PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories	No. 21/2005 26 May- 01 June 2005
Damage incurred to Palestinian house in the Northern Gaza Strip by Israeli shelling. 29-05-2005

 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Kill Palestinians and Launch More Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

 

• Two Palestinians were killed by the IOF in the West Bank.

• A number of Palestinian civilians, including a child, were injured by IOF.

• IOF conducted 17 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

• Houses were raided and 15 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF. 

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; a Palestinian patient died after IOF obstructed his access to a hospital; IOF have continued to close a number of roads and border crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada; and IOF arrested seven Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

• IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF attacked Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists who demonstrated in protest to the construction of the Wall and IOF completed the construction of a section of the Wall at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.

• Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank; a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian was injured. 

  

Summary

Israeli violations of international law intensified in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (26 May – 01 June 2005)

Unlawful Killings and Shootings: Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed two Palestinians.  On 28 May 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian in 'Arraba village near Jenin and injured and arrested his two colleagues.  IOF claimed that the three fired at an Israeli military post in the area. On 29 May 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.  They claimed that he did not obey orders to stop and attempted to stab an Israeli soldier but investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim.  On 26 May 2005, a Palestinian child was seriously wounded when IOF opened fire at residential areas in Rafah.  On 29 May 2005, two Palestinian women were injured when the Israeli Airforce shelled Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

Incursions: IOF conducted 17 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank.  During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 15 Palestinian civilians.  IOF also destroyed an uninhabited house and used a Palestinian civilian as a human shield while searching his house and his brothers' houses in Bedia village near Nablus.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem.  In the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close some roads and border crossings of the Gaza Strip and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday, 29 May 2005, IOF closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.  The crossing was reopened the following day.  In the West Bank, IOF positioned at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested seven Palestinian civilians, including a girl.  On Friday, 27 May 2005, a Palestinian patient died after IOF positioned at a checkpoint obstructed his access to the hospital.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the "Annexation Wall" inside the West Bank territory.  On Thursday, 26 May 2005, IOF completed the construction of a section of the Wall at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, isolating it from surroundings areas, including occupied East Jerusalem.  This week, IOF resumed the construction of a section of the Wall in Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem.  In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall.  A number of demonstrators were injured or arrested.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, especially in Hebron.  On Tuesday, 31 May 2005, an Israeli settler fired at a mentally disabled Palestinian civilian in 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, wounding him with several live bullets in the legs.  He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital.

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Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (26 May – 01 June 2005)

1.      Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 26 May 2005

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Al-Samou’a and Yatta villages, south and southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and forced their residents out.  The IOF then transformed a number of houses into military observation sites.  IOF withdrew from the two villages a few hours later.  According to the al-Rawashda family, whose house was seized, IOF forced the family out of the house.  They also held at least 30 Palestinian civilians for at least 5 hours and beat a number of them.

• At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas, and 'Aqqaba village and al-Fara’a refugee camp, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and erected a number of checkpoints on the entrances of these areas.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  During these incursions a number of the soldiers seized a house belonging to Mohammed Ali Bsharat in the centre of Tammon Village and used it as a military observation site.  IOF withdrew from these areas at 07:00. No arrests were reported.

• Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Awa village, southeast of Hebron. They surrounded a 250-square-metre uninhabited house belonging to Harbi Mohammed Mahmoud Masalma, 28, and shelled.  The house was severely damaged.  According to Masalma, who lives in an old house in the same area, IOF shelled the house without any warning and for no apparent reason.  Masalma also said that it he and his family intended to live in the targeted house.

• At approximately 14:00, IOF positioned in military post on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire for no apparent reason at residential areas in the town.  A Palestinian child, 12-year-old Ranin Tariq al-Mughayar, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder, when she was near her house in al-Shaboura refugee camp, nearly 1200 metres away from the border.

• At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into the eastern neighborhood of Abu Dis village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of apartments, where students of al-Quds University live, and arrested two students: Badawi Mohammed 'Amru, 20; and Tha’er Abu Rahma, 21, both from Dura village near Hebron. 

 

Friday, 27 May 2005

• At approximately 00:00, IOF moved on a Navy gunboat and opened fire at two Palestinian fishing boats that were nearly 1000 meters away from Deir al-Balah seashore in the central Gaza Strip.  The two boats were hit by several live bullets  and damaged.  The two boats belonged to 'Omar Ibrahim al-Habil and 'Ali Qabaja, both from Gaza City. 

