PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

No. 16/2004

22 - 28 April 2004

Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs

This week, Israeli occupying forces have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces 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 have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 18 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 children, were killed by Israeli occupying forces.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 6 military incursions into Palestinian areas. The largest incursion took place on 22 April 2004 and targeted Rafah refugee camp, during which Israeli forces destroyed 24 Palestinian houses, rendering 331 people (60 families) homeless. These actions come in the context of persistent Israeli military efforts to create a buffer zone along the Egyptian border on the expense of Palestinian residential areas.

This week, Israeli occupying forces killed 4 children in the northern Gaza Strip. Three of the victims were killed on 22 April 2004, including a 4-year-old child who died from tear gas inhalation. The fourth child was killed by Israeli soldiers on 26 April 2004, when no clashes took place.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians, killing 13 of them, especially in extra-judicial assassinations. A child also died from an injury sustained by Israeli forces last week.

In less than 72 hours, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4 extra-judicial assassinations in the northern West Bank, which left 10 Palestinians dead, including a civilian bystander. Undercover units of Israeli occupying forces carried out 3 of these assassinations. On Thursday morning, 22 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed 3 Palestinians from Tulkarm refugee camp. On Friday morning, 23 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces assassinated 3 Palestinians in Qalqilya and injured a fourth one. On Saturday, 24 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed two extra-judicial assassinations in Jenin. In the first assassination, they killed 3 Palestinians, including a civilian bystander. In addition, a journalist was injured. On the same day, and only 3 hours later, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial assassination, which killed one Palestinian and seriously wounded another one.

On 23 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a university lecturer in Tallouza village, north of Nablus. They claimed that they fired at three armed members of Hamas movement, killing one and injuring another one, while the third was able to escape. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the victim was not armed and was not wanted by Israeli forces, and there was no one else injured in the attack. On 27 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 5 civilians, when they moved into Tulkarm refugee camp.

In the West Bank also, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of military incursions into Palestinian area, during which they arrested dozens of Palestinians.

Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the "Annexation Wall" inside the West Bank, especially in the Jerusalem district. This week, Israeli occupying forces intensified construction of the wall on the lands of Beit Ejza village, southwest of Ramallah. Israeli forces used force against Palestinian civilians who organized peaceful protests against the construction of the wall.

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.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip. They closed all border crossings into the Gaza Strip, except for Rafah Terminal. They also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians 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.

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, and imposed curfews on a number of villages. Israeli forces have also continued to prohibit Palestinians who are under 45 from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The following is a summary of gross Israeli violations of international law perpetrated against Palestinian civilians in April 2004:

· 73 Palestinians (34 in the Gaza Strip and 18 in the West Bank) were killed by Israeli forces, which puts the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of the Intifada at 2593, including 2232 civilians.

· 192 Palestinians were injured in the Gaza Strip, increasing the number of Palestinians injured in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada to 7217.

· 139 Palestinian homes were demolished in April, thus, the number of homes demolished since the beginning of the Intifada has increased to 3206. This number does not include 156 flats that were destroyed by Israeli forces in al-Zahraa’ town, south of Gaza city, and does not include houses that have been demolished as a means of punishment against families of allegedly Palestinian activists.

· 311 donums were razed in the Gaza Strip, putting the total area of agricultural land razed at 22927 donums.

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

At approximately 01:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 400 meters into al-Birka area in the southwest of Deir al-Balah. Israeli soldiers raided ‘Eid Musallam al-Riati’s house and held its 12 residents in one room, and then searched the house. About an hour later, 2 Israeli tanks and 3 military bulldozers arrived at the area. They remained in the area until 07:30, during which they razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed a number of civilian facilities:

1. They razed a 48-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3.5 donums of the greenhouse planted with tomatoes stood, and destroyed a 60-square-meter, asbestos-roofed agricultural house owned by ‘Eid Musallam al-Riati.

2. They destroyed a 20-meter-long fence surrounding a house owned by Yasser Mohammed al-Riati.

At approximately 01:10, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into Blocks J and O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense shelling, they demolished 22 houses completely and 2 others partially. Three other houses were rendered uninhabitable by the Israeli shelling. As a result of these demolitions, 60 families (331 people) have become homeless. Since the beginning of the current Intifada, Israeli occupying forces have demolished many Palestinian houses in Rafah in their efforts to expand the buffer zone along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. As a result, dozens of thousands of Palestinians have become homeless. (Note: PCHR has a list of the houses that were demolished).

