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. 28/2006 13- 19 July 2006

The building of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign, which was shelled twice in one week.

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

As the international community has remained silent, IOF have continued to wage a full scale offensive on the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip. PCHR, monitoring with utmost concern the developments of this offensive, calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and United Nations Agency, to immediately intervene to force IOF to stop this offensive and allow the passage of foodstuffs, medical supplies and fuels into the Gaza Strip. PCHR warns the international community of the policies of collective punishment and reprisals practiced by IOF against the Palestinian civilian population, especially the destruction of electricity sources and the denial of passage of foodstuffs and fuels into the Gaza Strip, which will lead to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

o At least 550 Palestinian civilians, including 134 children and 19 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.

o 124 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells have been fired at Palestinian civilian and military targets in the Gaza Strip.

o Buildings of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National economy, the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister and a number of educational institutions have been destroyed.

o The electricity generation plant, providing 45% of the electricity of the Gaza Strip, was destroyed, and electricity networks and transmitters have been repeatedly attacked.

o 6 bridges linking Gaza City with the central Gaza Strip and a number of roads have been destroyed.

o Hundreds of donums of agricultural land and dozens of houses have been destroyed.

o Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including 8 ministers and 26 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council have been arrested.

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (13 – 19 July 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 24 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including 4 children and two women. Two children also died from previous wounds.

In the Gaza Strip, 20 Palestinians were killed by IOF, including 16 ones who were killed during IOF offensives on Beit Hanoun town and al-Maghazi refugee camp in the northern and central Gaza Strip respectively. It was noticed that IOF willfully fired at Palestinian civilians. A child from Beit lahia also died from a previous wound. In addition, 135 civilians, including 50 children, 5 women, a translator, a Japanese journalist and 3 medical personnel, were wounded by IOF gunfire. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF since the beginning of “Operation Summer Rains” on 25 June 2006 has increased to 108, including 54 civilians. These civilians have included 23 children and 5 women. In addition, 480 others, mostly civilians, have been wounded.

In the West Bank, IOF killed 4 Palestinians during an incursion into Nablus on 19 June 2006. Three of the victims, who were allegedly wanted by IOF, were killed by IOF that besieged a Palestinian security compound. IOF held their bodies for one day. The fourth victim was a civilian who was killed when he was witnessing the IOF operation. In addition, 33 Palestinian civilians, including 16 children and two journalists, were wounded by IOF gunfire. A Palestinian child from Jenin refugee camp also died from a wound he had sustained nearly two weeks ago.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF launched a series of air strikes on Palestinian governmental buildings and civilian facilities. During the reported period, they attacked 5 governmental compounds, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Economy. IOF also destroyed two bridges in the central Gaza Strip and a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces in Jabalya. In addition, IOF have continued to shell Palestinian residential areas. As a result, dozens of families have been forced to vacate their houses.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF reoccupied some areas in the Gaza Strip. They killed a number of Palestinians, arrested a number of others, seized a number of houses and transformed them into military sites, razed at least 270 donums[1] of agricultural land and partially destroyed 130 houses. The most extensive destruction was in Beit Hanoun, as IOF destroyed at least 120 houses, razed 100 donums of agricultural land and extensively destroyed the infrastructure of the town. They also damaged a number of schools.

In the West Bank, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities, the widest of which was into Nablus on 19 July 2006, when IOF killed 4 Palestinians, demolished some governmental buildings and arrested many security personnel. During other incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 31 Palestinian civilians. IOF also raided at a number of civil institutions.

Restrictions on Movement: 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.

Following an attack launched by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006 near the Israeli-Egyptian border, southeast of Rafah, which left two IOF soldiers and two of the attackers dead and a third IOF soldier missing, IOF have closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip:

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. PCHR has always warned following the agreement reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, which was brokered by the United States and the European Union, that IOF have complete, even though indirect, control over the crossing point. On Friday, 14 July 2006, dozens of Palestinian militants, accompanied by hundreds of young men, destroyed a part of the border fence with Egypt near Rafah International Crossing Point. They made a large gap, through which hundreds of Palestinian civilians stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing point were able to come back to the Gaza Strip. On 18 and 19 July 2006, IOF permitted reopening the crossing point partially, with the presence of EU observers and in agreement with the Egyptian side, for travelers wishing to come back to the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian sources, nearly 6000 Palestinians were able to travel back to the Gaza Strip. It is worth noting that thousands of Palestinians had been stuck in Egypt under severe conditions. Five Palestinian patients died at Egyptian hospitals and IOF refused to allow their families to bring their bodies into the Gaza Strip.

IOF have closed commercial crossings of the Gaza Strip, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. During the reported period, the crossing was not opened, contrary to Israeli statements that the crossing would be partially opened to allow the flow of foodstuffs into the Gaza Strip, whereas Nahal Ouz crossing was opened for a few hours to bring fuel into the Gaza Strip.

