PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 47/2003

11-17 December 2003

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to violate the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Throughout the week, they conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot at Palestinian civilians, including children; indiscriminately shelled residential areas; demolished houses; and leveled agricultural land. They have continued with the construction of the “separation wall” inside the West Bank. Israeli occupying forces have also continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 10 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 1 woman, were killed and a number of others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 6 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they killed a number of Palestinians and destroyed civilian property. During an incursion into al-Salam neighborhood in Rafah on Thursday, 11 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces killed 5 Palestinians, including 4 civilians, injured 12 and destroyed 9 houses. On Monday, 15 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Khan Yunis refugee camp. They destroyed 22 houses, rendering approximately 200 Palestinian civilians homeless. On Wednesday, 17 December 2003, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into Rafah refugee camp and opened fire in the area, killing a 16-year-old Palestinian child.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian communities, such as Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron. On Sunday, 14 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces made an incursion into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah, killing 1 Palestinian. On Tuesday, 16 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, during which time a number of Palestinian children were injured by Israeli gunfire. 1 of the children was later pronounced clinically dead. During the incursions, Israeli occupying forces used heavy military vehicles, undercover units and helicopters and arrested a number of Palestinians, who are allegedly wanted by Israeli occupation authorities.

On Saturday, 13 December 2003, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint near Nablus shot a Palestinian university student who was on her way to Ramallah. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the car, in which the victim was traveling, refused to stop at the checkpoint, but eyewitnesses refuted this claim.

On Sunday, 14 December 2003, in an excessive use of force, Israeli occupying forces killed 2 Palestinians near the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip. The victims were apparently attempting to infiltrate into Israel to find jobs and did not have any weapons with them.

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 a house in Hebron.

Israeli occupying forces continued construction of the “separation wall” inside West Bank territory, in violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law. They have also continued to close iron gates established along the wall, denying Palestinian civilians access to communities and agricultural areas located beyond the wall. According to a recent report published by the Directorate of Agriculture in the Jenin district, for the purpose of the construction of the wall Israeli occupying forces razed 314,765 donums[1] of agricultural land in the district, isolated 7580 donums, uprooted 16415 trees that were planted on 1965 donums, and isolated 6161 donums planted with 44702 olive and almond trees. According to the same report, Israeli occupying forces also destroyed 5 animal farms that stood on 1.14 donums of land.

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 the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

This week, Israeli occupying forces 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, continued to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli soldiers routinely humiliate and harass Palestinian civilians at the checkpoints, which are only open for a few hours each day.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close permanent military checkpoints and erected temporary ones on the main and branch roads. On more than one occasion, Israeli soldiers at military checkpoints fired at Palestinian civilians. For instance, on Saturday, 13 December 2003, they shot dead a Palestinian university student (see above). A number of Palestinians, who are allegedly wanted by Israeli occupation authorities, were arrested by Israeli soldiers at military checkpoints.

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

Israeli occupying forces killed 5 Palestinians, injured 13, and destroyed 9 houses during a military incursion into the al-Salam neighborhood in Rafah. Israeli occupying forces stated that the aim of the operation was to arrest a Palestinian wanted for involvement in attacks against Israeli targets.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:00, Israeli soldiers, reinforced by a number of heavy military vehicles and a military helicopter, moved approximately 600m into the al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under cover of Israeli gunfire, Israeli troops surrounded houses belonging to the al-Qadhi and al-Waqili families. Israeli soldiers used megaphones to call on residents to evacuate their homes and called on Khaled al-Qadhi to surrender to them. Israeli forces stated that they believed him to be a member of the Islamic Jihad. The residents exited their homes and Israeli soldiers detained them for approximately 1 hour. The male residents, over the age of 18, were handcuffed and blindfolded. Khaled al-Qadhi refused to leave his house and a gunfight ensued with Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers ordered the residents to evacuate the area. Shortly after, Israeli occupying forces demolished 9 houses belonging to the families of al-Qadhi and al-Waqili, rendering 65 people (11 families) homeless.

During the incursion, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli occupying forces. 1 armed Palestinian, Nasser Mohammed Abu Naja, 28, died after being shot in the head by a live bullet.

