PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 18/2004

06 - 12 May 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included willful killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 22 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 4 children, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

On Tuesday morning, 11 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces invaded al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City and intensely shelled the area. This operation continued until Wednesday night, and left 15 Palestinians dead, including 4 children, and injured at least 200 others, including 35 children. Israeli troops destroyed a number of houses and razed large areas of agricultural land. One of the victims was hit by a live bullet in the head and bled to death as ambulances were not able to reach him. This operation came as an action of collective punishment following the destruction of an Israeli military vehicle, which left 6 Israeli soldiers dead.

Also in the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted other military incursions into Palestinian areas. Israeli troops destroyed 47 Palestinians houses in Rafah and Khan Yunis, rendering 388 people (59 families) homeless. They also razed 149 donums of agricultural land in Khan Yunis.

On Thursday morning, 6 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces began establishing a separating wall along the “Kissufim” settler road, which separates between al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, and Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. For this purpose, they razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a number of houses.

On 9 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian farmer, claiming that he was armed. PCHR’s investigations refute the truth of this claim, and the farmer was working on an agricultural land in the area.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians, killing 6 of them. Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they arrested dozens of Palestinians.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem and in the northern Jordan Valley, although the Israeli High Court issued a number of injunctions stopping the construction of the wall in some Palestinian villages.

This week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the middle of the week, Israeli occupying forces partitioned the Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. They have also continued to close all border crossings into the Gaza Strip.

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

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:50 on Tuesday morning, Israeli forces moved into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. Soon, more reinforcements, including helicopters and undercover units, were brought to the area. Israeli troops seized control of the neighborhood. They raided a number of houses and established military positions on the roofs. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops. A member of the Palestinian resistance, 'Ammar 'Awad al-Jirjawi, 24, was killed during these clashes.

At approximately 05:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a number of Palestinians who were gathered in the street. One of these, Fadi Ibrahim Nassar, 18, was killed and 8 others were injured. Later in the morning, 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were killed:

In addition, at least 80 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were injured. Palestinian ambulances have faced severe difficulties in reaching the area to evacuate the wounded to hospitals, due to intense Israeli shelling. A number of residents of the area informed PCHR by phone that Israeli troops had set explosives in a number of civilian facilities in the area. Israeli troops announced at the time that a curfew was imposed on the area. PCHR's field workers have not been able to reach the area directly due to the intensity of the Israeli shelling.

At approximately 14:15 on the same day, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at an empty civilian car parked in al-Shojaeya neighborhood near al-Zaytoun neighborhood. The missile struck the car and destroyed it. A passing Palestinian child, Yousef Kamal Hijazi, 13, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood, was killed by shrapnel from the missile. Six other civilians were also injured. The car belonged a Palestinian civilian, who is not wanted by Israeli occupying forces.

In the evening, an Israeli sniper positioned atop of a house in the neighborhood fired at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance. One of them, Rafiq ‘Aashour Dughmosh, 28, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood, was killed by a live bullet in the head. Later, medical sources declared that Rami Mohammed Ja’far, 16, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood, was killed by a live bullet in the head.

At approximately 11:25 on Wednesday, 12 May 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to the family of Ahmed Eshtaiwi, who was extra-judicially assassinated by Israeli occupying forces earlier this year. The house was severely damaged and 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

At approximately 12:55, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, killing 3 of them:

Israeli troops continued to fire houses in the area. A Palestinian civilian, Rami Mohammed ‘Olayan Abu ‘Oun, 27, was wounded by a live bullet, while he was inside his house. Ambulances were not able to reach him because of the shelling and he bled to death.

In the evening, clashes resumed between members of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli troops. Three members of the resistance were killed in these clashes:

At approximately 15:00, Israeli troops forced out residents of 2 apartment buildings belonging to the families of ‘Aashour and Hijji, then planted explosives inside the two buildings and destroyed them.

During this 2-day incursion, at least 200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 35 children, were injured. Palestinian ambulances faced extreme difficulties in reaching the injured due to the intense Israeli shelling. Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 23:35 on Wednesday, after members of the Palestinian resistance pledged to hand over the remainders of the bodies of 6 Israeli soldiers who were killed during this Israeli military incursion. Israeli troops left enormous destruction in the area, destroyed a number of houses and razed large areas of agricultural land.

