PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 10/2004

11 - 17 March 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces escalated their aggression against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included the use of 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, 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were killed and more than 40 others were injured by Israeli occupying forces.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of aerial attacks against Palestinian residential areas and civilians facilities, and destroyed dozens of houses. On Wednesday, 17 March 2004, Israeli helicopter gunships launched missiles at Rafah refugee camp, killing 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, and injuring a number of others. Israeli occupying forces also destroyed 49 houses in the camp, rendering more than 80 families homeless. On 15 March 2004, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Rafah, after they had surrounded the family’s house to arrest his brother.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli government, on Tuesday, 16 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces carried out an assassination attempt targeting a member of the Islamic Jihad, who survived the attempt. However, 2 other Palestinians were killed. An Israeli helicopter gunship attacked the targeted person’s house in al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza city.

On the same day, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a branch campus of al-Aqsa University in Gaza. On 15 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces Israeli helicopter gunships destroyed 3 workshops in densely populated areas in Gaza city.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured. Israeli forces also arrested 63 Palestinians.

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, and destroyed 4 houses in the West Bank.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Separation Wall" inside the West Bank. They confiscated more areas of Palestinian land and demolished more homes for this purpose. Although the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall in certain villages, Israeli occupying forces accelerated the construction of the wall in other areas, including a part of the wall extending from “Alkana” settlement, southeast of Qalilqya, to “Ofar” detention center, southwest of Ramallah, an area north of Jerusalem and southeast of Qalqilya.

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 imposed more restrictions on movement at border crossings and military checkpoints following a bombing in an Israeli town on 14 March 2004. They also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at Israeli military checkpoints. In addition, they imposed further restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in areas adjacent to settlements and military locations. 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.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have also continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches, erected temporary checkpoints, and arrested a number of Palestinians.

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

At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 200m into al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. While subjecting the area to intense shelling, they demolished a 300-square-meter house owned by Isma'il 'Abdullah Abu Mutair, in which 22 people (4 families) used to live. The same house had been partially demolished during a previous Israeli military incursion into the area, which had forced the families to vacate it. Israeli heavy military vehicles withdrew from the area at 17:00 and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 02:30, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians, including 3 brothers:

At approximately 04:00, 15 Israeli military jeeps moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew on the village. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 women, who were released later:

At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-'Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched 'Abdul Rahim Eskafi's house and arrested his son, 'Alaa', 21.

At approximately 05:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Duha village, northwest of Bethlehem. They arrested Majed Mousa Mohammed al-Aa'raj, 19.

At approximately 12:00, an Israeli military jeep raided Hawara secondary school, south of Nablus with Israeli soldiers firing in the air. According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli officer arrested Qussai Nazem 'Anbousi, 16, a student at the 10^th grade.

At approximately 14:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces traveling in 2 civilian cars that had Palestinian registration moved into al-Bireh. A few minutes later, Israeli forces moved into the town and surrounded Jamal 'Abdul Nasser mosque. Soon after members of the undercover unit arrested Nour Mohammed al-Zain, 23, a grocer in a market located near the mosque.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations between "Gani Tal" and "Neve Dekalim" settlements, northwest and west of Khan Yunis respectively, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Taher Hani Sha'at, 20, was injured by live bullet shrapnel in the face, when he was on the roof his house, approximately 2500 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 03:20, Israeli occupying forces, supported by 2 helicopters, moved into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ziad 'Adnan Salman al-Sultan, 31, and arrested him. During this incursion, Israeli forces raided and searched a number of other houses. They arrested 13 Palestinians, but released them at 08:00 after interrogating them. Israeli shelling during this incursion damaged the neighborhood civilian infrastructure.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Maher Hashash, 22, from Balata refugee camp.

At approximately 05:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the gate at the entrance to Habla village, south of Qalqilya, fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were on their way to their work places. One of these civilians, Tha'er 'Ouda 'Abdul Latif al-Danaq, 26, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the left hand and right foot.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in the vicinity of Bilal Ben Rabah (Rachel Tomb), north of Bethlehem, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-'Azza village. A Palestinian child, Hussein Mohammed Nawawra, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.

At approximately 04:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces surrounded 'Eziddin al-Qassam secondary school in Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They forced the students out and closed the school.

