PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 11/2004

18 - 24 March 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces escalated their aggression on Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). They extra-judicially assassinated the leader of Hamas movement Sheikh Ahmed Yassin; willful killings perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces are human rights violations. 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 “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 24 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 3 children and a journalist, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 6 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the context of a plan known as “Continuous Story.” They killed a number of Palestinians and destroyed civilian properties. The widest of these incursion targeted Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis, on 22 March 2004. Israeli forces killed 5 Palestinians, including a man and his wife, and injured 9 other civilians. They also destroyed 5 houses and razed areas of agricultural land. In the other incursions, Israeli forces razed about 70 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed 11 houses. In addition, 4 Palestinians died from injuries sustained in previous incursions into Rafah and Gaza city.

As a result of Israeli indiscriminate shelling, this week, 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children in Khan Yunis, were killed, and a number of other civilians were wounded.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured. Israeli forces also arrested dozens Palestinians. Israeli forces used excessive force against demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a journalist, were killed by the Israeli gunfire.

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 Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 3 houses in the West Bank.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Annexation Wall" inside the West Bank. The Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall in Kahrabtha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah, and ordered Israeli forces to bring 500 uprooted olive trees to their Palestinian owners. Israeli forces used excessive force against Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists who protested against the construction of the wall.

Israeli settlers escalated their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties. In addition, Israeli occupying forces confiscated 8866 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the west of Jenin, for the purpose of the construction of an industrial zone.

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

In the Gaza Strip, following the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces imposed a total siege on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and portioned it into 3 isolated zones. They also closed all entrances to Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements and denied movement of Palestinian civilians. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have 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. They have also erected temporary checkpoints and arrested a number of Palestinians.

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

At approximately 01:00, 15 Israeli military vehicles moved into Nablus. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses in the old town and Ras al-‘Ein neighborhood. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers blew up doors of houses and stores to enter them. They arrested 5 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

At approximately 02:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers raided and searched Younis ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Eissa’s house and arrested his son, Ra’ed, 22.

At approximately 02:15, 7 Israeli military vehicles moved into Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers raided and searched Mohammed Rajab al-Aqra’s house and arrested his son, ‘Alaa’, 22.

At approximately 05:00, 12 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring ‘Aaida refugee camp. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians, including a child:

Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Luqia village, northwest of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians:

At approximately 11:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military location at the iron wall along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian child, Mahmoud Samir al-Najjar, 13, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the head, while he was near his house, approximately 400m away from the border.

At approximately 11:40, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that ‘Adli Mohammed Abu Taha, 26, from Rafah, died from a wound he sustained on 17 March 2004. According to PCHR’s documentation, Abu Taha was wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel from a missile when he was resisting an Israeli military incursion into Rafah refugee camp. During that incursion, Israeli occupying forces killed 4 Palestinians, wounded 14 others and destroyed about 50 houses.

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian woman, Najiya ‘Ayada al-Akhras, 47, was wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks, while she was inside her house.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces conducted a major military incursion into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza city. They destroyed 5 houses, injured 5 Palestinian civilians, and arrested 8 others. One of the houses was destroyed with its residents still inside.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and 2 helicopters, moved into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza city. They surrounded a number of houses belonging to the Hassan family in the south of the village. Under cover of indiscriminate shelling, Israeli soldiers raided and searched these houses, and used a number of residents as human shields while searching the houses. In addition, Israeli soldiers used Sabri Sa’ad Hassan as a human shield when they clashed with members of the Palestinian resistance. Israeli soldiers then arrested 5 members of the family and ordered residents of the houses to vacate them. Soon after, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Jabra Muhsen Hassan, and destroyed it. Two families counting 10 people have become homeless. Two neighboring houses were also damaged. Israeli forces released 4 of the detainees, and kept 23-year-old Mohammed Saqer Hassan in custody.

