PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 14/2008 27 March - 02 April 2008

Israeli soldier arresting a Palestinian near Nablus

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

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law seriously escalated in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, during the reporting period (27 March – 2 April 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 6 activists of the Palestinian resistance and wounded another 6 Palestinians, including a farmer, in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 10 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a journalist, in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 6 activists of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 5 others in 4 separate attacks in al-Qarara village in the south, Beit Lahia and Jabalya town in the north, and Deir al-Balah town in the center. Additionally, IOF wounded a Palestinian farmer in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, on 29 March 2008.

In the West Bank, IOF wounded 10 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a journalist. Dozens of Palestinian civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation used by IOF. On 28 March 2008, 8 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist and 3 children, were wounded when IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall. Additionally, 6 journalists suffered from tear gas inhalation used by IOF. On 30 March 2008, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF troop fired at hundreds of Palestinian civilians who organized a peaceful demonstration in Deir Qiddis village on the Land Day. On 2 April 2008, a Palestinian child was wounded by IOF troops in Jenin town.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 41 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 33 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a girl. Thus, the number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 has mounted to 810.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 9 limited incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF arrested 23, including 2 children, razed at least 160 donums of agricultural land and destroyed 200 beehives.

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.

IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. 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 nearly 1.5 million 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. 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. In September 2007, 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. Since then, IOF have sharply decreased food and fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip. IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and subsequently many factories have stopped their industrial activities. Concerning the movement of persons, IOF allow a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to travel to the West Bank. 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 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. 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.

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 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 various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 8 Palestinian civilians.

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. 31 March 2008, the Local Committee of Planning and Construction at the Municipality of West Jerusalem approved a plan to construct 600 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement neighborhood in the context of a comprehensive plan of mayor Uri Lupolianski, which includes the construction of 40,000 housing units in Jerusalem under the pretext of the shortage in apartments for young couples and the high prices of available apartments. In the same context, on 2 April 2008, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported that the Israeli Ministry of Housing presented a plan to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, which includes the construction of 1,900 housing units throughout the West Bank in 2008. Israeli settlers have also continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. On 31 March 2008, an Israeli settler shot dead a Palestinian civilian, when he got close to 2 Israeli settlers who were waiting at a bus stop near the entrance of “Shilu” settlement north of Ramallah. Israeli sources claimed that the victim attempted to attack one of the settlers using a knife.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (27 March – 2 April 2008)

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

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shihab al-Din al-Natsha in al-Salam Street in the west of the town, and interrogated its residents. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01::00, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hanadi Sameer Cana’an, 26, from her house in the west of the city.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Salah village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

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

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Rafat village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jibara village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Ali Tahseen ‘Awadh, 44.

· At approximately 21:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into the center of Tulkarm refugee camp, east of Tulkarm, traveling in a civilian car. IOF troops immediately raided a coffee shop searching for an allegedly wanted Palestinian, but they did not find him. IOF military vehicles soon moved into the camp.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

· At approximately 02:15, 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 02:15, IOF moved into Beit Emrin village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jom’a Mamdouh Samara, 35.

· At approximately 03:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. A number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops. An activist, 19-year-old Bilal ‘Abed Rabbu Mousa al-Astal, was killed, and 2 others were wounded.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 800 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and demolished an agricultural store belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Majeed Abu Mughassib.

· At approximately 20:40, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town opened fire at an activist of the Palestinian resistance, who was nearly 200 meters away from the border. The activist was killed by several gunshots throughout the body. Medical crews were able to reach his body only at 07:30 on the following day. The activist was identified as Tamer Ra’ed Dawas, 18, from Jabalya refugee camp.

· At approximately 00:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 500 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the clans of Abu Mughassib and Abu Khammash. They forced the residents out and arrested 3 persons: Mohammed ‘Atiya Abu Mughassib, 34; Mohammed Fayez Abu Khammash, 47; and Ra’ed Abu Khammash, 23. The three persons were released at 11:00.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ussarin village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 07:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khuza’a village in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian agricultural areas in the village. A Palestinian farmer, 28-year-old Rami Mohammed Qudaih, was wounded by a gunshot to the right thigh, when he was on his land nearly 900 meters away from the border.

· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They besieged for more than 40 minutes the building of the Charitable Home of Orphans belonging to the Islamic Charity, which is threatened to be seized by IOF, in al-Salam Street in the west of the town. They withdrew later and no arrested were reported. It is worth noting that at least 200 female orphans live in the building.

· At approximately 20:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who were in ‘Ezbat ‘Abed Rabbu area in the east of Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip. Two activists were killed: Rabee’ Ashraf Muhsen, 23; and Murad Mohammed Khader, 24. Another 2 activists were also wounded.

