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

Thursday, 16 September 2004

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into the eastern quarter of Salfit town near Nablus.  They seized a car belonging to Mustafa Eshtayeh.  They also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians. 

At noon, Israeli troops moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They raided a number of houses. They also raided and searched the offices of the charitable society of the village and a subordinate kindergarten and confiscated some equipment. 

At approximately 19:20, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood.  A Palestinian civilian, Ussama 'Ali Hamish, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, when he was near his house. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Sourif village near Hebron and al-Khader village near Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians. 

Friday, 17 September 2004

At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 4-year-old Yahia 'Atiya Hajjaj, was injured by shrapnel in the right hand when he was in his family home. 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into al-'Ebaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians. 

At approximately 16:40, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Slav" settlement, west of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian child, 15-year-old Salim 'Ali Abu al-Sa'id, was injured by shrapnel in the right hand when he was in his family home. 

At approximately 18:00, 15 Israeli military vehicles moved into Nablus.  Israeli troops patrolled in the streets of the city and opened fire at houses.  Dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at houses and passing Palestinian civilians, wounding 3:

1.     Ayman 'Ali Qassem Mabrouka, 30, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand;

2.     'Ali 'Orabi 'Ali al-Haj Mohammed, 39, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh; and

3.     Yousef Zuhair Shabaru, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand. 

At approximately 19:30, a number of Palestinian demonstrators threw stones at 3 Israeli military jeeps that were patrolling at Nazareth Street in the northeast of Nablus. In the meantime, a Palestinian girl, 19-year-old Bariz Durgham D'ib al-Minawi, got onto the roof of her family's house to watch the clashes that took place between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli troops.  Soon, an Israeli military jeep stopped nearly 100 meters away from the house.  One Israeli soldier got out of the jeep and pointed his gun at the girl.  He fired one live bullet at the girl.  The live bullet hit the girl to the left hand and then to the chest. Her family and neighbors evacuated her to the hospital, but medical efforts to save her life failed.  The victim was a college student. 

At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 17-year-old Anwar 'Abdullah al-Louhi, was injured by shrapnel in the right hand. 

Saturday, 18 September  2004

At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops moved into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed 7 donums of Palestinian agricultural land belonging to the families of al-Sumairi and Abu Asad, and blocked the main road leading to the village with a sand barrier.  Israeli troops withdrew from the village at approximately 12:00 on the following day.  During this incursion, the Palestinian election registration center in the village was closed for several hours and schoolchildren were not able to go to their schools. 

At approximately 19:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A Palestinian civilian, 36-year-old Maher Mohammed Abu 'Elwan, was injured by shrapnel in the right thigh. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp and the villages of Yatta and Kharsa near Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians.

Sunday, 19 September 2004

At approximately 09:45, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas to the north.  A number of live bullets hit a female secondary school, which is located nearly 700 meters away from the aforementioned settlement.  One student, 16-yesr-old Asmaa' Nabil al-Masri, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the neck when she was at her desk. 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block J in Rafah refugee camp.  A Palestinian civilian, 18-year-old Hussam Fathi Abu Naja, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head when he was studying inside his house.

At approximately 17:40, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps, Israeli troops fired at the children, wounding 2:

1.     Zaid Musallam al-Barata'a, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the thigh; and

2.     Mohammed Sadiq al-Azraq, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the shoulder. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into al-Duha village and al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem; and Beer al-Basha, south of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians. 

At approximately 22:10, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Tal Qatif" settlement, south of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at a Palestinian civilian who was nearly 150 meters away from those posts.  He was instantly killed by several live bullets.  On the following day morning, Israeli troops informed the Palestinian liaison about the incident.  Immediately, a Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area and transferred the victim's body to the hospital.  The victim was identified as Salm 'Abdul Qader Abu Shabab, 32, from Khan Yunis, who was suffering from a psychological disorder.  According to the medical sources, he was hit by several live bullets to the head and the abdomen. 

Monday, 20 September 2004

At approximately 19:00, Israeli troops moved into the southern part of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at those troops.  Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the children, wounding 14-year-old Sabee' Muneer Ibrahim al-Titi with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left hand. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Qalqilya; 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem; Kufor 'Ein village, northwest of Ramallah; and Burqa village, northwest of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinians, including an 18-year-old girl. 

Tuesday, 21 September 2004

At approximately 01:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Shioukh village, northeast of Hebron.  They broke into the offices of the Islamic Charitable Society and its elementary school and kindergarten.  Israeli troops searched them and confiscated some equipment and an amount of money.  Then, they stuck a military order on the doors of the society, closing it starting from 2 August 2004.  The society provides services for at least 3000 orphans. 

At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of Israeli troops moved nearly 800 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops raided a 2-storey house owned by Hussein Suleiman al-Sumairi.  They held its 4 residents in one room and transformed its roof into a military site.  Two hours later, more Israeli troops were brought to the area.  They started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land and close a number of roads.  By 22:00, Israeli troops had razed at least 70 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of al-Sumairi, 'Abdul Hadi, Mahanna, Abu Haleeb, al-Reqeb and al-Barreem. 