At approximately 12:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations between "Gani Tal" and "Neve Dekalim" settlements, northwest and west of Khan Yunis respectively, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the east. A university student, Taghreed Farid Daifallal al-Qadi, 20, from Rafah, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right shoulder, while live bullets were hitting the campus of al-Aqsa University.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations near "Neteser Hazani" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village, north of the town. A Palestinian child, Murad Maher 'Othman al-'Abadla, 14, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand, when he was near his house, approximately 300 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps and villages. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

3. Hamza Yassin Shwaiki, 22, a student at an-Najah National University from Shwaika village in Tulkarm.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli soldiers fired dozens tear gas canisters and sound bombs at hundreds of Palestinian civilians, while demonstrating in Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the separation wall on the lands of the village. A number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 16-year-old 'Ali Salem Mohammed Mousa was hit by a sound bomb in the chest.

At approximately 17:50, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military location near "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing football on al-Sabra playground, approximately 600 meters to the north. Ayman Mohammed 'Ouda Abu Zaher, 19, was wounded by 2 live bullets in both thighs. Abu Zaher’s brother was killed by Israeli occupying forces in a similar occurrence on 23 February 2003.

At approximately 00:00, an Israeli infantry unit moved into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Huda Nassar Ahmed Abu Zaher, 29, and also raided a house belonging to her father. They forced the family to evacuate and used the owner and one of his sons as human shields while searching the house. Israeli forces then arrested Huda and her sister, Rasha, 17, interrogated the two, and released them at noon. Israeli forces claimed that they were looking for wanted Palestinians who had allegedly sheltered in Huda's house.

In the early morning, Israeli helicopter gunships attacked 4 Palestinians civilian facilities located in a densely populated area in Gaza city.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00, Israeli helicopter gunships launched a number of missiles at 3 workshops in the densely populated al-Nasser and al-Zaytoun neighborhoods in Gaza city. Six missiles completely destroyed a metal workshop owned by Mohammed ‘Abdul Qader al-Fassih in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza city. In addition, three other missiles completely destroyed two metal and advertisement equipment workshops owned by Hani and Ahmed Rabi’ Rezeq in al-Nasser neighborhood in the north of Gaza city, located on the first floor of a 2-storey building owned by Ahmed Khader Abu Hamza. A number of neighboring houses were damaged. One missile also hit the third floor of a building of Palestine Limited Bank, severely damaging it. Four Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were injured, and electricity and water networks were damaged. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the targeted workshops were allegedly used to manufacture “mortars.”

In an apparent willful killing, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian civilian in Rafah, claiming that he attempted to escape while they raided the family’s home to arrest his brother.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30 on Monday, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Shouka neighborhood located in the east of Rafah, and surrounded ‘Aayesh Shabib al-Rumailat’s house. Israeli soldiers called through megaphones on residents of the house to evacuate, and ordered the owner’s son, Mustafa, 26, to surrender. While members of the family were evacuating the house through its 3 doors, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the owner’s other son, Mos’ad, 27, instantly killing him with several live bullets throughout the body. After killing Mos’ad, Israeli soldiers raided and searched the house and arrested Mustafa, claiming that he is wanted.

At approximately 03:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Zawata village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

4. Tariq Ahmed Abu al-'Ola, 21, a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus.

At approximately 03:15, 7 Israeli military vehicles moved into 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 06:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Harmala village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Khalil Yousef al-Zeer's house and arrested his son, Hisham, 18.

At approximately 11:00, 15 Israeli military jeeps moved in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, and wounded 16-year-old Ibrahim Zukam Kamal Marshoudi with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left hand. In addition, 3 passing civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured:

2. Da'd Eyad Abu Mustafa, 12, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet that broke 3 of her teeth; and

At noon, Israeli occupying forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists who demonstrated in Deir Qiddis village, southwest of Ramallah, who were protesting against the construction of the “Separation Wall” on village lands. Dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 5 other civilians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Mohammed 'Ali 'Omar Nasser, 62, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the neck;

2. Mo'taz 'Awad 'Abdul Qader, 32, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the hand;

3. Asa'ad Mohammed 'Ali Nasser, 27, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the shoulder;

4. Fahed Mahmoud 'Ali Nasser, 24, injured by several live bullets throughout the body; and

5. Mohammed 'Ouda 'Abdullah, 34, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.

At approximately 15:00, 15 Israeli military vehicles moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They surrounded the building of the municipality, while representatives of a number of local institutions and Fatah movement were holding a meeting with the Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, Dr. Hussein al-Aa'raj, and the Governor of Jenin, Ramadan al-Batta. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at passing Palestinian civilians in the area, wounding 27-year-old Muhannad Khaled al-Sharqawi with a live bullet in the left shoulder. Israeli soldiers also raided the building and arrested 6 meeting participators:

At approximately 17:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and imposed a curfew. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers positioned at al-Walaja checkpoint, northwest of Bethlehem, held 40 residents of the village and prevented them from traveling back to the village. Israeli occupying forces had sporadically imposed curfews on Housan since 22 February 2004.

