PCHR Weekly Reoprt

Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included willful and extra-judicial 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 oPt. This week, 13 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including a child, a woman and 2 old men, were killed by Israeli troops.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops killed 9 Palestinians, including a woman, a child and a handicapped elderly. Seven of the victims, including the woman, were killed by Israeli troops in Beit Hanoun on 8 July 2004, in the context of the continuous Israeli offensive on the town. The handicapped elderly was killed when Israeli troops demolished his house over him in Khan Yunis on 12 July 2004. The child was killed while she was inside her house in Rafah, when Israeli troops opened fire at residential areas in the town on 10 July 2004.

Israeli occupying forces conducted 8 military incursions into Palestinian areas, 5 of which were into Khan Yunis. Israeli troops destroyed 75 houses, in which 684 people (102 families) lived, and razed 304 donums of agricultural land, mostly in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. In Beit Hanoun, at least 2500 donums of agricultural land have been razed by Israeli troops in Beit Hanoun since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on the town.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. Two of the victims were willfully killed by Israeli troops in Hebron and Qalqilya on 8 July 2004. A Palestinian was extra-judicially assassinated by Israeli troops in Jenin on 13 July 2004. The fourth victim was an old man who was run down by an Israeli settler in Bethlehem on 13 July 2004. Israeli troops also raided 2 charitable societies in Jenin and Qalqilya and closed them for 2 years. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West Bank. In addition, they destroyed 6 houses in retaliation against families of Palestinian activists.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, despite the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. According to Israeli sources, there are new instructions with regard to the track of the wall to comply with the decision taken by the Israeli High Court, to construct the wall as close as possible to the 1967 border, not on the border itself, in violation of international law.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the oPt and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have continued to close most border crossings. A number of these crossings were partially reopened, but under severe restrictions. They have continued to impose a strict siege on Beit Hanoun. On Sunday morning, Israeli troops closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border. In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

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

Israeli occupying forces have continued their offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun since 28 June 2004. Since then, 14 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 3 children, have been killed by Israeli troops. Seven of the victims were killed this week. Israeli troops have also razed hundreds of donums of Palestinian agricultural land and the largely destroyed the civilian infrastructure of the town, isolating it from the rest of the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday morning, 8 July 2004, Israeli occupying forces, continuing a wide scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun which started on the 28 June 2004, killed 7 Palestinians, including a woman.

According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Na'aima Street in the east of Beit Hanoun, towards a house belonging to the family of Nahed 'Abdul Rahman Abu 'Ouda, 44, who is wanted by Israeli troops. PCHR learned that Abu 'Ouda was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops, but those troops have continued to hold his body in a Palestinian ambulance, without allowing the ambulance to travel out of the town.

At the same time, another unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Sikka and al-Wad roads. These are the only outlets left for the movement of Palestinian civilians as Israeli troops have continued to impose a siege on the town for several days. Israeli troops seized a number of houses in the area. Other troops were deployed in agricultural areas. At approximately 05:30, Israeli troops opened fire at 4 members of the Fatah movement when they were walking on al-Wad road. Three of them were killed:

The fourth member was able to escape. A Palestinian civilian, Yousef Ahmed Mousa al-Za'nin, 52, tried to help the victims, but Israeli troops immediately shot him dead.

At approximately 06:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops. One member of the resistance, Hamed Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu 'Ouda, 27, was killed in these clashes.

As a result of the intense shelling to Palestinian residential areas in the town, a Palestinian woman, Jamila 'Abdul Hadi Hamad, 44, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body, when she was near her house. Her child, Wafaa', 13, was also seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest. In addition, 5 other civilians were wounded. Israeli troops have continued to hold 3 Palestinian ambulances. The ambulances were trying to convey the body of a Palestinian killed by the IOF, a woman in labor and an injured civilian to hospital. They have also continued to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Beit Hanoun and in the neighboring Jabalya town. They have razed at least 1400 donums of agricultural land so far. PCHR remains extremely concerned that Israeli troops will continue with these attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties in Beit Hanoun.

Israeli troops further tightened the siege imposed on the town, and did not allow entry of the bodies of these victims into the town until 10:30 on Friday, 9 July 2004.