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 between the north and south of the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, and violently beat 5 others.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF continued to construct a section of the Wall near “Kermi Tsur” settlement, which stands between the villages of Beit Ummar and Halhoul, north of Hebron. Also during the reported period, an Israeli technical crew, escorted by IOF, started to place signs determining the route of the Wall to the northwest of Arab al-Ramnadin village, southwest of Hebron. In addition, IOF soldiers positioned along the Wall, west of Beit Jala, uprooted at least 50 trees belonging to Palestinian civilians from Beer ‘Ouna area, allegedly for “security considerations.” IOF positioned at the Wall, northwest of Hebron, prevented a number of Palestinian farmers from Sourif and Beit Ummar villages, northwest of Hebron, from reaching their agricultural land behind the Wall.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (29 June – 5 July 2006)

For the fourth consecutive week, IOF continued their open-ended offensive on the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, after Palestinians had captured an IOF soldier from a military outpost on 25 June 2006. Since then, IOF have been perpetrating war crimes and serious violations in several areas in the Gaza Strip. These crimes have included willful killing, disproportionate use of lethal force; destruction of civilian infrastructure, including electricity and water networks; large scale destruction of public and private property; air strikes and mock air raids on civilian targets, including educational institutions; governmental compounds; and training sites and activists of Palestinian resistance organizations.

In addition, IOF have targeted journalists and media crews covering the events on the ground. PCHR believes that attacks against journalists aims at hindering journalists from conducting their professional duty of sending the picture of crimes perpetrated by the Israeli government to world public opinion.

The military escalation has been accompanied by the complete closure imposed on the Gaza Strip since 25 June 2006, and the subsequent severe humanitarian and economic conditions. IOF have closed border crossings, keeping thousands of Palestinians at the Egyptian side of the Rafah International Crossing Point, and preventing the flow of food, medicines and fuel through commercial crossings. As a result, the Gaza Strip is on the verge of a humanitarian and environmental disaster.

· At approximately 01:50, IOF, reinforced by helicopter gunships, moved nearly 4 kiolmeters into al-Ja’farawi area in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, opening fire intensively. They raided 10 houses and transformed them into military sites, after detaining their residents in one room in each. IOF soldiers also used a Palestinian civilian, 58-year-old Nafez Yousef Abu Nahia, as a human shield while searching his house. During this incursion, IOF razed at least 65 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with fruitful trees belonging to the families of Abu al-‘Ajeen, Nattat, Abu Mughassib, al-Farra and Muhareb. They also partially demolished 8 houses, and destroyed a car belonging to Mansour Slem Saleem.

· At approximately 03:00, an IOF drone fired 3 missiles at two activists of the Palestinian resistance, while they were attempting to detonate a bomb planted on Salah al-Din Street, north of Khan Yunis. One of the two activists, ‘Ali Hassan Badwan, 22, from Deir al-Balah, was killed. The other activist, Amjad Mahmoud al-Hamami, 21, from Gaza City, was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF that had moved into al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa villages on both sides of Kissufim road, north of Khan Yunis, on Wednesday, 12 July 2006, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Qarara village. As a result, Jaber Zayed al-‘Amawi, 57, was wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh, when he was inside his house in the east of the village. Also during this incursion, IOF gunboats positioned opposite to Khan Yunis coast fired dozens of shells at the coast and al-Mawasi area. No casualties were reported, but some farms were damaged. Palestinian civilians also abstained from going to the beach because of the danger posed by IOF gunboats.

· Also at approximately 08:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Raji ‘Omar Jaber Daifallah, 16, from Beit Hanoun, died from a wound he had sustained on 10 July 2006. Daifallah was seriously wounded, when IOF warplanes attacked a number of children near the School of Agriculture in the north of Beit Hanoun. The attack killed 3 children.

· At approximately 09:45, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel continued to shell several areas in the Strip, especially Beit Lahia. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, Saleh Bad’an al-Beli, 31, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by shrapnel to the left foot.

· At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned at the edges of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun fired a number of artillery shells at the west of the town. As a result, 13-year-old Majdi Ibrahim al-Za’anin was wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen, when he was near his house.

· At approximately 14:50, IOF positioned near Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Shouka village, east of the town. As a result, 16-year-old ‘Atallah Nasrallah al-Hissi was wounded by a live bullet to the right thigh, when he was near his house.

· At approximately 00:00, IOF positioned at Kissufim intersection on Salah al-Din Street, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, fired a shell at a civilian car, in which two persons were travelling, on Salah al-Din Street. As a result, one of the passengers, Ra’ed Hussein Nasser, 25, from Gaza City, was killed. He apparently bled to death. His brother-in-law, ‘Aadel Hussein al-Bayouk, 20, who was travelling with him, was moderately wounded as he was able to jump out of the car before it totally burnt.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF fighter jets fired a missile at a bridge that links Nusseirat refugee camp with al-Mughraqa and al-Zahraa’ areas in the central Gaza Strip. The bridge was completely destroyed.

· Also at approximately 02:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at the office of members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing the northern Gaza Strip, which is located on the second floor of a 5-storey building in Beit Lahia. The missile hit the eastern side of the office, causing extensive damage.