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:

At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 Palestinians:

At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bethlehem. They arrested Nasser Mohammed Ibrahim Jubran, 18.

In disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, throughout the day, Israeli occupying forces opened fire at al-Nada housing project in the northern Gaza Strip and killed 3 Palestinian children. In addition, 30 civilians, including a number of children, were wounded. These killings came during an Israeli military incursion into the area, which left 13 Palestinians dead.

According to investigations, at approximately 07:30, Israeli occupying forces, which had redeployed in al-Nada housing project in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who threw stones at these forces. One of the children, Mohammed Rasem Ahmed al-Malfouh, 17, from Beit Lahia, was killed by a live bullet in the neck.

In the afternoon, Israeli forces continued to fire at demonstrators and ambulances. At approximately 16:00, 10-year-old Asmaa’ Hamdi Abu Tabaq moved from her house in al-Nada housing project to purchase goods from a neighboring grocery shop. On her way back home, she was hit by 2 live bullets to the abdomen and the left arm. Ambulances were not able to reach her for 5 minutes, as Israeli gunfire continued intensely. Asmaa’ was later evacuated to a hospital in Beit Lahia, but medical efforts to save her life failed, and she was pronounced dead 3 hours later.

In his testimony on the incident, Mohammed Salah Nassar, a volunteer paramedic at Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, said:

“At approximately 16:40, I was standing near an ambulance of the Ministry of Health. I was carrying out my job as a volunteer paramedic at Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. Israeli soldiers and about 6 heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, were positioned on a hill in al-Nada area, approximately 7 meters away from me. Israeli soldiers were intensely firing at the area, so I went to the ambulance, which was hit by several live bullets, but no one was hurt. Then, I saw a little child standing on the stairs of apartment tower building number 8. She was calling for us to offer her help. She was about 20 meters away from us. We realized that she was wounded by the Israeli gunfire, but we were not able to reach her as the gunfire continued. About 5 minutes later, the gunfire stopped for a while, so we hurried towards the child. The ambulance driver, Khalil al-Sidawi, and I were able to reach her. She was putting her hand on her abdomen to stop the blood. When the driver carried her, internal parts of the abdomen got out. Soon after, Israeli soldiers resumed firing at the area, and we sheltered behind a sand barrier. In the meantime, another paramedic called us to help him evacuate two persons who were wounded by live bullets, about 5 meters away from us, but we were not able to reach them. The Israeli gunfire stopped for a short while, and thus we were able to take the child to the ambulance. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, the child was transferred to the intensive care unit. She underwent a surgery, but died 3 hours later.”

At approximately 17:30, Fawzia Abu Qulaiq, 47, from Um al-Nasser village to the west of al-Nada housing project, was on her way back home after a family visit to Beit Hanoun. Her child, Asmaa’, 4, was with her. When they got close to al-Nada housing project, a tear gas canister fell near them. The mother attempted to escape from the area with her child, but she could not due to the intense Israeli gunfire. About 15 minutes later, they were able to reach home, but the child was in a very bad condition. The family evacuated the child to a neighboring hospital, and as she was in a serious condition, she was transferred to Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, where she died upon arrival. According to medical sources, the child died from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 13:50, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood. A Palestinian child, Nidaa’ Nadid Mohammed ‘Awad, 9, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300 meters into Palestinian areas to the northwest of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They demolished 2 uninhabited Palestinian houses:

1. They completely demolished a 230-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Yassin Isma’il al-Khatib.

2. They partially demolished a 230-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Saleh Yassin al-Khatib.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tubas village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians:

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a university lecturer in Tallouza village, north of Nablus. They claimed that they fired at three armed members of Hamas movement, killing one and injuring another, while the third was able to escape. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the victim was not armed and was not wanted by Israeli forces, and there was no one else injured in the attack.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:00 on Friday, ‘Aamer Mohammed Ahmed Abu Laimoun, 33, from Tallouza village north of Nablus, and his sister, Samar, 30, were traveling from their home to piece of agricultural land belonging to the family, approximately 400 meters away from home. When they walked nearly half of the distance, they were fired at from a neighboring olive field. The man was killed by several live bullets to the head and the chest. His body was evacuated in a civilian car towards the hospital. Israeli forces positioned on Tallouza-Yassid road stopped the car and removed the body, and put the body on the road until 13:45, when they allowed a Palestinian ambulance to transfer the body to Rafidya Hospital. PCHR believes that an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces fired at the victim. The victim was a lecturer at al-Quds Open University and the Arab American University. He was not a member of any Palestinian resistance organization, and was not armed.