On Friday afternoon, Israeli troops fired at a number of Palestinian civilians, mostly children, at the southern entrance of the town. Three civilians, including 2 children, were injured, one of whom was in a serious condition. On the same day, Israeli troops arrested Mahdi Mohammed al-Basiouni, 24.

At approximately 01:00 on Saturday, 10 July 2004, Israeli troops, reinforced by helicopters, moved into Tallat Qulaibu area in the west of Beit Lahia. They razed dozens of donums of agricultural land planted with citrus fruits.

At approximately 06:00 on the same day, Israeli troops fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinian civilians who were collecting wood in the east of Jabalya. One civilian, Mohammed Nafez Abu Jabal, 24, was seriously injured by shrapnel throughout the body. He lost one of his legs.

At approximately 10:30 on the same day, Israeli troops fired at a number of Palestinian women in al-Wad Street when they tried to exit the town. One woman, Latifa 'Eid Abu 'Amsha, 26, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.

On Friday, crews of the ICRC faced extreme difficulties in delivering foodstuffs and water to houses in the town.

At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 11 July 2004, Israeli troops fired at Mahmoud Mohammed 'Obaid, 38, in the east of Jabalya. He was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder. Israeli troops also destroyed a factory in the west of Beit Hanoun.

At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 12 July 2004, Israeli troops demolished a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ahmed Hassan Hussein Abu Kalloub.

At approximately 08:30 on the same day, Israeli troops reopened the road located to the northwest of Beit Hanoun for one hour only.

At approximately 14:00 on the same day, Israeli troops destroyed a factory of concrete in the south of the town. They also razed more areas of agricultural land in the east and west of the town.

At approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, Israeli troops raided and searched a number of houses in the northwest of Beit Hanoun. They arrested Jamal Mohammed Swailem, 44.

At approximately 14:30 on Wednesday, 14 July 2004, Israeli troops surrounded 5 houses belonging to the Swailem family in the northwest of Beit Hanoun. They forced residents of the houses out and searched the houses. Israeli troops left the area at approximately 18:00.

At midnight, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by helicopters, moved into Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. Under the cover of intense shelling, they totally destroyed 30 Palestinian houses, leaving 250 people (44 families) homeless. In addition, 10 houses, where 95 people (18 families) live, were severely damaged. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. Ma'isaa' Ahmed Abu Rezeq, 10, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;

3. 'Abdul Rahman Saleh al-Mubasher, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by nearly 20 military vehicles, moved into the center of Jenin. They surrounded the headquarters of al-Zakat (‘alms giving’) Committee of the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs. They blew up the doors of the headquarters and searched offices. They confiscated dozens of documents and files. At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops withdrew, leaving a military order closing the headquarters, offices and agencies of the committee for 2 years. The committee offer humanitarian aid to orphans and poor people. In the past 2 years, Israeli troops raided its headquarters in Jenin on 5 occasions.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into al-Qura'an neighborhood in the center of Qalqilya. They surrounded the headquarter of the Qur'an and Sunna (the Prophet Mohammed's teachings) Society. They blew up its doors and searched it. They confiscated a number of computer sets and some furniture. When withdrawing, Israeli troops left a military order closing the society for 2 years.

In the afternoon and the evening, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. Eight Palestinian civilians, including 4 women and 3 children, were wounded:

5. Halima Mahmoud Abu Na'na', 26, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder;

At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 150 meters into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They immediately demolished 2 houses belonging to the families of 'Aashour and 'Omran, in which 26 people lived.

In the evening, Israeli troops moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp and Bazaria village; Hebron; Bethlehem; and Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinians.

