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. 19/2008 30 April- 07 May 2008

Part of the destruction caused by IOF in the town of Khuza’a east of Khan Yunis on 4 May

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 (30 April – 7 May 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 9 Palestinians, including a woman, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and wounded 35 others, including 6 children and a woman, also in the Gaza Strip. Three of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in southern Gaza.

On 30 April 2008, IOF extra-judicially executed 2 al-Quds Brigades activists (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and wounded a third, as well as three civilian bystanders, including 2 children, in Rafah town in the southern Gaza Strip. An IOF aircraft fired missiles at a workshop in Rafah, whilst the activists were inside the workshop. On 1 May, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist from the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Rafah. An IOF aircraft fired a missile at the activist whilst he was walking in the street. A nearby child was also injured. On 4 May, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others during an incursion into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza. On 6 May, IOF killed a ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades activist, and wounded a second in Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF fired a surface-to-surface missile at the activists. On 7 May, IOF killed a Palestinian woman and a Palestinian resistance activist, and wounded 4 civilians, including 2 children, during an incursion into ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 43 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 100 Palestinian civilians, including 15 children. The number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 stands at 1,151. IOF also raided a sewing workshop belonging to the Islamic Charity in Hebron and ordered its closure for 3 years.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 5 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF razed at least 484 donums of agricultural land; destroyed 5 greenhouses, 9 bird farms and 23 houses. In addition, 50 Palestinian civilians were arrested, and another 52 held for questioning.

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 to the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. The IOF imposed siege has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and has violated the human, economic and social rights of the approximately 1.5 million Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. The siege has also paralyzed the Gazan economy. In addition, the siege 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 continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and many factories have been forced to close. Severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the entire Palestinian civilian population. Regarding civilian movements, IOF permit a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in order to travel to the West Bank or Israel. Rafah International Crossing Point in the southern Gaza Strip is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world via a country other than Israel. 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 following are the most significant current impacts of the IOF siege of the Gaza Strip, including the current impacts of fuel deprivation.

· Streets across the Gaza Strip are empty, and daily life has almost been paralyzed.

· Two weeks ago UNRWA was forced to suspend food aid to at least 650,000 Palestinian refugees living in the Gaza Strip because of fuel shortages.

· Livings conditions of the civilian populations have continued to deteriorate.

· Hundreds of patients have been denied access to medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip.

· Many university and school students have not been able to reach their educational institutions due to overwhelming demand for public transport.

· The operation of 15 wells have been stopped and at least 100,000 people across the Gaza Strip now face severe difficulties in accessing safe drinking water.

· Twelve sewage treatment plants lack the necessary fuel supplies to operate at full capacity, and subsequently at least 40,000 liters of untreated sewage have been pumped into the sea daily.

· Piles of garbage are seen in the streets, which may cause environmental and widespread sanitary problems.

· At least 85% of vehicles of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility have not been able to operate in order to supply safe drinking water, treat sewage and maintain the current sewage networks.

The closure of border crossings is depriving the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Fishermen in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor and harass the fishermen. Under the 1994 Interim Agreement, Palestinian, fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore. However, IOF have never honoured the rights of the fishermen under the Interim Agreement.

Contrary to Israeli claims to have eased restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, have been denied access to Jerusalem, including occupied East Jerusalem. IOF have established numerous checkpoints around and inside East Jerusalem. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays in order to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often harass and assault Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF positioned at checkpoints across the West Bank have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF imposed comprehensive closures on the OPT on Friday, 2 May, and on Tuesday, 6 May. In addition, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested two Palestinian civilians.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. For this purpose, during the reporting period, IOF handed notices to six Palestinian civilians in Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron, that their houses, which are located 450-1,000 meters away from the Annexation Wall, will be demolished. IOF claimed that the houses were built without licenses, and gave the owners until 24 May to appeal against the demolition decision.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in violation of international human rights law. During the reporting period, IOF revealed a plan to expand “Har Brakha” settlement, south of Nablus. The plan includes the construction of several housing units on 229 donums of land belonging to Bourin village, which is a Palestinian village. Israeli settlers also continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their property. On 2 May, at least 15 armed Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in the al-Teera area west of Ramallah. On the same day, Israeli settlers armed with stones and batons also attacked a number of Palestinian civilians in Tawani village, south of Hebron. A number of international solidarity activists arrived at the area to protect the civilians. However, more Israeli settlers arrived in the area and also attacked the solidarity activists. One Palestinian civilian and two international solidarity activists subsequently sustained bruises. On 3 May, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked a house belonging to Jamal Yousef Saleh in the southeast of ‘Assira village, south of Nablus. The settlers set fired to agricultural areas and threw stones at the house. A number of local villagers came to the area to support Saleh and assist him in extinguishing the fire. The settlers also beat the locals who came to his assistance.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (30 April – 7 May 2008)

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

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided a sewing workshop belonging to the Islamic Charity, which is located on the first floor of the building of the House of Female Orphans, in the west of the town. They confiscated the contents of the workshop and ordered its closure for 3 years. IOF had already issued military orders to close and seize all properties belonging to the Islamic Charity and the Islamic Youth Association. Fifteen female workers work in the workshop, which provides clothes for at least 4,000 orphans.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched many houses and arrested 27 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, southeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Abu Dis town, southeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:

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

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Mousa Ehmaidat, 27.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Fat’hi ‘Amarna, 17.