At approximately 00:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 700 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. They remained in the area until 14:30, during which time Israeli military bulldozers razed 7 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Abu Mughassib and al-Agha, and destroyed an under-construction house belonging to the al-Sumairi family and a fence of a house belonging to the Abu Mughassib family.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into al-Brazil, al-Sha'er and Qeshta neighborhoods in Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. At approximately 07:20, they planted explosives inside a 350-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by 'Abdul Qader Isma'il al-Bashiti, in which 42 people (8 families) used to live, and destroyed it. Five neighboring houses were severely damaged. Israeli troops also destroyed 7 houses completely and 9 others partially, and razed 3 donums of agricultural land in Qeshta neighborhood. As a result, 174 people (28 families) have become homeless. A Palestinian civilian, Khaled Mohammed Sha'at, 24, was injured by shrapnel from the Israeli shelling. Israeli troops withdrew from these areas at approximately 11:30.

(Note: PCHR has a list of the houses that were destroyed during this operation).

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya and the villages of 'Anabta, Tubas and Kufor al-Dik in the north of the West Bank, and 'Aaida refugee camp and Ethna village in the south. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested dozens of Palestinians.

At approximately 04:45, while Yassin 'Aadel al-Joulani, 22, was exiting the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron after the dawn prayers, an Israeli soldier positioned at the entrance to the mosque fired at him. A number of worshippers hurried towards the place of shooting, where they found al-Joulani on the ground bleeding. According to eyewitnesses, he was only 10 meters away from Israeli soldiers. Al-Joulani soon died from his injuries after which Israeli troops took his body to an unknown destination. Israeli held the prayers inside the mosque until 07:00. Israeli troops claimed that the victim had attempted to take over an Israeli soldier's gun.

At approximately 11:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered near the fence separating between "Nissanit" settlement and Palestinian areas in the northern Gaza Strip. They threw stones at Israeli troops positioned in the vicinity of the aforementioned settlement. Israeli troops fired at the children. These clashes continued until the evening, during which 5 children were wounded:

1. Majed 'Omar al-Jammali, 16, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh;

2. Sabri Fadel 'Owaida, 14, from Beit Lahia, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

3. Ibrahim Rabah Abu Shehadam 17, from Jabalya refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

4. Hassan Ahmed al-Numailat, 17, from Um al-Nasser village, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and

5. Ibrahim Mohammed al-Balbissi, 16, from Jabalya refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided a 2-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Hamamra. They forced residents of the house to vacate the second floor and transformed it into a military site.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces, backed by 2 helicopters, moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They opened fire at Palestinian houses in the camp. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops. They had shelter on the first floor of a house belonging to 'Omar Raja 'Ghuraifi. At approximately 02:30, Israeli troops surrounded the house and knocked the door informing the owner of the presence of gunmen inside, and that if they did not surrender they would destroy the house. One of the gunmen surrendered, whereas two others refused to surrender. Soon after, Israeli troops ordered residents of the house and a number of neighboring houses to get out and exchanged fire with the two gunmen. After approximately 6 hours of fire exchange, Israeli troops ordered the owner to enter the house to check the outcome of the gunmen. He entered the house and found them dead. Israeli troops ordered him to bring their guns and he did. Soon after, Israeli troops broke into the house and opened fire inside. When Israeli troops withdrew from the area, residents of the house went back to the house where they found the gunmen's bodies. The bodies were covered by blankets, full of live bullet holes. The bodies were transferred to a hospital in Tulkarm, where the victims were identified as:

1. Wa'el Khairi 'Abdul Fattah Khader, 28, from Zeita village in Tulkarm, hit by 12 live bullets throughout the body; and

2. Sa'ed Ibrahim Hassan Masa'ei, 27, from Zeita village in Tulkram, hit by 5 live bullets in the chest and the left forearm.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus through its southern entrance. They moved towards the old town and opened fire at houses. At approximately 03:00, a heavy explosion was heard, as a hand grenade was apparently thrown at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire at houses in the area. A Palestinian civilian, Basim Bassam Kalbouna, 18, was killed by 2 live bullets in the chest, after going to his roof to observe the incident.

