• 5 Palestinians, 3 of them children, were killed.

• 26 houses were destroyed in Rafah Refugee Camp.

• About 130 agricultural land donums[1], were razed in the middle of the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli occupying forces used military aircraft to attack Palestinian civilians gathering in Khan Yunis Refugee camp; ten of them were injured, many seriously.

• The construction of “Annexation Wall” in the West Bank has continued around the area of occupied East Jerusalem.

• Rafah International terminal, in the south of the Gaza Strip, was reopened.

• One elderly Palestinian civilian died at Rafah because of restrictions imposed by IOF.

Introduction

 Israeli occupying forces have continued their attacks in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). This week 4 Palestinians, three of them children, were killed., A number of others were injured, many of them seriously. IOF engaged in random shelling of heavily populated civilian areas and military incursions using heavily armoured vehicles, including tanks and bulldozers.  The series of closures and curfews imposed on Palestinians through both the West Bank and Gaza continued so limiting their right to freedom of movement.

 In the Gaza Strip, 2 children were killed in Rafah city.  On 6th of August, 2004,  IOF opened fire on a group of children while they are trying to infiltrate into Israel ostensibly to find work.  One of them was killed. This incident reflects the excessive use of force.  On the 5^th of August a Palestinian girl died having spent one week in hospital as a result of serious injuries caused by an attack by IOF. 

 This week, Israeli military troops conducted 6 new incursions into Palestinian Territories.  Block J in the Rafah refugee camp was subject to a widescale incursion involving armoured vehicles, including tanks, supported from the air by military aircraft, specifically helicopter gunships. In total 26 houses were demolished and 52 families were left homeless as a direct result of this incursion. At least 130 donums of Agricultural land were razed in al-Wadi village, in the middle of Gaza Strip.  In Khan Yunis  in the southern part of the Gaza strip, IOF demolished  4 houses  which provided shelter for five families. In the same incident many Palestinian citizens were injured as a result of indiscriminate shelling being applied in the areas where they live.

 In the West Bank, two Palestinian civilians, including 1 child, were killed.  The first was killed in Salfit town, to the south of Nablus on Friday the 6th of August 2004. The child, who was a victim of a willful killing by IOF, was 17 years old and was killed in Nablus.  The IOF have subsequently claimed that he was armed.  Israeli troops continued with a series of attacks and incursions against the oPts. They demolished two homes in Dehaisha refugee camp, to the south of Bethlehem. The houses are owned by three Palestinians who are currently being detained by the Israelis.  A number of attacks were launched by Israeli settlers Palestinian civilians and their property.  

 The construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank has continued. This week, the construction focused on the areas around Jerusalem and surrounding al-Ram from all directions.  The Wall isolates this town from the surrounding Palestinian community in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The wall will also prevent any future rural expansion with respect of agricultural development and the surrounding population. These measures will also affect Palestinians who hold an identity card from Jerusalem. Those who live in al Ram will heavy restrictions placed on travel to Jerusalem.

 IOF 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, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, there was a partial closure of the international border passage connecting the Gaza Strip with the Egypt, and so with the world.  In addition to this heavy restrictions have been imposed at the Qarni crossing preventing free movement of goods in and out of the Gaza Strip. 

 Although the Rafah terminal was reopened on Friday 6, August 2004, Palestinian civilians still suffered from heavy restrictions imposed at the terminal. A large volume of people crossing to and from Gaza had accumulated at the border during the 20 day closure.  This in turn caused serious delays for those people trying to pass through. One Palestinian citizen, suffering from diabetes, died in the terminal on his way back to Gaza strip.

 In the West Bank, temporary military checkpoints were widespread.  The military checkpoints divided the West Bank from north to south. IOF also prevented freedom of movement to many cities by closing many of the permanent checkpoints. The military imposed a curfew on many cities, towns and villages and launched several arrest campaigns.

 For more details, see the following report which covers the period from 5/8/2004- 11/8/2004.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian areas and attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property.

Thursday 5th August, 2004.   

At approximately 03.30 the Israeli military, including military tanks and jeeps invaded Bani Nae’em village, east of Hebron. They attacked the offices of the Islamic Charitable Association.  They confiscated different equipment including computers, telephones and private files and caused extensive damage before leaving. They then issued a military order to close the office.

Medical sources in al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, declared the death of Iman Suliman Barhum. Iman, a 14 year old girl,  was seriously wounded one week ago, in Rafah. According to investigations by PCHR, the girl was injured  by a live bullet in the head, while she was inside her house.

During the day, IOF supported by tanks invaded Halhul, to the north of Hebron and several areas of both Ramallah and Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians.  They were taken to unspecified locations.