· At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They arrested Khaled Ghaleb Abu Baker, 15, near the northeastern entrance of the village claiming that he threw stones at their vehicles.

· Also at approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Fahama village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They arrested 5 Palestinian children claiming that they threw stones at their vehicles:

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, east of Salfit, and imposed a curfew to allow Israeli settlers to conduct religious ceremonies in the village.

· At approximately 01:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 800 meters into al-Farrahin neighborhood in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF troops raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. Later, a number of IOF tanks and bulldozers arrived at the area opening fire. IOF troops held some civilians in open areas endangering them as IOF troops exchanged fire with activists of the Palestinian resistance. IOF troops also forced a number of civilians to get on tank, apparently using them as human shields. At approximately 10:55, IOF fired a tank shell that fell near a house belonging to Hussein Khalil Qaudaih, about 600 meters away from the affected area. As a result, 15-year-old ‘Emad Hussein Qudaih, was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head, the back and the feet. At approximately 15:00, Mohammed Musallam Saleem Abu Daqqa, 58, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the right side, when IOF troops positioned on the roof of a house in the area fired at him. He died on the way to the hospital. During this incursion, IOF arrested and interrogated 21 Palestinian civilians, but released them at night. They also razed 225 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, palms, fruits, vegetables, parleys and wheat, and destroyed a greenhouse, a number of irrigation networks and a number of rooms. They further damaged 6 houses, where 36 people live. IOF withdrew from the area at 22:30.

· 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 al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Firas Hashem Jaber, 27.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses and shops, damaging a number of them. Neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

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

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

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and neither casualties no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. They withdrew later and neither casualties no arrests were reported.

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

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian children

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Emrin village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hakam Hamad al-Faqeeh, 19.

· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Fahama village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian children claiming that they threw stones at military vehicles:

· At approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Southern ‘Assira village, south pf Nablys. They raided and searched a number of houses, including a house belonging to Mahmoud ‘Awadh Yassin. When IOF troops left Yassin’s house, the family discovered that a number of small notebooks that including accounting information of Yassin’s work. Yassin is a construction contractor and the bursar of ‘Assira Charity. One of the notebooks contains a check issued by Yassin for teachers in the kindergarten of the charity, whose value is 2269 NIS (approximately US$ 650).

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved nearly 1,000 meters into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. They raided a house belonging to ‘Azmi Shihda Qudaih, 30. They held the family in one room and transformed the house into a military site. IOF then started to raze areas of agricultural land and opened fire indiscriminately. At approximately 04:45, Mohammed Sameer al-Najjar, 24, was wounded by a gunshot to the head when he was in a house belonging to one of his relatives, approximately 600 meters away from the invaded area. at approximately 07:10, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who attempted to resist the incursion. Three activists were wounded and a house in the area was damaged. At approximately 09:40, IOF troops fired at Hussam Mohammed Saleem al-Najjar, 40, when he was on the roof of his 3-storey house. He was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the back. When his brother, 37-year-old Maher, attempted to pull him away, IOF troops fired at him. He was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the right armpit. The two were evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, but Hussam died of his wound. At approximately 11:00, IOF redeployed outside the area after destroying a 400-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to Fayez Ahmed Qudaih, damaging a house belonging to ‘Azmi Qudaih and razing 106 donums of agricultural land, on which 4 greenhouses, a number of rooms and 2 bird farms stood. IOF also arrested ‘Azmi Shihda Qudaih, 30, and Tariq Salem al-Najjar, 31, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces. According to ‘Azmi Qudaih’s family, IOF troops stole 2,700 NIS (approximately US$ 800) from the house.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Isma’il al-Shilla, 24.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beita village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud ‘Awad al-Qadhi, 27.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jasser ‘Abdul Halim al-Nattah, 32.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 600 meters into al-Farrahin area in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. They opened fire and leveled areas of land they had already razed. They also razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to Shihada Mahmoud Abu Daqqa. During this incursion, which continued until 15:00, IOF opened fire indiscriminately damaging a number of houses.

· At approximately 21:45, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 2,000 meters into al-Sayafa area in the northwest of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Striop. IOF troops raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested 31 Palestinian civilians and took them to military posts located at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. IOF released all detainees several hours later, excluding 3 ones:

· At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Karissa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided, searched and damaged a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel launched a surface-to-surface missile at a number of activists of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) stationed in the east of Baeit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. Two activists were wounded. One of them, 23-year-old Hisham Najeeb Shoumar, died for his wound a few hours later.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azmout village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Saleh Ibrahim Samara.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir Samet village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 03:20, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Firas Ibrahim Abu Maria, 17, and arrested him. During the house raid, IOF troops violently beat the child’s mother, 38-year-old Siham Mohammed Abu Maria. She sustained bruises to the shoulders, the hands and the face.

