PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 20/2004

20 - 26 May 2004

Israeli Forces Escalate Crimes in the OPTs

Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This week, 19 Palestinians, 15 of whom are civilians, including 5 children, were killed by Israeli forces. Israeli occupying forces continued their full-scale offensive on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces also included willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs.

This week, Israeli occupying forces continued their full scale offensive on the city of Rafah and Rafah refugee camp. This week, Israeli troops killed 10 Palestinians, including 6 civilians. Two of the victims were 3-year-old children; one of whom died from a heart attack due to extreme fear and the other one was killed by an Israeli sniper. Israeli forces destroyed 142 houses completely and 103 partially, 22 shops, a number of civilian facilities and the civilian infrastructure of these areas.

Israeli forces started their offensive on Rafah on 13 May 2004 and withdrew on 15 May 2004. However, they relaunched a full scale offensive on the town and refugee camp on 17 May 2004. This offensive continued for one week and left large destruction. The outcome of the Israeli military campaign against Rafah in the period of 13 – 24 May 2004 was:

- 56 Palestinians, 45 of whom are civilians, including 10 children, were killed and at least 200 others were injured.

- 220 houses were completely destroyed and 140 others were partially destroyed, leaving 4847 people (821 families) homeless.

- 220 of these houses were destroyed in al-Brazil and al-Salam neighborhoods, 9 in Um al-Nasser village, north of Rafah, 15 in Qeshta and al-Sha'er neighborhoods and 128 in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood.

- At least 700 donums of agricultural land were razed, and 46 shops, several civilian facilities, including a mosque and cemeteries, and the civilian infrastructure were destroyed.

The declared goal of this operation, according to the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and the Israeli military Chief of Staff Moshe Yalon, was to destroy 600 Palestinian houses along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. However, when the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping this destruction, in response to a petition submitted to PCHR on 14 May 2004 (later to be rejected by the court) Yalon claimed that the goal of the operation would be to search for Palestinian activists and the destruction of tunnels. Investigations conducted by PCHR refute these claims and suggested that the real goal was retaliation against Palestinian civilians and the creation of a buffer zone along the Egyptian border according to Israeli set plans. The following data gives evidence to this:

- 30 out of the 41 Palestinians who were killed during this operation were civilians, including 9 children. They were willfully killed, and most of the children were killed while at their homes. Eight of the victims were killed when Israeli troops fired a missile at a peaceful demonstration. Israeli military officials stated that the goal of this attack was to disperse the demonstrators.

- Tal al-Sultan neighborhood is located at least 1 kilometer away from the Egyptian border, the distance of which disallows for the possibility of the existence of tunnels. Israeli troops also arrested a number of civilians and members of the resistance. In 2 days, Israeli troops killed 22 Palestinians in the neighborhood, mostly civilians, and injured 40 others.

- In al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods, Israeli troops demolished houses which are at least 700 meters away from the border, and Israeli troops created roads for their military vehicles through the destruction of these houses. The high number of the houses that were destroyed and the destruction incurred to the civilian infrastructure reflect a determined intention to cause forcible migration of Palestinian civilians and create a wide buffer zone.

- Israeli military officials claimed that the construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank was to achieve security, similar to the wall constructed along the Egyptian border, however they were targeting homes that were far away from the border.

This week, 6 other Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed. Four of the victims died from previous injuries they had sustained by Israeli forces. In addition, Israeli forces razed at least 100 donums of Palestinian agricultural land.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians, killing 3 of them, including 2 children. The two children were killed as Israeli troops used excessive force against civilian demonstrations. On 20 May 2004, one Palestinian was killed in an extra-judicial assassination perpetrated by an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces. A number of other civilians were also injured. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West Bank.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem. They razed more areas of Palestinian land and began constructing some sections of the wall around Jerusalem. Israeli occupying authorities also issued a military order seizing 484 donums of Palestinian land in Hebron for the purpose of wall construction.

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. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the Gaza Strip, especially in the areas located near Israeli settlements and military posts. 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. Israeli forces have also continued to prohibit Palestinians who are under 45 from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and have isolated the city from the rest of the West Bank.

