PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 23/2004

10 - 16 June 2004

Israeli Forces Perpetrate More Crimes in the OPTs

Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included extra-judicial and 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, 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed by Israeli troops.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 14 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed razed 315 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and 12 houses. They also arrested 4 Palestinian civilians in the central Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. Eight Palestinians, including a child, were killed by Israeli troops. Four of the victims were killed in 2 extra-judicial assassinations perpetrated by Israeli troops in Nablus and Jenin on 14 and 16 June 2004. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West Bank. They also demolished 2 houses in Bethlehem on 15 June 2004 in the context of a continuous retaliatory campaign against families of Palestinian activists.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem. Israeli occupying forces continued to level large areas of Palestinian land for the purpose of the construction of the wall. They have isolated the northern suburbs of the city. They plan to construct a section of the wall to the west of these suburbs, which will eventually isolate them from Jerusalem. The construction of the wall in the area will isolate dozens of institutions and markets. In the same context, Israeli troops demolished 5 houses to the south of Ramallah.

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 Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have continued to close most border crossings.

In the West Bank, the spokesperson for the Israeli occupying forces claimed that his troops had dismantled 42 out of 150 checkpoints throughout the West Bank, and lifted the siege imposed on Palestinian communities, excluding Nablus. PCHR's field workers reported that they had reopened entrances to a number of villages and a number of roads, but many checkpoints remained in place. Israeli troops continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This claim contradicts with another statement by an Israeli military spokesman on 9 March 2004, when they talked about only 29 checkpoints being enforced throughout the West Bank.

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

At approximately 00:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved from "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City, approximately 1000 meters into Palestinian agricultural areas in Sheikh Ejlin neighborhood. Israeli troops raided an uninhabited house owned by Taleb Jamil al-Tanani, who lives abroad. They transformed the house into a military site and made holes in the walls. A few hours later, more Israeli military reinforcements were brought to the area. Israeli troops demolished the fence of the house. Then, they razed 10 donums of agricultural land planted with vegetables, grapes and palms and destroyed agricultural equipments belonging to the Shamallakh family.

At approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 400 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. Israeli troops raided a 200-square-meter, 4-storey house owned by Yousef 'Awad Muhaisen. They forced the 13 residents out of the house and searched it. They used the owner as a human shield while searching the house. Then, Israeli troops held all residents in one room on the third floor and took a position on top of the house. Israeli troops prevented the owner's sons: Hassan and Mohammed, 18; and Ihsan, 14, from going to schools to attend their final exams. Israeli troops left the house at approximately 01:30 on Friday, 11 June 2004.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Qalqilya and arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 02:20, Israeli troops moved into al-Sikka neighborhood in Jenin. They surrounded Yousef Abu al-Hassan al-Zar'eini's house. They knocked on the door. The owner's son, Ma'moun, 27, looked through the window. When he noticed that the house was surrounded by Israeli troops, he attempted to escape through a back door. As soon as he exited, Israeli troops fired at him, without warning, from a distance of less than 10 meters. He was instantly killed. According to medical sources, he was hit by 10 live bullets throughout the body. Israeli troops also arrested 3 Palestinians, including one of the victim's brothers:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Deir Abu Da'if village near Jenin and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Tulkram and arrested Shadi Riad Jazmawi, 19.

Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Ramin village near Tulkarm and arrested 'Abdul Rahman Busais, 30.

At approximately 04:15, Israeli troops moved into Kharas village near Hebron and arrested Ibrahim 'Abdul Halim Halahla, 25.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli troops moved into al-Walaja village near Bethlehem and arrested 4 Palestinians:

Also at approximately 04:30, Israeli troops moved into Nablus and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:45, Israeli troops moved into Beit Rima village near Ramallah and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 05:00, Israeli troops moved into Rantis village near Ramallah and arrested 5 Palestinians:

Also at approximately 05:00, Israeli troops moved into Bitounia village near Ramallah and arrested 'Omar Hamdan, 66.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops moved approximately 400 meters into al-Ahmar area in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Throughout this 3-day incursion, they razed around 200 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed agricultural equipment and 5 houses that served as summer resorts.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli troops, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved approximately 250 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. They razed 13 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, vegetables and wheat and destroyed irrigation networks belonging to the families of Muhareb and Abu Mughassib.