· At approximately 00:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 700 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. IOF troops raid3ed and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians. One of the detainees was released in the evening. The other 2 detainees remained in custody: Ibrahim ‘Abdullah al-Satari, 33; and Bassam Fawzi al-‘Adini, 38, who was bitten by a dog accompanying IOF troops.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp in the central of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At noon, hundreds of Palestinian civilians from villages located to the west of Ramallah organized a peaceful demonstration on the land day. The demonstration moved from Deir Qiddis village towards the Annexation Wall to the west of the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the demonstrators. Mohammed Wajeeh, 45, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head, and dozens of other demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mousa Fawzi al-Halaiqa, 35, director of the Islamic Charity in the village, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Rasheed al-Qashqeesh, 55, head of Almsgiving Committee in the town, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fu’ad Hassan Nawaj’a, 30, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da’if village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of E’tissam Hussam al-Reemawi, 30, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Baraa’ ‘Abdul Karim Yahia, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 05:00, an IOF helicopter gunship opened fire at agricultural area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Three hours later, IOF military vehicles moved nearly 900 meters into Abu Snaima area in the east of the village. By 14:00, they had razed 134 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, almonds, wheat and parleys and destroyed irrigation networks and 200 beehives belonging the clans of Abu Tu’aima, al-Qarra, al-Agha and al-Zaqzouq.

· At approximately 07:15, IOF troops positioned near the Annexation Wall arrested 4 Palestinian children from Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm:

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Marda village near Salfit. They raided a construction site and checked workers. They then arrested Mohammed ‘Abdullah Hjayer, 19.

· At approximately 01:30, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 700 meters into Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. IOF troops raided and searched a number of houses after forcing their residents out. At approximately 02:30, a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops, who were supported by 2 aircrafts. Two activists were killed: Yahia Hussein Barrak, 24; and ‘Abdullah Ahmed al-Louh, 24. A third activist was wounded. IOF troops also arrested 14 Palestinian civilians, including a child. The detainees were released in the evening, excluding 3 ones: Mohammed Hassan Abu Gharaba, 32; Hamada ‘Aabed al-‘Omour, 21; and Sami ‘Aabed al-‘Omour, 25.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided offices of Jenin Charity in al-Bassatin neighborhood in the north of the town after blowing up doors. They confiscated a computer set and some documents. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Wad Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Firas Fakhri Abu al-Haija, 24.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir Ghazala village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Eyad ‘Adnan ‘Abahra, 27.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and the campus of UNRWA College of Education. They arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nassim ‘Aadel Zeitawi, 29, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Artah suburb, southwest of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jihad Shihada al-Khouli, 37.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amjad Jihad Abu Zahra, 35, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. In the morning, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the children. Shujaa’ Faisal al-Qarini, 17, was wounded by a gunshot to the abdomen. At approximately 06:45, IOF arrested Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Omour, 26.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved nearly 1,000 meters into Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nayef Abu ‘Aathra and arrested 2 of his sons: Difaa’, 22; and Mustafa, 16. They then raided a house belonging the heirs of Khadra Wahdan, who had been killed by IOF troops. They arrested her son, 25-year-old Mohammed Daoud Wahdan. IOF withdrew from the town at approximately 05:00.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into al-Rashaida village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed ‘Ali Rashaida, 38.

· Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. By 15:30, they had rezed 24 donums of agricultural land planed with olives belonging the families of Abu Mandil and al-Buhairi. They also destroyed a room and site of the Palestinian National Security Forces.

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, 1 April 2008, the Egyptian authorities reopened Rafah International Crossing Point from 12:00 to 20:00 to allow 300 Egyptians who had been stuck in the Gaza Strip since January 2008, when the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt was breaches, to travel back to Egypt, and to allow 15 Palestinian patients who had received medical treatment at Egyptian hospitals to travel back to the Gaza Strip.

IOF have maintained the effective closure of the commercial crossings of al-Mentar (Karni), Sofa, and Nahal Ouz. IOF have sporadically opened these crossings in order to facilitate the passage of some humanitarian aids into Gaza.

During the reporting period, dozens of containers of foodstuffs and medicines were allowed into the Gaza Strip through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Sofa crossings, southeast and northeast of Rafah respectively. IOF also partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, east of Gaza City, and some containers of seeds and feeds were allowed into the Gaza Strip. Concerning fuels, IOF have allowed too limited amounts of fuels into the Gaza Strip.

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.

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· 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.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 27 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. On Saturday morning, 29 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 30 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 31 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 27 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohammed Bassem Hammad, 16, from Beita village southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 30 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested ‘Alaa’ Jamal Bdairiya, 22, from ‘Aqraba village southeast of Nablus. IOF troops arrested Bdairiya while dispersing a peaceful demonstration organized on the Land Day.

