PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 02/2004

08-14 January 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to violate the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) carrying out various violations, including extra-judicial assassinations and willful killings. Throughout the week, Israeli occupying forces also conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot at Palestinian civilians, including children; indiscriminately shelled residential areas and demolished houses; and leveled agricultural land. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “separation wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 3 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli occupying forces. 1 of the victims was killed in another extra-judicial assassination. A number of other civilians were also wounded. A British peace activist was also pronounced dead, nine months after being shot in the head by Israeli occupying forces in Rafah refugee camp.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 3 military incursions into Rafah refugee camp and Wadi al-Salqa village. On 12 and 13 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah refugee camp and demolished 9 houses, 3 of them completely and 2 shops. In addition, 3 Palestinian civilians were injured by the Israeli gunfire and the electricity and water networks were severely damaged. Israeli occupying forces also moved into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah, where they raided and searched a number of houses and forced the residents out. They also used a Palestinian civilian as a human shield while searching the houses and upon withdrawing from the village, they arrested 2 Palestinians.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, especially in Rafah and Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. This week, a Palestinian civilian from Rafah was killed by Israeli shelling while he was inside his house. A number of other civilians were also injured.

On Tuesday, 13 January 2004, medical sources at a UK hospital declared that British peace activist, Thomas Peter Hurndall, 22, had succumbed to an injury he sustained in April last year in Rafah refugee camp. Hurndall was shot in the forehead by Israeli forces while attempting to remove young Palestinian children from the line of fire.

For the 3^rd consecutive week in the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to conduct incursions into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps and villages. During these incursions, Israeli troops arrested a number of allegedly wanted Palestinians. They have also imposed a curfew on the city and neighboring refugee camps since Thursday, 25 December 2003. Palestinian civilians are only able to leave their houses when Israeli troops temporarily withdraw from the centre of the city. In a military incursion into Bita village, south of Nablus, Israeli troops shot a Palestinian civilian and refused to provide him with medical assistance. The victim died from his wound. This week, Israeli occupying forces began a wide scale military operation against Tulkarm and Nour Shams refugee camps in the north of the West Bank. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses and interrogated Palestinian males. During the interrogations, Israeli forces drew marks on the hands of those Palestinians who had been questioned.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, on Thursday, 8 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial assassination, which left dead a Palestinian activist from Jaba’ village in Jenin. They claimed that he attempted to escape when they moved to arrest him. However, according to eyewitnesses, the soldiers immediately fired at the victim, without any prior warning or any attempts to apprehend him.

In violation of article 33 of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In blatant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, on Monday morning, 12 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a house in Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli troops first shelled the house, claiming that a relative of the owner was hiding inside. They then destroyed the house and arrested the owner, along with his father and one of his brothers.

Despite the fact that the International Court of Justice is preparing to consider the case of the “separation wall” in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution adopted on 8 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the wall. PCHR’s field workers reported that construction is continuing in numerous areas from the Jordan Valley in the north, to Hebron in the south. Since Sunday, 11 January 2004, the construction company hired by Israeli authorities to construct the section of the “Separation Wall” surrounding Jerusalem began to work 24 hours per day in the hopes of completing the construction in 6 months. The length of this section of the wall is expected to be 76km, 25km of which have already been constructed. The exact path of the wall around Jerusalem has not been decided; however, it is expected to incorporate “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement, which means moving 15km to the east of the areas under the authority of the Municipality of West Jerusalem.

In addition, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by stationing Israeli soldiers at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This week, Israeli occupying forces arrested a number of Palestinian civilians at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has been the only outlet for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada.

In the context of collective punishment measures against Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces prohibited 386 of a total of 6210 pilgrims from the Gaza Strip, from traveling to Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj through Rafah Terminal. This denial of access to the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia represents a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as numerous other provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have continued to impose a tightened siege on Nablus and neighboring refugee camps and villages for the 3^rd consecutive week, denying Palestinian civilians, including medical personnel and patients, the right to freedom of movement. On Sunday, 11 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces further restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more military checkpoints and infantry units were deployed on dirt roads, which are often used by Palestinian civilians as an alternative to main roads. Israeli troops held hundreds of civilians for long hours, before forcing them to travel back to their areas. These restrictions on freedom of movement were not limited to Nablus, as other cities, towns and villages in the West Bank were faced with similar measures. Israeli occupying forces also imposed curfews on some areas. This week, Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinians, claiming that they are wanted by Israeli occupying authorities.