In addition, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed as a result of Israeli gunfire in the area:

In addition, 12 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and 2 women, were wounded:

1. Rami Mohammed Abu al-Rous, 20, seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the left shoulder and exited the back;

2. Hamada Fakhri al-‘Arja, 14, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck;

4. ‘Ali Mansour al-‘Ojaili, 23, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

5. Hazem ‘Ali ‘Awadh, 19, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the right arm;

9. Khaled Mohammed Abu Tailakh, 35, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder;

10. Mousa Hassan Abu Shammala, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder;

11. Aamena Mohammed Mo’ammar, 60, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen; and

PCHR’s field worker in Rafah reported that Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the al-Salam neighborhood at approximately 11:30am, after they had arrested 11 Palestinians, including Khaled al-Qadhi and 8 other members of his family. All the detainees were released in the evening, excluding Khaled al-Qadhi who remained in custody.

1. A 150-square-meter house owned by Hassan ‘Abdullah Salam al-Qadhi, in which 19 people (2 families) lived;

2. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hassan ‘Abdullah Salam al-Qadhi, in which 15 people (2 families) lived;

3. A 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Yahia Suleiman Joma’a al-Qadhi, in which 9 people lived;

4. A 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Suleiman Joma’a al-Qadhi, in which 4 people lived;

5. An 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Isma’il Suleiman Subhi al-Qadhi, in which 7 people lived;

6. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Matar Sabbah al-Qadhi, in which 7 people lived;

7. A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Majed Matar Sabbah al-Qadhi, in which 3 people lived;

8. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salman Sabbah al-Qadhi, in which 9 people lived; and

9. A 220-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Atiya Salim Daifallah al-Waqili, in which 3 people lived.

At approximately 18:15, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jaba’ village, southeast of Jenin. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, wounding 16-year-old Midhat ‘Abdul Karim Fashafsha with a live bullet in the abdomen.

At approximately 13:15, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Wadi Gaza village, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the west. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Emad Salim Abu ‘Aayesh, 18, was wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh. ‘Abu ‘Ayesh was near his house, approximately 1700m away from the source of fire, when he was wounded.

Early in the morning, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint opened fire at a Palestinian taxi, killing a university student who was on her way to Ramallah. Israeli occupying forces claimed that they fired at the car in which the victim was traveling, after it failed to stop at a military checkpoint near Nablus, a claim that was refuted by eyewitnesses.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 02:15, Kamela Mohammed Ahmed al-Shouli, 21, left her house in ‘Asira village, north of Nablus, to travel to Ramallah. She was traveling with 6 others in a Palestinian registered taxi. At approximately 03:15, before arriving at the Aamtin junction, southwest of Nablus, the driver noticed an Israeli military jeep parked approximately 50m away and slowed down, assuming that the soldiers would tell him to pull over. When the taxi was approximately 20m away from the jeep, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the car without warning. Al-Shouli was wounded by 2 live bullets in the neck and the chest. Shortly after, Israeli soldiers forced the passengers out of the car and left al-Shouli bleeding on the ground without offering her any medical assistance. She died approximately 45 minutes later. Israeli soldiers interrogated the passengers and arrested the driver, ‘Ameed Sawalha, 27. Al-Shouli was a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus. She was the mother of 2 children, and was on her way to see her husband in Ramallah.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned at military locations between “Neve Dekalim” and “Gani Tal” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian woman, Donia Khalil Mohammed al-Zatma, 43, was wounded by a live bullet that entered the left shoulder and exited the chest.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” and “Gani Tal” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Rabwat area, al-Amal and al-Nimsawi neighborhoods and Khan Yunis refugee camp. The shelling continued for 3 hours, during which time 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children from 1 family, were wounded:

1. ‘Abdul Majid Maher ‘Abdul Majid Fayadh, 8, wounded by shrapnel in the head;

3. Mohammed Ibrahim al-Najjar, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and

A number of houses and a mosque were also damaged and a fire broke out in an uninhabited flat owned by ‘Abdul Basset Mas’oud. Fire engines were not able to reach the flat to extinguish the fire due to the Israeli shelling, but neighbors managed to put it out.

At approximately 18:30, an Israeli settler car moved towards a Palestinian vehicle that had stopped at the western junction of Deir Estia village, southwest of Nablus. The settler car deliberately hit the Palestinian vehicle, before leaving the area. The driver, Samer Mamdouh ‘Abdul Majid Diab, 19, was wounded in the incident. Soon after, 2 Israeli military jeeps arrived at the area and Diab asked them for assistance, but they fired at him. He was wounded by 3 live bullets in both hands and in the right thigh and evacuated to an Israeli hospital.

