PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 10/2005

10- 16 Mar. 2005

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

On the second anniversary of the death of Rachel Corrie PCHR wishes to take this opportunity to extend our thoughts to the family of Rachel who continue to suffer in the face of the impunity granted to the soldiers responsible for her death.  So, it is against this background that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).  This week, human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included shooting at Palestinian civilians, conducting incursions into Palestinian areas, house raids and arbitrary arrests. In violation of international law and humanitarian law, IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.  They have continued to expand existing settlements at the expense of Palestinian land owners.  Contrary to Israeli official claims, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

This week, 2 Palestinians were killed by the IOF in the West Bank.  On 10 March 2005, the IOF killed Mohammed Abu Khalil, 27, in al-Nazla village, north of Tulkarm, as he exchanged fire with them when they surrounded a house where he hid.  They also demolished parts of the house while he was inside.  On 14 March 2005, Adham al-Sha'lan, 22, from 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp, west of Nablus, died as a result of a previous injury he had sustained from the IOF.  The IOF also conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, especially in Tulkarm, during which they raided and searched houses and arrested 23 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children.  In addition, three Palestinian civilians were wounded by the Israeli gunfire.  The IOF have also continued to impose a curfew on the old town of Hebron for the 2nd consecutive week.

On 13 March 2005, the IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya fired at three Palestinian children who apparently attempted to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs.  One of the children was seriously wounded, another one was injured and arrested and the third one escaped. On 12 and 14 March 2005, the IOF arrested six Palestinian civilians in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, and al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. 

The IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially around East Jerusalem.  On Sunday, 13 March 2005, the IOF announced that the Israeli government authorized the construction of a temporary wall between East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the areas where the construction of the annexation wall is not possible due to legal limitations.  Also on Sunday, the Israeli government approved the new route of the wall around Jerusalem, under which neighborhoods and villages located to the north of the city will be isolated and Shu'fat refugee camp would be surrounded by fences.  The new route would also annex "Maale Adomomi" settlement, east of the city, and Bilal Ben Rabah mosque, north of Bethlehem, to the boundaries of Jerusalem.  On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, IOF demolished a house in Samiramees area, south of Ramallah, near the wall. 

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.  IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities. 

The IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem.  In the Gaza Strip, the IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians.  They have also continued to close a number of roads and crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada.  The IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities near Israeli settlements, causing more suffering to Palestinian civilians.  Furthermore, the IOF continue to occupy two Palestinian houses to the north of Khan Yunis since the beginning of the current Intifada. 

In the West Bank, the IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities.  They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  This week, they erected a number of military checkpoints.  They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and arrested 13 civilians.  The IOF also imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities, the curfew especially strict the old town of Hebron.   

 

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

Thursday, 10 March 2005

At approximately 01:30, the IOF, reinforced by 30 heavy military vehicles, 3 bulldozers and a helicopter, moved into al-Nazla village, north of Tulkarm.  They surrounded 'Aatef Wajeeh Kittana's house.  IOF ordered Kittana's wife, daughters and son-in-law, 27-year-old Mohammed 'Abdul Latif Hussein Abu Khalil, to get out of the house.  The wife and her daughters got out of the house, while Abu Khalil remained inside.  Immediately, IOF opened fire at the house, and Abu Khalil returned fire.  The Israeli military bulldozers then moved towards the house and demolished parts of it.  A few hours later, the IOF searched the ruins of the house and found Abu Khalil's body. The body was evacuated to a hospital in Tulkarm.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by several live bullets throughout the body.  Israeli military sources claimed that he was a member of al-Quds Brigade, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, and he was recently involved in planning an attack in Tel Aviv.

At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They surrounded Sa'id Sha'ban's house and blew open the front door.    They forced the family out and searched the house.  They threatened to kill the owner's son, 25-year-old Tha'er, if he did not surrender.  IOF claim that Tha'er is an activist of the Islamic Jihad. 

 

Friday, 11 March 2005

In the early morning, the IOF moved into Hebron and the neighboring al-Sammou' village.  They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     'Aassem Talal al-Karaki, 17, from Hebron; and

2.     Nayef 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu 'Aqail, 54, from al-Sammou' village. 

 

Saturday, 12 March 2005

At approximately 03:00, the IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Aassem Khaled Melhem, 23, and arrested him. 

