PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 18/2006 04 - 10 May 2006

Palestinian civilians checking damages to civilian property incurred by Israeli Occupation Forces during their incursion into the old town of Nablus on 8 May 2006.

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

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (4–10 May 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 9 Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. On 5 May 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed 5 Palestinians in Gaza City. On the same day, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian near a checkpoint at the northeastern entrance of Nablus. On 6 May 2006, IOF shot dead another Palestinian civilian in Nablus. On 6 and 7 May 2006, two Palestinian civilians were killed by IOF artillery shelling that targeted the northern Gaza Strip.

During the reported period, 24 Palestinian civilians (14 in the Gaza Strip and 10 in the West Bank), including 7 children and 3 women, were wounded by IOF gunfire. During the reported period, IOF continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. A number of houses and civilian facilities were damaged.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF carried out repeated incursions into Nablus. IOF conducted a total of 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 61 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children. In addition, IOF transformed 8 houses and a school into military sites. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions.

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

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a large prison. IOF have continued to monitor the movement of Palestinian civilians through Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border. Although IOF have allowed the transportation of food aid from Egypt into the Gaza Strip through Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, southeast of Rafah, the crossing has not yet been officially opened. IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip from reaching their work places in Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. They have continued to prevent hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip from traveling to the West Bank. IOF have partially operated al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. As a result of the repeated closures of the crossing, the economic conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to separate the north and south of the West Bank. For this purpose, they have closed Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They have also erected two new checkpoints near Ramallah. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank abused a number of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF re-closed an outlet in the Wall, which they had recently opened opposite the western entrance of the Dahiat al-Barid area, north of Jerusalem. This section of the Wall has divided al-Ram village into two parts. It has also separated residents of Dahiat al-Barid area and al-Ram village from educational and health institutions located to the west of the Wall. Students and patients must travel first to Qalandya crossing and then travel back to the south. Also during the reported period, IOF accelerated the construction of a section of the Wall around “Ariel” settlement in the north of the West Bank. On 8 May 2006, Israeli security officials pledged before the new Israeli Minister of Justice Haim Ramon to complete 95% of the Wall by the end of this year. These pledges followed discussions by Ramon concerning the construction of the Wall and judicial problems that “obstruct” the construction. It is worth noting that the Israeli High Court has so far considered 53 petitions submitted by Palestinian civilians against the construction of the Wall on their lands. The court has issued rulings that are consistent with the Israeli political decisions in this regard. The court has neglected the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004, which considered the construction of the Wall in the OPT illegal and called for its dismantling and the compensation of those who have been affected by its construction. IOF also used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest against the construction of the Wall. Two demonstrators and two journalists sustained bruises when they were violently beaten by IOF soldiers.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers living in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, and other settlement outposts inside the town, launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. As a result, 9 Palestinian children aged between 3 and 12 sustained bruises. One of these children was run down by a settler car. The settlers also burnt out two cars completely and a third car partially.

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

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayoub Ya’qoub al-‘Asa, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 13:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, traveling in two civilian cars with Israeli registration plates. In the meantime, three allegedly wanted Palestinians were waiting for a colleague of theirs in a car that was parked near his house. When their colleague got out of his house and moved towards the car, IOF soldiers surrounded the car and pointed their guns at the three Palestinians, forcing them to get out of the car. Soon after, at least ten IOF jeeps moved into the village. IOF got out of the jeeps and arrested the four Palestinians:

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Kherbat Sousia area to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Abdul Salam Hussein al-Nawaj’a, and Isma’il Salama al-Nawaj’a. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Sheikh neighborhood in the center of Hebron, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. Soon, 4 IOF vehicles arrived at the area. They raided and searched stores belonging to ‘Ali al-Qawasmi searching for allegedly wanted Palestinians. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the Northern Mount neighborhood in Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Maher Eyad Qareeb, 16, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Jala. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wissam Michael Sansour, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire indiscriminately and closed entrances to the camp. They besieged a number of members of the Palestinian resistance near the Market and exchanged fire with them. Three members of the resistance were wounded:

Before their withdrawal from the camp, at approximately 09:30, IOF raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

· Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They besieged two houses belonging to the families of Ibrahim Hassan Shawaheen, 34, and Ahmed Bader Abu ‘Ali, 23, and opened fire near them. They forced the two families out and searched the two houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 16:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Nablus, traveling in two civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates. Soon after, 15 IOF vehicles moved into the city and besieged a house belonging to ‘Abdul Nasser Daoud al-‘Atayani, 34. A number of IOF soldiers raided the al-Sakhel apartment building near the house and transformed a flat on the sixth floor into a military site. IOF then raided al-‘Atayani’s house and forced 3 Palestinians out. They took the three Palestinians to a neighboring house and interrogated them.