In the evening, in a case of an apparent willful killing, Israeli troops shot dead Marwan 'Ali 'Omar al-Qawasmi, 32, from Hebron. Al-Qawasmi bled to death. Israeli troops claimed that he was killed as he tried to escape when Israeli troops attempted to arrest him. However, investigations conducted by PCHR revealed that Israeli troops could have arrested him as they had surrounded the house where he hid and he was unarmed. Israeli troops also arrested 3 other Palestinians. Al-Qawasmi was wanted by Israeli troops for his activities in al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 20:45, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Wadi Abu Katila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron using 4 civilian cars that have Israeli registrations. Israeli troops surrounded Hamdi Younis Junaidi's 2-storey house, claiming that a number of allegedly wanted Palestinians were hiding inside. A few minutes later, an Israeli armored personnel carrier, 2 vans, an ambulance and nearly 30 jeeps arrived at the area. Israeli troops surrounded the house and opened fire at it from all directions from distances of 10-30 meters. A number of those who were in the house attempted to escape through a window on the second floor. When al-Qawasmi jumped through the window, Israeli troops noticed him. They threatened to kill him if he did not stop. Al-Qawasmi stopped with his hands up, but Israeli troops opened fire at him from a distance of less than 10 meters. He was wounded by several live bullets in the back. He crept towards the first floor, while bleeding. Israeli troops continued to fire at the house using machine guns. Then, they fired 5 artillery shells at the house. At approximately 22:00, an Israeli intelligence officer arrived at the area and interrogated the house's owner about those who were inside the house. Then, Israeli troops gave the owner 5 minutes to vacate the house of its 24 residents. These residents were taken nearly 300 meters away from the house. At approximately 01:00 on the following day, Israeli officers allowed the owner to enter the house and bring al-Qawasmi out. As al-Qawasmi was brought out, he was still alive. Israeli troops cut his clothes and then carried him towards an ambulance. He remained in the ambulance, without being offered any kind of medical treatment. Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 04:30. At approximately 07:00, Israeli troops summoned the victim's father to the headquarters of the Israeli military liaison in the south of Hebron and asked him to identify his son's body. At approximately 20:00, Israeli troops delivered al-Qawasmi's body to a Palestinian ambulance. According to medical sources, he was shot by 7 live bullets throughout the body, which indicates that he might have been shot also by Israeli troops after he had been arrested.

In the evening, in another case of apparent willful killing, Israeli troops shot dead Mohammed Khamis Mohammed Rabe', 20, from Hijja village east of Qalqilya, and wounded another civilian. Israeli troops fired at a car that was traveling in a convoy of cars that were participating in a wedding party. According to eyewitnesses, the area was completely quiet when Israeli troops fired at the car.

According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 22:00, a number of civilian cars were traveling in a convoy during a wedding party in the center of Hijja village east of Qalqilya. Mohammed Rabe' was traveling in a white Subaru driven by Rami Bassam 'Abdul Latif Batta, 20. An Israeli jeep coming from the opposite direction passed near the convoy. When the jeep became dozens of meters away from the convoy, Israeli troops fired at the aforementioned car, which was traveling at the end of the convoy. Rabe' was killed by a live bullet in the head, and Batta was injured by shrapnel throughout the body.

Friday, 9 July 2004

At approximately 00:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 600 meters into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They opened fire at the area. Then, Israeli troops ordered residents of the area through megaphones to leave their houses without allowing them to vacate any of their belongings. As soon as these residents got out of their houses, Israeli troops drove them away from the area and military bulldozers started to demolish a number of houses. By 06:00, Israeli military bulldozers had demolished 4 houses completely, in which 28 people (5 families), and 2 other ones partially, in which 67 people (7 families) live. They had also razed 45 donums of agricultural land and destroyed an irrigation network, an agricultural pool and 2 animal farms. All of these properties belong to the al-Sha'er family.

In the morning, Israeli troops moved into Qalqilya and the neighboring 'Azzoun village; and Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians.

At approximately 21:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved from "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City, into Sheikh 'Ejlin neighborhood in the southwest of Gaza City. Israeli troops raided an uninhabited house belonging to a woman from the Shamallakh family and transformed it into a military site. On the following day morning, 10 July 2004, more Israeli troops arrived at the area to reinforce the infantry unit. Under the cover of intense shelling, they razed at least 20 donums of agricultural land belonging the Shamallakh family. During this incursion, Israeli troops fired an artillery shell and several live bullets at a 4-storey house owned by Talab Jamil al-'Anani. The second floor of the house was severely damaged. Israeli troops also destroyed the southern façade of the house they had already seized. Additionally, a Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Saleh Juha, 19, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, a paramedic, was wounded by a live bullet in the chest, fired by Israeli troops.

At approximately 23:20, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Palestinian areas located to the west of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Israeli troops raided 'Omar Ahmed Basheer's house and held its 34 residents in one room. They searched the houses and checked the identity cards of its residents. Then, Israeli troops moved to Khalil Isma'il Basheer's house in the area and searched it the same way. Israeli troops withdrew from the area at approximately 05:00.