In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into Jenin refugee camp and Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin; Tulkarm refugee camp; 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya; 'Assira village, south of Nablus; Silwad village, northwest of Ramallah; Bethlehem; and the villages of Yatta and Kharas near Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 34 Palestinians, including 16 in Jenin refugee camp.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood.  Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     Mohammed Hassan 'Edwan, 30, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen; and

2.     Sameer Fu'ad Mansour, 26, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder. 

Wednesday, 22 September 2004

At approximately 23:00, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that 10-year-old Raghda 'Adnan al-'Assar, from Khan Yunis, died from a wound she had sustained on 7 September 2004.  According to PCHR's documentation, the child was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head while she was on her desk in an UNRWA elementary school, when Israeli troops opened fire at residential areas and civilian facilities in Khan Yunis.  Since then, she had been clinically dead. 

Extra-Judicial Execution

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments, this week, Israeli troops committed 2 extra-judicial executions, which left 3 Palestinians dead in Gaza City.  The victims were members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas.  In addition, 13 civilian bystanders, including 6 children, were injured.

According to PCHR's investigations on the first execution, at 21:38 on Sunday, 19 September 2004, Israeli aircrafts fired 2 missiles at a civilian car, a blue Volkswagen Golf, that was traveling at the crossroads of al-Jalaa' Street and al-Lababidi Street in the center of Gaza City, a densely populated area.  The two missiles hit and burnt the car.  The driver, who was identified later as Khaled Mohammed 'Abdul Hamid Abu Silmiya, 33, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, was instantly killed.  He was a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas. In addition, 8 passing Palestinian civilians were injured by shrapnel from the missiles, and the injuries of two of them were described by medical sources as serious. Israeli troops soon admitted responsibility for this attack stating that they had killed a wanted Palestinian in Gaza City. 

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations regarding the second execution, at approximately 19:20 on Monday, 20 September 2004, an Israeli aircraft fired one missile at a civilian car, a grey Mitsubishi jeep, that was traveling in the densely populated Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.  The missile hit and burnt the car.  Two Palestinians who were traveling in the car were instantly killed:

1.     Rabah Darwish Zaqqout, 37, from al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip; and

2.     Nabil Ibrahim al-Su'aidi, 38, also from al-Boreij refugee camp.

They were both members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade.  In addition, 5 passing Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were injured by shrapnel from the missile, and   the injury of one of them was described by medical sources as serious. 

Following these executions, Israeli security sources stated that the policy of extra-judicial executions against Palestinian activists would continue, especially in the Gaza Strip. 

Continued Siege on the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying troops 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. 

Gaza Strip

Israeli troops have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the Gaza Strip.  On Sunday, 19 September 2004, Israeli troops decreased the opening hours of al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, to be from 06:00 to 19:00 instead of 03:00 to 20:00.  On Saturday morning, 18 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in a heavily fortified security area between the checkpoints.     

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 20 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the coastal road that links Gaza City with the central Gaza Strip.  Israeli troops positioned on the road also opened fire at Palestinian civilians who moved between Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip along the beach on foot.  A university student, 'Alaa' Fathi Yousef al-Namla, 21, from Nusseirat refugee camp, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.  The closure continued for several hours. 

Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the area.  They have also continued to prevent female Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and male ones whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area without prior coordination. 

Israeli troops have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip.  They have also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers.  Israeli troops allow only 5 persons to get out of the area everyday to bring foodstuffs.  Israeli troops allow schoolchildren to come back to the area only at 17:00. 

In the same context, Israeli troops 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. 

Israeli troops have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the fourth consecutive week.  A very limited number of patients have been allowed to travel through the crossing.  Even though Israeli occupying troops partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, and Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, they have imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the two crossings.  As result, the Palestinian market is deprived of several basic goods. 

Israeli troops have continued to impose severe restrictions on traveling through Rafah Terminal, which has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since 14 February 2001, when Israeli troops destroyed the runway of Gaza International Airport.   The number of Palestinians allowed to travel through the terminal daily is very limited.  As a result, many patients, who are badly in need for special medical treatment abroad, have not been able to travel.  Israeli troops have continued to prevent Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 35 from traveling through the terminal since 16 April 2004, although they claimed that they cancelled this prevention on 9 August 2004.       

The West Bank

Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  

Jerusalem

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday morning, 16 September 2004, on the eve of the new Hebrew year, Israeli troops closed the entrances to the city.  They also closed a number of the main roads.  Israeli troops were deployed in the center of the city and at the entrances to the Old Town.  They imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, while allowing free movement for Israeli settlers.  In addition, Israeli troops erected a military checkpoint near Nabi Samuel village and conducted prolonged searches for Palestinian vehicles. 