At approximately 04:00, around 30 Israeli military jeeps moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah and imposed a curfew. Approximately 30 minutes later, residents of the village heard the sound of intense gunfire coming form the hills located to the southwest of the village. A few hours later, Israeli occupying forces delivered a Palestinian’s body to the Palestinian liaison. The victim was identified as Riad Fakhri Khalifa, 31. According to medical sources, he was hit by several live bullets throughout the body. During the incursion Israeli occupying forces arrested Ra’ed Nassar ‘Abbas, 35, and Amjad al-Dik, 26, claiming that they, along with Khalifa, were wanted by Israeli authorities.

At approximately 07:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned at a military location in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Block I of Khan Yunis refugee camp. ‘Ali Ahmed Hunaideq’s house was hit by live bullets and shrapnel, severely damaging the roof. Hunaideq’s son, Mousa, 23, was wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh while he was in his bedroom.

Late at night, in an excessive use of force, Israeli occupying forces killed 2 Palestinians near the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip. The 2 were apparently attempting to infiltrate into Israel to find jobs, and no weapons were found on them.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 23:30, the sound of gunfire was heard at the border with Israel, northeast of Beit Hanoun. The gunfire continued sporadically until 00:30 the following day. At approximately 09:00 on Monday, Israeli occupying forces informed the Palestinian liaison that the bodies of 2 Palestinians were near the border. Immediately, a Palestinian ambulance went to the area and at approximately 10:00, medical personnel found the body of one of the victims, who was later identified at Shifa Hospital as Wa’el Saqer Dahrouj Abu Dahrouj, 26, from Sha’shaa’ area, east of Jabalya. The search for the other victim continued until 14:00, when his body was found approximately 150m away from the border. He was hit by several live bullets in the head, chest and legs. He was identified as Younis Maraheel al-Bali, 28, from Jabalya. According to the medical personnel, no weapons were found near the victims’ bodies.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 22 houses in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. Contrary to Israeli claims that the houses were uninhabited, investigations conducted by PCHR revealed that the Israeli military operation left 178 Palestinian civilians (25 families) homeless. In addition, homes belonging to 6 families (approximately 40 civilians) have become uninhabitable.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 00:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters and covered by intense shelling, moved into Khan Yunis refugee camp. During the operation, Israeli forces totally demolished 18 houses and 4 others partially, leaving 178 civilians (25 families) homeless.

According to eyewitnesses, the inhabitants of the houses destroyed or damaged in the attack left their houses when they heard the Israeli military vehicles approaching the area. During the operation, a number of houses were partially damaged by the shelling and Israeli forces destroyed a Palestinian National Security Force post and severely damaged the civilian infrastructure in the camp. PCHR’s field worker in Khan Yunis reported that 9 of the houses had previously been vacated by the inhabitants following repeated damage and shelling by Israeli forces. However, the houses were routinely checked by their owners.

1. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hani and Nayef Khalil ‘Atiya Abu Namous, in which 14 people (2 families) lived, was totally destroyed.

2. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ussama Ibrahim ‘Atiya Abu Namous, in which 6 people lived, was totally destroyed.

3. A 100-square-meter house owned by Mohammed Ibrahim ‘Atiya Abu Namous, in which 13 people lived, was totally destroyed.

4. A 100-square-meter house owned by Tawfiq ‘Ali Hassan Abu ‘Ouda, in which 9 people lived, was totally destroyed.

5. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Jihad ‘Ali Hassan Abu ‘Ouda, in which 12 people (2 families) lived, was totally destroyed.

6. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Awadallah ‘Ali Hassan Abu ‘Ouda, in which 12 people lived, was totally destroyed.

7. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mahmoud ‘Ali Mahmoud Abu Shuqair, in which 8 people lived, was totally destroyed.

8. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Khader 'Abed Salim Abu Ammouna, in which 10 people lived, was totally destroyed.

9. An 80-square-meter house owned by Fu'ad 'Abed Salim Abu Ammouna, in which 10 people lived, was totally destroyed.

10. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed 'Abed Salim Abu Ammouna, in which 6 people lived, was totally destroyed.

11. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fathi 'Abed Salim Abu Ammouna, in which 10 people lived, was totally destroyed.

12. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Tayseer Mohammed Salim Abu Ammouna, in which 8 people lived, was totally destroyed.

13. A 220-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamza 'Abdulrahman Abu 'Arqoub, in which 30 people (5 families) lived, was totally destroyed.

