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. 02/2006 05 - 18 January 2006

Destruction incurred to the market of the old town of Hebron following an arson by Israeli settlers.

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

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (5 – 18 January 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 4 Palestinians, including a woman and her son, in the West Bank. On 12 January 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Jenin, while another Palestinian blew himself up. The two were members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad. On 15 January 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian woman and her son and wounded 5 other members of the same family in Roujib village, east of Nablus, for no apparent reason. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at the house in response to gunfire from the house. On 17 January 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian gunman who clashed with them when they came to arrest him in Tulkarm. In addition 18 Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank.

Incursions: IOF conducted 54 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 94 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children. IOF also transformed 6 houses into military sites. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions. An IOF dog bit an elderly woman in Kufor al-Dik village near Nablus.

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

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big prison. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, has been partially reopened. The crossing point is operated for 8 hours a day only. Even though IOF reopened Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing on 15 January 2006 and allowed dozens of Palestinian workers to travel to their work places inside Israel, they re-closed it on 18 January 2006. IOF also closed al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, on 15 January 2006 and closed Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, on 18 January 2006.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Since the beginning of this year, IOF have separated the north of the West Bank from other Palestinian communities. These measures have coincided with the initiation of campaigns for Palestinian parliamentary elections. IOF have operated Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem, and have transformed Za'tra checkpoint, south of Nablus, into a crossing. Thus, IOF have divided the West Bank into 3 separate zones whose contiguity is controlled by them. IOF have continued to prevent residents of the towns of Tulkarm and Jenin from crossing Za'tara checkpoint. Furthermore, since the beginning of this year, IOF have allowed humanitarian cases only to cross the aforementioned checkpoint. These penal measures have impacted at least 800,000 Palestinians living in the northern West Bank and thousands of traders, workers, employees and students from the center and south of the West Bank, who have interests in the northern West Bank. These measures have violated Palestinian civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. These measures have coincided with the initiation of campaigns for the upcoming parliamentary elections. IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of candidates and their staff not only in East Jerusalem, but also throughout the West Bank, including Palestinian communities isolated behind the Annexation Wall. Additionally, IOF have prohibited the movement of candidates between the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. During the reported period, IOF arrested 13 candidates and volunteers of election campaigns. IOF positioned at various checkpoints also arrested 5 Palestinian civilians.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF continued to raze areas of land to the east of "Shavi Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus, to establish a wall around it. They also continued to raze areas of land in 'Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah, in Bal'ein village, west of the town, and in Beit Jala town for the purpose of the construction of sections of the Wall. On 9 January 2006, the Israeli High Court rejected a petition submitted by Palestinian civilians from the villages of Beit Siera and Shaqba, west of Ramallah, against the route of the Wall near "Mode'in" settlement. The court also canceled all previous temporary injunctions stopping the construction of the Wall in the area. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Defense Minister ordered IOF to complete the construction of the Wall near East Jerusalem by the end of March 2006.

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 launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron. They also uprooted 120 olive trees in Yatta village, south of Hebron; and seized 150 dunums of land in Dura village, southwest of the town. IOF demolished 5 houses in the West Bank.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (5 – 18 January 2006)

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

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. A few hours later, dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF opened fire at the stone throwers, wounding 9, including 7 children:

1. 'Eid Mo'ayad Ibrahim 'Aamer, 10, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head;

4. 'Obaida Mahmoud 'Azab, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh;

6. Aws Sameer Zaidan, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh;

7. Ahmed Waheed Balghoud, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh;

9. Ziad 'Omar Abu 'Obaida, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bala'a village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They searched agricultural areas and arrested 13-year-old Fadi 'Omar Subaih. They claimed that he threw stones at them.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 20:00, IOF moved into 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They chased a number of Palestinian children and arrested two, claiming that stones were thrown at them:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed al-Khatib. They held the 13 residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayoub Eas'aifan al-Taraira. They held the 11 residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Ahmed 'Amru. They held the 9 residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF permanently positioned in Hebron raided and searched a house belonging to Zaidan al-Badarin near "Beit Hagai" settlement in the south of the town. They held the 9 residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, east of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 10:00, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF that had moved into Jenin town and refugee camp on 5 January 2006. Immediately, IOF fired at the children. One of the children, 12-year-old Tariq Ameen Joma'a, was seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head. It is worth noting that rubber-coated metal bullets are lethal when they are fired from a close range.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-'Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fairas Hashem Jaber, 24, and arrested him. IOF claimed that he had been wanted for 5 years.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled Ayoub Seder, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mahmoud Humaidat, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Marda village, southwest of Nablus. They surrounded dozens of house and ordered their residents to get out. They raided and searched these houses. Then, they arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Anwar Hafez Sawafta, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Judaida village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets as Palestinian civilians were on their way to mosques for the 'Eid prayers. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 07:00 and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basel Sati Hamad. They held the family in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qaddoura refugee camp and Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled the streets. A few hours later, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched dozens of houses and shops. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Emad Mohammed Kumayel, 27, and arrested him.

