PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 45/2003

20 Nov.-03 Dec. 2003

PCHR did not issue the Weekly Report last week due to the Eid. This report covers the period 20 November – 3 December 2003.

During the period covered in this report, particularly in the past 10 days, violations of the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) carried out by Israeli occupying forces have escalated, including incursions into Palestinian areas, shooting at Palestinian civilians, especially children, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, house demolition and leveling of agricultural land. Israeli occupying forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs. During the last two weeks, 12 Palestinians, including 4 children, were killed and a number of others were injured by Israeli occupying forces. As demonstrated by the ongoing investigations carried out by PCHR, Israeli occupying forces continue to carry out a systematic policy of extrajudicial killing. During the period under consideration this policy was demonstrated by the unlawful killing of 3 Palestinians during an Israeli military incursion into Ramallah.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas including Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Hebron. The largest incursion during this period was into Ramallah and al-Bireh on Monday, 1 December 2003, which left dead 4 Palestinians, 3 of whom were killed when Israeli occupying forces demolished a building while they were inside. In total, 8 Palestinians, including 4 children, were killed by Israeli occupying forces during these incursions. Israeli occupying forces carried out operations in these areas using tanks, armored personnel carriers, military jeeps, helicopters, and civilian cars used by undercover units to infiltrate into Palestinian communities. Also during these incursions, dozens of Palestinians were arrested and a number of houses were destroyed as a form of collective punishment against families of alleged Palestinian activists.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “separation wall” inside the West Bank. This week, Israeli occupying forces razed approximately 500 donums[1] of Palestinian agricultural land in the Tulkarem district for the construction of the “separation wall.” Occupying forces also confiscated 22 donums of land in Zeita village. According to the planned tract of the wall, Zeita village will be isolated from the rest of the West Bank by the wall, while the neighboring Nazlat ‘Eissa and Nazlat Abu Nar villages will be trapped between the wall and an Israeli military fence.

In the Gaza Strip, 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 members of a single family, targeted while they were on their way to visit relatives during the Eid, were killed by Israeli occupying forces. Israeli occupying forces have acknowledged that the three relatives were killed by mistake. The fourth victim was killed by Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces also indiscriminately shelled Palestinian residential areas, especially in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, more than 10 Palestinian civilians, including several children, were injured.

Israeli occupying forces conducted 7 incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. They razed 63 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis and the central Gaza Strip, and destroyed 4 houses in Rafah.

In violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, 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, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 8 Palestinian houses in Ramallah, Hebron and Jenin.

In a punitive measure against Palestinian detainees, on Sunday, 23 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces transferred 3 Palestinian detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. They left the three at three different locations in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, 20 November 2003, the Israeli High Court held a session to consider appeals submitted by the three detainees concerning the transfer orders issued by the head of the Israeli military central command to transfer 18 Palestinian detained by Israeli occupying forces from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces implemented the original transfer orders against the three detainees before the Israeli High Court had issued a ruling in their cases. The number of Palestinian detainees transferred by Israeli occupying forces from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip in November 2003 increased to 5. These measures constitute unlawful transfers within the meaning of article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The unlawful transfer of a protected person also constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law, as detailed in article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a war crime, as further clarified in article 85 of the First Additional Protocol. PCHR is gravely concerned about the role played by the Israeli judicial system in providing legal approval for those Israeli military practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that contradict international humanitarian law.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to impose a closure on a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians also continue to be subject to humiliating and degrading treatment at Israeli military checkpoints and border crossings. The restrictions on movement and the fragmentation of the OPTs, through the use of checkpoints and barriers, carried out by Israeli forces systematically violate Palestinian economic, social and cultural rights. Recently, Israeli occupying forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, despite claims by Israel that they eased the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to restrict movement of Palestinian civilians.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

At approximately 02:15, Israeli occupying forces moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and a searched a number of houses. They withdrew from the village after having arrested 4 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Kharabtha Bani Hareth, west of Ramallah, They raided and searched the house of Ahmed Mohammed ‘Atallah, 27, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:15, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces infiltrated into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided the house of Mohammed ‘Abdul Mo’ti, 26, and arrested him.

