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

• 26 Palestinians were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and 1 Palestinian was killed in the West Bank.

• 8 of the victims were civilians, including 2 brothers, a child and an elderly man.

• 17 of the victims were killed during an Israeli incursion into the east of Gaza City.

• 7 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF.

• 51 Palestinians, including 3 elderly men, a woman and 2 brothers, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

• IOF conducted 22 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 3 into the Gaza Strip.

• IOF razed 30 donums[1] of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 50 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.

• IOF transformed 5 houses in Nablus and Qabatya into military sites.

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

• IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and the humanitarian crisis is worsening.

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

• IOF started to built a new settlement neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

• IOF razed 40 donums of agricultural land in Hebron.  

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (10 – 16 January 2008):

Shootings: During the reporting period, IOF killed 27 Palestinians, including a child, 2 brothers and an elderly man, and wounded 51 others.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 26 Palestinians, and wounded 44 others.

On 15 January, IOF killed 17 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, and wounded 30 others, including a woman, during an incursion into the east of Gaza City, which lasted for 4 hours. On 13 January, IOF extra-judicially executed 2 Palestinians and wounded a third. On the same day, IOF shelled a site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), killing 2 members at the site and wounding a third. On 16 January, 3 Palestinian civilians (a man, his child and his brother) were killed when an IOF aircraft fired a missile at their car. On the same day, IOF extra-judicially executed 2 Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip.  

In addition, IOF wounded 6 members of the Palestinian resistance in the northern Gaza Strip on 15 and 16 January. On 15 January, a Palestinian farmer was wounded by the IOF gunfire in al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. On 16 January, an elderly man was wounded in Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip, when an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a tract of agricultural land.

In the West Bank, IOF killed a Palestinian and wounded 6 others.

On 11 January, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. On 16 January, IOF extra-judicially executed the leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the West Bank. Another 2 Palestinians were wounded and arrested in the same attack. Also on 16 January, 4 Palestinian children were wounded when IOF used force to disperse a demonstration organized in Hebron in protest at Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 22 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 50 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. Since the beginning of 2008, IOF have arrested 147 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, IOF troops also transformed 5 houses into military sites.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF demolished razed 30 donums of agricultural land. They also destroyed the remains of shops and factories in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip.

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.

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

Gaza Strip

To date, IOF have closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for almost 18 months continuously. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. The siege of 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. After the Hamas' takeover of Gaza in June 2007, IOF further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza have subsequently deteriorated. On 19 September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip “A hostile entity” and measures of collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza escalated from this point. Since September 2007, the Israeli Government have severely limited the goods exported to the Gaza Strip to just nine basic materials. Consequently, local markets have run out of many goods, causing sharp increases in prices, which in some cases have amounted to 500%.

West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have systematically been denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established many checkpoints in and around 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 assault and 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 have also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities, and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international humanitarian law, continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, IOF started construction of a settlement that would include 66 housing units for Israeli settlers in the Ras al-‘Aamoud neighborhood in East Jerusalem. According to the Israeli daily newspaper, Haaretz, the project obtained its license from the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem. On 15 January, IOF They razed at least 40 donums of agricultural land planted with olive and almond trees, and destroyed 6 wells and a number of fences and roads in Beit Oula village near Hebron. On 12 January, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron. Twelve Palestinian civilians were wounded, and IOF troops arrested 4 of them.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 16 January 2008)

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

Thursday, 10 January 2008

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadel Ahmed Slaimiya and arrested 2 of his sons: Ra’fat, 19; and Ahmed, 20.

Friday, 11 January 2008

·      At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into al-‘Aqaba village, east of Tubas. They patrolled the streets. They withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 12 January 2008

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging ‘Omar Ibrahim Bani Fadel. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a barbershop and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Ali Yousef Salem, 21.

2.      Salem Mousa Salem, 20.

·      At approximately 18:20, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of fighters from the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), who were having dinner in their site in Ermaida area in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. Two fighters were killed:

1.      ‘Aayed Sa’dallah Abu ‘Aabed, 21.

2.      Mansour Salah Mohammed al-Braim, 19.

A third fighter was wounded.

·      At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets provocatively. They withdrew from the town later and no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets provocatively. They withdrew from the town later. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 13 January 2008  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Majd village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Isma’il Masharqa, 28, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. They withdrew later. No arrests or casualties were reported.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rayiq Taher Zaid, and arrested 3 of his sons: Mohammed, 16; Saif, 17; and Taher, 19.