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

This week, Israeli occupying forces continued their offensive on Rafah town and refugee camp. On Wednesday evening, 19 May 2004, they expanded their incursions into the town to include al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods, adjacent to the Egyptian border south of the town. The Israeli offensive on the town had started on 17 May 2004, when Israeli troops moved into Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of the town, which had been isolated from other areas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops withdrew from the town after having killed 41 Palestinians, injured 100 others, demolished dozens of houses and civilians properties and largely destroyed the civilian infrastructure. This report will cover the incidents that took place in Rafah between Thursday, 20 May 2004, and Tuesday, 25 May 2004, when Israeli troops finally withdrew from the town.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:30 on Wednesday, 19 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by helicopters, moved into al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods in the south of Rafah. Under the cover of intense shelling, they raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses.

At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 20 May 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at 2 Palestinian civilians near the eastern cemetery of the town in al-Salam neighborhood and instantly killed them. Residents of the neighborhood found their remains at approximately 05:30. The victims were identified as:

At approximately 01:30 on Thursday, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at a number of Palestinian resistance members in al-Brazil neighborhood. Three members of the resistance were instantly killed and two others were injured. Israeli troops fired at the ambulances that attempted to evacuate the victims to the hospital. The victims were identified as:

Israeli occupying forces initiated a wide campaign of house demolitions without allowing residents of the homes to vacate any of their belongings. Walls of one of the houses collapsed over its residents injuring a woman and a child. Due to the intense Israeli shelling against the area, 3-year-old Tamer Younis al-'Arja died from a heart attack induced by extreme fear.

At approximately 10:30 on the same day, as Israeli bulldozers started to demolish Ziad Hassan's house in al-Brazil neighborhood, he exited his home holding a white flag asking Israeli troops to allow him and his family to leave the house. Israeli troops agreed, but when he and his family got out of the house, Israeli troops fired at them. Hassan's wife and 3 children were injured. An ambulance of the Palestinian Ministry of Health came to the area to evacuate the injured. A number of Israeli tanks surrounded the ambulance and put sand and ruins of destroyed house over it. The driver and two paramedics remained in the ambulance until 14:45, when Israeli forces finally allowed the ambulance to leave the area without evacuating any of the injured.

At approximately 11:00, an Israeli sniper positioned in the roof of a house seized by Israeli troops in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood fired at Jamal 'Awad al-'Assar, 39, who was in his house's balcony asking his neighbors for drinking water. He was instantly killed by a live bullet in the head.

As a result of the Israeli shelling on Thursday, 5 Palestinian civilians were injured. One of them, Mohammed Ibrahim Jaber, 27, died from his injury by a live bullet to the pelvis.

On Friday morning, 21 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces were redeployed around Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. They withdrew from the neighborhood, but then surrounded it. A number of Israeli soldiers positioned atop of a number of buildings at the entrances to the neighborhood and fired at passing Palestinian civilians. Ya'qoub Ishaq 'Othman, 56, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces began to raze large areas of Palestinian agricultural land between Tal al-Sultan neighborhood and Zo'rob square. These actions continued until Saturday evening, during which Israeli military bulldozers razed 298 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Dahliz, Zo'rob, Buraika, Fouju, Abu Zuhri, Hijazi and Abu 'Oqla, and also destroyed an animal farm. They also partially demolished a house, in which 117 people (2 families) live.

During their incursion into Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, Israeli occupying forces largely destroyed the civilian infrastructure of the neighborhood. They also demolished 10 houses completely and severely damaged 117 others, rendering them uninhabitable. According to PCHR's investigations, 1917 people (308 families) live in these houses. Israeli troops also destroyed 11 shops and 11 civilian cars and severely damaged a number of schools, a mosque, a clinic and a public service association. According to eyewitnesses, during house raids, Israeli troops stole large amounts of money, some jewels and some electric sets. They also terrified children. Israeli troops withdrew completely from the neighborhood on Monday morning, 24 May 2004.

In al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods, Israeli troops moved back towards the Egyptian border, but did not completely withdraw. They continued to fire at the two neighborhoods, injuring 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.

