PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 48/2005 08 - 14 December 2005

Palestinians are suffering from Israeli inhuman treatment.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (8 – 14 December 2005):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 10 Palestinians. Seven of the victims were extra-judicially executed in two separate attacks in the Gaza Strip. On 8 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed 3 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. On 14 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed 4 members of Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, in Gaza City. On 10 December 2005, IOF gunboats shot dead a Palestinian civilian opposite to Rafah, claiming that he attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. On 11 December 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian who exchanged fire with them during their incursion into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. On 13 December 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian as they opened fire to disperse Palestinian demonstrators in Nablus. In addition, 34 Palestinians, including 17 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

Incursions: IOF conducted 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 91 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, a number of university professors and a number of candidates for the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big jail. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 4-5 hours a day only. During the reported period, the crossing point was closed for several hours due to an operation failure in the monitoring cameras. In the meantime, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients. They have allowed a few workers and patients to pass through the crossing. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and on fishing in the Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing through chasing and firing at Palestinian fishing boats.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. On Thursday, 8 December 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. This closure continued until Monday morning, 12 December 2005. Only Palestinian civilians from Jerusalem and humanitarian cases were allowed to pass through the checkpoint. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through checkpoints. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 13 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and two girls.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. A Palestinian child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet, and 6 demonstrators sustained bruises. A number of other demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

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. During the reported period, IOF issued two military orders confiscating areas of Palestinian land, and demolished a house for the purpose of settlement expansion. On 8 December 2005, IOF issued a military order confiscating 10 donums[1] of land in Beit Ta'mor village, east of Bethlehem. On 9 December 2005, IOF issued a military order confiscating areas of Palestinian land near "Nahal Nagahot" settlement, southwest of Hebron. On 12 December 2005, IOF demolished a house in Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood, east of Jerusalem. As a result, 30 Palestinian civilians have become homeless.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (8 – 14 December 2005)

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

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Ein Sara Street in the north of Hebron. They surrounded the office of Moslem Youth Association. They blew up doors of the office and broke into it. They searched it and searched the subordinate school and kindergarten. IOF confiscated 25 computer sets, a number of photocopiers and some documents. They also damaged the office. Then, IOF closed the office and hung a copy of military order on its door closing the office retroactively from 25 September 2005. According to the order, the office was closed under the pretext of "combating the infrastructure of terrorism and foiling possible terror attacks." The association provides charitable services, especially in the fields of education and sports. It includes two schools and a kindergarten. IOF have detained 4 staff members of the association in Israeli jails. It is worth noting that it this had been the fourth times since 1996 that the office of the association was closed.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched dozens of houses and confiscated a number of computer sets and mobile phones. They also arrested 18 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. They transformed a house belonging to 'Abdul Qader Mohammed Nasrallah into a military site. They withdrew from the camp at approximately 06:00.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shadi Mohammed 'Omar, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Ebayat village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Taleb al-Bouji, 35, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hisham 'Ezzat Ziadat, 38, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Saleem Hassan al-Ja'bari, 33.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 13:15, IOF aircrafts launched two missiles at agricultural areas near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, claiming that they targeted two sites used by Palestinian gunmen to launch rockets at Israel. No casualties were reported among gunmen; but 4 Palestinian civilian (a man, his sister and his two daughters) were injured by shrapnel:

· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into 'Ein Sara and al-Manshar neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Namera neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sa'id Anwar Qennaibi, 32, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They opened fire intensely. They patrolled in the streets. A few hours later, IOF withdrew from the city and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They surrounded a house belonging to 'Adnan 'Abdul Ghani Badran, 55. They ordered residents of the house through megaphones to get out. Then, they searched the house. IOF arrested Badran and his six sons: Murad, 25; Eyad, 24; Jalal, 22; 'Abdul Ghani, 20; 'Arafat, 18; and Rasheed, 16. The father was later released, but the sons remained in custody.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched dozens of houses and forced their residents out. Then, they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Hariya neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Katila and al-Mahjar neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:45, IOF gunboats opened fire at two Palestinian fishermen who were attempting to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, southwest of Rafah. One of the fishermen, 37-year-old Nazeer Yousef Farahat, from al-Mawasi area in Rafah, was instantly killed by several live bullets. The destiny of the other fisherman is still unknown. IOF claimed that the two fishermen were smuggling weapons from Egypt into the Gaza Strip.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They opened fire intensely. They patrolled in the streets. They withdrew from the town a few hours later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. No casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Jayous village, north of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses and shops. No casualties were reported, but a number of houses and shops were damaged.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked a number of Palestinian civilians who were on their way to the mosque for the Dawn Prayer. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They opened fire intensely. Then, they raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Mrabba'at Sabta neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They surrounded a house belonging to 'Aadel Salah 'Aashour. They threw sound bombs at the house and ordered its residents through megaphones to get out. Then, they searched the house. At approximately 03:00, IOF arrested the owner's son, 23-year-old Ma'ath, who was released from Israeli jails only two months ago.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. A number of Israeli soldiers transformed the roofs of a number of houses into military sites. A number of Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire with IOF. One of the gunmen, 19-year-old Eyad Mohammed 'Abdullah Hashahs, was seriously injured. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead two hours later. In addition, Mohammed Jawdat al-Shoubaki, 19, from 'Askar refugee camp, was wounded by a live bullet to the left foot. IOF also arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into al-Fraidees village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hassan Mubarak Abu Muhaimed, 28, and arrested him.

· At approximately 14:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered near a settler bypass road to the east of 'Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They threw stones at an IOF tank that stopped on the road. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding two:

2. Salah 'Aadel Bashkar, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the buttocks and shrapnel to the legs.

· At approximately 21:00, an IOF gunboat opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat opposite to Khan Yunis, for no apparent reason. A Palestinian fisherman, 18-year-old Mahmoud 'Aziz Radwan, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, was wounded by 3 live bullets to the right foot, when he was sleeping on board. The IOF gunboat fired also at Palestinian fishermen who attempted to evacuate the wounded fisherman.

· At approximately 05:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Nablus, using two civilian cars. Israeli soldiers surrounded an apartment building in the south of the city. Soon, at lest 20 IOF jeeps. A number of Israeli soldiers got onto the roofs of a number of neighboring houses. IOF forced men living the apartment building and neighboring houses. They blew up the door of a house belonging to Sameer Sha'ballo, and transformed it into an interrogation center. They interrogated all men. Before their withdrawal from the city at approximately 09:00, IOF arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They stormed dozens of shops at the main road and forced traders to close them.

· At approximately 22:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Nablus, using a civilian truck that had a Palestinian registration plate. The truck stopped on the main road in al-Makhfiya neighborhood. At least 40 Israeli soldiers got out of the truck and surrounded a Palestinian security vehicle that was patrolling in the area. Israeli soldiers ordered the seven security men who were in the vehicle to get out and lie on the ground. Then, they ordered the security men to get into a nearby pharmacy. Israeli soldiers confiscated the mobile phones of the security men. Later, at least 20 IOF jeeps moved into the area to support the undercover unit. IOF ordered the Palestinian security men to turn off the lights of the pharmacy and informed them that they were searching for allegedly wanted Palestinians. IOF confiscated the guns of the security men and withdrew from the area an hour later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. A few hours later, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF opened fire at the children. A Palestinian civilian, 23-year-old Hussam Suhail Jameel Saqer, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head. He was pronounced dead a few hours later. In addition, 25 civilians, including 15 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Salfit village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Omar 'Abdul Razeq, a professor at an-Najah National University, and arrested him. 'Abdul Razeq is a candidate of Hamas for the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections.

· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abed Mansour Jaradat, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched flats in which university students live. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Salem 'Eissa Farroukh, 26, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Arab al-Ramadin village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed al-Zagharna and arrested his two sons: Kamal, 22; and 'Ali, 24.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nabil 'Abdullah in the center of the town and arrested his two sons: 'Abdullah, 22; and Hamdi, 20.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

During the reported period, IOF carried out 3 extra-judicial execution attempts in the Gaza Strip. Seven Palestinians were killed in two of these attempts, while the third one failed. These attacks came as an implementation of decisions taken by the Israeli political and military establishments to escalate attacks against Palestinian resistance activists in the OPT.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR concerning the first attack, at approximately 15:50 on Thursday, 8 December 2005, an IOF war plane launched one missile at 3 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. They were sitting in a citrus grove surrounding a house belonging to one of them in the south of Beit Lahia. Two were killed on the spot, and the third was seriously injured. The two victims were identified as:

A 6-year-old girl in a nearby house was injured by shrapnel from the air strike. In addition, a number of nearby houses sustained slight damages

According to investigations conducted by PCHR concerning the second attack, at approximately 16:05 on Wednesday, 14 December 2005, IOF war planes launched two missiles at a civilian car that was traveling in al-Mansoura Street in the densely populated al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The car was totally destroyed. Four members of the Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, who were traveling in the car, were instantly killed:

At approximately 20:45, Sheikh Khader Habeeb, 42, a leader of the Islamic Jihad from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City, survived a similar attack. IOF warplanes launched two missiles at his car, but he survived the attack, as the first missile went astray and he was able to escape.

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.

Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling or outlets and crossings.

· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, had remained closed for nearly two months. During the reported period, the crossing point was reopened in accordance with an agreement that was concluded regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point was supposed to be operated for 12 hours a day and then for 24 hours, but it has been so far operated for 4-5 hours a day. During the reported period, monitoring cameras at the crossing point had an operation failure, so the crossing point was closed for several hours upon an Israeli request, which further proves the Israeli control over the crossing point.

The agreement allows IOF to monitor the border crossings, which are the main artery to the economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian civilian population. The absence of actual Israeli military presence inside the Gaza Strip does not mean that the Israeli military occupation has come to an end. The field conditions in the Gaza Strip prove that IOF have continued to control movement to and from the Gaza Strip. This agreement reinforces the IOF control over, and occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has not come to an end with the implementation of the Disengagement Plan.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF reopened the crossing on 12 December 2005 following a one-week closure. They have a few Palestinian workers to travel to their work places inside Israel. These workers are over 35; married, have children; and have valid magnetic cards. These workers are subject to prolonged checking and humiliation. During the reported period, IOF allowed a limited number of patients and dozens of traders to travel under strict conditions to Israel.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. According to field information, 40-50 trucks transport exported goods from the Gaza Strip and 250 trucks transport goods imported from Israel and the West Bank. The capacity of the crossing before the current Intifada was the passage of 800 trucks daily, including 150 ones that transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the Intifada, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing to pressure Palestinian civilians.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. They close the crossing from time to time for no apparent reasons.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2500 fishermen, 2500 support staff and their families.

Since the Fishermen have been allowed back into the sea, they have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships, and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

IOF have continued establish military post and observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to maintain control over the Gaza Strip.

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.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. On Thursday afternoon, 8 December 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint after one of the soldiers manning the checkpoint had been stabbed to death. After the incident, IOF opened fire at hundreds of Palestinian commuters returning home for the weekend. The sudden closure of the checkpoint forced Palestinian civilians to resort to a long bypass road. Traveling on the bypass road takes an hour if there are not checkpoints; whereas the distance between the Qalandya checkpoint and the center of Ramallah is covered in 7 minutes. PCHR’s fieldworker in Ramallah reported that the closure of the checkpoint continued until Monday morning, 12 December 2005, when IOF allowed those who have Israeli identity cards and humanitarian cases to pass through the checkpoint after undergoing humiliating search procedures. Furthermore, the fare for traveling from the Ramallah to the checkpoint increased from 2 to 15 New Israeli Shekels, placing an additional economic burden on civilians.

On Monday afternoon, 12 December 2005, a number of Palestinians gathered near the Qalandya checkpoint, influenced by rumors that the checkpoint had been opened. IOF allowed those who have Israeli identity cards to cross the checkpoint after undergoing humiliating search procedures. They prevented those who have Palestinian identity cards from getting close to the checkpoint. IOF fired bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to force Palestinian civilians away from the checkpoint.

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 11 December 2005, an IOF patrol in the vicinity of Kufor Ne'ma village, west of Ramallah, arrested 3 Palestinian children who were on the outskirts of the village:

On Monday evening, 12 December 2005, IOF positioned at Qalandya checkpoint severely beat two Palestinian children attempting to pass through the checkpoint. According to eyewitnesses, including activists of the Israeli “Makhsom Watch,” which monitor IOF practices at checkpoints in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers beat the children to avenge the death of the soldier Nir Kahana, who was stabbed to death last week. The Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported that Khamis Biezawi was waiting for his children (aged 14 and 16) to pass through the checkpoint. When they came out, they told him that they were severely beaten. The father, who is handicapped, went to the soldiers to ask about the reason for beating his children. He was told that the action was taken to avenge the death of Nir Kahana. The soldiers tried to push the handicapped man harshly. “Makhsom Watch” activist Lizi Sagi stated that she witnessed the severe beating of the two children. She added that the checkpoint was very crowded, and that she saw children crying as a result of the overcrowdedness. She approached the soldiers to relieve the situation, but they ignored her.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose stringent measures and restrictions against Palestinians in Hebron. On Friday, 9 December 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach the Ibrahimi Mosque and quarters in the old city of Hebron as a result of the restrictions on movement imposed by IOF. PCHR’s fieldworker in Hebron reported that hundreds of Muslim worshippers were not able to perform the Friday Prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque, shoppers were not able to reach stores, and civilians were not able to visit their relatives around the Ibrahimi Mosque and some quarters in the old city.

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 9 December 2005, IOF positioned in the center and south of Hebron arrested Yasmin Fawzi al-Rujbi, 18. They claimed that the girl approached a group of soldiers in the old city, took out a knife and attempted to attack the soldiers. She did not reach them as she was apprehended by soldiers and taken to an unknown destination. Eyewitnesses and family members refuted this claim, and asserted that the girl was arrested two months ago when she tried to defend herself when Israeli soldiers beat her. Family members stated that IOF raided their house 2 hours after Yasmin was arrested under the pretext of searching for “illegal” materials.

· Nablus: On Saturday morning, 10 December 2005, IOF, positioned at the checkpoints of Hawara and Za’tara, south of Nablus; Beit Eiba, west of the city; and Beit Fourik to the east, prevented Palestinian civilians aged 16-40 from passing through these checkpoints. In addition, IOF closed the Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, with a sand barrier and stationed armored vehicles near the barrier. It is noted that the Bathan road has been the only terminal in and out of the city for the past few months. Nevertheless, IOF erect checkpoints on the road from time to time. On Monday evening, 12 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Bathan road. They detained a Palestinian civilian bus carrying 50 university students from Tubas village near Jenin, who were on their way home from the university. IOF took the identity crads of the passengers, before forcing the bus to turn back.

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 8 December 2005, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint completely. Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoint pointed their guns at a Palestinian child, and ordered him to strip. The troops then handcuffed him and took him to an unknown destination. The child was later identified as Nader 'Ali Abu Shamma, 17, from Tammoun village near Jenin. IOF claimed that he was carrying explosives.

On Thursday evening, 8 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Bathan road. They stopped a taxi, checked the identity cards of the passengers, and arrested one of them, Samir 'Aqab Bani 'Odeh, 35, from Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin.

On Tuesday noon, 13 December 2005, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoints, west of Nablus, arrested a female university student, claiming that they found a knife with here.

· Jenin: On Thursday morning, 8 December 2005, IOF completely closed al-Hamra checkpoint, east of Jenin. No one was allowed to pass through the checkpoint. On Saturday, 10 December 2005, IOF completely closed Bardala checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley. Doznes of trucks carrying vegetables were prevented from passing through towards Israel. These trucks were forced to turn back. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Tubas-Nablus road, near al-Fara’a village. Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoint stopped taxis and forced drivers to park the cars across the road. They forced passengers out of the taxis and confiscated the taxis' keys. IOF also erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of Jenin. One checkpoint was erected on the Jenin-Jalama road, north of the town, and another one was erected in al-Swaitat area to the east of the town. Furthermore, several IOF vehicles were stationed on the Jenin-Haifa road to the west of town. On Sunday, 11 December 2005, IOF closed the town dump road with sand barriers. The town’s sanitation vehicles were prevented from reaching the dump. In addition, IOF erected two checkpoints: one at the entrance of Tammoun village; and the second on the Fara’a-Sirrees road, the east of Jenin. It is noted that the later checkpoint closed the road used as an alternative to Tubas-Jenin road, which has been closed.

