PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories	No. 24/2004 17 - 23 June 2004
Israeli Forces Perpetrate More Crimes in the OPTs

 

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

 Thursday, 17 June 2004

 At approximately 00:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus.  They surrounded the eastern cemetery after they had chased 3 Palestinian boys.  They fired at the boys, wounding one of them, Walid Mohammed al-Shahrouri, 18.  They arrested the three boys. 

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli troops moved into al-Duha village near Bethlehem.  They arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

 

1.     Mousa Mohammed al-Zaghari, 21;

2.     Wajdi Mo'tassem al-Zaghari, 19; and

3.     Mousa Mo'tassem al-Zaghari, 26. 

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli troops moved into Tulkarm.  They arrested 4 Palestinians:

 

1.     'Aamer 'Abdul Karim Bashir, 19;

2.     'Emad 'Aadel Abu Sharifa, 20;

3.     Mohammed Fayez Fahmawi, 20; and

4.     'Alaa' 'Abdul Rahim Sarhan, 22. 

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Jabriyat neighborhood in the southwest of Jenin.  They opened fire at Palestinian houses.  A Palestinian, Ahmed Fawzi Yassin al-Sa'di, 25, was wounded and arrested.  Israeli occupying forces claim that he was wanted. 

 Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli troops arrested Lu'ai No'man Mutawe', 22, in Hebron. 

 At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 2 tanks and 2 military bulldozers, moved into Palestinian areas located to the northeast of "Netzarim" settlement, south of Gaza City.  They destroyed a well belonging to the Abu Dahrouj family.  Then, they surrounded 4 houses belonging to the same family with sand barriers.  As a result, windows and door of these houses were broken, and movement of the 32 residents of the houses has been restricted.  Israeli troops also destroyed an agricultural pool and a bird farm belonging to the al-Wehaidi family.  In addition, Israeli troops destroyed a branch road of Salah al-Din street that served the families of al-Wehaidi and Abu Dahrouj in their movement outside the area.  The civilian infrastructure of the area was damaged.    

 At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops arrested Sami Qassem al-Sa'di, 27, in Tubas village near Jenin. 

 At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp.  They opened fire at Palestinian houses.  A number of Palestinian young men fathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire.  Three of the young men and 2 passing civilians, including a child, were wounded:

 

1.     Bader Hatem Abu Zant, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the eye;

2.     Sameh Naji Kilan, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg;

3.     Mohammed Sa'id Massa'id, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand; 

4.     Ghaleb Mohammed Mazhar, 55, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand; and

5.     Yazan 'Abdul Latif Abu Laban, 7, wounded by shrapnel in the head. 

 

Friday, 18 June 2004

 At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Gadid" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Baten al-Samin area to the east.  Six artillery shells hit the southern and western façades of Zaki 'al-Abed Zo'rob.  Shrapnel hit his child, Sa'eda, 13, to the left foot, and the house was damaged.  Two neighboring houses were also damaged. 

 At approximately 02:20, Israeli troops raided Khalil Mohammed Abu 'Omar, 80, in the center of Hebron.  They violently beat the 25 residents of the house, injuring a number of them, including Nader Abu 'Omar, 40, who suffers from a disease in the stomach. 

 At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched Ghazi Aslan's house in Rafidya neighborhood, and arrested the owner's daughter, Ritab, 18.  They also arrested Khader 'Abdul Qader Himmu, 17. 

 At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved around 500 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  By the following day morning, they had razed 77 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus belonging to the families of Shurrab, Jarada, al-Kafarna, al-Basha, Abu 'Ouda and al-Bo'. 

 Also at approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces moved around 200 meters into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border.  They demolished a 180-square-meter house owned by Joma'a Harb al-Bunch, in which 5 people lived. 

 At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 500 meters into al-Fukhari area in the east of Khan Yunis.  They razed 37 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and wheat and destroyed agricultural equipments belonging to the families of Abu 'Ouda, Abu To'aima and Abu Kaware'. 