 

Saturday, 28 May 2005

• At approximately 04:00, IOF on a Navy gunboat opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishermen nearly 1000 meters away from Deir al-Balah seashore in the central Gaza Strip.  They also chased these fishermen and forced four fishermen to stand up on their boats with their hands up and throw their nets into the sea.  The fishermen were forced to leave the sea without being able to fish. 

• At night, IOF shot dead a Palestinian and injured and arrested two others, when the three were traveling in a civilian car near 'Arraba village, south of Jenin.  IOF claimed that the three persons were armed and that they fired at an Israeli military post in the area.

• According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF positioned at the northeastern entrance of 'Arraba village near an Israeli military post known as "Mavi Doutan", south of Jenin, opened fire at a civilian car that has a Palestinian registration plate, in which three Palestinians were traveling.  The three Palestinians were seriously injured.  They were evacuated in an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli hospital.  At approximately 00:50 on the following day, Israeli military sources declared that one of these Palestinians, 22-year-old Ahmed Mustafa Ameen al-Haj Ahmed, died as a result of his injuries.  The other two Palestinians were identified as: Fu'ad Rafiq Shuraida, 20; and Hamdan Rushdi Hamdan, 19, both from 'Arraba village.    

 

Sunday, 29 May 2005

·       

• At approximately 00:00, Israeli warplanes fired three missiles at Tal al-Za'tar area in the northern Gaza Strip.  The missile exploded near al-Bashir mosque in the area.  The mosque was damaged but no casualties were reported.  IOF claimed that this attack targeted a number of members of the Islamic Jihad who were attempting to launch rockets at Israeli settlements but they survived the attack 

• Also at approximately 00:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Jabalya refugee camp.  The missile hit a room in Sameer Isma'il Killab's house, where eight people live.  No casualties among residents of the house were reported, but two women living in a neighboring house were injured :

1.       Ibtissam Zauhair al-Ghandour, 19; and

2.       Wafaa' Ahmed al-Ghandour, 32. 

• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses in al-Sawitat area and arrested 'Abdul Raziq 'Aadel al-Turkman, 24. 

• Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Budros village, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and handed written notices to 10 Palestinians summoning them to an Israeli military compound near Ramallah.  No arrests were reported. 

• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus.  They patrolled in Rafidya neighborhood.  They withdrew from the city at approximately 03:00. 

• In the morning, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.  They claimed the victim did not obey an order by Israeli soldiers positioned near the Mosque and attempted to stab one of the soldiers.  Investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim. 

• According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:00, Radi Mahmoud 'Uqailan Houshiya, 28, from Yatta village south of Tulkarm, was walking near the Ibrahimi Mosque on his way towards the old market to the north of the Mosque.  An Israeli soldier positioned near the Mosque opened fire at him from a distance of approximately 50 metres.  He was wounded by several live bullets throughout the body.  IOF prevented Palestinian civilians from providing him with medical aid and left him bleed to death.  His body was evacuated later to Hebron Hospital.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by seven live bullets throughout the body.  According to eyewitnesses, no sharp tool was with the victim or in the place of the incident, contrary to Israeli claims.  The victim's family also asserted that was suffering from problems in hearing.  IOF imposed a curfew on Palestinian neighborhoods located near the Mosque.  They also stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians.

• At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Seder area in Beit Jala and al-Douha village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They erected a number of checkpoints and stopped and checked Palestinian civilian vehicles.  No arrests were reported. 

 

Monday, 16 May 2005

•    At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Camp area in Halhoul town, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1.       Mohammed 'Orabi al-Junaidi, 42; and

2.       Mohammed Ahmed al-Sa'da, 32. 

•  At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bedia village, southwest of Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Ramadan Shatat, Mayor of the village.  Then, they used him as a human shield while searching houses of his brothers.  They also arrested his brother, 30-year-old Zakaria.

 

Tuesday, 31 May 2005

•      At night, IOF moved into the industrial zone in Bitounia town, south of Ramallah.  They raided a granite factory and arrested three Palestinians:

1.       Labeeb Nejem al-Barghouthi, 23;

2.       Rabei' Sameer al-Barghouthi, 22; and

3.       Mohammed Raddad, 25. 

 

Wednesday, 1 June 2005

·        In the early morning, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinians:

1.       Shadi Fawaz Barakat, 24;

2.       Fadi Fawaz Barakat, 26; and

3.       Wa'el Rabai'a, 18. 

•      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Rafidya neighborhood in Nablus and Balata refugee camp, east of the city.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians in Rafidya neighborhood.  They also arrested six Palestinians in Balata refugee camp but released them later.

•      At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Sawana neighborhood in the south of Tulkarm.  They raided a park and checked all Palestinian civilians who were there.  No arrests were reported.

