PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 21/2007

24 - 30 May 2007

 

The outcome of an Israeli air strike that targeted Beit Hanoun sports club

 

 

 

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

 

 

 


 

Summary

IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (24 – 30 May 2007):

Killing: During the reporting period, IOF killed 17 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Two other Palestinians, including a woman, died from previous wounded. In addition, IOF wounded 54 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 6 children and 8 women and 2 paramedics, in the Gaza Strip, and 13 civilians, including 2 children and an a journalist, in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 12 Palestinians, including 2 civilians, whereas 2 others, including a woman, died from previous wounds. In addition, 54 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 6 children, 8 women and 2 paramedics, were wounded. IOF continued air strikes on civilian facilities, sites of resistance groups and civilian vehicles believed to be transporting members of the Palestinian resistance. During to the reporting period, IOF launched 46 missiles at several targets in the Gaza Strip. In addition to deaths and casualties incurred by these attacks, 5 civilian facilities, a house and a number of paramilitary sites mostly belonging to Hamas and the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior were destroyed. Dozens of houses and civilian facilities, including PCHR’s branch office in Jabalya refugee camp, were also damaged. IOF demonstrated a flagrant disregard to the lives of the Palestinian civilian population as they attacked densely populated area while pursing members of the Palestinian resistance. Since the beginning of this latest offensive against the Gaza Strip, IOF have killed 52 Palestinians, including 7 children and a woman, and have wounded 174 others, mostly civilians, including 24 children, 18 women, 2 paramedics and 2 journalists.  

In the West Bank, IOF killed 5 Palestinians and wounded 13 civilians, including 2 children, a woman and a journalist. On 26 May 2007, IOF killed 2 Palestinian militants and a civilian bystander in Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood in the southeast of Jerusalem. The two militants exchanged fired with IOF soldiers. On 29 May 2007, IOF undercover units committed 2 extra-judicial executions in Ramallah and Jenin, which killed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement) and another of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad), and wounded 5 civilian bystanders.

On 25 May 2007, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded when IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. On 28 May 2007, 2 Palestinian children were wounded by the IOF gunfire in Jericho. On 29 May 2007, a Palestinian was wounded by the IOF gunfire in Tulkarm refugee camp.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, IOF waged arrest campaigns that targeted public figures affiliated to Hamas and Fatah movements. IOF arrested 79 Palestinian civilians, including 2 ministers, 4 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, 9 mayors and 4 members of municipal councils. Most of the arrests took place on Thursday, 24 May 2007. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 1,300. Additionally, IOF stormed offices of 6 charities and cultural centers.  

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 May 2007, IOF moved into al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. They killed 2 Palestinian militants, wounded a woman and arrested 2 brothers.

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. On Tuesday, 22 May 2007, IOF imposed a total closure on the OPT for the Jewish Shavuot.

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 since 25 June 2006, even though they do not directly control it. During the reporting period, the crossing point was reopened on 3 sporadic days. IOF have partially reopened commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, but many goods and medical supplies have been lacked in markets in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing.  With this closure, only few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.  In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restriction on fishing in the Gaza Strip.

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 Israeli claims, 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 12 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a physically disabled one.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  During the reporting period, IOF demolished 4 houses in Jerusalem and 2 others in Hebron, claiming that they were built without licenses.


 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (24 – 30 May 2007)

 

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

 

Israeli Offensive on the Gaza Strip

 

Thursday, 24 May 2007

At approximately 00:20, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a civilian car in al-Jalaa’ Street in the north of Gaza City, in which Mohammed Ahmed Shatat, 47, a member of Hamas, was traveling together with his wife and their three children. The missile fell near the car, but did not explode. The car deviated and Shatat and his family sustained serious bruises.

At approximately 03:00, an IOF warplane fired 2 missiles at al-Khuzondar money exchange shop in ‘Omar al-Mukhtar Street in al-Remal neighborhood in the center of Gaza City. The shop was destroyed and windows of dozens of neighboring houses were broken. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 09:45, IOF positioned to the north of Beit Lahia town opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were near the desalination plant at the road leading to the beach. One gunshot hit Sa’id Nader al-‘Attar, 29, to the back and killed him. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was riding his bicycle towards the see as he was a fisherman.