At approximately 07:00, the IOF moved into the villages of Saida and 'Allar, north of Tulkarm.  They opened fire at houses and imposed a curfew.  They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Samer Ra'ouf Khandaqji, 20; and

2.     Lutfi Hamed Abu Hafiza, 22, both from 'Allar village. 

The IOF took position at the entrances of these two villages and prohibited movement to and from.  They also occupied a number of houses from which they opened fire at Palestinian civilians.  One civilian, 35-year-old Eyad Kamel Abu 'Asba, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face. 

Also at approximately 07:00, the IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched dozens of houses and occupied three of them.   

In the afternoon, the IOF moved into al-Nazla village, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched dozens of houses and occupied two of them.   

At approximately 23:00, the IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, arrested two Palestinian civilians when they were attempting to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs:

1.     Khaled Ahmed al-Sa'aida, 18; and

2.     Ziad 'Abdullah Sa'id, 19, both from Wadi al-Salqa village to the east of Deir al-Balah. 

 

Sunday, 13 March 2005

At approximately 03:00, the IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Bassem Shaker Shubaita, 43. 

Also at approximately 03:00, the IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.     Hassan Kharroub, 20; and

2.     Khaled Ahmed Hassan, 20. 

At approximately 17:00, the IOF moved into Bala'a village, east of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched Tayseer Khader's house.  They withdrew from the village at approximately 18:30 and no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 20:00, the IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested four Palestinians:

1.     'Abdul Hafiz Mohammed Abu 'Arisha, 26;

2.     Anas Fu'ad Jaber, 25;

3.     Jamil Hassan Jaber, 23; and

4.     Farid Dahesh Jaber, 29. 

Late that night, the IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya village, opened fire at three Palestinian children who were apparently attempting to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs.  One of the children, Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Bo'bo', 16, from Beit Lahia, was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the abdomen.  IOF arrested another child, Muhannad Mohammed Wersh Agha, 17, from Beit Lahia, while the third child escaped.  The children did no pose any threat to the lives of Israeli troops.  Attempts of infiltration from the Gaza into Israel to search for jobs have recently increases due to the severe economic conditions in the Gaza Strip.

 

Monday, 14 March 2005

At approximately 09:00, the IOF moved into Hazma village, northeast of Jerusalem.  They raided and searched Farouq Salah al-Din's house and arrested his two children: Mohammed, 11; and 'Ali, 10.  IOF claimed that the two children threw stones at a settler car a few days earlier. 

At approximately 10:00, the IOF opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car to the north of Bala'a village, east of Tulkarm.  A Palestinian civilian, 52-year-old Saleh Ibrahim Mahmoud, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.  According to Mahmoud, he traveled in a car driven by Mohammed Ahmed Babeih, 47, to his agricultural land to the north of Bala'a village.  As soon as they arrived there and got out of the car, IOF opened fire at them.  They immediately got into the car again, but IOF continued to fire at them. IOF hurried towards the car and ordered them to get out.  The two got out of the car with their hands up.  IOF detained them for three hours, while Mahmoud was bleeding.  Then, an ambulance evacuated Mahmoud to the hospital.

At noon, medical sources at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus declared that Adham Hassan al-Sha'lan, 22, from 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp, west of Nablus, died from a wound he had sustained on 23 November 2004.  According to PCHR's documentation, on 23 November 2004, IOF moved into 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp.  A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, IOF opened fire at the stone throwers, wounding al-Sha'lan with a live bullet in the back.  According to medical sources, he was paralyzed as the live bullet hit the spinal column.  He received medical care at local hospitals and at a hospital in Jordan. 

At approximately 20:30, the IOF moved nearly 70 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They searched the area and later stated that they had two unarmed Palestinians. 

 

Tuesday, 15 March 2005

At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Salem village, east of Nablus.  They raided and searched Radi Khaled Eshtayeh's house and arrested his son, 18-year-old Tho'aib. 

At approximately 03:00, the IOF moved into Wad al-Hariya area in the south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hatem Suleiman Qaffeesha, 34, and arrested him.  They also summoned his brother, Sameeh, for interrogation. 

Also at approximately 03:00, the IOF moved into Beit Oula village near Hebron and arrested Mohammed Salim al-'Adam, 25. 

At approximately 04:00, the IOF moved into al-Sawahra village, southeast of Jerusalem.  They raided and searched Nemer Isma'il's house and arrested his child, 16-year-old Hadi. 