 At Approximately, 12:00,  Israeli forces positioned  at the city borders, east of Khan Yunis launched two shells at  the house owned by Khaled Mohamed Suliman Abu Zr. The shelling caused great damage to the house. Later on, about 18.00 Israeli troops moved into Khuzaah village and completely destroyed a three story house.

 At approximately, 16:45 Israeli troops opened fire at residential and agricultural areas in Khuzaah and Abassan al Kabira villages, to the east of Khan Yunis.  A Palestinian citizen Ta’ar Ahmed Qudih, 21 years old, was wounded in the left hand .

 At approximately, 17.30 Israeli soldiers positioned on the Netzarim –Qarni road (which is only accessible to residents in the illegal Israeli settlements and to the Israeli army), to the south of Gaza city,  opened heavy fire at the residential area of Wadi Gaza. A Palestinian citizen Salam Khamis Abu Dahar, 95 years old, was injured.

Friday 6th of August 2004

 At approximately 00.00 Israeli soldiers positioned at the  military posts around  Neve Dekalim settlement , to the north of Khan Yunis, opened fire, using artillery, at the Palestinian neighborhood of al Namsawi. A Palestinian citizen, Jamel Subhi Abed Al Hady, 25 years old, was wounded in the kidney while he was in the emergency department of Naser hospital in Khan Yunis.  A medical source informed PCHR that Mr Abed Haday is seriously injured and he is in a critical condition.

 At noon Israeli troops killed a Palestinian civilian in the Salfit area of the West Bank. Israeli security sources stated  that the Palestinian was armed and wanted by the Israeli troops. Meanwhile, they arrested another Palestinian who they claimed had links with the Fatah movement. The IOF stated they had arrested him inside a tunnel.

 Also, at approximately 12:00, according to preliminary investigations by PCHR,  the town of Salfit, to the south of Nablus, came under intense shelling from the IOF. A number of ambulances rushed to the scene but were denied entry by IOF who had imposed closures on the main roads in and out of the town.

  Later on, at 16.00, IOF handed over the body of a Palestinian civilian Mohamed Uthman Ahmed Balasma, 27 years old.  He had been shot in a number of different parts of the body.  A Palestinian civilian, Ibrahim Najee Al Dik 35 years old, was injured and subsequently arrested. Then, they arrested two other citizens and took them to unspecified locations:

1  Ahmed Naim Abe’ed 32 years old 

2  Rabee Ali Harab 27 years old

 During the day, Israeli troops, supported by heavy military vehicles invaded Hebron, Bethlehem, and also the villages of al Khader, al Obe’dya, and al A’raka in Jenin governate. They raided and searched a number of  houses and arrested 9 Palestinians .

 At approximately 1825, Israeli soldiers positioned at the Egyptian border, in the Gaza Strip,  opened fire at al-Brazil residential area, in Rafah. A Palestinian civilian  Ibrahim Auad  al Arja, 28 years old, was injured by shrapnel to his left hand

That evening, Israeli forces attacked a group of children trying to cross the border near the Qarni Passage. One of them, died immediately, the other was injured and arrested by Israeli troops.

 According to PCHR preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts, the Israeli soldiers positioned at the military posts south of Rafah city began firing intensively at the children  to prevent them crossing the borders, near  Sufa passage. One child was killed and two others were wounded.  On Saturday the 7th of August, at 8:30 the Israeli side informed the Palestinian side about the child’s body and the arrest of two others, one of them injured. The deceased child was later identified as

1.                       Ahmed Salah Al Qik, 16, from Rafah.

 The severe deterioration in economic conditions often forces Palestinians, many of them children, to try and cross the border surrounding the Gaza Strip in order to seek work in Israel.  However a number of them have become victims of this type of attack in the process.

At around 23.20 the IOF opened fire from the east of Rafah towards Tel al-Sultan injuring Abdelhalim Abelkhadir AbuSamak, 50 years old, in the legs while he was at home.

Saturday 7th August 2004

 During the day, Israeli troops, backed by military vehicles invaded Tulkarm and Dear Ghassana village in Ramallah governate. The troops raided and searched a number of homes. They arrested a large number of Palestinians and took them to unspecified locations.

 In the course of daily shelling against the civilians, Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints, by the entrance to Jerusalem, opened fire at Palestinian workers while they were trying to enter the city.  One of them was wounded in the right leg.  The incident took place, at around 0700, when the soldiers positioned at Al Zaim checkpoint, east of Jerusalem city opened fire at the workers.  Ashraf Mohamed Jaafrah 23 years old, from Tarkumia village, north of Hebron, was wounded with a live bullet in the right leg. Over the course of the Intifada IOF at checkpoints in the West Bank have become notorious for acts of abuse and for random firing at Palestinian civilians, injuring and killing a number of them.