 At approximately 23:05, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 2 missiles at a workshop owned by the heirs of Mousa Sha'ban, near 'Asqoula crossroads in the east of Gaza City, a densely populated area.  The workshop was largely destroyed.  Around 12 minutes later, the Israeli helicopter gunships launched 3 missiles at an industrial compound owned by Ayman Khalil al-Faseeh, at Salah al-Din Street, southeast of Gaza City.  The compound was largely destroyed, and a resident of the area, Ahmed Sa'dallah al-Ra'ei, 29, was injured by shrapnel in the left leg.  A number of houses in the area were also damaged.  The workshop and the compound had been attacked by Israeli helicopter gunships in the past and were reconstructed. 

   

Saturday, 19 June 2004

 At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  They surrounded Mohammed al-Ahwal's house to arrest one of his sons.  A few hours later, a number of children and young men gathered in the area and threw stones at Israeli troops.  Immediately, those troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 4:

 

1.     Ramez Hisham Abu Keshek, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;

2.     Mohammed Ibrahim 'Abdullah, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;

3.     Mohammed Ahmed Ghazzawi, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the testicles; and

4.     Khalil Khamis Abu Zuhair, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand. 

 Israeli troops also arrested 3 of al-Ahwal's sons: Salah, 25; Khamis, 29; and Ziad, 40. 

 At approximately 03:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved around 150 meters into Palestinian areas located to the northwest of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  Israeli troops raided and searched Saber Saleh Wali's uninhabited house.  They transformed the house into a military site.  In the evening, Israeli military reinforcements were brought to the area.  Israeli troops opened fire at houses.  As a result, a Palestinian woman, Hamida Ibrahim Hammad, 50, was wounded by a live bullet in the feet, when she was inside her house.  During this incursion, Israeli troops demolished a room in the house they had seized, the fence of a house belonging to al-Akhras family and gas pipelines belonging to 'Akila fuel station. 

 Also at approximately 03:30, Israeli troops raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

 

1.     Fadel Edris Sarsour, 23;

2.     Burhan Edris Sarsour, 25; and

3.     Yasser 'Abdul Fattah Ghaith, 23. 

 At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into 'Awarta village near Nablus and arrested 'Alaa' Khalil 'Awad, 23.

 At approximately 04:15, Israeli troops moved into Jenin and arrested Yasser Ahmed Ghazzawi, 23. 

 At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops moved into Namera neighborhood in Hebron.  They surrounded a Palestinian police station in the area after having closed all roads leading to it.  They checked the ID cards of passing Palestinian civilians and members of the Palestinian police.  Two hours later, Israeli troops withdrew from the area and no arrests were reported. 

 At approximately 14:00, Israeli troops arrested Rajeh Radwan al-Junaidi, 30, in Hebron. 

 At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops in a military jeeps positioned in Wadi al-Hamam area between Nablus and al-Bathan village to the east fired at a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling from Nablus to the village.  A Palestinian civilian, Salim Shehada Shaf'ei, 26, from al-Bathan village, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh. 

 At approximately 16:30, Israeli troops positioned in "al-Nouria" military post, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A Palestinian child, 'Alaa' Mohammed Rustom, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg. 

 At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops moved into Qalandya refugee camp near Ramallah and arrested 5 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

 

1.     Eyad Ibrahim Abu Latifa, 19;

2.     'Abdullah Ibrahim Abu Latifa, 21;

3.     Samer Fareed Ziada, 21;

4.     'Ouda Khair Fayala, 22; and

5.     Ahmed 'Olayan Hamad, 19. 

 

At approximately 22:50, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp.  A Palestinian woman, Jamila Hassanain Abu Mukhaimer, 45, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right arm. 

 At approximately 23:00, 2 Israeli helicopter gunships launched a missile at a 300-square-meter store of wood and construction raw materials at owned by Mousa Hassan Qandil at the entrance to al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  The store and a civilian vehicle were severely damaged. 

