• 20 Palestinians, 14 of whom were civilians, including 5 children and one woman, were killed by IOF.

• 2 of the children were killed on the first day of Eid al-Adha.

• One of the victims was extra-judicially killed by IOF.

• IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

• 3 houses were destroyed in Khan Yunis and at least 120 donums[1] of agricultural land were razed throughout the Gaza Strip.

• Houses were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested.

• A house and an apartment building were destroyed in the context of retaliatory measures against Palestinian civilians. 

• 2 Palestinian civilians were used as human shields during IOF's operations in the Gaza Strip.

• Continued shelling of residential areas

• Construction of the “annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border was reopened for Palestinians wishing to travel back to the Gaza Strip; IOF have continued to close al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza; and IOF positioned at checkpoints fired at Palestinian civilians and injured 8, including a woman and her child. 

 
 

Introduction

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), in disregard for the feeling of Moslems during Eid al-Adha.  During the period covered by this report, 20 Palestinians, 14 of whom were civilians, including 5 children and one woman, were killed by IOF. Two of the children were killed on the first day of the Eid.  Human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included incursions into Palestinian areas, willful and extra-judicial killing, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities. IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, 16 Palestinians, 11 of whom were civilians, including a woman and her son and 4 children, were killed by IOF. On 13 January 2005, IOF killed a child and a member of the Palestinian resistance during an incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They also shot dead a Palestinian civilian in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia when he was trying to evacuate a woman in labor to the hospital.  On 14 January 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in Khan Yunis, and another civilian from Beit Lahia died from a previous injury. On 15 January 2005, IOF killed 5 Palestinians during an incursion into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. They also killed 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in Rafah.  On 16 January 2005, IOF killed a woman and her son in Khan Yunis.  On 20 January 2005, the first day of the Eid, IOF killed a child in Rafah when he was visiting his uncle. On 26 January 2005, IOF killed a 3-year-old child in Deir al-Balah when they shelled her family home. 

 IOF conducted 9 incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, the largest of which was into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City on 15 January 2005, during which IOF razed large areas of agricultural land and killed 5 Palestinians.  In the other incursions, IOF razed 41 donums of agricultural land in al-Boreij refugee camp, destroyed 3 houses in Khan Yunis, and raided and searched a number of houses and used 2 Palestinian civilians as human shields in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.  On 14 and 16 January 2005, the Israeli air force destroyed 2 civilian facilities in Deir al-Balah and Beit Lahia.  IOF also continued to shell Palestinian residential areas.

 In the West Bank, IOF killed 3 Palestinians, including a child, and one Palestinian civilian died from a previous injury.  On 20 January 2005, IOF killed a child in Tubas village near Jenin. On 22 January 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian near the annexation wall near Qalqilya. On 24 January 2005, a Palestinian civilian from Hebron died at an Israeli hospital from a previous injury. On 26 January 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed one Palestinians and injured and arrested two others in Qalqilya. IOF also moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested dozens of others. They also destroyed a house and an apartment building in the context of retaliatory measures against Palestinian civilians. 

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory.  For this purpose, they issued military orders confiscating more areas of Palestinian land in villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem. They also confiscated at least 400 donums of agricultural land in Ethna village near Hebron. This week, IOF resumed the construction of a section of the wall in Salfit area, south of Nablus. They plan to construct this section 23 kilometers inside the West Bank Territory.

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

 In the Gaza Strip, on 14 January 2005, IOF closed al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza City, completing the cycle of economic stranglehold of the Gaza Strip.  IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), especially during the Eid. They fired at Palestinian civilians waiting at the two checkpoints, injuring 8, including a woman and her child. They also arrested a number of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border for departing travelers, but reopened it for arriving travelers on 21 January 2005.  

 In 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, even during the Eid.  They also arrested a number of Palestinian civilians while traveling through military checkpoints. 