In his testimony to PCHR on this raid, ‘Emad ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Abdullah, 38, said:

“At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 5 May 2006, I was on my way to a house in Rafidya to give an English lesson to a child. I saw a gas oven in a shop of electrical sets, opposite to al-‘Atayani’s house. I went to the shop to ask about the oven’s price. I entered the shop and I was surprised by the presence of IOF soldiers. They pushed us onto the ground and raided al-‘Atayani’s house. They brought out Nasser Daoud al-‘Atayani, 34, and his bothers-in-law: Mohammed Yousef Abu Ghalma, 26; and Mufeed Yousef Abu Ghalma, 34. They handcuffed the three men and took us all to a neighboring house belonging to Fareed Sa’ada. An IOF soldier was carrying a mobile phone and he asked Mohammed Abu Ghalma to talk to the person on the line, and then asked Mufeed and Nasser to do likewise. The IOF soldier then gave the mobile phone to me and I discovered that I was talking to an IOF intelligence officer. He asked me about my name, age, my wife, my children and my address. Later, a masked person came into the house. He pushed our heads up and pointed at Nasser. Immediately, IOF handcuffed, blindfolded and arrested him, and released us all.”

· At approximately 16:45, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered in Rafidya neighborhood in Nablus and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF vehicles, which had moved into the city. Immediately, IOF fired at these civilians, killing Mohammed Mustafa Qassem al-Qutob, 19, with a live bullet to the chest, and wounding Ghassan Zaid Tabbalat, 23, with a live bullet to the buttocks.

“At approximately 16:45 on Friday, 5 May 2006, Mohammed al-Qotob, a number of other boys and I were standing near a garden at the main road in Rafidya neighborhood. We were throwing stones at IOF vehicles and then escaping towards the garden. An IOF jeep moved close to us, all the boys escaped, except al-Qutob and me. Al-Qutob was holding an empty bottle and was ready to throw it at the jeep. Suddenly, an IOF sniper positioned in al-Sakhel apartment building, nearly 150 meters away from us, fired a live bullet at us. It hit al-Qutob. I escaped. An ambulance arrived at the area but IOF soldiers obstructed the evacuation of the Qutob to the hospital. They allowed the ambulance later to evacuate him to the hospital but he was dead.”

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 17:00, IOF, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They searched agricultural areas, caves and animal farms, opening fire indiscriminately. IOF withdrew from the area later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the children, wounding 16-year-old Khalil Ghassan Abu Raya with a live bullet to the face. According to his father, he did not throw stones at IOF vehicles.

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They besieged a house belonging to ‘Abdul Raheem Musbah al-Nammoura, and opened fire at it. They then ordered the family through megaphones to get out. They interrogated members of the family and violently beat 3 of the owner’s son: Shamekh, 28; Shaddad, 24; and ‘Odai, 19.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring al-Duhaisha refugee camp. They patrolled the streets but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

· At approximately 10:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town. A shell hit a tract of agricultural land belonging to Hamdi Khudair, wounding Majdi Mustafa Ghaben, 25, with shrapnel throughout the body, while he was working on the land.

· At approximately 11:00, another shell fired by IOF landed near Balsam Hospital in Beit Lahia. Three Palestinian farmers were wounded by shrapnel throughout the body:

· At approximately 11:30, IOF shelled Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, Ahmed Sameer Sababa, 19, was wounded by shrapnel to the left foot, while he was near his house in the southeast of the town.

· At approximately 19:15, IOF positioned at the Gaza Strip border, east of Jabalya, fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town. One of the shells fell near an elderly Palestinian civilian, 65-year-old Mousa Salim Mousa al-Sawarka, while he was grazing his camels in the al-Khousa area to the north of Beit Lahia. He was killed instantly by shrapnel to the head.