At approximately 15:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Amal Shaker Doula, 40, from Gaza City, died from a wound she sustained on 17 May 2007, when IOF warplanes bombarded a site of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in al-Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. The attack killed a member of the site and wounded 9 others in addition to 14 civilian bystanders, including Doula. As she was in a serious condition, she was transferred to an Israeli hospital, where she received medical treatment until her death.

At approximately 15:45, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the Executive Force near the cemetery in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The site was destroyed and 11 Palestinian civilian bystanders, including a child and 3 women, were wounded. A number of neighboring houses were also damaged.

At approximately 22:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the Executive Force in Gizan al-Majjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. The site was destroyed, and 2 members of the Executive Force and 2 civilian bystanders were wounded by shrapnel to the limbs:

Mohammed ‘Aatef al-Najjar, 23;

Ramzi ‘Abdul Rahim ‘Awad, 23;

Ibrahim Mohammed al-Najjar, 24; and

Sa’id Faraj Abu Ma’rouf, 27.

At approximately 22:40, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the Executive Force near the security compound in the center of Rafah. The site was completely destroyed. A number of houses and shops, and an UNRWA warehouse were damaged. Additionally, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

Mohammed Bassam Abu ‘Arram, 6, wounded by shrapnel to the face and the limbs;

Mahmoud Jihad al-‘Arja, 25, wounded by shrapnel to the head; and

Majed Mahmoud Abu Nahla, 45, wounded by shrapnel to the head.

The same site was subject to 2 previous IOF air strikes on 16 and 22 May 2007, which killed 3 of its members and wounded 27 persons.

At approximately 22:50, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a workshop belonging to Hasan al-Nahhal in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. The workshop was destroyed, a number of neighboring houses, shops and cars were damaged, and electricity was cut off from the area. In addition, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2 women, were wounded:

Shadi Mohammed al-Louga, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand;

Lubna Shawqi Sabbah, 24, wounded by shrapnel to the head;

Hussam Na’im Mansour, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the mouth;

Yousef Jihad al-‘Arja, 21, wounded by shrapnel to the hands; and

Ghadeer Jaber Killab, 24, wounded by shrapnel to the neck.

At approximately 23:50, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the guards of the house of the Palestinian Prime Minister, Isma’il Haniya, in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

 

Friday, 25 May 2007

At approximately 00:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a 300-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to ‘Ali Mohammed Abu Dayer, 47, in which 18 people live, in the center of Jabalya refugee camp. The house we heavily damaged. Two of the owner’s sons were wounded: Rami, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the left foot; and Mohammed, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot. His wife was also shocked. Abu Dayer is not known of having any political activity or affiliation. Apparently the attack targeted a neighboring house belonging to Ra’ed Abu al-Baidh, a member of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees.

At approximately 00:20, an IOF warplane fired a missile at Harazallah money exchange shop in ‘Omar al-Mukhtar Street in al-Remal neighborhood in the center of Gaza City. The shop was destroyed, by no casualties were reported.

At approximately 09:10, Su’ad Muhsen Salman, 38, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a gunshot to the right hand, when she was on a tract of agricultural land in the north of the town. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF that had moved into the north of the town fired at her.

At approximately 15:30, an IOF warplane fired 5 missiles at a site of the Executive Force in the northwest of Nusairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The site was destroyed and 5 Palestinian civilian bystanders, including a child, were wounded:

Mohammed Wa’el Jindiya, 4, wounded by shrapnel to the chest;

‘Ali Mohammed al-Taweel, 34, wounded by shrapnel to the back;

Mohammed Mutlaq ‘Eissa, 34, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand;

Jihad Ahmed Mubarak, 23, wounded by shrapnel to the left thigh; and

Salah Mohammed al-Louh, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot.

At approximately 19:45, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a civilian vehicle that was traveling in al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The car was destroyed and 2 members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) were killed:

‘Adnan ‘Ali Esbaitiya, 35; and

Ra’ed Ahmed Ghattas, 31.

In addition, 5 civilian bystanders were wounded:

Qassem al-Hamalawi, 20;

Khaled Mohammed al-Bakri, 19;

Diaa’ Talal Zayed, 25;

Ibrahim Fu’ad Miqdad, 30; and

Yasser Edris Abu al-‘Abed, 23.

 

Saturday, 26 May 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF warplanes bombarded again a site of the guard of the house of the Palestinian Prime Minister Isma’il Haniya in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Three Palestinian civilian bystanders, including a child, were wounded:

Haitham Mahmoud al-Masri, 12;

‘Omar Akram Salah, 18; and

Yousef Nabeel al-Najjar, 19.