 

 

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

 Thursday, 13 January 2005

 In the early morning, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They opened fire at houses. They mounted the roofs of two houses. Then, they raided and searched dozens of houses.  As a result of their gunfire, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.     'Abdul Majid Younis al-Ja'afra, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the pelvis; and

2.     Ibrahim 'Abdul Fattah 'Ouda, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot. 

 At approximately 02:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 800 meters into Fad'ous area in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They raided a number of houses, held their residents inside and transformed these houses into military sites. At approximately 03:30, IOF opened fire without warning at a private civilian car, in which 4 Palestinian civilians were traveling, including two women, one of whom was in labor. The car was traveling to the hospital. The driver, 'Alaa' Sa'di Hassouna, 29, was killed by 3 live bullets in the head. Two other passengers, 24-year-old Dalal Ahmed Mohammed Abu Qainas and Hassan al-Beeshawi, were also wounded by several live bullets in the limbs. The car collided with a truck that parked in the area. IOF surrounded the car and took all of those who were inside the car, excluding Hassouna, to a neighboring house. They did not offer any medical aid to them. They even checked al-Beeshawi, even though he fainted. The wounded remained inside the house until IOF left the house two hours later.  Then, the victims were evacuated to the hospital.  During this incursion, which continued until Friday morning, 14 January 2005, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in the area. 

 At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of IOF moved nearly 1000 meters into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the al-Qashtan family and arrested 5 brothers. They used one of these brothers, Ahmed 'Awad al-Qashtan, as a human shield in searching the houses.  Then, they took the five brothers to a neighboring house belonging to Diab Yousef Khalaf. They held the ten residents of the house in one room and the five brothers in another room. They transformed the house and a neighboring house belonging to Saleh Suleiman al-Nabahin into military sites from which they fired at the area. At approximately 06:00, more unit of IOF moved into the area and took the five brothers in a tank to the eastern border of the Gaza Strip and then to Erez crossing. There, the five brothers were interrogated. Three of them were released later, while the other two remained in custody. During this incursion, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF, which opened fire at the children and wounded two of them.  At approximately 10:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF.  In these clashes, one member of the resistance, 22-year-old Sa'id Mahmoud 'Abdul Salam, was killed by a live bullet in the chest, and two other members were injured.  In the afternoon, IOF opened fire at the area again. A Palestinian child, 10-year-old 'Omar Ramadan al-Qurainawi, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head. He succumbed to his wound on the following day morning. IOF withdrew from the camp at approximately 14:30 after they had razed 41 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, figs and citrus belonging to the families of al-Nabahin and Abu Meddain. 

 At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses. They also shot and wounded 2 Palestinian civilians who suffer from psychological disorders and arrested them:

 1.     Ra'ed Ameen Deeb Sa'sa', 30; and     

2.     Hatem 'Omar 'Ouda, 52. 

 At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They opened fire at houses. A Palestinian civilian, 36-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim al-Nawaj'a, was wounded by 3 live bullets in the legs. He was also arrested by IOF. 

 Also at approximately 21:00, IOF surrounded a house belonging to Musallam Shuraitah in the center of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They opened fire at the house and then raided it. They held members of the family and a number of people who were congratulating the family from the release of one member of the family. IOF searched the house and beat members of the family.  One of the victims was Anas Shuraitah, who is paralyzed after he had been subject to an assassination attempt by IOF in Nablus 3 years ago. IOF destroyed contents of the houses and confiscated a computer sets, a number of mobile phones and some jewelry. Three women who live in the house were extremely terrified and were evacuated to the hospital. 

 During the day, IOF moved into the villages of Ethna and Tarqoumia near Hebron; Tulkarm; Qalqilya; and Taqqou' village near Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 33 Palestinians. 

   

Friday, 14 January 2005

 At approximately 00:30, the Israeli air force fired a missile at offices of al-Ihsan Charitable Society in Deir al-Balah. The offices were partially destroyed and a neighboring medical center and 6 houses were severely damaged. 

 At approximately 06:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that 'Aadel Yassin Mahmoud Sharaf, 32, from Beit Lahia, died from an injury he had sustained during an Israeli offensive on the northern Gaza Strip three months ago.  According to PCHR's documentation, Sharaf was wounded by a live bullet in the neck when he clashed with IOF that had moved into the northern Gaza Strip.  Thus, the number of Palestinians killed as a result of that Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip has mounted to a t least 115. 

 At approximately 17:10, IOF positioned in a military post in the vicinity of "Gani Tal" settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, fired 3 live bullets at Mohammed Hamed Ibrahim al-Oshtath, 33, when he was near an apartment building in al-Amal neighborhood, nearly 400 meters away.  He was wounded by a live bullet in the chest.  He was evacuated to the hospital dead. According to residents of the area, no clashes took place when the victim was shot.  

