 civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. PCHR’s field worker in Nablus reported that at approximately 11:30, while hundreds of Palestinian civilians were trying to buy food supplies, 4 Israeli tanks and 10 military jeeps enclosed al-Shuhada Square and surrounding areas in the center of the city. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire in the air in an attempt to force the civilians to leave the area. A number of young men and boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles and in response, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, wounding a number of the stone throwers and some passing civilians:

1. Eihab ‘Emad Sa’id Nada, 7, from Nablus, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the abdomen and the right foot;

2. Eihab Jamal Khalil Abu Ja’far, 13, from Balata refugee camp, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the mouth;

3. ‘Azmi Marwan Saleh Barakat, 16, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left upper arm;

4. Mohammed ‘Omar Helmi al-Kharouf, 15, from Nablus, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back;

5. Jamal ‘Ali Mohammed Qaddoumi, 40, from Nablus, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;

6. ‘Omar Ussama Zaki Kalbouna, 18, from Nablus, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left shoulder; and

7. ‘Essam ‘Omar Sa’id al-Najjar, 21, from Nablus, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with 4 tanks and 2 military bulldozers, moved approximately 700m into the west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The Israeli incursion continued until 20:00, during which time the bulldozers razed more than 90 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Radwan Hassan ‘Abdullah Shabat.

2. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by heirs of Salim Abu Ramadan.

3. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, sugarcanes and citrus owned by Ramadan Mohammed Jaber Na’im.

4. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus owned by Na’im Mohammed Jaber Na’im.

5. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and figs owned by Mohammed Shehda Sa’id Hamdan.

6. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus owned by Shehada Sa’id Suleiman Hamdan.

7. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Khadra Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad.

8. They razed a 17-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mousa Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad and brothers.

9. They razed an 8.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mousa Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad.

10. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Mahmoud Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad.

11. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by ‘Abdul Rahman Tawfiq ‘Abdul Hadi Hamad and brothers.

12. They razed a 40-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by ‘Arafat Saleh al-Hartani.

Also at approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into the northern West Bank town of Jenin and the refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 2 Palestinian children:

At approximately 21:20, Israeli naval troops on board a gunboat opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the coast of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Fire broke out on the vessel, owned by Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Riala, causing severe damage.

Friday, 29 August 2003

At approximately 04:45, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks, moved into the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and wounded and arrested Sa’ed al-Fayed, 39.

At approximately 05:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into the northern West Bank town of Jenin and the refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and surrounded the old town. While no casualties were reported, an electricity transmitter was damaged by the Israeli gunfire, cutting electricity supplies to the town and refugee camp. Israeli forces withdrew from the town and refugee camp at approximately 08:30, but later redeployed into the town at approximately 11:30.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers, moved approximately 1km into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. They razed more than 130 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished 3 houses, a bird farm and an animal farm:

1. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Sha’ban Yousef Swailem.

2. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fayez Sha’ban Yousef Swailem.

3. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Jamal Sha’ban Yousef Swailem.

4. They razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hassan Sha’ban Yousef Swailem.

5. They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, partially demolished a 100-square-meter house and a 360-square-meter bird farm and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hamed Taha Ahmed al-Zant.

6. They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Aaya Farah.

7. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fadhel Basiouni Mohammed Hassan.

8. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Na’im Basiouni Mohammed Hassan.

9. They razed a 28-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and demolished a 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by heirs of Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu Ramadan.

10. They razed a 4.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Munther Kholousi Khayal.

11. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Khamis Musbah Hussein Khayal.

12. They razed a 40-donum area of agricultural land planted with owned by ‘Arafat Saleh al-Hartani.

14. They demolished a 200-square-meter house owned by Mohammed ‘Abdul Raziq Hussein al-Majdalawi, in which 15 people lived.

15. They razed a 22-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Midhat Kamal Ahmed Abu Ramadan.

At approximately 11:30, Israeli occupying forces in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Khalil Rajab Baraka, 22, was wounded by a live bullet in the head, while he was farming, approximately 500m away from the sources of fire.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinians who were participating in the funeral procession for Hamdi Kalakh, who had been assassinated by Israeli forces on the preceding day. Approximately an hour later, an Israeli tank positioned in the area fired 3 shells at al-Nimsawi neighborhood, east of the aforementioned settlement. Whereas no casualties were reported, building number 1 and al-Farra apartment buildings were damaged. At the same time, Israeli occupying forces in military locations between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood.