Following this killing, Israeli occupying forces surrounded a house in the village, and opened fire at neighboring houses. A Palestinian civilian, Ussama Mustafa Qassem Yassin, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the left side. Before their withdrawal from the village in the evening, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians:

This Israeli military operation in the village aimed to arrest ‘Emad Ya’qoub Hanajra, who is allegedly wanted by Israeli occupation authorities.

In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers positioned in al-Shallala Street in the old town of Hebron arrested Hanan Ja’far Abu ‘Arqoub, 17, from Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They claimed that she attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.

At approximately 16:45, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Ouda Ibrahim Abu Tiour, 62, was wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder, when he was near his house, approximately 300 meters to the north of the border.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military post in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Zo’rob neighborhood. A Palestinian child, Haifa’ Riad Zo’rob, 12, was injured by shrapnel in the back and the limbs, when she was playing near her family’s house, about 600 meters away from the source of fire.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 brothers:

At approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Ana village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They arrested Eyad Mutee’ Zabada, 25.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya. They raided a house belonging to the family of ‘Aatef Daoud Sha’ban, 30, who was wounded during an extra-judicial assassination carried out by these forces on the previous day. They claim that Sha’ban is the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, in Qalqilya. He was not at home. Later, Israeli forces withdrew from the town.

At approximately 00:00, 3 Israeli tanks and 2 military bulldozers moved approximately 200 meters into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with potatoes and corns and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Othman Yousef al-Agha.

2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with potatoes and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Eid Saleh al-Agha.

3. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with wheat and parleys.

4. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and destroyed an irrigation network and a water pipeline owned by Fu’ad Mousa al-Agha.

5. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Mohammed Hafez Fares.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Olayan Mohammed al-Zaidat, 28.

At approximately 06:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Israeli soldiers fired immediately at the stone throwers, wounding 9, including 4 children:

1. ‘Essam Joma’a Ramadan ‘Olaiwi, 25, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;

2. Sa’ed Hani Ahmed Hamdan, 13, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand;

3. ‘Aahed ‘Atallah al-Dairi, 28, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;

4. Mutafa Hani Qaddoumi, 29, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;

5. Tamer Sufian al-Kilanai, 14, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck;

7. Mohammed Khalil Shuqair, 26, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck;

8. ‘Emad Ibrahim ‘Olaiwi, 16, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg; and

9. Mo’taz Mohammed ‘Aashour, 17, hit by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets to the left hand and side.

At approximately 13:45, Israeli occupying forces moved into the university neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron, and opened fire in the air. Israeli soldiers stopped 2 Palestinian taxis and held passengers for two hours. 5 Israeli soldiers then moved into the campus of Hebron University and arrested a student, ‘Alaa’ Mohammed al-Tarash, 20.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Hani Hamdi al-Hindi, 23, was wounded by a 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the right leg.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military post near al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Nidal Yousef Abu Yousef, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm. An Israeli tank was positioned near the cemetery in the west of the town. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the tank. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children. A passing Palestinian civilian, Anwar Mohammed ‘Abdul Qader, 30, was wounded by a live bullet in the right side.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit ‘Awa village, west of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ra’fat Hussein Shalash, 21, and arrested him.

At approximately 13:10, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sheikh ‘Ejlin village in the south of Gaza City. They raided and searched two houses owned by Shehada and Joma’a Ahmed ‘Awad. No arrests were reported. Joma’a ‘Awad told PCHR that Israeli forces confiscated 2 mobile phones from his house.

In a case of apparent willful killing, in the afternoon, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian child in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military post to the southeast of “Nissanit” settlement, north of Beit Lahia, fired one live bullet at a number of Palestinian children who were in al-Hawouz area, about 400 meters away from the aforementioned military post. The bullet hit 15-year-old Mousa Ibrahim al-Mauqayad, in the back. He was evacuated to a hospital in Beit Lahia, but he died shortly after arrival. The area was completely quiet when the child was shot. Israeli forces later opened fire at the area. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. Nassim Salim al-Manai’a, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and

2. Mohammed ‘Abdul Latif Abu al-Jabin, 50, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military post in ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah, fired at 17-year-old Wafaa’ Mohammed Jouda, from Rafah refugee camp, when she was walking in Imam ‘Ali Street, about 100 meters away. She was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. Residents of the area attempted to reach her, but Israeli soldiers prevented them and offered her first aid. About one hour later, Israeli forces allowed a Palestinian ambulance to evacuate her to a Palestinian hospital. According to her family, Wafaa’ is suffering from a psychological disorder.

At approximately 23:40, in complete disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, Israeli forces positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gadid” settlement, southwest of Khan Yunis, fired 4 artillery shells at Hannibal ‘Ata Zo’rob’s house, about 300 meters to the east and hit the house. The 7 sleeping residents of the house barely escaped from the house, which was severely damaged. The children were extremely terrified.

In the early morning, medical sources at Ramallah Hospital declared that Islam Hashem Rezeq Zahran, 13, from Seor Abu Mash’al village, north of Ramallah, died from a wound he sustained last week. According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 18 April 2004, a number of Palestinian schoolchildren in Deir Abu Mash’al village, north of Ramallah, organized a demonstration. They moved towards the entrance of the village and threw stones at a neighboring Israeli military observation tower. Israeli soldiers fired at the children, seriously wounding Zahran with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.

Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces killed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 5 civilians, when they moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. One of the victims was left bleeding for about 30 minutes without medical attention.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They were positioned at the entrance of the camps and on the main roads. Israeli military jeeps patrolled in the alleys of the camp and opened fire at houses. At approximately 08:00, an Israeli military jeep moved towards Hanoun crossroads in the east of the camp. Two members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli soldiers. Soon, Israeli soldiers who had earlier seized Nasser Abu Jamous’ house fired at members of the Palestinian resistance wounding them. When Basel Abu Shihab, 22, tried to offer them help, Israeli soldiers fired at him. He was wounded by 2 live bullets in the feet. Israeli forces continued to fire at the area, wounding 4 civilians. Israeli forces prevented ambulances from evacuating the wounded to hospitals. About 30 minutes later, a number of civilians were able to reach the wounded. One of them, Ashraf Taher Hassan Nafe’, 25, was dead, and another one, Amjad Rebhi ‘Ali ‘Emara, 21, died upon arrival at the hospital. According to medical sources, Nafe’ was hit by several live bullets to the head and the neck, whereas ‘Emara was hit by a live bullet to the head. The two were members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

After the victims and the wounded had been evacuated to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm, Israeli forces surrounded the hospital and ordered Mohammed Mousa ‘Abdul Rahim Muqaitesh, 19, who was one of the wounded, to be handed over. Even though physicians asserted that he was in a serious condition, Israeli forces insisted on their order. They transferred him in a military ambulance to an unknown destination. The others who were wounded are:

1. Rami ‘Aaref Khattari, 22, seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;

2. ‘Emad Rasmi Dumairi, seriously wounded by several rubber-coated metal bullets in the chest and the face; and

3. Rami Mohammed Ghanem, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg.

Later, a number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of the refugee camp and threw stones at Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children and passing civilians, wounding 6:

3. Samer Bassam al-Masri, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left foot;

4. Mohammed Yousef Barahma, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the shoulder;

5. Samer Rashid ‘Abbas, 28, wounded by several rubber-coated metal bullets throughout the body; and

6. Mahmoud Raja Sarhan, 25, wounded by several rubber-coated metal bullets in the legs.

In a 72 hour period, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4 extra-judicial assassinations in the northern West Bank, which left 10 Palestinians dead, including a civilian bystander. Undercover units of Israeli occupying forces carried out 3 of these assassinations. During these attacks, targeting wanted Palestinians, these units prioritize killing the targeted persons rather than arresting them.

On Thursday morning, 22 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed 3 Palestinians from Tulkarm refugee camp. They claimed that the three were armed and exchanged fire with them, but investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim. The three victims were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:30 on Thursday, sounds of shooting were heard in the area located between Tulkarm and the neighboring Nour Shams refugee camp. At approximately 05:00, a number of residents of the area went to the place where the shooting took place to check what had happened. They found 3 bodies in the area. They called for an ambulance which transferred the bodies to a hospital in Tulkarm. The three victims were identified as:

1. Bilal ‘Ali Mousa Abu ‘Amsha, 29, hit by several live bullets to the chest;

PCHR’s field worker in Tulkarm who went to the site of the incident reported that he saw blood between cars, on which the victims apparently slept, and the place where their bodies were found. According to eyewitnesses, the sounds of shooting indicated that the gunfire was directed from one side. According to medical sources, the victims were shot from a very close distance.

