PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

No. 28/2007

12 - 18 July 2007

 

Palestinian civilians arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza Strip

 

 

 

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

 

 
 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (12 – 18 July 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed one Palestinian in the West Bank, and wounded 4 Palestinians and a French human rights defender in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday evening, 12 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, opened fire at a Palestinian militant, wounding him with several gunshots. They left him bleeding to death. They claimed that he was carrying an explosive belt on his body.

In the West Bank, on 13 July 2007, a Palestinian civilian and a French human rights defender were wounded when IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders against the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

In the Gaza Strip, 3 Palestinians were wounded by the IOF gunfire. On 12 July 2007, 2 members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded during clashes with IOF troop that had moved into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. On 13 July 2007, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF troops that had moved into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opened fire indiscriminately.   

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 20 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, IOF arrested 30 Palestinian civilians, including a child. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 1,597. IOF also raided and searched offices of the Almsgiving Committee in Qalqilya and confiscated 3 computer sets.  

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 2 incursions into Palestinian communities. On 12 July 2007, IOF moved nearly 700 meters into the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They razed 118 donums of agricultural land and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians. On 13 July 2007, IOF moved into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah and seized control over Gaza International Airport. They withdrew from the village on 15 July 2007, leaving large destruction to the infrastructure.

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 have been stuck in Egypt waiting to be allowed in the Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s documentation, 16 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 have been 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 a Palestinian civilian.

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, IOF demolished 5 houses in the West Bank, including 3 ones in Jerusalem, claiming that they were built without licenses. On 14 July 2007, a number of Israeli settlers who had already seized a house belonging to the al-Rujbi family in the southeast of Henron attacked a number of neighboring houses belonging to the al-Ja’bari family with stones and empty bottles. On Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 July 2007, dozens of Israeli settlers living in “Etaniel” settlement, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF troops, took over at least 30 donums of land belonging to the Abu Sheikha family in the south of Yatta village. On 17 July 2007, at least 1,500 Israeli settlers gathered on the evacuated “Homesh” settlement, northwest of Nablus. Those settlers damaged some Palestinian civilian property. Also on 17 July 2007, IOF ordered the closure of a shop in the north of the old town of Hebron. IOF informed the owner verbally that he would not be able to open his shop anymore.

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12 – 18 July 2007)

 

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

 

Thursday, 12 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched offices of the Almsgiving Committee in the center of the town. They confiscated 3 computer sets that include filed related to orphans. IOF then raided and searched a house belonging to Bilal Hannoun, Director of the Waqf in Qaqilya. They forced the family out and searched the house.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Ibrahim Na’im al-Jiyawi, 21;

  2. Isma’il Mutlaq al-Jiyawi, 25; and

  3. Fadi ‘Awadh al-Jiyawi, 25.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Roujib village, east of Nablus. They besieged the store of al-Tamimi Bus Company opening fire at them. They called through megaphones on the guards to get out and surrender. Firas Ja’far Saleh, 27, who was in the stores, got out. IOF then searched the stores and arrested Saleh.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed al-Najjar, 22, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Salem Abu ‘Eid, 37, an intelligence officer, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:20, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 700 meters into the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The unit clashed with members of the Palestinian resistance. Later, IOF military vehicles, supported by warplanes, moved into the area. IOF troops raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 04:30, an IOF drone fired a missile at some members of the Palestinian resistance, wounding two of them. During this incursion, which continued until 06:00, IOF razed 118 donums of agricultural land. They also damaged two houses. During their withdrawal from the area, IOF arrested and interrogated at least 50 Palestinian civilians, but released them, except for 3: ‘Aabed ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Khousa, 19; Sakher Mahmoud al-Nabahin, 27; and Hasan Mohammed Abu Sa’id, 32.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beeta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Samed ‘Izziddin Daoud, 20.

