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

1. 18 Palestinians, including a pilgrim, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

2. 5 Palestinians were extra-judicially executed by IOF.

3. 25 Palestinians, including 4 children and 2 women, were wounded by  IOF gunfire.

4. IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 4 into the Gaza Strip.

5. IOF arrested 35 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.

6. IOF razed 160 donums of agricultural land in ‘Abasan village near Khan Yunis.

7. IOF raided a hospital and a school in Hebron, and the office of an NGO in East Jerusalem.

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

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

10. 2 Palestinian pilgrims died in Egypt when they were on their way back to the Gaza Strip.

11. IOF troops positioned at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

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

13. A Palestinian civilian was run down and killed by an Israeli settler.

14. Israeli settlers attacked 3 members of the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (27 December 2007 – 2 January 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 18 Palestinians, including a woman, and wounded 25 others, including 4 children and 2 women.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 17 Palestinians, including a woman.

On 27 December 2007, IOF carried out 2 extra-judicial executions, during which they killed 3 members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and one civilian, In addition,

6 civilian bystanders were wounded, including 2 children, in al-Boreij refugee camp and al-Mughraqa village in the central Gaza Strip. On the same day, IOF killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 5 others, and a civilian child, during an incursion into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. On 28 December 2007, 2 members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded by an IOF air strike in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. On 30 December, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded one civilian during an incursion into al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. On the same day, IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian pilgrims who were en route back to the Gaza Strip via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. One woman was killed, and her husband was wounded. On 1 January 2008, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded two civilians in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Hanoun town. On 2 January, IOF killed 6 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a seventh. In addition, four civilians, including two women, were wounded during an IOF incursion into al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. On 2 January, a member of the Palestinian resistance was wounded by an IOF air strike in the central Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, On 27 December 2007, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard in Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. On 2 January 2008, IOF wounded a Palestinian child during an incursion into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm.   

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 30 military incursions into Palestinian communities across the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 35 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children. IOF also raided a hospital and a school in Hebron, and an NGO’s office in East Jerusalem.

At least 2,800 Palestinians were arrested by IOF in the West Bank during 2007.

In the Gaza Strip, on 27 December, IOF moved into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. They destroyed a house and razed at least 160 donums of agricultural land. On 30 December, IOF moved into al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. On 31 December, IOF moved into Beit Hanoun. They damaged 15 donums of agricultural land planted with wheat. On 2 January 2008, IOF moved into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  A number of Palestinians were killed by IOF during those incursions.

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

To date, IOF have closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for almost 18 months continuously. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. The siege has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. The siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has also severely affected 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 in June 2007, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza have continued to deteriorate. On 19 September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip “A hostile entity,” and at this point measures of collective punishment against the civilian population escalated. Since September 2007, IOF have limited the goods exported to the Gaza Strip to just nine basic materials. As a direct consequence, local markets ran out of many goods, causing a sharp increase in prices, which in some cases amounted to 500%. The IOF have also banned the import of some medicines, furniture, electrical appliances and cigarettes, as well as decreasing the amounts of some other goods being imported into the Gaza Strip, such as fruits, milk and some other dairy products. During the reporting period, Palestinian pilgrims were stranded in Egypt and prevented from returning to the Gaza Strip for several days. Two of the pilgrims died whilst stranded in Egypt.

West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have systematically been denied access to Jerusalem. 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 3 Palestinian civilians.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international humanitarian law, continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, on 29 December, IOF ran down and killed a Palestinian civilian from al-Qebya village, northwest of Jerusalem. On 30 December, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles on the Hebron–Bethlehem road. On 1 January, 2008, Israeli settlers attacked 3 members of the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. All three were injured.  

Israeli violations documented during the Reporting Period (27 December 2007 – 2 January 2008)

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

Thursday, 27 December 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Odai Tafesh Saleh, 23.

2.      Jihad Tafesh Saleh, 20.

3.      ‘Ameed Mohammed Saleh, 19.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Kayed No’man Kayed, 23, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Ali Wissam Hassanain, 45.

2.      Suleiman Kamal Fatayer, 50.

3.      ‘Abbas Suleiman Fatayer, 24.  