At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 22 May 2004, Israeli troops, which were still in al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods opened fire at the two neighborhoods and neighboring residential areas. A Palestinian woman, Tahreer Mohammed al-'Ennabi, 19, was wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the abdomen, when she was in her kitchen, approximately 700 meters away from the source of fire. At approximately 10:30, while Peter Hansen, UNRWA Commissioner General was visiting al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhood to check the destruction incurred to the two areas, Israeli troops opened fire at the two areas. Rawan Mohammed Abu Zaid, 3, was killed by 2 live bullets in the head and the neck, when she was near her house in al-Brazil neighborhood.

On Saturday afternoon, more Israeli military reinforcements were brought to Salah al-Din Street, which links between Rafah and other areas in the Gaza Strip, which had been closed since 17 May 2004. In his testimony to PCHR, 'Arafat Mansour Abu Halawa said that Israeli troops raided his house, forced his family out and transformed the house into a military site. Israeli troops also destroyed electricity towers and water networks in the area. Israeli troops also razed 311 donums of Palestinian agricultural land along Salah al-Din Street. They also demolished 4 houses completely and 5 others partially, in which 79 people (11 families) lived. In addition, they damaged the street and the building of Um al-Nasser local council and destroyed a civilian car. They reopened Salah al-Din Street on Monday morning, 24 May 2004. During their withdrawal from the area, Israeli troops razed 120 donums of agricultural land and demolished an under-construction house in the southeast of Rafah.

On Monday morning, Israeli troops moved into Qeshta and al-Sha'er neighborhoods, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Until the evening, they destroyed 5 houses completely and 10 others partially, leaving 224 people homeless. Two Palestinian civilians were also injured by the Israeli gunfire.

On Monday evening, 24 May 2004, Israeli troops withdrew from al-Brazil and al-Salam neighborhoods completely, leaving large destruction in the two areas. During this offensive, Israeli troops demolished 122 houses (in which 1468 people lived) completely and 98 others (in which 1425 people live) partially, and largely destroyed the civilian infrastructure. Israeli troops also destroyed a zoo, 3 factories, 6 shops, 4 civilian cars, the fence of a cemetery and a playground.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin town and refugee camp and opened fire at Palestinian houses. Israeli troops raided dozens of Palestinian houses in Jenin. They arrested 21 Palestinian civilians, who were interrogated until the evening and then released.

In the morning, a number of Palestinian schoolchildren organized a demonstration in al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, in protest against the Israeli offensive on Rafah. The children threw stones at an Israeli military post at the northern entrance of the camp. Israeli troops fired immediately at the children. At approximately 10:20, Israeli troops moved into the camp and chased the children. According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli soldier took position behind a rock and fired 2 live bullets at the children from a distance of approximately 100 meters. One of the bullets hit 13-year-old Islam Mohammed Mahmoud Hassaniya in the head, and died on the way to the hospital. According to eyewitnesses, the children did not pose any threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers.

At noon, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Hebron. They threw stones at Israeli military posts in the area. Immediately after, Israeli soldiers fired at these civilians, wounding 3:

2. Tariq Mohammed ak-Ja'bari, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen; and

3. Adham Salem Taha, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen.

After Israeli occupying forces extra-judicially assassinated Mazen Mahmoud Ibrahim Yassin, 42, in Qalqilya (see below), a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops in the east of the town. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the children wounding 4:

1. Mohammed Mazen Ghazzawi, 17, seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;

At approximately 16:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200 meters into al-Qarara village to the south of the "Kissufim" settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis. They raided and searched Jaber Zayed al-'Emawi's house. They arrested the owner and his son Tamer, 20, for 4 hours. The two were interrogated in a neighboring Israeli military post.

At approximately 20:30, medical sources at Kamal 'Edwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip declared that Eyad Mohammed 'Afana, 13, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, died from an injury he had sustained during the Israeli offensive on the neighborhood on 11 May 2004. 'Afana was hit by a live bullet to the head. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed as a result of the Israeli offensive on al-Zaytoun neighborhood has mounted to 17.