· At approximately 12:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Kufor Qallil village, east of Nablus, traveling in 2 civilian cars. The car stopped near 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, who were drinking tea in front of a house belonging to Sabri Saleem al-Qinni. IOF troops immediately kidnapped Younis Sabri al-Qinni, 27, and Maher Sameer al-Qinni, 16. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF infantry units moved nearly 1,000 meters into ‘Abassan town, east of Khan Yunis. IOF troops raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. Later, IOF military vehicles, supported by air cover, moved into the area. They opened fire indiscriminately. At approximately 04:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who attempted to resist the incursion. Three activists were wounded. At approximately 07:00, IOF fired a tank shell at a gathering of Palestinian civilians and resistance activists. One civilian, 25-year-old Salem Msharraf ‘Arafat, and a resistance activist were wounded. At approximately 09:55, IOF fired tank shells at a deserted house, in which a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance sheltered. Five activists were wounded. At approximately 13:40, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance. An activist was killed and 7 others were wounded. At approximately 14:55, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of resistance activists near the cemetery of the area. Three activists were wounded. Also as a result of indiscriminate IOF shelling, a woman and 2 children were wounded: Fatema Mohammed Shaheen, 67; Sami Jameel Abu ‘Anza, 16; and ‘Aadel Ahmed Abu Khater, 16. At approximately 22:50, IOF started to redeploy outside of the area towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. To cover their withdrawal, IOF opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, Wafaa’ Shaker al-Daghma, 30, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body. During the incursion, IOF arrested 60 Palestinian civilians, demolished 2 houses and razed large areas of agricultural land. The detainees were released on the following day, excluding 5 who remained in custody. According to a number of Palestinian civilians, IOF used them as human shields. Electricity was also cut off from the area.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to Mohammed Salem Rasheed, 65, and arrested him and 4 of his sons: Hazem, 22; Hassan, 25; ‘Abdul Karim, 28; and Mahmoud, 30.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

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

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bassam ‘Abdul Basset al-Tamimi, 16, and arrested him.

During the reporting period, IOF committed 2 extra-judicial executions in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Three activists of the Palestinian resistance were killed and a 4^th one and 3 children were wounded.

· At approximately 16:50 on Wednesday, 30 April 2008, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a workshop of car painting belonging to Lutfi Mahmoud Salah in Abu Baker al-Siddiq Street in the southwest of Rafah. Three activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) were in the workshop. The two missiles hit the workshop directly. An activist was killed and 2 others were wounded; one of them died 2 days later. Additionally, Salah’s two children were injured.

1. ‘Awadh ‘Abdul Fattah al-Qeeq, 33, who survived an extra-judicial execution attempt by IOF on 5 October 2007; and

1. Karam Jaber Hammad, 27, an activist of the al-Quds Brigades, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

· At approximately 09:15 on Thursday, 1 May 2008, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a field leader of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), 39-year-old Nafez Kamel Mansour, when he was walking in Bilal Ben Rabah Street in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. He was seriously wounded. He was evacuated to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but medical efforts to save his life failed. A passing child, 15-year-old Khouloud ‘Abdul Hadi al-Najili, was also wounded by shrapnel throughout the body. Additionally, a number of houses and 2 cars were damaged.

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 9 April 2008, IOF stopped the flow of already heavily reduced fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. As a result, the humanitarian situation, which had already deteriorated due to the imposition of collective punishment on the civilian population since 15 June 2006, deteriorated even further. During the reporting period, IOF allowed the entry of just 170 tons of cooking gas into the Gaza Strip.

Monitoring by PCHR indicates that the Gaza Strip has become a de facto ghost town, especially during the day. Approximately 145 fuel stations and all suppliers of fuel and gas have shut down due to the total lack of supplies. Local sources indicate that the transportation sector is operating at 15% capacity, including public and private transportation. The civilian population finds it extremely difficult to reach places of work, study, and healthcare facilities.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that most ambulances have stopped due to lack of fuel. In addition, the Ministry announced that it has started using its limited fuel reserves to operate health centers and essential medical equipment. The MOH warned that the expiry of this small reserve would paralyze the health sector and the remaining operational ambulances; thus depriving civilians of minimum healthcare services. In addition, hospitals and medical centers in the Gaza Strip are suffering from the absence of staff due to their inability to reach their workplaces. As a result, the operation of these institutions is severely threatened.

Concerning the movement at Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which designed for the entry of fuels, from Thursday to Tuesday, 1-6 May 2008, IOF did not allow the entry of benzene and diesel into the Gaza Strip. They only allowed the entry of very limited amounts of domestic cooking gas that do not meet the actual need of the population. On Monday, 5 May 2008, IOF allowed the entry of 184,000 liters of diesel