At the same time, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by military vehicles, raided an mountainous area between Kufor ‘Ein and Mazare’ al-Noubani, northwest of Ramallah. They searched caves and arrested 4 Palestinians:

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved approximately 1200m into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Ihsan ‘Abdul Ra’ouf al-Bourno.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus through its southern entrance. They moved forward towards the old town whilst firing indiscriminately. 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

At approximately 14:30, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Gush Qatif” settlement block, west and south of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas to the east and the north. 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Muneer Ahmed Mohammed al-Sha’er, 2, wounded by shrapnel in the right ankle; and

At approximately 03:20, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Assira village, north of Nablus, under cover of intense gunfire. No casualties were reported. Israeli forces also arrested 4 Palestinians:

In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian child during a military incursion into the eastern part of the northern West Bank town of Jenin. Israeli military sources claimed that a Palestinian gunman fired from among a group of people at an Israeli military unit and, in response, the unit returned fire. During the incident a child was killed by Israeli gun fire.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 14:35, an armored personnel carrier, 3 military jeeps and a military bulldozer, moved into the eastern part of Jenin. They opened fire at houses and passing civilians. Then, the military bulldozer began to block an agricultural road leading to al-Almaniya neighborhood. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the bulldozer. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, killing 10-year-old Ibrahim ‘Ali Jalamna with a live bullet in the chest. According to eyewitnesses, the children did not pose any danger to Israeli soldiers.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers fired at Nour ‘Abdullah Sawalma, 10, from ‘Assira village, north of Nablus, claiming that he broke the curfew imposed on the village. He was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah and at the entrance to the al-Mawasi area, west of the town, opened fire at Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, Khalil ‘Abdul Fattah Abu al-‘Eish, 16, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg, while he was standing near his house.

At approximately 19:20, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, Zuhair Mahmoud al-‘Aaidi, 20, was wounded by shrapnel in the right foot, while he was standing approximately 400m north of the border area.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations near “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the east. A Palestinian woman, Faiza Fawzi al-Farra, 43, was wounded by a live bullet in the back while she was near her house.

At approximately 04:00, a number of Israeli military jeeps moved into Tubas village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched ‘Awni Daraghma’s house. Then, they arrested 3 of his sons: Mohammed, 22; Rashed, 20; and Ahmed, 18.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved approximately 100m into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The incursion continued until the following evening. During the incursion Israeli occupying forces razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Obaid ‘Abdullah Abu ‘Eyada.

2. They razed a 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus owned by Khalil Ibrahim al-Daya.

3. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Yasser Eqtifan.

4. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mohammed ‘Omar Hamdan.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Qarara village to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Hassan Mohammed Jaddou’, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder, while he was walking along a road in the area.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 3 tanks and a bulldozer, moved approximately 400m into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Suleiman ‘Atwa al-‘Eimawi.

2. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ahmed ‘Atwa al-‘Eimawi.

3. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khalil Mohammed al-Reqeb.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian controlled Yatta village, south of Hebron. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Yousef Abu ‘Arram, 29. Without warning, they opened fire at ‘Abu ‘Arram, wounding him with 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the right foot. Then, they raided his house and arrested him.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian controlled Dura village, southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses in Abu al-‘Ushoush area. Then, they arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:30, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Jeeb village, southeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched the house of Ahmed Rashid Hussein ‘Ouda, 30, and then arrested him.