4.      Samer Saleem al-Tahhan, 35.

5.      Tariq al-‘At’out, 24.

6.      Ibrahim Sa’adat Habash, 24.

7.      Eyad Sa’adat Habash, 31.  

8.      Jaber Mahmoud ‘Owais, 40.

9.      Mohammed Jaber ‘Owais, 19.

·      At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Riad Hirsha, 22.

·      Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They besieged a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Sati al-Ashqar. They forced the family outside and searched the house. Before withdrawing, IOF arrested Fadi Munther Raddad, 28.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Battir village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Abu al-Kheir Isma’il Mo’ammar, 18, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 08:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin refugee camp in the north of the West Bank, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near an UNRWA clinic, and two gunmen emerged. They abducted Samer ‘Ali al-Sa’di, 20, a member of Islamic Jihad, at gunpoint.  

·      At approximately 11:30, IOF moved nearly 1,500 meters into the al-Snati area of ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of intense shelling, IOF began to raze areas of agricultural land. A clash between IOF and members of the Palestinian resistance broke out soon afterwards. At approximately 15:00, Hani Ramzi Abu ‘Eid, 20, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), was killed during the clash, after being shot several times. Approximately half an hour later, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of militants from the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), who were near a house belonging to ‘Abdullah Imsa’il Abu Tair. Two militants were killed:

1.      Mohammed Faraj al-Masri, 27.

2.      Haitham Talal Hamdan Abu al-‘Ola, 25.

A third militant was wounded during the clash, and the house was damaged. As a result of IOF shelling, four Palestinian civilians living in the area were also wounded. At approximately 16:00, IOF withdrew from the area, having destroyed a 150-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed Abu Tair. They also razed 160 donums of agricultural land and destroyed a number of greenhouses, small reservoirs, irrigation networks and twenty beehives.

·      At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They raided a coffee shop in the center of the camp and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.      Ra’fat Bilal Abu Sabeel, 22.

2.      Tamer Hasan Badran, 24, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces.

·      At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed al-Shoumali, and arrested his two sons: Rami, 20; and Jihad, 17.

Friday, 28 December 2007

·      At approximately 00:15, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a number of militants from the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Two militants were wounded.

·      Following an armed confrontation between Palestinian militants and IOF troops, which killed two IOF soldiers and a militant in the northwest of Hebron, IOF, reinforced by dozens of military vehicles and two helicopters, imposed a tightened siege on Hebron and suburbs. At approximately 17:20, IOF moved into the northwestern part of Hebron. They besieged the National Hospital in Be’r al-Mahjar. They raided the hospital ten minutes later. IOF held all of the hospital staff in the yard and the cafeteria while they conducted a thorough search of the premises. They also interrogated a number of staff about wounded persons who may have been admitted to the hospital. At approximately 20:10, IOF left the hospital, opening fire on their way out. At approximately 17:30 the following day, IOF named the Palestinian militant who had been killed in the northwest of Hebron as Bassel Nabeel al-Natsha, age 22. IOF detained his body for two days. 

Saturday, 29 December 2007

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Salam and Wadi al-Tuffah streets in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested six members of the Natsha family, including 3 brothers of Bassel al-Natsha (the militant killed the previous day during armed clashes with IOF). The men arrested were:

1.      Na’im Nabeel al-Nastha, 25;

2.      Firas Nabeel al-Nastha, 20;

3.      Hazem Nabeel al-Nastha, 17;

4.      ‘Omar No’man al-Natsha, 23;

5.      ‘Abdullah No’man al-Natsha, 27; and

6.      Shadi Mohammed al-Natsha, 21.

Sunday, 30 December 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets and opened fire. No casualties or arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of house,s and arrested Mustafa Yousef Shakarna, 22.

·      At approximately 20:00, IOF moved hundreds of meters into al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. They opened fire at ‘Aadel Yousef Qishta, 23, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), while he was attempting to plant a bomb at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Qishta was shot several times, and seriously injured. He bled to death. In addition, Kamel ‘Awad al-Mahmoum, 19, was wounded by a gunshot to the right arm whilst standing near his home.  

