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

 

• 5 Palestinians, including an old man, were killed by IOF.

• 2 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF.

• 31 Palestinians, including 8 children, 2 women and a journalist, were wounded by IOF.

• IOF conducted 34 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 ones into the Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 54 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 3 others in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen opposite to Rafah seashore.

• IOF razed at least 163 donums[1] of agricultural land and demolished a house in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF destroyed an under-construction house in Qalqilya.

• IOF transformed a number of houses into military sites.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.

• IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and a humanitarian crisis has emerged.

• Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem.

• IOF troops arrested 5 Palestinian civilians at checkpoints in the West Bank.

• IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property.

 
 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (11 – 17 October 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 5 Palestinians and wounded 31 others, including 8 children, 2 women and a journalists, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

In the West Bank, IOF killed 3 Palestinians, including an old man, and wounded 15 otehrs, including 5 children, a woman and a journalist.

On Thursday, 11 October 2007, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement) and wounded and arrested another one. On Tuesday, 16 October 2007, a member of the Palestinian resistance and an old man were killed and 8 others, including a child, a woman and a journalist, were wounded during an incursion by IOF into Nablus. The resistance activist was killed when a home-made shell, which he and his colleagues wanted to fire at IOF, exploded near him. Two of his colleagues were also wounded. The old man was killed when IOF troops opened fire at him as he was about to open the door of his house when they knocked it. During the reporting period, 6 other civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by IOF troops in various areas in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 16 others, including 3 children and a woman.

On Saturday, 13 October 2007, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas) and wounded 3 others and a passing child. On Wednesday, 17 October 2007, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 6 others and a woman during an incursion into al-Farrahin area in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. During the reporting period, 6 Palestinians civilians, including 2 children, were wounded by IOF in various areas in the Gaza Strip.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 34 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, IOF arrested 54 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 2,146. IOF also destroyed an under-construction house in Qalqilya belonging to a Palestinian who has been detained in Israeli jails.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 5 incursions into Palestinian communities. During those incursions, IOF troops transformed a number of houses into military sites, demolished a house, razed 163 donums of agricultural land and arrested 3 Paletsinian civilians.

Restrictions on Movement: Since Wednesday morning, 26 September 2007, IOF have imposed a total 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 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. There are approximately 6,000 Palestinians held at the Egyptian side of the border awaiting to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip. Most of them have run out of money and are living on assistance. In addition, 19 of them have died in Egypt. The bodies were returned to Gaza through the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. In addition, thousands of travelers were allowed to return to the Gaza Strip through al-Ojah crossing, 8 kilometers southeast of Rafah. From there, they were transported to Erez Checkpoint to enter the Gaza Strip.  IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. IOF have continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. During the reporting period, IOF arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen opposite to Rafah seashore.

 

West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the city during the Eid al-Futr. IOF have also tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of 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 arrested 5 Palestinian civilians at checkpoints in the West Bank.

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, Israeli settlers escalated attacks against Palestinian farmers in an attempt to prevent them from cultivating olives.    

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (11 – 17 October 2007)

 

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

 

Thursday, 11 October 2007

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Muntasser ‘Emad Abu Sharar, 17; and

2.      Fat’hi Hussein al-Badawi, 19.

 

·      At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a girls and a child:

 

1.      Ayat Waleed al-Salti, 19;

2.      Bahaa’ Tayseer ‘Abdul Haq, 16;

3.      Huthaifa Hasan Abu Mustafa, 20; and

4.      Ahmed Hasan Shqairat, 19.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Sarra village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Mohammed Rawhi Turabi, 35;

2.      Ahmed Msallam Ghanem, 32;

3.      ‘Alaa’ Shihada Turabi, 23; and

4.      Hasan Rawhi Turabi, 28.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fawaz Hisham al-Tarda, 22, and arrested him.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hussein Yousef al-Sheikh, 37, a lawyer, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 300 meters into the east of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. IOF troops raided a house belonging to Nayef Hasan al-Msaddar. They held the seven residents of the house in the kitchen and transformed the house into a military site. Nearly 15 minutes later, IOF troops brought Suhail Salem al-Msaddar and held him with the others in the litchen. At approximately 06:00, IOF sent backups into the areas to support the infantry unit. IOF troops opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, Mohammed ‘Abdul Hadi al-Masri, 22, was wounded by a gunshot to the neck. IOF expanded their incursion into the area up to the northeastern edge of the neighboring al-Maghazi refugee camp. They raided and searched houses and arrested all males aged over 16. At approximately 08:00, IOF troops positioned atop of Nayef al-Masaddar’s house opened fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who gathered nearly 150 meters away. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded:

 

1.      Fadel Saleh al-Louh, 22, wounded by a gunshot to the right side;

2.      Hamdan ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Telbani, 21, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the right hand; and

3.      Ahmed Hussein al-Louh, 17, wounded by a gunshot to the right hand.

 

At approximately 13:00, IOF troops moved out of the area after they had razed at least 55 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus. They also released the civilians whom they arrested during house raids, excluding Ahmed Suleiman Abu Shihada, 31, who remained in custody.