At approximately 01:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a carpentry workshop, which lies of the first floor of a 2-storey house belonging to Ahmed Rabee’ Zaqqout, 53, in the center of Jabalya refugee camp. The workshop was destroyed and the second floor of the house was damaged. Zaqqout and his son, 17-year-old Rabee’, were wounded by shrapnel. The place occupied by the workshop used to be rented by the Executive Force.

At approximately 01:15, an IOF warplane fired a missile at an empty area subordinating a site of the Palestinian Presidential Guard in al-Shojaeya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 01:15, an IOF warplane fired a missile at an observation point of the Executive Force near Salah al-Din Street in Nusairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The missile went astray and no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 01:15, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the Executive Force near Jabalya Martyrs Clinic. The site was heavily damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were on a tract of agricultural land near the border. Hammad Muhareb Sukkar, 25, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded by a gunshot to the right leg.

At approximately 11:30, an IOF warplane fired 2 missiles at a site of the Executive Force in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. Five members of the Executive Force were killed:

Mohammed Saleh al-Dairi, 30;

‘Ali Mohammed al-Nashar, 25;

‘Aadel Musleh al-Saifi;

Shawqi ‘Aadel Qalaja, 22; and

Saher Sa’id Dalloul, 24.

Four other members were wounded:

Ahmed Nabeel al-Dam, 25, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;

Nahidh ‘Awadh al-Aa’raj, 33, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

Mustafa Zakaria al-Mazloum, 26, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

Ahmed Fawzi Ahel, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

Also at approximately 11:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The site was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 11:30, IOF warplanes fired 4 missiles sporadically at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. Three buildings on the site were destroyed. Ambulances and Palestinian civilians rushed towards the site when the first two missiles fell onto it. When ambulances and people were near the site, IOF warplanes fired 2 additional missiles. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including paramedics, were wounded:

Ashraf Shafiq al-Khatib, 29, a paramedic, wounded by shrapnel to the left ear;

Mohammed Ghazi al-Hissi, 29, a paramedic, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot;

Yahia Mohammed al-Nawajha, 45, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

Khalil Ibrahim al-Nawajha, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand.

At approximately 21:15, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that ‘Emad Najib Shabana, 34, from Gaza City, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, died from a wound he sustained on 17 May 2007, when IOF launched an air strike on his car when he was traveling in al-Jalaa’ Street in the north of Gaza City.

At approximately 22:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of the Executive Force in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The site was destroyed and 3 Palestinian civilian bystanders, including a pregnant woman and a child, were wounded:

Su'ad Mohammed Esbaitan, 26, pregnant, sustained bruises;

'Emad 'Izziddin Abu Dan, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the head; and

Khalil Jameel 'Aqel, 32, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 23:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a security room belonging to the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior near Timraz fuel station in the center of the densely populated Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The missile hit the room from the south and penetrated its roof. It then hit the ground causing heavy damages to PCHR’s branch office in Jabalya, nearly 40 meters away, and to dozens of houses and shops. Additionally, 15 Palestinian civilians were wounded by shrapnel. This attack apparently aimed at causing maximum damage to civilian property.

At approximately 23:20, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a security room belonging to the Executive Force, a few meters away from Martyr Mohammed Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. The room, which had been already evacuated, was heavily damaged. In addition, a civilian bystander, 41-year-old Akram Mohammed Abu Rezeq, was wounded in the back. The windows of the hospital were also broken.

 

Sunday, 27 May 2007

At approximately 05:00, IOF helicopter gunships opened fire at Palestinian agricultural areas near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the east of Khan Yunis. Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a mobile room belonging to the agricultural security department in charge of guarding the evacuated settlements in the northwest of Khan Yunis. The room was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

 

Monday, 28 May 2007

At approximately 00:25, IOF warplanes fired 3 missiles at a site of the Executive Force near Tal al-Za'tar Secondary School in Beit Lahia. The site and a neighboring house were damaged.

At approximately 00:45, an IOF warplane fired 2 missiles at a site of the Executive Force in the center of Jabalya. The site was heavily damaged. Two neighboring houses, a mosque and the building of a charity were also damaged.

At approximately 02:00, IOF besieged 4 houses belonging to the Swailem family in Beit Hanoun town. They then raided and searched these houses. They detained the 35 residents in one room and denied them access to food or any other needs outside the room. IOF continued to detain the residents until Tuesday morning, 29 May 2007.

