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

• 11 Palestinians, including 2 brothers, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

• One the victims was extra-judicially executed by IOF in the West Bank.

• The two brothers were killed by the internationally-banned flechette shells.

• 28 Palestinians, including 4 children, and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

• IOF conducted 12 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 2 ones into the Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 30 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 12 others in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF destroyed a house and razed 7 donums[1] of agricultural land in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip.

• 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.

• A patient died due to the denial of her access to medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip. 

• IOF troops positioned at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.

• IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

• IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall.

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

• Israeli settlers attacked and injured13 Palestinian civilians who were traveling in a minibus.

• Israeli settlers attacked a school in Hebron, damaging it.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (22 – 28 November 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 11 Palestinians, including 2 brothers, and wounded 28 others, including 4 children, and an Israeli human rights defender in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 22 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, shot dead a Palestinian civilian who was suffering from depression. On 23 November 2007, IOF troops that had moved into Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip shot dead 2 Palestinian brothers when they were on their way back home near the zone. According to medical sources, IOF fired 2 flechette shells, which are internationally prohibited, at the two victims. On 26 November 2007, IOF killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a 4^th one and 2 civilian bystanders in the northern Gaza Strip. later on the same day, IOF killed a 4^th member of the Palestinian resistance in the east of Jablaya town. On 27 November 2007, IOF killed a Palestinian civilians and wounded 3 others (a man and his two sons) during an incursion into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. On 28 November 2007, IOF warplanes attacked a site of the Palestinian naval police in Khan Yunis. Two policemen were killed and 5 others were wounded. On 24 November 2007, IOF troops wounded a Palestinian fisherman in the northern Gaza Strip. On 25 November 2007, 4 members of the Palestinian resistance and 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded when IOF  fired a surface-to-surface missile at the northern Gaza Strip. Later on the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF troops that had moved into Beit Hanoun town. On 28 November 2007, IOF wounded a Palestinian civilian when they opened fire at al-Shouka village, east of Rafah.

Furthermore, IOF continued air strikes against the Gaza Strip. On 24 November 2007, an air strike targeted a group of the Palestinian resistance in Khan Yunis, but no casualties were reported. On 27 November 2007, an air strike targeted a site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas), but no casualties were reported as the site was empty. 

In the West Bank, on 25 November 2007, IOF troops extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement). They left him bleeding to death. On 27 November 2007, 2 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded when IOF troops used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations 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, and al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. On 27 November 2007, 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded by IOF troops that had moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. 

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 12 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, IOF arrested 30 Palestinian civilians. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 2,476. During the reporting period, IOF transformed 3 Palestinian houses into military sites.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 2 incursions into Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, and al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. During those incursions, IOF destroyed a house, razed 7 donums of agricultural land and damaged the civilian infrastructure. They also arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including 3 wounded ones.

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 continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly 17 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. On 19 September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as “a hostile entity” and accordingly measures of collective punishment against Gaza escalated. Since that time, IOF have limited the goods exported to the Gaza Strip to only 9 basic materials. As a consequence, local markets ran out of many goods, which caused a sharp increase in prices, which mounted to 500% for some goods. Israeli occupation forces have banned the flow of some medicines, furniture, electrical appliances and cigarettes into the Gaza Strip, and have decreased the amounts of some goods allowed into the Gaza Strip, such as fruits, milk and some dairy products. During the reporting period, a Palestinian patient died due to the denial of her access to medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip. This brings to 11 the number of Gaza patients who died since last August as a result of denying them their medical rights. The victims include 3 women and an infant. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip.

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 also tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 24 November 2007, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian minibus, and injured 13 Palestinian civilians. On 25 November 2007, Israeli settlers attacked a school in Hebron, damaging it.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 – 28 November 2007)

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

Thursday, 22 November 2007

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh and the neighboring al-Am’ari refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Hisham ‘Abdul Dayem, 21; and

2.      Firas ‘Aabed, 18.

·      Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and search ed a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Eyad al-‘Anari, 24; and

2.      Amjad Sarsour, 23.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Ramzi Waleed Ghrayeb, 19; and

2.      Mohammed Waleed Ghrayeb, 22.

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nasser al-Kharraz, 27.

·      At approximately 05:30, IOF informed the Palestinian liaison that there was a corpse of a Palestinian civilian near Karni crossing, east of Gaza City, whom they had shot dead. At noon, a Palestinian ambulance went to the area and found the corpse. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by several gunshots to the head, the neck and the abdomen. He was identified as Salem Ahmed Abu Sa’da, 27, from Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. According to investigations conducted PCHR, the victim was suffering from depression and he had left his house on Wednesday morning, 21 November 2007.

Friday, 23 November 2007

·      At approximately 16:30, IOF moved nearly 1,500 meters into the northern Gaza Strip. They destroyed the remaining buildings and factories in Erez industrial zone. IOF had already destroyed most factories and buildings. During the incursion, IOF blocked the road leading to Erez crossing with sand barriers. At approximately 21:45, IOF troops positioned in Erez industrial zone opened fire at Talal and Ra’fat Salama ‘Abdullah Abu Shghaiba, 46 and 25 respectively, when they were on their way back home in al-Ghazalat area opposite to the industrial zone. The two brothers attempted to escape, but IOF fired 2 tank shells at them. They were instantly killed by shrapnel throughout the body. According to medical sources, the victims were hit be flechette shells.

Saturday, 24 November 2007

·      At approximately 10:15, IOF troops positioned on an observation tower at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northwest of Beit Lahia, fired at Ra’ed Nadi al-‘Attar, 29, from Beit Lahia, while he was fishing, nearly 500 meters away from the border. He was wounded by a gunshot to the right thigh.

·      At approximately 11:05, an IOF drone flying over Khan Yunis fired a missile that fell in a space area to the south of a house belonging to the family of Mohammed ‘Azmi Farawana, a member of the Army of Islam who was killed during an attack on an IOF military post last year. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance were in the area, but they were not hurt.

Sunday, 25 November 2007

·      At approximately 12:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of Beit Hanoun, fired a surface-to-surface missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance soon after they had fired mortars at Erez crossing. As a result, 4 members of the resistance and 2 civilian bystanders, including a child, were wounded:

1.       ‘Azzam Shawqi al-‘Ajrami, 23, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

2.      Nidal Khaled Abu Rukba, 21, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

3.      Bilal ‘Abdul Rahman al-Mabhouh, 21, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

4.      Jihad Ahmed Daifallah, 30, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot;

5.      Sa’eda ‘Essam Hijazi, 9, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot and left shoulder; and

6.      Fat’hi al-Sayed Abu Nahel, 57, wounded by shrapnel to the left forearm;

Later, IOF troops that had already moved into Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip fired at Palestinian civilians who were near the customs area near the crossing. Tha’er Zuhair al-Razaina, 22, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a gunshot to the left leg.

Monday, 26 November 2007

·      At approximately 01:45, 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 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Hamza Waleed Maraheel, 22, from Balata refugee camp; and

2.      Muhannad Ahmed Ibrahim al-Damouni, 20, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp.

·      At approximately 12:20, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of Beit Hanoun, fired a surface-to-surface missile a number of members of the Palestinian resistance who were near Ahmed al-Shuqairi secondary school in the west of Beit Hanoun, attempting to launch surface-to-surface missiles at Israeli towns. A member of the resistance, Mos’ab ‘Abdul Karim al-Ja’beer, 24, from Jabalya refugee camp, was killed. Another member of the resistance and 2 civilian bystanders, including a child, were also wounded:

1.      ‘Aa’ed ‘Abdul Jawad Muhaisen, 22, a member of the resistance, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

2.      Isma’il Ibrahim Wishah, 12, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

3.      Ahmed Yahia al-Ma’sawabi, 19, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

Five minutes later, IOF troops fired another surface-to-surface missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance who were in al-Ghazalat area opposite to Erez industrial zone. Two members of the resistance were killed and a third one was wounded. IOF prevented ambulances from attending the victims. The ambulances were able to enter the area only at 19:00. Medical crews found only one corpse, while the destiny of the other two members of the resistance remained unknown. The victim whose body was found was identified as Ghassan Khader al-‘Eila, 23, from Jabalya refugee camp.

