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

• 8 Palestinians including 3 Civilians killed: 7 by IOF and 1 by Armed Guards of a Religious School in Jerusalem.

• An elderly woman and a person with mental health problems killed.

• Palestinian from Israel killed by Israeli guards in Jerusalem.

• 31 Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF gunfire in the OPT.

• 8 of the Injured, including 4 children and a French human rights defender,  were wounded in the weekly Bal’in Demonstration.

• 24 injured during an IOF incursion into New Abasan in the southern Gaza Strip.

• IOF conducted 32 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 61 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 1 in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF raze 60 Dunums of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF bombard the closed Gaza Airport with artillery and heavy machine guns.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, and continues to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

• Severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the closure.

• IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 2 Palestinian civilians.

• Israeli settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers continue:

• IOF military order closes 8 Palestinian shops in Hebron’s old city. .

Summary

IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (9 – 15 August 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 7 Palestinians including 3 civilians. In addition, the armed guard of a Jewish religious school in Jerusalem shot dead a Palestinian attacker after surrendering. 24 Palestinians were injured during an IOF incursion in New Abasan to the east of Khan Yunis, while 8 demonstrators were injured in the weekly demonstration against the Wall in Bal’in.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF using excessive force killed a mentally ill Palestinian, on 9 August, about 200 meters away from Kissofim military outpost southeast of Deir El-Balah. And on 14 August, IOF killed 6 Palestinians during an incursion into the town of New Abasan to the east of Khan Yunis. Two victims were civilians, including a 70-year old woman who went out of the house to see her injured son. 24 Palestinians, mostly resistance activists, were injured during the incursion.

It is noted that since 1 June 2007 till the end of this report’s period, IOF have killed 74 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including 47 unarmed civilians. Among the civilians were 9 children and 1 women.

In the West Bank, an armed guard of the Eteret Kehonim religious school in Jerusalem killed a Palestinian attacker after he surrendered on 10 August. The Palestinian stole a guard’s gun and fired at them before fleeing. A guard chased him; and the Palestinian threw down the gun and raised his hand in surrender. The guard shot and killed him.  In addition, IOF injured 8 demonstrators including a Frenchman and 4 children in the weekly demonstration against the Wall in the village of Bal’in near Ramallah. IOF used excessive force including tear gas and rubber-coated bullets to disperse the peaceful demonstration.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 32 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During those incursions, IOF arrested 62 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children. And in the Gaza Strip, IOF razed 60 dunums of agricultural land in the town of New Abasan.

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.

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

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. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians stuck in Egypt were allowed in the Gaza Strip through El-Ojah – Erez route. According to PCHR’s documentation, 19 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions.

IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. During the reporting period, IOF reopened the crossing for some hours to allow the entry of some goods into the Gaza Strip. If this closure continues, a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are prevented from traveling through this crossing. They prevented traders and patients from passing through. IOF allow very few patients to travel through the crossing, but following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF reopened Kerem Shalom crossing, southeast of Rafah, and Sofa crossing, northeast of the town. During the reporting period, Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is deigned for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, witnessed active movement.  

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Contrary to promises by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease restrictions on movement 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 also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 2 Palestinian civilians. In addition, IOF closed checkpoints surrounding Nablus several times during the week, especially during rush hour traffic.

Settlement Activities: Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  During the reporting period, the IOF Hebron Military Commander issued an order sealing the shops of 8 Palestinians near the Beit Romano settlement enclave in Hebron’s old city.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (9 – 15 August 2007)

Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 9 August 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF troops stationed near Kissofim military outpost to the southeast of Deir El-Balah fired machine guns at the agricultural areas adjacent to the outpost. And in the morning, IOF military liaison informed the liaison officer in the Palestinian Ministry of Health that the body of a dead Palestinian is located near the outpost. At 11:15, an ambulance retrieved the body from a distance of nearly 200 meters from the outpost. The body was identified as that of Mohammad Hussein Abu Sha’ar (27) from Rafah. He was killed by multiple bullets to the body. His family informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the victim suffered from severe psychological problems. He went to visit relatives near the outpost the previous day; and he left his relatives’ house in the early morning.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Za’tara southeast of Bethlehem, and raided the house of Hatem Mahamid (27), and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Taq’ou southeast of Bethlehem, and raided the house of As’ad Mahmoud Dakhlallah (34), and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Yatta south of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Bassam Abu Obeid (25), and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into El-Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the village toe village of Ras Tiera south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 4 civilians, including 2 brothers,:

1. Mohammad Hashem Mara’ba (38).

2. Lu’ay Yunis Mara’ba (34).

3. Yasin Yunis Mara’ba (36.

4. Samer Ali Mara’ba (32).  

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and the refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00, an IOF plane fired 3 rockets at a members of Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, that was preparing to fire rockets at Israel from the area of Gaza airport southwest of Rafah. The group survived the bombardment, and no one was injured. After the aerial bombardment, IOF armored vehicles moved nearly 1 kilometer into the town of El-Shoka east of Rafah, and took over the airport. The IOF incursion failed to catch the rocket launchers. Due to the bombardment and gunfire during the incursion the airport’s observation tower and buildings suffered heavy damages. IOF redeployed outside Gaza at approximately 17:00 on Friday 10 August 2007.

Friday, 10 August 2007

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 civilians:

1. Reyad Walwiel (50).

2. Mohammad Reyad Walwiel (23).

3. Mohammad Mesleh Nazzal (33).

4. Bilal Suweilem (42).

5. Oseyd Nassar (32).

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the village of Ras Tiera south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Adel Hosni Odeh (30).

At approximately 11:00, Ahmad Mahmoud El-Khatib from the town of Kufr Manda in Israel followed two guards of the Aterat Kehonim religious school walking in Deir El-Room Street in Jerusalem. He stole the weapon of one guard and fired at them. One guard was injured. The attacker fled the area. The second guard chases him and fired at him. El-Khatib threw down the stolen weapon and raised his arm is surrender. The guard continued to fire at him, and injured him. The injured man fell on his knees and then on the ground. The guard kicked him and fired at him from point blank range, killing him instantly. It was possible for the guard to use less lethal force, and apprehend the attacker. It is noted that IOF showed photage of the attack, but cut the last scenes where El-Khatib surrendered and the guard continued to shoot.

Saturday, 11 August 2007

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Ya’bud southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Jihad Munir Abu Baker (22).

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Dahireyya, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 civilians:

1. Sufian Samih Hawarin (26).

2. As’ad Nayef Salem Hawarin (28).

3. Jihad Nayef Salem Hawarin (22).

At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into the village of Beit Marsam south of Hebron. They raided the house of Reyad Amr and his brother Yusef, claiming to search for Palestinian and international protestors suspected of opening a gap in the fence around the village. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 12 August 2007

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Tammoun southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 civilians:

1. Jihad Khader Mansour Bani Odeh (18).

2. Hilal Adnan Hussein Bani Odeh (25).

3. Abdallah Abd El-Rahim Bani Odeh (24).

4. Baha Mustafa Mansour Bani Odeh (22).

5. Bilal Mustafa Abu Hilmi (22).

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Balata refugee camp to the east of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into El-Arroub refugee camp north of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Mahmoud Abu Hash’hash, and arrested his son Khaled (15)

Monday, 13 August 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the town of El-Dahireyya, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 10 civilians:

1. Jihad Abdallah Abu Daqqa (45).

2. Yasir Awwad W’reidat (28).

3. Nassar Abd El-Latif El-Tal (40).

4. Mamdouh Hashem Qieseyya (30).

5. Shehada Mohammad Makharza (38).

6. Medhat Abd El-Majid Qieseyya (30).

7. Yaser Mahmoud W’riedat (32).

8. Ra’ed Mohammad El-Ka’ki (27).

9. Mohammad Abbas El-Shab’an (60).

10. As’ad Abbas El-Shab’an (45), a member of the town’s council.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Ithna west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 civilians: Adnan Ibrahim Awad (23) and Safwat Abd Rabbo Radwan Abu Zalta (25).

