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

Thursday, 2 September 2004

Israeli troops killed 4 Palestinians, including a child, and injured 52 others in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah.  They also destroyed one house, damaged 20 others and razed 12 donums of agricultural land.  These attacks took place during a 25-hour Israeli military incursion into Deir al-Balah.  Preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR strongly indicated that Israeli troops continuously used excessive force against Palestinian civilians during this incursion.

According to these investigations, at approximately 01:50, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved from "Kfar Darom" settlement nearly 500 meters into the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they started to place sand barriers on roads and raze areas of agricultural land.  They also damaged the electricity and water networks.  At approximately 07:00, Israeli troops raided and searched 4 houses.  They held residents of these houses and transformed the roofs into military posts.  They also arrested 3 of the residents of these houses, but later released them.  At approximately 10:00, more Israeli troops, reinforced by helicopter gun-ships, were deployed in the area.  They opened fire at residential and agricultural areas in the town, injuring 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.  In the evening, Israeli troops conducted a deceptive withdrawal from the area, so a number of Palestinian civilians went to Fu'ad al-Sayed Abu Musabbeh's house, one of the houses that were seized by Israeli troops.  Immediately, Israeli troops hiding inside the house opened fire at these civilians.  A child, Mohammed Jamal Abu Musabbeh, 15, a relative of the owner, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body, while he was attempting to escape.  A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops, who opened fire on residential streets.  As a result of the Israeli gunfire, 3 Palestinian civilians were killed.

1.     Mohammed Jamal Baraka, 19, hit by a live bullet to the chest;

2.     Ahmed Maher Abu Shawish, 19, hit by a live bullet to the abdomen;

3.     Shadi Samir Abu Ghurab, 18, hit by 2 live bullets to the chest and the shoulder.

At approximately 01:30 on Friday, 3 September 2004, Israeli troops raided a 440-sqauare-meter house owned by Ahmed al-Kurd and rented by the family of Ahmed 'Atiya al-Masri.  They planted explosives inside the house.  At approximately 03:00, they destroyed the house claiming that a tunnel was found under it.  As a result of this destruction, 20 neighboring houses were damaged.  Israeli troops also razed 12 donums of agricultural land planted with citrus. 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli troops moved into 'Ein Sara Street in the north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of schools and kindergartens of the Muslim Youth Association.  They also held staff members of these educational institutions.  Israeli intelligence officers who accompanied these troops also interrogated a number of staff members.  Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 16:45.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops moved into Madama village, south of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  A Palestinian child, 10-year-old Suhaib Salah al-Qit, was injured by shrapnel in the right leg. 

During the day Israeli troops moved into the cities of Nablus and the neighboring Marda village; the villages of al-Zahiriya and Tarqoumia near Hebron; Ramallah; and Tulkarm refugee camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinians, including a child.            

Friday, 3 September 2004

At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops raided al-Anwar library of the Islamic Charitable Society in the center of Hebron.  According to the administration of the library, Israeli troops blew up doors of the educational department of the library.  They searched the library and confiscated communication sets, 25 computer sets and hundreds of books, documents and references. 

At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops positioned in a military post in Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Tal al-Sultan neighborhood to the northeast.  Three children who were playing near an orchard attempted to have shelter from the Israeli gunfire inside the orchard, but two of them were seriously wounded.  One of the children, 16-year-old Munir Sha'ban al-Sindi, who was hit by several live bullets throughout the body, died shortly after he had been evacuated to the hospital.  The other child, 17-year-old Mo'ein Ziad al-Liddawi, was seriously wounded by several live bullets throughout the body. 

Also at approximately 18:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into al-'Ein area in al-Fara'a refugee camp, east of Jenin.  Israeli troops opened fire at houses.  Dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military jeeps.  Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 17-year-old 'Alaa' Ahmed Abu Habib with a live bullet in the neck. 