 

Saturday, 15 January 2005

 IOF launched a wide scale offensive on al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.  They killed 5 Palestinians and injured 10 others.  This attack came following a decision by IOF to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip and decrease the time of opening al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), as an indicator of escalation by IOF in the OPT. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the early morning, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, helicopters and drones, moved hundreds of meters into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City.  This incursion was accompanied by indiscriminate shelling against houses and agricultural areas.  IOF raided two buildings and transformed them into military sites, from which they fired at neighboring areas.  They also started to raze areas of agricultural land.  At approximately 11:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF.  During these clashes, 2 members of the Palestinian resistance were killed:

 1.     'Eissa Ibrahim Kishku, 20, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a live bullet to the chest;

2.     'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Sousi, 18, from Tala al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a live bullet to the head. 

 IOF also opened fire at a number of Palestinians who gathered in the streets to check what was going on.  A Palestinian civilian and a policeman were killed:

 1.     Fawzi Hamdan 'Atiya Yassin, 27, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, hit by several live bullets to the upper part of the body; and

2.     Yahia Farhan Abu Muhaisen, 25, a policeman from al-Maghazi refugee camp, hit by a live bullet to the neck. 

 In addition, 5 civilians, including a child, were injured.  In the evening, IOF opened fire at houses and a number of Palestinian civilians who gathered in the streets.  A Palestinian civilian, Haitham Fayez Abu Nuqaira, 21, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body. 

 On Sunday morning, 16 January 2005, IOF moved several meters back.  At approximately 20:00, they withdrew from the neighborhood.  During this incursion, IOF razed at least 80 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Basal, al-Dahdouh, al-Rush, Quza'at, Ibrahim and Hassan. 

 At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned on a tank at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were near an Israeli military posts near Salah al-Din Gate on the border, thinking that the post was empty.  Two children were wounded.  A number of children and young men move to offer them help, but Israeli troops fired at them.  A child and a young man were killed:

 1.     Hazem Tala'at al-Hout, 15, hit by a live bullet to the neck; and

2.     Nidal Eyad Abu Tiour, 22, hit by 2 live bullets to the chest and the pelvis. 

 In addition, 6 civilians were wounded.  A televised report showed how Israeli troops fired at a child, 13-year-old 'Emad Ahmed Abu 'Anza, when he attempted to offer help to al-Hout.  He was seriously wounded.  During the day, 3 other civilians were injured by the Israeli gunfire. 

 At approximately 19:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 800 meters into Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis. They surrounded 3 houses belonging to the Shurrab family and forced their residents out. Then, they demolished the houses, rendering 19 people (3 families) homeless. They also leveled area of land, which they had already razed. 

 During the day, IOF moved into the villages of Yatta and Dura near Hebron; Jericho; and Deir al-Hatab village near Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians.

 

Sunday, 16 January 2005

 At approximately 00:45, the Israeli air forces fired a missile at an 80-square-meter workshop owned by Subhiya Deeb Abu Foul in al-Salateen area in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia.  The workshop was destroyed and a neighboring house owned by the same woman was severely damaged.  

 At approximately 09:00, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood.  A number of live bullets hit Nasser Hospital, nearly 700 meters away from the source of fire.  A Palestinian woman, Samia 'Abdul Rahim al-Astal, 32, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand, when she was feeding her baby. 

 At approximately 12:40, IOF positioned in the vicinity of Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at neighboring Palestinian houses.  A Palestinian civilian, Mousa Mohammed al-Ghalban, 30, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand when he was inside his house. 

 At approximately 19:30 on Sunday, 16 January 2005, IOF positioned in a military post between "Neve Dekalim" and "Gani Tal" settlements, west of Khan Yunis, fired a number of artillery shells at houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. One of these shells hit the roof of a house belonging to Suleiman 'Abdullah 'Arram, 54, nearly 300 meters away from the source of fire. As a result, the wood on the roof caught on fire. Palestinian Civil Defense crews were called to the area and they extinguished fire. A few minutes later, the owner; his wife Fadda 'Atiya 'Arram, 50; his son 'Abdullah, 30; and his wife's nephew Khaled 'Arram, 38, mounted to the roof to check the damage caused by the Israeli shelling.  In the meantime, IOF opened fire at the area again. The four civilians were injured. They were evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.  The wife and her son died a few minutes later, while her husband was seriously injured by a live bullet in the back, and her nephew was injured by shrapnel in the right foot.  According to medical sources, the woman was hit by 2 live bullets to the neck and the chest, and her son was hit by a live bullet to the head.

 During the day, IOF moved into Hebron and the neighboring Ethna village; Saida village near Tulkarm; and Housan village near Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians.