At approximately 04:30, the IOF positioned at an iron gate at the entrance to Habla village, south of Qalqilya, fired at Khaled 'Abdul 'Aziz Daoud, 21, from Qalqilya, when he was near the annexation wall.  He was wounded by a several live bullets in the legs.  He was evacuated by an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli hospital.

 

Wednesday, 16 March 2005

At approximately 01:00, the IOF moved into al-Mughayer village, north of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and attested three Palestinians, including two brothers:

1.     Fu'ad Mahmoud Abu 'Olaya, 22;

2.     Samer Muneer Abu 'Olaya, 18; and

3.     Tamer Muneer Abu 'Olaya, 17. 

At approximately 02:00, the IOF moved into Tayaseer village, southwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1.     Mohammed Khaled 'Aamer, 30; and

2.     Ghanem Mohammed Daraghma, 32. 

 

Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose a 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.  They have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings surrounding the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians.  Furthermore, the suffering of Palestinian civilians living in areas near Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip has continued.  

With regard to 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 opening hours of the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between.  On 13 March 2005, IOF allowed private cars to cross the two checkpoints following several months of prevention.  On 14 and 15 March 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints for several hours for no apparent reason.

IOF have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.  Only 150 civilians are allowed to exit the area and 25 other to enter it daily, but under severe restrictions.  IOF and settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  With regard to education, 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 scientific studies programme, so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area. 

IOF have also continued to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada, such as 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.  While Palestinians hope that military checkpoints inside the Gaza Strip will be dismantled, PCHR is concerned that IOF may establish a new military checkpoint on the coastal road, south of Gaza City, as they established a sand hill, which is 6 meters high, only 50 meters away from the coastal road, which may be a prelude for establishing a huge military post in the area similar to an existing one near al-Matahen checkpoint. This new development poses a serious threat to the lives of Palestinian civilians as an Israeli tank is always positioned in the area.  Recently, IOF have repeatedly closed the coastal road. 

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements, particularly al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip.  IOF have continued to control the movement of Palestinian civilians through the iron gate established at the entrance to the area.  At least 180 Palestinian civilians live in the area, including 47 students, one physician, 5 public employees, 50 children and 7 patients. 

 

The daily suffering of Palestinian civilians living in al-Sayafa area is demonstrated in the following:

1.     Palestinian civilians aged under 30 are prohibited from moving out and into the area without prior coordination. 

2.     A very limited number of farmers are allowed to enter the area, but following coordination. 

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 from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00. 

6.     The area lacks basic services, such as electricity, as IOF have prevented the establishment of an electricity network in the area. 

7.     Patients have to walk or transport on animal cart as ambulances are not allowed to enter the area without coordination, which often takes a long time. 

8.     Farmers face extreme difficulties in marketing their products or bringing agricultural equipment into the area. 

In the same context, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip.  The area has lacked water and telephone networks for 3 years after IOF destroyed them.  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.     

IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.  They have continued to prevent them from fishing even in the area allowed for fishing, which extends up to 12 miles into the sea. 

Contrary to Israeli official claims regarding allowing Palestinian workers to enter Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, IOF allowed only 1075 workers and 140 traders who have valid work permits to enter Israel this week.  Workers who can work in Israel must be over 35, married and approved by Israeli security services. 

The daily suffering of Palestinian workers at Erez crossing is demonstrated in the following:

1.     Workers are subject to strict and prolonged checking and humiliation on their way to their work places. 

2.     Some of them are subject to interrogation by Israeli security services.

3.     Many workers are prevented from entering Israel for security claims.

4.     Work permits of workers who do not go to their work for a period that exceeds one week are cancelled.

5.     On 13 March 2005, IOF established a new route equipped with cameras, where workers are checked before reaching the two passage routes at the crossing.

A number of patients who suffer from serious diseases are sometimes allowed to enter Israel, but following prior coordination and under inhuman conditions.  Patients have to wait for long hours before they are forced to walk or move on wheel chairs down the long tunnel which leads to the Israeli side of the checkpoint complex.  Only patients who suffer from serious diseases are allowed to travel in ambulances, while other patients have to travel in taxis after passing through checking.    

IOF have continued to impose severe restriction on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City.  Even though, IOF declared last week that they would ease these restrictions, they have allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel through the crossing and 270 one to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. The crossing has been operated in a very limited capacity, which have damaged goods and caused large losses to Palestinian traders. 