 At approximately 13.00 Israeli troops, including 12 military jeeps, attacked al Sameo’ village, south of Hebron. They raided the Police Station in the village and forced all the people to show their identification. At 15.00 they withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 At approximately 17.00 Israeli soldiers positioned at military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at the residential area of Al Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian child Azat Essa  Zanon, 7 years old , was wounded by shrapnel in the legs.

 At approximately 20.00 Israeli military troops, including five jeeps, attacked Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A Palestinian citizen Yousef Ibrahim Al Salquan, 21 years old was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the neck.

 At approximately 20.20 the Israeli soldiers positioned at the military posts along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah city, opened fire at the residential area  of aL Salam  neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian Mirvat Tala Timra, 28 years old was wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder while she was in her home.

 At Approximately 21.00, Israeli troops  moved into Nabuls using intensive and random shelling as cover for their operations. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers.  The soldiers immediately opened fire at them, wounding two of them. 

1  Islam Mohmed Muhsan  Albaza , 13 years old , wounded by  a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.

2  Yusif Ibrahim Abu Sultan , 12 years old , was wounded by a rubber-coated  metal bullet in the neck.

 At approximately 22.00  Israeli military power, including 5 military jeeps, invaded Beit Furi village, east of Nablus . This attack was combined with intensive and random shelling of the residential areas. A number of Palestinians children gathered and threw stones at the soldiers. They immediately respond by shooting  live ammunition at them.  Three children were wounded:

1 Yousef  Omar Kamal Hanan , 15 years old , by a live bullet in the upper area of the leg.

2 Tae er Adnan Abed Hanan, 15 years old, was wounded by shrapnel  in the upper area of the leg.

3 Adel Mohamed Kamal Hanan, 12 years old, was wounded by  a rubber-coated metal bullet in the upper area of the left leg.

 At Approximately 23.10 al Salam neighborhood was subject to continuous shelling from the Israeli military posts positioned at the Egyptians border, south of Rafah. A Palestinian civilian Khalid Mohamed Al Batnijie, 32 years old, was wounded by shrapnel in the right leg while in his home.

Sunday 8th August 2004

 At approximately 12.30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the military post inside the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, which surround Gaza international Airport opened fire on it.  A Palestinian Policeman Hazem Faez Sukar, 30 years old, was wounded by a live bullet in the hand. Mr. Sukar was on duty in an observation post for the Palestinian security forces. 

 At Approximately 01.00, Israeli troops , backed  with heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 300 meters into "Block J", in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Operating under cover from intense gunfire and random shooting they razed a number of houses. This operation lasted until the next morning at 08.00 and caused widespread destruction. Three houses were completely destroyed, two others partially.  About 12 families became homeless. These houses were owned by Auad Rabee, Al Houli, and Ayash families.

 At approximately 09.30, Israeli troops, backed with heavy military vehicles moved into al Qarara village, nearly 600 meters  to the east of Al Mathan military checkpoint, north of Khan Yunis. This operation was conducted against a background of intensive shelling from the military posts near the Kussufim settlement. A number of civilians were wounded:

 1 Adlah Ahmed  Salah Muhana, 36 years old, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

2 Muna Jmehan Salama Al Smiri, 40 years old, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder;

3 Rahnu Omar Mohamed Al Astal , 35 years old, wounded by shrapnel in the legs.

 During the incursion, the IOF razed 5 donums of land planted with citrus fruits owned by the Al Fara and Abu Eid families.

Monday 9^th August 2004

 In Block J camp in Rafah IOF  completely demolished 21 houses.  Two civilians, including one child, were seriously wounded.  Israeli sources denied the news about their incursion into "Block J", adjacent to the Egyptian borders.  According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 06.00, a large number of IOF, supported by armoured vehicles and helicopter gunships, moved nearly 300 meters into Block J along the Egyptian border . This operation was conducted in parallel with intensive shelling through the use of guided missiles in the area.  Investigations indicate that military aircraft launched ten missiles in total.  Despite this indiscriminate firing no causalities were reported among the civilian population as a result of the missile attack.  The IOF invaded two houses belong to Hasouna and Sarfandi families. Soldiers transformed the houses into military posts. This operation caused widespread devastation and destruction. 21 houses were demolished, of which 12 were completely demolished. These houses sheltered 40 Palestinian families, a total of 237 people. Also two civilian vehicles were destroyed and extensive damage caused to the utilities and infrastructure.  Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

 1  Se'ef Suliman Barhum, 15, wounded by a live bullet to the head.

2  Jafar  Suliman Sha't, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the head.

 At  approximately 11.00, Israeli troops , backed by armoured military vehicles, moved nearly 600 meters into Juhar Al De'ek village, to the south of Gaza city. They razed agricultural land inside the village and destroyed agricultural equipment. About 130 donums of citrus trees were up rooted. This attack continued until about 1900 on Tuesday the 10^th of August.  They destroyed lands owned by al Yassin, Tuha, al Sarhi, Quzat Shaheen, Sufdi, Malahi, Amariin, Sirhi,  Al Dahdoh, Murtaja, Radi and Bahjat families. 