Ramallah

Israeli troops positioned at Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  As a result, hundreds of civilians were forced to travel through the northern entrance of the town, through 'Attara checkpoint.  Israeli troops also erected a number of checkpoints on branch roads used by Palestinian civilians living in the villages located to the west of Ramallah.  They chased Palestinian civilians and vehicles. 

Hebron

For the 3^rd consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on Hebron.  They have isolated the town from its surroundings.  They chased Palestinian civilians who attempted to travel to and from the town.  Israeli troops also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town.  They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians in various areas in the town.  On Saturday morning, 18 September 2004, 3 Israeli soldiers severely beat Nasser Mustafa al-Ja'bari, 36, in the old town.  He sustained injuries and bruises in the face, the back and the abdomen.  At approximately 12:00 on the same day, Israeli troops held and beat 16-year-old Mohammed Tayseer Salhab, when he was on his way back home from school.  The child sustained bruises in the face and the shoulders.  On Friday evening, 17 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the Ibrahimi mosque in the face of Moslems.  This closure continued for 2 days.

Bethlehem

On Tuesday morning, 21 September 2004, Israeli troops closed entrances to a number of villages in the district.  Recently, Israeli troops closed a number of roads in the district with sand barriers and barbwire.  At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 19 September 2004, Israeli troops severely beat and interrogated 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, while they were grazing animals at the southern entrance of al-Khader village: Ra'fat 'Ali al-Masri, 13; Shadi 'Ali al-Masri, 15; Mohammed No'man Shahin, 18; and Mousa Suleiman 'Aashour, 28.   

Nablus

Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Hawara checkpoint, south of the city, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops have continued to hold Palestinian civilians who are under 30 for long hours.  On Tuesday, 21 September, Israeli troops closed a military checkpoint on Nablus – Jenin Street and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians.

Tulkarm

Israeli troops closed a number of the main roads and the entrances to a number of villages with sand barriers and rocks.  They have also continued to close al-Kafriyat road, south of the town, prohibiting movement of Palestinian vehicles, but allowing Palestinian civilians to move on foot. 

Jenin

On Thursday morning, 16 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the entrances of Jenin.  They erected a number of checkpoints on the main roads and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 18 September 2004, Israeli troops declared the town a closed military zone.  They erected a number of checkpoints around the town and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles.  For the second consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued to close the iron gate at the entrance to the Jordan Valley.  They prevented Palestinian workers and farmers from reaching the area.  Israeli troops have also continued to prevent vehicles that have Palestinian registrations from traveling on road (90) for more than one week.  On Sunday morning, 19 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were trying to cross a valley near the checkpoint, but no casualties were reported.

Curfews

At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 16 September 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on Beit 'Our village, southwest of Ramallah.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Thursday morning, 16 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested two university students: 'Aadela Hassan Jawabra, 21; and Leena Sidqi Jawabra, 22, both from 'Assira village, north of Nablus. 

On Sunday evening, 19 September 2004, Israeli troops positioned at a military checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqilya arrested Ayman Talal Yousef Yameen, 21, from Qalqilya. 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially in East Jerusalem, Ramallah and Hebron.

On Sunday, 19 September 2004, Israeli troops intensified the construction of the section of the wall extending from Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, and Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of east of Jerusalem.  They have divided the main road linking between the two checkpoints into two sections, an eastern one and a western one, thus separating between al-Ram village and Dahiat al-Barid on one hand and a number of NGOs and educational institutions on the other hand.  The construction of this section of the wall will also isolate at least 70000 Palestinians from Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, 21 September 2004, Israeli troops resumed the construction of a section of the wall on the land of Budros village, west of Ramallah.  According to eyewitnesses, this week, Israeli troops razed at least 250 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and uprooted hundreds of trees for the purpose of the construction of the wall. 

In Hebron, Israeli troops continued to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Sikka village, southwest of the town, for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  They uprooted hundreds of olive. 

Israeli troops also imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians isolated behind the wall.  On Saturday morning, 18 September 2004, Israeli troops closed the iron gate at the entrance to Deir Ballout village, southwest of Nablus.  For the second consecutive week, Israeli troops have adopted new procedures at the gate.  According to the new procedures, the gate would be opened from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00, after it had been opened from 10:00 to 16:00 daily.  This gate is one of the most important outlets that link between the north and south of the West Bank.  

Settlement Activities and Settlers' Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Properties

Israeli troops have pursued settlement activities in the oPt and settlers who live in the oPt in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their properties. 

On Monday morning, 20 September 2004, a Jewish settler from the "Kahana" movement, attacked two Palestinian cleaners of the Ibrahimi mosque as they were cleaning the mosque following a celebration of Jewish settlers.  He insulted and beat them and threatened to kill them.  He also insulted Islam and Moslems.  Israeli troops who were present in the area did not intervene to the stop this attack. 

On Tuesday morning, 21 September 2004, 4 Jewish settlers from "Eitamar" settlement, east of Nablus, severely beat a Palestinian farmer, Mohammed 'Ali Khatatba, 43, from Beit Fourik village.  According to medical sources, Khatatba sustained fractures and bruises.