 

2.      Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. 

•   Internal Movement: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) even though they have increased the hours of opening the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between. 

IOF have also continued to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada such as the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road in the southern Gaza Strip, Abu al-'Ajeen road between the villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa in the central Gaza Strip and Salah al-Din Street at "Netzarim" and "Kfar Darom" junctions in the central Gaza Strip. Furthermore, IOF have continued to prohibit Palestinian civilians from using "Kissufim", "Morag" and al-Mentar roads in the southern and central Gaza Strip, which have been devoted for the movement of IOF and settlers.  IOF have continued to close Gaza International Airport for the fourth consecutive year. 

• Enclaves: IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements:

o       Al-Mawasi: approximately 5,800 Palestinians live in al-Mawasi situated within the Israeli "Gush Katif" settlement bloc in the southern Gaza Strip.  Restrictions imposed on the movement of residents include: (1) Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area; (2) IOF allow the entry of foodstuffs into the area on Saturdays and Sundays, and allow the entry of other goods on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  On other days, they allow the transportation of agricultural products out of the area.  IOF and settlers in the area have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property; (3) Education continues to be drastically affected: 1430 schoolchildren study at one school in the area, which lacks electricity and water.  The school also lacks teachers of a number of subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry.  Only one teacher from outside the area is allowed to teach at this school and he is sometimes prevented from entering the area.  As a result of such conditions, the school was forced to cancel science classes and students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis; and (4) IOF troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.

o       Al-Sayafa: approximately 180 Palestinians civilians live in al-Sayafa, an area located between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip.  Restrictions imposed on the movement of residents include: (1) Palestinian civilians under the age of 30 are prohibited from moving out and into the area without prior coordination; (2) A limited number of farmers are allowed to enter the area but only following prior coordination.  Farmers face extreme difficulties in marketing their products or bringing agricultural equipment into the area. ; (3) University students have been forced to live outside the area due to the prohibition imposed on the movement of those who are under 30; (4) the area lacks paved roads, which makes transportation extremely difficult, so residents of the area have to move on foot; (5) IOF open the iron gate at the entrance of the area between 07:00 to 09:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 only; (6) The area lacks basic services, such as electricity, as IOF have prevented establishing an electricity network in the area; and (7) Medical patients have to walk or use animal cart as ambulances are not allowed to enter the area without lengthy prior coordination.

o       Al-Ma’ni: IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip where approximately 140 Palestinians reside.  The area has lacked water and telephone networks for three years after IOF destroyed this infrastructure.  According to residents of the area, they obtain water from a well in the area or bring it from Deir al-Balah.  IOF do not allow any Palestinian living outside the area from entering the area.

•        External movement:

o       Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing: On Sunday, 29 May 2005, IOF closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, prohibiting access of dozens of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel and several patients to hospitals.  The crossing was reopened on Monday morning, 30 May 2005.  Prior to this closure, IOF had allowed only 5,907 Palestinian workers out of 25,000 workers who used to hold work permits before the current Intifada, to continue to enter Israel.  These remaining workers are subject to prolonged checking and humiliation by the IOF when the crossing is open.  Some of workers are subjected to interrogation by Israeli Security Services while many other workers are arbitrarily prevented from entering Israel under the guise of ‘security’ concerns.  Compounded these strict security procedures which often result in workers being denied entry is the rule that if workers do not go to their workplaces in Israel for more than one then there permit is cancelled.  With regard to patients, IOF allow less than ten patients daily to enter Israel to receive medical treatment.  Palestinian patients aged 25-40 are prohibited outright from entering Israel; 46 women have been prevented by IOF from entering Israel this month alone.  Patients have to walk a very long distance between the checking points which cause stresses on their already ill health.  Further, Palestinian ambulances are prevented from entering Israel, so patients travel to Israeli hospitals in private cars.  Many patients have been prevented from entering Israel for security claims.  For instance, a 6-year-old child has been prevented from entering Israel to receive medical treatment for security reasons.

o       Al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City.  This is despite the IOF declaration that they have eased such restrictions.  During the reporting period they allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel and 270 to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. These restrictions have caused goods to perish and large losses to Palestinian traders. 

o       Sofa crossing: IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel through Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah.  This crossing has been closed for people for more than one year and only raw construction materials are allowed to be enter.   

o       Even though Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is open, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel.  The crossing point is opened from 09:00 to 17:00 everyday.   The official policy of the IOF restricting the movement of all Palestinians between the ages of 16-35 has officially been lifted but in reality the IOF continue to arbitrarily refuse movement for many Palestinians within this group.  The IOF have also continued to use a special checking machine despite Palestinian and international concerns surrounding the heath side effects.  IOF have not allowed patients who have metal objects in their bodies from traveling through the crossing. 