·      At approximately 22:20, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance who were near the cemetery of martyrs to the east of Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip. A member of the resistance, Fadi ‘Abdul Sattar ‘Assaf, 23, from Jabalya, was killed.

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved nearly 1,500 meters into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They raided and searched a number of houses. IOF troops fired at a number of young men who attempted to escape from the area out of concern that they might be arrested and humiliated by those troops. As a result, ‘Ali Mohammed al-Soufi, 22, was killed by several gunshots throughout the body. Additionally, Mohammed Ibrahim Harab, 47, and his sons Sa’id, 19, and Ibrahim, 25, were wounded. The three were arrested, together with 10 other civilians, including Harb’s fourth son Ramzi, 27. The latter was released later. He told PCHR that his father was wounded to the abdomen and his brothers were wounded to the jaw and legs.

·      At approximately 15:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped near a house belonging to Suhail Rasheed ‘Edwan and 20 IOF troops got out o it. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the village to support the undercover unit. They raided ‘Edwan’s house and arrested his son Murad, 23. During this incursion, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at them wounding 4:

1.      Mohammed Fat’hi Swaidan, 19, wounded by a gunshot to the right side;

2.      Mohammed Nidal Mash’al, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand;

3.      Amjad Nidal Hussein, 11, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck; and

4.      Bahaa’ Sameer ‘Othman, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the left leg.

·      At approximately 21:25, an IOF warplane fired 2 missiles at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade (the military wing of Hamas) in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. The site was damaged, but no casualties were reported as it had been already evacuated.

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

·      At approximately 08:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian areas to the west of the border. ‘Ali Mohammed Abu Hadayed, 18, was wounded by a gunshot to the pelvis, when he was near his house in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah.

·      At approximately 15:05, an IOF warplane fired a missile at site of the naval police of the dismissed Palestinian government at Khan Yunis beach. A policeman, 23-year-old Rami Hussein Sa’id Abu al-Rous, was killed, and 5 of his colleagues were wounded. When the missile hit the site, a policeman, 20-year-old ‘Eassam Sa’di Subeh Hamdan, attempted to flee, but the IOF warplane fired a missile that hit him directly and cut his head. The wounded policemen are:

1.      Khaled Ameedn ‘Abdul Ghafour, 21, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body and his legs were amputated;

2.      Ahmed Saleem Abu Ne’ma, 21;

3.      Salem Shihada Zo’rob, 22;

4.      Isma’il Ibrahim al-‘Aqqad, 24; and

5.      Hussam al-Din Fakhri al-Nahhal, 23.

2.      Extra-Judicial Execution

On Sunday, 25 November 2007, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement) and wounded another one in Tulkarm refugee camp, east of Tulkarm town.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 25 November 2007, an IOF undercover unit moved into Tulkarm refugee camp, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped near a coffee shop in the south of the camp, and 12 IOF soldiers, some of them were wearing civilian clothes, got out of it. Five Palestinians, who were allegedly wanted and then an amnesty was issued by IOF for them, were near the coffee shop. One of them, Mohammed Zaki Qawzah, 24, escaped. An IOF soldier fired at him. He was wounded by a gunshot to the foot. He raised his hands, surrendering. However, the soldier fired another gunshot at him, which hit his neck. He fell onto the ground, but was still alive. Two IOF soldiers pulled him brutally into the coffee shop and then violently beat him. He bled for nearly an hour until he died. IOF troops did not allow medical crews to attend him. Another Palestinian, Musheer Farouq Mansouri, 26, was seriously wounded by several gunshots throughout the body, and people were able to evacuate him to the hospital through narrow alleys. IOF troops also arrested all of those who were in the coffee shop, but released them 2 hours later, excluding Ibrahim ‘Abed Hasan, 24, and Mo’ayad Abu Tamam, 26.

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

IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly 17 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 “a hostile 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 of Palestinian civilians who have residencies in other countries were allowed to travel out of the Gaza Strip the same way. The problem has emerged again as at least 1,500 Palestinians have been stuck at the Egyptian side of Rafah International Crossing Point waiting to be allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip. Additionally, 30 Palestinians have been stuck at al-‘Areesh Airport in Egypt.

·      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. 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. On Monday, 24 November 2007, Muna Fayez ‘Ali Noufal, 37, from Mussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, died as her health condition deteriorated after IOF had denied her access to medical treatment at an Israeli hospital. The woman’s death brings to 11 the number of Gaza patients who died since last August as a result of denying them medical rights. The victims include 3 women and an infant. Furthermore, health conditions of patients in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated due to the lack of appropriate medical treatment in the Gaza Strip and the denial of their travel abroad to receive medical treatment. According to medical sources at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Rowaida ‘Omar Shakshak, 54, from Rafah, is in a coma. Her health condition has deteriorated as she suffers from diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. She is badly in need for advanced medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip. According to her son, ‘Abdullah ‘Omar Shakshak, 31, the Palestinian Ministry of Health sent reports about her condition to several Israeli hospitals, but they refused to admit her. He added that he sent medical reports to Egyptian hospitals, which expressed willingness to treat her. However, she cannot travel to Egypt due to the continued closure of Rafah International Crossing Point. On Thursday, 22 November 2007, IOF closed Erez crossing completely for no apparent reason, as they moved into Palestinian areas around the crossing. The complete closure continued on the following two days. It was partially reopened on Sunday, 25 November 2007. IOF have also closed the road leading to the crossing. Palestinian patients had to walk for nearly 1,200 meters to reach the crossing. 

·       Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for several hours on one day only to allow the entry of 70 containers of animal feeds.

·      Nahal Ouz crossing: It is designed for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip. The amounts of fuels allowed into the Gaza Strip have been decreased starting from Sunday, 28 October 2007.

·      Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF completely closed the crossing.

·      Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom): During the reporting period, the crossing winessed active movement. On 21 November 2007, 57 containers of goods and humanitarian aids, including 3 ones of medicines for the ICRC, were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 22 November 2007, 61 containers of goods for local traders and humanitarian aids for UNRWA and WFP were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 23 November 2007, 31 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 25 November 2007, 53 containers of hoods and humanitarian aids, including 3 ones of medicines for the ICRC, were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 26 November 2007, 59 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 27 November 2007, 45 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

PCHR is following up with utmost concern the deterioration to the economic and social conditions resulted from the total siege imposed by Israeli occupation authorities on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially the Gaza Strip. PCHR is worried from further deterioration of the living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population if the recommendations of the security committee were implemented, as at least 60% of the Palestinian civilian population would be deprived of electricity supplies and many civilian facilities that provide vital services would stop providing services to the civilian population due to the lack of electricity supplies.

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.

·      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 impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque. On Sunday, 25 November 2007, IOF troops closed all border crossings and checkpoints leading to East Jerusalem for several hours.

·      Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and outside the town. On Friday and Saturday, 23 and 24 November 2007, IOF troops imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the southeast of Hebron and the old town. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.

On Friday morning, 23 November 2007, IOF troops positioned in the center and south of Hebron arrested Hasan Mohammed Mes’ef, 35, from Yatta village south of the town, when he passed near the Ibrahim Mosque.

On Tuesday morning, 27 November 2007, IOF troops positioned near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron arrested ‘Ali Mohammed Abu Saleh, 15, claiming that he threw stones at them.