In the evening, in another case of apparent willful killing Israeli occupying forces shot a Palestinian child in Yatta village, south of Hebron. They also obstructed his evacuation to the hospital, where he died the following morning. Another Palestinian was wounded and a third was arrested.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 19:50, an armored personnel carrier and 12 military jeeps, accompanied by 2 civilian cars carrying several Israeli undercover units, moved into al-Musalla area in the center of Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli occupation forces then began to open fire at houses in the area. As a result, one child was killed and one Palestinian civilian was wounded:

1. Rashad Tawfiq ‘Abdul Rahman Mur, 16, seriously wounded by an live bullet in the abdomen, died the following morning; and

2. Mousa Ahmed Mahmoud Abu ‘Ali, 28, wounded by 2 live bullets in the pelvis and the left hand.

According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers got out of a military jeep, and began to open fire at Mur from a distance of approximately 30m.

Ambulances were not able to attend to the wounded due to the intense Israeli gunfire. Mur was evacuated in a civilian car to a hospital in the village, where he received first aid treatment. An ambulance then transferred him to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron. He arrived at the hospital in a critical condition. His evacuation to the hospital took more than 2 hours due to the intense gunfire from Israeli occupying forces. A few hours later, Mur was transferred to Ramallah Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead at approximately 07:00 the following day. According to medical sources, the child had been hit by an exploding bullet and died of an acute hemorrhage.

In the evening, three Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the central Gaza Strip. Contrary to claims made by Israeli occupying forces, the three men, all from the same family, were unarmed and were shot as they were driving a car to visit relatives for the Eid holiday. Later, Israeli media sources reported that Israeli occupying forces admitted that they killed 3 Palestinians by mistake.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:45, Israeli soldiers, traveling on foot, infiltrated approximately 500m into the Abu Sha’ar neighborhood of Wadi Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers took up positions on farm land in the area. Approximately one hour later, 3 members of the al-Sumairi family left their home visit nearby relatives for the Eid holidays. The three men got into a white Mazda car and drove away from the house, which is situated approximately 150 meters away from an Israeli military post in the area. When the car was approximately 300 meters away from the house, Israeli soldiers opened fire without warning, wounding the three men inside the vehicle. More Israeli soldiers then arrived to the area and imposed a military curfew. Israeli soldiers delayed passage of Palestinian ambulances to the scene for 90 minutes, despite coordination with Israeli forces in the area. Two of the three men were already dead by the time the ambulance arrived on the scene. The third man was in critical condition and died upon arrival at the Deir al-Balah Hospital.

1. Khaled Ahmed Ibrahim al-Smairi, 40, hit by several live bullets in the back and the legs;

2. Ussama Suleiman ‘Aayesh Al-Smairi, 30, hit by a live bullet in the head; and

3. Ibrahim Mousa al-Sumairi, 32, hit by several live bullets in the chest and the abdomen.

Israeli military sources later claimed that Israeli soldiers operating in the area had killed three armed Palestinians en route to attack Israeli forces in the area. However, on Thursday, 27 November 2003, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported on its Arabic web site that Israeli military sources admitted that Israeli soldiers killed the 3 Palestinians by mistake and that the three were unarmed.

At approximately 04:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into Jenin and its refugee camp. At approximately 07:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli forces. Palestinian activist, Mo’ammar Shukri Fayez Ghawadra, 25, was wounded by shrapnel in the legs.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli soldiers in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses located approximately 400m to the east. 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded as they stood near their homes:

1. Ahmed Suleiman Hijazi, 38, wounded by 2 live bullets in the chest and the right hand; and

At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 5 heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 70m into Block L in Rafah refugee camp. Under cover of intense gunfire, they leveled the remains of houses they had already demolished in a previous operation. A Palestinian civilian, Nabil Yousef Abu Ziada, 28, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.