· At approximately 06:00, IOF redeployed outside al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis, leaving extensive destruction to agricultural land. During their incursion into the town, IOF razed at least 100 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and vegetables and some irrigation networks belonging to the families of Abu ‘Eid, Abu Sawawin, al-Astal, al-‘Abadla and Abu Haddaf.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khuza’a village near the border. As a result, Hamda ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Raida, 60, was wounded by shrapnel to the right leg, when she was inside her house.

· At approximately 13:30, IOF continued to shell the northern Gaza Strip. The shelling continued until midnight, and severely damaged 4 houses belonging to the al-Jaml family. The 22 residents of these houses were forced to leave the area.

· At approximately 22:45, a number of artillery shells fired by IOF hit two sites of the Palestinian National Security Forces. As a result, two security men sustained bruises as they were attempting to escape the shelling, and the two sites were damaged.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF warplanes fired a missile at the building of the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy in Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City. The building, including the Minister’s office, was severely damaged. This attack has been the fourth of its kind against Palestinian governmental buildings since the beginning of the current IOF offensive on the Gaza Strip on 25 June 2006.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF fighter jets fired a missile at a bridge that links al-Boreij refugee camp with Juhor al-Dik area in the central Gaza Strip. The bridge was completely destroyed. Thus, the number of bridges recently destroyed by IOF has increased to 6.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF helicopter gunships opened fire at Khalil Ibrahim Abu Mughassib, 18, from Wadi al-Salqa village, when he was near “Kissufim” crossing, southeast of Deir al-Balah. He was instantly killed. The victim was not armed, and he was apparently monitoring IOF military posts.

· At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 15 July 2006, when IOF warplanes fired two missiles at a 3-storey building belonging to Sa’ad al-Yazji, a professor at the Islamic University, in al-Daraj neighbourhood in the centre of Gaza City. The first floor of the building is occupied by a sewing workshop, while the other two floors are empty. The building was totally destroyed, and ‘Omar Mahmoud Younis, 30, a worker who was in the building, was instantly killed. In addition, 9 civilians living in neighbouring houses, including a woman and two children, were wounded. One of these children is only 7 months old, and he was moderately wounded. The other child, 11-year-old Ahmed al-Jadba, was seriously wounded. IOF claimed that the building was used by Palestinian militants as a workshop to manufacture weapons.

· IOF carried out a pre-dawn incursion on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The raid came after IOF had conducted an incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, and then redeployed its forces outside the targeted areas. During this incursion, IOF killed 3 Palestinian resistance activists by aerial bombardment. In addition, 10 civilians were wounded. The raid on Beit Hanoun is part of a a military campaign against Palestinians that was announced by IOF nearly two weeks ago.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:00, IOF moved nearly two kilometers into Beit Hanoun from the eastern and northern areas of the town. The raiding troops opened fire heavily, and started to occupy houses in al-Amal neighborhood in the town, near UNRWA schools. The occupied houses were transformed into military sites after their residents were detained inside the houses.

· At approximately 05:30, an IOF plane fired a rocket at a group of resistance activists in Abu ‘Odeh Street, to the north of al-Amal neighborhood. Three resistance activists were instantly killed:

In addition, 10 civilians from the area, including a pregnant woman were wound. PCHR's fieldworker reported that 8 families were evacuated from UNRWA schools in the area. These families were forced out of their homes due to IOF shelling near their houses, and took refuge at schools.

· At approximately 06:30, IOF raided a two-storey house belonging to Mansour Ahmed al-Kafarna in Demra Street in Beit Hanoun. They forced the 40 residents of the house (3 families) out. IOF then arrested the owner, his two sons, his brother and a guest. Later, IOF released the detainees, excluding two:

· At approximately 07:30, IOF troops deployed on the outskirts of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, fired several artillery shells at houses. The shelling killed Fatima Fadel Jadallah, 59, who was at the door of her house. IOF had moved into al-Shouka village and occupied Gaza International Airport 10 days earlier. IOF redeployed out of the area after displacing its residents, leaving behind extensive damage to civilian property and infrastructure. Soon, UNRWA reopened a refuge, which it had established on 7 July 2006 at a school in Rafah, to provide shelter for families that escaped IOF shelling. As IOF redeployed out of the village on 12 July 2006, the family moved back to their homes, but they were surprised by intensive shelling. At least 15 families went to the UNRWA refuge in the evening, and 57 others were expected to go later.

· At approximately 14:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a Palestinian car in al-Na'aima Street in Beit Hanoun. The rocket hit the car after its occupants fled, and it was completely destroyed.

· At approximately 16:00, 5 civilians, including a journalist, a translator and two paramedics, were wounded by IOF shelling on Beit Hanoun:

2. Majdi ‘Abdul Dayem ‘Aabdeen, a translator from Palestine, wounded by a live bullet to the feet;

3. Ziad ‘Abdel Dayem, 38, a paramedic, injured by shivers of glass to throughout the body;

4. Yosri al-Masri, 41, a paramedic, injured shivers of glass throughout the body; and

· At approximately 17:20, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists in Demra Street in Beit Hanoun. Two of them were killed:

· At approximately 19:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Lahia, fired a number of artillery shells at agricultural areas in the north of the town. As a result, a Palestinian farmer, 31-year-old ‘Ali ‘Eid Ghaben, was wounded by shrapnel to the right thigh.