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

At approximately 00:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at military locations in the vicinity of “Gush Qatif” settlement block, west of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, approximately 500m to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Mahmoud Ibrahim ‘Ouda al-Kurd, 44, left his living-room to move to bedroom, where he thought he would be safer from the Israeli gunfire, but he was hit by a live bullet in the head. His family immediately called for an ambulance, and he was evacuated to Martyr Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. He later died at the hospital.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:30, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belong to Mohammed Hamad Faraj Qadous, 41, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces, positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood to the south. A Palestinian child, Yassmin ‘Abdul Hamid al-Masri, 14, was injured by shrapnel in the back, while she was inside her house, approximately 600m away from the source of fire.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and accompanied by 2 dogs, moved approximately 800m into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They raided 4 Palestinian houses belonging to the Abu Mughassib family and forced the 46 residents to leave the houses, despite the cold temperatures. They then searched the houses using the dogs. According to residents of the houses, Israeli soldiers used Hamad Salama Abu Mughassib, 50, as a human shield when moving from house to house. Following 3 hours of searching, Israeli soldiers confiscated 2 mobile phones and arrested 3 residents of the houses, 1 of whom was released an hour later, while the other 2 remained in custody:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sheikh Musallam area in the old town of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rami Khalil Abu Rabi’, 27, a guard of An-Najah National University in Nablus. They then arrested him.

At approximately 06:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Kufor ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah, using a Palestinian registered civilian car. Israeli soldiers surrounded a house belonging to the family of Midhat Mahmoud al-Barghouthi, 19. The undercover unit was soon reinforced by 7 Israeli military jeeps. Israeli soldiers threw concussion grenades (sound bombs) into the house, damaging the house. Upon withdrawal, Israeli occupying forces arrested al-Barghouthi.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and in the camp’s market. 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded:

2. Ibrahim Darwish Abu ‘Ayash, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right knee;

3. Hatem Jihad ‘Abdul Salam Abu Rajab, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back; and

4. ‘Emad Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Asmar, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen.

At the same time, Israeli soldiers positioned at military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Sa’id Saleh Abu Shammala, 17, was wounded by shrapnel in the right hand.

At approximately 18:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses and passing civilians. Rami Tahseen Subhi al-Rimawi, 16, was wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the head and the right leg.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Rabwat, al-Katiba and al-‘Araishia neighborhoods. A Palestinian civilian, Sharif Mansour Wafi, 31, was wounded by shrapnel in the face, while he was in al-Katiba neighborhood, approximately 1km away from the source of fire.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. Before their withdrawal from the village a few hours later, Israeli troops arrested 5 Palestinians:

In the morning, in an excessive use of force, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian during an incursion into Bita village, southeast of Nablus. He was left bleeding for 30 minutes before he died.

According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitness testimonies, at approximately 05:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses. At approximately 07:00, a number of Palestinian boys gathered in the center of the village and threw stones at the military jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the boys, wounding 18-year-old Fu’ad Kamel ‘Omar Jarwan with a live bullet in the abdomen. A number of Palestinian civilians tried to offer him help, but Israeli soldiers opened fire and prevented anyone from attending him. At approximately 07:30, a Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance was allowed to attend to him, but he had already died. His body was removed to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. Israeli soldiers at Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, obstructed the ambulance’s passage for 15 minutes.