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200 meters into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. While indiscriminately shelling the area, they demolished one Palestinian house completely and a second one partially:

1. They completely demolished a 150-square-meter house owned by Subhi Isma'il 'Ayada Abu 'Arar, in which 10 people lived.

2. They partially demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Najah Mohammed Taha al-Sane', in which 4 people live.

At approximately 20:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200m to the west of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They raided an uninhabited 2-storey house owned by Salim Hussein al-Zurai'ei, and transformed its roof into a military site until 04:00 on the following day.

At approximately 01:00, 6 Israeli military jeeps moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amjad Bader Shuraitah, 23, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Aadel 'Abdul Hamid Badarin, 24, and arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ishaq Isma'il Houshia, 26, and arrested him as well.

At approximately 02:30, 9 Israeli military jeeps moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Emad Mohammed Khalawi, 28, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:40, 9 Israeli military jeeps surrounded a house belonging to the family of the deceased Amjad Ibrahim al-Qawasmi in 'Ein Sara neighborhood in the north of Hebron. Israeli soldiers forced the family to evacuate, and searched the house and stores belonging to the family, and damaged their contents. No arrests were reported.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces destroyed the educational studies campus of al-Aqsa University, located near al-Shuhada (Netzarim) junction, south of Gaza city. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, dozens of Israeli military vehicles moved from “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza city, towards al-Shuhada junction. Israeli forces then moved at least 1 kilometer to the north inside al-Zaytoun neighborhood, took position near a concrete factory, and imposed a siege on the area, which included the educational studies campus of al-Aqsa University and neighboring houses. According to a number of residents of the area, Israeli soldiers forced them out of their homes and planted explosives inside the campus of al-Aqsa University, destroying it. In addition, a number of neighboring houses were damaged and two members of the Palestinian National Security Force were injured:

1. ‘Emad Jihad Abu Nasser, 20, from Deir al-Balah, seriously injured by a live bullet in the back; and

2. Mohammed Saleh Musleh, 21, from Beit Lahia, injured by a live bullet in the limbs.

The destroyed campus stood on a 5.5-donum area of land. One of its buildings consisted of two flours and stood on a 1272-square-meter area of land, and another building consisted of one floor and stood on a 500-square-meter area of land. These buildings included 16 classrooms, 6 offices, 3 laboratories, a library and a cafeteria. The campus used to serve about 3000 students, and the university administration has been forced to transfer those students to other campuses since 18 January 2001, due to repeated Israeli military attacks on the campus. According to university sources, the losses resulting from this destruction are estimated preliminarily to be more than US$ 700,000, not including the price of the land on which it stood and equipment inside.

Israeli military bulldozers also razed a 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Nahid Munieer al-Rayes.

At approximately 03:00, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 08:00, a number of Israeli military jeeps moved into Ramallah and al-Bireh. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bassel Abu Humaid, 33, in al-Quds Street, and arrested him.

At approximately 00:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They raided and searched Mas’oud Suleiman al-Sa’aida’s house and held its 9 residents in one room, then transformed the house into a military site.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces committed gross violations of international law in Rafah refugee camp. Four Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were killed, 16 other civilians were wounded and 49 houses were destroyed when Israeli occupying forces, supported by helicopters, attacked the camp.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00, dozens of Israeli heavy military vehicles were positioned at the Egyptian border opposite Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A number of Palestinian civilians and members of the Palestinian resistance gathered in the alleys for the camp, expecting that the Israeli heavy military vehicles would move into the camp. At approximately 02:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at them, injuring 6 of them. Four of the injured were in a serious condition and one of them, Faraj Sa’id Ahmed Abu Jazar, 24, died upon arrival at the hospital. About half an hour later, the helicopter gunship launched another missile at the area. Three Palestinian civilians were also hit by shrapnel, and one of them, Mahmoud ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Nahel, 32, died instantly. Israeli heavy military vehicles then moved approximately 300 meters into the camp, opening fire at houses. At approximately 10:00, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a number of Palestinian children in a street in the camp, killing two:

During this incursion, which continued until 21:30, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 31 Palestinian houses completely and 18 others partially. Subsequently, more than 80 families have become homeless. In addition, 8 other civilians, including 3 children, were injured by the Israeli shelling.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched Abu Sharekh apartment buildings and arrested 3 students of an-Najah National University in Nablus:

At approximately 03:15, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring al-Duha village and al-Duhaisha refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Khaled Qatqat, 38, and arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces moved in Khellat al-Nasrani area in the south of Hebron. They surrounded a 4-storey apartment building and forced its residents out. Israeli soldiers checked the ID cards of these residents and searched the building. They arrested 2 Palestinians:

At 06:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved into al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. They damaged the fence of Shamekh Ahmed Kalloub’s house. They also established a sand barrier at the eastern road of the camp. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles and Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters. At approximately 08:00, the Israeli military vehicles withdrew from the area.