· At approximately 19:30, IOF continued to shell the northern Gaza Strip. as a result, 18-year-old Ahmed Mahmoud Hamadain was wounded by shrapnel to the back and the right thigh, when he was near his house in Beit Hanoun.

· At approximately 19:45, IOF positioned atop of a number of houses in Beit Hanoun opened fire at Palestinian civilians. As a result, 27-year-old ‘Emad Musleh was wounded by a live bullet to the right shoulder.

· At approximately 00:20, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of resistance activists in Beit Hanoun. Two were wounded.

· At approximately 00:50, IOF helicopters fired 3 missiles at the Interior Ministry Executive Force compound in al-‘Ajarma Street in Jabalya. One missile hit the compound, damaging it. The second missile hit the roof of a house belonging to Husseini Abu Salem, near Abu Rashid pond. It did not explode. The third went astray and hit a space area.

· At approximately 01:15, an IOF warplane dropped a bomb at the building of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Government Buildings Complex in the Southern Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. The building was completely destroyed, and extensive damage was inflicted on a large number of nearby houses and civilian vehicles. Twelve civilians were injured by glass shivers, including 6 children and two women. It is noted that this is the second bombing raid against the building in a few days, and it has become clear that the aim of the bombardment is to terrorize the civilian population living in the area.

In his testimony to PCHR on the attack, Dr. Fawwaz Abu Sitta, Economics Professor at Al-Azhar University, who lives near the Palestinian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said: "The recurrence of this terrible deed without any effort from anyone to stop it makes one feel bitter and hopeless. In addition, one feels the inability to act and avoid the bombardment, despite fully expecting it before hand. Repeating the bombardment of a target that has no military or material value makes this bombardment a form of sadistic collective punishment; because bombing for a second time is only for spreading fear among civilians at homes around the building; and their homes were damaged by the bombardment. This act has transgressed the boundary of standard collective punishment and has become sadistic as it entails punishing civilians at homes. This is what one feels directly after the bombardment when hearing the screams of children and women, and the state of shock and anxiety. It is very scary, and cannot be compared to a state of shock in any other calamity. It is a state of shock unique for this kind of calamity."

“I am a professor of economics at al-Azhar University. I live with my wife, Anika Fagner, a German citizen, and my son, 18-year-old Suleiman, in a 3-storey villa. We live on the second floor of the building. My brother Nawaf, an engineer, lives with his wife and his two daughters, 13-year-old Nouran and 7-year-old Dana, on the third floor. Fortunately, my mother, 82, is in Cairo visiting her daughter.

For some reason, I expected that the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located directly to the north of our villa, would be bombarded, as the building of the Ministry of Interior and the office of the Prime Minister were bombarded twice. So, my wife and I slept in the southern part of our house as the building of the Ministry is located to the north of the house. We also took some precautionary measures.

During the first bombardment of the Ministry on 13 July 2006, my son was on his way back home, and my wife and I were sleeping. We woke up hearing the blast.

I was astonished then not by the destruction incurred to the 7-storey building of the Ministry, rather by the destruction incurred to the garden, which my father and I had worked for years to make it such beautiful. The garden was destroyed and became a cemetery for debris.

A large cement block hit my mother’s balcony, where she used to sit. The villa was severely damaged, as windows and doors were destroyed. My wife, my son and I have been shocked by the bombardment and the damage incurred to the house and the garden during the first bombardment of the Ministry.

Last night, I was awake as I heard a drone flying over the area. My wife was sleeping. I opened the doors and prevented my son from moving to any other place in the house. I expected that bombardment would take place again, but I did not expect it last night and against the same building that was largely destroyed in the first attack.

“When the bombardment took place, the house was severely damaged. Debris hit the rooms, including my office. I was shocked when I saw debris in the living room, which could have killed my wife, my son and me if we were there.

My wife got up hearing the blast. She was screaming and calling me and Suleiman, because we were outside the room trying to check the damage. Due to darkness, I was not able to check the damage until the sunshine.

Children were heard screaming in dozens or even hundreds of neighboring flats, especially in the apartment building located to the west. These flats were also damaged”.

· At approximately 06:30, IOF troops deployed on the roofs of Palestinian houses in Beit Hanoun fired indiscriminately, killing Mohammad Mahmoud al-Kafarna, 21, with a live bullet to the chest. He was standing in front of his house at the time. In addition, IOF continued to move forward into the town, clamping its control over the center of the town, where the lone hospital, police station and schools are located. IOF occupied more houses and transformed them into military sites. As a result, the 30,000 residents of Beit Hanoun became under direct IOF occupation. IOF continued to bulldoze houses, and residents were forcibly fleeing their houses due to indiscriminate shelling.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at agricultural areas in ‘Abasan village. As a result, 16-year-old Fu’ad Khalil Abu To’aima was wounded by shrapnel to the right shoulder.