During the day, Israeli troops moved into Hebron; Tulkram refugee camp and Thinnaba village near Tulkarm; and Salfit village near Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 13 Palestinians, including a child. 

At approximately 23:00, 2 Israeli helicopter gun-ships fired 3 missiles at a workshop owned by Mousa Hassan Qandil in al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  Two missiles directly hit the workshop, severely damaging it.  The third missile hit a car belonging to the owner and destroyed it.  The same workshop was attacked by Israeli helicopter gun-ships 3 months ago.     

Saturday, 4 September  2004

At approximately 06:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Wissam Mohammed Abu Zarqa, 19, from Khan Yunis, refugee camp, died from a wound he had sustained last week.  According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 04.30 on Monday, 30 August 2004, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, detonated explosive devices around the settlement.  As a result, pieces of cement blocks neighboring Palestinian houses were raised into the air.  One of these pieces hit Abu Zarqa in the head while he was sleeping in his bed.  He was evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, and as he was in a serious condition, was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City where he had received medical attention until his death. 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 15-year-old Nidal Ehmaidan Zo'rob, was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the back and the arms, when he was in al-Siamat neighborhood, nearly 1200 meters to the north of the border.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli troops moved into Beeta village, south of Nablus.  They opened fire at the houses.  A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops.  Immediately, those troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 15-year-old Hussam Rebhi Dwaikat with a live bullet in the left foot. 

During the day, Israeli troops moved into Nablus; Yatta village near Hebron; Jayous village near Qalqilya; and Tayaseer village near Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians. 

At approximately 19:00, Israeli troops moved into Salfit village, south of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  Dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops.  Immediately, those troops fired at the stone throwers wounding 2 children.

1.     Tha'er Bilal Abu Hamed, 9, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

2.     Mohammed Fu'ad Salama, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the hand. 

At approximately 21:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City.  Using megaphones, they called on members of the 'Azzam family to get out of their houses.  As soon as these members got out of their houses, Israeli troops fired a number of live bullets in the air.  Then, they checked the identity cards of these members, and arrested Nasser Hassan 'Azzam, 43, an Imam of a mosque.  This incursion continued until 00.00 on Sunday, 5 September 2004.  During this incursion, Israeli troops destroyed a house owned by Hassan 'Aaref 'Azzam, in which 9 people (2 families) lived.  They also razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with lemons and olives and destroyed a well. 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Baten al-Samin area.  A number of live bullets hit the reception department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.  Two Palestinian civilians were also wounded when they were near their houses.

1.     Joma'a 'Eid Saqer, 51, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm; and

2.     'Ayada Mohammed al-Lahham, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the head. 

Sunday, 5 September 2004

During the day, Israeli troops moved into the villages of Deir Ghassana and Beit Rima near Ramallah; 'Aaida refugee camp near Bethlehem; Hebron and the neighboring Ethna village; Madama village near Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians, including a child and an old man. 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Morag" settlement, north of Rafah, fired at a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian who attempted to get close to an Israeli military observation tower near the aforementioned settlement.  He was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.  He was identified as Yousef Qandil Mukhaimer, 42, from Rafah refugee camp. 

Monday, 6 September 2004

At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin.  They opened fire at houses.  A Palestinian child, 13-year Mohammed Najeh Zubaidi, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the shoulder. 

In the day hours, Israeli troops moved into Seilat al-Zaher village near Jenin; the villages of Kharsa, Dura and Sourif near Hebron; Jayous village near Qalqilya; Tulkarm; al-'Azza refugee camp near Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 13 Palestinians, including 2 children and 2 brothers. 

At 17:00, Israeli troops moved into Beeta village, south of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses in the area.  A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops.  Immediately, those troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 5 children. 

At approximately 22:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into Um al-Qurrais area in the north of Rafah.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they destroyed a house belonging to the Abu Gharara family, in which 2 people lived.  They also razed 5 donums of agricultural land and destroyed 2 wells and a bird farm. 