During this incursion, which continued until 11:00, Israeli occupying forces raided two apartment buildings belonging to the families of Farajallah and Abu Kumail, and held residents of each building in one room. They searched the two buildings and transformed their roofs into military posts from which they fired at the area. At approximately 05:00, Israeli soldiers raided 2 houses belonging to the Abu Kumail family and a third house belonging to the Jawad family. They forced the residents of the three houses out and arrested 8 of them, including 2 children. Seven of the eight Palestinians were interrogated and then released, while the eighth one, Mohammed Jamal Abu Kumayel, 19, remained in custody.

At approximately 05:45, Israeli occupying forces demolished 4 houses, razed areas of agricultural land and destroyed a number of civilian facilities:

1. They completely destroyed a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamdan Mahmoud Abu Kumayel, in which 4 people lived.

2. They completely destroyed a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fadel Hamdan Abu Kumayel, in which 8 people lived.

3. They completely destroyed a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ref’at Hamdan Abu Kumayel, in which 6 people lived.

4. They partially destroyed a 350-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Kumayel, in which 25 people (3 families) live.

5. They destroyed 4 stores owned by Isma’il Muhsen al-Haiqi over their contents.

6. They destroyed 3 under-construction stores owned by Kamal Mohammed Abu Kumayel.

8. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with potatoes owned by Kahder Mohammed Abu Kumayel.

Also in the morning, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Ayman ‘Abdul Karim Abu Hashem, 24, from Rafah, died from a wound he sustained on 17 March 2004. According to PCHR’s documentation, Abu Hashem was wounded by a live bullet in the left knee as Israeli occupying forces opened fire at houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp, during a major incursion into the area.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli gunfire, which continued sporadically until 12:00:

1. ‘Abdul Qader Hamad al-Sha’er, 8, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg; and

In the evening, a Palestinian child was killed when Israeli occupying forces opened fire at an agricultural area in Khan Yunis.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:50, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on an agricultural area in al-Rabwat al-Gharbiya area to the east. A Palestinian child, Fatema Mohammed al-Jallad, 7, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head, while the other children were able to escape. The child bled for 7 minutes while others were not able to offer any help as Israeli forces continued to fire at the area. She was then evacuated in a civilian car to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis and from there she was transferred to Gaza International Hospital. Medical efforts made to save her life failed and she was pronounced dead on Saturday morning, 20 March 2004.

At approximately 02:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Kharsa village, south of Hebron. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village and arrested Nader Fayez Younis al-Rajoub, 28.

In an apparent willful killing that evening, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian child in Nablus. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:50, a number of Israeli military jeeps moved into al-Quds Street at the southern entrance to Nablus, stopped for while, and then moved back. At approximately 21:30, while 17-year-old Mohammed Eshtaiwi Saleh Abu Muhsen, from Balata refugee camp, was stepping on a stair linking between al-Qara’an area in the camp and al-Quds Street, Israeli soldiers fired 7 live bullets at him, wounding him. The source of fire was a deserted house in the south of the refugee camp; which Israeli soldiers were apparently hiding in. A number of Palestinian civilians hurried towards the child to offer him help, but Israeli soldiers did not allow them to attend to him. About 15 minutes later, Israeli soldiers allowed an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society to attend him, but he was dead by the time the ambulance reached him. His body was moved to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. edical sources states that the child was hit by 2 live bullets in the lower jaw and the left hand. According to eyewitnesses, the child was fired at from a distance of 20 meters, when the area was completely quiet.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces killed 5 Palestinians, including a man and his wife, injured 9 others, and destroyed 5 houses in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. Israeli occupying forces moved into the village to arrest one of the victims, who was allegedly wanted. During this incursion, Israeli occupying forces used excessive force against civilian residential areas.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:45 on Sunday, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and 2 helicopters, moved into 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. Under cover of intense shelling, they surrounded two houses belonging to Bassem Salem Qudaih, 38, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying forces, and his brothers. Israeli soldiers called through megaphones on Qudaih to surrender. According to eyewitnesses, Qudaih was in one of the houses with his wife and their four children. Residents of the houses got out, while Bassem and his wife refused to surrender, and allegedly exchanged fire with Israeli forces. One of the helicopters launched a missile at the house, which exploded at the door of the house instantly killing Qudaih and his wife, Sanaa' 'Abdul Hadi Qudaih, 34. The house was also partially destroyed. Israeli forces then used ‘Omar Khader Suleiman Qudaih, 20, as a human shield and ordered him to call through a megaphone on Bassem to surrender, as they did not know that he was dead at the time. When ‘Omar refused, Israeli soldiers beat him and forced him to enter Bassem’s house to check whether he was still alive. He entered the house and found one of Bassem’s children, ‘Aassem, 8, inside the house. Israeli soldiers asked the child about his father, but the child did not know the destiny of his father. Israeli forces ordered ‘Omar to a house belonging to Bassem’s father to tell its 20 residents to evacuate, then checked Bassem’s father and brothers. Israeli forces again shelled the two targeted house and then forced the father and Bassem’s brother, ‘Azzam, to go to the houses to verify the destiny of Bassem. There, they found the bodies of Bassem and his wife at the door of one of the houses. As Israeli forces became certain of Bassem’s death, they demolished the two houses and a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed workshops in addition to destroying a car belonging to Bassem. Israeli forces then arrested 5 Palestinians – Qudaih's father, his three brothers, and his cousin – and withdrew from the area at 07:30. The five were released at 10:00.