At approximately 23:05, an IOF warplane fired 2 missiles at the building of Beit Hanoun Sports Club in the center of Beiut Hanoun. The building was completely destroyed. At least 20 neighboring houses, a mosque and offices of a number of institutions were damaged.

 

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

At approximately 01:30, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Fukharu area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. IOF soldiers raided 2 houses belonging to al-'Omour family and transformed them into military sites. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF soldiers. Nearly 2 hours later, IOF sent military reinforcements into the area. IOF military vehicles and helicopter gunships opened fire at the area. As a result, 2 members of the Palestinian resistance were each killed by a gunshot to the head:

'Abdul Karim Jom'a Sha'at, 21, from Rafah; and

Mohammed Ahmed Mo'ammar, 22, from Rafah.

In addition, Suzan 'Ameera al-'Omour, 30, was wounded by shrapnel to the head, when she was inside her house. IOF also arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

Fayiq Mohammed al-'Omour, 39; and

Talab Mohammed al-'Omour, 45.

At approximately 14:45, Ahmed 'Abdul Bari Abu Foul, 24, from Jabalya refugee camp, was wounded by a gunshot to the left thigh, when IOF that had moved into the east of Jabalya town fired at him.

At approximately 17:00, an IOF warplane fired 4 missiles at a site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. The site was completely destroyed, but no casualties were reported. The same site was subject to a similar IOF air strike on Saturday morning, 26 May 2007.

 

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

At approximately 01:20, an IOF warplane fired a missile at 3 members of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, who were on the roof of an uninhabited house belonging to 'Eissa Hammouda in al-Qerem Street in Jabalya town. Two members were killed whereas the third one survived the attack. The two victims were identified as:

Mahmoud 'Eissa Hammouda, 23; and

'Omar Sha'ban Raihan, 25.

 

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

 

Thursday, 24 May 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal Mousa Abu al-Jadayel, 48, the mayor, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Taffouh village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Ibrahim al-Tarda, 40, the mayor, and another one belonging to Mohammed Hussein Erzaiqat, 36, director of Taffouh Charity, and arrested the two.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed 'Abdul Qader 'Asafra, 42, the mayor, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested:

Dr. Nasser al-Din al-Sha'er, 45, Minister of Education and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC);

Sheikh Hamed Suleiman al-Beetawi, 63, Head of Palestine Religious Council and a PLC member;

Sheikh Daoud Mohammed Abu Sair, 50, Mayor of Nablus;

'Adli Ref'at Ya'ish, 53, Director of the Waqf (religious endowments) in Nablus;

Fayad Mohammed al-Aghbar, 44; and

Jamal Najeeb Abu Sharekh, 45. 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Til village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Omar 'Abdul Latif Eshtayeh, 46, the mayor, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the building of al-Anwar Cultural Center and confiscated equipment.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sheikh Wajeeh Qawas, 41, Mayor of Qalqilya, and arrested him. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Hashem Zaid, 36, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jabal Abu Rumman neighborhood, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sufian 'Abdul Hafez Jamjoum, 36, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Abdul Rahman Zaidan, 45, a PLC member and former Minister of Public Works, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

Husni Shawqi al-Ashqar, 17; and

Mohammed Ahmed al-Ashqar, 18.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Bedia village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ramadan Shatat, 46, the mayor, and another house belonging to 'Izziddin 'Abdul Hamid Nemer, 42, a PLC member, and arrested both of them.

Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched house belonging to Radwan al-Reemawi, 27, and Mohammed Huda al-Asmar al-Reemawi, 29, members of the municipal council of Western Bani Zaid, and arrested them.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beeta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Arab Nasser al-Shurafa, 41, the mayor, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

Mahmoud 'Abdullah al-'Assa, 53;

Kazem 'Abdullah Radaida, 22; and

Fayez Mas'oud Abu Sarhan, 42.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched offices of Iqra Association.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jaba' village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nazeeh Sa'id Abu 'Oun, 45, and arrested him.