On Friday morning, 23 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces assassinated 3 Palestinians in Qalqilya and injured a fourth one. The four are members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement. Israeli forces claimed that the four Palestinians attempted to escape form arrest, so Israeli soldiers fired at them. However, investigations conducted by PCHR concluded that an undercover unit of the Israeli forces fired at the victims without any warning. The victims were hit by live bullets from the front, which refutes the Israeli claim that they attempted to escape.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Friday, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya using a civilian car. They moved towards al-Saba’ Street in the west of the town. Immediately, members of the undercover unit opened fire, without warning, at 4 Palestinians in the street, killing three of them:

2. Mohammed ‘Abdul Hafiz Salim Nazzal, 30, hit by a live bullet to the heart; and

3. ‘Abdul Rahman Wasef Nazzal, 22, hit by several live bullets to the head and the abdomen.

The fourth Palestinian, ‘Aatef Daoud Sha’ban, 30, was seriously wounded by several live bullets in the chest and the abdomen.

On Saturday, 24 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial assassination in Jenin, which killed 3 Palestinians, including a civilian bystander. In addition, a journalist was injured.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:45 on Saturday, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Jabriyat area in the southwest of Jenin using a civilian car with a Palestinian registration. The car moved towards the Jenin-Nablus road. Israeli soldiers opened fire at two Palestinians who were walking on a branch road in the area. The two, who are members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, were instantly killed:

1. Sa’id Ahmed Hardan, 30, hit by several live bullets to the face, the chest and the abdomen; and

2. Kamal ‘Abdullah Masa’id, 28, hit by several live bullets to the face, the chest and the abdomen.

A passing Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Mazen ‘Azzouqa, 19, was also killed by several live bullets lodged in the upper-body. In addition, ‘Ali Sadiq al-Samoudi, 38, correspondent of al-Quds daily local newspaper and al-Jazeera Satellite Channel, was wounded by a live bullet in the nose as he passed by the area. Israeli occupying forces claimed that the journalist was wounded by live bullets fired by Palestinian gunmen, but al-Samoudi denied this claim. In his testimony on this incident to PCHR, al-Samoudi said:

“At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 24 April 2004, I was in my office in Abu Baker Street in the center of Jenin. I learnt that an undercover unit of the Israeli military moved into Abu Zuhair area in the southwest of the town. Immediately, I put on a press suit and steel helmet, took my camera and traveled with Mohammed Ballas, correspondent of al-Ayyam daily local newspaper, towards the area to report on what was going on there. At approximately 12:10, we arrived at the area. We heard people shouting that the Israeli military had killed a number of young men, without specifying the exact number. They were pointing at a car that stopped behind the building of the Municipality of Jenin. We moved slowly forward. I could see a civilian car stopping in the area. I saw a person sitting behind the steering of the car, and it was clear that he was dead. Until then, I had not seen any Israeli soldiers in the area. A number of people moved towards the car. Immediately, they were fired at. I saw Mohammed ‘Azzouqa falling onto the ground about 50 meters away from me. The source of fire was a house in the area, in which a number of Israeli soldiers were positioned, as I later discovered. Soon, about 10 Israeli military jeeps arrived at the area. People escaped. I remained, photographing what was going on, and Israeli soldiers did not intervene. At approximately 12:45, a jeep moved towards me. It stopped near Mohammed Ballas and I. A number of angry Israeli soldiers got out of it pointing their guns at us. The ordered us to leave the area and we complied. We moved towards the area where the (Israeli) military was positioned. We were walking alone on an open road controlled by the (Israeli) military. When we were about 50 meters away from the Israeli military jeeps, Mohammed Ballas called me. As I moved my head to respond to him, I was hit by a live bullet to the nose. I ran towards the (Israeli) military and asked for help. I passed by 5 military vehicles and an ambulance and no one offered me help. I ran for about 200 meters to reach a Palestinian ambulance, which transported me to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital, where I underwent surgery. I think that the live bullet would have hit my forehead if Mohammed Ballas did not call me. I think the live bullet was fired at me by an Israeli sniper to kill me.”

On the same day, and only 3 hours later, Israeli occupying forces committed another extra-judicial assassination in Jenin too. A Palestinian was killed and another one was seriously wounded.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:15, 2 civilian vehicles that had Palestinian registrations were seen traveling on Nablus-Jenin road from the south to the north. When they got close to al-Shuhada square, south of Jening, they slew down. Immediately, persons who were in one of the cars fired at two young men who were at the junction, wounding them. Soon after, 7 Israeli military jeeps arrived at the area and closed it. About one hour later, they allowed a Palestinian ambulance to reach the two young men. The ambulance evacuated them to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin. One of them, Husni Mustafa Daraghma, 22, was dead, while the other one, Eyad Rafe’ Daraghma, 21, was in a serious condition. The two are residents of Tubas village and are students at the Arab American University in Jenin. Israeli occupying forces claimed that one of the young men was carrying an explosive belt, but they later retracted this. The two young men are members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, who are wanted by Israeli forces.