At approximately 09:25, Israeli occupying forces positioned in the vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in al-Satar al-Gharbi area and al-Qarara village to the east. A Palestinian woman, Hanan Hassan Mohammed Abu Mughassib, 35, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, when she was inside her home, approximately 300 meters away from the sources of fire. An UNRWA elementary school was also damaged.

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

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:50 on Tuesday, 16 March 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile at a house in the densely populated al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza city. According to Israeli sources, the attack targeted Mohammed ‘Ali Kharroub, a member of the Islamic Jihad, who was able to escape after being injured. The attack killed 2 Palestinians:

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 02:00 on Thursday, 11 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem. They surrounded a 150-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to the family of Hatem Zakaria Mahmoud al-Aa'raj, 21. They forced the 8 residents of the house out, planted explosives inside the house, and at approximately 04:00, destroyed the house. Al-Aa'raj had been arrested by Israeli occupying forces 3 days earlier.

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 17 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They surrounded a 150-square-meter house owned by Aamena Hassan 'Awad Abu Kharma. They raided the house and gave the woman and her family of six 30 minutes to vacate their furniture. Israeli forces proceeded to plant explosives inside the house and destroyed it. Three of the owner's sons have been detained by Israeli occupying forces: Mohammed, 23; Ahmed, 21; and 'Adnan Sari Mohammed Hussein, 17. A fourth son, Mahmoud, 20, is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying authorities. Two neighboring houses were damaged by the destruction of the house.

At approximately 01:15 on the same day, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They surrounded a 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Tayeb 'Ali Faraj. They forced the 14 residents of the house out and checked their ID cards. Israeli forces informed the owner that his house would be destroyed. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house, and at approximately 04:15, destroyed it. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the owner's son, Yamen, 25, a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus, is allegedly the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Nablus.

At approximately 02:00 on the same day, 6 Israeli military jeeps, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They surrounded a 120-square-meter house belonging to the family Yasser Hassan Mahmoud Hamed, 23, who had been detained by Israeli occupying authorities for being a member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). They forced his wife and child out then demolished the house.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Separation Wall" inside the West Bank. They confiscated more area of Palestinian land and demolished more homes for this purpose. Although the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall in certain villages, Israeli occupying forces accelerated the construction of the wall in other areas, especially north of Jerusalem and southeast of Qalqilya.

On Thursday, 11 March 2004, an officer of the so-called Israeli Civil Administration handed a military order to representatives of local councils of the villages of Deir Ballout, Masha, Rafat and al-Zawia in Qalqilya, according to which thousands of donums of agricultural land of these villages were to be confiscated with a map enclosed specifying the lands to be confiscated. According to the local council of Deir Ballout village, more than 90% of the village lands would be seized for the purpose of the construction of the wall. On Sunday morning, 14 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces started to survey the seized land of Deir Ballout village to initiate the construction of the wall in the area.

On Sunday afternoon, 14 March 2004, an Israeli military bulldozer razed 26 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with vegetables in Artah neighborhood and Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm, near the wall. The leveled areas of land belong to Mahmoud Asa’add ‘Aalia, ‘Abdul Karim ‘Omar and ‘Abdul Rahim al-‘Abed.

On Monday morning, 15 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces began construction of a part of the wall in Dhiat al-Barid area, north of Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces erected 3 meter high cement walls, extending from a military checkpoint at the entrance of Dahiat al-Barid to Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. The construction of the wall in the area will isolate Dahiat al-Barid, al-Ram village, Qalandya refugee camp, Kufor ‘Aqab village and Samiramis neighborhood from Jerusalem. This will leave negative impacts on residents of these areas at the social, economic, cultural, educational, religious, health, and environmental levels.

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 tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, and imposed more restrictions on movement at border crossing and military checkpoints. 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.

At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 13 March 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints for three hours. During this closure, they held and searched a number of vehicles in between.

On Monday afternoon, 15 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints. They held dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between and checked passengers.

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 16 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints, and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between. Until 17:00, they arrested 5 Palestinians.

On Monday morning, 15 March 2004, as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces closed Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip and denied access of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel, following a bombing inside Israel. They also imposed further restrictions at the movement of internationals through the crossing. Under the new procedures, internationals will not be able to cross the crossings in their vehicles; rather they have to walk through the route devoted to workers.