Tuesday, 7 September 2004

In the early morning, 14 Palestinians were killed and at least 12 others were injured when Israeli troops shelled a training center belonging to the Hamas movement in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  Israeli troops admitted responsibility for this attack and claimed that it came in response to the bombing in Ber al-Saba last week.  Medical sources in hospitals in Gaza City stated that the condition of a number of the injured was extremely critical. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:00, Israeli helicopter gun-ships and tanks attacked Sheikh Ahmed Yassin stadium, where a training center for Hamas activists had been established, in al-Sha'af area in al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City.  A number of missiles and shells directly hit the trainees, killing 14 of them and injuring at least 12 others.  Five of the injured were in a critical condition.  The 14 victims were identified as:

1.     Eihab Mohammed al-Deeb, 23;

2.      Ussama 'Awni Hajaliya, 26;

3.     Sa'id Yasser 'Ouda, 25;

4.     Mo'tassem Fu'ad Al-Zarbatli, 23;

5.      Ghassan 'Obaid, 23;

6.      Mohammed 'Omar Jindiya, 21;

7.      'Aaref Qassem Jindiya, 20;

8.     Ahmed Khairi Eskafi, 25;

9.      Adham Karim Quraiqe', 22;

10.  Bilal Fayez Quraiqe', 22;

11.  Mohammed 'Abdullah Qanou', 18;

12.  'Ezzat Ahmed al-Wadiya, 19;

13.  Fares Sa'di al-Sirsawi, 22;

14.  Ayman Khazzaa' Farahat, 18;

At approximately 07:45, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at populated areas and schools in Khan Yunis refugee camps.  Four Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were injured.  One of the children, 10-year-old Raghda 'Adnan al-'Assar, was seriously injured by a live bullet in the head, while she was sitting at her desk in an UNRWA school, nearly 800 meters away from the source of the firing.  The others who were wounded are:

1.     Mohammed 'Omar Jahjouh, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

2.     Katima 'Abdul Fattah Younis, 38, wounded by shrapnel in the right arm; and

3.     Ayman Mohammed al-Qedra, 35, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand. 

At approximately 13:00, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Yousef Ahmed Abu Lebda, 16, from Rafah, died from a wound he had sustained during an Israeli offensive on Rafah last May.  According to PCHR's documentation, Abu Lebda was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the right hand, when Israeli troops fired at him and his two brothers during an Israeli offensive on Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah on 19 May 2004, which left 22 Palestinians dead.  One of the brothers was killed instantly.  Abu Lebda had received medical attention in Israeli and Egyptian hospitals before he was brought to Gaza. He finally succumbed to the injuries he had sustained and died in the European Hospital. 

During the day, Israeli troops moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem; 'Arraba village, south of Jenin; Hebron and the neighboring Dura village; Tulkarm refugee camp; and Nablus and the neighboring Salfit village.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 20 Palestinians, including a child. 

At approximately 16:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at houses in Rafah refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 10-year-old Tariq Mamdouh al-Jamal, was wounded by shrapnel in the head when he was near his house in Block K. 

At approximately 19:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire again at houses in Rafah refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 7-year-old Fadi Mohammed al-Shaqaqi, was wounded by shrapnel in the head when he was near his house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 meters away from the border. 

Wednesday, 8 September 2004

At approximately 00:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 300 meters into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis.  They leveled areas of land, which they had already razed.  Then, they ordered residents of the area to get out of their houses and checked them.  Israeli troops used Fu'ad Mousa al-Agha, 45, as a human shield while searching houses.  Then, they partially demolished a 2-storey, uninhabited house owned by Khaled Fares.  Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 06:00.