 At approximately 11.30, the Israeli army attacked Bethlehem city, moving into Wadi  Ma’li street . They surrounded  the office al Islah Islamic Association. Then, they raided the office and searched inside. They confiscated three computers and some private files. Notably, this is the second time the occupying forces have attacked this office.  

During the day, Israeli occupying forces, supported by military vehicles, attacked Y’atta town, to the south of Hebron, as well as Bethlehem and Qalqila.  They raided many houses and searched them. They arrested four Palestinian citizens and took them to an undisclosed location.

 At approximately 21.20, Israeli soldiers positioned at different military posts, to the north of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a civilian house in Al Qarara village. A Palestinian civilian Mariam Jabar Al Asar, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the back.

Tuesday 10 August 2004 

 At approximately 02.00, Israeli soldiers positioned at military posts around Neve Dikalim settlement, north of Khan Yunis city, opened fire at a residential area in the refugee camp.  They also fired flares into the sky. One flare fell on the asbestos roof of Nama Ahmed Al Shrif 's house. A fire ensued and one room of the house was completely burnt..

 At approximately 07.00, Israeli troops, including 5 military jeeps, attacked Tulkarm refugee camp. The soldiers positioned themselves on 0the main street and indiscriminately shelled houses.  Many Palestinian youths and children gathered and threw stones at the soldiers.  Immediately the soldiers responded by opening fire at the demonstrators, wounding Jihad Mohamed Musa Balawna, 9 years old, with a rubber-coated metal bullet.

At approximately 10.00, Israeli troops, including 11 military jeeps, attacked the West Bank city of Nablus and closed it’s southern entrance.  The troops moved into Rafidia, the Old City and through Gharnata street under intensive and indiscriminate shelling at the residential area.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at those troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the demonstrators, wounding six of them, including four children.  The injured were transferred to Rafidia Governate Hospital with moderate injuries.  At 11.30 the IOF withdrew.  The PCHR has a list of all those injured by this incursion.

 That afternoon, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian child. The child was throwing stones at the Israeli troops.  A number of observers said the soldiers had transformed a house into a military post. The army locating on top of the houses fired at the child and killed him. Later on, Israeli security sources stated that the child was armed. The IOF, while claiming the killing, did not state whether this allegedly armed child had been involved in any military activities at the time of his death.

 According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at approximately 12.45 Israeli military jeeps moved into Nabuls city. They moved also into Fisal Street and Martyrs’ Square.  A number of children gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. Immediately they responded by opening fire at the children, wounding a Palestinian child Salim Omar Al Kusa, 17 years old, with a live bullet in the chest.

 At 16.00, Palestinian medical sources announced his death. Eyewitness reports indicate that the boy was standing at the entrance to the Revoli Cinema which was a distance of about 7m from the Fre’tich building from which the firing came.  The observers indicated that the stone throwers had not been causing any serious problems and so the killing was unjustified.

 Over the course of the day clashes took place leaving 13 Palestinians wounded, 8 children and 2 old men. As well as these injuries, a member of an ambulance medical team Adnan Jassar al Susu, 47 years old, was injured by shrapnel in the chest. Mr. al Susu  works for the Palestinian Red Crescent.

At the same time, Israeli troops attacked Balata refugee camp, east of Nabuls. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. Immediately, they fired at them and injured four, leaving one of them in a serious condition.  PCHR has a list of all the injured parties as a result of these attacks.

 Israeli troops, backed with military vehicles, attacked Surif, Alkhader to the west of Bethlehem, and al Zawyia village in Qalqilia and al Jiib village to the north-east of Jerusalem. They raided houses, searched and checked them. Five Palestinians were arrested.

 Wednesday, 11 August 2004

 At approximately 00.00, Israel occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and backed by helicopters, moved nearly 200 meters into Al Sad Al Ale'e neighborhood, north of Khan Yunis refugee camp, in the south of the Gaza Strip.  Under intensive shelling from helicopter gun-ships troops razed the agricultural land in the area and demolished a number of buildings, including homes.