 

Monday, 17 January 2005

 At approximately 01:00, an infantry unit of IOF moved nearly 800 meters into al-Farraheen area in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis.  Israeli troops surrounded a house belonging to the family of Muneer Khalil Suleiman Abu Daqqa, 38, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force.  They ordered him through megaphones to surrender and he did.  In the meantime, an Israeli helicopter gunship opened fire at the area to cover the withdrawal of the infantry unit. 

 During the day, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp; the villages of al-Lubban al-Gharbi, Qebia and Beit Reema near Ramallah; Beit 'Awa village near Hebron; and Beit Jala.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 13 Palestinians.

 

Tuesday, 18 January 2005

 In the early morning, IOF moved into Um al-Nasser village, north of Beit Lahia.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians.  They took them to the neighboring "Nissanit" settlement, where they interrogated them.  These civilians were released 24 hours later. 

 At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  They raided Jamal Mahmoud Hassan al-Kafarna.  They held the six residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site until 13:00 on Thursday, 20 January 2005.  When they withdrew from the area, IOF arrested and interrogated al-Kafarna.  He was released in the evening. 

 At approximately 07:30, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Kfar Darom" settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the northwest.  A Palestinian child, 14-year-old 'Abdullah Jalal Hassan, was injured by shrapnel throughout the body. 

 At approximately 09:45, IOF positioned on an observation tower near "Nissanit" settlement in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian children who were playing near al-Nada housing project, nearly 500 meters away from the tower.  One of the children, 17-year-old Ahmed Fathi Mas'oud, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot. 

 During the day, IOF moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring Beit Jala town, 'Aaida and al-'Azza refugee camps and the villages of al-'Obaidiya, al-'Askara and Taqqou'; and Beit Reema village near Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 27 Palestinians. 

 

Wednesday, 19 January 2005

 At approximately 01:00, IOF, reinforced by dozens of military vehicles, moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps.  They patrolled in the city and a number of Israeli soldiers mounted roofs of a number of houses.  At approximately 04:00, IOF surrounded a house belonging to the family of Kamal Fathi al-Ratrout, 35, in 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp.  They raided and searched the house and arrested him.  Then, they fired a tank shell at the southern part of the house.  Contents of the second floor of the house were destroyed.  The house is rented from Hassan Sa'id 'Alamiya.  A workshop under the house was also destroyed.

 At approximately 02:30, an infantry unit of IOF moved nearly 700 meters into Gaza Valley village, southeast of Gaza City.  They raided a house belonging to Khalil 'Abdul Qader Dalloul, 43.  They forced all males out and beat and handcuffed them.  They used one of these males, 'Ali 'Abdul Qader Dalloul, 35, as a human shield while searching the house.  They arrested him when they withdrew in the evening.  During this raid, IOF held residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site. 

 At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Tal Qatif" settlement, southwest of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Birka area to the north.  A Palestinian girl, 19-year-old Aamena 'Abdullah Abu Shamas, was wounded by a live bullet in the head when she was near her house. 

 At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned in military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the town.  Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were injured:

1.     Mamdouh Tariq al-Jamal, 12, injured by shrapnel in the left ear when he was inside his family home in Yebna refugee camp; and

2.     Wa'el Mohammed Abu 'Obaidallah, 30, injured by shrapnel in the right leg when he was in al-Shaboura refugee camp. 

 

Thursday, 20 January 2005

 At approximately 09:45, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  They raided 4 houses belonging to the families of Abu 'Oukal and al-Nahhal.  They forced residents of these houses out and searched them.  IOF also leveled areas of land.  They withdrew from the town at approximately 15:00. 

 At approximately 10:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin.  Two jeeps took position in the east of the village and IOF erected a checkpoint.  They stopped and checked passing Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:30, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF.  Immediately, IOF fired at the children, wounding 14-year-old Salah al-Din 'Aqqab Nemer Abu Muhsen, with a live bullet in the back.  IOF allowed a Palestinian ambulance to evacuate him to the hospital nearly 10 minutes later.  According to medical sources, the child was brought dead to the hospital. 

 At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned in a military post near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, fired at 3 Palestinian children who were walking near a mosque, nearly 300 meters away.  One of the children, 14-year-old Salah al-Din 'Abdul Fattah Abu al-'Eish, was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the neck and the back.  He died at the hospital one hour later.  According to the victim's father, his son was visiting his uncle's house on Eid al-Adha, and got out with his cousin to celebrate the Eid.

 During the day, IOF moved into the villages of al-Sammou' and Bani Na'im near Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians. 

