PCHR Weekly Report

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

16 Palestinian civilians, including four children, and a Scottish human rights defender, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

Nine of the wounded were wounded during peaceful demonstrations against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

IOF violently assaulted a number of Palestinian civilians during house raids.

IOF arrested 2 Palestinian civilians near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

IOF imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT for the Jewish Kipurim festival.

IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 2 Palestinian civilians.

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

This report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) coincides with the 8^th anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada, which erupted following the former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s provocative visit to the al-Aqsa Mosque (the Holy Sanctuary) in occupied Jerusalem. Over the last 8 years, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have perpetrated grave breaches of international law, including war crimes, against Palestinian civilians, in a manner unprecedented since 1967. The international community has remained silent and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 have failed to meet their obligations to ensure respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and provide protection for Palestinian civilians. The international silence has served to encourage the Israeli government and its occupation forces to perpetrate more war crimes with impunity against Palestinian civilians.

Justice is absolutely absent in the Israeli judiciary, especially regarding the Israeli military, regarding cases related to Palestinians in the OPT. The Palestinian centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has monitored human rights violations in the OPT since 1995, and has concluded that the Israeli judiciary is used to in order to provide legal cover for IOF to commit war crimes against Palestinian civilians.

In light of these facts, PCHR, in cooperation with a number of international legal and human rights organizations, has resorted to international legal means in order to prosecute Israeli war criminals, and those suspected of having committed war crimes. In this context, over the past three years, PCHR, in cooperation with human rights organizations, has sought to prosecute Israeli war criminals before international courts in order to achieve justice for victims of crimes committed by IOF. Cases have been filed against Israeli war criminals in Switzerland, USA, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain. One of the most recent cases was presented in Madrid against 6 Israeli officials who committed war crimes against Palestinian civilians, and the supreme judicial body in Spain accepted the case and declared that it will give it full consideration.

One of the cases pursued by PCHR was issued before the British judiciary against retired Major General Doron Almog, who served as GOC Southern Commander of the Israeli military from 8 December 2000 to 7 July 2003. Almog was forced to avoid arrest by British police officers under an arrest warrant issued by Chief London Magistrate Timothy Workman. In the most recent case, an application has been submitted by a torture victim to the Dutch authorities to arrest Ami Ayalon, who served as the Director of Shin Bet (the Israeli General Security Services - GSS) after the Dutch prosecution authorities failed to arrest him while he was visiting the Netherlands in May 2008.

Statistics of the al-Aqsa Intifada (29 September 2000 – 29 September 2008)

§ 3,731 Palestinian civilians have been killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

§ 1,114 Palestinians were killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in armed clashes.

§ A total of 4,845 Palestinians have been killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (this number does not include deaths at military checkpoints, deaths of patients as a result of the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and deaths resulting from bombings inside Israel).

Some Categories of Palestinian Civilians Killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

§ At least 25,000 Palestinians have been wounded by IOF in the OPT, including 12,261 in the Gaza Strip.

District	Complete Demolition	Partial Demolition
Northern Gaza Strip	346	870
Gaza	197	331
Central Gaza Strip	182	185
Khan Yunis	677	409
Rafah	1,556	1,114
Total	2958	2909

§ IOF have razed at least 40,485 donumms[1] of land in the Gaza Strip, and have confiscated thousands of donumms in the West Bank for settlement activities and the construction of the Annexation Wall.

Houses Demolished by IOF in the West Bank from 2001 to 2007 (Statistics from the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem)

District	Number
Bethlehem	135
Jerusalem	469
Hebron	296
Jenin	147
Qalqilya	52
Tulkarm	137
Salfit	23
Tubas	18
Ramallah	98
Jericho	42
Nablus	189
Total	1606

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (25 September – 8 October 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian civilian, and IOF wounded 16 civilians, including four children. They also wounded a Scottish human rights defender.

On Saturday evening, 27 September, Israeli settlers shot dead a Palestinian civilian from ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, with at least 20 gunshots to the neck, the chest and the legs. His body was found almost one kilometer from “Jetit” settlement, an area which is prohibited for Palestinians. Apparently, Israeli settlers kidnapped the victim and took him to the area.

During the reporting period, IOF wounded 15 Palestinian civilians and a human rights defender.

On 27 September, a Palestinian child was wounded when IOF troops fired at Palestinian civilians who got out of their houses in Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit, in order to stop dozens of Israeli settlers who stormed the village.

On 4 October, five Palestinian civilians were wounded when IOF troops fired at Palestinian civilians who demonstrated in Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit.