At approximately 23:00, more than 20 Israeli heavy military vehicles were seen moving in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis. An hour later, a number of Israeli tanks opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in the al-Rabwat and al-‘Araishia areas, damaging a number of houses.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers in military jeeps that were patrolling in Hebron opened fire at Palestinian civilians who went out of their houses to buy foodstuffs, breaking the strict curfew imposed on the town. Two civilians were wounded:

2. Nour al-Din al-Sahrbati, 32, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the right hand and side.

In the evening, Israeli soldiers in armored personnel carriers and military jeeps opened fire at Palestinian boys in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, wounding 3. PCHR’s field worker in Nablus reported that at approximately 17:40, while Israeli occupying forces that had moved into Balata refugee camp on the preceding day were patrolling the streets of the camp, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones towards them. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding 3, including a child who was playing near his house:

1. Mohammed Mahmoud Suleiman Marshoud, 9, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;

2. Nabil Mohammed ‘Abdul Ghani, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest; and

3. Ahmed Salim Mohammed Abu al-Heresh, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense gunfire, moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 2:

1. Mahmoud Fu’ad Rajeh Mahmoud, 14, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis; and

2. Mahmoud Ghassan Mahfouz Fadhala, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

In the evening, a 9-year-old Palestinian child was killed and 5 other civilians were wounded when Israeli occupying forces apparently opened fire indiscriminately into a Palestinian residential area. According to PCHR’s preliminary investigation, at approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 30 August 2003, an Israeli tank positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Younis, fired 3 shells at al-Nimsawi neighborhood, east of the aforementioned settlement. The shells hit the third and fourth floors of Building #1 of the apartment complex, located approximately 200m away from the source of fire. 9-year-old Aaya Mahmoud No’man Fayadh, who was riding a bicycle in the yard between Buildings #1 and #3, was killed when shrapnel hit her in the chest. 5 other civilians, including 4 children, were also wounded in the incident:

3. Najah Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Allam, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;

4. Mohammed Kayed ‘Atwa Hammad, 13, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest; and

5. ‘Abdullah Sa’id Suleiman Abu Samra, 50, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli military bulldozers started to block roads in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, with sand hills. Immediately, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at the bulldozers. Israeli soldiers who were escorting the bulldozers fired at the stone throwers, wounding 2:

1. Hisham Na’im ‘Othman al-Sane’, 33, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right side; and

2. Mohammed Tayseer Mousa Hashash, 15, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the abdomen and the left leg.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks, moved into the Palestinian controlled al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin, to arrest allegedly wanted Palestinians. They raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 07:00, Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinian civilians as they were leaving their houses. A child, Mujahed Saleh Furaihat, 15, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the hand and upper arm, while he was near his house.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces moved again into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, from which they had withdrawn on Saturday evening, 30 August 2003. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Two Palestinian children were wounded:

1. Mohammed Mustafa Sa’id Salloum, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh; and

2. Nidal Riadh Mohammed Khouri, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, reentered Nablus, after withdrawing from the city the preceding day. A number of Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers were positioned at al-Shuhada Square and nearby streets, while military jeeps moved into the streets to force Palestinian civilians to close their shops. At approximately 09:30, dozens of Palestinian boys gathered in the area and threw stones at Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the boys, wounding 13, including a number of passing civilians (PCHR has a complete list of the people who were wounded).

At approximately 14:50, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in al-Rabwat area. A Palestinian woman, Bassema Mustafa Mohammed al-Astal, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh, while she was walking about 600m from the source of the fire.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with 3 heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers opened fire at houses as the bulldozer destroyed a branch road in the area. Israeli forces withdrew from the area a few hours later, and took position at the border of the nearby “Gadid” and “Gan Aur” settlements where they ordered Palestinian civilians not to leave their houses or they would be fired at.

At approximately 09:00, an Israeli tank, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved approximately 100m into Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah. The bulldozer demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Muna Mahmoud Khalil al-Dabbas, in which 5 people lived.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli occupying forces in a military location in the Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Fayez Mohammed Zo’rob, 52, was sitting near his house, approximately 500m away from the source of fire when he was wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh.

At approximately 11:00, medical sources at Ramallah Hospital declared that ‘Ali Hussein Abu Salim, 20, from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, succumbed to a wound he sustained by Israeli occupying forces on Thursday, 28 August 2003.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 28 August 2003, Abu Salim, a policeman, was on his way back home from his work in civilian clothes. When he entered the camp, he saw some of his friends, so he went to chat with them. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian children threw stones at Israeli soldiers who were patrolling the camp. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire indiscriminately. Abu Salim was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. He was evacuated to the intensive care unit at a hospital in Nablus. The following day he was moved to Ramallah Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound. According to medical sources, the live bullet cut blood vessels and broke his pelvis, causing kidney failure.

Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 2 Palestinian houses in Jenin and Hebron.

At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 28 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into the Palestinian Authority controlled Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They surrounded a 250-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Malek ‘Abdul Zakarna, 58 and forced the 14 residents of the house to evacuate it within 15 minutes. They then planted explosives inside the house, and destroyed it at approximately 03:30. Zakarna is the father of Hani Zakarna who carried out an armed attack against “Tanakhim” settlement, located between Zabbouba and Rummana villages, west of Jenin. 8 neighboring houses were damaged in the demolition operation.

At approximately 01:30 on Monday, 1 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian Authority controlled Yatta village, southeast of Hebron. They surrounded a 180-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Mousa Shehada Makhamra. They forced the 25 residents out and raided and searched the house. They then planted explosives inside the premises and at approximately 03:00, they destroyed the house. Makhamra’s son, Taleb, 27, has been detained by Israeli occupying forces since 26 October 2002 for his activities within the Fatah movement.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially in the West Bank. Israeli forces redeployed on the main roads in the Gaza Strip, and restricted movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained the siege imposed on the al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and al-Sayafa area in the north.

Israeli occupying forces have also restricted movement at border crossings. This week, they closed Karni crossing, the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. On 3 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces reopened Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for Palestinian workers after a 2-week closure. Less than 4000 Palestinian workers were able to go to their work places in Israel, as Israeli occupying forces denied Palestinian workers from Rafah and Khan Yunis and those who are under 35 access to their work places in Israel.

In violation of the right of Palestinian civilians to free movement, at approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 28 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Karni crossing, east of Gaza city, which is the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel and the West Bank. The closure caused large losses to Palestinian traders and some basic foodstuffs were absent in the local markets.

At midnight, Israeli occupying forces closed the junctions of al-Matahen and Abu Houli on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. The junctions were reopened at approximately 07:00 on the following day.

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 29 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two junctions for half an hour and again from 16:20 to 20:00.

On Sunday morning, 31 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces introduced a new checking device to monitor agricultural products moving in and out of the Khan Younis Mawasi area, in a way similar to checking procedures at Karni crossing, east of Gaza City. According to the new system, Palestinian workers transfer goods from trucks to the new checking device and then transfer the goods to another truck. This procedure causes delays in the transportation of agricultural products.

At approximately 19:00 on the same day, Israeli occupying forces closed Tal al-Sultan military checkpoint at the entrance of the al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah. The closure remained in effect until the morning of the following day.

At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 1 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli junctions on Salah al-Din Street. The closure remained in effect until 12:00.

At approximately 22:40 on Tuesday, 2 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two junctions again for one hour. They closed the two junctions again late that night, reopening them at approximately 08:00 on the following day.

In the West Bank, the Israeli occupying forces have continued to violate the Palestinian people's right of free movement. A military siege has been imposed on the Palestinian towns of Hebron, Nablus and Jenin, and their surrounding refugee camps. This siege takes effect as approximately 1,085,000 Palestinian students and tens of thousands of teachers are making their way to schools all over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers positioned at checkpoints deliberately restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians this week, preventing them from reaching their work or their homes. Israeli soldiers often closed checkpoints altogether without giving notice. Such measures forced Palestinians to resort to mountain paths. If Palestinians are caught using these alternative roots they are detained for hours at the nearest Israeli checkpoint. Detainees are released at night, often rendering it impossible for them to reach their homes. These punitive procedures are taken against all Palestinians, regardless of age or gender.