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.   Even though IOF have allowed Palestinians aged 16-35 to travel through the crossing since 20 February 2005 they have continued to summon and interrogate a number of these Palestinians.  This week many Palestinian travelers had to wait for several days at the Palestinian side of the crossing point as IOF allowed only a small number of travelers to travel on each day.  Since the beginning of this month, IOF has used a special checking set, which causes health problems.  Although the Palestinian side rejected the use of this set, IOF have continued to use it.

 

The West Bank

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

 

Jerusalem

On Friday morning, 11 March 2005, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They erected a number of checkpoints on the roads leading to the city, especially Ramallah – Jerusalem road.  They prevented thousands of Palestinian civilians from going to the al Aqsa Mosque for the Friday Prayer.  IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from entering the city without permits.

 

Hebron

IOF have continued to impose a curfew on the old town and areas located near the Ibrahimi Mosque for the second consecutive week.  They lifted it for a few hours.  Palestinian civilians living in these areas have suffered from a shortage of basic foodstuffs and medicines.  IOF have also continued to close about 90 shops, 3 institutions and 5 mosques in the old town.  This wee, IOF raided and searched a number of houses.  On Sunday morning, 13 March 2005, IOF imposed new measures for movement of Palestinian civilians in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque.  They established an iron gate nearly 30 meters away from the mosque, closing the main road leading to the mosque.  IOF positioned at the new gate check Palestinian civilians before allowing them to reach the mosque.  Since 1994, Palestinian civilians have been forced to enter the mosque through 4 electronic gates controlled by IOF. 

 

Ramallah

On Sunday morning, 13 March 2005, IOF closed 'Atara checkpoint.  On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint approximately 500 meters away from Bir Zeit University, north of Ramallah.  They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and checked civilians.  At noon, IOF positioned at 'Atara checkpoint stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian students and employees who were on their way back homes.  On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Deir Ebzei' crossroads and another one at the entrance to Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.  They stopped dozens of cars and checked Palestinian civilians.   

  

Bethlehem

On Thursday morning, 10 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near the stadium of the municipality on the main road between Bethlehem and Beit Sahour.  They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles.  On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint in al-Bawaba area in al-Kahder village, south of Bethlehem.  They stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and held a number of young men for several hours.     

 

Nablus

This week, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the town conducted prolonged checking for Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday morning, 13 March 2005, IOF positioned at Za'tra checkpoint, south of the city, stopped and checked hundreds of Palestinian civilians.  They also held civilians who are under 30 and compared their names to lists of wanted Palestinians.

 

Tulkarm

IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, especially in the villages located to the north.  They erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances to theses villages.  On Saturday, 12 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to 'Allar village and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village until the following day morning.  They also erected a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Nazla village and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village.  IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to 'Attil village and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday, 13 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jarousha crossroads on the road that links Tulkarm with Deir al-Ghosoun village.  They also erected a checkpoint at Far'oun crossroads, south of Tulkarm, and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Monday, 14 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint erected a checkpoint to the south of the town and at the entrance to Artah area.  They stopped and checked Palestinian workers who were on their way to their work places in Israel.  

 

Jenin

IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, east of Jenin, and al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of the city, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  According to eyewitnesses, on Friday morning, 11 March 2005, IOF positioned at the two checkpoints stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday morning, 13 March 2005, IOF erected a number of sudden checkpoints in al-'Aqaba area, at the entrance to 'Aqqaba village and at al-Kafeer crossroads, south of Jenin.  On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, IOF positioned at Salem checkpoint, west of Jenin, prevented a British diplomatic delegation from entering the town to meet with the mayor and members of the municipal council of the town.  On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the road that links between the villages of al-Zababda and Tubas, southeast of Jenin.  They also erected a checkpoint to the west of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin, and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

 

Qalqilya

IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians near the annexation wall.  On Saturday morning, 12 March 2005, IOF positioned at an iron gate on the wall prevented about 100 schoolchildren and 20 teachers from going to their school in 'Azzoun 'Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya.  On the following day, IOF prevented a number of schoolchildren and teachers from entering the village.  On Sunday noon, 13 March 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling to and from the town.  They also erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of a number of neighboring villages and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Saturday evening, 12 March 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at Jeet crossroads, southwest of Nablus, arrested Ibrahim al-Sous, 26, from Qalqilya. 