·      At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Dehaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of cyber cafés in the center of the camp. They withdrew from the camp the following morning. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 14 January 2008

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. They then raided and searched 2 apartment buildings belonging to the families of al-Shakhsheer and Abu al-Hayat in Ras al-‘Ein neighborhood, and transformed both apartment buildings into military sites. They withdrew from the city a few hours later. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Bala’a village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Wathiq Ghazi Jeetawi, 36.

2.      Mo’tassem Ghazi Jeetawi, 36.  

3.      Mazen Fawzi Abu al-‘Oun, 34.

4.      ‘Abdul Hameed Hamdan, 25.

·      Also at approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Riad Abu Sultan, 28, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets and opened fire. They withdrew from the town a few hours later. No casualties or arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and agricultural facilities located near the Annexation Wall. No arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and agricultural facilities located near the Annexation Wall. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 07:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip. They destroyed the remains of buildings and factories in the area.

Tuesday, 15 January 2008

·      In the morning, IOF killed 17 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, and wounded at least 30 others, 5 of whom are in a serious condition, during an incursion into the al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun neighborhoods of east Gaza City. The incursion continued until noon. Investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that most of the victims were killed by tank shells, and that IOF troops used excessive lethal force without regard for the lives of Palestinian civilian living in the affected areas.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 15 January 2008, IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 3,000 meters into Palestinian areas around Malaqa Square, which lies between al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun neighborhoods in the east of Gaza City. IOF then indiscriminately opened fire at anything that moved within the area. A number of fighters from the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF, and the IOF responded by firing tank shells. As a result, 5 Palestinian fighters were killed:

1.      Rami Talal Farahat, 30.

2.      ‘Aahed Sa’dallah ‘Ashour, 27.

3.      Mahmoud ‘Ata Abu Laban, 21.

4.      Hussam Mahmoud al-Zahhar, 22.

5.      Saleem ‘Abdul Haq al-Mdallal, 20.

IOF continued to indiscriminately shell Palestinian houses and agricultural areas. As a result, 3 Palestinian farmers were also killed:

1.      As’ad ‘Eissa Radwan Tafesh, 65;

2.      Marwan Sameer ‘Ouda, 22.

3.      Sa’id Mustafa al-Sammouni, 50.

Another 2 civilians, including a student, were also killed during the incursion:

1.      Ayman Fadel Malaka, 35, a car trader who was in the car market located neat the affected area.

2.      ‘Abdul Salam ‘Atiya Abu Laban, 19, a student.

In addition, 30 Palestinians, including a woman, were wounded by the IOF gunfire. The conditions of five of those wounded during the incursion is described as "serious" by medical sources. IOF also razed 10 donums of agricultural land.

IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 12:30. Soon afterwards, Palestinian ambulances rushed to al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun. Medical personnel found the bodies of 7 fighters from the Palestinian resistance who had been killed by IOF during the incursion. The victims were identified as:

1.      Mohammed Majdi Hejji, 20.

2.      Sakher Saleem Zwayed, 27.

3.      Mustafa Yahia Selmi, 20.

4.      Mos’ab Saleem Selmi, 21.

5.      ‘Abdullah Taleb Salem, 23.

6.      Mohammed Sabri Hana, 20.

7.      Khamis Abu Sawawin, 25.

·      Also on January 15, at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Ragheb Bader Abu Ja’far, 42.

2.      Khader Khaled al-Sourkaji, 31.

3.      ‘Amru Tuffaha, 31.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Ja’far Rasmi al-Asmar, 22.

2.      Jameel Nabeel Hamdan, 23.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Sarra village, southwest of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1.      Yousef ‘Eissa ‘Abdullah, 23.

2.      Shareef Waleed Ghanem, 19.

3.      Rami Mohammed Turabi, 23.

4.      Ayman ‘Abdul Majeed Ghanem, 28;

5.      Sameer Mohammed Turabi, 23.

6.      Kamal Mohammed Abu Hussein, 30.

7.      Mustafa Wafeeq Abu Turabi, 18.

8.      Bashar Ibrahim Ghanem, 19.

9.      ‘Ali Ahmed Ghanem, 17.