At the same time, Israeli troops, accompanied by 2 military bulldozers moved around 400 meters into al-Sumairi and Abu Haddaf neighborhood in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They razed 16 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives belonging to the families of al-Sumairi and Abu Haddaf. Israeli troops also demanded that the Palestinian National Security Force dismantle a security site in the east of al-Qarara village, around 600 meters to the west of the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli troops moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They started to provoke passing Palestinian civilians. Dozens of children and young men gathered and threw stones at those troops. Israeli troops raided Hussein 'Ali Rashed Deiriya's house, held its residents on the first floor and transformed the second floor into a military site, from which they fired at the stone throwers. At approximately 21:20, those troops fired at Shaher 'Awni Ahmed Taqatqa, 21, wounding him with 3 live bullets in the chest. A number of civilians tried to offer him, but Israeli troops fired at them. Around 10 minutes later, a number of civilians were able to reach him. They transferred him to a doctor's house in the village, but he was dead on arrival. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops fired at the victim from a distance of approximately 250 meters, even though he did not participate in the clashes.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus through its western entrance. They moved forward towards the old town opening fire at houses. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at those troops. Immediately, those troops fired at the young men, wounding Ahmed Mustafa Killab, 25, with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left thigh. At approximately 21:40, more Israeli troops entered the city through its southern entrance. They moved towards Ras al-'Ein neighborhood and opened fire at houses. A passing Palestinian child, Hani Mahmoud Qandil, 14, was wounded by a live bullet in the head. He died on the way to the hospital. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops fired at the child from a distance of less than 20 meters.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians:

At approximately 13:00, Israeli troops moved around 150 meters into al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. They demolished a number of rooms made from tin, whose 95 residents (25 families) had already left upon orders by these troops on 28 May 2004. UNRWA has set up a number of tents for these families inside the village.

At approximately 15:30, Israeli troops positioned in a military posts along the "Kissufim" settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Qarara village, to the south of the aforementioned road. A Palestinian woman, Sa'da Ibrahim 'Abdul Rahim al-Tabash, 53, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the chest and the abdomen, when she was approximately 1000 meters away from the source of fire.

At the same time, Israeli troops moved around 400 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed 10 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, almonds and vegetables owned by the families of Abu Gharaba and Nattat.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp near Hebron. They arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Kufor Malek village near Ramallah and arrested Anas 'Abdul Hafez Hamayed, 36.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They opened fire at houses. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with Israeli troops. In the exchange of fire, one member of the resistance, Yamen Faisal 'Abdul Wahab, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the shoulder. According to Palestinian sources, this Israeli military operation aimed at assassinating Zakaria 'Abed al-Zubaidi, 24, the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, in Jenin. However, an Israeli military spokesman claimed that an exchange of fire took place during an ordinary incursion into the area.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli troops moved into Jenin refugee camp and arrested Faisal 'Ersan Qaranin, 45.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Bireh and arrested Hussein Mohammed Qara'an, 24.

Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Hebron and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved around 200 meters into al-Ja'farawi area in the southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and grapes owned by Fadel Hussein Hammouda. They also destroyed the gate of his house and the telephone network of the area.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli troops moved around 300 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They demolished a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Salama al-Sumairi, in which 13 people live. They also razed 65 donums of agricultural land planted with wheat and olives belonging to the families of al-Sumairi and Abu Khashan.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli troops on tanks positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. A number of live bullets and shrapnel hit areas in al-Shaboura refugee camp, around 1200 meters away from the border. An infant, Malak Hani Mustafa Jaber, 9 months, was wounded by a live bullet in the left knee. The same live bullet also hit her uncle Sa'id, 20, who was carrying her, in the groin.