 

Friday, 13 July 2007

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Araqa village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hazem Hammad, 25.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata and ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Mohammed Subhi al-Asmar, 25;

  2. Sameh Subhi al-Asmar, 30;

  3. Jasser Jameel Abu al-Jedi, 20;

  4. Mohammed Ussama Faidi, 23;

  5. Murad Waleed al-Sayeh, 19;

  6. Mohammed Mo’men al-Sayeh, 22;

  7. ‘Alaa’ ‘Ata Abu Saltah, 22; and

  8. Bahaa’ Mohammed Zaqqout, 24.

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. They opened indiscriminately and seized control over Gaza International Airport. IOF troops took position on the tower of the airport using it as a military site. As a result of the indiscriminate shooting by IOF, at approximately 15:00, Jom’a ‘Atiya Abu Shallouf, 21, was wounded by 2 gunshots to the legs, when he was near his house. IOF withdrew from the are at approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 15 July 2007.

  

Saturday, 14 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Isma’il Ghnaimat, 28, and arrested him.

 

Sunday, 15 July 2007

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus, but no house raids or arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF in Hebron arrested two Palestinian civilians who were summoned by Israeli intelligence:

  1. Khalil ‘Abdul Karim al-Froukh, 22, from Sa’id village north of Hebron; and

  2. ‘Abdul Karim Jaber al-Masalma, 33, from Beit ‘Awa village.

 

Tuesday, 17 July 2007

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tariq Subhi Sbaihat, 22, and arrested him.

 

Wednesday, 18 July 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Ahmed Yousef Kharroub, 25;

  2. ‘Abdul Halim ‘Aamer, 29; and

  3. ‘Alaa’ Abu al-Qassem, 24.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Tayseer Talab Hamdan, 30; and

  2. Fayeq Mohammed Hamdan, 22.

At approximately 02:00, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in Hebron. They arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Zaid Shaker Jnaidi, 31;

  2. Samer Mohammed al-Natsha, 30;

  3. Bilal Ibrahim al-Ja’bari, 17; and

  4. Ussama Mohammed Abu Rmouz, 24.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beir al-Maa’ refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew later and neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Rantis village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Kifah Hamdallah, 20; and

  2. Mohammed ‘Atallah Saleem, 20.

 

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 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. 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 have been stuck in Egypt waiting to be allowed in the Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s documentation, 16 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions.

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. Following Hamas’ takeover in the Gaza Strip, dozens of Palestinians went to the crossing to travel to the West Bank. IOF allowed a few Palestinian patients to travel to Israel to receive medical treatment following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF allowed a number of Palestinian businessmen to pass through the crossing point.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for a few hours to allow the entry of some goods.

Nahal Ouz crossing: The crossing, which is designed for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, was open during the reporting period to allow the entry of amounts of fuels. IOF allow the entry of approximately 500,000 liters of gasoline, 80,000 liters of benzene and 200-250 tons of domestic gas into the Gaza Strip daily.   

Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing point was open to allow the entry of some goods for local traders.

Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom): During the reporting period, the crossing was open to allow the entry of some goods and humanitarian aids.

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.

 

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. They have also continued to prevent Palestinian aged under 35 from passing through checkpoint around the city. On Thursday afternoon, 12 July 2007, IOF troops reinforced their presence at the entrances of Nablus and imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:30 on Friday, 13 July 2007, IOF closed Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, for no apparent reason. This closure continued for several hours. On Saturday morning, 14 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city conducted prolonged and humiliating checking on Palestinian civilians. In the evening, IOF closed al-Bathan checkpoint, northeast opf Nablus. This closure continued for several hours. On Sunday morning, 8 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians and prevented those aged under 35 from passing through the checkpoint. On Monday morning, 16 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday morning, 17 July 2007, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Bourin village, nearly 500 meters to the south of Hawara checkpoint. 

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 12 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at al-Bathan checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, arrested Asyad Jom’a Turkman, 21, from Jenin.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through various checkpoints around the town. On Thursday, 12 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement to and from the town. They conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. on Saturday, 14 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 15 July 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jaroushiya intersections, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 9 July 2007, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, from 06:00 to 09:00. IOF troops also erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. On Tuesday morning, 10 July 2007, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, until 09:00. When IOF reopened the checkpoint, they prevented Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through the checkpoint.