 An Israeli helicopter gun-ship launched a guided missile at a group of Palestinians civilians and some members of the Palestinian resistance who were gathered on the street. Ten civilians, two of them children, were wounded. Medical sources stated that the Palestinian citizen Yusef Queder 30 years old, was seriously wounded while others sustained moderate injuries. This operation lasted until 06.00 and 3 houses were demolished.  The three homes were lived in by 3 families, totaling 18 people. While sitting at home the civilian Mohammad Atia’ Abu Sa’loon found that his house came under a barrage of gunfire which caused an electricity short-cut and subsequently a fire in one room of the house which was destroyed. Ahmed Ali Hasanini, 27 years old, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand. As a result of indiscriminate shelling two houses sustained partial damage. These houses were shelters for three Palestinian families.

 Early in the morning the IOF severally injured a civilian and arrested another in al Shayouk area of Hebron.  It appeared that they had aimed to arrest another individual.  Eyewitnesses indicated that around 02.30  a military force raided al Shayouk with 12 heavily armoured vehicles and went into al ‘Aisa, under cover from heavy shelling.  The injured Wia’f Moussa al-Meshni, 20, with four bullets to the chest, abdomen and legs.  He was taken to Hadassa hospital in east Jerusalem by IOF and was said to be in a critical condition.  Eyewitnesses stated that he was in front of his house with the person who was later arrested, Mohammad Hassan Gri’nat, 21.  The arrested person was taken to an unknown location.

 At around 03.00 IOF, with 8 military jeeps, moved into an area around the house of the late Ahmad Badariin, a few minutes to the north of Beit Hayia.  IOF searched the house and destroyed furniture and property.  There were four flats owned by four brothers, Mohammad Badariin, Fathy Badariin, Zidan and Khalid Badariin.  Before their withdrawal the IOF arrested the elderly mother of the family Nama Khalil Hamdan Badariin, 72 and 2 of her sons Iyda,42, and Mohammad, 33.  They were taken to an unspecified location.

 Around 12.00, in Rafah, IOF fired on residential areas injuring the child Aya Mohammad al Kadi, 5 years old, with a bullet to the right eye.  She was playing in front of her house at the time, in Shibura camp, and was about 1200m from the border. She was taken to al-Najar hospital in Rafah and later to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis where her injuries were assessed as being moderate to severe.

 In Balatta camp, east of Nablus, the IOF claimed that they noticed an armed man and so fired at him.  They did not indicate whether or not the man was engaged in military activities at the time.  According to preliminary investigations made by PCHR, at around 19.35 4 military jeeps moved into Balata from the west end of the camp under cover of shelling and shooting.  They moved into a residential area and a number of children and young men near the cemetery began throwing stones.  The IOF responded with heavy gunfire and shot the 17 year old Saliah Radi Mohammad Hourani.  He was hit with a live bullet to the head and one to the shoulder.  He died instantly.

 Around 20.30 in al Faraah camp east of Jenin the IOF caused injury to two civilians who were then brought to al Shifa clinic in Tobas village.  They had moderate injuries.  The victims were Nadi Subah, 23, shot in the right leg and Sidqi Suwafta, 26, shot in the left thigh.

 During the same day IOF armoured cars moved into Hebron, al Shaouq,  Neba and Deir Samit.  The IOF searched houses and arrested six civilians, claiming they were wanted, all were taken to unspecified locations.

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. 

 Israeli forces blew up two houses in al Dehisha refugee camp, to the south of Bethlehem.  The houses belonged to the families of three Palestinian prisoners.

 According to PCHR’s  preliminary investigations at about 02.00, on the 5^th of August, Israeli forces, backed by 14 military vehicles, invaded al Dhisha refugee camp. The troops positioned themselves in the centre of the camp. They surrounded Abed Al Karim Hamch’s house. They forced the people out of the house and detonated explosives in it.  The house consisted of two stories and was shelter for 18 people.

 At approximately 01.30 on Sunday the 8th of August, Israeli troops, reinforced by 13 military jeeps, invaded the Al Dhisha refugee camp. The troops raided Essa Malia’s house and asked him to leave the house within 30 minutes. Then, they destroyed the basement by detonating explosives. The process caused great damage to the rest of the house.

Continued Siege on the oPt

 This week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the oPt and imposed severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinian civilians.

The Gaza Strip:

 For the 19^th consecutive week, the occupation forces continued to impose a tight siege on the Gaza Strip and to isolate it from the outside world.  Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in violation of international human rights standards, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Despite the reopening of the Rafah terminal on Friday the 6th of August 2004, huge numbers of Palestinian travelers suffered from the restrictions and poor conditions at the passage, after a twenty day closure.

 IOF have continued their policy of dividing the Gaza Strip at al Mathan and Abu Houli  military checkpoints which connect the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.