·      At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into the western part of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets, withdrawing later in the day. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 16:00, the first group of Palestinian pilgrims arrived at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, en route from Jordan. IOF troops checked the pilgrims' documents before allowing them to enter the Gaza Strip. At approximately 20:00, the second group of pilgrims arrived at the crossing, and the crowd congested. At approximately 22:00, families of pilgrims moved forward in order to welcome the pilgrims home. IOF troops immediately opened fire on the pilgrims and their families, to drive them back from the crossing. Khaldiya Ahmed Hamdan al-Tilbani, 33, from al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, was shot in the head and killed, and her husband, 40-year-old Furaih Mohammed al-Tilbani, was shot in the neck and wounded. They were both attempting to collect their luggage when they were shot. 

Monday, 31 December 2007

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Wadi Hasaka neighborhood in the north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul Hamid Rajab Dandis. They heavily damaged the house and arrested the owner’s son, 10-year-old Sofian. They also summoned the owner’s other sons, Rajab, 21, and ‘Ali, 25, for interrogation. According to the family, at least 400 grams of gold, some money and a laptop disappeared during the house raid.

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved in al-Rihiya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Malek Isma’il al-Jundi, 18.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Nidal Shihda al-Nabarin, 31.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They opened fire at Nabeel Shafe’Salah, his wife and two children, while the family were en route to work at their bakery business. No one was injured.

Tuesday, 1 January 2008

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bilal Kharyoush, recently released from jail in Israel. IOF forced Bilal Kharyous out of his home and humiliated him, although he told them he was ill. IOF withdrew from the village later. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to Tha’er Mohammed Khandaqji. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the northwestern part of Hebron. They raided Harbi Abu al-Dab’at School in Be’r al-Mahjar neighborhood, and searched classrooms. They withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 12:00, the Israeli police raided the office of the National Commission Against Social Problems in occupied East Jerusalem. They handed its administrative staff an order signed by the Israeli Minister of Internal Security, prohibiting the Board of Trustees from holding their annual meeting. The Israeli police claimed the Association is related to the Palestinian National Authority.

·      At approximately 15:40, IOF fired a surface-to-surface missile at a number of militants from the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Maqboula area, southeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. One of the militants, 23-year-old Yahia Sa’id Jaber, 23, was killed. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered to evacuate his body, and IOF fired a second at them. Two civilians were wounded:

1.      Sami Abu Sa’id, 28.

2.      Jaber Abu ‘Ajami, 48.

·      During the night of January 1^st, 2008, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire on a young man wearing civilian clothes who had got close to the border. The young man shot several times, and died instantly. The following morning, January 2^nd, IOF informed the liaison department at the Palestinian Ministry of Health that they had killed a young man, and that his body was still lying in the area. A medical crew went to the area, where they found the body almost 100 meters from the border. To date the victim has not been identified.

Wednesday, 2 January 2008

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian children:

1.      Wassim Mowaffaq Ta’ma, 16.

2.      Nasser Majed Sabbah, 16.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Marwan Mohammed Abu Fara, 24, and arrested him.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wissam Mohammed Abu Raya, 16, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into the east of al-Shojaeya refugee camp in the east of Gaza City. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF, whose aircrafts attacked the area. Six members of the Palestinian resistance were killed:

1.      ‘Aahed Mahmoud Shamali, 30, killed by shrapnel.  

2.      Yousef Mohammed Shamali, 21, killed by shrapnel.

3.      Mos’ab Waleed Jindiya, 18, killed by shrapnel.

4.      Hamada Ahmed Abu ‘Ameera, 27, killed by shrapnel.

5.      ‘Abdul Karim Ahmed al-Hilu, 23, killed by shrapnel.

6.      Salem Fu’ad al-Wadiya, 20, killed by a gunshot to the head.

A seventh resistance member was injured. Four civilian bystanders were also wounded:

1.      Nidaa’ ‘Abdul Majeed al-Haya, 22, wounded in the head.

2.      Hikmat Mahmoud al-Wadiya, 40, wounded in the head.

3.      Mahmoud Mohammed al-Wadiya, 60, wounded by shrapnel to the face.

4.      Khaled Mahmoud al-Saleh, 50, sustained burns and bruises to the chest.

IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 06:30.

