PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 06/2004

12 - 18 February 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to commit human rights violations against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), which include the continued 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 in addition to the continuation of the tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed and 2 others died from previous injuries sustained by Israeli occupying forces

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 4 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed a number of civilian facilities. In an excessive use of force, on Thursday, 12 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 12-year-old Palestinian child and injured another child in Rafah, then arrested the injured child and two other children. The four children apparently attempted to cross the border towards Egypt. Israeli occupying forces also continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, and as a result, a Palestinian civilian was killed in Rafah and a number of other civilians were injured. In addition, a Palestinian civilian died from an injury sustained by Israeli forces during an incursion into Rafah last week.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which a Palestinian farmer was killed by the Israeli gunfire. In addition, a Palestinian died from an injury he sustained by Israeli forces during an incursion into Jericho last week. Israeli forces also arrested dozens of Palestinian civilians during house raids in various areas in the West Bank.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli government in violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces killed Samer Jasser Fawzi 'Arar, 29, from Qarawat Bani Zaid, northwest of Ramallah, on Thursday morning, 12 February 2004. Israeli forces claimed that the victim was allegedly wanted for his activities in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “Separation Wall” deep inside West Bank territory. Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the area of the wall linking between the Jordan River in the east and Jenin in the west, which will surround the West Bank from the north.

Palestinians living in Dahiat al-Barid village and al-Ram village, north of Jerusalem, stated that Israeli engineers surveyed lands in the area to determine the track of the wall. Israeli forces also ordered owners of a number of shops, opposite to "Atarot Industrial Zone" to evacuate their shops as soon as possible, claiming that the track of the wall in the area will pass near their shops. The wall in the area is expected to extend from Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint to the south of Qalindya checkpoint in the north. The construction of the wall has continued, while the international community remains silent on this serious issue. This failure to act including the European Union official position that rejects transfer of the case of the “Separation Wall” to the International Court of Justice serves to encourage Israel to continue construction of the wall and even boycott sessions of the court that address the “Separation Wall” on the case of the wall.

Despite Israeli government talks about dismantling settlements in the Gaza Strip in the context of the “Separation Plan”, Israeli occupying forces have nonetheless continued settlement activities in the OPTs. On Monday, 16 February 2004, the Israeli parliamentary finance committee decided to transfer 55 million NIS to settlement associations to establish new housing units, 36 million NIS to a rural settlement project, and 4 million NIS to guard settlers in occupied East Jerusalem.

In violation of article 33 of the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 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 that Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 2 houses in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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, and have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip by adding more restrictions on movement at border crossings 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.

This week, a Palestinian worker died from suffocation at Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip as the crossing was overcrowded due to prolonged Israeli military checking procedures. In another incident, a Palestinian woman died at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, while on her way to the Gaza Strip after having undergone surgery in Egypt. Her health condition deteriorated due to prolonged Israeli military procedures at the terminal.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities by imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have 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 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Madama village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hisham Tayeb Faraj, 24, and then arrested him.

At approximately 03:20, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Sahour town, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdullah Mohammed Shu'aibat, 38, and Khaled Mohammed Shu'aibat, 30, and arrested the two.

At approximately 4:00, Israeli occupying forces moved in the western part of Tulkarm. They raided Mahmoud D'ib Da'as' house. Da'as is the father of Ziad Da'as who was extra-judicially assassinated by Israeli occupying forces 2 years ago. Israeli forces searched the house and arrested the owner's 4 sons: Jawad, 17; Murad, 19; 'Emad, 22; and Nihad, 25. The four were released in the evening after having been interrogated by Israeli forces.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 800m into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They demolished a house belonging to a Palestinian prisoner (see below). During this incursion, Israeli forces raided and searched Mousa Ahmed Abu Meghassib's house. They held the 13 residents of the house in one room and utilized the roof as an observation site. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 13:30.

In an another instance showcasing the excessive use of force, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a 12-year-old Palestinian child and injured another child in Rafah. They also arrested the injured child and two other children.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 06:00, 4 Palestinian children from al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah moved towards the Egyptian border, adjacent to their neighborhood, to attempt to cross the border. When they were at the border, 2 Israeli military jeeps and an armored personnel carrier arrived at the area. Without any warning, Israeli soldiers opened fire at the children. One of the children, Bashir Khalil Abu 'Armana, 12, was instantly killed by a several live bullets to the head. Another child, Ayman Fathi al-Naqla, 12, was wounded by a live bullet to the forehead and then arrested. Israeli soldiers also arrested the other two children, who were identified as:

At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces handed the injured child to a Palestinian ambulance. According to this child, Israeli forces fired at them from a distance of 10m only. Israeli soldiers had the chance to arrest the two without firing at them since they had arrested two of the children without firing at or injuring them, especially since they did not pose a serious threat.