 At approximately 12.00, on the 5^th of August, IOF closed this checkpoint on both sides. They detained a number of civilians traveling through the two checkpoints and impounded their vehicles for three hours. They searched these cars and arrested  Mr. Balah Mohmed Ahmed Abu Stah, 22, from Khan Yunis refugee camp.  He is a serving Palestinian policeman.

 Approximately at 09.15, on Sunday the 8^th of August IOF again closed the two checkpoints. A number of military vehicles positioned at al Mathan, to the north of Khan Yunis, opened fire at the civilians waiting to pass through the checkpoint. The troops instructed them, using a megaphone, to leave the area and then closed the road.  The shooting caused many punctures in the cars and taxis. The Israeli troops reopened the checkpoint at 13.00 and then closed it again at 14.00 the next day, the 9^th of August. They impounded and searched many cars and reopened the checkpoint at 20.00. They arrested a Palestinian civilian Khair al Sisee, from Nusiarat refugee camp.  This scenario continued and at 0400 on Tuesday the checkpoint was closed again for an hour and tear gas was fired at people waiting.

 IOF continue to impose a strict siege on al Mawasi area, near Kkan Yunis and Rafah, in the south of Gaza. Although Israeli troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoints at the entrance of al Mawasi area they imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through the checkpoint.  Moreover they carried out some arrests. On Friday the 6^th of August, they arrested Ibrahim Muslah Hussen Durghoa, 34 years old, from Khan Yunis. They have continued to deny access for Palestinian males  aged between 16 to 30 and females aged between 16 to 25 without prior coordination with the occupation authorities.

Israeli forces have also continued to impose a siege on al-Siyafa area located between Doghit and Eili Sinai settlement, in the north of the Gaza Strip. IOF control the two main entrances to the area. They denied the access for civilians without prior coordination from the occupation authorities. Five civilians were permitted to exit and renter in order to bring food and general supplies into the area. They continue to prevent the entry of domestic gas into the area.  Even then local residents can only leave during fixed hours and are forced to go through a humiliating search involving magnetic cards, metal detectors and removing items of clothing.  IOF are still preventing farmers from traveling outside the area to sell their goods.

 Palestinian residents who are living adjacent to ‘Kfar Darom settlement are unable to reach their farms because of the Israeli restrictions. About 28 families, 138 people,  are suffering from these siege conditions. Since the 27^th of June 2004, Israeli occupation authorities have continued to close border passages, particularly the Erez checkpoint. They partially reopened it for a limited number of Palestinian workers. Since last July, Israeli occupation authorities just allowed 500 workers to enter Israel. They subsequently increased the number to allow 3000 workers.

 But this number has again been decreased to 500 workers. One worker informed a PCHR  field-worker about these humiliating procedures.  He said “we have to wake up early in the morning and to walk nearly four kilometers, and then to pass through hours of security checks, including through a number of metal detectors, while soldiers engage in a process of insulting and humiliating us.”

 Israeli occupying authorities have continued to open the Sofa passage, to the east of Rafah, partially. They only allowed access for construction materials while they prevented people from crossing.  The Qarni commercial passage, east of Gaza city, which is considered the main terminal for goods coming in and out of the Gaza Strip, has only been partially opened in the past several months. On Wednesday the 11/08/2004 it was closed for a twenty four hour period.  Notably the constant closure of this terminal has had an obvious negative impact upon the local market.  

The reopening of Rafah International Terminal, on Friday the 6^th of August, after 20 days of complete closure has caused a variety of problems for Palestinians waiting to pass through.  The terminal was only reopened to allow people to travel into Gaza. Large numbers of people accumulated during the three week closure and there has been severe delays in the processing of those wishing to travel in and out of Gaza. One Palestinian patient waiting to cross into Gaza died while waiting. The IOF prohibited ambulance vehicles to evacuate him. This action reflects a denial of the basic right to life and to health care. IOF completely rejected an application to evacuate 15 other patients in ambulance vehicles. They forced the patients to use the public buses, where there is no medical treatment. In many cases, they forced the patients to return to Egypt.

 On Saturday, 7^th of  August, they allowed only three patients to use ambulance vehicles and forced another 10 patients to use the public buses. A Palestinian civilian, Mr.  Fahmi Omar Muhdi, 70 years old, from Nussairat refugee camp, died in the terminal.  IOF arrested three Palestinians, they are:

 1  Annas Mohmed Salah Zumlat, from Gaza City;

2  Wafe’ek Mohamed Barhum, from Rafah;

3 Ahmed Ghnim, from Rafah.

 On Monday, 9^th of August, occupying forces reopened Rafah International terminal for Palestinian civilians leaving Gaza. They have reconfirmed their decision of April 18th 2004, to prohibit all Palestinian males whose aged between 16 to 35  from leave the oPt. 