As a result of this indiscriminate Israeli shelling, 10 Palestinian civilians were injured; one of them, Thana'ei 'Olayan Qudaih, 20, who was hit by a live bullet to the head, who was later pronounced dead. According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli military jeep ran over him after shooting him with and hitting him with a live bullet to the head. An atmosphere of terror spread over the village, and as a result a pregnant woman, Asma Mohammed Abu Tair, 27, miscarried, and a number of other civilians were in a state of shock. Israeli forces also fired at an ambulance which arrived to the area to evacuate the injured, wounding its driver, Ayman Salman Abu Draz, 38, with shrapnel in the chest.

During this incursion, members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with the invading Israeli forces. Two members of the Palestinian resistance were killed:

1. 'Abdul Rahman Zaki al-Dardissi, 25, hit by a live bullet to the right shoulder; and

Following are details of the destruction incurred to the area by Israeli occupying forces:

1. They totally destroyed a 170-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Bassem Salem Qudaih, in which 9 people lived.

2. They totally destroyed a 450-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Azmi and ‘Azzam Qudaih, in which 7 people (3 families) lived.

3. They partially destroyed a 180-square-meter house owned by Khader Suleiman Qudaih and rented by Mohammed ‘Olayan Abu Daqqa, in which 2 people live.

4. They partially destroyed a 140-square-meter house owned by ‘Abed Rushdi Qudaih, in which 2 people live.

5. They partially destroyed a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Sami Ahmed Qudaih, in which 6 people live.

6. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and olives owned by Ibrahim Hamdan Qudaih.

7. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Joma’a ‘Abdul Rahman Qudaih.

8. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Jaber ‘Abdul Rahman Qudaih.

9. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with onions owned by Khader Salman Qudaih.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, under cover of indiscriminate gunfire. Israeli soldiers surrounded a 170-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Majed Mohammed al-Sumairi, 32, in which 10 people live. Israeli soldiers broke into the house and fired a shell inside, causing wide destruction to its contents. The bulldozer also razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by 'Aadel Mohammed Salama al-Sumairi, and leveled areas of agricultural land which had been already razed. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 01:30 on Monday, 22 March 2004.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians:

At approximately 06:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block K in Rafah refugee camp. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

At approximately 07:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, fired at a number of Palestinian children who gathered near the settlement and threw stones at Israeli military posts. Two children were wounded:

2. Mohammed Walid al-Jourani, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen.

In an excessive use of force in that morning, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian child and wounded 4 others in Khan Yunis, when they opened fire at a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinians in protest against the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:15, Israeli soldiers positioned in "al-Nouria" military post, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at thousands of Palestinians who participated in a demonstration in protest against the extra-judicial assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Israeli forces. The demonstration was marching on a road linking between Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Amal neighborhood, approximately 200 meters to the east of the aforementioned Israeli military location. Five Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded. One of the wounded, 13-year-old Mos'ab Hussein Mohammed al-Ghalban, who was hit by a live bullet in the chest, died shortly after he had been evacuated to the hospital. The other civilians who were wounded are:

1. Mahmoud Hamed Farawana, 22, seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the right shoulder and exited the back;

2. 'Abdul Rahman 'Abdul Hakim al-Farra, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

3. Salem Ahmed Abu Mousa, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder; and

4. Salem Majed Salama al-'Aqqad, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.

At approximately 08:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts between "Neve Dekalim" and "Gadid" settlements, west and southwest of Khan Yunis respectively, opened fire at the cemeteries and Baten al-Samin areas to the east. A Palestinian child, Zaki Saleh 'Abed al-Barqi, 14, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left eye, when he was inside his house, approximately 250m away from the source of fire.

At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts near al-Matahen military checkpoint, north of Khan Yunis, fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at a student demonstration organized in protest against the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the checkpoint to be allowed to travel to the north. Two Palestinian children were wounded by the Israeli gunfire, which continued sporadically until 12:00:

1. Yousef Yahia al-Namrouti, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

In addition, a number of civilians, including women, suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 09:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin, and imposed a curfew. A number of school children gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets at the children, wounding 16-year-old Mohammed Hisham 'Atiya in the left hand.

In another case of apparent willful killing, in the morning, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The victim was a correspondent of an-Najah Radio of an-Najah National University, where he was studying journalism. This killing was the second of its kind in the same area in less than 48 hours.

According to investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:30, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children. In the meantime, Mohammed 'Aadel 'Abdul Rahman, 22, a correspondent of an-Najah Radio, was in his father's restaurant. After hearing shooting sounds, he hurried towards the source of sounds carrying his mobile phone. When he took the mobile phone in his hand, Israeli soldiers fired at him, and wounded him by a live bullet in the abdomen. He was evacuated to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:30. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at the victim from a distance of approximately 70-100 meters.

At approximately 12:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of an Italian solidarity delegation demonstrated in Toura al-Gharbia village, west of the village, in protest against the construction of the “Annexation Wall” in the area. When the demonstrators became close to the wall, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them, wounding 15-year-old Mohammed Subhi Kabaha with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left side.

At noon, many Palestinian civilians demonstrated in the center and south of Hebron in protest against the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Israeli forces. They threw stones at Israeli military posts. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 3 others, including a journalist, were wounded by live and rubber-coated metal bullets:

2. Nadim Mustafa al-Junaidi, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen; and

3. Ma'moun Mohammed Wazwaz, 27, a cameraman of Reuters news agency, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg.

At the same time, hundreds of Palestinian civilians demonstrated at the northern and southern entrances to Halhoul town, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli military vehicles that were patrolling on the main road. Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding 18-year-old 'Abdul Karim al-'Amour with a live bullet in the back.

In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, while he was in the balcony of his house. Two civilians were also wounded by the Israeli gunfire.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:00, hundreds of Palestinian civilians demonstrated at the eastern entrance to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They threw stones at Israeli military vehicles, which fired at the demonstrators. The clashes continued for hours. As Israeli soldiers opened fire at the demonstrators, they were forced to move back to the village, but Israeli soldiers chased them inside the village, and then opened fire at houses. At approximately 16:05, Tariq Ahmed Judai' al-'Allami, 31, was hit by a live bullet to the heart, and died before arriving at the hospital. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was hit by a live bullet while he was in the balcony of the second floor of his house, approximately 250 meters away from the main entrance to the village. The victim was married and a father of two children. In addition, 2 other Palestinian civilians were wounded in the clashes:

1. Mohammed 'Eish Sabarna, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left eye; and

At approximately 13:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque (Rachel Tomb), north of Bethlehem. They threw stones at Israeli occupying forces positioned in the area. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding two:

1. Mo'ein Mohammed Hussein al-Atrash, 21, from al-Duhaisha refugee camp, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck; and

2. Munther 'Abdullah Shou'ani, 21, from Bethlehem, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.

At approximately 13:35, Israeli occupying forces positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in Khan Yunis. A Palestinian civilian, Akram Mahmoud Hunaideq, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 15:00, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance to Taqou village, south of Bethlehem. They threw stones at Israeli military vehicles on the main road. Israeli soldiers fired at them, wounding 18-year-old ‘Abdul Karim al-‘Amour with a live bullet in the back.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned in a military location in Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Z'orob area. A Palestinian civilian, Fadel Mohammed al-Qassas, 45, was wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks, while he was at the door of his house.

In the evening, Israeli soldiers positioned on an observation tower, west of Qalqilya, fired at a Palestinian child who was on the roof of his house wounding him with a live bullet in the abdomen.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, and the child's mother's testimony, at approximately 17:30, 16-year-old Daoud Wa'el Yousef Noufal was on the roof of his family's house in the west of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers positioned on a military observation tower, approximately 150 meters to the west of the house, fired at him. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.

At approximately 17:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block J in Rafah refugee camp. 'Aatef Mohammed 'Awaja, 18, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head, while he was near his house.

At approximately 23:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 100 meters to the northwest of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Israeli soldiers raided Farhana Ghaith al-Louh's house and held its 33 residents in one room. They searched the house and transformed the upper floors of the house into a military post, then remained in the house until 08:00 on Wednesday, 24 March 2004.

At approximately 10:00am, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that 'Abdullah Hassan al-Mughayar, 18, from Rafah, died from a wound he sustained on 17 March 2004. According to PCHR's documentation, al-Mughayar was hit by shrapnel from a shell to the head while he was with other members of the Palestinian resistance confronting an Israeli military incursion into Rafah refugee camp. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupying forces during that incursion increased to 7.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved approximately 200 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and fruits owned by Ahmed Joma'a Salama al-Sumairi.

2. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and fruits owned by Mohammed Joma'a Salama al-Sumairi.

3. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and fruits and destroyed an irrigation network and a car owned by Ibrahim Joma'a Salama al-Sumairi.

4. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and fruits and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mazen Mohammed Salama al-Sumairi.

5. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat owned by Ibrahim Humaidan al-Sumairi.

6. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives owned by Salaha Ahmed Ibrahim al-Sumairi.

7. They razed a 30-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and uprooted 40 olive trees owned by Asa'ad Jomai'an Salama al-Sumairi.

8. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms owned by Mansour Jomai'an Salama al-Sumairi.

9. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and destroyed an irrigation network owned by 'Ouda Humaidan al-Sumairi.

10. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and demolished a 16-square-meter bird farm owned by Intissar Ahmed Ibrahim al-Sumairi.

11. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Su'ad Salman Hussein al-Sumairi.

12. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and fruits, destroyed an irrigation network and demolished a 16-square-meter bird farm owned by Najwa Zayed al-Sumairi.

13. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and wheat owned by 'Abdullah Ahmed al-Sumairi.

In addition, Israeli soldiers damaged a 220-square-meter house owned by 'Abdul Rahman Musallam al-Sumairi, in which 8 people (2 families) live. According to the owner, Israeli soldiers have raided the house every night since Saturday, 20 March 2004. They searched the house and hid inside until the morning. They also destroyed a balcony and a kitchen in the house.

At approximately 12:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces at the entrances to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. Israeli soldiers fired at the children, hitting and wounding 16-year-old 'Alaa' Hassan Houshia with a live bullet to the left side of his body.