 

Friday, 21 January 2005

 At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned in a military post to the west of Jenin fired at Muhannad Ameen Sammar, 20, from al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin.  He was wounded by 2 live bullets in the legs.  An Israeli ambulance evacuated him to an Israeli hospital.  According to eyewitnesses, Sammar was near the annexation wall when he was fired at. 

 

Saturday, 22 January 2005

 At 20:08, residents of Habla village, south of Qalqilya, heard sounds of shooting near the annexation wall, west of the village.  Ten minutes later, an ambulance center of Palestine Red Crescent Society in Qalqilya received a call from IOF that a Palestinian was wounded near the annexation wall to the west of Habla village.  Immediately, an ambulance moved towards the area.  The ambulance arrived at the area at approximately 20:50.  IOF allowed the ambulance to reach the victim 7 minutes later.  He was dead.  The ambulance evacuated his body to a hospital in Qalqilya.  The victim was identified as Fata al-Din Mohammed 'Ali al-Khouli, 18, from 'Azzoun village near Qalqilya.  According to medical sources, he was hit by a live bullet to the chest.  IOF claimed that the victim attempted to cut the electronic fence at the annexation wall to enter Israel, but Palestinian sources stated that the victim did not have any sharp tool and he was suffering from a psychological disorder. 

 During the day, IOF moved into al-Bireh, and Saida village near Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians.

 

Sunday, 23 January 2005

 During the day, IOF moved into Bethlehem and Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians. 

 

Monday, 24 January 2005

 At noon, medical sources at Soroka Hospital in Israel declared that Yasser Muhareb al-Jabarinn, 30, from al-Zahiriya village south of Hebron, succumbed to a wound he had sustained last month.  According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 23:00 on Monday, 27 December 2004, Israeli troops in military jeep opened fire at a civilian car that was traveling from al-Zahiriya village to Kherbat al-Shwaika village, south of Hebron, on bypass road (60) near Shama'a settlement.  Four Palestinian civilians were traveling in the targeted car. One of these civilians, al-Jabarin, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head.  An Israeli helicopter evacuated him to an Israeli hospital, where he had received medical treatment until his death. 

 At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.  They opened fire at houses.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF.  Immediately, IOF fired at the children, wounding 2:

1.     Mohammed 'Aatef al-Kashef, 10, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

2.     Ra'fat Abu Keshek, 12, wounded by shrapnel in the head. 

 During the day, IOF moved into Nablus; Tulkarm; Sa'ir village near Hebron; Seilat al-Zaher village near Jenin; and 'Aaboud village near Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians, including a child and the former director of the police criminal investigation bureau in Nablus Colonel Jihad al-Masimi. 

 

Tuesday, 25 January 2005

 At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin.  They opened fire at houses.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF.  Immediately, IOF fired at the children, wounding 15-year-old Mohammed Riad Deeb Jasser, with a live bullet in the foot. 

 During the day, IOF moved into the villages of Seilat al-Harthiya, al-Yamoun and Jaba' near Jenin; and Silwad village near Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 20 Palestinians. 

 

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

 At approximately 07:30, IOF positioned in military posts in the vicinity of "Tal Qatif" settlement, southwest of Deir al-Balah, shelled Palestinian houses in al-Birka area to the north.  A Palestinian child, 3-year-old Rahma Ibrahim Mousa Abu Shams, was seriously injured by shrapnel in the head when she was having breakfast.  She died shortly after had had been evacuated to the hospital.   

 

Extra-Judicial Killing

 On Wednesday afternoon, 26 January 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, and injured and arrested 2 of his colleagues in Qalqilya.  This killing came a few hours following statement by Israeli military and political officials that they would stop extra-judicial killings in the OPT. 

 According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately15:30, an undercover unit of IOF moved into the center of Qalqilya using a civilian car that has an Israeli registration plate.  They chased a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling in the center of the town.  Three Palestinians were traveling in the vehicle: Maher Harab 'Olayan Esnaina, 24; Yahia Taleb Nazzal, 18; and Mohammed Khamis 'Aamer, 18.  IOF opened fire at the vehicle, wounding the three.  The vehicle collided with a tree in the area.  Immediately, Israeli troops got out of their car and opened fire again at the three young men and pulled them out of the vehicle.  Then, an Israeli soldier fired at Esnaina frompoint blank range, killing him.  Israeli troops pulled the three young men to a neighboring shop.  Soon, more units of IOF were brought to the area and transferred the three young men to an unknown destination.  Two hours later, IOF delivered Esnaina's body to the Palestinian side.  According to medical sources, the victim was hit by several live bullets.  The other two young men remained in custody by IOF, and the nature of their injuries has yet to been discovered.  In addition, a passing Palestinian civilian, 18-year-old Mohammed 'Abdul Halim al-Basha, was injured by shrapnel in the head. 