On the same day, Israeli occupying forces closed Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and Karni crossing, east of Gaza city, denying access of workers to their workplaces and prohibiting commercial transactions from and into the Gaza Strip.

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. On Thursday, 11 March 2004, Israeli forces fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at al-Tuffah checkpoint to enter al-Mawasi area. The checkpoint was opened at 16:00. On Monday, 15 March 2004, Israeli forces allowed Palestinian civilians to exit from the area, but did not allow them to go back homes. On the following day, they allowed movement for women only.

Palestinians living in al-Mawasi area, of which there are approximately 15,000, live under extremely tight restrictions, which also apply to the entry of foodstuffs into the area and access to schools and farms. It takes residents of the areas several hours to cross Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints. Palestinians living outside the area are prohibited from entering. Israeli forces have assigned numbers to residents of the area numbers to be added to their identity cards and prevented without such numbers from entering the area. Women from the area married to men living outside the area cannot visit their families.

They have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. On 9 March 2004, they started to issue magnetic cards to 262 Palestinian civilians living in the area and farmers living outside the area. Moving from and into the area will be through those magnetic cards. On 16 March 2004, Israeli forces denied access of an UNRWA delegation to the area.

In the same context, on 11 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued magnetic cards for 93 Palestinian civilians, who are over 12 years old, in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip. These civilians will be able to move from and into the area only using these magnetic cards.

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 have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches, and imposed curfews on a number of villages.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians as they started to construct a part of the “Separation Wall” north of Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, on Monday noon, 15 March 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at Dahiat al-Barid military checkpoint at the northern entrance to the city chased and beat a number of school children who protested the erection of cement walls in the area. They also fired tear gas canisters at the children.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 11 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the main roads of al-Jalazoun and Surda, north and northwest of Ramallah respectively. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces reinforced their presence around the town. At approximately 13:45 on Monday, 15 March 2004, Israeli forces closed Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, and denied movement of Palestinian civilians, including patients. They attacked an old woman when she wanted to cross the checkpoint.

On Saturday morning, 13 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Furaidees checkpoint, southeast of Bethlehem, and denied access of Palestinian civilians from neighboring villages to the town. On Sunday morning, 14 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces denied access of Palestinian workers from Bethlehem to their work places in Jerusalem and inside the Green Line.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the town and neighboring villages. On Tuesday morning, 16 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces erected a number of military checkpoints on the roads leading to the town and denied access of Palestinian civilians from neighboring villages to the town.

On Saturday, 14 March 2004, Israeli forces erected more checkpoints on the roads linking between Qalqilya and other Palestinian communities in the West Bank. On Tuesday, 16 March 2004, Israeli forces denied access of Palestinian workers from the southern villages of the district to their work places inside the Green Line. On Wednesday morning, 17 March 2004, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Suleiman Fayeq, 33, from Sineeria village in Qalilya, when he was in ‘Azzoun village.

This week, Israeli forces positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinians, including 11-year-old ‘Abdullah al-Qara’an, from Balata refugee camp. They claimed that the child was carrying 3 bags, and they discovered a bomb in one of those bags, which he carried unknowingly.

Israeli Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

In addition to the construction of the "Separation Wall", this week, Israeli occupying forces carried out a number of settlement activities in the West Bank.

On Sunday morning, 14 March 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’aleh Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya, razed more than 150 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives in Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya.

On the same day, a number of armed settlers from “Lassifer” settlement east of Yatta village, north of Hebron, seized a 60-donum area of agricultural land owned by the Abu Malash family, in the south of the village.

On Monday morning, 15 March 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bitar Elite” settlement, southwest of Bethlehem, accompanied by a number of Israeli soldiers, raided Wa’r al-Sane’ area in the west of Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They razed a 5-donum area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives owned by Isma’il and Ahmed Mohammed al-Qarout.

On Tuesday moring, 16 March 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karme’eil” settlement east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, razed more than 10 donums of Palestinian agricultural land. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces provided protection for those settlers while they were razing the land.

Also on Tuesday morning, a number of Israeli settlers from “Mafdal ‘Ouz” settlement, north of Hebron, razed a 13-donum area of Palestinian agricultural planted with grapes in Beit Ummar village, and seized it.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Eitamar” settlement, southeast of Nablus, beat Mahmoud Na’im Qawariq, from ‘Awarta village, and threatened to kill him. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers chased Qwariq and his family while they were on their way to their agricultural land in the area. The family called for help and immediately dozens of Palestinian civilians helped the family stop the attack.

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.