At approximately 15:00, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. A number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of the village and threw stones towards the military jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 2:

1. Mohammed Layeq Taher Abu Hait, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and

2. Rabi’ Wa’el Ahmed ‘Edwan, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

1. ‘Enaya ‘Abdul Halim Hussein, 35, a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence;

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Kayed Hassan Haroun, 24, in the old town of Nablus, and arrested him.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Koubar village, north of Ramallah. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Israeli troops raided and searched ‘Omar al-Barghouthi’s house. Then, they arrested his wife, Suhair al-Barghouthi, 42. She is the mother of 5 children. The hudband and his son ‘Aasef had been already detained by Israeli occupying forces.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by dozens of military vehicles, moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew. They raided dozens of Palestinian houses and forced men living in the refugee camp to gather in the yards of UNRWA schools. Israeli intelligence officers interrogated these men. Dozens of men were also taken to the headquarters of the Israeli intelligence, west of Tulkarm, to pursue interrogation. Israeli occupying forces arrested 15 of these men. In addition, 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 women, were wounded by Israeli gunfire:

1. Tariq ‘Othman Khaled Qawzah, 24, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg, causing bone fractures;

2. Rudaina Asa’ad Muraweh al-Sheikh Yousef, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

3. Sumaya Ibrahim Sabah Sha’ban, 30, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and

At approximately 14:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 200m into Block O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. This incursion continued until 20:00 and was accompanied by indiscriminate shelling from Israeli heavy military vehicles. 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were injured:

The electricity and water networks of the area were severely damaged by the Israeli shelling. Israeli armored military bulldozers also demolished 6 Palestinian houses and 2 shops:

1. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed uninhabited house owned by Fatema Abu Jazar.

2. They partially demolished a 120-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Emad Ahmed Sa’ad al-Din Abu Humaid, in which 14 people (4 families) live.

3. They partially demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ibtrahim Hassan Hudaihed, in which 1 person lives.

4. They partially demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hassan Ahmed Mohammed Daoud, in which 6 people (2 families) live.

5. They partially demolished a 140-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Aatef Nayef Jaber al-Qutati, in which 25 people (5 families) live.

6. They partially demolished a 150-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Ali ‘Abdul Jalil Mohammed al-Ghoul, in which 11 people (4 families) live.

7. They totally demolished a 60-square-meter shop of car parts owned by ‘Aadel Nayef al-Qutati.

8. They totally demolished a 60-square-meter shop of animal feeds owned by Eyad Ziad al-Qutati.

At approximately 20:00, 7 military jeeps and 2 armored personnel carriers of Israeli occupying forces moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including one father and son pair:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Northern 'Assira village, north of Nablus. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Asa'ad Sawalha, 46, and arrested his son, 'Ataef, 19, a sophomore in the college of engineering at al-Najah National University in Nablus.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ziad Hamad al-Fatafta, 32, and arrested him.

At noon, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Salfit town. The Israeli unit was wearing civilian clothes and traveling in a civilian car with Palestinian registration plates, south of Nablus. The Israeli soldiers surrounded the Emergency Hospital in the center of the town and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 12:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military post to the north of al-Tuffah military checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. Eyad Farouq al-Tah, 30, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot. PCHR's field worker in Khan Yunis reported that al-Tah was wounded while he was on-duty in the Sea Street, approximately 250m away from the source of fire. His colleagues and a number of civilians hurried to offer him help. Israeli soldiers continued to fire at the area. 5 civilians, including 2 of al-Tah's colleagues, were wounded:

1. Ra'ed 'Abdullah Barakat, 30, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis;

2. Hassan Ghanem Abu al-'Arraj, 45, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand and sustained bruises;

3. 'Aadel Nahed Khalil al-Najjar, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

4. Mahmoud 'Omar Joma'a Hamed, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 200m into Block O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. This incursion continued until 17:00, during which Israeli armored military bulldozers demolished 3 Palestinian houses:

1. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salem 'Abdul Hamid Mohammed Abu Taha, in which 14 people (3 families) lived;

2. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by 'Emad Mohammed Hamad Abu 'Anza, in which 12 people (3 families) lived;

3. They partially demolished a 170-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Isma'il Hamed Hamdan Abu Lebda, in which 15 people (2 families) live.

At approximately 17:30, the overflow of al-Salqa Valley resulted in the blockade of the road leading to Abu Zaher area in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. PCHR warned that such overflow might load houses in the area with water, as Israeli occupying forces has closed the valley since 4 January 2004. Later, water sneaked into 2 houses that were partially destroyed by Israeli troops on Saturday, 3 January 2004:

1. An asbestos-roofed house owned by Hammad Suleiman Abu Zaher, in which 7 people live;

2. An asbestos-roofed house owned by Nassim Suleiman Abu Zaher, in which 5 people live.

At approximately 23:30, the Palestinian liaison was able to coordinate the vacation of residents of the two houses to a more secure place.