14. An 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ziad 'Ali Mahmoud Abu Shuqair, in which 2 people lived, was totally destroyed.

15. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Aadel Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Saif, in which 4 people lived, was totally destroyed.

16. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ramadan Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Saif, in which 4 people lived, was totally destroyed.

17. A 90-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Suleiman Hassan Zayed Abu Mukhaimer, in which 12 people (3 families) lived, was totally destroyed.

18. An 80-square-meter house owned by Marwan Mustafa Mohammed Miqdad, in which 7 people lived, was totally destroyed.

19. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fayez Ahmed Ibrahim Saqer, in which 13 people live, was partially destroyed.

20. A 100-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Khadija 'Abdul Qader Musleh Salama was partially destroyed.

21. A 120-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Ra'ed Sha'ban Mohammed al-Batash, in which 10 people lived, was partially destroyed.

22. A 200-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Jaber and Nabil 'Ali Mahmoud Abu Shuqair, in which 16 people live, was partially destroyed.

23. A 50-square-meter, asbestos-roofed building owned by Khalil Ahmed Mousawas totally destroyed.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of the town. A Palestinian civilian, Fawzi Fa'eq Salim, 30, was wounded by shrapnel in the left hand, while he was walking approximately 300m away from the border.

At approximately 05:00, around 30 Israeli military vehicles, covered by 2 helicopters, moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. Israeli soldiers took position on top of a number of houses in the camp, from which they fired at houses and streets. At approximately 09:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered near the UNRWA schools in the west of the camp and threw stones at Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire, wounding 11 Palestinian civilians, including 2 infants, a woman and an elderly man. 15-year-old Anwar Ahmed 'Ezzat 'Omran, from Deir al-Hatab village, was hit by a live bullet in the head and later pronounced clinically dead. The child was visiting relatives in the camp and his brother was also wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet. The others wounded in the attack are as follows:

1. Mohammed Ghazi Mohammed Abu Theraa', 16, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

2. Ahmed 'Ata Mohammed Abu Subhia, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen;

3. Ahmed Hussein 'Ali Khalil, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left shoulder;

7. Hamza Akram 'Ata Subaitan, 2, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg;

8. Salah Ahmed 'Ezzat 'Omran, 17, from Dair al-Hatab village, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back;

9. Isma'il Joma'a Mohammed Battawi, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg; and

10. Talal 'Ali Mubaraka, 25, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.

At approximately 14:00, just as children where on their way home from school, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron and began to harass the children, pursuing them for no apparent reason. A number of children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 15-year-old Murad ‘Abdul Jalil Abu Rayan with a live bullet in the right foot. They also arrested 14-year-old Samed Ahmed al-Douda. During the incident, a car belonging to Associated Press cameraman, Hazem Bader, was hit by more than 6 live bullets. He said that an Israeli soldier deliberately fired at his car, although it was clearly marked as a press vehicle.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved 2km into Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. They partially destroyed a Palestinian National Security Force post, and withdrew from the village after approximately 3 hours.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm, surrounding a 4-storey apartment building in the center of the town. They opened fire at the building and ordered the residents to vacate the premises. They checked the ID cards of the residents and arrested ‘Ammar Kamal Mohammed Mannaa’, 30, a lecturer at al-Quds Open University.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into Block L in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They opened fire at the area, seriously wounding 16-year-old Mustafa ‘Abdul Hamid al-Hams with a live bullet in the head. Medical efforts to save his life failed and he was later pronounced dead.

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

At approximately 01:30 on Friday, 12 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Senjer area in the east of Dura village, south of Hebron. They surrounded a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Fa'eqa Kayed Swaiti and rented by Fawzi 'Abdul Latif Abu Doush, 54. They forced the 3 families (18 people) living in the house to leave without permitting them to take any of their belongings. At approximately 05:00, Israeli soldiers planted explosives in the house and destroyed. Abu Doush is the father of Ahmed Abu Doush, who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces on 16 September 2003.

On Tuesday afternoon, 16 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces arrested Majeda Isma’il al-Talahma, 33, from al-Burj village, west of Hebron. She is the widow of Saleh Mahmoud Hussein al-Talahma, 37, who was killed by Israeli occupying forces in Ramallah on Monday, 1 December 2003, when his house was demolished. According to eyewitnesses, about 20 Israeli soldiers raided and searched her house, before arresting her. Al-Talahma is the mother of 4 children.