At approximately 18:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near al-'Aassi Coffee Shop in the north of the camp. Soon after, 10 IOF military vehicles moved into the camp opening fire to reinforce the undercover unit. IOF soldiers raided the coffee shop and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians: 

Saleh Ahmed al-Jermi, 23;

Salah Ahmed al-Jermi, 32;

Wa'el 'Ata Dandan, 31;

Ibrahim Saqer Khalil, 20;

Tayseer Khalil al-'Aassi, 30;

Shadi al-Riahi, 28;

Hani 'Abdullah Abu Rezeq, 36;

Robin Mohammed al-Dbaki, 24;

Mustafa Mohammed al-Dbaki, 30;

Bassam Mahmoud al-'Aassi, 24;

Mohammed Jaber Bhairi, 18; and

Fareed Badran, 40.

 

Friday, 25 May 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Halim Hussein 'Abdul Halim, 25, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the Kittana family, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Wasfi Qabaha, 45, State Minister, in al-Bassatin neighborhood, and arrested him. IOF also raided and searched the building the Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs and confiscated many documents.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bal'a village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fawi Mohammed 'Ameer, 23.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided the building of Abu Sakour olive press in Nanqar area in the southwest of the town after an explosion occurred as a result of deflation. IOF denied the access of the Palestinian police to the area for several hours. IOF soldiers held workers for several hours, but no arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 26 May 2007

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They fired flash and sound bombs. They wirthdrew from the town later.

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Khuffash. They held the family in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

At approximately 09:30, IOF broke into Jawhar elementary school in the southeast of Hebron, and prevented school children from doing their final exams, claiming that stones were thrown at their military vehicles.

At approximately 20:00, 2 Palestinian militants exchanged fire with IOF soldiers near the Annexation Wall in Sheikh Sa'ad area, southeast of Jerusalem. The two militants were killed during the exchange of fire: Mamdouh Mohammed Shqairat, 22; and Mahmoud Naji Halsa, 21, both from Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood in Jerusalem. Even though the two militants were killed, IOF continued to open fire in the area. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, 19-year-old Anas Mohammed Daoud 'Owaisat, was killed by a gunshot to the head. IOF claimed that he was killed when he came under crossfire.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and neither casualties no arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 27 May 2007

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

Sameer Mohammed al-Akhras, 35;

Mohammed Hasan Masalma, 19; and

Fadi 'Eissa Ma'ali, 22.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched the building of Juthour Women's Center and confiscated equipment and documents.

In the morning, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They chased a number of school children and arrested 2 of them, claming that the two threw stones at military vehicles:

Tha'er Mohammed Abu Safi, 16; and

Yasser Fayez Abu Fanous, 15.

At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They stopped and checked passing Palestinian civilians, and arrested 16-year-old 'Ammar 'Aaref Qazzaz.

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Husni Abu al-Wafa. They held the family in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

 

Monday, 28 May 2007

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, including a girl:

Daoud Mohammed al-Zbaidi, 26; and

Banan Jamal Abu al-Haija, 21, whose father, a political leader of Hamas, and 3 brothers have been detained by IOF.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. Neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the house of Malek 'Abdul Halim Salhab, 26, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

Ahmed 'Awni Taqatqa, 30; and

Ahmed Ibrahim Thawabta, 26.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Abu Ktaila neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hasan Abu Shkhaidem, 20, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Na'el Sa'id al-Sheikh, 30, and arrested him. They then besieged a house belonging to the family of 'Omar 'Izziddin Abu Dayah, 26, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement) in an attempt to arrest him. He attempted to escape, and IOF soldiers fired at him. He was wounded by a gunshot to the pelvis. He was evacuated to Jericho Hospital. IOF broke into the hospital and kidnapped him. During this operation, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding 8-year-old Lu'ai Mustafa Jalayta with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head. Before their withdrawal from the town, IOF arrested Sami 'Emad al-'Aalam, 25.

At approximately 15:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Ramallah, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped in 'Ein Misbah area. IOF soldiers got out of the car and arrested Khaled Abu Shawish, 32, from 'Aqqaba village southeast of Jenin. Abu Shawish is semi paralyzed as he was wounded by a gunshot to the back by IOF in 2002 during Operation Defensive Shield. IOF claim that Abu Shawish was responsible for a number of attacks on them.

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They searched olive fields, claiming that a military site was fired at.

Also at approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghassana village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wadee' Cana'an al-Barghouthi, 28, and arrested him.