· Tulkarm: On Thursday, 8 December 2005, IOF prevented residents of Tulkarm from leaving the town by erecting a number of checkpoints at the main entrances to it. PCHR’s fieldworker in Tulkarm reported that IOF erected a checkpoint near Bala’a village crossroads on the Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers stopped dozens of civilians traveling both ways along the road. In addition, they detained young men who tried to bypass the checkpoint via dirt roads. They confiscated the identity cards of these young men and forced them to sit on the ground. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint to the east of 'Anabta village, closing off the area completely. As a result, residents of the villages in al-Sha’ir valley, especially Rameen and Beit Leed, were deprived of their freedom of movement. IOF also erected a checkpoint on the Tulkarm-Sha’rawiya road, which links Tulkarm with its northern villages. The residents of these villages were not able to reach Tulkarm. At the same time, al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, was completely closed, and Israeli soldiers were stationed under the bridge near al-Kufriyat checkpoint. These checkpoints paralyzed commercial transactions as well as work in governmental and private institutions throughout the day. On Friday, 9 December 2005, IOF continued to isolate Tulkarm from neighboring villages and other governorates in the West Bank. IOF were stationed on the main entrances to the city: al-Kufriyat checkpoint to the south; the tunnel checkpoint near the first checkpoint; al-Sha’rawiya checkpoint near al-Jarousha crossroads to the north of Tulkarm; the checkpoint on Nablus road near Bala’a village crossroads; and a checkpoint opposite al-Ras village on al-Kufriyat road leading from southern Tulkarm to Qalqilya. As a result of the last checkpoint, residents of Tulkarm’s southern villages were prevented from going to Qalqilya.

· Qalqilya: At approximately 6:00 on Friday, 9 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Jayous village, north of Qalqilya. IOF obstructed the movement of civilians to and from the village. Long queues of vehicles were seen awaiting permission to leave the village, since the site of the checkpoint was the only passage for the village. As a result, employees and students were late in reaching their destinations. IOF also detained dozens of young men who attempted to leave the village on foot. IOF checked their identity cards and forced them to stand near the checkpoint for some time. Also on Friday, IOF erected two checkpoints: one near the entrance of Hijja village and the other opposite to Jeet village on the Qalqilya-Nablus road. IOF positioned at these checkpoints obstructed the movement of civilians and abused them verbally and physically. Civilians did not leave their village fearing the humiliation, physical abuse and detention.

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 14 December 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint to the east of Qalqilya, arrested Mohammed Sa'id Radwan, 25, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force from 'Azzoun village. Radwan was accompanying his wife who was in labor to a hospital in Qalqilya.

· Bethlehem: On Saturday morning, 10 December 2005, IOF positioned at the "Rachel Tomb” checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, arrested a Palestinian civilian whose identity has been unknown. According to eyewitnesses, he is a 20-year-old man from al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. He was arrested as he tried to pass through the checkpoint.

Also on Saturday, IOF positioned at the Container checkpoint at the entrance of al-Sawahara al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Muneer Salah Mustafa Qaisiya, 26, from al-Zaheriya village, south of Hebron. He was arrested as he tried to pass through the checkpoint.

On Monday afternoon, 12 December 2005, IOF arrested two children: Mahmoud Riad Abu Sorour, 17; and Fathi Yassin Abu Sorour, 17, from 'Aaida refugee camp north of Bethlehem. The children’s parents informed Palestinian security that their children did not return from school, and requested assistance in searching for them. At night, it was learned that IOF were detaining them in "Kfar Etzion" detention center, south of Bethlehem.

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

· At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 9 December 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also beat a number of demonstrators. A Palestinian child, 16-year-old Yassin Mohammed Yassin, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest. Four Palestinian civilians, a German solidarity activist and two Israeli solidarity activists sustained bruises. In addition, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

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:

· On Thursday, 8 December 2005, IOF issued military order confiscating new areas of agricultural land in Beit Ta’mor village, east of Bethlehem. According to the order, 10 dunums of land in al-Oqban area in the village would be confiscated for the purpose of establishing a military post.

· On Friday, 9 December 2005, IOF issued military order confiscating an area of land near the Israeli settlement of "Nahal Nagahot" to the west of Dura village, southwest of Hebron. The confiscated land is to be used to establish 5 military observation towers around the settlement. The land belongs to the families of Abu Sharar, al-Swaiti, and Awlad Mohammad. According to the military order, the first tower. It is worth noting that IOF plan to establish a new settlement neighborhood to the west of "Nahal Nagahot" settlement. A mobile home was placed 500 meters to the west of the settlement; and it is still in place.

· At approximately 7:00 on Monday, 12 December 2005, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood, east of Jerusalem. They demolished a 150-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to Ahmed Hussein Abu Edhaim. They claimed that the house was built without a licsense. It is noted that there are a number of settlement projects will be established, including the "Kidmat Zion" neighborhood and a settler road.

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.

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

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