 

Sunday, 20 June  2004

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Bethlehem and arrested 2 Palestinians:

 

1.     Ibrahim Khalaf Humaid, 25; and

2.     Lu'ai Ahmed al-'Azza, 21. 

 At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at the cemeteries and Baten al-Samin areas to the east.  A Palestinian child, Mohammed Fathi 'Azab, 16, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck. 

 

Monday, 21 June 2004

 At approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved around 300 meters into Abu Haddaf area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops raided and searched Salem 'Abed Rabbu Abu Haddaf's house.  They held the 13 residents of the house on one room.  At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops arrested 2 of the owner's sons: Maher, 30; and Muneer, 25, and left the area. 

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into Sa'ir village near Hebron.  They arrested 5 Palestinians:

 

1.     Nasser Hassan al-Mutawar, 22;

2.     Salem Hassan al-Mutawar, 35;

3.     Basem Hassan al-Mutawar, 39;

4.     Tal'at Bassam Hassan al-Mutawar, 20; and

5.     Ra'fat Bassam Hassan al-Mutawar, 19. 

 At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved around 600 meters into Baten al-Samin area in the southwest of Khan Yunis.  In the meantime, 2 Israeli helicopters flew over the area.  Israeli troops raided and searched a house belonging to the Burika family.  They arrested Bassel Salim Buraika, 25, and his brother Bassam, 22.  In the street, Israeli troops stopped and beat Suleiman 'Abdullah Khalaf, 61, while he was going to the mosque for the dawn prayer.   

 At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas located to the north.  Three Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded:

 

1.     Maisaa' Fathi al-Sumairi, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

2.     Eyad 'Abdul Karim Abu Mo'aileq, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand; and

3.     Bushra Mohammed Abu Mughassib, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg. 

 At approximately 23:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Gani Tal" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood.  A Palestinian civilian, Khamis Mohammed Abu 'Ouda, 55, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the leg. 

 

Tuesday, 22 June 2004

 At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved about 200 meters into Abu Sha'ar area in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  They surrounded 7 houses belonging to the families of al-Hanajra and Abu Musa'ed.  They ordered residents of the houses to get out and gathered them near the nearby "Kissufim" settler road.  Then, they used 15-year-old Bilal Qadar al-Hanajra as a human shield while searching the houses.  At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops arrested 5 Palestinians, including a child. 

 At approximately 01:30, following an armed clash between Israeli troops and members of the Palestinian resistance, those troops moved about 700 meters into Palestinian areas located to the northeast of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah.  They surrounded a number of houses belonging to the Ben Sa'id family.  They forced their residents out.  Then, Israeli troops planted explosives inside 2 of these houses destroying them:

 

1.     A 350-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Ben Sa'id, in which 12 people lived; and

2.     A 250-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Ibrahim Ben Sa'id, in which 9 people lived. 

 In addition, 11 neighboring houses were severely damaged. 

 In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into Beit Eiba village near Nablus, Kufor al-Dik village near Salfit, Dura village and al-'Arroub refugee camp near Hebron, and Qabatya village near Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinians.     

 At approximately 02:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces, counting around 300 soldiers, moved about 1500 meters into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  Immediately, they raided Khalil 'Abdul Fattah al-Masri's 4-storey house.  They held the 35 residents of the house in one room on the second floor.  They took up position on top of the house and transformed it into a military site.  According to residents of the house, Israeli troops used children as human shields while searching the house.  At approximately 14:30, more Israeli military reinforcements, including bulldozers, were brought to the area.  They opened fire at a residential area.  A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Fathi al-Masri, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.  In the evening, Israeli troops continued to fire at residential areas in the town.  As a result, Khaled Jamal Ayoub al-Shanbari, 20, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body.  When Ibrahim 'Abdul Rahman Salha tried to transfer al-Shanbari's body, Israeli troops shot him dead with several live bullets throughout the body.  Israeli troops prevented ambulances from transferring the two victims' bodies.  Residents of the area were able to reach the bodies one hour later.  They transferred them to ambulances.  At approximately 22:30, Israeli troops fired at Mohammed Fadel Na'in, 19, wounding him with a live bullet in the left foot.  This Israeli military incursion continued until Wednesday.  At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, Israeli troops opened fire at Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed Abu Sa'ada, 21, wounding him with several live bullets in the chest, the pelvis and the legs.  He bled to death as ambulances were not able to reach him.  According to eyewitnesses, Abu Sa'da was coming back home from a visit to one of his relatives outside the town when he was shot.  During this incursion, Israeli military bulldozers razed at least 300 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus belonging toe the families of al-Basha, al-Shawa, Shurrab, al-Nakhala, al-Safadi, Jarada, Wahdan and Sha'at.  They also destroyed 3 bird farms belonging to the Abu 'Ouda family.  Israeli troops withdrew from the town on Wednesday evening, 23 June 2004. 

 At approximately 12:30, Israeli troops moved into the campus of al-Quds Open University in Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They held and interrogated dozens of students.  A number of students threw stones at the Israeli troops.  Immediately, those troops fired at the students, wounding 3:

 

1.     Sha'ban 'Abdullah Abu Sabha, 27, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen;

2.     Yasser Mohammed 'Olayan, 25, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg; and

3.     Mohammed 'Eissa Makhamra, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullets in the left arm. 

 At approximately 14:50, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Morag" settlement, south of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Gizan al-Najjar area to the north.  A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Suleiman 'Ouda, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot, when he was around 700 meters away from the source of fire. 

 

Wednesday, 23 June 2004

 In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into Beit Eksa and Silwad village near Ramallah, al-Duhaisha refugee camp near Bethlehem, and 'Ezbat al-Jarad village near Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Paletsinians. 

 At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian civilian, Fadel Es'ayed al-'Aqqad, 24, from Khan Yunis, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot, when he was near the campus of al-Quds Open University in al-Junaina neighborhood. 

 

Extra-Judicial Execution

 In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial execution officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments in violation of international law and humanitarian law, on Wednesday morning, 23 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial execution in the West Bank. 

 According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 08:45 on Wednesday, 23 June 2004, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into an-Najah National University Street in Nablus.  Israeli troops raided a photography studio opposite the university.  They opened fire at Shadi Khaled Mahmoud Salim, 26, from Salfit, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying forces for his activities in the Islamic Jihad.  Salim who was at the door of the studio was wounded by a live bullet in the chest.  They left him bleeding to death.  Then, they severely beat Salim's colleague, Muhannad Mahmoud Abu 'Eisha, from Beit Wazan village near Nablus, and the studio's owner.  A number of university students gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops.  More Israeli military reinforcements were brought into the area.  They opened fire at the students.  Then, they took Salim's body, arrested Abu 'Eisha and withdrew from the area.  At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops delivered Salim's body to a Palestinian ambulance near Surra military checkpoint. 

      

Continued Siege on the OPT

 

This week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. 

 

Gaza Strip

 Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip for the 11^th consecutive week.  Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis.  They have also imposed severe restriction at Rafah Terminal.  They partially reopened Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, allowing a limited number of Palestinian workers to reach their work places inside Israeli.  They have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and other Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements. 

 This week, Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis.  On Thursday morning, 17 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints.  They reopened the two checkpoints at 12:30, but prevented private cars from crossing.  Since that date, they have not allowed any private car to cross the two checkpoints. 

 At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints.  They sporadically allowed cars to cross the checkpoints.  Israeli troops also stopped and searched a number of vehicles.  

 On Monday morning, 21 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of vehicles.  The same happened on Tuesday, 22 June 2004. 