At approximately 12:00, 3 Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 400 meters into 'Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. They destroyed 2 under-construction houses and an agricultural pool belonging to the Dahliz family, and 6 greenhouses planted with vegetables belonging to the families of Fouju and al-Agha.

At approximately 14:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus and imposed a curfew. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers. Muntasser Mahmoud Ahmed Ziad, 19, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. He died on the way to the hospital. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops fired at the young man from a distance of approximately 80 meters.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved approximately 100 meters into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of intense shelling, they razed 16 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Abu Sunaima, al-Astal and al-Agha.

At approximately 16:45, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 70 meters into al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of intense shelling, they demolished a house and fences of 4 houses and razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 300 meters into al-Qarara village to the south of “Kissufim” settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis. They demolished a Palestinian house, razed 39 donums of agricultural land and destroyed an animal farm and the electricity and water networks of the area.

At approximately 18:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding one girl and another who was near her house:

1. ‘Alaa’ Ahmed Sharaka, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

2. Zahra Khalil ‘Othman, 11, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Shouka neighborhood in the southeast of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They arrested 7 Palestinians who were digging into agricultural land. Israeli troops remained in the area until Sunday evening, 9 May 2004, during which time they razed 14 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of al-Rumailat and Abu Jarad.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bethlehem and Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 18:45, a large number of Jewish settlers, escorted by Israeli troops, gathered near "Kissufim" settler road, north of Khan Yunis, to commemorate 5 settlers who were killed in the area last week. Israeli troops opened fire at Palestinian houses and tents set up by Palestinians whose houses had been previously demolished. An artillery shell fell near Ahmed 'Abdul Qader Abu 'Eid's house, damaging it. Soon, more reinforcements of Israeli troops were brought to the area. Israeli troops demolished 11 houses belonging to the families of Abu Dayer, Abu Haddaf, Abu Hajjaj and al-Sumairi. As a result 83 people (16 families) have become homeless. They also razed 22 donums of agricultural land belonging to the al-Sumairi family. Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 10:00 on Monday, 10 May 2004. Later, residents of the area found the body of Nahed Mohammed Abu Haddaf, 24, approximately 500 meters to the south of "Kissufim" road. The victim was hit by several live bullets throughout the body from which he bled to death. According to his family, he left his home at noon to help his relatives to cultivate wheat and never returned.

At approximately 21:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Abu Dis, east of occupied Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses. The jeeps stopped near Abu Dis youth club and Israeli soldiers began provoking passing Palestinian civilians. A number of children and young men gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately after, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. Fadi Sha’lan Khader Bahar, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the head. Israeli soldiers prevented ambulances from reaching him for approximately 30 minutes and left him bleeding. An ambulance transferred him to al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem, but all medical efforts made to save his life failed. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at the victim from a distance of approximately 100 meters, when stone throwers did not pose a serious threat to the lives of soldiers.

Early in the morning, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aska and Balata refugee camps, east of Nablus, and Hebron. They arrested 5 Palestinians, including a girl:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved approximately 250 meters into Palestinian areas located to the West of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They raided a 220-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Fadel Younis al-Qedra and forced its 26 residents out, without allowing them to remove their belongings. Israeli troops planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. Four neighboring houses were severely damaged. Also, during this incursion, Israeli troops razed about 500-square-meters of agricultural land.

On behalf of the owner, PCHR had submitted an appeal to the Israeli military legal advisor in the Gaza Strip. In a phone call with PCHR the office of the Israeli military legal advisor claimed that the house would not be demolished pending the appeal. However, Israeli troops destroyed the house before the appeal had been adjudicated on, despite this commitment.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by 4 military bulldozers, moved into al-Qarara village to the south of “Kissufim” settler road, north of Khan Yunis. They demolished 2 houses, razed 40 donums of agricultural land and destroyed an agricultural pool and a number of rooms, bird farms and civilian properties belonging to the families of Abu Haddaf and Abu Hajjaj.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved approximately 200 meters into Zo’rob neighborhood in the southwest of Rafah. Under the cover of intense shelling, they demolished 2 houses belonging to the families of Buraika and Zo’rob, in which 63 people (9 families) lived.