In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man who was trying to assist a group of children who were trying to move a mentally handicapped man away from the area for fear of Israeli military activities. The incident took place as the group were near a fence surrounding the “Nissanit” settlement, approximately 600m to the south of Um al-Nasser village in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:15, Sayed Saleh Salem Abu Safra, 32, from Um al-Nasser village, was on his way back home from the mosque after Friday prayers. His home is located approximately 300m away from the fence surrounding the “Nissanit” settlement. He saw a number of children surrounding a young man, who is mentally handicapped. The children were trying to make the young man move away from the settlement’s fence. Abu Safra moved towards the children, gesturing to them to move the young man away from the area. The children managed to persuade the young man to move away from the fence. When the group was about 20m away from the fence, an Israeli military jeep stopped approximately 50m away from the fence inside the settlement. 2 Israeli soldiers got out of the jeep and opened fired at Abu Safra and the group of children. Abu Safra was killed by a live bullet in the head. Abu Safra was a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence. He was not armed when he was shot. According to eyewitnesses, the area was completely quiet when the incident occurred.

At approximately 17:15, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations near the “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Amal neighborhood to the south. A Palestinian child, Ahmed Sami Abu al-Khar, 13, was wounded by a live bullet in the face, while he was playing near his house in the area.

At the same time, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations near “Gadid” settlement, southwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in Baten al-Samin area. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed ‘Abdullah Mohammed al-Bayoumi, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, including 5 heavy military vehicles and a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Using gunfire as cover, they demolished 3 Palestinian houses:

1. A 200-square-meter house owned by Samir ‘Awadh Hamed Barhoum, in which 8 people (2 families) lived;

2. A 100-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Hamdan Barhoum, in which 10 people (2 families) lived; and

3. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Khairi ‘Abed Shuraiqi Barhoum, in which 8 people lived.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces entered the Palestinian village of al-Yamoun, west of Jenin. They took up positions near a secondary school in the village. At approximately 14:00, a number of students gathered and began throwing stones towards the Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers immediately opened fire at the students, wounding 14-year-old Ibrahim Ahmed Asa’ad Furaihat with a live bullet in the right thigh.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces entered the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A number of Palestinian teenagers gathered and began throwing stones at Israeli military vehicles. Israeli soldiers immediately opened fire at the group, wounding Bilal Ziad Hijab, 18, in the left hand.

Early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces, killed four Palestinians during several separate incursions into the West Bank. Two of the victims were killed when Israeli occupying forces detonated explosive devices inside a house in the al-Am’ari refugee camp, near Ramallah. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the two were wanted by the Israeli occupying authorities. A 9-year-old child and another Palestinian were also killed in separate incursions.

According to PCHR’s preliminary investigations, at approximately 00:30, Israeli occupying forces entered Ramallah and al-Bireh from the north and the south. Israeli forces advanced from three directions. They moved into the Balou’ neighborhood in the north, al-Shurafa neighborhood and al-Am’ari refugee camp at al-Quds Street and and al-Masioun neighborhood in the south. During the incursion Israeli occupying forces opened fire indiscriminately at civilian properties in the area. Israeli occupying forces surrounded Maher al-Ramahi’s house in the Shurafa neighborhood east of the al-Am’ari refugee camp. Israeli soldiers opened fire with heavy-calibre machine guns at the ground floor of the 2-story house. At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces detonated several explosive devices inside the building. Two male civilians were killed in the explosion. Israeli occupying forces later claimed that the two victims were wanted by the Israeli occupying authorities. At approximately 12:30, an ambulance transferred the two bodies to Ramallah Hospital. The two victims were later identified as:

1. Sa’id ‘Abdul Karim Khader Qassim, 30, from al-Bireh: sustained numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds; and

2. Saleh Mahmoud Hussein al-Talahma, 37, from Kherbat al-Burg in Hebron: sustained numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds.

While Israeli occupying forces were surrounding the targeted buildings, a number of Palestinian teenagers gathered to throw stones at the soldiers. As a result of the indiscriminate Israeli machine-gun fire, 10 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including 9-year-old Mo’ayad Mazen ‘Abdul Rahman Hamdan, who was hit by a live bullet in the head. Mo'ayad was transferred to Ramallah Hospital in a critical condition but died of his wounds at approximately 14:00.