· At approximately 12:30, IOF positioned in houses they had already transformed into military sites in Beit Hanoun opened fire at Palestinian civilians, killing 18-year-old Muhanna Sa’ad Musleh with a live bullet to the head.

· At approximately 14:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, fired two artillery shells at a number of Palestinian children who were playing neat their houses, nearly 1000 meters away from the border. The two shells fell a few meters away from the children, wounding 14-year-old Hussam Jamal Abu Hujayer with shrapnel to the feet.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF positioned inside Beit Hanoun fired an artillery shell at the cemetery of the town. As a result, two Palestinian children were wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, when they were near their houses:

· At approximately 18:30, IOF soldiers positioned atop of a number of houses in Beit Hanoun opened fire at Palestinian houses. As a result, Mohammed Subhi Abu ‘Ouda, 26, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the neck.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF started to redeploy outside of the center of Beit Hanoun following a two-day incursion into the town. IOF had completed their redeployment by Tuesday morning, 18 July 2006, leaving a number of casualties and extensive destruction to civilian property and infrastructure. According to testimonies gathered by PCHR from a number of residents of the town, IOF committed a series of crimes against Palestinian civilians. They detained civilians inside their houses under inhuman conditions and used children as human shields. It was clear that the IOF operation inside Beit Hanoun was an act of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians, as all houses and civilian facilities that were destroyed by IOF had never been used in any military confrontation with IOF. The outcome of this latest IOF offensive in Beit Hanoun was:

o 14 houses were transformed into military sites and their residents were detained in one room of each.

o At least 60 houses were severely damaged, and some of them are now inhabitable.

o 8 civilian vehicles, including two truck of concrete treatment, were destroyed.

o The building Gassan Kanafani School for development was damaged and was used as a military site.

In her testimony about one of the worst days of her life, ‘Azza Qssem al-Kafarna, 44, whose house was destroyed and she, her children and her old mother were held under inhuman conditions, said: “There was a house. We became a living target for IOF. Children, women and old people were screaming. Children were urinating and vomiting of fear, but no one cared. They used two of my children as human shields. I have not paid all installments of my house, which was destroyed. Our dream vanished. We miraculously survived.”

“At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 17 July 2006, I, my four children, my mother, my sister and her child, 3 relatives and their nine children, and my aunt were on the first floor of our 4-storey house in Beit Hanoun. We gathered on the first floor to avoid the continued Israeli shelling on the town. My uncle ‘Othman and his family were in their house near our house. Soon, I heard the sound of an Israeli bulldozer moving towards my uncle’s house. I was not able to check what was going on because of the intensive shelling. I tried to phone my cousins, but there was no answer. Shortly after that, I felt that the bulldozer was moving towards our house, so I got out so that soldiers could see me. I stood before the bulldozer and told soldiers that there were children and old people in the house, but my calls went in vain. The bulldozer continued to move towards me, and a soldier pointed his gun at me and ordered me to put my mobile phone on the ground, as the bulldozer started to demolish the house. A soldier ordered me to gather the women and children in some place, my sons – 15-year-old Qussai and 17-year-old Hazem, in another place, and my nephew, 22, in a third place. Children were screaming and some of them urinated in their clothes or vomited as they were scared. Soldiers then ordered me to accompany them to the upper floor. They used me as a human shield. They searched the three floors and ordered me to close all windows and drop curtains. I did. They then asked me about Suzan, the wife of my cousin ‘Emad, a police officer, who was arrested later. I told them that she was downstairs with other women. We moved down and called Suzan. They interrogated her in English about her husband. I told them that she does not understand English and they could talk with me instead, as she collapsed thinking that her husband was killed. A soldier asked me about weapons, and I told him that there were no weapons. The soldiers then ordered me and the children, excluding my two sons and my nephew, to get out. I refused, but they pointed their guns at me and forced me out, after they took my sons and nephew to the upper floor. I started to take the children out crawling to avoid being hit by live bullets. We went to a neighboring house, and the neighbors received us. I was in one place and my sons and nephew were in another place until night when (IOF) withdrew from the area. I went out to check our house. I found that the first floor was destroyed and the second floor, where I live with my sons, was severely damaged. The soldiers made large holes into walls, broke windows and damaged everything. They did the same to my uncle’s house. I have lived in this house for one year. It belongs to my parents and brothers. I am divorced and responsible for my sons. The house was all what I own.”

· At approximately 05:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Rafah, opened fire at al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. As a result the electricity network of the town was severely damaged, and electricity was cut off from the whole town. Three hours later, IOF, reinforced by helicopters, moved nearly 400 meters into the village, opening fire intensively. They razed large areas of agricultural land and demolished a bird farm. The damage has not been assessed due to the presence of IOF in the area.

· At approximately 14:40, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Boreij refugee camp, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in al-Zahraa’ town and al-Nusairat refugee camp. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, 45-year-old ‘Abdul Rahman Faraj Sahyoun, was wounded by shrapnel to the head and the feet.