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Da’irat El-Sayr Quarter in Hebron. They raided and searched the house belonging to the prisoner Mohammad Jamal Ala El-Deen El-Natsha, and arrested his son Khaldoun (20).  

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and the refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into town of Arraba southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Ahmad Mohammad Sa’id (50).

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into town of Kufr Ra’e southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 civilians: Tariq Jamil Zu’eter (29) and Ahmad Abd El-Aziz Ya’aqba (45).

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the village of Fahma southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 civilians:

1. Zeyad Mohammad Nawasra (32).

2. Ma’moun Khaled Ayesh (27).

3. Ibrahim Jamil Sa’abna (45).

4. Mohannad Aref Khanfar (35).

5. Hussein Aref Khanfar (37).

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the town of El-Zawya west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Hussein Mohammad Radad (35).

At approximately 07:50, undercover IOF units in 2 vehicles bearing Palestinian license plates moved into the town of Qabatya east of Jenin. They surrounded the shop belonging to Ibrahim Sa’id Saba’na (38) and arrested Mohammad Fahd El-Shami Zakarna (38).

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

At approximately 00:40, IOF infantry infiltrated into New Abasan to the east of Khan Yunis. These forces clashes with a number of resistance activists deployed in the area. A large number of IOF armored vehicles, supported by combat aircraft, moved into the area.

At approximately 1:45, and IOF plane fired 2 rockets at a group of resistance activists near the main power transformer in the area, nearly 1.5 kilometers away from the Gaza Strip border. One resistance activist, Mohammad Yusef Abu Musameh (21), was killed and 3 others were moderately injured.

IOF moved nearly 3 kilometers into the Gaza Strip; and raided a number of houses and transformed them into military outposts. Residents are held by IOF inside their houses.

At the same time, the resistance activist Mohammad Omar Hussein El-Qarra (27) was injured by IOF gunfire about 2 meters from his house. His mother, Sabha Suliman El-Qarra (70), went out of the house to try and see what happened to her son. IOF shot her and killed her instantly. The bodies of the mother and her son remain near their house as IOF prevented medics from accessing the area. At approximately 05:00, the elderly woman’s 2 daughters retrieved the body of a donkey-drawn cart raising a white flag.

At approximately 4:10, and IOF plane fired 2 rockets at a group of resistance activists near the house belonging to Ghassan El-Jorof. Five of them were injured, with one of the injuries listed as serious. At approximately 8:00, Ibrahim Abd El-Karim El-Shami (38) was killed by IOF as he was on top of a water tank in his land in the town. He was killed by multiple bullets to different parts of his body.

Seven civilians were injured by indiscriminate fire and shelling. They were taken to Naser Hospital for treatment, where their injuries were listed as moderate.

IOF called out through loudspeakers ordering all males aged 15 – 50 to get out of their houses and gather in one of the town squares. More than 143 persons were detained and taken to military outposts inside Israel. The detainees were subjected to field interrogations in the town square. IOF took the detainees to Karm Abu Salem outpost. Bassam Sami El-Daghma (21) was arrested, and the others were released at 01:00 the following day.

IOF fired a rocket near a group of journalists on a rooftop who were covering the incursion. No injuries were reported.

At approximately 11:00 IOF demolished the uninhabited house belonging to Ahmad Mahmoud Abed Abu Samra. At approximately 4:10, an IOF plane fired 2 rockets at resistance activists in the town. Three were injured, one seriously. Two other activists were injured by gunfire.

At approximately 6:00, IOF redeployed outside the town; and medical crews arrived in the area. The bodies of Ahmad Kamal Mohammad El-Qarra (19) and Mus’ab Ahmad Abu Jam’e (21) were found. They were injured in clashes with IOF; but medical teams could not reach them.

IOF razed 60 dunums of agricultural land belonging to members of El-Daghma, Abu Tu’eima, and El-Shami clans. In addition, IOF bulldozed the house belonging to Mohammad and Sami Abu Tu’eima.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and the refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the city of Tulkarm. They surrounded the building belonging to Mahmoud El-Suweis, and raided and searched the apartments in the building. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Ein Beit El-Ma refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Ayman Sa’id Mousa Abu Shallal (33) from the refugee camp.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the town of Silwad northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Musayter Shukri Hammad (23).