 

·      In the early morning, IOF moved nearly 2,000 meters into al-Maghayer area in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. During this incursion, which continued until 13:00, IOF razed 80 donums planted with citrus and olives and destroyed 2 greenhouses and 270 beehives.

 

·      At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at them, wounding Mustafa Ayman Mlaitat, 16, with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the mouth.

 

·      Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Hussein ‘Aassi, 18, and arrested him.

 

Friday, 12 October 2007

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Khaled Sabbah Khalifa, 23; and

2.      Mahmoud al-‘Assa, 25.

 

Saturday, 13 October 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Artas village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Waleed Mohammed Shihada, 25, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 11:00, IOF moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Sayafa area in the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They arrested 5 Palestinian civilians from the al-Ghoul clan, including 2 children, when they were on their agricultural land. IOF troops interrogated them and released them in the evening. During this incursion, IOF razed 5 donums of agricultural land planted with citrus belonging to Jameel ‘Abdul Rahman al-Ghoul. IOF withdrew from the area in the evening.

 

Sunday, 14 October 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Abu Samra, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Ein Yabroud village, east of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ramadan ‘Abdullah Jaghama to arrest his brother Maher, 24, who is allegedly wanted. Later, IOF withdrew from the area and no arrested were reported.

 

·      At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into Beeta village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef ‘Aqel Barham, 25, a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 20:00, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired an artillery shell at the eastern cemetery in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Mohammed Talal Bassal, 19, was wounded by shrapnel to the legs, when he was riding his bicycle.

 

Monday, 15 October 2007

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Khader al-Ghazzawi, 50, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 03:20, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,000 meters in Gaza Valley village. IOF troops raided and searched a number of houses belonging to Abu Hjayer and al-Nabahin clans. Nearly an hour later, IOF sent backups into the area. IOF troops moved out of the area nearly 2 hours later, arresting 7 members of the two clans. Five of the detainees were released in the evening, while the remaining 2 ones remained in custody: Mamdouh Ahmed al-Nabahin, 35; and Rashad Rezeq Abu Hjayer, 20. During the incursion, a dog belonging to IOF bit 16-year-old ‘Alaa’ Mezre’ al-Nabahin.

 

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jebril Abu ‘Obaid, 24, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 08:00, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village, opened fire at Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the village. As a result, Jaber Nahish Abu Sa’id, 13, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the mouth, while he was grazing animals.

 

·      At approximately 20:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qalqilya town in the northern West Bank, traveling in 5 civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plates. IOF troops besieged an under-construction house in the east of the town. Soon after, IOF sent backups into the area. IOF troops also besieged dozens of houses in the area. In the meantime, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at them wounding Yahia Mahmoud Abu ‘Awad, 20, with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck. IOF troops raided a number of houses and arrested Adham Basheer Khudroj. During this incursion, IOF demolished a 90-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to Basheer Mahmoud Khudroj, who has been detained by IOF for one month. IOF claimed that the military operation in Qalqilya aimed at arresting Mohammed Salman Zaid, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas) was not in the area.

 

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      ‘Aahed ‘Atallah al-Dairi, 31;

2.      Ra’ed Sameer Madani, 27; and

3.      Ussama Mohammed Shraida, 23.

 

IOF then redeployed in Ras al-‘Ein neighborhood in the southeast of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 03:30, a heavy explosion was heard in the old town of Nablus near 4 members of the Palestinian resistance. Three of them were wounded. One of them, Bassem Khamis Mustafa Abu Sirriya, 25, known as “Qaddafi”, died from his wound a few hours later. The other two resistance activists who were wounded are:

 

1.      ‘Abdullah Sa’id Shalayel, 24, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, and his left leg was amputated; and

2.      ‘Allam Ibrahim al-Ra’ei, 28, sustained burns to the face.