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

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict the 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. Such restrictions on the freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 14 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the 2 checkpoints, holding many Palestinian vehicles in between, and forced a number of vehicles to move into an enclosed area for searching. Palestinian civilians had their ID cards checked and were ordered to get out of their vehicles and made to wait for many hours. This procedure continued until 07:30. At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupying forces closed the 2 checkpoints again, holding and searching a number of Palestinian vehicles until 20:30. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait at the 2 checkpoints. During this time, Israeli soldiers sporadically opened fire above the vehicles. Israeli forces were forced to reopen the 2 checkpoints when hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including workers, crossed the 2 checkpoints on foot. Israeli soldiers fired at the civilians, wounding Fathi Ahmed Abu al-Sousain, 23, with a live bullet in the left thigh.

The following morning, Monday, 15 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces again closed the 2 checkpoints, detaining a number of Palestinian vehicles and civilians at the checkpoint until the afternoon. According to several eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces arrested 1 of Palestinian civilians detained. On Tuesday, 16 December 2003, at approximately 19:00, Israeli forces again closed the 2 checkpoints.

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on the al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians moving in and out of the area are now subjected to prolonged physical checks by Israeli soldiers stationed at the only entry point to the area. Sayafa residents are only allowed to move in and out of the area between 06:30-8:30 and 14:00-16:15. Israeli soldiers force male Palestinians to reveal the upper part of their body when entering the area. Female Palestinians are searched by female Israeli soldiers. Entry of foodstuffs into the area is allowed twice a week. All foodstuffs are checked by a trained dog. When the dog is absent, entry of foodstuffs is prohibited. Furthermore, due to these restrictions, school children are forced to walk long distances to reach their schools on time. When they return from school, they are made to wait at the checkpoint until the entry hours take effect.

Israeli occupying forces have also 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 Palestinians through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis. Male Palestinians under 35 years old and females under 25 are often denied passage across the checkpoint.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli occupying forces, using permanent and temporary military checkpoints set up on main and branch roads through-out the West Bank, have continued to impose closures on large areas of territory, including many towns.

On Friday morning, 12 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces removed sand barriers that have blocked Hebron-Halhoul road, which links Hebron and its surrounding villages to Bethlehem, since the beginning of the current Intifada. PCHR's field worker in Hebron reported that Israeli occupying forces established an iron gate and an observation tower in the area by which they now control the road. Palestinian civilians crossing the gate are subject to prolonged searches by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli occupying forces erected new military checkpoints around Jenin and closed a number of roads leading to the town. PCHR's field worker in Jenin reported that on Sunday morning, 14 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces erected a military checkpoint in Jenin on Haifa road and denied passage to Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 15 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces also erected a roadblock at 'Arrba junction, one near Beer al-Basha village, and several others at the entrances to the villages of Kafiret, al-Zababda and 'Aqqaba. Israeli occupying forces denied Palestinian civilians passage through all the newly erected roadblocks listed above. On the same day, Israeli soldiers arrested Sari al-Zughaibi, 40, from Qabatya village, as he tried to cross sand barriers erected by Israeli forces on a branch road linking his village and Jenin.

On Friday 13 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces tightened the siege imposed on Nablus. Israeli soldiers positioned at Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, denied passage thorough this checkpoint to Palestinian civilians, and then fired at these civilians. Israeli soldiers gathered a number of young men and girls that were at the checkpoint and handcuffed them. Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba military checkpoint, west of Nablus, delayed the movement of Palestinian civilians though this checkpoint in the morning and in the afternoon. On the same day, Israeli soldiers positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested Jawadat Mahmoud Saif, 19, from Burqa village, northwest of the town, while he was on his way to his work in Ramallah.

On Saturday morning, 13 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Kafriya military checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and denied entry of Palestinian civilians into the town. When Palestinians attempted to enter the town through branch roads the were pursued and harassed by Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers positioned at an iron gate at the entrance of Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of Tulkarm, detained and searched dozens of Palestinian civilians, and denied several trucks loaded with vegetables entry into the town.

On Saturday morning, 13 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the entrance to Qalqilya and did not allow Palestinians to enter or exit the town, effectively cutting off the towns 44,000 residents from the rest of the West Bank.

On Sunday morning, 14 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the checkpoints at the northern entrance to al-Khader village and denied movement of Palestinians to and from the village.

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 is equal to 1000 square meters.

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