On 7 October, a Palestinian civilian was wounded in al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, when an IOF undercover unit stormed his house and fired at him. According to eyewitnesses, IOF troops stormed the house by mistake as the attack targeted the victim’s neighbor.

During the reporting period, eight Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, and a Scottish human rights defender, were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall in N’elin and Bal’ein villages, west of Ramallah.

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian fisherman was wounded by a heavy-caliber gunshot when IOF naval troops opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to the seashore of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 59 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children and a woman. The number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year stands at 2,033. During house raids, IOF troops violently assaulted a number of Palestinian civilians, and a number of Palestinian families stated they subsequently lost jewelry and money.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. On Wednesday evening, 8 October 2008, IOF imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT for the Jewish Kipurim Festival.

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The Egypt-brokered ‘Tahdiya’ or truce between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel began on 19 June; however, there have been no major changes regarding the movements of civilians and goods through the six Gaza Strip border crossings.

· Rafah International Crossing Point, the only border crossing from the Gaza Strip to the outside world via a country other than Israel, remains closed.

· Health services continue to be severely affected by the siege, with healthcare facilities also registering a 25% drop in clients due to continuing chronic fuel shortages. Critically ill patients are still being denied permits to access vital health services in the West Bank, Israel and abroad. .

· Water facilities, including access to clean drinking water, and the treatment of raw sewage continue to be severely disrupted by fuel shortages. 50-60 million liters of untreated and partially treated sewage are being dumped into the Gaza Strip Mediterranean Sea daily, posing a public health risk.

· Hundreds of Gazan students are currently unable to resume their university studies abroad as they cannot exit the Gaza Strip. In addition, up to 1,200 school leavers are in the process of applying to study at foreign universities, and are dependent on being issued exit permits by the IOF.

· There are at least 900 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in jails in Israel who have been denied all visitation rights since 6 June 2007.

· Continuing chronic shortages of construction materials, including cement, aggregate and iron, have led to the collapse of the Gaza construction industry. Thousands of construction workers have been laid off, and vital infrastructure projects have been forcibly suspended.

· IOF have repeatedly closed border crossings of the Gaza Strip claiming that home-made rockets have been launched at Israeli towns.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

· There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60-80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.

· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometres around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall has already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.

· At least 65% of the main roads that leads to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).

· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

· During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints arrested 2 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. In addition to killing a Palestinian civilian (see above), during the reporting period, Israeli settlers launched seven attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank, especially in Hebron. Four Palestinian civilians, including a woman, and two Israeli peace activists were injured. Israeli settlers also deliberately set fire to dozens of olive trees.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (25 September – 8 October 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 Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children:

· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Kherbat al-Janajra village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Wa’el Suleiman Sawarka, 33.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim Moneer ‘Arafa, 19.

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

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. They opened fire into the air. They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians and beat a number of them. Provocative acts by IOF troops in the village continued for several hours.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sa’id Fareed Fraitakh, 21.

· At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed Moneer Jaradat, 15.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and imposed a curfew. They patrolled the streets and alleys and opened fire at houses and shops. IOF claimed that a number of young men had thrown stones at Israeli vehicles.

· At noon, IOF troops positioned in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron arrested Mohammed Rateb Abu Haikal, 50. Abu Haikal and his family were on a tract of their land, attempting to protect their olive trees when Israeli settlers living in “Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost attacked the land and harvested the olives for themselves. IOF troops arrested Abu Haikal when he intervened to prevent the settlers from attacking one of his sons. The Palestinians left the settlers on the land. According to the Haikel family, a number of settlers arrived at the land and started to harvest the olives. When Abu Haikal’s son, 14-year-old Mo’taz, attempted to prevent the settlers from harvesting the olives, they violently beat him. IOF troops in the area arrested Abu Haikal and his two sons: Mo’taz, 14; and Hussein, 19. The two sons were released in the evening while the father remained in custody.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jaber quarter in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sofian ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Hatta and arrested 3 of his sons: Waleed, 22; Mohammed, 20; and Mahdi, 19.