 

These activists were likely carrying a home-made shell that they wanted to fire at IOF, but it exploded near them.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in the area. They knocked the door of a house belonging to ‘Abed Shaker Mohammed al-Wazeer, 71. When he was opening the door, IOF troops fired at him. He was wounded by a gunshot to the left eye. He died on the way to the hospital. A few hours later, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. In response, IOF troops opened fire indiscriminately, wounding 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, a child and a journalist:

 

1.      Rania ‘Adnan Kharyoush, 30, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the left side of the body, when she was inside her bedroom;

2.      Mahmoud Mohammed al-Halabi, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;

3.      ‘Alaa’ Tawfiq Badarna, 26, a cameraman of the German press agency, wounded by 4 rubber-coated metal bullets to the right shoulder;

4.      Nidal Mohammed Kayal, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the nose;

5.      Shareef Hussein Abu al-So’ud, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left ankle; and

6.      Suleiman Jihad Suleiman, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

 

At night, IOF arrested Baher Suleiman Hawash, 28, and his brother ‘Abdullah, 35.

 

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Kherbat Saffa area to the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Mohammed ‘Azmi Ekhlayel, 36;

2.      Mohammed Tayseer al-Shwaiki, 17;

3.      Ahmed Ibrahim ‘Aadi, 18;

4.      Firas Ekhlayel, 18;

5.      Mohammed ‘Emad Ekhlayel, 26;

6.      ‘Aatef Mohammed ‘Aadi, 28;

7.      Hasan ‘Ali ‘Aadi, 25;

8.      Diaa’ Sameer ‘Aadi, 22; and

9.      Mohammed Fat’hi Ekhlayel, 16.

 

·      Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Hasan ‘Ghattash, 27, and arrested him.

 

·      Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Jebril Abu ‘Obaid, 24.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kherbat al-‘Alaqa area to the northwest of Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aayed Mohammed Doudin, 30, and arrested him. Doudin was released from Israeli jails a few months ago after he had served 10 years in prison.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fares Bajes Nakhla, 20, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Haitham Ahmed al-Haj Saleh, 22, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Hawara village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Hawan Zaid al-Dumaidi, 32; and

2.      Samer Khaled ‘Ouda, 22.

 

·      Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qabalan village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilian:

 

1.      ‘Essam Fahmi Az’ar, 39;

2.      Firas ‘Eissa Az’ar, 24;

3.      Waleed Yousef Az’ar, 22; and

4.      Mousa Faraj Aqra’, 23.

 

·      At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Saleh Ebdah. They held the family in one room and transformed the roof into a military site. A few hours later, IOF imposed a curfew on the village. As Palestinian school children were on their way back homes, IOF troops fired at them wounding 3:

 

1.      ‘Abdul Hadi Fat’hi Khuffash, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;

2.      Laith Saleh Khuffash, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to left foot; and

3.      Tha’er Nader Khuffash, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to left hand.

 

·      At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the children wounding 16-year-old Anas ‘Omar Abu al-‘Asal with a gunshot to the left foot.

 

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Aayed Mahmoud Rabai’a, 35.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ramallah and Bireh towns. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Khaled Ibrahim al-Debes, 22.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Qassem ‘Abdul Rahim al-Swai, 26;

2.      Ibrahim ‘Abdul Rahim al-Swai, 28;

3.      Mahmoud Mohammed Ju’aidi, 29;

4.      ‘Emad Marwan Houtari, 28; and

5.      Mujahed ‘Essam Noufal, 30.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Malek Khaled al-Jeyawi, 17.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:45, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 800 meters into al-Farrahin area in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF troops raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sited. Later, members of the Palestinian resistance discovered the presence of IOF troops and exchanged fire with them. At approximately 04:30, IOF sent backups into the area. At approximately 08:55, IOF troops fired a tank shell at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance killing one of them, 21-year-old Hazem Jamal ‘Asfour, and wounding another one. At approximately 13:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, wounding 2 of them. During the clashes in the village, 3 other members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded. During this incursion, IOF demolished a 210-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to Mohammed Sha’ban Abu Daqqa, and razed at least 23 donums of agricultural land planted with olives. Before their withdrawal from the area, IOF fired an artillery shell that fell on agricultural land wounding Inshirah Mohammed Abu Daqqa, 50, with shrapnel to the limbs, when she was near her house.

 

·      At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Fawaz ‘Ammar, 20, and arrested him.

 

2.      Extra-Judicial Executions

During the reporting period, IOF carried out 2 extra-judicial executions, in which 2 Palestinians were killed and 5 others were wounded, including a child.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

·      At approximately 01:00 on =, an IOF undercover unit moved into the northeast of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. IOF troops deployed near al-Hamam Square in the industrial zone. They opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car, which was traveling in the area. Two members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement). One of them, 23-year-old Mohammed Waleed Abu Sorour, was killed by several gunshots to the head, the neck and the abdomen, and the other one, 22-year-old Hilal Nafe’ al-Sa’di, was wounded and arrested. IOF sent backups into the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit.