At approximately 18:30 on Tuesday, 1 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Saher Bassem Mansour, 17, from Kufor Qallil village southeast of the city, claiming that he was carrying a bomb.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 27 March 2008, IOF erected a checkpoint to the east of Nour Shams refugee camp, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. In the meantime, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town, continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from passing through the two checkpoints. On Saturday, 29 March 2008, 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. On Sunday, 30 March 2008, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 31 March 2008, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. On Tuesday, 1 April 2008, IOF erected a checkpoint at Deir al-Ghossoun intersection, north of Tulkarm. They restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Deir al-Ghossoun village. On Wednesday, 2 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday afternoon, 30 March 2008, IOF erected 3 checkpoints at al-Salam, Namera and Ras al-Joura checkpoints. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. The three checkpoints remained standing until 19:30. In the evening, IOF erected a a checkpoint on Halhoul-Hebron road, north of Hebron, and another one at Dura intersection, south of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday morning, 31 March 2008, IOF closed the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar village and the western entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, with sand barriers and rocks. IOF troops positioned in the two areas stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.

· Jenin: On Friday morning, 21 March 2008, IOF troops arrested ‘Alaa’ Shareef Shawahna, 30, from Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin, when he was farming his land, which is located near the Annexation Wall.

· Ramallah: On Sunday morning, 30 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, arrested Mousa Fua’d ‘As’ous, 21, from Muthallath al-Shuhada village south of Jenin.

On Monday noon, 31 March 2008, IOF troops positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, arrested Ahmed Sa’id Qaddoura, 18, from Kufor Qallil village southeast of Nablus.

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 civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 28 March 2008, 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. As a result, a journalist was injured and 6 others suffered from tear gas inhalation:

1. George Halta, 25, a photographer of Palmedia press agency, hit by a sound bomb to the leg;

6. Muheeb al-Barghouthi, 25, a reporter of the local al-Hayat al-Jadeeda newspaper; and

7. Haitham al-Khatib, 32, a photographer of the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village.

2. ‘Eissa Mahmoud Abu Rahma, 37, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg;

4. ‘Abdullah Mohammed Yassin, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;

6. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Bernat, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand; and

7. ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Mustafa Abu Rahma, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen.

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

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

· At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 27 March 2008, Rawda ‘Ali al-Tabeeb, 44, from ‘Ezbat al-Tabeeb village east of Qalqilya, sustained bruises when she was attacked by a female Israeli settler from “Taffouh” settlement. The woman was waiting for a bus to travel to her work in Salfit town, when the settler attacked her.

· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 29 March 2008, a number of Israeli settlers from “Alkanah” settlement”, which stands on the lands of Mas’ha village near Salfit, attacked a house belonging to Hani Mohammed ‘Aamer, 50. They threw stones at the house and attempted to attack ‘Aamer, his wife and their children, who were extremely terrified. According to ‘Aamer, his house had been subjected to dozens of such attacks by Israeli settlers to force him and his family to leave the area. The house has been isolated by the Annexation Wall, and movement to and from the house required permission from IOF.

· On Sunday, 31 March 2008, the Local Committee of Planning and Construction at the Municipality of West Jerusalem approved a plan to construct 600 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement neighborhood in the context of a comprehensive plan of mayor Uri Lupolianski, which includes the construction of 40,000 housing units in Jerusalem under the pretext of the shortage in apartments for young couples and the high prices of available apartments. The Arab 48 web site reported on 1 April that Lupolianski had already expressed support for those plans. The area on which the new settlement neighborhood would be established was originally deigned for industrial projects.

· On Monday morning, 31 March 2008, a number of Israeli settlers violently beat ‘Ezzat Jaber al-Khatib, 80, from Qaryout village southeast of Nablus, when he was farming his land near “Rachel” settlement, which stands on lands of the village. He fainted and was injured.

· At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 31 March 2008, a 15-year-old Israeli settler fired at ‘Abdul Latif ‘Ali Mohammed Hroub, from Kharas village southwest of Hebron, when he got close to 2 Israeli settlers who were waiting at a bus stop near the entrance of “Shilu” settlement north of Ramallah. Israeli sources claimed that 2 Israeli settlers noticed a Palestinian running towards them and holding a knife, so one of them shot him dead. The Israeli daily Ha’aretz quoted one of the settlers, who is 15 years old, that an Arab young man speaking English shook hands with them and started to ask them strange questions, such as how to travel to Bir Zeit. The settlers suspected him because of his strange accent, and because he kept his hands in his pocket while talking. The settlers further claimed that he thought of calling for help, but the Arab young man took a knife out and attempted to the attack them, so he shot him dead. At night, IOF troops raided and searched Hroub’s family in Kharas village and summoned his father for interrogation. Hroub was a student at Bir Zeit University.

· On Wednesday, 2 April 2008, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot reported that the Israeli Ministry of Housing presented a plan to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, which includes the construction of 1,900 housing units throughout the West Bank in 2008: 158 units in “Efrat” settlement south of Bethlehem; 682 unit in “Beitar Elite” settlement west of Bethlehem; 160 units in “Benjamin” settlement; 510 units in “Givat Ze’ev” settlement southwest of Ramallah; 302 units in “Ma’le Adomim” settlement east of Jerusalem; 48 unit in “Kiryat Arba” settlement southeast of Hebron; and 48 units in “Ariel” settlement north of Salfit.

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.