According to Abu Hatta, arresting his three sons was for the sake of satisfying Israeli settlers who repeatedly attacked his house. Two months ago, Israeli settlers pushed down his son, 15-year-old Hamza, from the roof of the house. The child sustained fractures and bruises throughout the body.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Bassa village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 15:00, IOF troops positioned on an observation tower at the border between the Gaza Strip to the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, fired at two Palestinian civilians, who were almost 100 meters to the west of the border. They then ordered the two civilians to lie on the ground. Soon after, an IOF infantry unit moved into the area and arrested the two civilians:

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into the west of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They arrested 3 Palestinian civilians who were in the area:

· 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 16:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They opened fire at Palestinian civilians and property. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at these civilians wounding 5, including a child:

2. ‘Esmat ‘Abdul Ghafer al-Dik, 23, mentally disabled, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot;

3. Mahfouz Kamel ‘Abdul Majid, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot;

4. Jawdat Mohammed Qassoul, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right shoulder;

5. Younis Shawkat Ahmed, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot.

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Omar Mohammed Nawawra, 33.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children:

· At approximately 04:00, IOF navel troops opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing opposite to Rafah seashore. A fisherman, 19-year-old Mohammed Jihad Mosleh, from Rafah, was seriously wounded by a heavy-caliber gunshot to the legs.

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

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Zeer village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed ‘Abdullah al-Khatib, 32.

· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. During the house raids, Mohammed Radwan Ekhlayel lost 800 NIS (approximately US$ 230), and IOF troops summoned Ra’ed Ahmed Mefleh for interrogation. Before withdrawing from the village, IOF troops arrested Ahmed Khader Abu Hashem, 40.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They besieged a number of houses and called on their residents through megaphones to get out. They arrested Arsaleen Ahmed Sawlha, 32, a sister of Eyad Sawalha, a prominent leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) who was killed by IOF.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Izbat Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses. They violently beat Ahmed Fawzi Sajdiya and he sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jabal Jouhar neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

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

During this operation, IOF troops fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs inside houses. Two Palestinian girls suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Southern ‘Assira village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 09:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, traveling in a truck with a Palestinian registration plate. The truck stopped at the western entrance of the camp. IOF troops got out of the truck and raided a house belonging to ‘Omar Hosni Sobeh, 39, and fired at him. He was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the abdomen. According to eyewitnesses, IOF troop stormed Sobeh’s house by mistake as they intended to target the house of his neighbor, Samer Jameel ‘Abdul Jawad, 37, who is allegedly wanted for being a member of Islamic Jihad.

· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. IOF troop violently beat 2 Palestinian civilians in the camp claiming that they were late in opening doors:

1. Salama Suleiman Hamdan, 55, who suffers from paralysis in the left side of the body;

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Subhi Zakarna, 21.

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.

As previously noted, IOF have continued to impose a siege on the 1.5 million civilians of the Gaza Strip. The border crossings of the Strip have been closed for more than two years as part of IOF’s collective punishment policy, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of civilians and goods. As a result, the territory is unable to secure its basic needs of food, medicine, and other supplies, pushing the poverty rate above 80%.

The continued Israeli ban on fuel supplies required for civilian life in the Gaza Strip has led to the paralysis of the educational sector. In addition, the health sector is struggling with continuing chronic fuel shortages which are also affecting ambulance services. Healthcare facilities have registered a drop in clients due to the transport crisis. In addition, essential services, such as the delivery of drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection have been forced to downscale.

The tightened siege has led to the collapse of the Gaza Strip economic sectors. Most production facilities have ceased to operate due to the siege and restriction on movement of goods and individuals.

During the reporting period, IOF continued to close Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah. Concerning the movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, during the reporting period, it was as shown in the table below:

Date	Details
24 September 2008	93 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
25 September 2008	85 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
26 September 2008	46 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
27 September 2008	Closed
28 September 2008	74 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
29 September 2008	48 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
30 September 2008	Closed
1 October 2008	Closed
2 October 2008	59 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
3 October 2008	41 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
4 October 2008	Closed
5 October 2008	68 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
6 October 2008	68 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
7 October 2008	74 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip

On Sunday, 5 October, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing and allowed the entry of 2,940 tons of aggregate. On Monday, 6 October 2008, IOF partially reopened the crossing and allowed the entry of 3,040 tons of wheat.

With regard to Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities have opened it on an extremely limited basis for some patients. During the reporting period, the movement at the crossing point was as shown in the table below:

Date	Details
27 September	26 patients who had received medical treatment abroad were allowed into the Gaza Strip
28 September	28 patients who had received medical treatment abroad were allowed into the Gaza Strip
29 September	33 patients who had received medical treatment abroad were allowed into the Gaza Strip
30 September	103 patients who had received medical treatment abroad were allowed into the Gaza Strip
6 October	66 pilgrims and 83 patients who had received medical treatment abroad were allowed into the Gaza Strip
7 October	A delegation from Hamas comprised of 17 persons, including 5 senior leaders of the movement, were allowed to travel to Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials concerning the Palestinian internal dialogue, and 77 pilgrims were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.