Saturday, 10 July 2004

At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Jenin refugee camp. They raided and searched Mohammed 'Owais' house and arrested his daughter Aaya, 17.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. One heavy caliber bullet penetrated a wall of 'Ouda Abu Samhadana's house, nearly 900 meters away from the border, and hit his daughter Haneen, 16, in the chest, while she was helping her two brothers wearing their clothes. Members of the family evacuated her to Martyr Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but she instantly died. According to medical sources, the bullet hit the child in the heart. Thus, the number of Palestinian children killed by Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip in 10 days mounted to 4.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops positioned in a military post near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded while they were in a market:

1. Ahmed Mohammed Ka'bar, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and

2. 'Ouda Khalil al-Qadi, 41, wounded by shrapnel in the left forearm.

Monday, 12 July 2004

In the morning, Israeli military bulldozers demolished a house while an elderly physically disabled Palestinian civilian was still inside. Despite attempts by his wife and daughter to draw attention to his presence the IOF continued with the demolition. The incident occurred during a wide scale Israeli military incursion into the camp, accompanied by intense shelling from tanks and helicopter gunships. This latest operation left 34 Palestinian houses demolished. In a similar Israeli military operation in the same camp on 8 July 2004, 40 Palestinian houses were demolished. Thus, the number of houses destroyed in the camp by Israeli troops in less than 5 days has mounted to 74.

According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 01:45, Israeli occupying troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicoPters, moved into Khan Yunis refugee camp, coming from "Neve Dekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west and south of Khan Yunis respectively. Under the cover of intense shelling, they started to bulldoze Palestinian houses without warning their residents. A number of these residents, who were surprised and terrified by this attack, were able to escape from their homes. Israeli military bulldozers moved towards a house belonging to Ibrahim Mahoud Mohammed Khalafallah, 75, who is physically disabled. His wife and daughter tried to carry him out of the house, but they could not. They left the premises and called on Israeli troops to stop the demolition of their house, but the Israeli military bulldozers continued with the demolition process, despite the fact that he was still inside the house. The man was crushed by the ensuing rubble from his home while his wife and daughter watched. By 04:30, Israeli military bulldozers had completely demolished 31 houses, in which 255 people (41 families) and partially demolished 3 others, in which 20 people (3 families) live.

In the morning, Israeli troops moved into Jayaous village near Qalqilya, Beut Eksa and Beit Reema villages near Ramallah, al-Duha village near Bethlehem and al-Sammou' village near Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians.

Tuesday, 13 July 2004

At approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved nearly 1 kilometer into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They raided 5 houses belonging to the families of al-Farra, al-'Emawi and al-Sumairi. They searched the houses and used a number of residents as human shields during the searches. Then, Israeli troops transformed roofs of these houses into military sites. At approximately 07:00, more Israeli troops, reinforced by helicopters, were brought to the area. They opened fire at the area intensely. They blocked all main and branch roads. They started to raze areas of agricultural land and demolish a number of houses. By 05:30 on Wednesday, 14 July 2004, they had razed 159 donums, demolished 3 houses, damaged 3 others and destroyed agricultural equipments, belonging to the families of al-Farra, Abu Roumia, al-Sumairi, Abu Haddaf, Khashan, al-Qedra, Abu Sawawin, Abu Jummaiza, al-Astal and al'Emawi. Israeli troops also damaged the civilian infrastructure of the area. Also during this incursion, Israeli troops raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Kamal Salem Abu Zaher, 34; and 'Ezziddin Salim Abu Zaher, 19. in addition, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli gunfire: Hadi 'Abdul Rahman Khashan, 27, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and Sameh 'Abdul Qader al-Agha, 23, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 06:30, Israeli troops moved nearly 1 kilometer into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They called on residents of the village through megaphones to get out of their houses. Then, they raided and searched the houses. They forced at least 50 men and children to go to a school in the village, and from there they took them to an Israeli military post at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops interrogated these men and children and then released them, excluding 5 who remained in custody: Nahed Sa'id Mohammed Abu Khammash, 34; Rami 'Abdul Hai Salem Abu al-'Ajin, 27; Salem Rezeq Abu Sha'ar, 27; Fayez 'Abdul Raziq Abu Sha'ar, 34; and Mohammed Ahmed al-Najjar, 31. During this incursion, Israeli troops demolished one house completely and another house partially belonging to the Abu Haddaf family. As a result, 25 people (3 families) have become homeless. They also razed 51 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Abu al-'Ajin, Ben Sa'id, Abu 'Amra, al-Farra, al-Kharouf and Baraka, and severely damaged the civilian infrastructure of the village.