  

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

 On Friday, 14 January 2005, IOF closed al-Mentar crossing following an armed attack against a number of Israeli soldiers near the crossing on Thursday evening, 13 January 2005.  Under the closure of al-Mentar crossing, all commercial transactions of the Gaza Strip through the crossing are totally prohibited, which will inevitably cause further deterioration of economic conditions in the Gaza Strip.  Also as a result of this closure, the Gaza Strip will suffer shortages of basic foodstuffs, medicines and fuels, especially diesel which is used in generating electricity, which is in turn used in operating wells that provide water for home uses.  At times of partial closure, al-Mentar had been operated in nearly 20% of its normal capacity.  IOF had imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the crossing, which had resulted in damage for some goods, especially foodstuffs and medicines. 

 IOF positioned at al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Friday evening, 14 January 2005, IOF declared that the two checkpoints would be open only from 08:00 to 15:00, and started to implement this measure on the following day.  Even during the times when the two checkpoints were open, IOF often closed the two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.  On Saturday, 15 January 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.  They arrested Mohammed Ameer Ahmed al-Astal, 24, from Khan Yunis.  At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 16 January 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in between.  This closure continued until 20:00, during which IOF checked and humiliated Palestinian civilians.  On Tuesday, 18 January 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.  At approximately 18:45, following and attack against IOF in the area, IOF opened fire at Palestinian civilians who were held in the checking yard.  Two civilians were wounded:

 

1.     Kamal Mohammed Abu Jame', 52, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm; and

2.     Mahmoud Khader Masha'al, 28, from Deir al-Balah, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh. 

 

IOF did not offer them any medical aid, but allowed them to leave the checking yard two hours later.  IOF checked and interrogated dozens of Palestinian civilians and arrested 8 of them, including: Fares Mohammed Abu Shabab, 21, from Khan Yunis; Salah 'Awad 'Abdul 'Aal, 45, from Rafah; Rezeq Isma'il Abu Daqqa, 55, from Khan Yunis; Ziad Mousa Hussein, from Khan Yunis; and 'Ammar Hashem al-Qedra, 30, from Khan Yunis.  Following the aforementioned attack, IOF closed the two checkpoints for 24 hours.  Subsequently, thousands of Palestinian civilians were forced to wait at the two checkpoints to be allowed to travel back homes before Eid al-Adha.  At approximately 13:30 on Wednesday, 19 January 2005, one day before the Eid, a number of Palestinian civilians moved towards Abu Houli checkpoints holding white flags wising to be allowed to cross the checkpoint towards the southern Gaza Strip.  However, IOF fired live ammunition and tear gas at them.  Three civilians were wounded:

 

1.     Ahmed Sa'id al-Ghandour, 37, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;

2.     Mohammed Khaled Abu Khater, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the feet; and

3.     Ahmed Mohammed Abu al-Reesh, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the face. 

 

Dozens of civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF reopened the two checkpoints at approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 20 January 2005, the first day of the Eid.  On Monday, 24 January 2005, IOF declared that the two checkpoints would be open from 07:00 to 17:00.  At approximately 13:30 on Tuesday, 25 January 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in between.  During this closure, IOF positioned at Abu Houli checkpoint fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting near the checkpoint.  Three civilians, including a woman and her child, were wounded:

 

1.     Marwan 'Ali Shehada, 35, from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

2.     Ameera Hamdan Abu Shammala, 50, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand; and

3.     'Abdul Rahman Fawazi Abu Shammala, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand. 

 

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip.  They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in the area to and from the area, which have caused extreme suffering for these civilians.  IOF have continued to close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area since 10 January 2005.  IOF have continued to prevent female Palestinians aged between 16 and 25, and males who are aged between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint when it is open, without prior coordination.  Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mawasi area in Rafah has been closed for more than one year and entry into the area has been limited to al-Tuffah checkpoint in Khan Yunis.   IOF and settlers have also continued to attack Palestinian agricultural property in the area.   Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mawasi area in Rafah has been closed for more than one year and entry into the area has been limited to al-Tuffah checkpoint in Khan Yunis. 

 IOF have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the 6^th consecutive month. They only allow patients to travel through the crossing, but under severe conditions and following coordination.  On Tuesday, 11 January 2005, IOF allowed dozens of traders, agricultural workers and patients to cross through the crossing.  However, they re-closed the crossing on 14 January 2005, but allowed the movement of diplomats and foreigners through the crossing. 