On Thursday evening, 12 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, opened fire at a Palestinian militant, wounding him with several gunshots. They left him bleeding to death. They claimed that he was carrying an explosive belt on his body.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 12 July 2007, a civilian car stopped near Ennab checkpoint, east of Nablus. A Palestinian militant got out of the car and pointed his gun at IOF troops. Immediately, IOF troops opened fire at the militant wounding him with several gunshots. They did not offer him medical aid and left him bleeding to death. Soon after, an Israeli ambulance evacuated the body to an unknown destination. An hour later, IOF delivered the body to the Palestinian side. The victim was identified as Mohammed ‘Omar Salah Diab, 23, from Kifor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. Al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) declared that Diab was one of their activists.

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 15 July 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint on the road that links between Jenin and the Arab American University, southeast of the town. IOF troops also closed Tayseer checkpoint at the entrance of the northern Jordan Valley, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the area. On Monday morning, 16 July 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint in al-Jarba area, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around the town. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of checkpoints in the old town. They stopped, checked and interrogated dozens of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 12 July 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Ras intersection, nearly 200 meters away from a house belonging to al-Rujbi family, which has been taken over by Israeli settlers for several months. IOF troops stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, while Israeli settlers were attacking Palestinian property.

 

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 13 July 2007, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF soldiers had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, 2 demonstrators were wounded:

Eyad Mohammed Bernat, 34, hit by a tear gas canister to the hand; and

A French human rights defender, 30, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg.

Additionally, fire broke out into dozens of donums of agricultural land planted with olives.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2007, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Wad al-Nais village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the construction of the Wall in the village and neighboring areas. IOF fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators and fired into the air. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 4 demonstrators sustained bruises. IOF troops also arrested Mohammed Hassan Braijiya, 30, but he was released on Monday, 16 July 2007.

  

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 Thursday, 12 July 2007, IOF moved into Ras Teera village, southeast of Qalqilya. They demolished a 120-square-meter house belonging to ‘Ali ‘Awadh Mara’ba.  They also destroyed a water tank belonging to Mohammed Hashem Mara’ba.

Also at approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 12 July 2007, IOF moved into Hijja village, north of Qalqilya. They demolished agricultural stores belonging to Zain al-Din Hasan Hijjawi and the heirs of Safiya Mohammed Basalat.

At the same time, IOF moved into Janisafout village, east of Qalqilya. They demolished a 180-square-meterm, 2-storey house belonging to ‘Abdul Fattah Rasheed Basheer.

At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 14 July 2007, a number of Israeli settlers who had already seized a house belonging to the al-Rujbi family in the southeast of Henron attacked a number of neighboring houses belonging to the al-Ja’bari family with stones and empty bottles. IOF troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack. A number of houses were damaged and Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

On Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 July 2007, dozens of Israeli settlers living in “Etaniel” settlement, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF troops, took over at least 30 donums of land belonging to the Abu Sheikha family in the south of Yatta village. They set up tents, barbwires and light towers. IOF troops also established an observation tower on the seized land. Moreover, the settlers uprooted dozens of olive and almond trees for the purpose of settlement expansion.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 16 July 2007, IOF moved into al-Nasara quarter in the old town of Jerusalem. They demolished a 160-square-meter house belonging to Nader al-Sawaf, in which 7 people were living. IOF claimed that the house had been built without a license.

On Tuesday early morning, 17 July 2007, at least 1,500 Israeli settlers gathered on the evacuated “Homesh” settlement, northwest of Nablus. Those settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees at the western entrance of Burqa village. They also destroyed fuel tanks and car in a fuel station belonging to Nader Mohammed Hijja. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers brought construction raw materials to the area apparently to reconstruct the settlement, which was evacuated in August 2005.

At approximately 07:15 also on Tuesday, 17 July 2007, IOF moved into Tal al-Foul quarter in Beit Hanina suburb in Jerusalem. They demolished a 70-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed ‘Eid al-Ja’bari, in which 7 people were living.

At the same time, IOF moved into ‘Anata village, east of Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed Muatafa al-‘Eissawi, in which 7 people lived.  

At approximately 10:00 also on Tuesday, 17 July 2007, IOF ordered the closure of a shop belonging to Jawdat Ibrahim Hassouna, 75, in the north of the old town of Hebron. IOF informed Hassouna verbally that he would not be able to open his shop anymore. The shop had been closed together with other shops in the area for more than 7 years, but Hssouna used to open it.

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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).

 


 

[1] 1 donum is equal to 1,000 square meters.