In the evening, Israeli troops moved into al-Bireh; Hebron; 'Aaida refugee camp near Bethlehem; Beit Eksa village near Ramallah; Deir Sharaf village near Nablus; and Jayous village near Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in the camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed 'Abed Rabbu Abu Jalal, 54, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

At approximately 20:45, Israeli troops positioned in a military post to the north of al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian child, Mohammed Jihad Abu 'Obaida, 9, was injured by shrapnel in the head, when he was inside his house.

Wednesday, 14 July 2004

At approximately 00:45, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched 3 missiles at a workshop owned by Ziad Mohammed Ibrahim Hassouna, 45, in the densely populated 'Asqoula neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The workshop was completely destroyed.

At approximately 11:35, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian woman, 'Abeer Ibrahim Bahloul, 40, was injured by shrapnel in the face and the pelvis, when she was inside her house.

At approximately 17:15, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Junaina neighborhood, nearly 900 meters away from the border. A Palestinian woman, Randa Mohammed Abu Hilal, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

Extra-Judicial Execution

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial execution officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments in violation of international law and humanitarian law, on Tuesday afternoon, 13 July 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial execution in the West Bank, which killed No'man Taher Mustafa Tahaina, 31, from Seilat al-Harthia village west of Jenin. The victim was wanted by Israeli troops for being a member of the Islamic Jihad. Israeli troops admitted responsibility for this killing, and claimed that Israeli troops were in Jenin to arrest a number of Palestinians, when they tried to stop 2 Palestinian vehicles. They further claimed that the driver of one of these vehicles attempted to escape, so they shot him dead and injured another Palestinian.

According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, Tahaina was driving a taxi near the Jordanian Field Hospital near the northwestern entrance of Jenin. A civilian car moved towards the taxi and stopped near it. Immediately, 2 persons wearing civilian clothes got out of the car and opened fire at Tahaina from a distance of less than 10 meters. He was instantly killed by several live bullets in the upper part of the body. Soon, more Israeli troops arrived at the area to cover the withdrawal of the Israeli undercover unit. Tahaina's body was transferred to a hospital in Jenin, where he was identified.

Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

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

At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They surrounded a 100-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to the family of Amjad 'Abdul Latif Hanani, who was killed by Israeli troops during an Israeli military incursion into Nablus on 6 July 2004. they forced the 7 residents of the house (2 families) out and planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 05:30, they destroyed the house.

At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 9 July 2004, Israeli troops moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They surrounded a 165-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Fawaz Khamis 'Aabed. The forced the 13 residents of the house (2 families) out. Then, they searched the house and planted explosives inside it. At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops destroyed the house. On Thursday morning, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops arrested the owner's son Riad, 26.

At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 12 July 2004, Israeli troops moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They surrounded a 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Suleiman Khuzaimiya. They called on his son Nasser, 29, through megaphones to surrender. When they became certain that Nasser was not there, they broke into the house, forced its 15 residents (2 families) out and searched it. Then, they planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops destroyed the house.

At approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, Israeli troops moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They surrounded a 120-square-meter house belonging to the family of 'Alaa' 'Ali al-Satafi, 20, who has been detained by those troops. They forced the 10 residents of the house out and planted explosives inside. At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops destroyed the house. At the same time, Israeli troops raided a house belonging to the family of Helmi 'Abdul Karim Hammash, who had been detained by those troops. They forced its residents out in order to destroy it, but this action was postponed apparently for technical reasons.

At approximately 02:00 on the same day, Israeli troops moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They surrounded a 160-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by 'Adnan Tawfiq 'Aabed. They forced the 20 residents of the house (3 families) out and planted explosives inside the house. Then, they destroyed the house. The owner's son, Hussam, was killed while carrying out a bombing inside Israel in 1993.