 Since 21 January 2005, IOF have reopened Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border for Palestinian civilians wishing to travel back to the Gaza Strip from 09:00 to 17:00 daily, following a 35-day closure.  Rafah International Crossing Point has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world.  As a result of closure, thousands of Palestinian civilians had not been able to travel out and into the Gaza Strip.  According to Palestinian civilians who were finally able to travel back to the Gaza Strip, at least 10 civilians died in Egypt and their families were forced to bury them in Egypt.        

 

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 even during Eid al-Adha.

 

Ramallah

 IOF positioned at several checkpoints around the town have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  They stopped and searched cars for long hours.  IOF positioned at Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians who do not have checkpoint permits from crossing the checkpoint.

 

Hebron

 IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday, 16 January 2004, IOF imposed a strict siege on villages located to the west of the town.  These measures continued during Eid al-Adha.  IOF stopped and checked Palestinian civilians inside the town.  During the Eid, IOF stopped Palestinian civilians and prevented them from visiting their relatives, especially in al-Sahla and Tal Rumaida neighborhoods.  

 

Bethlehem

 IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  During the Eid, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint on the road leading to the old town of al-Khader village, south of the town, stopped and checked hundreds of Palestinian civilians for long hours.  On Monday morning, 24 January 2005, IOF closed a road leading to agricultural areas in Housan village, west of Bethlehem, and prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their land.   

 

Nablus

 IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  During the Eid, IOF positioned at checkpoints around the city stopped Palestinian vehicles for long hours.  They did not allowed Palestinian civilians whose ages were between 16 and 25 from crossing those checkpoints without checkpoint permits. 

 

Jenin

 On Friday, 20 January 2005, the second day of the Eid, IOF erected a number of checkpoints around Tubas village, east of Jenin.  They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and held their identity cards for long hours. 

 

Tulkarm

 On Thursday, 19 January 2005, the first day of the Eid, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Shwaika and al-Jarousha, north of Tulkarm.  They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles.  On Friday, 20 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala'a crossroads, east of Tulkarm.  On Sunday, 23 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far'oun crossroads, south of Tulkarm.  They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles. 

 

Qalqilya

 During the Eid, IOF erected a checkpoint near the entrance to 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, on Nablus – Qalqilya road.  They erected another checkpoint at the entrance to Habla village, south of the town.  They stopped and checked hundreds of Palestinian civilians.   

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 On Thursday morning, 13 January 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Taqqou' village, south of Bethlehem, arrested Jamal Jebril, 25, from Taqqou' village. 

 On Thursday evening, 13 January 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya, arrested Bassam 'Abdul Latif 'Ouda, 25. 

 On Friday noon, 14 January 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Bala'a village, east of Tulkarm, arrested Samer Abu Diak, 22, from Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. 

 On Saturday morning, 15 January 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the entrance to "Male Adomim" settlement, east of Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed 'Eissa Ishaq, 22, from Bethlehem. 

 On Sturday noon, 15 January 2005, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Midhat Mustafa Sawan, 24, from Jeet village, east of Qalqilya.  IOF positioned at Za'atra checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ussama Burhan 'Abed Rabbu, 20, from Tulkarm refugee camp. 

 On Monday morning, 17 January 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint to the north of Ramallah arrested Mohammed al-Barghouthi, 27, from Beit Reema village. 

 On Tuesday, 18 January 2005, IOF positioned at al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested 'Alaa' 'Abbas Nasrallah, 18.  IOF positioned at a temporary checkpoint erected at Ras Rummana crossroads, north of Tulkarm, arrested Ashraf 'Abdul Ghani Jaber, 26, from Baqa al-Sharqiya village.  At noon, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint erected on the road leading to Bir Zeit University arrested Mohammed Majed Shalash, 23, from Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. 

 

Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

 IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory.  For this purpose, they confiscated and destroyed more areas of Palestinian land.