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

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Abdullah Nakhla, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They left the city a few hours later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Hindaza neighborhood in Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mohammed al-Khatib 'Ebayat, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp and the neighboring Nour Shams refugee camp. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Abu Enjaim village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Ezziddin al-Huraimi and arrested his two sons: 'Awni, 22; and Tariq, 21.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets. They left the village later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses. According to eyewitnesses, a dog belonging to IOF attacked Salha Shihada al-Dik, 84, and bit her. She was moderately injured. The elderly woman lives alone in a house in the center of the village. IOF also arrested Rami Rateb al-Dik, 23.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem through its northern entrance. They patrolled the streets. No arrests were reported.

· In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian woman and her son and wounded 5 other members of the same family in Roujib village, east of Nablus. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at the house in response to gunfire from the house. They further claimed that IOF later raided and searched the house, where they found weapons and ammunition. However, investigations conducted by PCHR refute IOF's claim.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30, IOF positioned on al-Bayader Mount, to the east of 'Awarta commercial checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, opened fire at a house belonging to Munjed Fawaz Dwaikat, 52, in Roujib village to the east of the city. Dwaikat's wife, 47-year-old Nawal Ahmed Asa'ad Dwaikat, 47, woke up hearing the sounds of shooting. She went up to the third floor of the house. There, she found her son, 21-year-old Fawazi, dead. She hurried towards her husband and informed him of what she had seen. The husband went to the third floor and, immediately, IOF opened fire at him. He was wounded by a bullet to the left eye. Members of the family rushed into the streets asking for help. Five minutes later, the wife and other members of the family went into the house to verify the source of the fire. Immediately, they were fired at from the same source. The wife was killed by at least 15 live bullets. Three of her sons and her daughter were also wounded:

2. Fawzan Munjed Fawaz Dwaikat, 27, seriously wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder;

3. Rawand Munjed Fawaz Dwaikat, 20, seriously wounded by a bullet to the pelvis; and

Soon afterwards, IOF raided and searched the house. They allowed ambulances to evacuate the wounded to hospitals in Nablus. It is worth noting that the deceased son had been guarding the house, at the time of the attack, as the family's car had been burnt out on Thursday, 12 January 2006. The lights in the room where he had been standing were on, when he was shot dead through the window on 15 January.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Surra village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed al-Masri and transformed it into a military site.

· At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired at the stone throwers, wounding 3:

3. 'Abdullah Saleh Darwish, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Bahjat al-Khalili, 26, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eihab Mohammed Younis, 21, and arrested him.

· Also, at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Muhanna, 19, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They chased a number of Palestinian children and arrested two:

IOF claimed that the children threw stones at Israeli vehicles traveling on the Bethlehem – Hebron road to the west of the refugee camp.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They besieged a two-storey apartment building belonging to Hussam Mohammed al-Swais in the west of the town. They broke into the first floor of the building, where al-Swais lives. They ordered him to open a flat on the upper floor. He told them that the flat is rented by a number of university students who were on holiday with their families. They drove him away and an Israeli soldier fired at the lock of the door and kicked it in. Israeli soldiers broke into the flat opening fire. A Palestinian gunman, 23-year-old Thabet Mahmoud 'Ayada Salah al-Din, exchanged fire with them inside the flat. He was killed by several live bullets. Israeli soldiers planted explosives in the flat and largely destroyed it. Soon after, IOF brought the victim's father to the flat to identify him. Later, Hamas declared that Salah al-Din was the leader of its military wing, the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, in the north of the West Bank.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Assira al-Shamaliya village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched the house of a lawyer, Rasmi Ahmed Hassan, 29, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kharabtha Bani Hares village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

On Thursday afternoon, 12 January 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, and a taxi driver. Another member of the al-Quds Brigades blew himself up near IOF.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 14:40 on Thursday, 12 January 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin using two civilian cars that had Palestinian registration plates. Israeli soldiers besieged a house belonging to Fathi al-Bala'awi in the east of the town. A few minutes later, at least 30 IOF vehicles moved into the town to support the undercover unit. A number of Israeli soldiers took position on the roofs of a number of neighboring houses. IOF opened fire at the house. Then, a Palestinian gunman got out of the house and blew himself up, dying instantly. IOF fired two artillery shells at the house. Nearly half an hour later, IOF declared that they had killed two other gunmen inside the house and a third gunman surrendered. At approximately 23:30, IOF withdrew from the area. Only two bodies were found under the ruins. One of them was the gunman who had blown himself up. Only his head was found. He was identified as Mo'taz Sa'ad Abu Khalil, 27. The other man was identified as 'li 'Azmi 'Abdul Latif Abu Khalil, 25. He had been hit by several live bullets throughout the body. IOF also arrested two Palestinian civilians from a neighboring building:

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.

Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though 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. Working hours at the crossing have increased to 8 hours a day after it had previously been working for 5 hours daily. During the reported period, working hours at the crossing point were temporarily increased to 18 hours to receive Palestinian pilgrims coming back from Saudi Arabia. It is noted that, contrary to media reports, the commercial crossing in Rafah has not been opened. The commercial crossing still requires some technical preparations parallel to those being conducted at the Kerem Shalom crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control. For more information on the border crossings agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, please refer to previous PCHR's reports.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: This is the only crossing point for Gaza Strip workers, medical cases, traders or ordinary citizens into Israel and to the West Bank. The crossing was reopened on 15 January 2006, but only 138 out of thousands of Palestinian workers were allowed to travel to their work places in Israel. During the reported period, IOF continued to prevent Palestinian traders and ordinary civilians from entering Israel and the West Bank. A few medical cases have been allowed to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank, but only under strict conditions. On 18 January 2006, IOF completely closed the crossing for no apparent reason.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 15 January 2006, IOF closed the crossing for undisclosed security reasons. IOF requested the Palestinian side to dig around the crossing as they suspect the existence of a tunnel in the area. This closure has severely impacted the Palestinian agricultural exportation.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. They close the crossing from time to time for no apparent reason, as occurred on 18 January 2006.

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

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

Since the Fishermen have been allowed back into the sea, they have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against 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. As Moslems were celebrating the 'Eid al-Adha, IOF were positioned at various checkpoints at the entrances to the city. They conducted prolonged searches of Palestinian civilians wishing to cross these checkpoints. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Israeli soldiers were deployed in the vicinity of checkpoints to prevent Palestinian civilians from entering the city through side roads. They detained dozens of civilians for several hours. In the context of efforts to disrupt the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of candidates and their campaigning staffs. According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli police have chased and arrested a number of candidates and their campaigning staffs.

· Ramallah: On the eve of the 'Eid al-Adha, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 5 January 2006, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara Bridge checkpoint, north of Ramallah, and imposed severe restrictions on movement to and from the town. On Saturday evening, 7 January 2006, IOF closed Qalandiya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. They prevented hundreds of Palestinian civilians from crossing the checkpoint.

IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested 'Othamn 'Orabi Nakhla, 42, from al-Jalazoun refugee camp north of Ramallah, when he was on his way back to the West Bank from Saudi Arabia.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose strict closure measures in Nablus. On Thursday evening, 5 January 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Nablus. According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed Za'tara and Hawara checkpoints. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not allowed to cross the checkpoint, so they resorted to dirt roads in attempt to travel back to their homes. On Sunday, 8 January 2006, IOF positioned at Za'tra checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF allowed only those who have checkpoint permits and physicians to cross the checkpoint. This measure is still effective. On Saturday morning, 14 January 2006, as the 'Eid holiday ended, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a checkpoint near Deir Sharaf village, northwest of Nablus. They conducted prolonged searches of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 15 January 2006, IOF closed 'Awarta commercial checkpoint, east of Nablus, after they had killed a woman and her son in the neighboring Roujib village.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose a strict closure on Tulkarm since 5 December 2005. IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the town imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 6 January 2006, IOF continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from traveling towards Tulkarm. IOF positioned at al-Jaroushiya checkpoint, south of the town, detained hundreds of Palestinian civilians who had attempted to travel on dirt roads. On Saturday, 7 January 2006, IOF reinforced their presence on the main roads leading to Tulkarm. They erected a number of checkpoints on the Qalqilya – Tulkarm road. Many Palestinian civilians were not able to reach Tulkarm. On Monday, 9 January 2006, IOF positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, obstructed the passage of an ambulance that was transporting the body of a dead man to Habla village near Qalqilya. According to the ambulance driver, IOF searched the ambulance thoroughly. The search lasted for nearly half an hour, even through the driver had documents proving that he was transporting a body. Also on Monday, IOF prevented Palestinian civilians from traveling to Tulkarm. Only dozens of civilians were able to reach the town through dirt roads. IOF positioned at various checkpoints chased Palestinian civilians and fired into the air to scare them. During the 'Eid, IOF reinforced their presence at various checkpoints. They also erected more checkpoints on the main roads leading to the town. Palestinian civilians were not able to visit their relatives in the villages located near Tulkarm.

· Jenin: At approximately 06:00 on Friday, 6 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Tammoun and Tubas, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported. Also on Friday morning, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Tammoun village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and verified the identity cards of civilians. On Saturday morning, 7 January 2006, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, prevented a number of journalists, international solidarity activists and Palestinian civilians from crossing the checkpoint to participate in a peaceful demonstration organized in Bardala village. On Sunday morning, 8 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the al-Judaida – Tubas road, southeast of Jenin, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians on the road. On Monday morning, 9 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They also erected another checkpoint near al-Fara'a refugee camp to the south. IOF stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

On Thursday, 5 January 2006, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, detained Tariq Mustafa Daraghma, 30, from Tubas village. Then, they summoned him to the headquarters of the Israeli military liaison.

On Saturday evening, IOF arrested Jihad al-Dabak, 47, and his son Mahmoud, 18, in al-'Aqaba area, claiming that they were grazing animals near an IOF post.

On Friday morning, 13 January 2006, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, arrested two Palestinian civilians who have not yet been identified.

· Hebron: On Saturday evening, 7 January 2006, IOF stopped a Palestinian fire engine in Hebron when it was on its way back to the town after it had extinguished a fire in Beit 'Amra village, south of the town. They forced 3 firemen who were traveling in the vehicle to get out, and checked and beat them. The three firemen sustained bruises. They are: Murad 'Ezzat Woraidat, 28; Eyad Mohammed Tubaish, 26; and Fadi Kamel al-'Aqili, 25.

At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 14 January 2006, IOF stopped and violently beat 3 Palestinian civilians in Beit Marsam village, southwest of Hebron. The three civilians were on their way back home from Dura village. They were identified as: Mousa Ahmed Abu 'Arqoub; 'Eissa Ahmed Abu 'Arqoub; and 'Ali Mohammed Abu 'Arqoub.

Restrictions on the Movement of Candidates for Legislative Elections and Election Staff

· On Saturday, 7 January 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint near Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm, prevented the candidates from the Abu 'Ali Mustafa list and the candidate of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Tulkarm from traveling to Baqa al-Sharqiya village.

· Also on Saturday, IOF moved into Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They raided a number of shops and cut posters and electoral banners of Mohammed Taleb Khader, an independent candidate for the elections. Khader is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Tulkarm.

· On Monday evening, 9 January 2006, IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians when they were hanging posters and electoral banners in East Jerusalem: Eyad Zahaika, 22; and 'Esam Za'atra, 21.

· On Tuesday morning, 10 January 2006, IOF positioned at Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint at the northern entrance of East Jerusalem prevented Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, head of the Freedom and Social Justice list from entering the city, even though he had a valid permit to enter the city.

· On Wednesday morning, 11 January 2006, IOF positioned at Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip prevented Salah Hikmat al-Masri, a candidate of the Third Road list, from entering the Gaza Strip, even though he had a valid permit to enter the Strip.

· Also on Wednesday, IOF positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, prevented two candidates of Abu 'Ali Mustafa lists – Yousef Abu Ghazala and Latifa Abu Sham'a – and the candidate of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, 'Allam Hamdallah, from traveling to al-Kafriyat area.

· On Saturday evening, 14 January 2006, IOF positioned at Hazma intersection, northeast of East Jerusalem, arrested 3 activists of the election campaign of Fadwa Khader, an independent candidate, but released them later: 'Afif Hanna 'Amira, 24; Yousef Rafiq al-'Aarouri, 30; and Bajes Humaid, 27.

· On Sunday afternoon, 15 January 2006, IOF arrested 3 candidates from the Change and Reform list affiliated to Hamas in East Jerusalem: Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Tair; Mohammed 'Omran Toutah; and Ahmed Mohammed 'Atwan. This measure shortly followed a decision taken by the Israeli government to allow Palestinians to hold elections in East Jerusalem. However, the Israeli government has prevented Hamas from campaigning in the occupied city.

· At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 16 January 2006, IOF raided the site of the election campaign of al-Badeel list in al-Asfahani Street in East Jerusalem and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· During the reported period, IOF continued to raze areas of land to the east of "Shavi Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus, to establish a wall around it. They also continued to raze areas of land in 'Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah, in Bal'ein village, west of the town, and in Beit Jala town for the purpose of the construction of sections of the Wall.