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Housan village near Bethlehem and into Nablus and Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops surrounded 3 Palestinian houses owned by Salim Rateb Abu Haikal, Zakaria Mohammed al-Bakri and Mohammed Tayseer Abu 'Eisha in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They replaced the locks of the doors of these houses with new locks and kept the keys. Residents of these houses have not been able to get out of their houses without permission from Israeli troops.

Also at approximately 06:00, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Ahmed Saleh Abu Siam, 45, from Rafah refugee camp, died from an injury he sustained on 15 May 2004. Abu Siam was hit by a live bullet in the abdomen when Israeli troops opened fire at Palestinian civilians who went to Block O in Rafah refugee camp to check the damage caused by the Israeli military incursion into the area.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops moved approximately 200 meters into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, they destroyed a greenhouse and irrigation networks belonging to the Sha'at family. They also damaged a road linking homes and agricultural land in the area.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep patrolling on Nablus-Qalqilya road fired, for no apparent reason, at Kamal 'Abdul Qader Yamin, 22, from Jeet village, east of Qalqilya, when he exited his brother's house in the area. He was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh. According to his family, he suffers from a psychological disorder.

At approximately 19:50, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential area in the town. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Rajeh Abu al-'Arraj, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.

At approximately 20:15, medical sources at al-Quds Hospital of Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza City declared that Hussein Ibrahim al-Lada'a, 18, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City died from an injury he sustained by Israeli troops on 12 May 2004. Al-Lada'a was hit by a live bullet in the head during the Israeli offensive on al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City on 11 and 12 May 2004.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, injuring 18-year-old Samir Yassin Duraiban with shrapnel in the left leg.

Also in the morning, Mohammed Sami al-Hams, 18, from Rafah refugee camp, died from an injury he had sustained on 1 October 2000. According to PCHR's documentation, al-Hams was wounded by a live bullet in the head when Israeli troops positioned near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who threw stones at those troops. He was then 14 years old. He had suffered from this injury until the time of his death.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, and imposed a curfew. They opened fire at houses and streets. A Palestinian civilian, Rabeh 'Abdul Qader Abu Baker, 30, was wounded by a live bullet in the hand.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops burnt dozens of olive and almond trees belonging to the heirs of Rateb Abu Haikal in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They prohibited fire engines and residents of the area from extinguishing fire. They allowed fire engines to extinguish the fire only at 14:10. By that time, 80 trees had been burnt.

At approximately 14:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved to a citrus orchard owned by the Shuraim family at Far'oun – Tulkarm road, south of Tulkarm. They opened fire at the orchard. A Palestinian farmer, Fadi Salem Ghazzawi, 27, from Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm, was wounded by a live bullet in the back.

At approximately 16:40, Israeli troops positioned in "al-Nouria" military post, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian woman, Amal Noufal Abu Shammala, 38, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left hand.

At approximately 20:20, Israeli occupying forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A Palestinian child, Malak Hassan 'Amru, 15, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head. Israeli troops raided a workshop for maintenance of electric sets and arrested its owner, 'Afif Salama al-'Awawda, 32. At approximately 21:30, Israeli troops destroyed the workshop.

At approximately 03:45, Israeli troops moved into Jalqamous village, northeast of Jenin. They arrested Mohammed Jamil al-Haj, 24.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A number of Israeli military vehicles were positioned at the entrances of the camp, and a number of Israeli soldiers were positioned atop of a number of houses that overlook the center of the camp. A number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of the camp and threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire at the children. Hamza Asa'ad Hussein al-Bourini, 15, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the right knee and leg. A number of civilian hurried to offer help, but Israeli soldiers positioned on top of houses fired at them. Israeli troops positioned at the entrances of the camp also prohibited ambulances from entering the camp for about 2 hours. By the time ambulances were allowed to reach al-Bourini, he was dead. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops in a military jeep fired at al-Bourini from a distance of approximately 70 meters. In addition, 2 passing civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. 'Abed Samih 'Abed Daoud, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the back and the right leg; and

In the early morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin and the villages of al-Khader, Beit Fajjar and Housan in Bethlehem district, and al-Zahiriya and al-Hariya villages in Hebron district. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians (PCHR has a list of their names).