1. ‘Omar Jamal Mohammed Mahmoud, 18, wounded in the chest by a rubber-coated metal bullet;

4. Mousa Samir al-Salehi, 17, wounded in the head by a rubber-coated metal bullet;

7. Daoud Harb ‘Alqam, 23, wounded in the right leg by a rubber-coated metal bullet;

8. Saleh Nizar al-Maleh, 16, wounded in the shoulder by a rubber-coated metal bullet; and

9. Ahmed Saleh al-Masri, 17, wounded in the right hand by a rubber-coated metal bullet.

In al-Masioun neighborhood in the south of Ramallah, Israeli occupying forces surrounded 2 houses owned by Wajih and Jamal al-Kasawani. They forced residents of the two houses to exit the properties and detained Wajih, Jamal and 'Eissa al-Kasawani in a room in a nearby building. Israeli forces interrogated the three brothers for 8 hours about Palestinians wanted by the Israeli occupying authorities and whom the soldiers believed were in the houses. At approximately 13:15, Israeli occupying forces detonated explosive devices inside the two houses destroying them. After Israeli occupying forces had withdrawn from the area, a rescue team began work to remove the rubble of the destroyed properties. On Tuesday, 3 December 2003, rescue teams found the body of a Palestinian man who was later identified as Hussein Hamdi Rummana, 37, from al-Bireh.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into areas on the outskirts of Jenin. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 40-year-old Ahmed Asa'ad Abu Khalil in the shoulder with a live bullet.

At approximately 11:00, an Israeli armored personnel carrier moved into Beit Wazan village, west of Nablus. Israeli soldiers opened fire at nearby Palestinian houses. Rami Fathi Hafez 'Atallah, 23, sustained shrapnel wounds to the head and neck.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, fired an artillery shell at Block J in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Nour al-Din Fathi Lafi, 19, was seriously wounded by shrapnel in the chest. Nour had been standing with friends, approximately 300m away from the border.

At approximately 15:00, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved into the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 13-year-old Samer Jamil Mahmoud Hashash in the left hand with a rubber-coated metal bullet.

At approximately 20:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces entered Tulkarem and opened fire at a Palestinian man, wounding him with 2 live bullets. Israeli soldiers arrested the man together with 4 other Palestinians.

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, Hazem Wa'el Hattab, 23, was sitting in a shop in the western quarter of Tulkarm, with 4 other Palestinians: Mahmoud Yousef Ibrahim Zaidan, 21; Muhannad 'Adnan Abu Samaha, 20; 'Essam Ahmed Sa'ada, 19; and Ahmed Jihad al-Hamshari, 22. A civilian car, a white Subaru, stopped near the shop. A man wearing civilian clothes and holding a pistol got out of the car. He addressed Hazem, asking his name. When Hazem told him his name, the armed man fired 2 live bullets at Hazem, wounding him in both thighs. Immediately, more Israeli forces arrived at the area. They detained the five Palestinians. Hazem was then transferred by an Israeli ambulance to an unknown destination. The other four men were released a few hours later.

Early in the morning, in Jenin, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian man.

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at approximately 03:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into the eastern quarter of Jenin, covered by intense gunfire. At approximately 07:30, as Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the area, residents of the area discovered the body of Amjad Mahmoud Kamal al-Sa'di, 30, in the town's cemetery. According to medical sources, he was hit by 5 live bullets in the chest and the thighs. Al-Sa'di's house is located approximately 500m away from the cemetery.

At approximately 12:00, 3 Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into al-Salam neighborhood, in Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They destroyed a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Ali Suleiman D'ib, in which 7 people were living.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the Rafah refugee camp. Falasteen Rawhi Zannoun, 11, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot, while she was playing near her house, approximately 300m away from the border.

In the evening, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian and wounded another in Deir Abu Masha'al village, northwest of Ramallah.