 

The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank Territory.  They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

•      Qalqilya:  On Friday morning, 27 May 2005, 'Azzam 'Atiya As'ad Sawan, 50, from Amatin village northeast of Qalqilya, died as IOF positioned at a military checkpoint obstructed his access to the hospital. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:00 on Friday, 27 May 2005, Sawan began to have extreme difficulties in breathing.  His family took him in a civilian car towards a hospital in Nablus.  At approximately 05:30, the car arrived at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus but the checkpoint was closed.  The driver got out of the car and tried to inform Israeli soldiers that he was transporting a patient but they pointed their guns at him and pushed them back.  One of the soldiers also beat him. Members of the family who accompanied the patient informed Israeli soldiers that his life was in danger.  One of the soldiers replied: "Let him die away from us."  An ambulance arrived at the other side of the checkpoint but Israeli soldiers prevented it from moving forward.  At approximately 06:50, Israeli soldiers allowed the medical crew to transport the patient but he died on the way to the hospital. 

·        Hebron:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

o       At approximately 07:30 on Thursday morning, 26 May 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint in the wet of Hebron arrested Lu'ai 'Ezzat al-Shwaiki, 25, a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence, when he was on his way to his work.

o       On Friday morning, 27 May 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach the Ibrahimi Mosque for the Friday Prayer, due to the severe restrictions imposed by IOF on the roads leading to it.  IOF stopped and checked many Palestinian civilians following the Friday Prayer claiming that a mysterious object was discovered in the area.  They also took a number of these civilians to an Israeli military posts near "Beit Hadasa" settlement post. 

o       On Sunday morning, 29 May 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint to the southwest of Hebron arrested two Palestinian civilians: Ahmed Yousef al-Harini, 20; and Mohammed Muneer al-Harini, 17, both from Yatta village. 

o       At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 29 May 2005, IOF positioned at the northern entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, arrested Nariman Mohammed al-Salamin, 28, a university student from al-Sammou' village, when she was on her way back home.

o       On Sunday evening, 29 May 2005, IOF positioned at the entrance of Kharsa village, southwest of Hebron, arrested Ayman Younis Abu Hashem, 23, a university student from Dura village.  

o       This week, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron, and Yatta village, south of the town.  They erected a number of checkpoints and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.  They claimed that they were searching for wanted Palestinians. 

•        Ramallah:  On Monday morning, 30 May 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on the road leading to Jerusalem and Jericho to the southeast of Ramallah.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  They also held a number of Palestinian civilians for several hours.   

•        Bethlehem: on Tuesday, 31 May 2005, IOF established an iron gate at the southern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  They placed cement blocks around it.  The entrances of the villages have been closed by IOF for fours years. 

•        Tubas: On Tuesday morning, 31 May 2005, IOF held hundreds of Palestinian civilians on Jericho-Tubas-Nablus near 'Ein al-Hamra area in the northern Jordan Valley.  IOF erected two checkpoints in the area and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

•        Tulkarm:

o       On Sunday morning, 29 May 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint on 'Attil – Deir al-Ghosoun road, north of Tulkarm, arrested Baker Ibrahim 'Attili, 21, a university student.

o       Also on Sunday morning, 29 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Shoufa crossroads, south of Tulkarm.  They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles for several hours. 

o       At approximately 05:00 on Monday, 30 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Artah crossroads, west of Tulkarm.  They stopped dozens of Palestinian workers who were on their way to their work places in Israel and forced them to travel back, even though they have valid work permits.  At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 1 June 2005, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians. 

·        Nablus: On Sunday morning, 29 May 2005, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Haitham Ahmed al-Shouli, 18, from Tulkarm refugee camp.

 

3.      Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. 

•         At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 26 May 2005, IOF moved into Ethan village near the Wall, west of Hebron.  They raided and a 1500-square-metre cow farm.  They destroyed some of its contents and confiscated some of its equipment.

•         On Thursday, 26 May 2005, IOF completed the construction of a section of the Wall near "Rachel Tomb", north of Bethlehem, isolating the town from its surroundings in the north, northeast and west.  With the construction of this section, IOF have maintained control over the area and prevented geographical contiguity between the town and Jerusalem.  This section of the Wall has not been indicated on any of the maps provided by the IOF of the Wall’s route and was constructed without any prior notices to the Palestinian population.  The construction of this section of the Wall has separated nearly 1000 Palestinian civilians living in the area and at least 25 health, service and commercial facilities, including a hospital and a number of shops and restaurants. 