On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, IOF erected two checkpoints near Shaqba village, northwest of Ramallah, and arrested 2 allegedly wanted Palestinians.  At noon, the Israeli police positioned at a military checkpoint arrested 3 Palestinians.  They claimed that they found these Palestinians armed with more than 100 bullets from an M16 riffle and a knife.    

On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, IOF arrested 4 Palestinians in the northern Jordan Valley when they were traveling on Road 90 to the east of Tubas village.  Also on Tuesday morning, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Hassan 'Abdul Rahman Mansour, 42, when he was traveling to Jordan.  In the afternoon, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqilya arrested Na'el Abu Hajla, 26.

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory.  They have confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.  IOF declared that the Israeli government decided to construct a wall to separate between East Jerusalem and the West Bank by July 2005.  On Sunday, 13 March 2005, the Israeli government approved the new route of the wall around East Jerusalem.    

On Thursday, 10 March 2005, IOF issued a number of military orders, confiscating 262 donums[1] of land in Dahiat al-Barid area, north of Jerusalem.  IOF claimed that the land would be confiscated for military purposes.  However, local sources asserted that the land would be used for the construction of the wall.  Soon, IOF moved into the area, accompanied by survey teams, and started to prepare for the construction of a section of the wall, which will isolate several parts of the area and threaten dozens of houses with demolition. 

On Sunday, 13 March 2005, IOF declared that the Israeli government decided to construct a temporary wall between East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the areas where the construction of the annexation wall is not possible due to legal limitations. 

Also on Sunday, 13 March 2005, the Israeli government approved the new route of the wall around Jerusalem, under which neighborhood and villages located to the north of the city will be isolated and Shu'fat refugee camp would be surrounded by fences.  The new route would also annex "Maale Adomomi" settlement, east of the city, and Bilal Ben Rabah mosque, north of Bethlehem, to the boundaries of Jerusalem.  It would also isolate the villages of Kufor 'Aqab and al-Ram and the areas of Dahiat al-Barid and Samiramees, north of the city, where more than 90000 Palestinians live. 

On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, IOF started to place cement blocks on the main road between Bir Nabla village and the entrance of al-Ram village, north of Jerusalem, in order to close all reaming holes in the wall.  According to local sources, closing the entrance of al-Ram village will paralyze commercial transactions in the area, as many commercial transactions have been moved to al-Ram village due to the total closure imposed by IOF on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 

On Wednesday morning, IOF started to close holes in a section of the wall at the main road between Dahiat al-Barid area and Qalandya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem.  They also started to place cement blocks at the western entrance of al-Ram village, thus separating it from the neighboring Bir Nabala village, and separating the two villages from Ramallah and Jerusalem.

On Friday, 11 March 2005, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.  A number of demonstrators sustained injuries and bruises, and IOF arrested Mohammed 'Abdul Karim, 20. 

On Sunday noon, 13 March 2005, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian women in Bal'ein village.  They fired tear gas canisters at the women and beat some of them. 

On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, IOF demolished a 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Subhi al-Touri, in which 7 people lived, in Samiramees area near the wall. 

According to a report recently published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the new route of the wall will annex areas of the most fertile agricultural land in the West Bank to Israel.  At least 49000 Palestinian civilians live in 38 villages on this land.  Also according to the report, 56 settlements (76% of the total number of settlements in the West Bank), where 170000 settlers live are located between the Wall and the Green Line separating between the West Bank and Israel.  These figures do not include at least 178000 settlers who live in East Jerusalem.  The future of Palestinian civilians living in these areas is unclear.  Also according to the report, the new route of the wall in "Maale Adomim" area, east of Jerusalem, will restrict movement between the north and south of the West Bank, as it will cut 14 kilometers in the narrowest part of the West Bank.    

   

Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilian and Property

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.  IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities. 

On Thursday, 10 March 2005, IOF issued a military order confiscating 603 donums of agricultural land in Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm, for "military purposes."  These areas of land served as the only sources of outcome for dozens of Palestinian families. 

On Friday evening, 11 March 2005, IOF issued a military order confiscating 165 donums of land in Deir al-Hatab village, east of Nablus, near "Alon Moreh" settlement. 

At approximately 17:20 on Friday, a number of armed Israeli settlers attacked the Sharia' Court in the old town of Hebron with stones and iron bars.  They broke the doors of the court and pulled its furniture out.  The Israeli police intervened late and did not take serious measures against the settlers, who also attacked a number of neighboring Palestinian houses. 