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.

For the fifth consecutive day, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip. They closed all border crossings into the Gaza Strip, except for Rafah Terminal. They also imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians 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.

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

At approximately 06:00 on Friday, 23 April 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints. They held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 25 April 2004, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They arrested two Palestinians:

At approximately 19:00 on the same day, Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints again and arrested Nasser ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Abu Mour, 17, from Rafah.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained the closure of Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and Karni crossing, east of Gaza City. They have also continued to close Erez crossing at the northern entrance to the Gaza Strip, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel. They have also denied access of Palestinian workers to Erez industrial zone.

In violation of the right of health, for two weeks, Israeli occupying forces have denied 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. The Israeli intelligence often summon and interrogate a number of Palestinian travelers. On Saturday, 24 April 2004, Israeli forces arrested Hussein Tawfiq Mansour, 23, from Khan Yunis, while he was on his way back into the Gaza Strip.

In the context of the policies of collective punishment, Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border since 16 April 2004. Rafah Terminal has been the only outlet for citizens of the Gaza Strip to the outside world since 14 February 2001, when Israeli occupying forces destroyed Gaza International Airport.

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 Sunday morning, 25 April 2004, Israeli forces closed al-Tuffah checkpoint.

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 have blocked a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches, and imposed curfews on a number of villages.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through military checkpoint surrounding the town. They also erected new checkpoints at the entrances of a number of neighboring villages. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers positioned at Halmish checkpoint, north of Ramallah, beat and insulted a number of Palestinian young men. Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint on ‘Atara bridge, north of Bir Zeit village, imposed more restrictions of Palestinian civilians traveling to Ramallah. They forced civilians to get out of cars and checked them. On Sunday morning, 25 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.

On Saturday morning, Israeli occupying forces erected a checkpoint in Haramla area in the southeast of the town and prohibited access of Palestinian civilians to the center of the town. They also prohibited movement of civilians through the eastern, western and southern entrances to al-Khader village and chased those who tried to use alternative agricultural roads. On Monday morning, Israeli forces imposed a curfew on Beit Jala. The curfew remained effective until the evening.

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints inside the town. On Monday morning, 26 April 2004, Israeli forces imposed a strict curfew on the villages of Ethna and Tarqoumia, and closed all roads leading to the two villages.

On Thursday, 22 April 2004, Israeli forces positioned at the eastern entrance to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested 2 Palestinians:

Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They closed all checkpoints around the city. Palestinian civilians were not able to travel to the middle and south of the West Bank until Tuesday, 27 April 2004, when they were allowed access to these areas but under strict controls. Israeli forces also erected a number of checkpoints on the Nablus-Ramallah road.

Since Friday morning, 23 April 2004, Israeli forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the town. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative branch roads.

Since Monday morning, 26 April 2004, Israeli forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of the town. They have also continued to move into the town and control the main road to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians even inside the town itself.

After they had assassinated 3 Palestinian on Friday morning, 23 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces reinforced their presence at military checkpoints erected on the main roads. They also imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through the sole entrance to the town.

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

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

On Saturday evening, 24 April 2004, a number of Israeli settlers form “Susia” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, severely beat a Palestinian farmer, Shehada Abu ‘Arram, and stole his tractor. Israeli soldiers escorted the settlers during this attack.

On Sunday evening, 25 April 2004, dozens of armed Israeli settlers moved form “Yitshar” settlement, south of Nablus, moved into ‘Ourif village to the south. The settlers, who were escorted by Israeli soldiers, fired at Palestinian civilians and bunt dozens of olive trees.

At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 26 April 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, burnt 35 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with wheat and parleys. They also burnt a tractor owned by No’man al-Hawamda. The settlers prevented Palestinian fire engines from extinguishing fire.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 26 April 2004, a number of Israeli settlers from “Metaniel” settlement, southwest of Hebron, burnt 15 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and almonds owned by the families of al-Sammou’ village, south of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, more than 400 trees were burnt.

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

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

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

4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and non governmental 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. There is no doubt that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.

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

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

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

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

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