 

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

Rajeh Mohammed al-Shawahin, 38;

Mahmoud Khalil al-'Omour, 30;

Taleb Mahmoud al-Najjar, 40; and

Mohammed Hasan al-Harini, 27.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Shareef Nawfal, 27, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

Jamal 'Abdul Hamid al-Teerawi, 42, a PLC member;

Rabee' Mohammed Abu Lail, 33;

Najeh Fayez Abu Shahin, 32;

Firas Mohammed al-Rayan, 30;

Ra'ed Rawash, 34;

Mohammed 'Ata Sharai'a, 33;

Yousef 'Ali al-Srouji, 27;

Majdi Fayez 'Aashour, 30; and

Ma'moun Hassan 'Aashour, 33.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a public library.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and fired sound and flash bombs. They withdrew from the village later and neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and fired sound and flash bombs. They withdrew from the village later and neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Shoubaki, 47, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, Sameera Mohammed al-Sheikh 'Ali, 45, was wounded by shrapnel to the right shoulder. IOF raided and searched a number of coffee shops and houses and violently beat a number of Palestinian civilians.

 

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Eiba village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

Khaled Ramadan Isma'il, 36;

Mohammed Khairi Sama'na, 25;

Mohammed Khairi Sama'na, 21;

Qassem Ahmed Qabala, 18;

Mohammed Nazel Eshtaiwi, 21; and

Rami 'Abdul Mon'em Sama'na, 19.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabalan village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fawaz Hussein al-Az'ar, 43, the mayor, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Jom'a Abu Ghali, 22.

 

Extra-Judicial Executions

On Tuesday, 29 May 2007, IOF undercover unit committed 2 extra-judicial executions in Ramallah and Jenin, killing two Palestinian activists and wounding 5 civilian bystanders.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, an IOF undercover unit moved into Ramallah, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped in Rukab Street in the center of the town. IOF soldiers in civilian clothes got out of the vehicle and opened fire at 3 Palestinian militants who had just got out of al-Manasra Restaurant. One of the militants was wounded to the feet, whereas the other two ones fled to a nearby church. IOF soldiers moved towards the wounded militant and shot him dead. Later, the victim was identifies as ‘Omar Mohammed Mustafa ‘Abdul Halim, 28, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement). IOF soldiers also wounded 5 civilian bystanders, including a child:

Khaled ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Hilwa, 35, from Bitounia town, wounded by shrapnel to the hand;

Mo’ayad Ahmed Suleiman, 20, from Biddu village near Ramallah, wounded by shrapnel to the head;

Khairi Jamal Dib, 21, from Kufor Ne’ma village near Ramallah, wounded by shrapnel to the leg;

Ahmed Jamal Jouda, 16, from Ramallah, wounded by shrapnel to the left hand; and

Mahmoud Hasan Abu Raha, 18, from al-Am’ari refugee camp near Ramallah, wounded by shrapnel to the hand.

At approximately 20:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin, through Bourqin Mount to the south of the village. IOF soldiers hid in olive fields. When they saw ‘Eid Hisham Saleh Khalil, 20, walking on the main road opposite to Martyr Yasser Arafat School, they shot him dead from a range of nearly 200 meters. The victim was a member of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad).

 

Continued Siege on the OPT

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

 

Gaza Strip

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

Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. On Friday, 25 May 2007, the crossing point was reopened from 09:00 to 17:00, and 1,530 travelers were able to travel outside the Gaza Strip, whereas 1,740 others were able to travel back. On Saturday, 26 May 2007, the crossing point was reopened from 09:00 to 17:00, and 1,274 travelers were able to travel outside the Gaza Strip, whereas 1,060 others were able to travel back. On Wednesday, 30 May 2007, the crossing point was reopened from 09:00 to 17:00, and 1,555 travelers were able to travel outside the Gaza Strip, whereas 1,124 others were able to travel back.  

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. Since the beginning of this year, IOF have allowed 10 patients daily to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank through the crossing. IOF have also continued to prevent many Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing was operated from 09:30 to 17:30 daily, allowing the importation of 430 containers of foodstuffs, medicines and construction raw materials, and the exportation of 50 containers of agricultural products.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the entry of fuels. On Friday, 25 May 2007, IOF denied the entry of fuels for no apparent reasons. In other days, large amounts of fuels were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Sofa Crossing: IOF have continued to close Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designed for the entry of aggregate, and Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip.  Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families.  Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

 

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 24 May 2007, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They conducted prolonged checking on those civilians. On Saturday morning, 26 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at Za’tara and Hawara checkpoints, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They conducted prolonged and humiliating checking on civilians. On Sunday morning, 27 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, through conducting prolonged checking on them.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 24 May 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint to the east of Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On the same day, IOF soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town, continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through the two checkpoints. IOF soldiers chased dozens of young men who resorted to dirt branch roads and violently beat them. On Saturday, 26 May 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm, and another one at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and held dozens of young men for several hours. On Sunday, 27 May 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also held dozens of young men and children for identity verification. On Monday, 28 May 2007, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. On Tuesday, 29 May 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at Deir al-Ghosoun intersection, north of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Deir al-Ghosoun village. At noon, IOF soldiers allowed Palestinian civilians to pass through the checkpoint, but following prolonged checking.

