• 7 Palestinians, including a mentally handicapped man and a physician, were killed by Israeli troops

• Israeli troops conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

• 8 houses were destroyed in Rafah

• 35 donums[1] of agricultural land were razed in the Khan Yunis

• 3 houses were destroyed in the West Bank in the context of retaliatory measures against families of Palestinian activists

• Houses were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested in the West Bank

• Continued shelling of residential areas and civilian facilities, especially in Rafah where 13 Palestinian civilians were injured

• Construction of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued

• Israeli troops have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and a number of Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints

 
 

Introduction  

Israeli occupying troops have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).  This week, 7 Palestinians were killed and at least 20 others were injured by Israeli troops.  Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying troops included willful killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities.

In the Gaza Strip, 4 Palestinians were killed in Rafah by Israeli troops.  Three of the victims, including a physician, were killed on 28 November 2004, when Israeli troops opened fire at residential areas in the town.  The fourth victim was killed on 25 November 2004 as he clashed with Israeli troops that moved into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of the town.  

This week, Israeli troops conducted 6 incursions into the towns of Rafah, Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip.  During these incursions, Israeli troops destroyed 8 houses in Rafah, leaving 107 people (17 families) homeless and razed 34 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis and one donum in Deir al-Balah.  Israeli troops continued to shell Palestinian residential areas in Rafah and 13 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, were injured.  Three of these civilians are in a serious condition. 

In the West Bank, Israeli troops killed 3 Palestinians.  Two of the victims were killed in Hebron on 25 November 2004, when they and a third Palestinian clashed with Israeli troops that surrounded a house where they hid.  The house was also destroyed.  The third victim, who was mentally handicapped, was killed on 1 December 2004 by Israeli troops positioned at the entrance of "Benjamin" settlement, northeast of Ramallah. 

This week, Israeli troops moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested dozens of others.  They also destroyed 3 houses as a means of collective punishment against families of Palestinians involved in resistance activities.  In addition, they raided offices of a number of civil societies and confiscated some of their contents. 

Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around East Jerusalem.  They have continued to build cement walls near al-Quds University in Abu Dis village, east of the city.  On 28 November 2004, Israeli military bulldozers razed more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Deir al-'Asal village, southwest of Hebron.  On 25 November 2004, Israeli occupation authorities issued a military order, prohibiting the use of the land located in an area that extends up to 200-300 meters on both sides of the wall in Jenin in the north of the West Bank.     

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. 

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip.  They have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement.  They have continued to isolate some areas since the beginning of the current Intifada, which has caused extreme suffering for the Palestinian civilian population.  They have also continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely.  These measures violate the Palestinian economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. 

In the West Bank, despite Israeli claims that Israeli troops would ease the siege imposed on Palestinian communities to facilitate the Palestinian presidential election, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They stopped, checked and humiliated Palestinian civilians while crossing military checkpoints throughout the West Bank, while this week witnessed a cold weather.

 

 

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

Thursday, 25 November 2004

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the Ben Hassan family.  They arrested 2 members of the family: Hamdan Hammad Ben Hassan, 25; and Zayed Salman Ben Hassan.  Then, they destroyed one of these houses and a neighboring house belonging to the Ghanem family.  Five neighboring houses were severely damaged.  Israeli military bulldozers also demolished 2 other houses.  As a result of this destruction, 49 people (11 families) have become homeless.  During this incursion, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops.    During these clashes, one member of the resistance, Mousa 'Abdul Fattah al-Ghuraiz, 35, was killed.

At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of Israeli troops moved nearly 500 meters into Palestinian areas located to the northwest of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  Israeli troops raided a 3-storey house owned by Ibrahim Ibrahim Abu Mousa.  They held the 19 residents of the house in one room and transformed it into a military site.  At approximately 08:30, Israeli troops left the house and raided and searched another house owned by Nawaf 'Abdul 'Azim 'Owaimer.  They arrested the owner's son, Mohammed, 19.  They interrogated him inside the aforementioned settlement.  They released him at 11:00.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 500 meters into Um al-Qurrais area in the north of Rafah near "Morag" settlement.  They demolished 4 houses belonging to the Abu Jazar family.  Subsequently, 58 people (6 families) have become homeless. 

At noon, Israeli troops killed 2 Palestinians and seriously wounded a third one, when the three clashed with those troops when coming to arrest them.  Israeli troops also destroyed a house and arrested 12 Palestinians. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:30 on Wednesday, 24 November 2004, Israeli troops, covered by a drone, moved into al-Jilda neighborhood in the west of Hebron.  They surrounded a house belonging to the family of Nizar Nizam al-Din Shehada, 35, who has been administratively detained by Israeli occupation authorities.  At midnight, Israeli troops opened fire at the house.  An Israeli officer called through a megaphone on residents of the house to leave it, otherwise it would be hit by missiles.  When residents of the house left it, Israeli troops held them.  At approximately 01:30 on Thursday, Israeli troops fired heavy caliber bullets and missiles at the house.  This shelling continued sporadically for several hours.  At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops broke into the house opening fire inside.  Then, they planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it.  Soon, Israeli military bulldozers leveled the ruins of the house.  Israeli troops continued to search for wanted Palestinians.  At approximately 11:30, they discovered a number of persons in a well under the destroyed house.  Israeli troops exchanged fire with these persons and killed 2 of them:

1.     Murad 'Ali Hassan Darwish al-Qawasmi, 28; and

2.     'Omar Hashem 'Abdul Fattah al-Haimouni, 21. 

The two victims were members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).  A third person, Eyad 'Abdul Mo'ti Abu Shukhaidem, 24, was seriously injured and was transferred to an Israeli hospitals.  Israeli troops also arrested 12 Palestinians.  As a result of the destruction of the aforementioned house, 22 people (5 families) have become homeless. 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops moved nearly 600 meters into Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southeast of Khan Yunis.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they started to destroy some civilian property.  By 18:00, they had razed 34 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables belonging to the Shurrab family.  They also demolished a 150-square-meter uninhabited house owned by Ibrahim Mohammed Tafesh. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron; Bethlehem; Beit Sahour; Qalqilya; Jericho and the neighboring 'Aqabat Jabaer refugee camp; 'Arraba village near Jenin; and Tulkarm refugee camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 19 Palestinians.    

 

Friday, 26 November 2004

At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled 'Abdul Jawad Hamed, 45, and arrested him. 

 

Saturday, 27 November 2004

At approximately 02:30, Israeli troops moved into al-Sawahra al-Sharqiya village, southeast of occupied Jerusalem.  They surrounded Ahmed Shuqairat's house.  They forced the family out and searched the house.  Then, they arrested the owner's son, Ameen, 30, who is an imam of a mosque. 

At approximately 09:30, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 7-year-old Nour Wa'el al-Qadi, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot and shrapnel in the right one when he was in Musabbeh area, nearly 2500 meters to the north of the border.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-'Awda square in the center of the town, nearly 700 meters away from the border.  A schoolchild, 16-year-old Iman Ibrahim al-Qadi, was wounded by a live bullet in the neck when she was about to get into a car to travel back home.  

At approximately 16:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.  Israeli troops opened fire at houses.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military jeeps.  Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 2 and a 5-year-old child who was playing near his house:

1.     Zaid al-Ahwal, 5, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;

2.     Mohammed Joudallah, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left shoulder; and

3.     Tha'er Abu 'Abda, 18, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the chest and the thigh. 

Also at approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 4-year-old Shaimaa' Hassan Abu Shammala, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck, when she was near her house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 16:10, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron.  They raided and searched offices of the alms giving committee in the village.  They damaged the offices and confiscated its documents and 2 computer sets.  The committee provides assistance for more than 400 orphans, in cooperation with a number of international organizations, such as the ICRC. 

Also at approximately 17:00, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 11-year-old E'temad Ayman Abu Sha'ar, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, when she was near her house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 18:30, Israeli troops moved into al-Tabaqa village, southwest of Hebron.  They raided the mosque of the village and checked the prayers.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops held and interrogated dozens of Palestinian civilians in a store for one hour.  

At approximately 21:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into 'Assira al-Shamaliya village, north of Nablus.  Israeli troops opened fire at houses.  A Palestinian child, 14-year-old Nafez 'Abdul Jabbar Yassin, was wounded with several rubber-coated metal bullets in the abdomen and the legs.  Israeli troops claimed that the child wanted to throw a Molotov cocktail at them. 

 

Sunday, 28 November 2004

At approximately 09:20, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian woman, 27-year-old Jihane Nazmi Madi, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand, when she was near her house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 11:20, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the neighboring al-Brazil neighborhood.  A Palestinian child, 15-year-old Samia Sami al-Najjar, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left hand.

At approximately 20:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, and a military post in Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian physician, Sameer Mahmoud Hijazi, 40, was killed by a live bullet in the abdomen, when he was inside his house in Zo'rob neighborhood.  According to the victim's family, he was getting ready to travel to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis where he used to work.  In addition, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including one who was wounded in al-Siamat area, nearly 1000 meters away from the source of fire.  Israeli troops apparently targeted 2 young men who were trying to cross the border for unknown reasons.  The two young men were killed, and the body of one of them was discovered on the following day evening:

1.     Mo'taz 'Abdullah al-Rakhawi, 18, hit by a live bullet to the chest and shrapnel throughout the body; and

2.     Sa'id Mohammed Taha, 19, hit by a live bullet to the head.

 

Monday, 29 November 2004

At approximately 08:35, the Israeli air force fired a missile at the building of al-Hikma Institutions for Education, Culture and Arts of the Islamic Jihad in Khan Yunis.  The missile hit the roof and damaged it, but no casualties were reported. The building is owned by Mustafa Ragheb Shurrab. 

At approximately 09:30, Israeli troops moved nearly 700 meters into Abu Qaraqoush area in the south of Khan Yunis.  They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with cucumbers owned by Hussein Humaidan Qarware'. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron; the villages of al-Bassa and al-'Ebayat neat Bethlehem; Ya'bad village near Jenin; the villages of Qarawt Bani Zaid and Rantis near Ramallah; and Marda village near Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinians, including 3 elderly men who were arrested to pressure their sons to surrender to Israeli troops.    

 

Tuesday, 30 November 2004

At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Salam neighborhood.  A Palestinian child, 12-year-old Ahmed 'Abdul Khaliq Abu 'Amra, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg. 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 11-year-old 'Ali Khalf Ghayad, was wounded by a live bullet in the head when he was near his house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 11:30, Israeli troops positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian civilian, 19-year-old Ahmed 'Abdul Wahab Hssanain, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded by a live bullet in the chest, when he was in a visit to his relatives in Musabbeh area, nearly 2500 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned in a military post near 'Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in the area.  A Palestinian child, 12-year-old Suhail Sa'id Abu 'Aathra, was injured by shrapnel in the left leg. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron; Beit Jala; Bethlehem and the neighboring 'Aaida refugee camp and al-Khader village; the villages of Qarawat Bani Zaid and al-Mazra'a al-Sharqiya near Ramallah; Tulkarm refugee camp and the neighboring village raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses and arrested 25 Palestinians.

 

Wednesday, 1 December 2004

At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block K in Rafah refugee camp.  A Palestinian civilian, 19-year-old Mo'taz 'Abdul Hamid al-Farra, was seriously injured by shrapnel in the head. 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block P in Rafah refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 9-year-old Huda Anwar Abu Jundi, was injured by shrapnel in the head when she was near her house. 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli troops positioned at the entrance of "Benjamin" settlement, northeast of Ramallah, shot dead Nabil Suleiman Mohammed Bu'airat, 32, from the neighboring Kufor Malek village, who apparently got close to the settlement.  Israeli military sources claimed that Israeli troops fired at a Palestinian who got close to the security fence of the settlement, and that "they moved towards the Palestinians and ordered him to identify himself, but he ran towards them, so they shot him dead."  Later, the same sources admitted that the victim was mentally handicapped.  The Israeli occupation authority informed the Palestinian liaison about the incident and asked for them to bring an ambulance to transfer the victim's body.  The body was transferred to Ramallah Hospital at approximately 16:30.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by a live bullet to the head. 

During the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron and Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians, including 3 brothers.     

  

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 Friday, 26 November 2004, Israeli troops moved into Sabta neighborhood in the west of Hebron.  They closed the entrances of the neighborhood.  Then the surrounded a 140-square-meter, 4-storey apartment building, which includes a flat belonging to the family of the late Malek 'Abdul Salam Nasser al-Din.  Israeli troops forced residents of the building out and planted explosives inside Nasser al-Din's flat.  At approximately 05:30, they destroyed the flat.  Subsequently, 12 people, including 3 children, have become homeless.  The other flats were severely damaged.  Nasser al-Din, 35, was killed by Israeli troops last July. 

At approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 1 December 2004, 6 Israeli military jeeps moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.  They surrounded a 130-square-meter, 4-storey apartment building owned by Mousa and 'Aziz 'Abdul Rahman Hammash.  Israeli troops forced the 21 residents of the building (4 families) out, and planted explosives on the second floor of the building, where Mousa Hammash and his family live.  At approximately 04:30, they destroyed the second floor.  As a result, the whole building was severely damaged and has become uninhabitable.  It is worth noting Mohammed Mousa Hammash has been detained by Israeli occupation authorities.

                 

Continued Siege on the OPT

This week, Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. 

 

Gaza Strip

Israeli troops have continued to impose a tighten siege on the Gaza Strip.  They have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement.  They have continued to isolate some areas since the beginning of the current Intifada, which has caused extreme suffering for the Palestinian civilian population.  They have also continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely.  These measures violate the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of Palestinian civilians. 

Israeli troops positioned at al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  The two checkpoints are supposed to be open between 06:00 and 20:00 everyday.  On Sunday, 28 November 2004, at noon Israeli troops held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles between the two checkpoints.  They interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians.  

Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of 8000 Palestinian civilians living in the area, traveling to and from the area, which have caused extreme suffering for these civilians.  This week, Israeli troops and settlers attacked Palestinian agricultural property in the area.  Israeli troops have continued to prevent female Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and male ones whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint when it is open, without prior coordination.  Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mawasi area in Rafah has been closed for more than one year and entry into the area has been limited to al-Tuffah checkpoint in Khan Yunis.  

Israeli troops have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip.  They have also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers.  This week, some schoolchildren were forced to wait for long hours near the gate at the entrance to the area to be allowed to go back home.  In the same context, Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip. 

Israeli troops have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the 4^th consecutive month.  They only allow patients to travel through the crossing, but under severe conditions and following coordination.  This week, Israeli troops started to allow a number of Palestinian traders to travel through the crossing.  Although Israeli troops have partially operated al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, they have imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the two crossings.  As result, the Palestinian market has lacked several basic goods.  On Monday, 29 November 2004, Israeli troops closed the crossing completely for several hours.  Israeli troops partially opened Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and allowed the entry of raw materials for construction, but the crossing has remained closed in the face of Palestinian workers for the 3^rd consecutive month.   

Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on the travel of Palestinian civilians through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has sharply decreased the number of travelers.  In the past 4 months, Israeli troops had closed the terminal four times.  Israeli troops often impose severe restrictions on traveling through the terminal.  The number of Palestinians allowed to travel through the terminal daily is very limited. 

  

The West Bank

Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

Ramallah

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  According to eyewitnesses, on Sunday morning, 28 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints around the town and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. 

 

Hebron

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They reinforced their presence inside the town and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians in various areas in the town.  On Saturday, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a number of checkpoints on the road leading to Hebron University.  They stopped and checked dozens of university students.  Israeli troops also stopped and searched a number of Palestinian civilians in Ras al-Joura area.  In the old town, Israeli troops have continued to close a number of roads and areas. 

 

Bethlehem

On Saturday morning, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a military checkpoint on the road leading to al-'Obaidiya village.  They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles and forced Palestinian civilians to travel back to their homes.  On Sunday and Monday, 28 and 29 November 2004, Israeli troops reinforced their presence at various checkpoints around the town.  They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

Nablus

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  Israeli troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles.  Israeli troops also erected a checkpoint in al-Kubban al-Sharqiya village at Ramallah – Nablus road. 

 

Tulkarm

This week, Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Friday morning, 26 November 2004, they erected a checkpoint between the villages of Kufor al-Labad and Shoufa to the southeast of the town.  On Saturday morning, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint near the junction of "Enab" settlement, east of the town.  They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles.  Israeli troops also erected a checkpoint at the crossroads of Far'oun village, south of the town.  On Sunday, 28 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint at Bala'a crossroads, east of the town, and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

Qalqilya

This week, Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a military checkpoint at 'Azzoun crossroads, east of the town, and prevented Palestinian civilians from traveling to other areas in the West Bank.  On Sunday evening, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Jayous village, northeast of the town.  They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling from and to the village.  On Monday morning, 28 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint between Qalqilya and the neighboring Habla village.  They held and checked a number of young men. 

 

Jenin

On Saturday morning, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a cmilitary checkpoint at al-Malaki crossroads to the south of Tubas village, east of Jenin.  According to eyewitnesses, 2 Israeli military vehicles blocked the road that links al-Fara'a area and al-Nasiriya village, and stopped Palestinian vehicles that were traveling to Jericho.  Israeli troops forced passengers to get out of vehicles and stand under the rain for long hours.  On Monday morning, 28 November 2004, Israeli troops closed the entrance to Tammoun village.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint in the area. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Thursday, 25 November 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Yasouf checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested At Sa'ed 'Abdul Rahim Mohammed Abu Salim, 23, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. 

On Friday morning, 26 November 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, arrested Muntasser Fawzi Dalani, 20, from Qeera village, south of Nablus, while he was traveling to Jericho Hospital to undergo surgery. 

On Saturday, 27 November 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 4 Palestinian children.  These children have not been so far identified.

On Tuesday morning, 30 November 2004, Israeli troops positioned at al-Khader military checkpoint, southwest of Bethlehem, arrested Mahmoud 'Aayesh 'Eissa, 21, when he was traveling to Hebron University where he studies. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around East Jerusalem.  They have continued to build cement walls near al-Quds University in Abu Dis village, east of the city.  When the construction of these walls is finished, the area will be totally isolated.

Israeli troops have completed the construction of section of the wall between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of the city, excluding al-Ram crossroads.  Israeli troops established a number of military post along this section of the wall and near the aforementioned crossroads. 

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that approximately 400 square kilometers of the the West Bank land near Jerusalem would be annexed to the Israeli territory following the change of the route of the wall.  According to the old plans before petitions submitted against them, 900 square kilometers would be annexed to the Israeli territory. 

On Sunday evening, 28 November 2004, Israeli military bulldozers razed more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Deir al-'Asal village, southwest of Hebron.  According to local sources, 15 donums of agricultural land owned by D'ib Ibrahim al-Dardoun were razed and 70 olive trees were uprooted. 

On 25 November 2004, the Palestinian civilian liaison received an Israeli military order issued by the commander of Israeli troops in the West Bank on 5 November 2004, prohibiting the use of the land located in an area that extends up to 200-300 meters on both sides of the wall in Jenin in the north of the West Bank.  The military order will enter into force in the end of December 2004.  The Palestinian civil liaison also received maps of these areas.  It is worth noting that Israeli occupation authorities issued a similar military order on 5 November 2004, prohibiting any kind of building in areas that extend between 300 meters to the east of the truce line of 1948 and 100 to the west of it in Tulkarm. 

         

****

 

Recommendations to the International Community

1.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  PCHR calls on the international community to immediately “ensure respect” for the Convention.

2.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4.     PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to initiate criminal proceedings against those accused of grave breaches of international humanitarian law to justice.

5.     PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. PCHR also requests the application of the EU Guidelines on Arms Sales and requests that EU Missions and Embassies in Israel and the OPT press the Israeli government to apply and implement in full the recently agreed EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.

6.     PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights. 

7.     PCHR requests that the international community to comply with their clear legal obligations, as set out in the advisory opinion of the ICJ, when it called on the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, through the UNGA and UNSC, to take effective measures to stop the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank.

8.     In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9.     PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, trade unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens. 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

 

“END”