· At approximately 21:00, an IOF helicopter gunship opened fire at agricultural areas in Khuza’a and ‘Abasan villages, east of Khan Yunis. IOF also continued to fire artillery shells at areas located near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, an IOF undercover unit infiltrated into the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Resistance activists discovered the presence of the unit, and clashed with IOF soldiers. A resistance activist, Sa’ed Sami Qandil, 21, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body during the exchange of fire with IOF soldiers.

Nearly half an hour later, IOF reinforcements arrived at the area. Several IOF heavy military vehicles and bulldozers, reinforced by helicopters and drones were seen heading towards the area.

At approximately 06:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a group of Palestinians that included resistance activists on an agricultural field. Two resistance activists were killed:

A paramedic, Anwar ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Houli, 43, was also wounded by shrapnel and his right leg was cut off as he was tending one of the wounded.

IOF took up positions in the Abu Sa'id area in the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp, nearly 1500 meters inside the Gaza Strip. They took over houses and stationed troops on rooftops. Snipers on rooftops fired at civilians and resistance activists. As a result, a resistance activist, ‘Omar Farhan Abu Mohaisen, 32, was killed by a live bullet to the abdomen. He is the fourth member of his family to be killed by IOF during the current Intifada.

At approximately 08:20, an IOF tank fired a shell at a group of civilians, mostly children, who gathered to witness IOF operations. Two children were killed:

At approximately 19:20, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians, who were nearly 400 meters away from IOF vehicles, which also fired a number of shells at these civilians. As a result, 14-year-old Ahmed Rawhi Abu ‘Abdu, 14, from al-Nusairat refugee camp, was killed. In addition, 25 civilians, including a woman her child, were wounded. Three hours later, the woman, 38-year-old Hanan Ibrahim al-‘Arrouqi, died from her wound. Five of the wounded are still in a serious condition.

At approximately 23:50, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinians, including resistance activists. As a result, a resistance activist, 32-year-old Yousef Ahmed al-Li, was killed, and another one was wounded.

As a result of the indiscriminate shelling in the refugee camp 93 Palestinians, including at least 20 children, were wounded. Twelve of the wounded are in a serious condition. IOF also shelled the main electricity transmitter of the central Gaza Strip, cutting off electricity from the whole area.

· At approximately 13:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at the Bedouin village, north of Beit Lahia. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, 32-year-old Nader Abu Hashish, was wounded by shrapnel to the left foot.

· At approximately 15:20, IOF gunboats opened fire at the coastal road, west of al-Nusairat refugee camp. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

2. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank

· At approximately 00:40, an IOF undercover unit moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, traveling in a civilian vehicle. Soon, IOF vehicles moved into the village. IOF besieged a house belonging to the family of Firas Mahmoud al-Nammoura, 24. They ordered residents of the house to get out. They then searched the house and arrested al-Nammoura.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim ‘Ata ‘Abdul Raziq, 20, a university student.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Wad al-Hariya neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hassan al-Laqta, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rabee’ Jihad Qaddoumi, 26, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Mohammed Shareef Abu Sharekh, 26, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces; and

· At approximately 01:30, medical sources at a Jordanian hospital declared that Mahmoud Hussam Lutfi al-Sa’di, 18, from Jenin refugee camp, died from a wound he had sustained on 6 July 2006. According to PCHR’s documentation, al-Sa’di was seriously wounded shrapnel and several live bullets to the abdomen, when an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin refugee camp and opened fire at a consolation gathering for Fidaa’ Qandil. Two Palestinians were killed and 26 others were also wounded at the time. Al-Sa’di was transferred to a Jordanian hospital. IOF claimed that their operation in Jenin targeted Zakaria al-Zubaidi, the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, but he was able to escape.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Eissi neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rabee’ Falah al-Shwaiki, 30, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched offices of the Islamic Charitable Society. They broke doors and confiscated two computer sets, a printer and some documents. The raid on these offices was the second in less than one month. At approximately 04:00, IOF raided and searched offices of the Islamic Society for Orphans. They broke and confiscated some documents and a number of computer and communication sets. Before their withdrawal from the village, IOF ordered closure of the society.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Mawaleh neighborhood in the south of Bethlehem. They raided ands searched a house belonging to Salah ‘Eissa Qassem, 46, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Tallouza village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Hisham Ibrahim Janajra, 22.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Beit Emrin village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 13:40, an IOF under cover unit moved into the center of Bethlehem, traveling in a civilian car. The car stopped on al-Quds – Hebron road near the National Bank. Soon, a number of IOF soldiers got out of the car, pointing their guns, and kidnapped Yousef Mahmoud al-Zarad, 33, from Hebron. They placed him into the car and traveled fast towards the north of the town, which is controlled by IOF. Al-Zarad is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jayous village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bajes Mohammed Baida, 21, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Taqatqa, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into ‘Aaida refugee camp, northwest of Bethlehem. They patrolled in the streets, firing live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. They then raided and searched UNRWA offices and ‘Aaida Youth Social Center. They damaged the furniture of UNRW offices, and broke doors and damaged the furniture of the center.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the eastern part of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Taher Zughbi, 30, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:40, an IOF undercover unit, reinforced by 7 military vehicles, moved into Bethlehem. They besieged a 4-storey apartment building, in which a number of university students live, in Kurkoffa neighborhood. They forced residents of the building out and verified their identity cards. They then raided one of the flats in the building, opening fire, and arrested ‘Emad ‘Ezzat ‘Awawda, 24, from Dura village south of Hebron.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched offices of Palestine News Agency (Wafa) in the northwest of the town. They damaged the offices. They then raided and searched the building of Ramallah Governorate, nearly 500 meters away from Wafa’s offices. Before their withdrawal from the area, IOF arrested 5 Palestinians:

1. Mohammed Ma’zouz ‘Eissa, 25, a police officer from Beeta village near Nablus;

2. ‘Aamer Rajeh al-‘Adam, 28, a police officer from Beit Oula village near Hebron;

· Also at approximately 03:00, nearly IOF, reinforced by 40 armored vehicles and 5 bulldozers, moved into Nablus. IOF moved into the city from 3 directions: al-Tuor area in the southeast; al-Quds Street in the east; and al-Maslakh Street in the northeast. IOF besieged the Nablus Governorate building, the Government Compound (mostly destroyed during the 2002 offensive on the city), Special Police Forces headquarters, Preventive Security Apparatus headquarters, and the Central Prison. IOF raided a number of buildings surrounding these besieged institutions, and transformed them into military sites. IOF called upon Palestinians in the besieged buildings to surrender to them. IOF then took over the Ministry of Health compound in the vicinity and transformed it into an interrogation center to question Palestinians surrendering to IOF.

IOF bulldozers started to close the streets around the Governmental Complex with earth barriers. At approximately 04:30, Palestinian medical crews indicated that there was a wounded person inside the Palestinian Special Police Force headquarters. IOF did not allow medical crews and ambulances to enter the headquarters to evacuate the wounded. At approximately 07:00, IOF threatened to demolish the besieged structures with the besieged people inside if militants inside did not surrender. IOF bulldozers started to demolish the wall between the Preventive Security headquarters and the Passport Department in the Government Complex. In addition, parts of the Preventive Security headquarters were destroyed. A medical crew from the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that 3 bodies of dead Palestinians were found on Mount Jarzim, behind the southern end of the Government Complex. A Red Crescent Society ambulance took the bodies and tried to evacuate them out of the area. However, IOF troops stopped the ambulance and took the bodies to the occupied Ministry of Health Compound. On the following day morning, IOF handed the bodies to the Palestinian side. The victims, who were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, were identified as:

At approximately 20:00, IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians, who gathered near the affected area. As a result, ‘Omran Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Aalem, 36, from ‘Aqabat Jaber refugee camp near Jericho, was killed. The victim was in a visit to his wife’s family in Nablus.

As a result of the IOF gunfire, 33 Palestinians were wounded and taken to hospitals. The wounded included 16 children and two jouranlits: Wa'el Tannous, 27, a cameraman of the al-Jazeera Satellite Channel; and ‘Abdul Karim Wasfi Qandil, a cameraman of the local Aafaq Television. IOF have also detained at least 100 members of Palestinian security services after forcing them out of the besieged buildings after stripping them of their outer clothing.

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.

· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. PCHR has always warned following the agreement reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, which was brokered by the United States and the European Union, that IOF have complete, even though indirect, control over the crossing point. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing, and hundreds of others have been deprived of their right to receive medical treatment abroad.

On Friday, 14 July 2006, dozens of Palestinian militants, accompanied by hundreds of young men, destroyed a part of the border fence with Egypt near Rafah International Crossing Point. The made a large gap, through which hundreds of Palestinian civilians stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing point to come back to the Gaza Strip. On 18 and July 2006, IOF permitted reopening the crossing point partially, with the presence of EU observers and in agreement with the Egyptian side, for travelers wishing to come back to the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian sources, approximately 6000 Palestinians were able to travel back to the Gaza Strip. It is worth noting that thousands of Palestinians had been stuck in Egypt under severe conditions. Five Palestinian patients died at Egyptian hospitals and IOF refused to allow their families to bring their bodies into the Gaza Strip.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank. Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing since 12 March 2006. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF had allowed international workers and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. With this closure, Palestinian patients have been prevented from traveling to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have closed the crossing, which is the main commercial crossing for the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. IOF have prevented the free flow of fuel, food and medical supplies since. The Gaza Strip started to suffer from a lack of basic foodstuffs and fuel. During the reported period, the crossing was not opened, contrary to Israeli statements that the crossing would be partially opened to allow the flow of foodstuffs into the Gaza Strip, whereas Nahal Ouz crossing was opened for a few hours to bring fuel into 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. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. 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, IOF 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. They reinforced their presence at checkpoints erected at the entrances of the city and stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. They also patrolled in the streets and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 14 July 2006, IOF prevented Palestinians aged below 45 from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. They also imposed severe restrictions on checkpoints erected at the entrances of the city.