Also at approximately 13:00, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and dozens of international and Israeli peace activists demonstrated on the lands of al-Zawia village, southeast of Qalqilya, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall in the area. Israeli troops fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered form tear gas inhalation. In addition, Ja'far Zahed Eshtayeh, 36, a cameraman of France Press, was hit by a tear gas canister in the back. A South African solidarity activist, David Silverman, 27, was also hit by a tear gas canister to the head. Israeli troops also arrested an American solidarity activist, Ron Daron.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli troops moved into Housan village near Bethlehem. They arrested 4 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved around 400 meters into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City. Israeli troops raided a 3-storey house owned by Suleiman 'Ali al-Deirawi, in which 22 people (3 families) live. They forced these residents to leave the house and searched it. Then, they held the families on the second floor and transformed the third floor into a military site. They left the house at approximately 23:30.

Also at approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Bethlehem. They arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:15, Israeli troops moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They arrested 7 Palestinians, including 3 brothers:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Yatta village and arrested Samir Badi' Abu Qubaita, 40.

At approximately 03:45, Israeli troops moved into 'Askar refugee camp near Nablus and arrested Nizam al-Salhi, 25.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Qalqilya and arrested 4 Palestinians – a man, his two sons and his brother:

Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Ramallah district. They arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Duha village near Bethlehem. They arrested 4 Palestinians:

At approximately 12:30, Israeli troops arrested 'Abul Hamid Abu Sunaina, 35, in Hebron.

At approximately 17:50, Israeli troops moved around 150 meters into al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. They demolished 3 houses belonging to the Farawana family, in which 14 people (2 families) lived.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Jenin and opened fire at houses. A Palestinian child, Nadia Ahmed Hantouli, 16, was injured by shrapnel in the left leg. Israeli troops also raided a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into 'Aaida refugee camp near Bethlehem and arrested Eyad Mohammed Rawhi, 23.

Also at approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They opened fire at houses. A Palestinian woman, Aamena 'Ali Bakir, 27, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh. Israeli troops also arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved around 300 meters into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City. They raided and searched Kamal Hamdi al-Hilu's house. Israeli troops forced one of the owner's sons, Khamis, 20, to get out of the house and used him a human shield while raiding 2 neighboring houses belonging to Selmi 'Ouda Abu Shallouf and Yousef 'Abdul Karim al-'Aaidi. They arrested Tariq Abu Shallouf, 19, and Adham al-'Aaidi, 18. They also beat Samira Mohammed Abu Shallouf, 37, 4 months pregnant, when she tried to prevent them from arresting her son Tariq. Israeli troops withdrew from the area approximately 45 minutes later.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli troops moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Israeli soldiers took position on top of a number of houses. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered in the center of the camp and threw stones at Israeli troops, which immediately fired at them. At approximately 15:30, an Israeli sniper positioned on top of a house belonging to the al-'At'out family fired a live bullet at Salah Saleh Ibrahim al-Lahwani, 18, who was looking through the door of his house, around 150 meters away. Al-Lahwani was wounded in the back. Medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at approximately 16:00. Three other civilians, including a woman and child, were also wounded by the Israeli gunfire:

2. 'Ezziddin Hassan Marshoud, 12, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head; and

Also at approximately 15:00, Israeli troops moved into 'Anabta village near Tulkarm and arrested 'Alaa' Adib Rafiq, 31.