·      At approximately 09:50, IOF moved into Wadi Hasaka neighborhood in the north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul Hamid Rajab Dandis. They informed the owner that his son, who was not at home, had to surrender. IOF left the house at approximately 11:00.

·      At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided a deserted house in the center of the village belonging to Ma’moun Massad, and transformed it into a military site.

·      At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They stopped near Shwaika School on the main road, and began to harass the schoolchildren. A number of schoolchildren gathered, and started throwing stones at the IOF military vehicles. IOF troops immediately opened fire on the children, wounding Hilal Muneer Ashqar, 15, with 2 gunshots to his right thigh.

·      At approximately 23:10, an IOF drone fired a missile at a jeep, in which a number of members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees were traveling, on the costal road opposite  Nusairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The missile fell in front of the jeep. No one was injured.  

2.      Extra-Judicial Executions

During the reporting period, IOF committed 4 extra-judicial executions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Five Palestinians were killed, and 10 Palestinians injured during the extra-judicial execution operations. This included six civilian bystanders, two of whom were children.  

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

·      At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 27 December 20007, an IOF drone fired 2 missiles at a civilian car traveling on Salah al-Din road near the entrance of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Mohammed Fawzi Abu Hassanain, 31, from Gaza City, who works in the Office of Transitional Initiatives (ARD), and his relative Mohammed Ahmed Abu Hassanain, 40, a prominent leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), were inside the car. Fourty year old Mohammed Ahmed Abu Hassanain was killed instantly. 31 year old Mohammed Ahmed Abu Hassanain was seriously wounded, and died from his wounds several hours later. In addition, six civilian bystanders, including 2 children, were wounded.

·      At approximately 21:30 on the same day, an IOF drone fired 2 missiles at two members of the al-Quds Brigades who were walking on a dirt road in al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza city. One of them, 40-year-old Mohammed Mershed Abu ‘Abdullah, was instantly killed. The other, 27-year-old Ibrahim ‘Ali al-Louh, was seriously wounded. He died from his injuries two days later, on Saturday, 29 December 2007.

·      At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 27 December, an IOF undercover unit moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah, traveling in a civilian car with an Israeli registration plate. The car stopped on the main road. IOF troops soon opened fire at Mo’tassem Rafeeq Saleh al-Shareef, 27, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard, while he was traveling home in his car. He was seriously wounded, and evacuated to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. IOF military vehicles moved into the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. The IOF claimed they moved into Bitounia in order to arrest al-Shareef, and that he opened fire at them. IOF also claimed al-Shareef was wanted by Israel, for being a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement).  

·      At approximately 20:25 on Wednesday, 2 January 2008, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a civilian car that was traveling to the south of al-Saftawi Street, west of Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip. Three members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committee were traveling in the car. They managed to escape from the car before the missile struck. However, one of them, Ibrahim Zumlot Abu Sha’ban, was by shrapnel in his left leg.

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 18 months. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation, and in addition, 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. In addition, 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 sectors. The 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 subsequently deteriorated. The Israeli government has declared the Gaza Strip as “a hostile entity,” which implies restrictions and measures of collective punishment will continue to be imposed on the Palestinian civilian population. 

·      Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the only crossing from the Gaza Strip to a country other than Israel. The IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, although they do not directly control the Crossing Point. The IOF have also prevented European Union observers working at the crossing point from reaching it. Rafah crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. Since that date, thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing, and twenty four civilians, including eight women and a child, have died. The bodies were returned to Gaza via the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Sha lom) crossing. In addition, thousands of travelers were allowed to return to the Gaza Strip through al-Ojah crossing, which lies eight kilometers to the east    of Rafah International Crossing Point.    From there, they were transported to Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing to enter the Gaza Strip.  Hundreds of Palestinian civilians who have residencies in other countries were allowed to travel out of the Gaza Strip via Erez Crossing. However, at least 1,500 Palestinians remain stranded on the Egyptian side of Rafah International Crossing Point, waiting permission to return to the Gaza Strip. In addition, thirty Palestinians remain stranded at al-‘Areesh Airport in Egypt. On 3-4 December 2007, the Egyptian authorities allowed 2,200 Palestinian pilgrims to pass through Rafah International Crossing Point to travel to Saudi Arabia. On their return from the Pilgrimage, on 28 December 2007, the pilgrims were informed at the Jordanian seaport of Aqaba that they were being denied access to the ferries at the Egyptian port of Nuwebe,’ from where they were expecting continue their journey to Gaza via the Sinai Peninsula. The pilgrims were informed that boarding the ferries to Nuwebe’ was conditional on them signing pledge which stated they accepted they would return to the Gaza Strip via Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing on the Egyptian-Israeli border, instead of the Rafah International Crossing Point on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The pilgrims refused to sign this pledge. Two 2 pilgrims died as a result of the subsequent humanitarian crisis.   