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians demonstrated at the northern entrance to Hebron. Israeli occupying forces fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Sa'id Ra'ef 'Abdul 'Aal, 33, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh. In addition, Ibrahim Khalil Ghandour, 63, from Hebron, suffered from tear gas inhalation. He was evacuated to the intensive care unit at 'Aalia Hospital in Hebron as he was in a critical condition. He was pronounced dead at approximately 02:30 on Wednesday, 24 March 2004.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts west of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of the town. A Palestinian civilian, Zaki Malu al-'Ein, 31, was wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis, while he was working in a school, which was still under construction at the time.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli soldiers occupying forces positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Junaina neighborhoos, approximately 700 meters to the north. A Palestinian woman, Najah Farhan Abu Sabala, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the back while she was inside her house.

Two hours later, Israeli occupying forces opened fire at the same area. A Palestinian civilian, 'Abdullah Mohammed al-Qassas, 52, was injured by shrapnel in the left hand, while he was near his house.

At approximately 00:50, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles including bulldozers and supported by 2 helicopters, moved approximately 100 meters into Khan Yunis refugee camp. Under cover of indiscriminate shelling, they destroyed a number of buildings established in the area between the refugee camp and the "Neve Dekalim" settlement:

1. They destroyed a 60-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by 'Abdul Qader Ya'qoub 'Abed Siam, in which 7 people lived.

2. They destroyed a 16-square-meter room and uprooted a number of olive trees owned by Ameen Ya'qoub 'Abed Siam.

3. They destroyed a 15-meter-long fence owned by Mohammed Shihda Hussein Abu Rezeq.

At approximately 01:00, 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 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched about 40 houses and arrested 2 Palestinians, including a girl:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched Mohammed Mustafa Ma’rouf’s house and arrested his son, Bader, 16.

At approximately 02:30, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians:

At approximately 03:30, 12 Israeli military vehicles moved into Tubas village, east of Jenin. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Hawara village, south of Nablus. They raided a 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Ibrahim al-D’ib. They held its 8 residents in one room and transformed the rest of the house into a military post.

In the morning, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza city declared that Hammam Mohammed Abu al-'Amrain, 26, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, died from a wound he sustained on 11 February 2004. According to PCHR's documentation, Abu al-'Amrain was seriously wounded in the head and the chest when he and other members of the Palestinian resistance confronted an Israeli military incursion into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza city. During that Israeli military operation, 12 Palestinians were killed and about 40 others were wounded by the Israeli gunfire and shelling.

At approximately 16:25, Israeli occupying forces positioned in the vicinity of the “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. A Palestinian civilian, Islam Hussein Khurais, 24, was hit by a live bullet and wounded in the abdomen.

In an act of state terrorism, on Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, 66, founder and political leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), immediately after he had left the mosque after finishing the dawn prayer. In addition to Sheikh Yassin, 7 Palestinian civilians, 3 of whom were Sheikh Yassin’s bodyguards, were killed and 17 others injured, including two of Sheikh Yassin's sons. This illegal and belligerent act is an implementation of the Israeli authorities’ threats to assassinate Sheikh Yassin, which were recently articulated by Israeli political and military officials. This is the second use of illegal and excessive force of this kind committed by Israeli occupying forces against a top figure in a Palestinian organization. Israeli occupying forces previously assassinated the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Abu 'Ali Mustafa in Ramallah on 27 August 2001.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 05:20 on Monday morning, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 3 missiles at Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, 66, an elderly disabled man, after he had left the Islamic Association Mosque in the densely populated al-Sabra neighborhood in the center of Gaza city, after the dawn payer. Sheikh Yassin was traveling on his wheelchair accompanied by 3 bodyguards, when one of the missiles directly hit Sheikh Yassin and his bodyguards. The other two missiles exploded in the surrounding area and killed 4 other civilians. In addition to those killed, 17 civilians were injured, including Sheikh Yassin's two sons: 'Abdul Hamid, 33; and 'Abdul Ghani, 29. Four children were among those injured. 'Abdul Hamid and 5 of the injured remain in serious condition. All of the casualties were worshippers who had just left the mosque following the dawn prayer. The other 7 victims killed were identified as:

Israeli media reported, after the incident, that Israeli government sources announced that the assassination was approved by the Israeli government. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon personally sanctioned and supervised the attack.

Sheikh Yassin had survived a previous assassination attempt on 6 September 2003, when Israeli warplanes attacked an apartment building in which Sheikh Yassin and Isma'il Haniya, another leader of Hamas, were present. The two leaders were lightly injured during that incident.

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 00:40 on Friday, 19 March 2004, 12 Israeli military vehicles moved into Jabal al-Mawaleh neighborhood in the south of Bethlehem. They surrounded a 130-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to family of Jamil Khalf Mustafa Humaid, who was killed while carrying out an armed attack against "Efrat" settlement, south of Bethlehem, on 31 March 2002. Israeli soldiers raided the house and forced its 11 residents out without allowing them to remove any of their belongings. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives on the first floor of the house. At approximately 02:00, they destroyed the first floor and caused severe damage to the rest of the building.

At approximately 00:00 on Sunday, 21 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. At approximately 00:20, they raided two houses belonging to the families of Mohammed Ahmed 'Abdul Rahman Daraghma and Rami Mohammed Hussein 'Eissa, who were killed in Jerusalem two years ago. They forced residents of the two houses and 15 neighboring houses out, and planted explosives inside the two houses. At approximately 02:40, they destroyed the two houses. As a result, 11 neighboring houses were damaged. The first house consisted of 3 floors and stood on a 150-square-meter area of land. Three families, totaling 14 people, lived in it. The second house also consisted of 3 floors and stood on a 130-square-meter area of land. Two families, totaling 11 people, lived in it.

Following the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces imposed a total siege on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They closed all border crossings into the Gaza Strip, and divided it into 3 isolated zones. They also closed all entrances to Palestinian areas located near Israeli settlements and prevented Palestinian civilians from moving freely. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law, to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints, which are open for a maximum of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment by Israeli soldiers.

On Thursday afternoon, 18 March 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints for several hours. During this closure, they held and searched a number of vehicles.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 20 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints. They held dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between and searched passengers. This closure continued for 5 hours.

On Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli forces imposed more restrictions at the two checkpoint and later closed them. Hundred of Palestinian civilians and vehicles had to wait in long lines. Soon, an Israeli tank arrived at al-Matahen checkpoint, north of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas at Palestinian civilians, wounding two children. The two checkpoints were reopened at 14:00.

On Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the Erez crossing and industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip, denying thousands of Palestinian workers access to their work places. Israeli forces also closed Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and Karni crossing, east of Gaza city.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area, in Rafah and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis. On Thursday, 18 March 2004, Israeli forces closed al-Tuffah checkpoint and denied movement of Palestinian civilians.

Palestinians living in al-Mawasi area, of which there are approximately 15,000, live under extremely tight restrictions, which also apply to the entry of foodstuffs into the area and access to schools and farms. It takes residents of the areas several hours to cross Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints. Palestinians living outside the area are prohibited from entering. Israeli forces have assigned numbers to residents of the area. These numbers are to be added to their identity cards. Palestinians who do not have these numbers will be prevented from entering the area. Women from the area married to men living outside the area cannot visit their families.

They have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. On Monday, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the area and denied movement in and out of the area. On 9 March 2004, they started to issue magnetic cards to 262 Palestinian civilians living in the area and farmers living outside the area. Moving in and out of the area will be facilitated through the use of these magnetic cards.

In the same context, since Monday morning, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces have denied movement of Palestinian civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches, and imposed curfews on a number of villages.

Israeli occupying forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians since Monday morning, 22 March 2004. They have started to construct a part of the separation wall north of Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers positioned at Dahiat al-Barid military checkpoint at the northern entrance to the city denied access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to the city. Israeli forces also imposed a strict siege on Palestinian villages located northwest of the city.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They reinforced their presence at the entrances to the town and restricted movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints around the town obstructed movement of Palestinian civilians, especially those exiting the town.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the city. On Monday morning, they imposed a curfew on the villages of Madama and Bourin, southwest of the city. On Saturday evening, 20 March 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ibrahim Ussama al-Khadour, 26, from Bani Na’im village in Hebron, while he was traveling from Jenin to Hebron.

At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 21 March 2004, Israeli forces positioned at Beit Eiba military checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Eyad Hassan Subhi Sawan, 22, from Ematin village, east of Qalqilya, while he was traveling from Nablus to Qalqilya.

Israeli occupying forces erected a number of checkpoints on the main roads linking between the town and other Palestinian communities. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to the town. Israeli soldiers at these checkpoints searched Palestinians vehicles and restricted their movement.

Israeli occupying forces erected more checkpoints on the main roads and imposed a curfew on Seilat al-Zaher village, south of the town. They also declared the northern Jordan Valley a closed military zone and denied access of Palestinian civilians to the villages of Bardala, Kardala and ‘Ein al-Baida.

This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on large parts of the town. They also restricted access of Palestinian civilians from neighboring villages to the town. They denied access of school children to their schools in several areas, especially in Beit Ummar village.

On Saturday afternoon, 20 March 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to al-Shuhada Street in the center of Hebron stopped 6-year-old Ahmed Sami Abu Mrkhia while he was on his way back home from school. They forced him to open his bag. An Israeli soldier put live bullets and bombs in the bag and started to shout: “a terrorist.” The soldiers asked one of his colleagues to photograph the child with the bag. Then the soldier took the ammunition out of the child’s bag and allowed him to go.

On Monday afternoon, 22 March 2004, Israeli soldiers arrested Randa Muhsen al-Shahatit, 18, from Kharsa village, while she was walking in the center of Hebron.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians between the town and neighboring villages. They erected temporary checkpoints on the roads leading to some villages and denied movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Saturday, 20 March 2004, Israeli soldiers erected a spontaneous checkpoint at the entrance to Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They searched Palestinian vehicles and arrested Nash’at Lutfi Khalil ‘obaid, 25, a taxi driver from Far’oun village.

That evening, Israeli forces erected a spontaneous checkpoint at the entrance to Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They arrested 4 Palestinians, including 3 bothers:

They also detained ‘Omar Mohammed ‘Abdul Ghani, 25, for 3 hours, during which they beat him.

On Sunday morning, 21 March 2004, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint on Ektaba-Deir al-Ghosoun road, north of Tulkarm, and arrested Bassam Jouda, 26.

Israeli occupying forces imposed a tightened siege on the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces reinforced their presence at the entrances to the town. They seized Saleh Yaghmour’s house in Chrimsan Street in Beit Jala and transformed it into a military post.

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

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

The so-called Civil Administration of Israeli occupying forces issued an order confiscating 8866 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the villages of Seilat al-Harthia, al-Yamoun, al-‘Aaraqa, Ya’bad, Toura and Nazlat Zaid, west of Jenin. Israeli occupying forces intend to establish an industrial zone on these lands.

On Sunday morning, 21 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Kissan village, southeast of Bethlehem. Residents of the village have not been able to specify the total area of land that has been razed and the Israeli military has forcibly denied them access to the area.

On Monday, 22 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces delivered notices to Ibrahim and Mohammed Salman al-‘Azazma, from Yatta village south of Hebron, warning them that their houses would be demolished, claiming that they had been built without licenses.

Israeli settlers also continued to attack Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 20 March 2004, a number of settlers from “Taqqou” settlement, southeast of Bethlehem, attacked 3 Palestinian civilians who were grazing animals, approximately 3 kilometers away from Taqqou village. The settlers, who were escorted by Israeli soldiers, beat the three civilians and detained them inside the aforementioned settlement for at least 7 hours. These civilians are:

On Monday, 22 March 2004, a number of Palestinian civilians were able to save Yassin Draghma, 45, from Bardala village in the northern Jordan Valley from a number of Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli soldiers, who were about to kill him. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers took Daraghma from his village with the intention of killing him, but Palestinian civilians were able to save him.

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 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 meet the stipulations of the anticipated decision by the court.

8. In recognition of the 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 organizations (including IGO’s and NGO’s) to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon all European countries to apply the same treatment to Israeli citizens seeking access to their states.

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.

[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

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