At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 28 November 2007, IOF troops arrested ‘Abdullah Tayseer al-Nammoura, 15, in al-Ibrahimiya Street in the south of Hebron, claiming that he was carrying a knife.

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 22 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Such restrictions escalated on Saturday, 24 November 2007. On Sunday morning, 25 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians and conducted prolonged checking on civilians. They also closed Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, for several hours, claiming that they discovered an explosive belt. On Monday morning, 26 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

·      Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 22 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through conducting prolonged checking on them. On Saturday morning, 23 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 25 November 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jaroushiya intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 27 November 2007, IOF troops closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, from 06:00 to 09:00. On the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. On Tuesday, 27 November 2007, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, fro several hours.

·      Bethlehem: On Thursday afternoon, 22 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Thabet ‘Abdul ‘Azizi al-Shrouf, 26, from Nouba village northwest of Hebron.

·      Jenin: On Thursday morning, 15 November 2007, IOF troops positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley arrested a Palestinian civilian who has not been identified.  

·      Hebron: On Thursday morning, 15 November 2007, IOF troops positioned in the center and south of Hebron arrested Ahmed Mousa al-Tubassi, 17, from al-Rihiya village, claiming that he was carrying a knife. On Friday noon, 16 November 2007, IOF troops positioned in the center and south of Hebron arrested the twins Mohammed and Hasan Mazen al-Joulani, 21.  

4.     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 peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 23 November 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 troops had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, a Palestinian civilian and an Israeli human rights defender were wounded:

1.      Nasser Mustafa Abu Rahma, 42, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets to the chest and the hand; and

2.      Yani, 23, an Israeli human rights defender, wound by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head. 

·      At the same time, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in al-Ma’sara village, south of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF troops had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall near “Efrat” settlement. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, 19-year-old Mohammed Hussein Zawahra, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh. Three other civilians sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

5.      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 13:20 on Saturday, 24 November 2007, several Israeli settlers, who were near the evacuated “Homesh” settlement, northwest of Nablus, intercepted a minibus, in which 13 Palestinian civilians, were traveling on Nablus – Jenin road. They then attacked the passengers. Most of the passengers sustained bruises:

1.      ‘Alaa’ Khaled Hassoun, 50;

2.      Mervat Yousef Hassoun;

3.      Hasan Hassoun, 5;

4.      Yousef Hassoun, 7;

5.      ‘Abeer Mahmoud Mo’ammar, 22;

6.      ‘Alaa’ Mo’ammar, 2;

7.      Adham Mo’ammar, 1.5;

8.      Miriam Yousef Hassoun, 45;

9.      Siwar Hassoun, 3;

10.  Intissar Hassoun, 42;

11.  Hiba Khaled Hassoun, 22; and

12.  Huda Khaled Hassoun, 25.

·      On Sunday morning, 25 November 2007, a number of Israeli settlers from “Beit Hadasa” settlement outpost in the center of Hebron attacked Cordoba School in al-Shuhada Street. They broke windows, uprooted trees, demolished a number of walls, and attempted to burn the school. The director of the school estimated the damage at approximately US$ 1,000. This attack is another attempt by Israeli settlers to force the evacuation of the school, which is located opposite to the aforementioned settlement outpost, to seize it. 

·      On Thursday morning, 15 October 2007, a number of Israeli settlers from “Elli Zahav” and “Biduel” settlements, west of Salfit, Attacked a house belonging to Hikmat Isma’il ‘Abdul Rahman in Brouqin village, using stones. A number of windows were broken. The settlers set fire near the house, attacked a car and damaged a barnyard. IOF troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.

·      On Sunday morning, 18 November 2007, IOF demolished a 70-square-meter barnyard belonging to Mohammed Khalil Sha’lab in al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem.

·      At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 19 November 2007, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked a Palestinian taxi that was traveling from Ramallah, using stones and iron bars. The windows of the taxi driven by Hatem Qash, 35, from Bourqin village southwest of Jenin, were broken.  

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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.