On Wednesday morning, 30 May 2007, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point in the Jordanian border arrested Mohammed Hsaan Eshtaiwi, 32, from Sour village south of Tulkarm, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

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 several checkpoints inside the town. They stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 26 May 2007, closed the northern and northwestern entrances of Hebron, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians.

On Friday evening, 25 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned the center of Hebron arrested Mahran Na’im al-Rajabi, 20, when he was in a shop of vegetables belonging to his family.

On Saturday evening, 26 May 2007, IOF soldiers patrolling on bypass road #359, north of Hebron, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, claiming that they attempted to throw a Molotov Cocktail bottle at the patrol:

Karam Mohammed Zghair, 17;

Mo’taz No’man al-Junaidi, 18; and

Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shkhaidem, 18.

On Wednesday, 30 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron arrested Ahmed ‘Abdullah Shihab, 32, from ‘Anabta village east of Tulkarm, when he was on his way to Hebron.

Salfit: On Thursday evening, 24 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint near Hares village, northwest of Salfit, arrested Bahaa’ Anwar Fares, 23, from Deir Estia village.

Qalqilya: On Saturday evening, 26 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint near Ras ‘Atiya village, south of Qalqilya, arrested Khaled Bakri Abu ‘Amra, 26.

On Tuesday evening, 29 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

Mahmoud Sa’id Radwan, 23, physically disabled;

Mo’tassem Mohammed Radwan, 20; and

Taher ‘Abdullah Abu Khadija, 24.

Jenin: On Wednesday, 20 May 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint erected at the entrance of al-Zababda village, southwest of Jenin, arrested Tawfiq Hamad Ekmayel, 25, from Qabatya village.

 

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 25 May 2007, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall established in the village. 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, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded:

‘Abbas al-Moumani, 36, a photographer of France Press, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;

Wa’el Fahmi Nasser, 30, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg;

Mohammed Khalil Abu Rahma, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;

Rateb Mahmoud Abu Rahma, 42, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;

Yassin Mohammed Yassin, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg; and

Ahmed Mohammed Hamad, 36, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh. 

It is noted that IOF soldiers besieged al-Moumani and a number of other journalists near a house in the village. They ordered the journalists to leave the area. The journalists told IOF soldiers that they would leave the area once an IOF military jeep that stopped in front of their cars would allow them to pass. Soon after, an IOF soldier fired at the journalists from a range of 2 meters only, and al-Moumani was wounded.

 

Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

IOF continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law. In this context, during the reporting period, IOF demolished 4 houses in Jerusalem and 2 others in Hebron.  

On Sunday morning, 27 May 2007, IOF moved into Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square-meter house belonging to Hussam ‘Ali Suleiman, in which 7 people lived.

On Monday morning, 28 May 2007, IOF and Israeli police besieged a house belonging to Zainab Ibrahim Kabaja in the old town of Jerusalem. They forced the 12 residents of the house and demolished it. The house had been repaired last year.

Also on Monday morning, IOF moved into Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square meter house belonging to ‘Ali Mahmoud ‘Olayan, in which 3 people lived.

Also on Monday morning, IOF moved into Shurfat village, south of Jerusalem. They demolished a 110-square-meter house belonging to ‘Abdul Karim Mash’al, in which 5 people lived.

At approximately 12:30 also on Monday, IOF moved into al-Baq’a area in the northeast of Hebron. They demolished 2 under-construction houses:

A 180-square-meter house belonging to ‘Emad Mohammed Jaber; and

A 220-square-meter house belonging to Hani Saleem Jaber.

The demolition of the two houses is part of a plan to expand the neighboring “Kharsina” settlement. The two houses were demolished even though their owners submitted petitions to the Israeli High Court against the demolition last year.

 

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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).