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 500 meters into Palestinian areas located to the west of a settler road linking between al-Mentar (Karni) crossing and al-Shuhada junction, south of Gaza City. They razed 95 donums of Palestinian agricultural land, demolished a house and destroyed 3 wells belonging to the families of Badawi, Abu Daf, al-Dahdouh, 'Ayad, 'Aashour and Dalloul.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces raided a bakery in the center of al-Am village, north of Jerusalem. They arrested 5 Palestinian workers:

At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian areas to the west. A few hours later, they moved to the west and razed 12 donums of Palestinian agricultural land. At approximately 16:00, the Israeli military liaison informed the Palestinian liaison that Israeli troops had killed a person who was close to a security zone, and demanded that an ambulance come and evacuate his body. Immediately, a Palestinian ambulance went to the area. At approximately 18:00, the medical crew found the body about 500 meters to the west of the border. The victim was hit by several live bullets throughout the body. He was identified as 'Emad Khalil Mohammed Abu 'Eid, 21, from 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. According to his family, he was suffering from psychological and health problems and had been away from home since Tuesday morning, 25 May 2004.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus. They raided an under-construction building of the Municipality of Nablus and took position inside. They fired at passing Palestinian civilians, wounding 2:

2. Mohammed Mas'oud Mehiar, 11, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Two Palestinian civilians were injured:

In the evening, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Rafah when they opened fire at residential areas in the town. In his testimony to PCHR on the incident, the victim's cousin said:

"At approximately 17:30 on Wednesday, 26 May 2004, I was sitting with my cousin, Mohammed Mahmoud Hamdan Zo'rob, 42, near my house, approximately 1200 meters away from an Israeli military post in Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah. I heard the sound of a live bullet coming from the aforementioned military location. Then, another live bullet hit Mohammed in the chest. He fell motionless. Three other live bullets were also fired. I called my bothers and relatives and we carried Mohammed to a civilian car. Soon, an ambulance arrived at the area and transferred him to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but all medical efforts made to save his life failed."

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments, on Thursday, 20 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed Mazen Mahmoud Ibrahim Yassin, 42, from Qalqilya. He was a member of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas movement, allegedly wanted by these forces. Israeli military sources claimed that he was armed and was killed when Israeli troops were arresting a number of Palestinian activists.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:30 on Thursday, 20 May 2004, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into the eastern quarter of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers surrounded an area of agricultural land owned by Mazen Mahmoud Ibrahim Yassin and his brothers. When Yassin discovered the presence of Israeli soldiers in the area, he attempted to escape from a room, which he had used to hide in since the beginning of the current Intifada. However, Israeli soldiers immediately fired at him. Soon, more Israeli troops arrived at the area and closed it for about 3 hours. An ambulance from the Palestine Red Crescent Society attempted to reach Yassin, but Israeli troops prevented it. Yassin bled to death. When Israeli troops withdrew from the area, his body was transferred to a hospital in Qalqilya. According to medical sources, he was hit by 2 live bullets in the chest and the abdomen.

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.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip. For the 8^th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to close all border crossings into the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, 23 May 2004, Israeli forces reopened Rafah Terminal, but imposed restrictions on travel. Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis. They also imposed similar restrictions at 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.

On Saturday, 22 May 2004, Israeli troops held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between. They arrested one Palestinian.

For the 8^th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to close border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel. On Sunday, 23 May 2004, they reopened the Erez industrial zone for owners of factories who are over 30 years old, under severe restrictions.

In violation of the right of health, for two weeks, 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. They have also denied entry of medicines into the Gaza Strip.

Israeli occupying forces have imposed more restrictions at Rafah Terminal, the only outlet of the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel back to the Gaza Strip have been forced to wait at the Egyptian side of the terminal under severe conditions. 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 Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing.

Israeli forces have also continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. 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.