At approximately 19:25, during the funeral procession of al-Lahwani, Israeli troops surrounded 'Abed al-Rahman mosque in Balata refugee camp. A number of children and young men threw stones at these troops, which immediately fired at them. Five Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and an ambulance driver, were wounded:

4. Firas al-Bakri, 24, an ambulance driver, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

At approximately 01:00, Israeli troops moved into the old town of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A Palestinian child, Nayef Ahmed Mahroum, 12, was injured by shrapnel in the head. Israeli troops blew up the doors of a number of houses and shops, damaging 8 houses, 53 shops and a mosque.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Bourqin village near Jenin. They arrested 7 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Jenin. They arrested 5 Palestinians:

Also at 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Kufor Dan village near Jenin. They arrested 2 Palestinian brothers:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus. They arrested 4 Palestinians, including 2 girls:

Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into al-'Azza refugee camp near Bethlehem. They arrested 2 Palestinian brothers:

Also at approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Deir 'Ammar refugee camp near Ramallah. They arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 05:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Ram village near Jerusalem. They arrested 7 Palestinians:

At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Bireh and arrested 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Tarman, 21.

At approximately 12:50, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block J in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Mousa Abu Mar'ei, 22, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 15:30, Israeli troops moved into Abu Sha'ar area in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They surrounded 3 Palestinian houses, in which 24 people (3 families) live. They used megaphones to order the residents to leave the houses. They arrested 2 brothers: 'Abdullah Tawfiq al-Kurd, 21; and 'Abdul Rahman Tawfiq al-Kurd, 15. Then, Israeli troops searched the houses and ordered women to remove the furniture in 30 minutes. At approximately 20:00, they demolished the three houses.

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, this week, Israeli occupying forces committed 2 extra-judicial executions in the West Bank.

On Monday evening, 14 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces launched an aerial attack on a moving vehicle in Nablus, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. One of the victims was Khaled Marshoud, described by Israeli occupying authorities as one of the prominent leaders of the military wing of Fatah movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The other victim was a taxi driver. Israeli occupying forces admitted responsibility for this attack, and claimed that they launched it after all efforts to arrest Marshoud had failed.

According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 21:25, Khalil Mohammed Zuhdi 'Araishi (Marshoud), 25, from Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, was traveling back to the camp from Nablus in a taxi driven by 'Awad Hassan Ahmed Abu Zaid, 35, from 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus. When they arrived at the northern entrance to the camp, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at the vehicle. The missile struck the vehicle, destroying it. Marshoud and the driver were instantly killed. The driver's brother, Yousef Abu Zaid, had been killed by Israeli troops in April 2002.

On Wednesday, 16 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces assassinated a Palestinian in Jenin refugee camp. A taxi driver was also killed by the Israeli gunfire in the same attack.

According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 06:30 on Wednesday, 16 June 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin using a civilian car, a grey Toyota, which had a Palestinian registration. The vehicle moved into the road leading to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital. It stopped near the al-Fahmawi restaurant. Immediately, 4 armed persons in civilian clothes got out of the vehicle, opening fire. Majed al-Sa'di, who is also known as Majed al-Safouri, was killed by 10 live bullets in the head, the chest and the legs. Israeli occupying forces claim that al-Sa'di was wanted for his activities in al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of the Fatah movement. A worker in the restaurant, Mohammed Tawfiq Qarini, 16, was wounded and arrested. In addition, Mohammed Mustafa Kumayel, 30, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen, when he was 200 meters away from the restaurant.

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.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip for the 11^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. They have also imposed severe restriction at Rafah Terminal. In addition, they have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, denying access of Palestinian workers to their work places inside Israeli. They have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and other Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements.

On Thursday morning, 10 June 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints. They held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.

At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 13 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints. They stopped and searched a number of vehicles in between and arrested 3 Palestinians. At approximately 14:00 on the same day, Israeli troops held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in between for 5 hours.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 14 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They also opened fire at Palestinian vehicles that were waiting at the two checkpoints, but no casualties were reported.

On Tuesday morning, 15 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints under security claims, separating between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. They reopened the two checkpoints at approximately 20:00, allowing thousands of Palestinian civilians to travel back home. Israeli troops fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at Abu Houli checkpoint. Israeli troops positioned at al-Matahen checkpoint fired at Maher 'Ali Abu Sharar, 25, from Khan Yunis, who is mentally handicapped, when he got out of a car and moved towards the checkpoint. He was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot. Israeli troops held him for one hour, until they were certain that he was mentally handicapped. A Palestinian ambulance evacuated him to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 16 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in between.