In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm; al-Yamnoun village, west of Jenin; Dura village, southwest of Hebron; and Bethlehem. They arrested 7 Palestinians, including a girl:

At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew. A number of school children gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops, which immediately fired at the stone throwers. Mohammed Riad Abu Baker, 18, was injured by shrapnel, from a live bullet, in the head.

In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem; and ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They arrested 6 Palestinians:

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 5 and a 6^th passing civilian:

1. Mohammed Tayseer al-Hashash, 16, seriously wounded by several live bullets throughout the body;

2. Firas Mahmoud al-Hashash, 16, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head;

5. Ahmed Hussein ‘Ali Khalil, 18, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

Israeli troops prevented the ambulances from evacuating the wounded to hospitals and arrested Mohammed al-Hashash.

Israeli forces Construct a Wall along “Kissufim” Settler Road Northeast of Khan Yunis

On Thursday morning, 6 May 2004, Israeli forces started to establish a dividing wall along the “Kissufim” settler road, which separates between al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, and Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, on Thursday morning, Israeli forces moved into Palestinian areas located on both sides of the “Kissufim” settler road. Israeli military trucks were seen transporting barbwire and iron bars to the area. The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported on its Arabic web page that “the Israeli military started to establish a dividing wall along the “Kissufim” road in the Gaza Strip.” This Israeli action, which is a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians and an attempt to seize more Palestinian land, came 3 days after an armed attack carried out by 2 members of the Palestinian resistance against Israeli settlers and troops. The attack left the two members of the resistance dead, as well as 5 settlers.

On the ground, Israeli troops razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a number of houses for the purpose of the construction of the wall, which is expected to thrust approximately 300 meters into Palestinian areas. Israeli military vehicles also started to establish a road on Palestinian agricultural land to link between the “Kissufim” road and al-Matahen junction on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip.

The construction of the wall and the establishment of the new road will effectively seize large areas of Palestinian agricultural land. A number of Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Salqa village have been trapped between the “Kissufim” road and the new wall, whose construction effectively began in the area on Sunday, 9 May 2004.

During the current Intifada, Israeli forces had already established a fence of barbwire 75 meters inside Palestinian lands on both sides of the “Kissufim” road. The construction of the new wall will effectively expand the buffer zone already established on both sides of the road.

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

Israeli forces further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. This week, they portioned the Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. For the ^7th consecutive week, Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings into the Gaza Strip. They also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at all entrances to Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements and prevented Palestinian civilians from moving freely. 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 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.

On Thursday, 6 May 2004, Israeli troops held a number of Palestinian vehicles between the two checkpoints and searched passengers.

On Sunday, 9 May 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were also forced to wait at both sides of the checkpoints. Such restrictions continued until later that night.

On Monday morning and afternoon, 10 May 2004, Israeli troops held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles between the two checkpoints.

At approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, 11 May 2004, Israeli forces portioned the Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. They closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints, separating between the south and the middle, and closed the coastal road linking between the middle and the north of the Gaza Strip. This closure was a form of collective punishment after 6 Israeli soldiers had been killed by members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

For the ^7th consecutive week, Israeli forces have continued to close border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel. They have also closed the Erez industrial zone.

In violation of the right of health, for two weeks, Israeli forces have denied access of Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank to receive medical care. They have also denied access to those bringing medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have imposed more restrictions at Rafah Terminal, the only outlet of the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. Israeli intelligence often summons and interrogates a number of Palestinian travelers. On Sunday, 9 May 2004, Israeli troops arrested Isma'il Salem 'Abdul Majid Abu Mu'aileq, 36, from al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip from Egypt. On Monday, 10 May 2004, Israeli troops arrested Waleed Mohammed Nada Abu Nada, 36, from Rafah, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Since 18 April 2004, Israeli forces have continued to prohibit Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.

Israeli 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 morning, 6 May 2004, Israeli troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint, but did not allow Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing.

Israeli forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. In the same context, Israeli forces 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 forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They imposed curfews on a number of villages.