At approximately 19:45, medical sources at a British hospital declared that British peace activist, Thomas Hurndall, 22, died from an injury he sustained after being shot by Israeli forces last year in Rafah refugee camp. Tom had been in a vegetative state since the shooting in April of last year and died in London, after developing pneumonia.

According to PCHR's investigations, on Friday 11 April 2003, Israeli snipers positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, fired at Thomas Hurndall, 22, when he attempted to move Palestinian children out of the way of Israeli gunfire. Hurndall was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the forehead. He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital and then transferred to a British hospital, where he remained until the time of his death. It is worth noting that on 16 March 2003, Israeli occupying forces killed Rachel Corrie, a US citizen and member of the International Solidarity Movement, when she was attempting to stop Israeli military bulldozers from demolishing Palestinian houses in Rafah.

At approximately 02:45, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus and opened fire at Palestinian houses. A Palestinian woman, Badria Muraweh ‘Aamer, 50, was seriously wounded by 3 live bullets in the chest, right hand and leg. PCHR’s field worker in Nablus reported that she was wounded while performing the afternoon prayers in her house. The Mayor of Nablus attempted to evacuate her to a hospital in Nablus in his private car, but Israeli troops at a military checkpoint at the entrance of the village denied him passage. A Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance transported her from the checkpoints and she was transferred to an Israeli hospital.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, on Thursday, 8 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial assassination, killing an allegedly wanted Palestinian. Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to escape when they moved to arrest him. However, according to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces fired at the victim without any prior warning or any attempts to apprehend him.

According to PCHR's investigations and eyewitness testimonies, at approximately 02:45 on Thursday, Asa’ad Saleh Khalil Khalilia, 31, from Jaba’ village, south of Jenin, was walking near the entrance to the town. When he approached the Palestinian Civil Defense building, a Palestinian registration civilian car passed near him and immediately 3 passengers in civilian clothing opened fire at him. He was instantly killed by several live bullets. Residents of the area called for an ambulance and the victim’s body was removed to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 21 live bullets throughout the body. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the victim was an activist of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, in Jenin.

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 to have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

In disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, on Monday morning, 12 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Khalil al-Nawaja'a, 32, in Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli troops first shelled the house as they thought that 'Eissa al-Nawaja'a, 32, a relative of the owner, was hiding inside. Then, they destroyed the house and arrested the owner, along with his father and one of his brothers.

According to PCHR's investigations and eyewitness testimonies, at approximately 04:30 on Monday, 11 Israeli military vehicles moved into Khuraisa area in the northeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli troops surrounded a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mahmoud Khalil al-Nawaja'a. They called on the 9 residents of the house, including 4 children, through megaphones to get out of the house and they did. Five minutes later, Israeli troops called on 'Eissa al-Nawaja'a to surrender, whom they claimed was hiding inside the house, and then shelled the house. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops shelled the house sporadically for more than 2 hours, which caused the house to be partially damaged. Afterwards, Israeli troops brought a military bulldozer to the area and demolished the house. They then searched under the ruins of the house until 11:00, but they did not find anyone.

On Friday morning, 9 January 2004, Israelis resumed leveling and destroying Palestinian land near the "Kharsina" settlement, northeast of Hebron for the continued development of the infrastructure of the "Separation Wall" around Israeli settlements established on Palestinian land in Hebron. This operation continued until Monday evening, 12 January 2004, during which Israeli troops razed 24 donums of Palestinian agricultural land, uprooted 95 olive, gage, and almond trees, and destroyed a number of retaining walls in Bani Salim and al-Bowaira neighborhood, southwest of the aforementioned settlement. The destroyed area of land belong to Khalifa 'Abed Da'na, 'Abdul Hafez Younis Da'na, Mohammed Mahmoud Jaber and the families of Sultan and al-Ja'bari.