 

·      At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 13 October 2007, IOF troops positioned near Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, fired a surface-to-surface missile at 4 members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas), who were near the Agricultural School in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. One of them, 20-year-old Hasan Khader Na’im, was killed and the other three ones were wounded. A passing child, 17-year-old Ahmed Daoud al-Kafarna, was wounded by shrapnel to the feet. Windows of a number of nearby houses were also broken, injuring a woman and 4 of her children.

 

3.      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

OF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly 16 months. 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. 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. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians have further deteriorated. During the reporting period, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as “an enemy entity,” which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. 

 

·      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. During the reporting period, the crossing point was not reopened.  There are approximately 6,000 Palestinians held at the Egyptian side of the border awaiting to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip. Most of them have run out of money and are living on assistance. In addition, 19 of them have died in Egypt. The bodies were returned to Gaza through the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. In addition, thousands of travelers have allowed to return to the Gaza Strip through al-Ojah crossing, 8 kilometers to the east of Rafah International Crossing Point. From there, they were transported to Erez Checkpoint to enter the Gaza Strip.  Hundreds Palestinian civilians who have residencies in other countries were allowed to travel out of the Gaza Strip the same way.

 

·      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 20-25 patients are allowed to pass daily. On 26 September 2007, IOF closed the crossing for the Jewish Sukkot.

 

·      Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for several hours on 2 days to allow the entry of some goods.

 

·      Nahal Ouz crossing: The crossing, which is designed for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, witnessed an active movement during the reporting period.    

 

·      Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing was opened for 4 days only to allow the entry of some goods for local traders.

 

·      Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom): During the reporting period, the crossing was opened for 4 days to allow the entry of some goods.

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. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore. On Sunday, 14 October 2007, IOF naval troops arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen opposite to Rafah seashore. They took the fishermen to Ashdod Harbor inside Israeli, where they interrogated them. The fishermen were released on the following day at Erez crossing. They were handcuffed and blindfolded when they were released.

 

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.

·      Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the city since the beginning of the holy Ramadan Month on Thursday, 13 September 2007. Although IOF claimed that they would ease the restrictions on access to holy sites in the city during the Ramadan Month, but they reinforced their presence at various checkpoints on the roads leading to the city.

 

At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 16 October 2007, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint near Jerusalem arrested 2 Palestinian civilians from Hebron: Mohammed Mahmoud al-Shoubaki, 20; and Yousef Mahmoud Qouqas, 21.

 

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 11 October 2007, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 14 October, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint at Yits’har intersection, south of Nablus, and another one at Jeet intersection, southwest of the city. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday morning, 16 October 2007, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Nablus. On Wednesday noon, 17 October 2007, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus.    

 

·      Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 11 October 2007, IOF troops positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, closed the checkpoint and banned the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Tulkarm. On Friday, 12 October 2007, the first day of the Eid al-Futr, IOF closed all checkpoints around the town from 06:00 to 10:00 and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. On Saturday, 13 October 2007, IOF closed more agricultural roads to the west of Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm, and prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land to cultivate olives. On Sunday, 14 October 2007, IOF erected at Bal’a intersection, east of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 15 October 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at the western entrance to Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday, 16 October 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians from Tulkram to Qalqilya and vice versa.                                                                                    

·      Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around Hebron. They have erected more checkpoints inside and around the town. They stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 12 October 2007, the first day of the Eid al-Futr, IOF troops imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They prevented civilians from entering Tal Rumaida neighborhood, allegedly to ensure security for Israeli settlers. On Friday and Saturday, IOF terrified dozens of Palestinian children who were playing with gun-shaped toys.   

 

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2007, IOF troops positioned at a checkpoint erected at Kfar Etzion intersection on Hebron – Bethlehem road arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Hamada Ibrahim al-Qawasmi, 22, and Firas Abu al-Dab’at, 24.

 

·      Salfit: At approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 14 October 2007, IOF troops arrested Nizam ‘Ali Ebdah, 43, from Marda village north of Salfit, after he had cultivated olives from his agricultural land. IOF troops had closed the road linking the village with its agricultural lands with barbwire. 

 

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

IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

·      At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 16 October 2007, a number of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians who were cultivating olives in Til village, southwest of Nablus. They threw stones at these civilians and attempted to prevent them from cultivating olives. A Palestinian civilian, 35-year-old ‘Abdul Fattah ‘Othman Hindi, was injured by a stone to the head. The settlers also attacked a British human rights defender.

 

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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.