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.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions at military checkpoints erected around the city. According to eyewitnesses, on Saturday, 22 May 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint at the northern entrance to the city stopped 2 Palestinian trucks and forced their 6 passengers out. Israeli troops beat, handcuffed, blindfolded the six Palestinians and arrested them. For the ^8th consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit access of Palestinians who are under 45 to al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town for the Friday prayers. Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been also denied access to the city without permits.

On Sunday morning, 23 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed all entrances to the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the villages located to the east of the town.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the city. Since Tuesday, 25 May 2004, Israeli troops have imposed a curfew on al-Fahes, Tal'at Abu Hadid and al-Salaima neighborhoods in the old town.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They closed all checkpoints around the city. They have continued to prevent Palestinians, who are under 35, from crossing military checkpoints erected around the city.

On Thursday evening, 20 May 2004, Israeli troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of the city, arrested Mo'taz al-Teriaqi, 25.

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.

On Saturday morning, 22 May 2004, Israeli troops erected a sudden checkpoint at Bala'a junction, east of the town. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles. They arrested Mohammed 'Abdul Rahim 'Azzam, 24, from 'Anabta village.

On Saturday afternoon, 22 May 2004, Israeli occupying forces erected a number of checkpoints on the roads leading to the northern and middle Jordan Valley. They also declared al-Hamra area a closed military zone.

On Monday afternoon, 24 May 2004, Israeli troops erected a sudden roadblock on the road leading to al-Mazra'a al-Gharbia village, west of Ramallah. They arrested Rateb Dirar Qatish, 25.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem.

This week, Israeli occupying forces started to construct sections of the wall in the villages of Hazma and 'Anata to the north of Jerusalem and Beit Hanina, Nabi Yaqoub and Dhaiat al-Barid neighborhoods and al-Ram village north of the city. They razed more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose. According to owners of these areas of land, Israeli occupying authorities amended the maps of the wall in the area and changed its course, but they have not been officially informed about these changes.

In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces have continued to construct a section of the wall between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. This section of the wall passes to the west of Dahiat al-Barid neighborhood and al-Ram village and will isolate them from the western parts of Jerusalem. Another section of the wall will separate between Nabi Ya'qoub neighborhood and Dahiat al-Barid neighborhood, which will effectively isolate the northern parts of the city from their surroundings.

In media interviews, Khalil Tofakji, a Palestinian cartographer, stated that Israeli occupying forces prepared the final plans to construct a section of the wall along the road between Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint in the south and Qalandya checkpoint in the north. According to the maps of this section, residents of Dahiat al-Barid neighborhood and al-Ram village will be able to enter and exit their areas only through Qalandya checkpoint. The construction of this section of the wall will effectively isolate nearly 40,000 Palestinians from both the West Bank and Jerusalem. PCHR has reported on the construction of this section of the wall in previous reports. Israeli occupying forces had already constructed a section of the wall separating the areas of Qalandya, Kufor 'Aqab and Samiramis and Jerusalem.

In the same context, Israeli sources stated that 52 kilometers of the annexation wall around East Jerusalem have not been completed. In a statement published in an Israeli newspaper, Amos Yaron, Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry, said that the petitions submitted by Palestinians against the construction of the wall would delay the construction of some sections of the wall around Jerusalem for at least 6 months. He added that the Israeli High Court had stopped the construction of the sections of the wall: between the villages of Beit Diqqu and Qutna, about 15 kilometers; Qutna-Beit Luqia section, about 16 kilometers; Kharbtha, Na'lin, al-Media and Bodru section, about 12 kilometers; other sections around Jerusalem, about 7.5 kilometers; and the section by Rachels Tomb at the northern entrance to Bethlehem, about 2 kilometers.

On Monday morning, 24 May 2004, Israeli occupying authorities issued a military order seizing large areas of Palestinian land in the villages of Beit 'Awa, Sikka and al-Majd, west of Jerusalem, for the purpose of the construction of the wall.

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 failure to comply with article 1 obligations encourages Israel to act as if it was a state above the 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, NGOs and human rights organizations 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. It is anticipated that the court will adjudicate against the legality of the wall. PCHR requests that the international community ensure implementation of the court decision.

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 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.

[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