According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 07:30, residents of Deir Abu Masha'al village heard sounds of shooting at Shahbal Mount, approximately 700m to the north of the village. They also saw Israeli military jeeps moving in the area. Immediately, they called for an ambulance. At approximately 08:15, an ambulance arrived at the area of shooting, where the driver found the body of a Palestinian teenager, and another who had sustained 2 live bullets wounds to the head and the abdomen. Israeli soldiers forced the driver to travel towards the Rantis checkpoint, west of Deir Abu Masha'al village, where Israeli soldiers delayed the ambulance for 2 hours. Soldiers then ordered the driver to travel to an Israeli hospital in Tel Aviv where the injured teenager was to receive treatment. The body of the teenager was removed to Ramallah Hospital. He was later identified as Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Zahran, 18. According to medical sources, he sustained a live bullet wound to the abdomen. The wounded child was identified as Nidal Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh, 14. An Israeli military spokesman later claimed that 4 Palestinian teenagers had thrown molotov cocktails at an Israeli military jeep, and that Israeli soldiers had then opened fire at the group, killing one and injuring another.

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.

At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 20 November 2003, Israeli military vehicles, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They surrounded Mohammed Khalil al-Shamisti's house in al-Maqbiya quarter in the center of the village. Without warning, Israeli forces opened fire at the house. As they were firing at the house, Israeli soldiers called through megaphones to Nabil D'iab Abu Qabita, 40, who was hiding in the house, to surrender to them. The shooting continued sporadically until 10:00, when Israeli soldiers broke into the house and arrested Abu Qabita. At approximately 10:30, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the 200-square-meter house and destroyed it. 12 people were left homeless as a result.

At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 27 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sha'aba neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They surrounded the house of ''Mohammed Hijazi'' al-Tamimi, 69. They woke him and forced him and his family out of the house. The family was taken 50m away from the house. Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 03:30, they blew up the 120-square-meter, 2-storey house. 11 people, including 7 children, have been made homeless as a result. The owner's son, Walid, 19, was killed while carrying out an armed attack against Israeli occupying forces in the center of Hebron on 8 June 2003. After his death, Israeli occupying forces detained his brother Hazem, 42, for 80 days, during which time he was subject to torture, resulting in long-term physical damage. The owner and his son, ''Mohammed Amin'', 17, were also arrested and detained for several weeks. On 4 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a supermarket belonging to the family.

At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 1 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces that had moved into Ramallah and al-Bireh surrounded two houses in al-Masioun neighborhood in the south of Ramallah. At approximately 13:15, after they had forced the residents out, Israeli occupying forces destroyed the two houses. Following are details of the houses:

1. A 250-square-meter, 4-stoery apartment building owned by Wajih Daoud al-Kasawani, in which 25 people (8 families) lived; and

2. A 120-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Jamal Daoud al-Kasawani, in which 8 people lived.

At approximately 03:00 on the same day, Israeli occupying forces moved into the northern area of Hebron. They surrounded a 173-square-meter, 5-storey apartment building, the second floor of which belongs to the family of ‘Othamn Shafiq Bader, 73. They broke into the building and forced its residents out without allowing them to take any of their belongings. They also ordered residents of a neighboring building to vacate their homes. Residents of the two buildings were moved away from the area. Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside Bader’s house and at approximately 06:25, they blew it up. As a result, 11 people, including 4 children, have been rendered homeless. Bader is the father of Ahmed Bader, 22, who was killed together with two other Palestinians, including a child, by Israeli occupying forces on 9 September 2003. Israeli forces blew up an apartment building where Bader had been hiding.

At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 2 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian village of Seilat al-Harthia, west of Jenin. They surrounded the house of Ibrahim Hassan Yassin Jaradat, 55. They forced the 11 residents of the house out without allowing them to take any of their belongings. Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the 160-square-meter house and destroyed it. The property owner is the father of Eyad Jaradat, 20, who has been detained by Israeli occupying forces for 5 months. Israeli occupying forces then moved to a 130-square-meter house nearby, belonging to the family of Sami Suleiman Ibrahim Jaradat, 30. They also destroyed this house, rendering 6 people homeless. Jaradat has been detained by Israeli occupying forces for 45 days.