 On Thursday, 13 January 2005, IOF issued 4 military orders confiscating 363 donums of agricultural land in 5 villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem.  These orders were handed to the owners shortly after the Israeli High Court had issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall in the area and ordered the Israeli military and the general prosecutor to provide new routes for the wall in the area.  Under the new orders, IOF excluded thousands of donums of Palestinian land that were supposed to be confiscated for the purpose of the construction of the wall according to the old plans.  However, they continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land contrary to the decision taken by the International Court of Justice in Hague.  The new orders were signed by the Israeli military commander in the West Bank.  The order justified the confiscation by "military purposes" and "for the current security circumstances and the need to take more measures to prevent attack."  According to the new orders, 112 donums of land would be confiscated in the villages of al-Qebia and Qutna; 34 donums of land would be confiscated in Beit Diqqu village; 146 donums of land would be confiscated in Beit Ejza village; and 72 donums of land would be confiscated in Biddu village.  The Israeli High Court obliged the Israeli military and the general prosecutor to give a response in 7 days, and to respond to a petition submitted by local owners in 45 days. 

 Since the beginning of this year, IOF have started to construct sections of the wall in Beit Legia, Beit 'Anan, Biddu, Beit Eksa and Beit Sourik.  IOF changed the route of the wall between the villages of Beit Siera and Beit Ejza, following a decision taken by the Israeli High Court in June 2004, which cancelled orders to confiscate areas of Palestinian land to the northwest of Jerusalem, considering these orders illegal as "they do not make an appropriate balance between the rights, needs and interests of local residents and the security needs."  However, the new route of the wall in the area allows IOF to confiscate hundreds of donums of Palestinian land and isolate thousands of donums.  It will also annex "Har Adar" settlement to Israel and isolate Palestinian villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem. 

 In Hebron, IOF confiscated at least 400 donums of Palestinian land in Ethna villahe, west of the town, for the purpose of the construction of the wall.  According to eyewitnesses, IOF started to raze these areas of land.  They have uprooted at least 3000 olive trees in the area. 

 On Sturday, 15 January 2005, IOF prevented hundreds of Palestinian civilians and farmers from crossing an iron gate established at the entrance to 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya.  These civilians and farmers were forced to wait for long hours under the rain. 

 In the middle of January 2005, IOF informed 16 Palestinian civilians that their houses, which are located near the annexation wall in the villages of Rummana and al-Taiba, west of Jenin, would be demolished.  The demolition of these houses will leave at least 150 people homeless. 

 On Sunday evening, 23 January 2005, IOF resumed the construction of a section of the wall that separates between "Ariel and "Taffouh" settlements, and the villages of Salfit, Yasouf and Skaka, south of Nablus.  Construction of this section of the wall stopped 4 months ago when local residents submitted a petition to the Israeli High Court.  IOF plan to construct this section of the wall 23 kilometers inside the West Bank territory. 

 

Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

 In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

 At approximately 23:30 on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, IOF who had already moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah, planted explosives inside a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Majed Rebhi 'Arar.  At approximately 01:00 on the following day, they destroyed the house, rendering 8 people homeless.  Two Palestinians who were hiding in the house were killed by IOF on the preceding day.  The owner was also arrested. 

 At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 19 January 2005, IOF moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps.  At approximately 03:50, they surrounded a 150-square-meter, 3-storey apartment building owned by Wasef and Wasfi Ahmed al-Shaka'a.  They forced the 12 residents (4 families) living in the building out and planted explosive inside the building.  At approximately 04:20, they destroyed the building.  As a result, 6 neighboring houses, in which 56 people (13 families) live, were severely damaged.  IOF also arrested 10 Palestinians. 

 

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. 

 At approximately 18:00 on Saturday evening, 22 January 2005, an Israeli settler living in a settlement in the center of Hebron ran down 4-year-old Bassel 'Atiya al-Rujbi in al-Zahed neighborhood to the north of the old town of Hebron, and escaped without offering the child any medical aid.  The child was evacuated to the hospital.  According to medical sources, he sustained injuries and bruises in the back and the left hand and leg. 

 At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 23 January 2005, and Israeli settler driving a tractor chased two Palestinian shepherds who were grazing animals in Qussin village, west of Nablus.  When the two shepherds attempted to explain to him that they were grazing animals, he attacked them. They were able to escape to neighboring high areas.  The settler ran down two sheep and escape. 

 

On Monday afternoon, 24 January 2005, a number of settlers living in settlement in the center of Hebron launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilian and property in the old town of Hebron.  According to eyewitnesses, the settlers threw stones at a number of houses and shops, damaging them. 

          

***

 

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 Territories.  PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as a state above law and continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

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

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

4.     PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and solidarity groups to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to bring these war criminals to justice.

5.     PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPTs.

6.     PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights. 

7.     PCHR welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the Separation Wall inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give its Advisoryt Opinion.  There is no doubt that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.

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

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

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

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

 

“END”