· On Monday, 9 January 2006, the Israeli High Court rejected a petition submitted by Palestinian civilians from the villages of Beit Siera and Shaqba, west of Ramallah, and residents of the Jewish towns of "Makhabim" and "Ra'ot" against the route of the Wall near "Mode'in" settlement. The court also canceled all previous temporary injunctions stopping the construction of the Wall in the area. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported that since the submission of these petitions, the route of the Wall was moved only 75 meters. It also reported that the Israeli authorities offered 13 dunums to residents of Beit Siera village in exchange for the land seized by the Wall. Residents of the Jewish towns of "Makhabim" and "Ra'ot" claimed that the Wall is very close to their homes. The court claimed that "the state made efforts to minimize the damage incurred to Palestinians, while seeking to achieve the security goal of the Wall." Thus, the court supported the construction of the Wall inside the West Bank territory in violation of international law.

· According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Defense Minister ordered IOF to complete the construction of the Wall near East Jerusalem by the end of March 2006. Israeli media sources reported that Mofaz asked the Attorney General office to pursue the case at the Israeli High Court, which had issued a number of temporary injunctions stopping the construction of the Wall in the area, especially in Bir Nabala village, northwest of the city; Sho'fat refugee camp, northeast of the city; and Jabal al-Mukabber area, south of the city.

· During 'Eid al-Adha, which started on 10 January 2006, IOF positioned at iron gates on the Wall imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on both sides of the Wall. According to eyewitness, IOF prevented dozens of Palestinian civilians from Qalqilya from entering Palestinian communities isolated by the Wall near the town, claiming that these civilians did not have necessary permits.

· On Friday afternoon, 13 January 2006, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. IOF also arrested Rateb Abu Rahama, member of the Public Committee against the Wall in Bal'ein village.

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:

· On Thursday, 5 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians and property in Wadi al-Husain and Wadi al-Nasara neighborhoods. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers threw stones and empty bottles at houses, frightening Palestinian civilians.

· On Friday, 6 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement, south of Hebron, uprooted 120 olive trees belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud al-'Omour in Yatta village.

· On Thursday evening, 12 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Abraham Avino" settlement post in the old town of Hebron threw stones and empty bottles at a house belonging to Nidal al-'Owaiwi. They also destroyed two cars belonging to Hatem and Fathi al-Za'tari.

· On Saturday morning, 14 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Nogohot" settlement, southwest of Hebron, surrounded a 150-dunum area of land belonging to Kayed Shaker al-Swaiti in the neighboring Dura village with barbed wire.

· Also on Saturday morning, 14 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Bni Haifer" settlement, east of Hebron, re-established a settlement post that had been dismantled by IOF one week earlier. According to local sources, the settlers set up tents on a 4-dunum area of land in Bani Na'im village, nearly 1500 meters away from the aforementioned settlement.

· On Saturday evening, 14 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian houses in Jaber, Wadi al-Nasara and Wadi al-Husain neighborhoods and the old town of Hebron, terrifying Palestinian civilians.

· Also on Saturday evening, 14 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from the "Biet Rumano" settlement post in the old town of Hebron burnt a nearby Palestinian shop.

· On Sunday noon, 15 January 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Abraham Avino" settlement in the old town of Hebron burnt 6 Palestinian shops in the cloth markets belonging to the Municipality of Hebron. It is worth noting that IOF ordered the evacuation of 11 shops seized by settlers since February 1994 by 15 January 2006.

· At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 16 January 2006, IOF and Israeli police, accompanied by a number of officials of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into the al-Ashqariya quarter of Beit Hanina village, north of East Jerusalem. They demolished a 210-square-meter house belonging to Zakaria Mohammed Hujaij, in which 6 individuals lived. IOF beat members of the family while they were vacating their belongings.

· At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 16 January 2006, IOF and Israeli police, accompanied by a number of officials of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into the 'Ein al-Lawza area of Silwan village, south of Jerusalem. They demolished a 60-square-meter house belonging to Ahmed 'Abdul Raziq Siam, in which 7 individuals lived.

· At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 17 January 2006, IOF moved into al-Furaidees village, southeast of Bethlehem. They demolished a 120-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Ayman 'Allan al-Wahesh. Then, they demolished a 120-square-meter, under-construction house and two 120-square-meter animal farms belonging to 'Aatef and Diab 'Ali Souman.

· Also on Tuesday morning, 17 January 2006, IOF moved into al-Kubban al-Sharqi village, south of Nablus. They demolished a 140-square-meter house belonging to Ayman Ahmed 'Owais, in which 5 individuals lived.

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

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

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

4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of 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 proposed 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.

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

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