In the evening, medical sources declared that Mohammed 'Eissa Jalaita, 30, from Jericho, died from an injury sustained on 1 February 2004. According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 05:00, 30 Israeli military vehicles moved into Jericho while firing indiscriminately. They surrounded and opened fire at a 2-storey house owned by 4 Palestinians from the Jalaita family, in the al-Arab quarter in the center of the town. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance, who had sheltered in the house, clashed with Israeli forces, and a member of the resistance, Shadi Melhem Jaradat, 26, from Seilat al-Harthia village, west of Jenin, was killed. In addition, Mohammed 'Eissa Jalaita, 30, from Jericho, was wounded by 5 live bullets in the chest, the shoulder, and the left leg. Jalaita was arrested and evacuated to an Israeli hospital, where he remained until he died.

In the early morning, Israeli soldiers, who were hiding behind greenhouses near al-Shuhada Triangle south of Jenin, opened fire at a civilian car. A Palestinian civilian was instantly killed by the Israeli gunfire. Later, an Israeli military spokesman claimed Israeli soldiers were searching for activists near Jenin, and "when they saw a suspicious car out of Qabatya village, they fired at its driver as he did not obey orders to stop."

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00, Ahmed 'Abdul Qader Nazzal, 28, from Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, was traveling in his car from Qabatya village towards al-Shuhada Triangle. When he arrived approximately 3km to the west of the village, Israeli soldiers hiding behind greenhouses in the area opened fire at him. He was instantly killed by a live bullet to the head. The victim was a farmer and was apparently on his way to bring vegetables to sell them in Qabatya market, which usually opens in the early morning.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into 'Aida refugee camp and al-Karatas neighborhood in the north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched dozens of Palestinian houses and forced their residents out. Then, they arrested 9 Palestinians, including 4 children:

In the evening, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tubas village, east of Jenin and opened fire at Palestinian residences. A number of Israeli military vehicles deployed at entrances to the village prevented movement to and from the village. No casualties or arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:30, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses, forced their residents out, and then arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Qoussin village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

In the morning, a Palestinian child was injured when a mysterious object from remnants of Israeli occupying forces exploded in Bethlehem.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:00, Mohammed Yousef al-Rashaida, 12, from al-Rashaida village, southeast of Bethlehem, was grazing animals when he found a mysterious object on the ground. He proceeded to play with it which resulted in the immediate explosion of the object exploded, injuring him. A child who was also grazing animals in the area heard the sound of the explosion. He moved towards the injured child and helped him to the main street. The injured child was then evacuated in a civilian car to the hospital. According to medical sources, the child was injured by shrapnel to the head and feet. The area where the explosion occurred had been used by Israeli occupying forces as a training site, and a number of villagers were killed or injured in similar incidents in the past.

At approximately 22:40, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 5 tanks and a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into the cemeteries area in the southwest of Khan Yunis. Under cover of intense gunfire, they demolished the fence of Yafa Cemetery and damaged a number of graves.

At approximately 02:00, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched Da'as Mohammed 'Abahra's house and arrested his son Tarad, 18.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bassam Sa'id Jarrar, 43, and arrested him.

In the morning, a Palestinian civilian was killed when Israeli occupying forces opened fire at Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:30, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military location at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah opened fire at Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, approximately 500m to the east. Israeli gunfire continued sporadically until 12:00, during which a Palestinian civilian, Jamal Mohammed al-'Afifi, 47, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head, and died on the way to the hospital. PCHR's field worker in Rafah reported that the victim was near his house when hit by a live bullet.

At approximately 11:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza city declared that Mohammed Saleh Zo'rob, 28, from Rafah, died from a wound sustained from Israeli occupying forces last week.