In the early morning, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, invaded large areas in the northern Gaza Strip.  Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, they started to establish military posts on high areas.  They also destroyed a number of roads and seized complete control over Salah al-Din Street, which links between the northern Gaza Strip and other areas in the strip.  As a result of the Israeli shelling, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children, were wounded, 4 of whom are in a serious condition.  This offensive on the northern Gaza Strip is still ongoing.  Electricity and water supplies have been cut from several communities in the area as Israeli troops destroyed the electricity and water networks. 

At approximately 06:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 500 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  They raided and searched a number of houses in the villages.  Also during this incursion, which continued until 15.00, Israeli troops razed 15 donums of agricultural land.  Education at schools was disrupted due to the heavy military presence. 

At approximately 16:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  Three Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.

1.     Fares Amin Siam, 4, wounded by shrapnel in the back;

2.     Ibrahim Kamal Abu Rezeq, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh; and

3.     Mohammed Ahmed al-Qassas, 25, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot. 

In the day hours, Israeli troops moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring 'Aida and al-Duhaisha refugee camps and al-Duha village; Hebron and the neighboring Bani Na'im village; Thinnaba village near Tulkarm; Nablus; and Tubas village near Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 19 Palestinians, including 2 children, one girl and 2 brothers. 

Extra-Judicial Execution

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments, on Wednesday evening, 8 September 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli troops killed 'Aamer Mohammed 'Abdullah 'Aaidiya, 29, from al-Am'ari refugee camp in Ramallh, in Jericho.  Two other Palestinians, including the victim's brother, were also wounded and arrested.  'Aaidiya was a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.  He was not armed when he was shot. 

According to PCHR's investigations, in the evening 'Aaidiya was sitting in front of an internet café in the center of Jericho, together with his brother Jaber, 21, and Jamal Sa'du, 34, from Jericho.  At approximately 21:30, 2 civilian cars that had Palestinian registrations stopped near the café.  A number of persons, who are members of an undercover unit of Israeli troops, got out of the cars and opened fire at the three Palestinians.  'Aaidiya was instantly killed by 2 live bullets in the chest and several other bullets in the legs.  His brother Jaber was wounded by 2 live bullets in the feet, and Sa'du was wounded by a live bullet in the chest.  Soon, 13 Israeli military jeeps, reinforced by 2 helicopters, moved into Jericho to provide coverage for the withdrawal of the undercover unit.  Israeli troops arrested the two wounded Palestinians. 

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 02:00 on Monday, 6 September 2004, Israeli troops moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.  They surrounded a 300-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Yousef Ahmed al-Mughrabi.  They forced the 13 residents (4 families) of the house out and planted explosives inside.  They also forced residents of a number of neighboring houses out.  At approximately 03:20, they destroyed the house.  This was the second time that Israeli troops destroyed a house on this land, as on 20 March 2002, they destroyed the house and the family reconstructed it later.  Israeli troops claim that the owners sons, Ahmed an 'Ali, who have been detained by these troops, planned a number of attacks against Israeli targets.  The third son, Mahmoud, was killed by Israeli troops at the beginning of the current Intifada. 

At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 8 September 2004, Israeli troops moved into Wadi al-Hariya neighborhood in the south of Hebron.  They surrounded the 200-square-meter house belonging to the family of 'Aadel 'Omar al-Za'tari, 22.  Using megaphones they ordered the 18 residents of the house to get out.  They checked these residents and held them in a neighboring place.  Nearly 30 minutes later, Israeli troops forced 'Adel's father and brother to enter the house to persuade him to surrender.  When 'Aadel refused to surrender, Israeli troops fired 3 shells at the house.  At approximately 06.00, an Israeli military bulldozer started to demolish the back fence of the house.  At approximately 06:40, Israeli troops arrested 'Aadel after he had been wounded by at least one live bullet in the leg, without offering him any medical aid.  At approximately 08:00, Israeli military bulldozers demolished the house.              

Continued Siege on the oPt

This week, Israeli occupation forces 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 occupation forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip for the 18^th consecutive week.  This week, they divided the Gaza Strip into 3 separate zones. 

This week, Israeli troops imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis.  On Tuesday morning, 7 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints.  They also fired live ammunition and tear gas at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the two checkpoints.  A number of these civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.  For at least 2 months, Israeli troops have continued to prevent Palestinian private vehicles from crossing the two checkpoints.  That afternoon, Israeli military vehicles closed the coastal road linking between Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip, thus dividing the Gaza Strip into 3 separate zones.       

Israeli occupation forces 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 Palestinian civilians to and from the area.  On Tuesday morning, 7 September 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area for several hours, and fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the checkpoint.  No casualties were reported, but these civilians were extremely terrified.   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 the checkpoint without prior coordination. 

Israeli troops have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip.  The have denied entry of domestic gas to the area.  They have also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers.  Israeli troops allow only 5 persons to get out of the area everyday to bring foodstuffs.  On Friday, 3 September 2004, Israeli troops totally closed the area and prohibited movement to and from the area.  Electricity has also been cut from the area.  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 second consecutive week.  A very limited number of patients have been allowed to travel through the crossing.  Even though Israeli occupying forces partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, and Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, they have imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the two crossings. 

Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on traveling through Rafah Passage, which has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since 14 February 2001, when Israeli occupation forces destroyed the runway of Gaza International Airport.  Israeli troops have not implemented an agreement with the Palestinian side to allow Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 35 to travel through Passage.  The number of Palestinians allowed to travel through the Passage each day is very limited.  As a result, many patients who are badly in need of special medical treatment abroad have not been able to travel.  On Wednesday, 8 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the terminal in the face of departing travelers.   

The West Bank

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

Jerusalem

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, while they have continued to construct new sections of the annexation wall to the north of East Jerusalem.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints on roads leading to the city.  On Sunday morning, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops closed a number of roads linking between Jerusalem and Ramallah.  Israeli troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling to and from the city. 

Ramallah

This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They erected more checkpoints around the town and obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles for long hours.  Israeli troops positioned at various checkpoints between Ramallah and neighboring villages stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles.  These Israeli measures forced Palestinian civilians to resort to muddy roads to reach Ramallah and al-Bireh. 

On Saturday morning, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Na'lin checkpoint, west of Ramallah, stopped, checked and humiliated dozens of Palestinian civilians.  Palestinian civilians living in villages located to the west of Ramallah faced extreme difficulties in traveling to the town.  On Sunday evening, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. 

Hebron

Since Tuesday, 31 August 2004, Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on Hebron.  They have isolated the town from its surroundings.  They chased Palestinian civilians who attempted to travel to and from the town.  Israeli troops also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town.  They stopped, checked and beat dozens of young men in various areas in the town.  They also forced traders to close their shops in the center of the town.  They fired live ammunition and tear gas at passing Palestinian civilians for no apparent reason.  On Friday afternoon, 3 September 2004, 'Omar Mohammed Abu Ramouz, 22, sustained serious bruises throughout the body after he had been severely beaten by Israeli troops.    

Bethlehem

On Saturday, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops erected a number of checkpoints on Wad al-Nar road, which links between the north and south of the West Bank.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles for several hours.  On Sunday, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Jourat al-Shama'a village, south of Bethlehem, severely beat 'Eissa Ibrahim al-Fawaghra, 35, when he was traveling from the village to a hospital in Bethlehem.  On Sunday morning, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on the villages of Jourat al-Shama'a, Wad al-Nais, al-Ma'sara, Marah Ma'alla, Marah Rabah, Um Salmouna and Khellat al-Haddad, south of Bethlehem.     

Nablus

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday morning, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Beit 'Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling to the city.  Israeli troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of the city, took similar measures against Palestinian civilians throughout the week. 

Jenin

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday morning, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops erected a checkpoint at the crossroads of Jaba' village of the town and denied movement of Palestinian civilians between Jenin and neighboring towns and villages.  Later, Israeli troops erected another checkpoint at the northern entrance to the village and declared it a closed military zone.  In addition, Israeli troops positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint on the road linking between Jenin and the northern Jordan Valley imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and their vehicles.  On Saturday evening, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin.  On Sunday evening, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on the villages of Jaba' and al-'Atara, south of Jenin.  On Monday evening, 6 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin and the neighboring al-Yamoun village arrested Sa'ed 'Adnan Abu Hassan, 29, from al-Yamoun village.  On Wednesday morning, 8 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on 'Arraba village, south of Jenin.     

Qalqilya

Israeli troops erected more checkpoints around the town.  They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles.  As a result of these measures, employees were not able to reach their work places on time. 

Tulkarm

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday morning, 4 September 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of the town.  They forced Palestinian civilians out of their vehicles and thoroughly checked them, before ordering them to travel back.  Israeli troops also erected a number of checkpoints around the town and imposed restrictions on the movement between the town and neighboring villages. 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially in occupied East Jerusalem and Hebron.

This week, Israeli troops completed the construction of two sections of the annexation wall between al-Ram crossroads, north of East Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah.  At the same time, Israeli contractors have continued to establish the infrastructure for sections of the wall between Dahiat al-Barid and Qalandya checkpoints.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops closed the area of constructions and denied access to Palestinian civilians. 

On Sunday morning, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops initiated the first stage of the construction of the wall in Hebron.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military bulldozers razed nearly 500 donums of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to the families of Swaiti, Hashish, Masalma and Awlad Mohammed in the west of Beit 'Awa village.  The first section of the wall in Hebron is expected to extend from Kherbat Beit Ba'er area, north of Beit 'Awa village, to Kherbat Um al-'Aqaf area, south of Sikka village, at a length of 5 kilometers.  According to military orders issued by Israeli occupation authorities, the annexation wall in Hebron is expected to extend on a distance of 29 kilometers, from Sourif village, northwest of Hebron, to al-Burj village, southwest of the town, and will go through the lands of several villages in the district. 

On Wednesday afternoon, 8 September 2004, Israeli troops closed an iron gate established in the wall near Kabsa crossroads at the entrance to the villages of al-'Eizariya, Abu Dis and al-Sawahra, southeast of Jerusalem, and denied the passage of hundreds of Palestinian civilians. 

Settlement Activities and Settlers' Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Properties

Israeli troops have pursued settlement activities in the oPt and settlers who live in the oPt in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their properties. 

On Thursday morning, 2 September 2004, Israeli troops burnt and destroyed at least 10 donums of agricultural land planted with olives near "Nahal Nagahot" settlement, established on the land of Fuqaiqes village, west of Hebron.  They also prevented the owners of the land from extinguishing the fire, which burnt at least 120 olive trees.  They are destroying these areas in order to expand the aforementioned settlement to create geographical contiguity with settlements located to the west.

At approximately 22:00 on Friday, 3 September 2004, a number of settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, opened fire at Majdi 'Abdul Karim al-Razem's house in Jabal Jouhar area, a few meters away from the aforementioned settlement.  No casualties were reported, but residents of the houses were extremely terrified. 

On Sunday afternoon, 5 September 2004, Israeli troops seized and razed large areas of agricultural land in Wadi al-Maleh area in the northern Jordan Valley.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops and settlers from "Routim" also brought fences and trees to the area. 

On Tuesday, 7 September 2004, Israeli troops razed at least 15 donums of agricultural land planted with grapes, olives, almonds and figs owned by Saber al-Harini in al-Tawani village, south of Hebron, near "Ma'oun" settlement.      

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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 OPTs 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 bring these war criminals 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 OPTs. PCHR also requests the application of the EU Guidelines on Arms Sales and requests that EU Missions and Embassies in Israel and the oPts 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 follow 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 OPTs, 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, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPTs 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 OPTs, 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”