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into the town of Kufr Ra’e southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested the child Jalal Jamal Melhem (16).

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into the city of Nablus. They surrounded the house of Maher Fat’hallah Awad (19) and demanded his surrender. Maher and his relative Omar Abu Me’la (19) were arrested. The IOF force then raided the nearby house belonging to members of El-Awawda clan. No arrests were reported in the second house.

Continued Siege on the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly one year. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. As a consequence of the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, at least 73% of the families in the Gaza Strip live below the poverty line, and unemployment has been estimated at 55%. In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non-payment of salaries for the public sector for nearly a year as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors.

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. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. After the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, more than 6,000 Palestinian travelers, including patients, were held in Egypt due to the full closure of the crossing. Nineteen travelers and patients died in Egypt. However, these travelers were allowed to enter Gaza via El-Ojah crossing between Egypt and Israel and then to Gaza through Erez checkpoint. The return journey took nearly 10 hours due to complicated search and security procedures at Erez.

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.  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing.  IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing.  With this closure, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. IOF have allowed nearly 400 traders to pass through the crossing. IOF have also continued to prevent members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Hamas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem. On Friday, 16 February 2007, IOF opened the new Erez International Crossing Point under new procedures. Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have to obtain permits from the IOF Civil Administration as it was the case before. According to Palestinians who traveled through the new crossing point, IOF impose the same restrictions on their movement as in the past. IOF have decreased the number of patients allowed to travel through the crossing for alleged security claims, even though those patients do not pose any threat to the security of Israelis and they are badly in need for advanced medical treatment. Patients who are allowed to pass through the crossing are forced to wait for long hours to undergo complicated passage and security procedures. They are thoroughly checked in a humiliating manner. Patients are also forced to pay additional financial expenses to use Israeli ambulances to transport them from the crossing to hospitals since Palestinian ambulances are banned from transporting patients. Approximately 20 patients are allowed to pass daily. On 15 August, IOF detained Nahed Ahmad El-Sheikh Khalil (40) who was a patient transferred to Al-Maqasid Hospital in Jerusalem. Furthermore, the families of Gazans imprisoned in Israel are deprived of visitation rights for the 7^th consecutive week.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have continued to close the crossing. Howeve,r it was partially opened on 12 August 2007 from 10:30 till 16:00 to allow the passage of 2,335 tons of flour, food and animal fodder.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the entry of fuels. The crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday.

Sofa Crossing: The crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday, allowing the entry of some food and medical products. However, there has been a complete ban on construction materials to Gaza, stopping work in all construction projects in the Strip.

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. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on 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.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 9 August, IOF tightened security procedures at all checkpoints around Nablus. And on Friday, 10 August, IOF troops at checkpoints used lengthy search procedures against civilians trying to enter Nablus, causing lengthy delays and preventing some travelers from reaching their destinations. And on Saturday, 11 August, IOF troops tightened security procedures at checkpoints around Nablus. PCHR’s fieldworker stated that troops at Beit Ebba checkpoint were extremely slow in verifying ID’s and checking vehicles, causing long queues. On Sunday morning, 12 August, IOF troops at Za’tara checkpoing used extremely slow security procedures for those leaving Nablus. And on Monday, troops at Za’tara, Huwara, and Beit Ebba checkpoints used very slow search procedures during rush hours.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 9 August, IOF erected checkpoint on the Tulkarm – Anabta road to the east of Noor Shams refugee camp. They detained scores of vehicles and used extremely slow search and security procedures, and detained travelers for hours in the sun. And on Saturday, 11 August, IOF erected checkpoints on the Far’oun intersection and at the entrance of Beit Lid, and checked vehicles going in and out of the city. Some travelers were turned back, and dozens of youth were held for hours under the pretext of checking their ID’s. On Sunday, 12 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of El-Ras. They checked vehicles and travelers going in and out of El-Kufriat area. And on Tuesday, 19 August, IOF troops erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir El-Ghosoun north of Tulkarm. They held travelers for hours and allowed passage in the afternoon after lengthy security checks.