According to PCHR's documentation, on Wednesday morning, 11 February 2004, Zo'rob was going to a brick factory where he worked, opposite Block J in Rafah refugee camp, when Israeli occupying forces moved into the area. After opening fire at houses and streets, Zo’rob was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head. He was evacuated to the intensive care unit at Shifa Hospital in Gaza city, soon after which he was pronounced clinically dead. Three Palestinian civilians were also injured by Israeli gunfire and 24 houses were destroyed during the same incursion.

At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupying forces started to establish 2 observation towers at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip to the east of Khan Yunis. They surrounded the two towers with sand barriers and cement blocks. Israeli soldiers positioned at those towers often fire at Palestinian civilians and their houses resulting in a number of civilians either killed or injured. Israeli forces have established dozens of observation towers along the border and near settlements.

At approximately 19:50, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations near "Gani Tal" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Rabwat area in al-Amal neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Ayman Ahmed al-Astal, 33, was wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder, when he was near his shop, approximately 1km away from the source of fire.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 14 Palestinians. Three of the detainees were released, while the other 11 remained in custody:

At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Kufor Than village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched Hassan Melhem's house and arrested his son Rami, 17.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli soldiers positioned along the border with Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian agricultural areas in Khuza'a village. A Palestinian farmer, Suleiman Ibrahim al-Najjar, 57, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, while he was working on his agricultural land, approximately 500m away from the source of fire.

At approximately 14:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya using a civilian car that had Palestinian registration. Israeli soldiers then surrounded a shop in the center of the town. Soon, more Israeli forces arrived at the area and arrested Ya'qoub al-Hutari, 19.

At approximately 15:50, Israeli soldiers positioned in military locations near "Neve Dekalim"s settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at the cemeteries area to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Hassan 'Ali al-Masri, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli marine troops arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen from Gaza City who were fishing approximately 150m away from Deir al-Balah seashore:

At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into 'Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. This incursion continued until 05:00 on the following day, during which Israeli forces razed 45 donums of Palestinian agricultural land, on which greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, owned by the families of Abu Humaida, al-Satari, Abu Jazar, and Duhair. They also destroyed an animal farm, a number of irrigation networks, and a house that served as a summer home.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp under cover of intense gunfire. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Duha village and al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved approximately 600m into al-Birka area in the southwest of Deir al-Balah. They razed 15 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and demolished a bird farm:

1. They razed a 15-donum area of public agricultural land planted with guavas, palms and figs rented by ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Hassan Abu Shammas.

2. They demolished a 350-square-meter, iron-roofed empty bird farm owned by Yousef and Mohammed Suleiman Abu Shammas.

In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers fired at a Palestinian child, who had been speaking with a UN delegation at his family’s land in Deir al-Balah, wounding him with a live bullet in the back.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00, an international delegation, including two UN staff members and one staff member of International Service, visited Khalil Suleiman Bashir’s house, adjacent to “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah. Israeli soldiers positioned in the area gave permission for the delegates to visit and speak with the family, provided that the delegation did not enter the house and left after 30 minutes. The delegates agreed and did not enter the house. The delegation proceeded to speak with Mr. Bashir in the area of his garden as indicated by the Israeli soldiers. After 30 minutes, Israeli soldiers gestured for the delegation to leave the area. Immediately, the delegation moved towards the clearly marked UN vehicle to leave. Yousef Khalil Suleiman Bashir, 15, stood in his garden with his father watching the delegation get into the vehicle. When the delegation had got into the vehicle and was about to move away, an Israeli soldier fired a single live bullet, hitting Yousef Bashir in the back near the spine. The soldier fired at Yousef from a distance of approximately 20 meters. Immediately, the delegation evacuated the child to a hospital in Deir al-Balah. The child was then transported to Shifa Hospital in Gaza city where he remains in a serious condition.

At approximately 15:30, Israeli soldiers positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Brazil neighborhood, adjacent to the border. A Palestinian child, Mo’ath Talal Abu Sha’ar, 11, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli government in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces killed Samer Jasser Fawzi 'Arar, 29, from Qarawat Bani Zaid, northwest of Ramallah, on Thursday morning, 12 February 2004. Israeli forces claimed that the victim was allegedly wanted for his activities in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 09:30 on Thursday, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Naqqar area in the east of Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah, using 2 civilian cars, one of which had Israeli registration and the other Palestinian registration. The two cars stopped near a house belonging to the family of Samer Jasser Fawzi 'Arar, 29. When Israeli soldiers saw him near the house, they fired at him and wounded him with a live bullet in the left leg. He attempted to escape, but soon fell onto the ground. Israeli soldiers then surrounded him and fired at him from a close distance, instantly killing him. Fifteen Israeli military jeeps then moved into the village. Israeli soldiers opened fire to drive Palestinian civilians away from the area and allow the undercover unit to withdraw. According to Palestinian medical sources, the victim was hit by 7 live bullets throughout the body, including 2 heavy caliber ones.