 Since the start of the Intifada the IOF have claimed, to the international community, that that the Rafah terminal is consistently open; in line with international agreements to keep it open 24 hours a day, 363 days a year. In fact they have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and only allowed certain categories of Palestinians to cross the border.

The West Bank:

 Israeli Military forces have continued to impose more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints and imposed curfews on many villages, camps and cities in the West Bank.    

Jerusalem

 According to PCHR’s field worker, Israeli occupying forces are still prohibiting Palestinian civilians, from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, from entering Jerusalem. In a few cases they allowed some Palestinians to enter after they got special permission. Israeli troops have continued to impose restrictions against those who hold a Jerusalem ID card. The PCHR fieldworker stated that Israeli troops closed all the main and alternative roads connected with Jerusalem. He added, the troops who are positioned at al-Zae’em checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, do not hesitate to open fire at civilian targets. As a result many civilians try to find an alternative road through Wadi al-Nar track, which is extremely dangerous.

Ramallah

 IOF imposed more severe restrictions against the civilian population. They set-up a number of random military checkpoints at the different main roads and the entrances to the city. These roads connect Ramallah with other West Bank cities. These procedures took place while there were Palestinian military patrols operating in different neighborhoods of  Ramallah: namely, al-Bira, and Bitunia areas. During this week, Israeli troops positioned at Qalandia checkpoint escalated restrictions and abuse of civilians.

Hebron

This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitness, Israeli troops increased their deployment at different posts in the old city, and at neighborhoods to the south of the city. They positioned themselves at military checkpoints in the area and around the settlement blocks. They forced the citizens to take off their clothes and allegedly beat some of them.

 In Wadi al- Nasara neighborhood , adjacent to Kre’et Araba’ settlement, east of Hebron, Israeli troops pursued Palestinian civilians and prevented them from moving through the main street in the area.

 On Saturday evening, 7th of August, Israeli military forces, held thousands of civilians, impounded and searched hundreds of their vehicles. Those citizens were participating in a wedding party. Israeli troops obstructed them for a number of hours.

 Jenin

 Israeli troops imposed more severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They prevented them from leaving the area. The troops positioned at military checkpoints of the Tae’easer and Tubas  have prohibited civilians from leaving the area for four consecutive months. They also prevented Palestinians moving from Nabuls to Jenin.

 This week, Israeli troops erected a new military a barrier at Sefet al-Harithia crossroads, west of Jenin. The soldiers positioned at this barrier prevented the citizens from passing. On Saturday morning, 7^th of August, Israeli troops closed all the entrances leading to Juba’a village, south of Jenin.

Nablus

 On Saturday the 7^th of August eyewitnesses reported that a number of random barriers had been erected on the main roads in and out of Nablus.  IOF restricted the arrival of hundreds of workers in Ramallah and al Bira.  Eyewitnesses stated that severe restrictions had been put in place on the main Nablus- Tulkarm road as well as the Howara and Zatara areas to the south of Nablus.  It is still impossible for civilians below the age of 35 to pass through these barriers unless they have prior coordination from the IOF.  The PCHR fieldworker reports that at the checkpoints of Shave’, Shanron and on the Nablus-Jenin road have stopped medical personnel from passing through, even when they are in clearly marked vehicles.  Only those with special permission can pass.

Tulkarm

 On the 5th of August, Israeli troops suddenly closed Tulkarm’s main entrances. They erected a new military barrier at the Faro’n cross road, to the south of Tulkarm city, and two other checkpoints east and north of the city.   PCHR’s fieldworker reported that occupation troops forced the citizens to stop their vehicles and to get out of them.  They then searched and checked all the cars.

 Israeli troops positioned at Qalandia checkpoint, south of Ramallah, abused and tortured three Palestinian children. Eyewitness reports indicated that on Sunday afternoon, the 8^th of August, Israeli soldiers prevented three children to pass Qalandia military checkpoint. Then, they pursued them and held them for two hours. They beat, humiliated and tortured them before they had let them go. They are:

1-           Wase'em  Jurdinain  Abed al-Nabi, 17 years old, holds Jordanian nationality.

2-           Annas Zae'ed,17 years old, from Iksa , north-west  Jerusalem .

3-           Ahmed Mte'er, 17 years old , from Be'er Nibala, south of Ramallah 

Checkpoint Arrests

 The IOF have continued using their checkpoints as a means for trapping Palestinian civilians and arresting them.  In al Karama around 14.00 on Friday the 6^th of August Eman Moussa Ilan, 29, from Bethleham was returning from Jordan when arrested.  At 1600 on the Wadi Nar route, to the north of Bethleham the IOF arrested the brother of Eman, Morad Moussa Ilan.  It was worth noting that both detainees are the brother and sister of Ali Ilan, who was killed by IOF about one and a half years ago.  After his killing his wife and tens of other family members were arrested and his home demolished by explosives.