The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot quoted an Israeli military spokesman on its Arabic web site as saying that “Israeli forces destroyed houses of two Palestinian activists who are members of the organization, Islamic Jihad, in Seilat al-Harthia village.” He claimed that “one of the two was involved in the ‘Gadish’ attack, in which 2 Israelis were killed, and the other sent a woman who carried out a bombing in the Maxim Restaurant in Haifa, which left dead 21 Israelis and injured dozens.” Israeli occupying forces had already accused Amjad Ahmed ‘Eissa ‘Obaidi, 37, from Zabbouba village, west of Jenin, of sending the woman, Hanadai Tayseer Jaradat, to carry out the bombing in Haifa. ‘Obaidi was arrested on 5 October 2003, and his house and the house of Hanadai Tayseer Jaradat were destroyed.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Although Israeli occupying forces claimed that they had eased the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, they have in fact continued to restrict movement of Palestinian civilians. PCHR’s field workers reported daily sightings of Israeli soldiers delaying or refusing passage of dozens of Palestinian civilians at Israeli military checkpoints throughout the West Bank.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. These restrictions particularly affected thousands of Palestinian civilians who were attempting to visit relatives during the Eid festival in November.

Recently, Israeli occupying forces have imposed tighter restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, have continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints, which are open for a maximum of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment by Israeli soldiers.

At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 21 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints and held many Palestinian vehicles in between. They forced a number of vehicles to move into an enclosed area for searching. They ordered Palestinian civilians to get out of the vehicles, checked their ID cards, and then forced them to wait for many hours. This procedure continued until 18:00. During this time, Israeli soldiers sporadically opened fire above the vehicles. The same measures were implemented again on Sunday, 23 November 2003.

Despite assurances from Israeli occupying forces that they would open the two checkpoints 24 hours a day during the Eid festival, on the first day of the Eid, Tuesday, 25 November 2003, Israeli soldiers closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They also closed the two checkpoints for two hours on Thursday, 27 November 2003.

On Monday, 1 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints from 14:00 until approximately midnight. Palestinian civilians were checked and interrogated by Israeli occupying forces. Two Palestinians were arrested. The next morning, Israeli occupying forces held and searched Palestinian vehicles. They also opened fire with live ammunition and tear gas at thousands of Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the two checkpoints. As a result, whilst waiting at the Abu Houli checkpoint, ‘Abed Rabbu Hamdan al-Qa’oud, 73, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the right foot.

At approximately 14:30 on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sheikh ‘Ejlin neighborhood in the south of Gaza city. They blocked the costal road liking between Gaza city and the central Gaza Strip with sand barriers. Palestinian vehicles were not able to travel on the road, so Palestinian civilians were forced to walk.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, restricting movement into and out of the area. Israeli occupying forces have increased restrictions on movement of Palestinian through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis. Palestinians under 35 years old have been denied passage across the checkpoint. Israeli occupying forces have also tightened the siege imposed on the al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians moving into and out of the area are now subjected to prolonged physical checks by Israeli soldiers stationed at the only entry point to the area.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian workers through Erez crossing. A worker must be over 35, married, have children, have a magnetic card and a valid work permit and have Israeli security clearance. Workers fulfilling all these conditions are also subject to prolonged physical checks at the crossing. A number of workers have been questioned by the Israeli security services during passage across Erez. A number of worker's permits were cancelled because of the alleged anti-Israel activities of family members. These continuing restrictions on the access of Palestinian workers to their work places have caused further deterioration to the Palestinian economy, and, as a result, poverty and unemployment in Palestinian areas have remained high.

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.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches perpetrated 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