Jenin: have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 9 August, IOF tightened the siege imposed on the upper Jordan River Valley and prevented Palestinians from entering or leaving the area. Troops at Tayasir and El-Hamra checkpoints that control movement to the area prevented passage both ways. And on Friday, 10 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Tammoun southwest of Jenin, and closed the entrance of the village. On the same day, IOF erected 2 checkpoints at the southwest entrance of Arraba with a distance of 500 meters between them. Both checkpoints searched vehicles and checked the ID’s of travelers. And on Saturday, 11 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Oqqaba southeast of Jenin. The detained tens of vehicles, searched them, and checked the ID’s of travelers. On Sunday, 12 August, IOF erected a checkpoint near Beqe’ot settlement east of Tubas. They stopped some agricultural tractors from delivering water to sheep herders in the area. In addition, IOF troops at the Orraba village intersection detained Ala’ Omar Salah Theyab (18) from Kufr Ra’e village southwest of Jenin. And on Monday, 13 August, IOF erected a checkpoint on the road connecting the village of El-Jerba and Qabatia. They detained tens of vehicles and searched passengers. And on Tuesday, 14 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Takfir village intersection on the Tubas – Jenin road. They stopped tens of vehicles and subjected travelers and vehicles to search procedures. 

Ramallah: IOF troops stationed at Attara bridge checkpoint north of Birzeit detained Faisal Mahmoud Abdallah Khalifa (26) from Noor Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm. He is an Islamic Jihad activist who was imprisoned in Israel for 3.5 years, and was released one year ago.

Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

Following the Friday Prayer on 10 August 2007, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the gate at the Wall established in the village and attempted to cross it. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, 8 demonstrators, including 4 children and a French human rights activist, were injured:

1. Numan (26), a Frenchman injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the leg.

2. Hanin Abu Hilal (22), a paramedic injured by a tear gas grenade in the hand.

3. Adeeb Ahmad Hassan Abu Rahma (36), injured by a tear gas grenade in the thigh.

4. Abdallah Mahmoud Mohammad Abu Rahma (36), injured by a tear gas grenade in the hand.

5. Ahmad Betello (15), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the leg.

6. Ali Hamdan Ali Abu Rahma (16), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the leg.

7. Wajdi Ali Shehada Abu Rahma (15), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the hand.

8. Mohammad Ahmad Hasan Hamad (15), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the shoulder.

In addition, IOF detained 5 demonstrators including a Frenchman called Hugo, a Briton called Mat, and 3 Palestinians: Ayed Abd El-Rahman Burnat, Abd El-Fattah Ibrahim Burnat, and Yusef Karaja. Furthermore, IOF attacked the journalists from Al-Jazeera satellite station. Rubber-coated bullets were fired at their transmission vehicle, destroyed the front glass.

At the same time as the Bal’in demonstration, dozens on Israeli and international human rights activists gathered on the land of the village Um Salmouna south of Ramallah. The demonstrators moved towards the gate at the Wall established in the village. A soldier informed them that the area is a closed military zone. The demonstrators started beating on the wall and removing barbed wire. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. Four demonstrators were injured; and an Israeli activist was arrested.

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 to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 

On Thursday morning, 9 August 2007, IOF distributed military order #378 issued by the Hebron Military Commander. The Order stipulated the sealing of 8 shops near the Beit Romano settlement enclave in Hebron’s old city. IOF troops posted copies of the order on the shops, and distributed them to the shop owners. Then, the troops implemented the order, and sealed the shops. The sealed shops belong to Sha’lan Abu Suraya El-Husseini, J’wadat Ra’fat Hassouna, Abd El-Wadoud Mohammad El-Natsha, Mohammad Badr Fannoun, Elias Mohammad Shuweiki, and Mohammad Ahmad El-Jolani. Area residents warned that the closure order is a prelude to total Israeli control of the area, which is now closed to all except Israeli’s, IOF, or those with special Israeli permits.

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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR 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 calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. 

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

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

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

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

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Public Document

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).