At approximately 18:00 on Friday, a number of Israeli settlers from "Avraham Avino" settlement in the center of the old town of Hebron destroyed parts of a neighboring house belonging to Najib Yousef al-Sharbati.  This destruction came a few days before the return of the family to the house following a decision taken by the Israeli High Court on 13 December 2004.  According to the owner, the Israeli military commander has kept the keys of the house despite the court ruling.  The family has left the house since 27 July 2002 due to repeated attacks by settlers. 

Also at approximately 18:00 on Friday, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, launched a series of attacks at Palestinian families on Wad al-Nasara neighborhood near the Ibrahimi Mosque.  According to eyewitnesses, the settlers chased Palestinian civilians and prevented them from using the Payers Road, claiming that it is designed only for Israeli troops and settlers.

At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 12 March 2005, Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, launched a series on attacks on Palestinian civilians.  According to eyewitnesses, 3 settlers severely beat two children in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood: Yazan Kayed Da'na, 13; and his brother Mohammed, 10.  The two sustained serious injuries and bruises throughout the body. 

On Sunday morning, 13 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers to prevent them from reaching their agricultural land.  Five farmers were injured:

1.     Hassan Hussein Shwahin, 65;

2.     Maliha Hussein Mur, 40;

3.     Anwar Mahmoud Shawahin, 27;

4.     Huda Suleiman Mur, 43; and

5.     Fatema Hassan Shawahin, 27. 

On Sunday evening, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a number of Palestinian houses in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron with stones and empty bottles.  A number of houses were damaged and women and children were terrified. 

On Monday morning, 14 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Almatan" settlement, east of Qalqilya, razed areas of agricultural land in the neighboring Kufor Thuluth village.  According to eyewitnesses, the settlers uprooted dozens of olive trees owned by Hamed D'ib 'Ouda. 

At approximately 12:30 on Monday, an Israeli settler car ran down Nibal Fawzi 'Abdul Mo'ti al-Fakhouri, 8, while he was on her way back home from school in the old town of Hebron.  She sustained fractures in the foot and bruises throughout the body.      

On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2005, Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, east of Qalqilya, escorted by IOF, razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village to establish a new road.  They uprooted 45 olive trees owned by Ahmed Daoud Eshtaiwi.

On Friday, 11 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, east of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village from reaching their agricultural land.  

At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 5 March 2005, 7 of armed Israeli settlers from "Taffouh" settlement, south of Nablus, attacked Ma'rouf 'Eissa Hassan, 55, from Yasouf village, while he was farming his agricultural land.  They severely beat him.  An Israeli military jeep passed by the area.  IOF released the Palestinian farmers, but did not take any measure against the settlers.  The farmer was evacuated to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. 

On Saturday evening, a number of armed Israeli settlers seized at least 40 donums of agricultural land planted with olives in the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, in order to annex them to the neighboring "Sousia" settlement. 

At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, an Israeli settler traveling in a civilian car that parked at the roadside near Douma village, south of Nablus, opened fire at a Palestinian taxi that was traveling in the area.  The taxi was hit by a number of live bullets, but no casualties were reported among the workers who were traveling in the taxi.         

On Tuesday morning, 8 March 2005, a number of armed Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented a number of Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land and forced them to leave the area. 

On Tuesday evening, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement in the center of Hebron launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in Tal Rumaida area.  They threw stones and fired at Tayseer Abu 'Eisha's house, but no casualties were reported. 

At the same time, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood and prevented them from moving on the only road leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque. 

 

***

 

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 calls on the international community to immediately “ensure respect” for the Convention.

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 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 enforce the prohibition of importing goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. PCHR also requests the application of the EU Guidelines on Arms Sales and requests that EU Missions and Embassies in Israel and the OPT press the Israeli government to apply and implement, in full, the recently agreed EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.

6.     PCHR calls upon European governments to act on their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights, in accordance with human rights law. 

7.     PCHR insists that the international community follow the advisory opinion of the ICJ, which called on the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, through the UNGA and UNSC, to take effective measures to stop the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank.

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 OPT, 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 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.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international human rights defenders, including solidarity groups, NGOs and others, PCHR calls upon European countries to apply the same standards of treatment to all 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.

 

“END”

 


 

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

 

Public Document

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

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org