Also at approximately 02:00 on the same day, Israeli troops moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in the south of Ramallah. They surrounded a 160-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to the family of Zeidan Muhareb Ramadan. They forced the 8 residents of the house out and planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops destroyed the house. Ramadan is wanted by Israeli troops for being a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

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 movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip for the 15^th consecutive week. Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis. On Sunday morning, 11 July 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. On the same day, Israeli troops closed Rafah Terminal, the only outlet for the Gaza Strip into the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. They have also continued to close Erez crossing and industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip. They have continued to impose a tight siege on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.

This week, Israeli troops imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis. On Thursday, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints for several hours and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in between. The same happened on Saturday, 10 July 2004. At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 12 July 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints to allegedly maintain the road. This closure continued until the following day morning. For the 4^th consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued to prevent private cars from crossing the two checkpoints.

For the 3^rd consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued to close border crossing in the face of Palestinian workers and patients. Even though Israeli occupying forces partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, they imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the crossing.

On Sunday morning, 11 July 2004, Israeli troops closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit male Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Rafah. On Sunday morning, 11 July 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Tuffah checkpoint. Before this closure, Israeli troops at the checkpoint arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: 'Abdul Karim Mohammed al-Sha'er, 25, a truck driver; Hamada Mahmoud al-Sha'er, 65; and Nabil Hamada al-Sha'er, 27. When al-Tuffah checkpoint is open, Israeli troops do not permit male Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 30 and females whose ages are between 16 and 25 to cross.

Israeli forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. The have denied entry of domestic gas to the area. They have also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers, and continued to prevent those whose ages are under 30 from moving out and into the area. Israeli troops allowed only 5 persons to get out of the area everyday to bring foodstuffs. In the same context, Israeli occupying 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.

The West Bank

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

Jerusalem

This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops have continued to close all roads leading to East Jerusalem. They erected more checkpoints around the city and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. On Thursday morning, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops erected 2 sudden checkpoints at the entrances to the villages of Beit Eksa and Biddu. They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians. These measures affected residents of 9 villages in the area.

Ramallah

Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the town and obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles for long hours. On Thursday morning, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops erected a sudden checkpoint on Ramallah – Jerusalem road. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles. On Monday morning, 12 July 2004, Israeli troops held dozens of Palestinian vehicles near the western entrance to al-Jeeb village, southwest of Ramallah. They denied passage to Palestinian civilians.

Nablus

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced Palestinian civilians and vehicles to wait for long hours at military checkpoints. Israeli forces have also continued to prevent Palestinians, who are under 35, from crossing military checkpoints erected around the city. This week, Israeli troops completed equipping military checkpoints around the city with more facilities similar to those at Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah.

Jenin

Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints and imposed more restrictions at permanent ones. Israeli troops also tightened the siege imposed on the villages of the northern Jordan Valley.

Tulkarm

On Thursday, 8 July 2004, Israeli troops re-closed Kufor al-Labad – Thinnaba road, which leads to Tulkarm, only 2 days following its reopening by local Palestinians and a number of international and Israeli peace activists. Israeli troops also erected a number of checkpoints around the town and restricted movement of Palestinians civilians.

An Old Palestinian Civilian Run down by an Israeli Settler

At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, medical sources at Beit Jala Hospital in Bethlehem declared that Ibrahim 'Abdul Hafiz Salem Ghunaim, 68, from al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, died from injuries he had sustained in the morning, when an Israeli settler ran him down.

According to preliminary investigations by PCHR, at approximately 06:30, Ghunaim was waiting at the roadside of bypass road 60 to cross towards his land near Hourat al-Shama'a village. Soon, a car driven by an Israeli settler from "Efrat" settlement turned towards him and ran him down. Then, the settler escaped towards an Israeli military post. A number of Israeli troops arrived at the area, but did not offer any help to the man. They only informed the Palestinian liaison about the incident. Soon, a Palestinian ambulance arrived at the area and evacuated the man to Beit Jala Hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed.

*****

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 Territory. PCHR believes the failure to comply with article 1 obligations encourages Israel to act as if it was a state above the law and 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 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, NGOs and human rights organizations 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 oPt.

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 decision of the ICJ on the Annexation Wall and calls on the international community to fulfill its legal obligations, as stipulated by the court, to “ensure respect” for the Geneva Convention and to prevent further construction of the wall.

8. In recognition of the 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 solidarity groups, 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”

[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

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