Israeli forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints inside the town. They have continued to close all roads linking Hebron and Bethlehem, and the roads linking between the town and villages located to the west and south. Israeli troops also fired at Palestinian civilians who wanted to enter the town, especially at its northern and northwestern entrances. On 6 May 2004, Israeli troops prohibited access for Muslims to the Ibrahimi mosque and imposed a curfew on neighboring Palestinian areas.

Israeli forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They closed all checkpoints around the city. They have continued to prevent Palestinians, who are under 35, from crossing military checkpoints erected around the city. Israeli troops also held and checked a number of Palestinians at Hawara checkpoint, south of the city, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city.

This week, Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints at the entrances to the northern and central Jordan Valley prohibited the passage of Palestinian trucks loaded with vegetables, unless they obtain special permits.

This week, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints inside and around the town. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers. On Tuesday, 11 May 2004, an Israeli military vehicle chased a civilian car inside the town. Israeli troops fired at the car, but the car was able to escape and no casualties were reported.

On Sunday morning, 9 May 2004, Israeli troops erected a temporary checkpoint on the road liking between Nour Shams refugee camp and Ektaba neighborhood arrested 2 Paletsinians:

This week, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints around the town. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers. On Friday morning, 7 May 2004, Israeli troops closed the entrances to Kufor al-Dik village, southeast of the town, with sand barriers and rocks, isolating it from its surroundings.

On Saturday evening, Israeli troops positioned at al-Container checkpoint on Wad al-Nar road, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Yasser Bader Subaih, 33, from al-Khader village, southwest of the town.

Israeli forces have continued to prohibit access for Palestinians who are under 45 to al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town for the Friday prayers. Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been also denied access to the city without permits. On Tuesday, 11 May, Israeli forces issued an order prohibiting the access of Ya’qoub Mohammed Abu ‘Asab, from Jerusalem, to al-Aqsa Mosque and to the Office of Religious Endowments, where he works, for 6 months.

Israeli forces have continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem and in the northern Jordan Valley, although the Israeli High Court issued a number of injunctions stopping the construction of the wall in some Palestinian villages.

This week, Israeli forces constructed parts of the wall near Qalandya military checkpoint and airport. According to eyewitnesses, dozens of trucks transported large cement blocks to the area to replace barbwires already established around Qalandya Airport and inside the area located between Qalandya refugee camp and the road linking between Qalandya checkpoint and Jaba’ village.

Israeli forces notified 6 Palestinians from the al-Faqih family in Qutna village, northwest of Jerusalem, that their house would be demolished as their home is located on the path of the “Annexation wall”. The families living in these houses consist of about 40 people.

On Tuesday morning, 11 May 2004, Israeli troops positioned at an iron gate on the “Annexation Wall” prevented some medical personnel from entering Barta’a village, southwest of Jenin, to provide medical treatment for residents of the village. The village is trapped between the wall and the Green Line. Israeli troops claimed that the village was a closed military zone.

In Salfit, Israeli forces issued a military order prohibiting the access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural areas, which are located behind the wall, unless they obtain special permits. Palestinian farmers are forced to reach their agricultural lands only through iron gates, established along the “Annexation Wall”, which are repeatedly closed.

With regard to the impact of the construction of the wall, official sources of the Municipality of Qalqilya stated that the construction of the wall decreased the average daily revenues of the municipality from about 100,000 NIS (about US$ 22,000) to 20,000 NIS (about US$ 4400). Applications for construction licenses decreased from an average of 40 applications monthly to only 5. Marketing and investment in the town have sharply deteriorated and 42 factories were moved from the town to other areas. In addition, 630 shops out of 1200 were closed. Palestinians also lost 53% of their agricultural land, which is now located behind the wall.

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 believes that the continued failure of the International Community to respect its article 1 obligations, under the fourth Geneva Convention, has encouraged Israel to continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

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, including 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 those who have committed grave breaches and to urge their governments to bring them 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.

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 welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the “Annexation Wall” inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give a consultative opinion. The international community is obliged to enforce the judgment of the court, which PCHR anticipates will conclude that the wall is illegal.

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 forces on access of international staff to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon European countries to apply the same visa requirements to 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.

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