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, 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 04:30, on 12 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 800m into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They surrounded a house belonging to the family of Anis 'Abdul Qader Abu Meghassib, who has been detained by Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and live bullets near the house, then broke into the house and forced its 9 residents out. Israeli soldiers destroyed the 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house with its contents still inside. Soon after, Israeli forces razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and olives belonging to the same family.

At approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 15 February 2004, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They surrounded Mohammed Hassan Mubdi Shihab's house and forced its 10 residents (2 families) out. Israeli soldiers checked the ID cards and then arrested the owner's son Ashraf, 23, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying authorities. At approximately 03:30, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the 130-square-meter, 2-storey house, and destroyed it.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Separation Wall" inside the West Bank, and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.

On Thursday morning, 12 February 2004, Israeli military bulldozers razed more areas of Palestinian land in the southwest of 'Asala village in Qalqilya. They also razed an area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds, located approximately 3km to the west of the wall, owned by Anwar 'Omar Khalil.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the part of the wall linking the Jordan River in the east and Jenin in the west, which will surround the west bank from the north.

On Tuesday morning, 17 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces commenced establishing 5 observation points along the wall in the northern Jordan valley.

Israeli occupying forces also confiscated 141 donums of Palestinian land in al-Mughayar village, east of Jenin, for the purpose of wall construction. According to a Palestinian farmer, he found a written Israeli military order on his land, tell him that his land has been confiscated.

According to Palestinians living in Dahiat al-Barid and al-Ram village, north of Jerusalem, Israeli engineers surveyed lands in the area to determine the track of the wall. Israeli forces also ordered owners of a number of shops, opposite to "Atarot Industrial Zone" to evacuate their shops as soon as possible, claiming that the track of the wall in the area will pass near their shops. The wall in the area is expected to extend from Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint in the south to Qalindya checkpoint in the north. PCHR warns of the impacts of the construction of wall on Palestinian civilians living in the area. The wall will force the annexation of Palestinian lands to Israeli territory, in violation of international humanitarian law, and may force Palestinian civilians to leave the area. Most of these civilians will be also separated from Jerusalem, and also deprived of their rights to education, health, work and worship.

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 crossings 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.

This week, a Palestinian worker died at Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip as the crossing was overcrowded due to prolonged Israeli military checking procedures. In another incident, a Palestinian woman died at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, while on her way to the Gaza Strip after having undergone surgery in Egypt. Her health condition deteriorated due to prolonged Israeli military procedures at the terminal.

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 12:10 on Friday, 13 February 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints. They held a number of Palestinian vehicles, searched them, and reopened the checkpoints half an hour later.

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 15 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints for two hours, during which they held a number of Palestinian vehicles in between the checkpoints and searched them. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait at both checkpoints in long lines.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 16 February 2004, Israeli soldiers began to search Palestinian vehicles traveling between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. This action continued until 19:00, during which Israeli soldiers arrested one Palestinian.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have also escalated violations of Palestinian human rights in the area.

On Monday morning, 16 February 2004, a Palestinian worker died from suffocation while attempting to pass through routes at Erez crossing designed for the passage of Palestinian workers on their way to their workplaces in Israel. The worker died as a result of suffocation from over-crowdedness resulting from crushing together thousands of workers attempting to enter Israel at the crossing.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, Mohammed Ibrahim Sa’id al-Sheikh, 41, from al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza city and father of 6 children, died on Monday morning while passing through a route towards checking facilities, designed for workers passing Erez crossing, which was established by Israeli occupying forces. According to workers who were passing through the same route, the incident took place at a time when large numbers of workers were waiting at the crossing to be allowed to go to their work places before the closure of the crossing at 08:00. Al-Sheikh fell onto the ground as the end of the route was over-crowded. A number of workers carried him towards the Israeli side of the crossing, however attempts to save his life failed. At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces delivered his body to a Palestinian ambulance following coordination with the Palestinian side.