·      At approximately 10:40, an IOF undercover infantry unit moved into Nablus. IOF troops set up an ambush in the western cemetery. They abducted a Palestinian who was walking near the cemetery. Soon afterwards a number of IOF military vehicles moved into the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. The abducted person was later identified as Ibrahim Salem al-Damouni, 23, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp west of Nablus, who was allegedly wanted by IOF for being a member of the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine).

·      At approximately 12:00, IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. They opened fire indiscriminately. Mohammed Suleiman Abu ‘Amra, 71, was wounded by a gunshot to the right foot. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 17:00 after having razed 20 donums of agricultural land planted with olive and almond trees.

·      At approximately 17:45, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, launched a surface-to-surface missile at a number of members of al-Mujahedeen Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement) who were on a tract of agricultural land in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding 4 of them.

Wednesday, 16 January 2008

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including a university lecturer:

1.      Bassam Khaled Daoud, 41, a lecturer at an-Najah National University;

2.      Rami ‘Abdul Latif al-Aqra’, 26.

3.      Ahmed Hussam Marreesh, 21.

4.      Islam Hussam Marreesh, 20.

5.      Mohammed Naji Abu Samra, 35.

6.      Ibrahim Naji Abu Samra, 32.

7.      ‘Abdullah Naji Abu Samra, 30.

8.      Nazmi Mahmoud Hashash, 50.

9.      Mohammed Sa’dat Habash, 28.

10.  Ibrahim Sa’dat Habash, 30.

11.  Ibrahim Mohammed Hijazi, 34.

12.  Muhannad Mohammed al-Massimi, 24.

13.  ‘Aamer Mohammed al-Massimi, 25.

14.  Ahmed Mohammed al-Massimi, 27.

15.  Mahmoud Mohammed al-Massimi, 21.

·      At approximately 07:50, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, southeast of Gaza City, launched a service-to-surface missile at a number of members of the Salah al-Din Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees), who were on a tract of agricultural land in Jablaya town in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding 2 of them seriously. 

·      At approximately 09:45, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a tract of agricultural land belonging to the Abu al-Khair clan. The guard of the land, 65-year-old ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdul Qader al-‘Abeed, sustained shrapnel wounds.  

·      At approximately 12:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in Hebron in protest at the IOF attack in the Gaza Strip the previous day. IOF troops fired the demonstrators, wounding 4 children:

1.      Anas Mohammed Qaffisha, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;

2.      ‘Abdul Karim Shareef Bader, 16, sustained rubber bullet wounds.

3.      Jihad Mohammed ‘Arafa, 17, sustained rubber bullet wounds.

4.      Mahmoud Talal al-Karaki, 16, sustained rubber bullet wounds.

2.      Extra-Judicial Executions

During the reporting period, IOF committed 4 extra-judicial executions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which killed a total of 8 Palestinians, including 3 civilian bystanders.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

·      At approximately 22:50 on Sunday, 13 January, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a civilian vehicle, in which 3 members of the Army of Islam, were traveling, near the house of the dismissed Palestinian Prime Minister Isma’il Haniya in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Two members of the Army of Islam were killed:

1.      Nidal Hussein al-‘Aamoudi, 35, from al-Shati refugee camp.

2.      Maher Ibrahim al-Mabhouh, 30, from Jabalya refugee camp.

The third member, 21-year-old Mohammed Ramadan al-Azraq, was seriously wounded.

·      At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 16 January, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They besieged a 2-storey house belonging to ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Ekmayel in the east of the village. They also raided 3 neighboring houses, and transformed them into military sites. IOF troops then ordered residents of Ekmayel’s house to leave the house, and threatened to destroy the premises. They also called on Waleed Anees Yousef ‘Obaidi, 45, to surrender. At approximately 04:35, IOF troops opened fire at the besieged house. ‘Obaidi left the house through a back door in an attempt to escape. IOF troops immediately shot him dead. IOF troops also arrested ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Ekmayel, 22, and Ibrahim Fu’ad Abu al-Rub, 25. According to eyewitnesses, both detainees sustained shrapnel wounds. According to medical sources, ‘Obaidi was hit by several gunshots to the head, the abdomen and the left thigh. ‘Obaidi, a father of 5 children, is the leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad). He had been wanted by IOF for 7 years. IOF had attempted to extra-judicially execute him on 9 August 2006, when an IF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a house in Jenin refugee camp, where he was hiding, but he survived the attack.

