PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 08/2004

26 February - 03 March 2004

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). Human rights violations included the use of extra-judicial assassinations and willful killings. Throughout the week, Israeli occupying forces also conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot at Palestinian civilians, including children; indiscriminately shelled residential areas and demolished houses; and leveled agricultural land. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “separation wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 14 Palestinian civilians were killed and more than 20 others injured by Israeli occupying forces.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupying forces carried out 3 assassinations this week in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These assassinations left dead 7 Palestinians and injured 13 others. PCHR asserts that the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli government serves to increase tension in the region and threatens the lives of Palestinian civilians.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas. These incursions left dead 8 Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces also arrested dozens of allegedly wanted Palestinians. On Friday, 27 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces attacked Palestinians while praying in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

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

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 2 military incursions into Beit Hanoun. On Friday, 27 February 2004, they moved into the town and destroyed 84 Palestinian shops.

From the beginning of the current Intifada until the end of 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 333 Palestinian economic facilities in the Gaza Strip. On 3 March 2004, Israeli forces moved into the town again. They raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “Separation Wall” inside the West Bank. In an attempt to evade a ruling by the Israeli High Court that ordered temporarily stopping construction of a part of the wall near Beit Sourik village, southwest of Ramallah, Israeli occupying forces began constructing another part of the wall north of Bethlehem. The court’s ruling has been the first since the construction of the wall started. The Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz criticized any legal decision that may interrupt the construction of the wall, and ordered intensifying works of construction.

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.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege, and imposed more restrictions on movement at border crossings and military checkpoints. 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.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers, and trenches. They have also erected temporary checkpoints and arrested a number of Palestinians.

In violation of international humanitarian law, this week, Israeli occupying forces transferred two Palestinian detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. On 26 February 2004, they transferred Ra’ed ‘Abdul Muhsen Zaghloul Hassan, 38, from Dura al-Qare’ village in Ramallah to the Gaza Strip for a period of 5 years. On 3 March 2004, Israeli forces transferred Mohammed Ahmed Taqatqa, 52, from Bethlehem to the Gaza Strip for an unspecified period. In the past two years, Israeli occupying forces transferred dozens of Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip.

The following is a summary of gross Israeli violations of international law perpetrated against Palestinian civilians in February 2004:

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

At approximately 03:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into Bethlehem and Beit Jala towns as well as ‘Aaida refugee camp. Israeli soldiers raided a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinians, including two children:

At approximately 03:45, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Kamal Mohammed Ballah, 26, and arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched ‘Abdullah Kharazana’s house and arrested his son, Fadi, 25.

In an excessive use of force, Israeli occupying forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians in Biddu village, northwest of Jerusalem, when they opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists, who were demonstrating against the construction of the “Separation Wall” in the area. Israeli forces claimed that they used rubber-coated metal bullets against the demonstrators, but Palestinian medical sources asserted that two of the victims were hit by live bullets.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:30, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration in the center of Biddu village, northwest of Jerusalem. The demonstrators moved towards the lands of the village, which are threatened to be confiscated by Israeli occupying forces for the purpose of the “Separation Wall” construction. The demonstration arrived to the area which had approximately 200 Israeli soldiers present, reinforced by military vehicles and a helicopter gunship. Israeli soldiers then closed all entrances to the villages of Biddu, Beit Diqqu and Beit Ajza. At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Zakaria Mahmoud ‘Eid Salem, 28, from Beit Ajza village, was killed by a live bullet in the chest, and Mohammed Fadel Hashem Rayan, 25, from Beit Diqqu village, was killed by a live bullet in the back. Israeli soldiers continued to surround Biddu village and fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. At 16:20, ‘Abdul Rahim Ibrahim Abu ‘Eid, 50, was pronounced dead as a result of suffering tear gas inhalation. In addition, 16 civilians were wounded, one of whom, Mohammed Daoud Badwan, 19, from Biddu village, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head. He was officially pronounced dead at a hospital on Wednesday, 3 March 2004.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 22:50, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations near “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Naji Sabri al-‘Abadla, 21, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron and imposed a curfew on the camp. At approximately 10:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 11-year-old Mo’tassem Yousef Madi with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.

At approximately 04:15, an Israeli military jeep moved into Abu Dis village, east of Jerusalem, and stopped near a mosque in the village. Israeli soldiers began checking the ID cards of Palestinian civilians who were going to the mosque to pray. They arrested Ibrahim Hassan Khalil Rabi’, 18, and then raided and searched the mosque.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They imposed a curfew and called through megaphones on male residents of the village to gather in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers checked their ID cards and arrested Qais Mohammed Sarhan, 25, a policeman.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in “al-Nouria” military location, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Sad al-‘Aali area in Khan Yunis refugee camp. Mahmoud ‘Atiya Abu Mustafa, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 11:40, Israeli occupying forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They surrounded three mosques in the village and fired tear gas canisters towards them and as a result, a number of worshippers suffered from tear gas inhalation. They forced the worshippers to go back home, claiming that the village had been under a curfew. Housan village had been under a curfew since 22 February 2004.

At approximately 12:50 on Friday, after thousands of Palestinian worshippers had finished the Friday Prayer, hundreds of Israeli soldiers surprised them by breaking into the mosque’s yard through al-Maghareba and al-Silsila gates. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired dozens of rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the worshippers while disregarding the presence of thousands of women, children, and elderly. As result of the surprise attack, 24 worshippers were injured. Israeli soldiers then called on the worshippers through megaphones to leave the mosque. Many Israeli soldiers were deployed in the mosque’s yards and at entrances to the old town of Jerusalem.

Israeli occupying forces arrested 3 Palestinian children from Tubas village, east of Jenin. The three children left their homes on Thursday morning, 26 February 2004, to go to their school, but did not come back. According to school children of Tayaseer School, they saw Israeli soldiers arresting the three children and taking them to a nearby military location. On Monday Morning, 1 March 2004, the Palestinian Prisoner Club asserted that the three children had been detained in Salem detention center, west of Jenin. The three children are:

In another Israeli violation of international law directed against Palestinian civilians and property, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 84 shops in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 14:00 on Friday, 27 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into the route devoted to Palestinian workers at the Palestinian side of Erez Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. They raided Palestinian shops on both sides of the route, broke their entrances, and searched them. At approximately 18:00, more reinforcements of Israeli occupying forces, including military bulldozers, arrived at the area. Until 21:00, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 84 shops, which employed 250 people, providing income to dozens of Palestinian families. These shops were selling foodstuffs and were built in 1995 to serve Palestinian workers on their way to their workplaces in Israel.

This Israeli systematic destruction of Palestinian economic infrastructure by Israeli occupying forces has left a disastrous impact on thousands of Palestinian civilians who have lost their sources of income and livelihood. From the beginning of the current Intifada until the end of 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 333 Palestinian economic facilities in the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 03:30, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit ‘Awa village, west of Hebron, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians, including 3 children and an elderly man:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Mahmoud Jibril Jawabra’s house and arrested his son, ‘Ammar, 21.

At approximately 13:25, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep fired a rubber-coated metal bullet at a number of Palestinian school children in Beit Emrin, northwest of Nablus. The bullet hit 11-year-old Mohammed Basel Adib ‘Abdul Qader in the head. The bullet caused serious fractures and hemorrhage to the child’s skull. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at the children from a distance of 30m. This kind of bullet can be lethal if fired from a close distance.

At approximately 16:15, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations around “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Fayez Hunaideq, 24, was injured by shrapnel in the right hand and foot.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron, and imposed a curfew. They raided a number of houses, damaged civilian cars, and severely beat 3 Palestinian civilians. Later, when Palestinian civilians were on their way to mosques for the Friday Prayer, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. Three civilians were wounded:

2. Ra’ed ‘Aziz Barad’eia, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the left side; and

3. Mohammed Saber Barad’eia, 35, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the neck.

At approximately 07:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles surrounded Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at the camp. At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers noticed a member of the Palestinian resistance at the northern entrance of the camp, exchanged fire with him, and wounded him by a live bullet in the neck. He bled to death as ambulances were able to attend to him 10 minutes later. The victim was identified as Mohammed Zuhair ‘Owais, 22, who was allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying forces.

At approximately 14:30, while Palestinian civilians were preparing for the funeral procession of ‘Owais, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved towards a mosque where civilians were waiting to organize the funeral procession. Israeli soldiers opened fire at the civilians, killing 22-year-old Riad Sa’id Abu Shallal, 22, with a live bullet in the chest. Three other civilians, including a woman, were wounded:

1. Ilham Qutob ‘Abdul Halim Serouji, 35, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

2. Hazem ‘Abdul Fattah Mahmoud Abu ‘Eisha, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and

3. Mahmoud Hashem ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Halima, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Zo’rob neighborhood. A Palestinian girl, Maha ‘Eid Hamdan al-Soufi, 18, was injured in the right arm.

At approximately 03:30, 12 Israeli military vehicles moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nemer Shehada al-‘Absi, 24.

At approximately 04:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into Battir village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:15, 9 Israeli military jeeps moved into Nablus through its western entrance. They raided and searched Sa’di Fayeq Darwaza’s house and arrested his son, Sa’ad, 24.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza city, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms west of the border. A Palestinian civilian, Baher Fu’ad Ibrahim al-Dabba, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the chest in al-Shojaeya neighborhood.

At approximately 17:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Burqa village, northwest of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of the village and threw stones at the jeeps. Israeli soldiers immediately fired at the children, wounding 14-year-old Hussam Hakam Abu ‘Omar with a live bullet in the right thigh. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers also fired at a number of women who tried to offer help to the child, who was left bleeding on the ground until an ambulance was able to attend him.

In complete disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Yatta village, south of Hebron, and later admitted that he was not targeted. An Israeli military spokesman claimed that the victim did not obey orders by Israeli soldiers to halt, and as a result, shot him dead. However, investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 2 March 2004, 25 Israeli military vehicles moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron, and surrounded a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Abu Rajab, 25, in the east of the village. A number of Israeli soldiers advanced towards the house and then opened fire at it. As Abu Rajab attempted to leave the house through its main door, Israeli soldiers shot him dead, and then pulled the victim’s body 20m back. An Israeli military bulldozer proceeded to demolish the house, but suddenly stopped; Israeli forces then withdrew from the area. The victim’s body was transported to a hospital in Hebron. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 3 live bullets to the face and the head, which lays serious doubts to the Israeli claim that he was shot while attempting to escape.

At approximately 04:00, 8 Israeli military vehicles moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:30, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a mosque and a number of houses. They arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 11:00, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bala’a village, east of Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers stopped Mohammed Yousef al-Weher, 35, while driving his truck. They searched the truck and arrested him.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed ‘Eissa Salim al-Naffar, 24, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right foot.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles moved into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Israeli military vehicles positioned in the northwest of the village closed the main road towards Erez crossing and denied movement of Palestinian vehicles. Palestinian workers were forced to cross the crossing on foot. Twenty Israeli soldiers then raided a number of Palestinian houses, held residents of each house in one room, and searched the house using dogs. They transformed these houses into military sites. Israeli forces withdrew from the town at 18:00 and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. Israeli soldiers opened fired at houses and streets. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Mustafa Mahmoud Kharioush, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus. They raided a number of houses in Street 24 and arrested 2 Palestinians, including a child:

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces continued to impose a curfew on Housan village, west of Bethlehem, for the 11^th consecutive day and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 11:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into Tulkarm refugee camp again. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and streets. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

2. Ma’moon Kamal Hassan ‘Ali, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

At approximately 14:15, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Suleiman Mahmoud Abu Muhsen, 22, from al-Shaboura refugee camp, approximately 1000m away from the border, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

2. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Rahman Qeshta, 43, from Kherbat al-‘Adas neighborhood, approximately 2000m away from the border, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Junaina neighborhood, approximately 700m to the north. A Palestinian civilians, Mohammed D’ib al-Hams, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. A Palestinian child, Isma’il Ahmed Fares, 6, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the back, while he was inside his home, approximately 2000m away from the source of fire.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupying forces carried out 3 assassinations this week in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These assassinations left 7 Palestinians dead and injured 13 others.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:40 on Saturday, an Israeli helicopter gunship supported by an F-16 fighter jet launched a missile at a civilian car, a Subaru, in which three Palestinians were traveling near al-Saftawi junction, north of Gaza city. The missile hit the car and destroyed it, killing the 3 Palestinian passengers and injuring 11 civilian bystanders, including 3 children. One of the injured children, a 7-year-old, was described as in critical condition. A number of neighboring houses and shops were damaged. The three victims were identified as:

2. Amin Hamdan Ibrahim al-Dahdouh, 32, from al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza city; and

On Wednesday morning, 3 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian in Tulkarm refugee camp after injuring and arresting him. The victim was a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 3 March 2004, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They took position at the main crossroads and ambushed it looking for members of the Palestinian resistance. As Qais ‘Aaref Yousef ‘Oufi, 20, was walking with a friend in al-Shuhada Street in the center of the camp, the two were surprised by the presence of Israeli soldiers 50m away. Israeli soldiers turned lights on the two and immediately opened fire at ‘Oufi, wounding him with 2 live bullets in the right hand and thigh. The two Palestinians escaped, but Israeli soldiers chased them and captured ‘Oufi, while his friend was able to escape. When Israeli forces withdrew from the camp, residents of the camp found ‘Oufi’s body. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by several live bullets in the head and throughout the body.

Also on Wednesday, 3 March 2004, Israeli air forces launched an attack on a car traveling south of Gaza city. Three Palestinians were killed and two were injured in the attack.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 14:20 Israeli aircraft fired one missile at a Palestinian car, a white Mitsubishi, traveling eastward from Sheikh ‘Ejleen neighbourhood south of Gaza city, towards al-Sabra neighborhood, southeast of Gaza city. Part of the land in the Sheikh ‘Ejleen neighbourhood has been effectively forcibly annexed to the illegal settlement of “Netzarim”, located immediately south of Gaza city.

The missile struck the car in which three people were traveling and killed them instantly. The vehicle was completely destroyed. Two civilians who were walking in the street near the car as the missile struck sustained moderate injuries. The deceased were identified as:

All three were reportedly members of ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.

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 05:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2004, 14 Israeli military vehicles moved into al-‘Azza and ‘Aaida refugee camps in Bethlehem. A number of military vehicles surrounded a 130-square-meter house belonging to the family of the deceased Hassan Abu Sha’ira. Israeli soldiers forced the 5 residents of the house out and planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 06:00, they destroyed the house. Abu Sha’ira was accused by Israeli occupying forces of killing a member of the Israeli General Security Service two years ago.

At the same time, Israeli forces destroyed a 120-square-meter, 2-storey house in Aaida refugee camp belonging to the family of Ibrahim ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Jundiya, 20, and rendered homeless 7 people. Abu Jundiya has been already detained by Israeli occupying forces for one year.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Separation Wall" inside the West Bank, confiscating more areas of Palestinian land, and demolishing more homes for this purpose. The Israeli Defense Minister has ordered to intensify work on the construction of the wall, apparently to complete as many parts of the wall as possible, anticipating any judicial ruling that may stop the construction.

On Saturday, 28 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed notices to a number of Palestinians who have animal farms in Deir Ballout village, southwest of Qalqilya, to leave their lands in 48 hours. These Palestinians live in tents and raise animals in the west of the village, adjacent to the Green Line. These notices were issued for the purpose of the construction of the wall in the area. At the same time, Israeli forces handed a notice to Suleiman Ahmed Suleiman Mohammed that a wooden agricultural room he had built on his land in the west of the village would be demolished.

The Mayor of Deir Ballout village states that Israeli occupying forces issued an order to stop the construction of a school west of the village, although the municipality had obtained the necessary licenses. The municipality received a map of the track of the wall in the area. The mayor asserted that the construction of the wall would seize 90% of the lands of the villages of Deir Ballout, Rafat and al-Zawia, which would be surrounded by the wall.

On Monday afternoon, 1 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces started to construct a new part of the wall north of Bethlehem. According to eyewitnesses, the construction started near al-Jarashi car park north of Bilal Ben Rabah mosque (Rachel Tomb).

On Wednesday, 3 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed notices to 7 Palestinians from Jayous village, east of Qalqilya, to demolish their barracks, claiming that they were built without licenses. These barracks are located only 400m away from the wall.

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 tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, and imposed more restrictions on movement at border crossings and military checkpoints. 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.

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 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 16:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints for two hours. When the checkpoints were reopened, the road witnessed a severe traffic jam.

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday morning, 29 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints. They held dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between them and checked passengers, then arrested Ashraf ‘Ali Hamash, 33, from Khan Yunis.

At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 1 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between. They arrested two Palestinians, including Samir Mohammed Enshasi, 39, a taxi driver from Khan Yunis.

At approximately 18:40, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints and arrested a Palestinian. The checkpoints were reopened one hour later.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Rafah and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis. On Thursday, 26 February 2004, Israeli forces closed al-Tuffah checkpoint. This closure continued until Monday, 1 March 2004.

Palestinians living in al-Mawasi area, of which there are approximately 15,000, live under extremely tight restrictions, such restrictions also applying to the entry of foodstuffs into the area and access to schools and farms. It takes residents of the areas several hours to cross Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints. Palestinians living outside the area are prohibited from entering. Israeli forces have assigned numbers to residents of the area. These numbers are added to their identity cards and without them they are prevented from entering the area. Women from the area married to men living outside the area cannot visit their families.

In a step aiming to enhance Israeli control over Palestinian areas located near “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah, on Thursday morning, 26 February 2004, Israeli forces moved into a besieged area near the settlement, where a number Palestinian families live, and photographed children between the ages of 12 to 16 years old. Israeli forces informed the families that magnetic cards would be issued for them to be allowed to move from and into the area, similar to those issued for Palestinian civilians living in al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. On Friday, 27 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces tightened the siege imposed on the area and denied any movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the area. This prohibition continued for 3 days.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. On Friday, 27 February 2004, Israeli forces arrested Shadi Mohammed Rasem Gannan, 21, from Deir al-Balah, while he was traveling abroad. On Sunday, 29 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces arrested Mohammed Jamal Khamis Hassan, 22, from Rafah, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip from Egypt. On Tuesday, 2 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces denied access to a Palestinian ambulance, which moves traveling patients, to the terminal.

On Thursday, 26 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces denied entry to raw construction materials going into Sofa crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, but allowed workers to cross towards their work places. On Sunday, 29 February 2004, Israeli forces denied access of workers to their work places in Israel through the crossing, but allowed entry of raw construction materials.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose restrictions on the access of Palestinian workers to Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian workers are subject to a prolonged and strict checking process and humiliation by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers, and trenches, and imposed curfews on a number of villages.

Israeli occupying forces have erected a new checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road, which links the north and south of the West Bank. Israeli soldiers positioned at the new checkpoint searched Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers. Israeli forces have continued to close Gilo checkpoint, north of the town, which stands between the town and East Jerusalem.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the town and neighboring villages. They erected more checkpoints and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. Israeli soldiers beat a number of drivers and passengers.

On Sunday morning, 29 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed ‘Atara Bridge, north of Beir Zeit, and denied movement of Palestinian civilians. PCHR’s field worker in Ramallah reported that Israeli soldiers erected a checkpoint near ‘Atara village and denied access of Palestinian civilians to Ramllah, then repeated the same process the following day. Throughout the week, Israeli soldiers positioned at the entrance to Bani Zaid village closed the iron gate established there for long hours. Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose restrictions on access of Palestinian civilians to Ramallah from neighboring villages.

Israeli occupying forces positioned at checkpoints around the city have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to prevent Palestinians under 35 years old from crossing military checkpoints around the city. Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba military checkpoint, west of Nablus, allow university students to cross towards the city only on Saturdays and allow them to travel back to their villages only on Wednesdays. As a consequence, university students are forces to live in Nablus, incurring more financial burdens on their families. On 28 and 29 February, Israeli occupying forces erected a number of checkpoints around the city and restricted movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Tuesday morning, 2 March 2004, Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint to the southeast of Wadi al-Fara’a village, east of Nablus. They arrested Taleb Tahseen Salahat, 27; and Hazem Tawfiq Salahat, 25, both form al-Fara’a village.

Israeli occupying forces positioned at military checkpoints around Tulkarm have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers. They also denied access of school children to their schools.

On Thursday evening, Israeli soldiers positioned at Qiffin gate, north of Tulkarm, arrested ‘Aa’ed Ibrahim Sabbah, 29, from Qiffin village, while he was traveling to his village back from Tulkarm.

On Tuesday, 2 March 2004, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the crossroad of Bala’a village, east of Tulkarm. They searched Palestinian vehicles and arrested 3 Palestinians:

On Monday morning, 1 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the military checkpoint located east of Tayaseer village in the northern Jordan Valley and denied movement of Palestinian civilians. On the same day in the evening, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley and denied movement of Palestinian civilians and their vehicles.

On Saturday, 28 February 2004, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance to the town and denied movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles, then checked the ID cards of passengers. Israeli forces have also continued to close a number of iron gates established along the “Separation Wall” near the town.

Israeli occupying forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the town and closed the entrance to Kufol Hares village. Israeli forces also reinforced their presence on the road linking between the town and Ramallah. In addition, they imposed a curfew on Marda village, north of the town, for several days.

On Thursday, 26 February 2004, Israeli police informed Tawfiq al-Khatib, head of the Islamic Heritage Committee in East Jerusalem that he would be denied access to al-Aqsa Mosque for the second consecutive year. Al-Khatib was also interrogated by the Israeli intelligence.

Israeli Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

In addition to the construction of the "Separation Wall", this week, Israeli occupying forces carried out a number of settlement activities in the West Bank.

On Friday morning, 27 February 2004, a number of extremist Israelis living in “Me’a Sha’arim” neighborhood in West Jerusalem attacked a Palestinian child.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, while Mahmoud Fathallah al-Tahhan, 17, from Ras al-‘Aamoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem was passing in “Me’a Sha’arim” neighborhood, a number of extremist Israelis attacked him with rods and knives. He sustained injuries and bruises throughout the body. The Israeli police witnessed the attack, but did not intervene to stop it. After the attack, Israeli police arrested one of the attackers for a few minutes, then released him on site.

On Monday, 1 March 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Tiqua” settlement, east of Bethlehem, seized about 20 donums of the lands of al-Rashaida village. The settlers brought a bulldozer and razed the land.

On Tuesday morning, 2 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces began razing areas of Palestinian land in Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalilya, near the settlements of “Karni Shomron”, “Ma’ale Shomron” and “Ginat Shomron”. They razed about 120 donums of the village’s land owned by Ahmed Qaddura and the heirs of ‘Awad Nasser.

Also on Tuesday morning, Israeli military trucks transported 6 mobile homes to “Ennab” settlement, east of Tulkarm.

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] 1donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

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