· At approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata and ‘Askar refugee camps. They patrolled the streets and damaged a number of shops. They raided an UNRWA school and transformed it into a military site. They also raided and searched a number of houses but no arrests were reported. IOF withdrew from these areas at 06:00.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to Nasser Mohammed Abu Zunaid. They forced the family out and searched the house but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Atteel village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 08:45, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, Fatema Mohammed Sahweel, 59, was wounded by shrapnel to the right eye, when a number of shells landed near her house in the east of Beit Hanoun.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF resumed artillery shelling of Beit Lahia town. A shell landed on agricultural land in the north of Beit Lahia. As a result, Hassan Hussein Khader al-Shaf’ei, 55, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body, while he was farming his land. The location of the attack was only 500 meters from the area where the first victim was killed.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Sawahra village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sofian ‘Essam Zahaika, 27, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They patrolled the streets and an IOF bulldozer destroyed doors and umbrellas in Granada Street in Nablus. IOF also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Nassariya village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aadel Ibrahim Balawna, 22, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bourin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fu’ad Hussein Barakmi, and arrested his daughters: Ramia, 25; and Rania, 24.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Sudan village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ali Rafeeq Nakha, 24, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shareef Khamees Ahmed, 30, and arrested him.

· At approximately 11:50, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. One of the shells fell near Balsam Hospital, wounding two Palestinian civilians, including a child:

· At approximately 14:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron raided a number of shops and offices of institutions, including the offices of the General Union of Palestine Workers and the Union of Ex-Combatants, in Palestine Compound at Bab al-Zawia Square.

· At approximately 16:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron moved into Qaitoun quarter in the old town of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and violently beat two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 22:00, IOF, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Kherbat Zabboud to the west of Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They besieged a number of houses, firing live bullets and sound bombs at them. They forced residents of these houses out. They then tightened their siege on two houses belonging to Hani ‘Ali Melhem, 61, a retired police officer, and Mohammed Nasser Hunaihen, 40. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Melhem; his son-in-law, Nasser Ibrahim ‘Ebayat, 38, and activist of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement; and Hunaihen, who was hosting them in his house.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Taghreed Khalil Hannouni, 22, and arrested her.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Fathi al-Bali, who is allegedly wanted by IOF for being a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement. They did not find him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Harmala village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Emad Khalil ‘Atallah, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF. One member of the resistance, 26-year-old Ramadan al-‘Addasi, was wounded by shrapnel to the lower part of the body. IOF raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses in the camp and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:40, IOF moved into Za’tara village near Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Za’tara village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mas’ab Ibrahim Dwaib, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 07:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel shelled Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. A Palestinian child, 17-year-old Rami Mustafa Abu Hasheesh, from the Bedouin village, was wounded by shrapnel to the face, while he was on his way to school.

· At approximately 22:10, a shell fired by IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fell near a tract of agricultural land in Beit Lahia. A Palestinian child, 17-year-old Shadi As’ad Subeh, was wounded by shrapnel to the back while he was on the land, which belongs to his family.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Wadi Abu Katila and Abu Sunaina neighborhood in the west and south of Hebron respectively. They raided and searched a number of houses and violently beat a number of their residents. They also arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Atteel village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ma’awia ‘Abdul Latif ‘Aashour, 22, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and transformed 7 of them into military sites. A few hours later, clashes erupted between IOF and a number of Palestinian school children. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the children, wounding two of them:

1. Mas’ab Mousa Harahsha, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;

2. Ahmed Haitham Taraira, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh.

In addition, Najah ‘Ezzat Abu Sakout, 42, suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested Khalil ‘Othman Zaidan, 47, a Palestinian intelligence officer.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children:

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 07:15, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. One of these shells fell near an animal cart near Oasis Tourist Resort to the northwest of the town. Two Palestinian women, who were traveling on the cart, were wounded:

1. Nawal Faraj al-Sawarka, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand and a number of her fingers were cut; and

· At approximately 22:30, IOF air force launched two missiles at a training site belonging to Ahmed Abu al-Reesh, a military wing of the Fatah movement, in the west of Khan Yunis. One missile hit the site, the other fell outside the area. No casualties were reported.

On Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed 5 members of the Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, and wounded two other members.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:45 on Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF air force launched two missiles at a number of members of the Popular Resistance Committees, who were sitting on a playground they use for military training in the al-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. Four members of the Committees were killed instantly and a fifth died shortly after being brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City:

An IOF spokesman admitted responsibility for the attack, and claimed that the IOF air force targeted a group from the Salah al-Din Brigades responsible for launching locally made rockets at Israeli targets.

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 Occupied East Jerusalem.

Although IOF have been redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip through controlling all outlets and crossings.

· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. Daily working hours at the crossing point have been increased to 10 hours. It is noted that Kerem Shalom commercial crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control has not been operated. The crossing was opened a few weeks ago to allow the transportation of food aid from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, as a result of the economic crisis in the Gaza Strip caused by repeated closures of al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing. On Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF closed the crossing in violation of the Israeli-Palestinian agreement on border crossings.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: This crossing is the only commercial crossing serving the Gaza Strip. IOF frequently close the crossing as a means of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF partially operated the crossing and allowed the importation of a limited amounts of goods, but prohibited the exportation of goods from the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF closed the crossing from the morning until the afternoon.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. During the reported period, IOF decreased the number of patients permitted to travel to Israeli hospitals from 50 to 20. IOF have allowed international workers and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. Concerning patients who suffer from serious diseases, and who need medical care in Israel, IOF prevented them from traveling to Israel and Jerusalem on Sunday and Monday, 7 and 8 May 2006. IOF have prevented patients under 35 from entering Israel, and imposed a condition that patients must be transferred to hospital rather than to clinics and private medical centers. Patients are subjected to prolonged and complicated checking that extends up to 6 hours. IOF have also prevented Palestinian ambulances from entering Israel, and thus, families of patients have been forced to hire Israeli ambulances at high prices. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since the beginning of April, IOF have refused to issue permits to 274 patients to receive medical treatment in Israeli hospitals, and have allowed only 38 out of 178, who have permits to enter Israel, to pass through the checkpoint. Contrary to Israeli claims concerning the easing of restrictions imposed at the crossing, IOF have allowed only 11 traders who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, and have continued to prevent workers from traveling to their work places in Israel.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. IOF repeatedly close this crossing for unclear reasons. On Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF closed the crossing. On Tuesday, 9 May 2006, the Palestinian side requested IOF not to allow wheat to be imported into the Gaza Strip through this crossing but to allow its importation though Karni crossing, east of Gaza City, due to the bad transportation methods used for this product. IOF have allowed the temporary importation of some basic foodstuffs, including wheat, through Sofa crossing due to the repeated closures of Karni crossing and flour shortages in the Gaza Strip.

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

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military has opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

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

· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in occupied Jerusalem. During the reported period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through various checkpoints around the city. IOF also reinforced their presence at these checkpoints. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Jerusalemites since the operation of Qalandya crossing on 4 April 2004. These restrictions coincided with Easter celebrations. During the reported period, and in the context of measures taken to separate the north of the West Bank from the center and south, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of Qalandya refugee camp, which are devoted, in addition to Qalandya crossing, to the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at these checkpoints prevented Palestinian civilians coming from the north of the West Bank from entering Ramallah. These latest measures prove that IOF’s claims concerning easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians are untrue. IOF have allowed Palestinian patients who have permits to enter Jerusalem through Qalandya crossing, but only following prolonged and humiliating checks. On their way back from the city, patients are forced by IOF to pass through the crossing on foot.

At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the Jaba’–Hazma road, northeast of Jerusalem, arrested Sawsan Zuhdi Zahaika, 24, form the al-Sawhra village east of the city, while she was on her way back home from Ramallah.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF continued to separate the north of the West Bank from the center and south. For this purpose, they erected more checkpoints on the main road linking the north with the south of the West Bank. On Saturday morning, 6 May 2006, IOF soldiers were deployed at elevated areas surrounding the al-Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, to prevent Palestinian civilians from using it. On Sunday morning and evening, 7 May 2006, IOF held a number of civilian vehicles that had attempted to bypass “Shavi Shomron” settlement, northeast of Nablus, for several hours. Also on Sunday morning, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, prevented residents of Tulkarm and Jenin from entering the city. IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of the city, held dozens of Palestinian workers at the checkpoint. They also chased workers who had attempted to bypass the checkpoint and held them for several hours. Also on Sunday, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Hares village, southwest of Nablus. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling to and from the village.

On Thursday evening, 4 May 2006, IOF shot dead a Palestinian taxi driver when he stopped near a sand barrier established by IOF on al-Bathan road at the northeastern entrance of Nablus.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:10, a taxi driver, Zakaria Hussein ‘Ali Daraghma, 37, from Tubas village southeast of Jenin, stopped near a sand barrier established by IOF on al-Bathan road, at the northeastern entrance of Nablus, waiting to transport passengers coming out from the city. An IOF jeep arrived at the area. It stopped near another sand barrier on the road. An IOF soldier got out of the jeep and fired at Daraghma. A few minutes later, the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Nablus received a phone call from a Palestinian civilian living near al-Bathan road informing them that the taxi driver was wounded. Immediately, an ambulance traveled to the area. The medical crew found the IOF jeeps still positioned in the area. IOF soldiers allowed the medical crew to go to the wounded man on foot. The medical crew found him dead. He had been killed by a live bullet that entered the left shoulder and exited the chest.

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Laith ‘Abdullah Nasser, 20, from Kufor Laqef village east of Qalqilya.

· Ramallah: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. IOF also erected a checkpoint near “Tshe’ar Benjamin’ settlement. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at the two checkpoints prevented Palestinians coming from the northern West Bank from entering the town. Palestinian civilians were forced to take alternative longer roads.

At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 8 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint near “Oufra” settlement, east of Ramallah, arrested Mohammed Jameel Jeebat, 26, from ‘Allar village north of Tulkarm.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 4 May 2006, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also opened fire into the air to force Palestinian civilians away from the checkpoint, and chased dozens of young men to prevent them from taking alternative dirt roads. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and held dozens of young men for several hours. IOF also erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of the town, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. From the morning until 15:00, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jaroushiya checkpoint, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 6 May 2006, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint to the east of ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. At the same time, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. On Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint between ‘Atteel and Baqa village. They stopped dozens of young men and checked their identity cards. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. They also closed the dirt road that links between ‘Ababta and Bala’a villages. On Monday, 8 May 2006, IOF closed Jebara and Wad al-Teen checkpoints, south of the town, and forced Palestinian civilians to pass through the two checkpoints on foot. At the same time, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm from 06:00 to 09:00. After 09:00, IOF stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles wishing to pass through the checkpoint.

At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF positioned at Bala’a checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested two Palestinian sisters: Fatema Rebhi Abu Khalil, 23; and Israa’ Rebhi Abu Khalil, 22. The two sisters are from ‘Atteel village, north of Tulkarm, and were on their way back home from the Arab American University in Jenin.

At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 8 May 2006, IOF positioned at the Tunnel checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested Mohammed ‘Adnan Fares, 16, from Tulkarm, claiming that he was carrying a knife.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to close the northern Jordan Valley. They have closed al-Hamara and Tayseer checkpoints. On Thursday morning, 4 May 2006, IOF closed the eastern and southeastern entrances of ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin, and prevented Palestinians aged below 30 from entering the village. According to eyewitnesses, IOF erected 3 checkpoints near the village. IOF also erected a number of checkpoints on the Jenin–Nablus road, at the entrance of Bourqin village and on the Maithaloun–Jenin road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF have continued to close the northern Jordan Valley. They have closed al-Hamara and Tayseer checkpoints. On Friday morning, 5 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Baida village in the northern Jordan Valley and obstructed the passage of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday morning, 6 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint in the al-Jarba area between Maithaloun and Masliya village, south of Jenin. They stopped civilian vehicles and checked Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 8 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Arraba intersection, southwest of Jenin, and another in the al-Jarba area between Maithaloun and Masliya villages, south of Jenin. IOF positioned at the first checkpoint stopped dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles and confiscated their keys. They also checked and verified the identity cards of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 9 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of al-Far’a village; another on the Tubas–‘Aqqaba road, and a third at the entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of the town.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town. At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 6 May 2006, IOF moved into the north and southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and erected a checkpoint at al-Tahreer Square in the southwest of the town; another at the University intersection in the northwest of the town; and a third at the entrance of the Polytechnic in the northwest of the town. IOF stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday morning, 4 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the Hebron–Bethlehem road arrested Mohammed Mousa Dar Mousa, 37, from al-Khader village southwest of Bethlehem.

On Saturday morning, 6 May 2006, IOF positioned at the checkpoint on the Hebron–Bethlehem road arrested Ghaleb ‘Ali Abrayoush, 28, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, from Beit Kahel village northwest of Hebron.

· Salfit: Since Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have erected a number of checkpoints on the main roads leading to the town and neighboring villages. On Friday, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Bedia village and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. They also held dozens of young men who attempted to bypass the checkpoints through neighboring olive fields. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Brouqin village, west of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. They also held dozens of young men who had attempted to bypass the checkpoint through neighboring fields. On Sunday, 7 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufol Hares village. They also maintained two checkpoints erected at the entrances of Brouqin and Bedia villages. IOF stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 8 May 2006, IOF erected two checkpoints at the entrances of Jamma’in village, north of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also chased Palestinian civilians who had attempted to bypass the checkpoint through neighboring fields.