Concerning the movement at Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, IOF closed it from 30 September to 4 October 2008 because of the new Hebrew year and the ‘Eid al-Futr. During the reporting period, the movement at the crossing was as shown in the table below:

Date	Benzene	Diesel	Cooking Gas	Energy Fuel
24 September	90.010 liters	311,040 liters	212.290 tons	794,020 liters
25 September	151,000 liters	332,010 liters	299.850 tons	1,163,810 liters
28 September	Nil	171,000 liters	200.350 tons	1,015,220 liters
29 September	Nil	448,600 liters	94.560 tons	611,600 liters
5 October	90,000 liters	625,400 liters	265.500 tons	1,451,320 liters
6 October	Nil	35,400 liters	279.970 tons	609,200 liters
7 October	38,010 liters	568,400 liters	238.690 tons	337,810 liters

IOF allow a very limited number of seriously ill patients and staff of international organizations to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. IOF have also prevented families of at least 900 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails from visiting them since 6 June 2007. During the reporting period, the movement at Erez crossing was as shown in the table below:

Date	Patients	Companions	Businessmen	Journalists	International workers	Travelers abroad
24 September	18	16	18	1	16	3
25 September	12	11	13	4	41	Nil
26 September	4	4	18	5	11	Nil
27 September	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
28 September	16	14	9	4	2	8
29 September	1	2	Nil	1	12	Nil
30 September	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
1 October	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
2 October	13	11	9	Nil	21	Nil
3 October	3	3	1	1	5	Nil
4 October	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
5 October	22	22	27	2	16	2
6 October	13	12	29	Nil	21	1
7 October	21	21	26	5	18	7

The closure of these border crossings deprives 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. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 3,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen are subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor and harass them. The Oslo Interim Agreement permits Palestinian fishermen to fish up to 20 nautical miles from the Gazan coastline. However, the Interim Agreements on fishing have been consistently violated by the IOF.

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: During the Holy Month of Ramadan and the ‘Eid al-Futr, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside, to and from the city. IOF reinforced their presence at military checkpoints inside and around the city. They erected checkpoints at the entrances of the al-Aqsa Mosque. They stopped and verified the identities of Palestinian civilians. Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip have not been allowed to pray at the al-Aqsa Mosque for 8 years.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 25 September, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 27 September, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 28 September, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 29 September, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday morning, 30 September, the first day of the ‘Eid al-Futr, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 2 October, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 3 October, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 4 October, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 5 October, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara and Hawara checkpoints, south of Nablus, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 5 October 2008, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and opened fire into the air. They then arrested Fadi Bassem Zarifa, 25, claiming he was carrying explosives.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 25 September, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, until 10:00. On Friday, 26 September, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 27 September, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Ras village at Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 28 September, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, for several hours. On Monday, 29 September, IOF closed all military checkpoints around the town and denied the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. On Tuesday, 30 September, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm, and banned the movement to and from the village. On Thursday, 2 October, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They obstructed the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Tulkarm. On Sunday, 5 October, IOF erected a checkpoint near Ektaba village, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 6 October, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, for several hours.

At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 25 September 2008, IOF troops positioned at Jebara checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested Diaa’ Fahmi Shamasna, 18, from Jayous village north of Qalqilya.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 6 October, IOF closed the Ibrahimi Mosque and its vicinity in the south of the town and prevented Palestinian civilians from entering the area allegedly to allow Israeli settlers to conduct religious ceremonies for the Jewish Kipurim Day.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein and Ne’lin villages, west of Ramallah.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 26 September, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Two demonstrators were wounded:

1. Tariq Mohammed al-Khatib, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;

2. Oliver, a Scottish human rights defender, hit by a tear gas canister to the hand.

In addition, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and vomiting.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 3 October, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, Moheeb al-Barghouthi, 45, a reporter of al-Hayat al-Jadeeda newspaper, and Taka, 28, a Japanese human rights defender, suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 3 October, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land in order to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 7 demonstrators, including 2 children, were wounded:

2. Mohammed Hamed Nafe’, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right thigh;

3. Mohammed Ahmed Mousa, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand;

4. Ahmed ‘Ali Dabbous, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;

5. Majdi Salah ‘Amira, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;

7. Mohammed Hussein Sorour, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder.

· As Palestinian farmers started to harvest olives, which serve as the main source of income for hundreds of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, IOF imposed restrictions of their access to their agricultural land located near the Wall, despite the fact that the Palestinians have valid permits, issued by IOF, to reach their own land. In Tulkarm district, on Wednesday morning, 8 October, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reach their land to harvest olives, under the pretext of the new Jewish year. In Jenin district, the local council of Zabbouba village stated that this year 30 Palestinian farmers applied for permits to reach their land located behind the Wall, but IOF issued permits for only 3 farmers. In Salfit district, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from Mas’ha and al-Zawia villages from reaching their land, which is located behind the Wall.