•         At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 30 May 2005, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Shurafa area in the south of Battir village, west of Bethlehem.  They demolished two animal farms that stood on a 190-square-metre area owned by Jawad Salem al-Qaisi.  They claimed that the two farms were established without licenses.  However, according to declared Israeli plans, the two farms were demolished for the purpose of the constructions of new sections of the Wall in the area.     

•         On Tuesday morning, 31 May 2005, Palestinian civilians living in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, gathered on their agricultural land after IOF informed them that their land would be razed for the purpose of the construction of the Wall.  According to 'Abdullah Abu Rahma, coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall in the village, a number of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists placed themselves inside boxes and surrounded these boxes with barbwire, expressing their protest to the construction of the Wall.  IOF severely beat them and arrested four of them: an Israeli peace activist called Kobi; a South African peace activist called Anna; Ashraf Abu Rahma; and Nabil Abu Rahma.  Later, IOF released the last two, who were evacuated to the hospital as they had sustained bruises.  IOF also fired at Palestinian civilians, wounding 20-year-old 'Omar Hisham with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.  In the meantime, IOF uprooted dozens of olive trees in the village. 

•         At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 01 June 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians demonstrated in Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem, in an attempt to stop Israeli bulldozers from razing their agricultural land for the purpose of the construction of the Wall.  At approximately 12:30, IOF attacked them civilians and severely beat them.  IOF razed thousands of donums of Palestinian agricultural land nearly four months ago.  Then, they suspended the construction of the Wall in the village as the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction.  However, they resumed the construction this week. 

 

4.     Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:

•        At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 26 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from settlement posts in the centre of Hebron, and "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of the town, attacked Palestinian civilian property in the town using stones and empty bottles.  They attacked two houses belonging to the families of Esa'ifan and Da'na in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood in the southeast of the town and set fire to olive fields belonging to the two families.  Five olive trees were burnt.  Settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement post also threw stones at a number of houses in Tal Rumaida neighborhood.  IOF were present in these areas, but did not intervene to stop the attacks.  They also refused to call a fire engine to extinguish fire.   

•        At approximately 00:30 on Friday, 27 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers living in "Avraham Avino" settlement post in the centre of Hebron threw Molotov cocktails at and area used by traders as store for their goods and carts.  A cart was burnt.  Palestinian civilians living in the area called firefighting crews who were able to extinguish fire.

•        At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 27 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers living in "Eitamar" settlement, southeast of Nablus, burnt dozens of olive and almond trees belonging to the heirs of 'Aadel 'Aqel Bani Jaber in Yanoun village. 

•        At approximately 18:30 on Friday, two Israeli settlers arrived at the northeast of Yanoun village.  They set fire to areas of Palestinian agricultural land.  At least 20 donums of land were burnt. 

•        At approximately 15::30 on Saturday, 28 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers living in "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, stopped 12-year-old Khitam Hussein al-Muhtasseb when she was on her way to a shop near her house, which is located near the Ibrahimi Mosque.  They severely beat her.  She sustained bruises throughout the body.   According to her cousin, the settlers attacked the family's house with stones and threatened to burn the house after the family had submitted a complaint to the Israeli police. 

•        At approximately 16:10, at least 50 Israeli settlers attacked a house belonging to Hamed Tayseer Abu 'Eisha in Tal Rumaida neighborhood near "Ramat Yishai" settlement in Hebron.  A number of international solidarity activists were visiting the house when the settlers attacked it.  IOF positioned in the area did not intervene to stop the attack.

•       At approximately 06:45 on Tuesday, 31 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "al-Rafeed" settlement near al-Fraidees village, southeast of Bethlehem, severely beat three Palestinian civilians when their were on their agricultural land.  Settlers have already seized large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the area, preventing Palestinian civilians from farming them. 

•       At approximately 18:30 on Tuesday, a number of Israeli settlers who were traveling in a car near "Eitamar" settlement near 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, fired at Jaber Yousef Bani Jaber, 36, who is mentally handicapped, when he was on his way back home.  He was wounded by several live bullets throughout the body.  IOF came to the area and evacuated him to an Israeli hospital.  

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Recommendations to the International Community

1.      PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel 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 OPT 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 NGOs to participate in the process of searching for Israeli those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people 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 OPT.

6.      PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law. 

7.      PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.

8.      PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but compounding the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

9.      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 OPT, including for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

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

11.  In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens. 

12.  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.

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Public Document

For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).