For the 11^th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to close most border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel. 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 Monday morning, Israeli troops reopened the Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip, but under severe restrictions. Only 400 Palestinian workers were allowed to enter the zone under strict conditions. In the meantime, Israeli troops have continued to close the Erez crossing, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places inside Israel.

In violation of the right of health, Israeli occupying forces have imposed restrictions on access of Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank to receive medical care.

Although Israeli forces reopened Rafah Terminal on Tuesday, 25 May 2004, they imposed severe restrictions on travel, sharply decreasing the number of travelers. Since 18 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit 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 and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis. Israeli troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint, but did not allow Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 30 to cross.

Israeli forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. 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.

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 13 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the road leading to al-Matahen company in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, with sand barriers. At approximately 18:00 on the following day, Israeli troops put more sand barriers on the road. As a result, 40 workers have not been able to reach the company, which produce 180 ton of flour daily.

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. On Monday, 14 June 2004, an Israeli military spokesman claimed that his troops had dismantled 42 out of 150 checkpoints throughout the West Bank, and lifted the siege imposed on Palestinian communities, excluding Nablus. PCHR's field workers reported that they reopened entrances to a number of villages and a number of roads, but many checkpoints remained in place, and Israeli troops continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This statement contradicts another statement by an Israeli military spokesman on 9 March 2004, when he talked about only 29 checkpoints existing throughout the West Bank. The figure of 150 checkpoints, constitutes only 25% of the real number of checkpoints erected throughout the West Bank.

This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the city in the context of continued construction of the annexation wall, which will isolate the city from the rest of the West Bank.

Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the town. They obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles for long hours.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to impose a curfew on the old town. On Thursday morning, 10 June 2004, Israeli troops forced Palestinian traders in the center of the old town to close their shops.

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 under 35, excluding a few who have permits, from crossing military checkpoints erected around the city.

This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of temporary checkpoints around the town. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers.

This week, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints on the roads. They also imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at permanent checkpoints. Only Palestinian civilians who have permits have been allowed to cross Israeli military checkpoints.

On Thursday, 10 June 2004, Israeli troops positioned at the iron gate at the entrance to 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya, prevented a Palestinian medical crew from entering the village.

On Sunday morning, 13 June 2004, Israeli troops positioned at the iron gate at the entrance to 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya, arrested Nabeeh Mustafa Mahfouz, 21; and 'Aa'ed Husni Mara'ba, 23, both from Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya. On the same day, Israeli troops at al-Karama Terminal on the Jordanian border, arrested Mohammed Fawzi al-Khatib, 19, from Hebron, while he was traveling back to the West Bank from Jordan.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, Israeli occupying forces continued to level large areas of Palestinian land for the purpose of the construction of the wall. They have isolated the northern suburbs of the city. They plan to construct a section of the wall to the west of these suburbs, which will eventually isolate them from Jerusalem.

According to Sa'id Aslan, the executive director of the local council of al-Ram village, Israeli occupying forces razed large areas of Palestinian land and destroyed a number of yards, car parks and a section of the road linking between the village and Qalandya checkpoint. They plan to expand the road linking between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint in the south and Qalandya checkpoint in the north.

Israeli troops set up cement blocks, whose height is 8 meters, and established gates and monitoring facilities, which will isolate Dahiat al-Barid area and al-Ram village, whose population is around 80,000, from East Jerusalem.

According to local sources, the construction of the wall in the area will isolate dozens of institutions and markets. There will be 26 schools, a number of churches, banks, offices of the European Union and the Christian housing project on the eastern side of the wall, where a college, a school and a number of NGOs will be on western side of the wall.

On Sunday, 13 June 2004, the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of a section of the wall between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. However, the court allowed Israeli troops to continue the establishment of the infrastructure in the area.