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.

· On Saturday evening, 27 September, Israeli settlers shot dead a Palestinian civilian in ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the afternoon, Yahia ‘Atiya Fahmi Bani Monya, 18, from ‘Aqraba village southeast of Nablus, was grazing animals on lands located to the east of the village. At approximately 18:15, when he did not come back home, dozens of Palestinian villagers gathered and started to search for him in the area located between the village and “Jetit” settlement, east of the village. At midnight, the villagers found Bani Monya’s body in al-Fajan area, nearly one kilometer away from the settlement. They informed IOF they had found the body. IOF troops arrived at the area and a military doctor checked the body. IOF evacuated the body in an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli forensic medicine institute for autopsy. According to eyewitnesses, Bani Monya was killed by at least 20 gunshots to the neck, the chest and the legs. PCHR notes that the area where Bani Monya’s body was found is prohibited for Palestinians. Apparently, Israeli settlers kidnapped the victim and took him to the area.

· At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 27 September, dozens of armed Israeli settlers stormed Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They opened fire into the air to intimidate Palestinian civilians who came out of their houses to try to stop the raid. Israeli settlers stationed in the center of the village then threw stones at houses under protection from IOF troop that stormed the area. A number of houses and car and some public property were damaged. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at dozens of Palestinian civilians who gathered to protect their houses and property. Isma’il Eyad Ahmed, 13, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand. Soon after, IOF imposed a curfew on the village and IOF military vehicles pursued Palestinian civilians to disperse and arrest them. ‘Abdul Rahim Hussein Ahmed, 29, was injured as he was hit by a military vehicle.

· On Thursday morning, 2 October, Palestinian civilians living in al-Ras and Wadi al-Husain neighborhood located to the west of “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, found that some local water pipelines had been destroyed and a number of branch roads had been blocked by IOF and Israeli settlers.

· At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 2 October, a number of Israeli settlers from “Shavot Aami” settlement near Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya, launched an arson attack against large areas of agricultural land planted with olive trees that is located near Qalqilya-Nablus road. Residents of the village attempted to extinguish the fire, but IOF prevented them. According to owners of the land, Israeli settlers had already set up tents and seized a house on the land. Israeli official bodies ordered the evacuation of those settlers from the land, so they moved to a neighboring area, from which they launched the arson attack under full protection by IOF.

· At approximately 20:00 on the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Janat Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya, attempted to break into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. IOF intervened and prevented the settlers from entering the village to avoid clashes with Palestinian civilians who gathered at the northern entrance of the village to prevent the settlers from storming the village.

· On Friday noon, 3 October, at least 50 Israeli settlers living in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian civilians, when the latter, in cooperation with international and Israeli peace activists, started to harvest olives from a tract of land belonging to the al-Ja’bari clan. As a result, ‘Abdul Karim Ibrahim al-Ja’bari, 39, was injured, and 2 Israeli peace activists sustained bruises.

· On Tuesday evening 7 October, Israeli settlers living in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian civilians in Jaber quarter near the settlement. As a result, 3 civilians were injured and 2 others were arrested. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, an Israeli settler intercepted and violently assaulted Su’ad Ahmed Da’na, 55. When she screamed, a number of Israeli police officers intervened and joined the settler in assaulting her. She sustained injuries and bruises throughout the body and subsequently fainted. Other Israeli settlers violently assaulted Kayed Hmaidan al-Ja’bari, 23, and his brother Fayez, 20. According to eyewitnesses, IOF troops intervened and arrested Jom’a ‘Abdul Halim al-Ja’bari, 45, and Ahmed Jamal al-Ja’bari, 9.

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented last year, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).

[1] 1 donumm is equal to 1,000 square meters.

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 40/2008 25 Sep. 08 Oct. 2008
A Palestinian woman sorts olives during the harvest in a grove next to Israel's separation barrier near the West Bank village of Abu Dis

Area	Number of Victims	Percentage
West Bank	1,680	46%
Gaza Strip	2,051	54%

Category	Number	Percentage
Children	850	22.87%
Women	163	4.37%
Medical personnel	26	0.70%
Journalists	11	0.29%
Internationals	6	0.16%

Category	Number
Targeted persons	510
Non-targeted persons	229
Total	739