Also on Friday morning, 9 January 2004, Israeli military bulldozers began digging a trench that would extend from the Jordan River in the east, to the northern edges of the villages of Bardala and 'Ein al-Baida, north of Tubas, to the west. The trench would lay the foundations for the construction of the "Separation Wall" in the area. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops started to establish a road in the Qo'eina area, north of Bradala village, to construct a part of the wall in the area. Israeli troops’ aim is to isolate the two villages, which are located in the northern Jordan Valley and established a number of military observation points equipped with developed observation equipment. Such Israeli military measures would deprive Palestinian shepherds from grazing their animals on the foot of mountains and neighboring areas.

On Saturday, 10 January 2004, officers of the so-called "High Organization Council" of the "Israeli Civil Administration", the civil wing of Israeli occupying forces, handed two written orders to 'Abdul Wadoud and 'Abdul Bari Mousa Abu Shamsia to stop the construction of their houses in the al-Baqa'a area, northeast of Hebron, near "Kharsina" settlement. Israeli occupying forces have continued to raze Palestinian land in the area to construct the "Separation Wall."

In Qalqilya, hundreds of Palestinians in the villages of 'Azzoun 'Atma, Ras 'Atiya, Magharet al-Daba'a and Wad al-Rasha have been denied access to their agricultural lands, which have become isolated to the west the "Separation Wall." Israeli occupying forces have also denied Palestinians living in the villages to the west of the wall from accessing their agricultural land located to the east of the wall. Residents of these villages have been subject to harassment by Israeli soldiers positioned at gates established along the wall. These villages now resemble a jail area and have been deprived of water supplies. Israeli soldiers do not allow any Palestinian living outside of 'Azzoun 'Atma village to enter the village. It is worth noting that 2000 Palestinians live in the 'Azzoun 'Atma village, 500 live in Ras 'Atiya village and 600 live in the villages of Magharet al-Daba'a and Wad al-Rasha.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints, which are open for a maximum of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has been the only outlet that the Gaza Strip has to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. The terminal is opened between 09:00 and 18:00, and only 6 Palestinian employees are allowed to work at the terminal. The number of Palestinians traveling through the terminal is about 300-400 a day. Palestinian travelers are subject to humiliation and prolonged travel procedures. A number of travelers is also denied travel permission for no apparent reason. Furthermore, many Palestinian travelers are often forced to spend the night on the Egyptian side of the terminal waiting permission to cross into the Gaza Strip. The Israeli intelligence also summons a number of travelers for interrogation and arrests are frequent. This week, Israeli occupying forces arrested 6 Palestinian travelers as follows:

On Thursday, 8 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces arrested Mohammed Talal Mohammed Abu Sha'ira, 20, from Rafah, a student at the Islamic University in Gaza city, when he attempted to travel to Saudi Arabia to spend the midterm holiday with his family.

On Friday, 9 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces arrested 2 Palestinians who were returning to the Gaza Strip from Egypt:

1. Mohammed Fayez Mohammed Abu Taha, 22, from Rafah, who took his child to Egypt to receive medical care; and

On Sunday, 11 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces arrested 2 Palestinian travelers who were on their way to Egypt:

On Tuesday, 13 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces arrested Radi Manar Barbakh, 21, from Khan Yunis, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, especially in the north.

For the 3^rd consecutive week, Israelis have continued to impose a tightened siege on Nablus. They have closed all military checkpoints at the entrances of the city and denied movement to Palestinians, including medical personnel, patients and ambulances. PCHR's field worker in Nablus reported that Israeli troops positioned at Beit Eiba and al-Naqoura military checkpoints, northwest of the city, Hawara, 'Awarta and Za'tara military checkpoints, south of the city, Beit Fourik military checkpoint, east of the city, and Surra military checkpoint, west of the city, denied movement of Palestinian civilians for the 3^rd consecutive week. They also erected more military checkpoints inside the city itself. On Sunday, 11 January 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Za'atra military checkpoint held hundreds of Palestinian civilians for more than 5 hours. They also held hundreds of Palestinian civilians at Beit Eiba military checkpoint for several hours and forced them to travel back to their areas.

Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on Salfit district. According to eyewitnesses, since 08:00 on Sunday, 11 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces have reinforced their presence on "Trans-Samaria" road and prohibited Palestinian vehicles from traveling on it. On the same day, Israeli troops held a number of Palestinian buses at Hares crossroads, northwest of Salfit, until the evening and then forced them to return. Israeli troops closed the northern entrance to Salfit near Yasouf village and denied movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. They also continue to close the entrances to the villages of Hares and Kufol Hares. In addition, Israeli troops established sand barriers near a military checkpoint near Qarawat Bani Hassan village on the road leading to Bedia village. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops closed Deir Ballout military checkpoint and denied travel from and to Ramallah and neighboring villages. They also imposed a curfew on 'Azzoun village.

Since Thursday morning, 8 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on Tulkarm. They erected more military checkpoints on the main roads leading to the town and complicated the checking procedures at the iron-gate established on the "Separation Wall" to the north of the town. This gate connects between the town and neighboring villages, especially Baqa al-Sharqia. Israeli troops positioned at al-Kafriyat military checkpoint, south of the town, have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli patrols were also deployed on Tulkarm-Nablus road opposite to Nour Shams refugee camp and al-Salam neighborhoods. Israeli soldiers provoked Palestinian civilians and fired live ammunition and sound bombs at Palestinian properties at the entrances of Tulkarm and Nour Shams refugee camps.

This week, Israeli occupying forces used military checkpoints to arrest allegedly wanted Palestinians.

On Saturday morning, 10 January 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Surra military checkpoint, southwest of Nablus, arrested 'Arafat Majed Mohammed Turabi, 25, from Surra village, a student at al-Quds Open University in Nablus.

Also on Saturday morning, Israeli troops positioned at Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Bashar Mahmoud al-Rayan, 21, from Nablus.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at al-Kafriyat military checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested Samer Baker 'Atallah, 29; and Mo'taz Hamza Hamza 'Atallah, 28, both from Beit Lid village, east of Tulkarm, while they were on their way from their village towards Tulkarm.

At approximately 11:15 on Saturday, Israeli troops positioned at a temporary checkpoint that was suddenly erected at the entrance to Beit Lid village, east of Tulkarm, arrested Husni 'Adnan Hamdan, 28, from Bala'a village, northeast of Tulkarm.

At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 11 January 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Nazlat 'Eissa military checkpoint, north of Tulkarm, arrested 'Abdul Basset Hassan Abu Jilda, 23, from Nazlat 'Eissa village, while on his way to his workplace in Tulkarm.

On Tuesday morning, 13 January 2004, Israeli troops positioned at a military checkpoint at the southern entrance to Hebron arrested Maher Jibril Mohammed Roumi, 21, from Yatta village.

At noon on the same day, Israeli troops that erected a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance to Salem village, east of Nablus, arrested Rami Nihad Yousef Eshtayeh, 30, from Salem village, and Rami Suleiman Ghanem, 26, from Tulkarm.

This week, Israeli occupying forces obstructed the movement of Palestinian medical personnel. PCHR's field worker in Nablus reported that on Thursday, 8 January 2004, medical personnel from the Palestinian Union of Medical Care Committees, a group which included a physician, a nurse, a health counselor, and an obstetrician, moved in an ambulance from Nablus to the clinic in Amatin village, west of the city. When they arrived at Beit Eiba military checkpoint, Israeli troops positioned at the checkpoint allowed the health counselor and the obstetrician to cross the checkpoint, while denying passage to the physician and the nurse. The ambulance driver attempted to negotiate with Israeli troops, but they insisted that Nablus was a closed military zone and only two medical personnel are allowed to pass.

On Sunday morning, 11 January 2004, two medical personnel from the Palestinian Union of Medical Care Committees moved from Nablus towards two medical centers in 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and Southern 'Assira, south of Nablus. When they arrived at Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, they were held along with ambulances of other medical institutions by Israeli troops for more than three hours, and then forced to travel back to the city. According to the medical personnel, Israeli troops positioned at the checkpoint harassed patients and passing civilians traveling to and from Nablus.

1. Upon the international community to provide immediate and independent international protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches perpetrated in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

5. Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.

6. Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are deteriorating as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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