On Friday morning, 29 August 2003, Israeli forces intensified arbitrary measures at the military checkpoints leading into Jerusalem. Hundreds of police and “border guard” personnel were deployed in the city streets and allies. According to eyewitnesses, residents of Jerusalem under the age of 45 were prevented from attending the Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa mosque. It was also reported that Israeli soldiers placed metal barriers at the entrances to the al-Asbat, al-Amood, al-Samerah and Hebron gates, and conducted searches of the civilians and examination of their ID cards. On Monday morning, 1 September 2003, Israeli forces erected two checkpoints, the first near al-Hamashbeel area and the ‘Atarot industrial settlement zone, and the second near Kirsh satellite store. Israeli soldiers closed both checkpoints, holding back the vehicles and the passengers. Hundreds of students and teachers were forced to walk more than 2 km so as not to be too late for school.

Israeli soldiers positioned at the Kalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem prevented hundreds of teachers from crossing the checkpoint. Although teachers hold access cards issued by the Ministry of Education, soldiers demanded that they have checkpoint permits. University students, teachers, workers and sick people were forced to go around checkpoints using long, poor roads. Travel costs on such roads are often double the usual expenses. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers placed a mobile checkpoint near “Yatab” settlement and Mo’arajat road on the outskirts of “‘Oja” area. The soldiers stopped a number of cars and subjected their passengers to long humiliating searches. Israeli soldiers positioned at al-Tayba checkpoint, east of Ramallah, forced dozens of cars to wait in long lines on the four roads that lead to the village of Jaba’, Mo’arajat - Jericho road, the Ramallah road and the Nablus road. The passengers were forced out of the cars, searched, and had their ID cards checked. An additional temporary checkpoint was erected on the outskirts of the village of Jaba’, southeast of Ramallah and al-Bireh.

For the 14^th consecutive day, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a curfew on nearly all neighborhoods in both H1 and H2 areas of Hebron. The old town neighborhoods in the east and the south and the roads leading to them, in addition to the town center witnessed harsh military procedures. PCHR’s field worker reported that the repressive Israeli actions included ongoing curfews, tightening of military siege, closing all paved and mountain roads leading to and from the town and chasing Palestinian civilians who violate the curfew, shooting at them, detaining them for hours and abusing them. According to PCHR’s investigations, on Sunday morning, 30 August 2003, Mohran Ra’ed Mohammed al-Ja’bari, 15, sustained injuries and bruises in the back, the face and the limbs when Israeli soldiers detained and severely beat him. The soldiers attacked him with a sharp tool, causing an injury to his back. On Monday, 1 September 2003, the first day of the new school year, Israeli soldiers continued to impose the curfew, denying thousands of Palestinian students and dozens of teachers access to their schools, especially in the old town.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained the strict siege imposed on Nablus. Israeli soldiers at Deir Sharaf military checkpoint, which leads to Tulkarm and Jenin, prevented Palestinian civilians, excluding teachers, from crossing the checkpoint towards the city. On Monday, 1 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the checkpoint and ordered Palestinian civilians who were waiting there to leave the area.

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on the town. They erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to al-Jaroushia village, north of the town and denied access of Palestinian vehicles coming from al-Sha’rawia area to the town. They also closed the entrance to ‘Attil village, north of the town, and forced Palestinian civilians who had waited for long hours to travel back. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Kafriyat road, south of Tulkarm, and denied Palestinian civilians from the southern villages access to the town. They also erected a roadblock at Far’oun Triangle and searched Palestinian vehicles.

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces closed all the roads leading to the town and chased Palestinian vehicles that were forced to resort to alternative roads.

According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces established two additional gates at the entrance to Habla village, south of Qaliqlya. Israeli soldiers at those gates prevent Palestinian civilians from traveling to the town, forcing them to resort to longer alternative roads.

While Israeli occupying forces have continued to perpetrate violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians and property, they have continued to establish a separating wall in the West Bank. For this purpose, they confiscated more areas of Palestinian land and demolished more Palestinian houses this week.

On Sunday morning, 31 August 2003, Israeli military bulldozers started to raze areas of Palestinian land in Abu Dis village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They also informed some Palestinians in al-Shayah area that their lands would be confiscated.

Also on Sunday morning, Israeli occupying forces demolished a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house in Nazlat ‘Eissa village, north of Tulkarm. The building was owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, and housed 14 people (2 families) lived.

1. Upon the international community to provide immediate and independent international protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146, to ensure respect for the Convention.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute before international courts those believed to have committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

5. Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.

6. Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.

[1] 1 donum equals 1000 square-meters.

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893