 For the 12^th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to close most border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  Even though Israeli occupying forces partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, they imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the crossing. 

 This week, Israeli occupying forces partially reopened Erez crossing, allowing dozens of Palestinian workers who work in the industrial sector to reach their work places in Israel.  On Thursday, 17 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued work permits for these workers, with strict conditions attached, including that a worker must be over 35 and married.  According to the Palestinian Ministry of labor, Israeli occupying authorities issued 513 work permits.  On Sunday, 20 June 2004, 332 Palestinian workers were able to reach their work places inside Israel, but after prolonged checking at Erez crossing.  However, Israeli troops confiscated dozens of work permits of workers living in Rafah for no apparent reason. 

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

 Although Israeli forces reopened Rafah Terminal on Tuesday, 25 May 2004, they imposed severe restrictions on travel, sharply decreasing the number of travelers.  On Thursday, Israeli troops arrested Isma'il 'Abed Isma'il al-Nounu, 38, from Gaza City, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip.  Since 18 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.

 Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  They have continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Rafah and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint, but did not allow male Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 30 and females whose ages are between 16 and 25 from crossing.  On Thursday morning, 17 June 2004, Israeli troops closed al-Tuffah checkpoint.  This closure continued until Monday morning, 21 June 2004.    

 Israeli forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip.  The have denied entry of domestic gas to the area.  They have also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers, and continued to prevent those whose ages are under 30 from moving out and into the area.   

 In the same context, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip. 

 

The West Bank

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

 

Jerusalem

 This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They erected more checkpoints around the city in the context of continued construction of the “Annexation Wall”.  Israeli troops positioned at Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint at the northern entrance of the city imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  Israeli troops also reinforced their presence on branch roads leading to the city.  Israeli troops have also continued to prevent Palestinian Moslems who are under 45 from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays.   

 

Ramallah

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

 

Bethlehem

 Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, and denied the access of Palestinian workers to their work places in East Jerusalem.  On Saturday morning, 19 June 2004, Israeli troops closed a workshop owned by Mohammed Taleb Nairoukh near Bilal Ben Rabah mosque, north of the town.  Since the beginning of the current Intifada, Israeli troops have closed more than 60 Palestinian workshops and facilities in the area. 

 

Hebron

 Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They erected more checkpoints around the city and checked and humiliated Palestinian civilians.  Israeli troops have continued to close all roads linking between Hebron and Bethlehem. 

 

Nablus

 Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They forced Palestinian civilians and vehicles to wait for long hours at military checkpoints.  Israeli forces have also continued to prevent Palestinians, who are under 35, from crossing military checkpoints erected around the city.  On Sunday, 20 June 2004, Israeli troops seized a number of Palestinian taxis and informed drivers that their vehicles would be held for 12 days, because they tried to find alternative roads to closed ones. 

 

Tulkarm

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

 

Qalqilya

 Israeli troops erected more checkpoints around the town and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles.  On Saturday afternoon, 19 June 2004, Israeli troops positioned at iron gate on the annexation wall near Habla village, south of Qalqilya, severely beat Qahera Ibrahim Muhaisen, 42, when she tried to cross the gate.  An Israeli military jeep also tried to run her down. 

 At approximately 13:15 on Thursday, Israeli troops positioned at Jeet junction, east of Qalqilya, arrested 'Alaa' 'Omar Samman, 26, an ambulance driver, when he was transporting a sick child from Qalqilya to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus.  He was relased 2 days later. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank

 Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem and in Salafit area, south of Nablus.

 In al-Ram area, north of East Jerusalem, Israeli occupying forces completed the establishment of infrastructure for the construction of the wall.  According to eyewitnesses, Israeli bulldozers destroyed parts of the road linking between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah.  They also brought cement blocks to the area pending a final ruling by the Israeli High Court regarding the construction of the wall in the area, as the court issued a temporary injunction on Sunday, 13 June 2004, stopping the construction of this section of the wall, but allowed Israeli troops to continue the establishment of the infrastructure in the area. 