· Qalqilya: At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 6 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya arrested Amjad ‘Aadel ‘Ouda, 20, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, from Kufor Thuluth village east of the town.

· During the reported period, IOF accelerated the construction of a section of the Wall around “Ariel” settlement in the north of the West Bank. It is worth noting that the Israeli government approved on Sunday, 30 April 2006, the establishment a temporary fence around areas in East Jerusalem, where the construction of the Wall has not been completed, and the rerouting of the Wall around “Ariel” settlement and in Hebron.

· On Wednesday evening, 3 May 2006, IOF positioned at the Wall to the west of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron, arrested a physically disabled man, Ashraf Suleiman al-Masalma, 23. According to his family, he left the house on his wheelchair and did not return. His family searched for him in the evening. On the following morning, his wheelchair was found destroyed near the Wall. Parts of his clothes were also found in the area. Following searches and contacts made through the Palestinian liaison, the family discovered that he had been arrested by IOF for undisclosed reasons.

· At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 5 May 2006, about 250 Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. Two demonstrators and two journalists sustained bruises:

3. Musheer ‘Abdul Rahman Karara, a photographer from Ma’an (Together) News Agency; and

· On Monday, 8 May 2006, Israeli sources declared that Israeli security officials had pledged, before the new Israeli Minister of Justice Haim Ramon, to complete 95% of the Wall by the end of this year. These pledges followed discussions by Ramon concerning the construction of the Wall and judicial problems that “obstruct” the construction. Israeli security officials pledged to complete the construction of most of the remaining sections of the Wall, estimated at 470 kilometers, by the end of this year. Ramon pledged to make efforts with the judiciary to accelerate judicial procedures needed for the construction of the remaining sections of the Wall. It is worth noting that the Israeli High Court has so far considered 53 petitions submitted by Palestinian civilians against the construction of the Wall on their lands. The court have issued ruling that are consistent with the Israeli political decisions in this regard. The court has neglected the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004, which considered the construction of the Wall in the OPT illegal and called for its dismantling and the compensation of those who have been affected by its construction. The court has also disregarded the principles of international law.

· On Tuesday morning, 9 May 2006, IOF re-closed an outlet in the Wall, which they had recently opened opposite the western entrance of Dahiat al-Barid area, north of Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed the outlet with cement blocks. Before the closure of this outlet, residents of Dahiat al-Barid area and al-Ram village used to travel through the gap towards an IOF checkpoint in the area, which leads to Jerusalem. Now, they have to travel first to Qalandya crossing in the north, which is nearly 5 kilometers away from the area, and then travel back to the south crossing the same distance. This section of the Wall has divided al-Ram village into two parts. It has also separated residents of Dahiat al-Barid area and al-Ram village from educational and health institutions located to the west of the Wall. Students and patients must travel first to Qalandya crossing and then travel back to the south.

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

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

· At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 4 May 2006, an Israeli settler from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, ran down 3-year-old ‘Abdullah Jalal al-Ja’bari while driving a civilian car in the Wad al-Husain neighborhood to the southwest of the settlement. The settler fled to the settlement. The child sustained bruises. IOF soldiers positioned in the area offered the child medical aid before he was transported to the hospital. IOF and the Israeli police did not take any legal action against the settler.

· At approximately 16:30, also on Thursday, 4 May 2006, Israeli settlers living in “Ramat Yishai” settlement in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron threw stones and empty bottles at a number of Palestinian children, who were playing near the main entrance of the neighborhood. Three children sustained bruises:

· On Saturday at noon, 6 May 2006, several Israeli settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron, attacked at least 20 Palestinian children in al-Tawani village, while they were on their way back home in the neighboring Touba village, accompanied by some members of the Israeli Coexistence Movement. The settlers beat and threw stones at the children. As a result, 5 children sustained bruises:

· At approximately 22:45 also on Saturday, 6 May 2006, many Israeli settlers, accompanied by IOF soldiers, moved into Tal Rumaida and Karantina neighborhoods and al-Shuhada Street. They provoked Palestinian civilians and made insulting remarks concerning Arabs. A number of those settlers attacked 3 Palestinian civilian cars that were parked at the entrance of Tal Rumaida neighborhood. They destroyed the windows and bodies of these cars and set fire to them. Two cars were totally burnt and the third was partially destroyed:

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

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

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

4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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