· Ramallah: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They reinforced their presence at the southern entrance of the town and at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of town. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the town stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have erected more checkpoints at the main intersections leading to the city. On Saturday, 15 July 2006, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected a checkpoint on al-Bathan – Nablus road, and prevented Palestinian civilians from leaving the city. At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 17 July 2006, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, for no apparent reason, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.

On Thursday, 13 July 2006, IOF positioned at Qousin checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested ‘Alaa’ ‘Emand Canaan, 20, from ‘Anabta village east of Tulkarm.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 13 July 2006, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited movement to and from the town. In the morning, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on Tulkarm – Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and prevented civilians aged below 35 from passing through. During the day, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 14 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Atteel intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and prevented some civilians, including 150 children who were in a trip, from passing through. On Saturday morning, 15 July 2006, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. IOF also erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and forced dozens of young men to travel back. On Monday, 17 July 2006, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, 17 July 2006, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and checked hundreds of civilians. They also chased a number of civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads. On Tuesday morning, 18 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkrm. They forced dozens of Palestinian civilians out of vehicles, checked them and forced them to cross the checkpoint on foot. In addition, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, from 06:00 until 10:00.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 14 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on al-Fara’a – al-Nassariya road, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and obstructed their passage. On Sunday morning, 16 July 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Jenin. On Tuesday morning, 18 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on Wadi al-Fara’a – al-Nassariya road, which leads to the central Jordan Valley. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Bethlehem: On Friday morning, 14 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on Wadi al-Nar road, northeast of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They held and interrogated civilians aged below 40 and forced them to travel back.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 15 July 2006, IOF positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Khalil Sfi, 19, from al-‘Obaidiya village east of the town.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 14 July 2006, IOF closed the checkpoint placed at the northern entrance of Hebron, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. As a result of restrictions on movement imposed by IOF, thousands of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach mosques, especially the Ibrahimi Mosque, for the Friday Prayer. IOF positioned at checkpoints and electronic gates imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint at Wadi Hasaka road between Hebron and Halhoul, and another one at Beit Kahel intersection, northwest of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 16 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Dura intersection, southwest of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday morning, 18 July 2006, IOF closed al-Simba – al-Sammou’ road, southwest of Hebron, with sand barriers and cement blocks, isolating al-Simba village from it surroundings.

On Friday morning, 14 July 2006, IOF positioned at Tarqoumia checkpoint, west of Hebron, arrested two Palestinian police officers: Mohammed No’man al-Najjar, 26, from Ethna village; and ‘Atallah Mahmoud Qa’qour, 25, from Tarqoumia village.

At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 15 July 2006, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron stopped and violently beat Umaya ‘Abdul Wadoud al-Karaki, 30. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

At approximately 17:20 on the same day, IOF positioned on bypass road (60), south of Hebron, stopped and violently beat 3 Palestinian civilians for no apparent reason: Mohammed Younis Abu Hussein, 16; Bader Waleed Abu Hussein, 20; and Ghassan Waleed Abu Hussein, 17. The three civilians sustained bruises throughout the body.

On Sunday morning, 16 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Liya intersection, west of Hebron. They arrested Saleh ‘Eissa Makharza, 27, from al-Zahiriya village southwest of Hebron.

On Sunday afternoon, 16 July 2006, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron arrested Mohammed Ahmed E’mar, 22, from Hebron, claiming that he was carrying a knife. They violently beat him. He sustained serious bruises throughout the body. According to eyewitnesses, E’mar was not carrying a knife or any sharp tool, and IOF soldier was seen putting a small sharp tool into E’mar’s pocket.

· On Thursday morning, 13 July 2006, IOF soldiers positioned along the Wall opposite to the Tunnel road, west of Beit Jala, uprooted at least 50 trees belonging to Palestinian civilians from Beer ‘Ouna area, allegedly for “security considerations”

· On Sunday morning, 16 July 2006, an Israeli technical crew, escorted by IOF, started to place signs determining the route of the Wall to the northwest of Arab al-Ramnadin village, southwest of Hebron. According to the Public Committee against the Wall, the construction of the Wall in the area would seize at least 3500 donums of land and at least 20 wells. These areas could be also annexed to “Ashkilot” settlement, southwest of Hebron.

· During the reported period, IOF continued to construct a section of the Wall near “Kermi Tsur” settlement, which stands between the villages of Beit Ummar and Halhoul, north of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, on Monday morning, 17 July 2006, IOF resumed the construction in spite of a temporary injunction issued by the Israeli High Court stopping the construction. IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land in the area. IOF already seized 400 donums of Palestinian land and razed 500 others for the construction of the Wall in the area.

· On Tuesday morning, 18 July 2006, IOF positioned at the Wall, northwest of Hebron, prevented a number of Palestinian farmers from Sourif and Beit Ummar villages, northwest of Hebron, from reaching their agricultural land behind the Wall. IOF held the farmers for two hours and arrested one of them, Mohammed Ahmed Abu Maria, 33, from Beit Ummar village.

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 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, which was implemented last year, 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 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.

Some Pictures for civilians including children's injured in Maghazi Refugee Camp today 20/07/2006

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).

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