 In the same context, Israeli sources stated that Israeli occupying forces would start to construct a section of the annexation wall around al-Ram village, which would isolate the village from its surroundings.  According to the same sources, around 70,000 Palestinians living in the village would be isolated from Jerusalem and its suburbs, and would be forced to travel to Qalandya checkpoint, around 2500 meters to the north, in order to be able to travel to Jerusalem.  The same sources added that the Israeli Defense Ministry showed the plan of the construction to journalists in the weekend. 

 This week, Israeli occupying forces started to raze areas of Palestinian land in Salfit and Eskaka villages, south of Nablus, to construct another section of the wall.  According to eyewitnesses, on Thursday, 17 June 2004, Israeli troops uprooted about 400 olive trees in the area.  On Wednesday, 23 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued a military order seizing nearly 300 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the two villages, and gave villagers only one week to appeal against the order.  According to local sources, the construction of the wall in the area will isolate nearly 14000 donums of agricultural land planted with olives. 

 On Monday morning, 21 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed 28 new notices to Palestinians living in Arab al-Ramadin village, southwest of Hebron, informing them that their houses and properties would be destroyed for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  These notices included 6 houses, 9 wells and agricultural pools and 13 greenhouses.  The villagers were given 3 days to appeal against the destruction orders.  In the past few months, Israeli occupying forces demolished at least 20 houses and facilities in the same village, and informed more than 50 families that their houses and properties would be destroyed. 

   

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

 Israeli settlers who live in the OPTs in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their properties.

 At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 5 June 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, severely beat Ahlam Mohammed Saber Jaber, 14, when she was near her family's house in Hebron.  She sustained bruises throughout the body. 

 On Sunday morning, 6 June 2004, a number of armed Israeli settlers seized a 1.5-donum garden near the Ibrahimi mosque in the old town of Hebron.

 Also on Sunday morning, a number of armed Israeli settlers from "Gil'ad" settlement near Qalqilya opened fire at a cattle of sheep belonging to Palestinians from Far'ata and Amatin villages, northeast of Qalqilya, killing a number of them.  Israeli troops arrested 2 Palestinian civilians for several hours as they protested against this action: Sidqi Sawan, 45; and Tariq Sadiq, 25.  

 On Tuesday evening, 8 June 2004, dozens of Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli troops moved from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, and attacked Palestinian civilians in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood with stones. 

 This week, Israeli settlers from "Qidumim" settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented Palestinian farmers from the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village from reaching their agricultural land. 

 

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 08:00 on Friday, 18 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved around 400 meters into Abu Zaher area in al-Qarara village, south of Khan Yunis.  They surrounded 3 houses owned by Salman Salem Abu Zaher and his sons.  They forced residents of the three houses out.  Then, they called through megaphones on Bader Salman Abu Zaher, 23, who is allegedly wanted by those troops, to get out and surrender, but he was not there.  Soon, Israeli troops destroyed 2 of these houses and severely damaged the third:

 

1.     A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ahmed Salman Abu Zaher, in which 3 people lived, was totally destroyed. 

2.     An 80-square-meter, tin-roofed house owned by Hammad Salman Abu Zaher, in which 2 people lived, was totally destroyed.     

3.     A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salman Salem Abu Zaher, in which 5 people live, was partially destroyed. 

 Also during this incursion, Israeli troops raided and searched 6 other houses.  They also razed 6 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and corns belonging to the families of Abu Zaher and Abu Sabet. 

 

 *****

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

1.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as a state above law and continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPTs and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3.     PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4.     PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and solidarity groups to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to bring these war criminals to justice.

5.     PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPTs.

6.     PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights. 

7.     PCHR welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the Separation Wall inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give a consultative opinion.  There is no doubt that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.

8.     In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPTs, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9.     PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and solidarity groups, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPTs and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens. 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

“END”

 

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