·      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 via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip were prevented from traveling through this crossing. Only a small number of Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. IOF allowed 520 Christians to travel from the Gaza Strip to Bethlehem during the Christmas holiday. On 16 and 17 December 2007, 700 pilgrims were allowed to pass through Erez crossing to travel to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, but 150 others were prevented. On 30 December, the pilgrims returned to the Gaza Strip through the crossing. On 2 January 2008, IOF allowed 15 patients to pass through the crossing to travel to Jordan to receive advanced medical treatment. The following table the number of patients who were allowed to pass through the crossing during the reporting period, in order to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank:

·       Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for a few hours to allow the entry of 2,537 containers of seeds and animal feed.

·      Nahal Ouz crossing: this crossing is designed for the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip. On 28 November 2007, IOF decided a new reduction in the supply of fuel to the Gaza Strip, which already suffers from serious shortages in fuel.

·      Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for 3 days allowing the entry of cows, humanitarian aid and some other goods. On 26 December, IOF allowed the entry 27 containers of foodstuffs and fruits for local traders. On 27 December, IOF allowed the entry of 25 containers of foodstuffs and fruits for local traders. On 30 December, IOF allowed the entry of 25 containers of foodstuffs and fruits for local traders. On 31 December 2007, IOF allowed the entry of 40 containers of foodstuffs and fruits for local traders. On 1 January 2008, IOF allowed the entry of 27 containers of foodstuffs and fruits for local traders.

·      Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing was partially active. On 26 December, 57 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 2 containers of flowers were exported. On 27 December, 65 containers of goods for local traders and humanitarian aid for UNRWA were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 2 containers of flowers were exported. On 28 December, 39 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 31 December 2007, 67 containers of goods for local traders and humanitarian aid for WFP were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 2 containers of flowers were exported. On 1 January 2008, 51 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 3 containers of flowers were exported.

PCHR is following the deterioration of economic and social conditions resulting from the total siege imposed by Israel on the Occupied Palestinian Territory with the utmost concern, especially as regards the Gaza Strip. PCHR is extremely concerned that living standards of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza will further deteriorate if the recommendations of the Israeli Security committee continue to be implemented, as this will result in at least 60% of the Palestinian civilian population being deprived of electricity supplies. In addition, many facilities that provide vital civilian services would be curtailed, due to the lack of electricity.  

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF have consistently prevented local fishermen from fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities are economically dependent 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 gun-ships and gunboats for this purpose. Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinian are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles from the Gaza coastline. 

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.

·      Bethlehem: IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the freedom of movement, including the access of pilgrims to the holy sites in the town. On Saturday evening, 22 December, IOF troops positioned at a permanent checkpoint at the southwestern entrance to Bethlehem conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 23 December, IOF closed the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem. The closure continued for 2 hours, following which IOF troops conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians wanting to pass through the checkpoint. On Monday, 24 December, IOF reinforced their presence at Ras Beit Jala checkpoint, west of Bethlehem. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Christian pilgrims wanting to enter the town.

On Tuesday noon, 11 December, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested 2 Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip: Murad Khalil Hasan al-Wawi, 29, and Hussein Khalil al-Wawi, 27.

·      Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around the city. On Friday and Saturday, 14 and 15 December 2007, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. During the Eid al-Adha, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the center and the south of Hebron. They stopped and conducted prolonged checking of civilians.