 On the same day the IOF, at a checkpoint north of Bethleham Samira Sha’lin, 26, from Dehisha camp was arrested and taken to an unspecified location.

 At the same time, Israeli occupation authorities, at al –Karama terminal arrested Mr. Naseer Abu Aze'es 45 years old. Mr. Abu Aze'es  is a member of the Palestinian National Council and Member of the executive committee of the PLO.  His family declared that his arrest occurred after crossing the bridge when he was asked to meet with members of the Israeli secret security services Sinn Beht.  He was then taken to an unspecified location.

 Later on that afternoon eyewitness reports indicated that an Israeli military jeep arrested three Palestinians, at a checkpoint to the east of Jenin.

The three Palestinian were in civilian car when they were stopped. They are:

1               Atba Falh Abu Muhsen,17 years old

2               Mohamed Muhammad, Awad 18 years old.

3               Islam Jamal Salahat, 16 years old.

 Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank

 Israeli occupying forces have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the west bank territory, mainly around East Jerusalem. According to local sources and eyewitness reports, Israeli occupying forces have continued to bulldoze Palestinian civilian properties round East Jerusalem, especially in the area between Al Barid neighborhood, east Jerusalem and Qalandia town, south of Ramallah.

 According to the Public Committee to Resist the Wall Israeli troops destroyed what  had been built of concrete blocks in different posts. Israeli troops, however have already prepared new concrete blocks in anticipation of a favourable decision from the Israeli High Court which will allow them to continue construction of the Wall as planned.

 In the same context, Israeli bulldozers and tanks have continued to raze Palestinian civilians’ land in Wadi Aiyd, and al Bariid and al Aqbut to the north-east Jerusalem. According to eyewitness, occupying forces bulldozed most of the empty lands in the aforementioned area.  They forcibly constructed a wide bypass road to connect the area with Nabi Yaqoub settlement. Bulldozed lands were owned by al Quasmi, Al-Hinawi, Qabani, Abu Farha, Zahe'eda, Al Salina, Al Matur and Jaradat families.

According to al-Ram local council sources, many buildings were badly affected by ceaseless annexation of land. The same sources added that Israeli plans for expansion of the settlements is killing the possibility for rural expansions in Palestinian areas.

Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their properties

 Those Israelis living in settlements which are illegal according to international law have continued their systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties.

 On Thursday, 5^th August 2004, group of Israeli armed settlers, with full protection from Israeli troops, started to build a new settlement at Tal May’en area, south of Hebron. They fixed tents and threatened to kill any one near the area.  About 700 Palestinian civilians live in this area and work the land as farmers and shepards.

 In the evening, more than 150 setters gathered out of Ramat Yshi settlement, in Hebron. The setters immediately launched a series of aggressive actions at Palestinian civilians. The Palestinian civilian Rajah Taysiir Abu  Yshu, said that one settler tried to stab her brother Shareef , five years old. She added that the intervention of some neighbors saved him.

 On Monday the 9th of August , Israeli occupying forces started to destroy houses and historical sites in the old city of Hebron. They aim to construct a new bypass road to connect Ke'erat Arub'a settlement with al Haram al Ibrahimi, east of Hebron.

This aggression completely contravenes article 53 of the Annex Protocol of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians during wartime.

 At approximately 12.30 Israeli troops, reinforced by military bulldozers, razed parts of the old city. They demolished four historical houses. These houses were built 600 years ago. IOF aim to construct new bypass roads to carry the settlers between Al Haram Al Ibrahimi and Ker'eat Arab'a settlement. The director of the Hebron Construction Committee engineer Khalid Fahed Al Quasmi; stated that if the Israeli government continue this policy many historical sites will disappear from the city.

 At approximately 15.00, Israeli troops razed Ahmed Awad Suliman  Salahat's land in Jenta village, east of Bethlehem city. This land is adjacent to al David settlement.

 At approximately 16.00, five armed settlers from Ramat Yshai settlement in Hebron, attacked some Palestinian civilians, beating and insulting them. They also threw stones and empty glasses and then broke some windows. This incident terrified many Palestinian civilians, particularly children.

 On Tuesday, 10^th August 2004, Israeli troops razed land in the Wadi Rahal area, east of Bethlehem. Local sources said that Israeli troops continued a process started two weeks ago. They aim to construct new bypass roads to isolate Bethlehem from surrounding areas.  The uprooted area is equivalent to about 3500 donums.

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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 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 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 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, 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”