On Friday, 13 February 2004, a Palestinian woman, Su'ad Mohammed 'Ali al-Qurainawi, 62, from Rafah, died at Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, while she was on her way to the Gaza Strip after having undergone surgery in Egypt.

In his testimony to PCHR on his mother's death, Mohammed Khamis al-Qurainawi, 39, who accompanied her, said:

"My mother, Su'ad Mohammed 'Ali al-Qurainawi, 62, had undergone a surgery in Cairo on 29 January 2004. When her health condition improved, we decided to travel back to the Gaza Strip. We arrived at the Egyptian side of Rafah Terminal at approximately 07:00 on Friday, 13 February 2004. We finished travel procedures at the Egyptian side in half an hour. Then, an Egyptian ambulance took us towards the Israeli gate, where Israeli soldiers forced us to wait until 11:20, during which time my mother's health condition deteriorated. When we entered the hall at the terminal, I took my mother on foot from the Egyptian ambulance to a Palestinian one. Then, Israeli soldiers ordered me to go to the travel hall to complete travel procedures. Soon, the ambulance driver came to me and informed me that my mother's health condition had further deteriorated. I got out from the terminal at approximately 13:30. I immediately went to Martyr Mohammed Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, to which my mother was transferred. There, I was informed that she had already died. According to the hospital's report, my mother was dead when she was brought to the hospital."

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.

On Thursday morning, 12 February 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at Qalindya checkpoint, south of the town, chased and fired at Palestinian civilians who escaped to a dirt road near the checkpoint. No casualties were reported.

On Saturday, 14 February 2004, as the weather was stormy and snow was falling, Israeli soldiers erected a number of temporary checkpoints on a number of roads and searched Palestinian vehicles and restricted movement of Palestinian civilians living in the 9 villages in the area.

At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 12 February 2004, dozens of Israeli military jeeps moved into 5 villages south of Bethlehem. They imposed a curfew on these villages and closed their entrances. These villages are: Marah Ma'alla; Jourat al-Shama'a; Um Salmouna; al-Ma'sara; and Khellat Haddad.

At approximately 14:00 on the same day, Israeli soldiers at al-Container checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road arrested Samer 'Abdullah al-Afandi, 19, from al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, while he was traveling to the camp coming back from Abu Dis. Al-Afandi is a student at al-Quds University.

At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli soldiers at al-Container checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road, which links the north and south of the West Bank, denied movement of Palestinian civilians on the road.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to prevent Palestinians under 35 years old from crossing military checkpoints around the city. Palestinian civilians are forced to enter rooms established at various checkpoints to be electronically checked.

On Friday evening, 13 February 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Sabri, 19, from Qalqilya, while he was traveling towards Nablus. Sabri is a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus.

On Saturday morning, 14 February 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at two military checkpoints to the east of Nablus prevented Palestinian civilians living in villages to the east of the city from crossing the two checkpoints towards Nablus. On the same day in the afternoon, Israeli soldiers closed Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, and denied movement of Palestinian civilians.

Israeli soldiers positioned at Barta'a checkpoint, west of Jenin, imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli police often chase Palestinian vehicles and impose high fines on their driver, fees which amount sometimes to 1500 NIS, and if a driver does not pay the fine, they arrest him.

On Monday, 16 February 2004, Israeli forces chased a number of Palestinian civilians who were traveling on Habala – al-Wad road, south of the town. They checked these civilians' ID cards and then arrested Ahmed Abu Sunaina, 19.

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 Thursday morning, 12 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued a military order confiscating a 15-donum area of land owned by Kayed Shaker al-Swaiti, located approximately 700m to the west of "Nigihot" settlement, southwest of Hebron. According to al-Swaiti, Israeli forces summoned him, informed him about this military order, and told him that Israeli engineers would later survey the land for the purpose of confiscation.

On Sunday, 15 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued a military order confiscating an area of land owned by Mohammed Salim Eshtayeh in the southwest of Til village, southwest of Nablus. According to chairman of the local council of the village 'Adnan al-Saifi, the purpose of this confiscation is to establish an observation tower that will overlook a bypass road extending from Jeet village in the west to Hawara village in the east. According to the military order, this confiscation will continue until 30 January 2005. Israeli occupying forces have used this method to confiscate thousands of donums of Palestinian land, but these lands have not been returned to their original owners on the times specified in military orders, and have been used to build permanent structures on them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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