·      At approximately 12:30 also on Wednesday 16 January, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a civilian vehicle, in which three members of the al-Yazji family, including a child, were traveling, in al-Nafaq Street in the al-Daraj neighborhood of east Gaza City. The missile killed all three civilians.

1.      Mohammed Hashem Mohammed al-Yazji, 27.

2.      His child Ameer, 5.

3.      His brother ‘Aamer, 40.

In addition, three civilian bystanders sustained shrapnel wounds:

1.      Shukri Salem al-Shukri, 78.  

2.      Marshoud Salah al-Mazloum, 39.

3.      Rashed Salah al-Mazloum, 40.

The Israeli media reported that IOF sources have admitted the vehicle was attacked by mistake, and the target of the IOF attack was another vehicle, in which Palestinian resistance activists were traveling. This attack demonstrates IOF blatant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, who continue to be killed during extra-judicial executions carried out by IOF.

·      At approximately 19:30 also on Wednesday, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at a civilian car, in which 2 members of the Salah al-Din Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) were traveling on Salah al-Sin road near al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Both men were killed: Mohammed Ahmed al-Safadi, 28; and Wa’el ‘Abdul Karim Ahel, 30. A civilian bystander was also wounded.

3.      Continued Siege on the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

As previously noted, IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for almost eighteen months continuously, with dire consequences for the civilian population of Gaza.

·      Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the only crossing from the Gaza Strip to a country other than Israel. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control the Crossing Point. The IOF have also prevented European Union observers working at the crossing from reaching it. Rafah International Crossing Point has subsequently been closed since 25 June 2006. Since that date, thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing, and 24 civilians, including 8 women and a child, have died. According to PCHR investigations, at least 1,500 Palestinians remain stranded at the Egyptian side of Rafah International Crossing Point, waiting to be allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.

·      Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank.  Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had previously been prevented from traveling via this crossing. On Sunday, 13 January, IOF allowed 180 Palestinian civilians to pass via Beit Hanoun crossing, and through al-‘Ouja border crossing, to Egypt. However, one of the travelers, Rafeeq al-‘Abed Zaher, was arrested. A small number of Palestinian patients have also been allowed to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. The following table illustrates the number of patients who were allowed to pass through the crossing during the reporting period in order to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank:

·       Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for a few hours on 9 and 14 January 2008 to allow the entry of 5,150 tons of seeds and animal feed.

·      Nahal Ouz crossing: It is designed for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip. On 28 November 2007, IOF decided a new reduction in the supply of fuel to the Gaza Strip, which already suffers from serious shortages in fuel. On 14 January, 2008, IOF increased the daily amount of energy fuel allowed into the Gaza Strip from 360,000 liters to 450,000 liters. On 16 January, IOF closed the crossing for security reasons.  

·      Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing. On 9 January, 40 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 10 January, IOF allowed the entry of 47 containers of goods for local traders. On 13 January, IOF allowed the entry of 34 containers of goods for local traders. On 14 January, IOF allowed the entry of 32 containers of goods for local traders.

·      Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing witnessed active movement. On 9 January, IOF refused to allow 44 containers of goods for local traders to enter into the Gaza Strip. On 10 January, 44 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 3 containers of flowers were exported. On 11 January, 24 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. On 13 January, 40 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 3 containers of flowers were exported. On 14 January, 46 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip, and 3 containers of flowers were exported. On 15 January, 45 containers of goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 3 containers of flowers were exported.  

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following an attack on the IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF have consistently prevented local fishermen from fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,00 people in and around Gaza's coastal communities are economically dependent on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gun-ships and gunboats to harass and intimidate them. Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinian fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza coastline.  

The West Bank 

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

·      Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around the town. During the reporting period, IOF troops summoned a number of Palestinian civilians for interrogation. They also continued to prevent Palestinian traders from opening their shops in al-Ras Street for security reasons. On Wednesday morning, 16 January, IOF imposed a curfew on the center of Hebron., following clashes with Palestinian civilians who were protesting Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip. IOF troops also erected a number of checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilians.  

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 10 January, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 12 January, 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, 13 January, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, violently assaulted Palestinian civilians who were waiting to pass through the checkpoint. A number of civilians sustained bruises. On Monday morning, 14 January, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

·      Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 10 January, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, until 09:00. On Saturday, 12 January, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 13 January, IOF troops erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 14 January,  IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Bal’a village, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

4.     Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilia