PCHR Weekly Report

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege on the Gaza Strip

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (12 – 18 February 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed three Palestinians, including two children, and wounded 15 others, including six children, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, on 13 February, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian and wounded another one in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, when an IOF drone fired a missile at them while they were riding a motorcycle.

On 14 February, IOF shot dead a Palestinian child while he was herding animals in the east of Jabalia town in the northern Gaza Strip.

On 12 February, 11 Palestinian civilians, including six children and one woman, were injured when IOF warplanes bombarded a store of woods in Jabalia refugee camp.

During the reporting period, IOF warplanes launched a series of air strikes on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, allegedly to destroy tunnels.

On 18 February, a Palestinian farmer was injured in Khan Yunis, when IOF troops fired at farmers and members of the International Solidarity Movement.

In the West Bank, on 13 February, a Palestinian child was killed when IOF fired at a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in Hebron.

During the reporting period, two Palestinian civilians were injured when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 43 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 82 Palestinian civilians, including 17 children and one woman. IOF also stormed offices of the al-Yamama Radio in Hebron and damaged some of the contents. In addition, IOF ordered closure of Bayariq Charity in Tulkarm on the West Bank, which provides support to at least 1,450 orphans.

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 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 majority of the civilian population lack continual access to safe drinking water.

· Hundreds of thousands of civilians continue to endue power cuts, which affects their daily quality of life.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a limited number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and subsequently needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.

· IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israel for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

· IOF have imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have also prevented representatives of international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip in order to assess the humanitarian situation.

· Health conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated, and all medical facilities are being affected by chronic power shortages.

· The lives of premature babies continue to be at risk as they depend on medical equipment, such as incubators, that are electrically powered.

· Standards of living arcoss Gaza have seriously deteriorated, whilst poverty and unemployment levels have sharply increased.

· At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails continue to be deprived of all family visits. The visits were first suspended sixteen months ago, in June 2007.

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 kilometers 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 prevented Palestinian farmers from 'Azzoun 'Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya, from bringing food items and agricultural materials into the village, as well as from selling their products outside the village. PCHR notes that 'Azzoun 'Atma village has been isolated by the Wall since 2003. IOF have also established a military checkpoint at the southern entrance of the village.

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. On 16 February, IOF uprooted at least 20 olives trees in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. On 18 February, IOF and Israeli settlers started to construct a new road for settlers on land belonging to Yatta village, south of Hebron. For this purpose, they leveled areas of Palestinian land near "Carme'el" settlement. During the reporting period, the Israeli Government also decided to confiscate 1,700 donumms of Palestinian land in Bethlehem in order to expand "Efrat" settlement, southwest of Bethlehem. The council of "Gush Etzion" settlement bloc decided to build 2,500 housing units for Israeli settlers on land belonging to Wadi al-Nais, al-Ma'sara and Um Salamouna villages.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12 – 18 February 2009)

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 Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Qassem Mas'oud, 22.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 15 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned 'Imad Mohammed al-Sha'er, 22, and 'Abdul Karim Jamal 'Ata, 23, for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF warplanes bombarded the main police station in the center of Khan Yunis town in the southern Gaza Strip. The station, which has been repeatedly bombarded by IOF, sustained additional destruction.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned six Palestinian civilians for interrogation.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· In the morning, IOF moved into the north of Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched greenhouses, allegedly to look for prohibited objects.

· At approximately 23:15, an IOF warplane bombarded a store of woods standing on a 350-square-meter area of land in Jabalia refugee camp. The store was completely destroyed and at least 20 nearby stores and a number of houses were also damaged. In addition, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were wounded:

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

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Eissa neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched offices of al-Yamama Radio. They damaged broadcasting equipment and computers.

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

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Mas'ha village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Na'el 'Abdul Halim 'Aamer, 24.

· Following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the southern part of Hebron in protest at the IOF offensive and siege of the Gaza Strip. IOF troops chased the demonstrators and fired at them. As a result, 'Izziddin Radwan al-Jamal, 15, was wounded by a gunshot to the chest. He died of his wound while being transferred to hospital. According to eyewitnesses, he was shot in the chest whilst together with a number of other children on the rooftops of houses in the Abu Snaina neighborhood. IOF troops fired at the children from a range of less than 30 meters.

· At approximately 16:50, IOF warplanes bombarded al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods and Yebna refugee camp along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah allegedly to destroy smuggling tunnels. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Abdullah Salem al-'Eker, 23.

· Also at approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Jourat al-Sham'a village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Salem village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Ali Hassan Eshtayeh, 25.

· Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Beit Wazan village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Reema Nafe' Abu 'Eisha, 20.

· At approximately 12:00, the body of Hammad Barrak Salem Silmiya, 13, from al-Qerem area east of Jabalia town in the northern Gaza Strip, was brought to Shifa' Hospital in Gaza City. The child had been shot in the head. According to his family, IOF troops fired at him while he was herding animals in the east of Jabalia town. His body was found at approximately 11:30.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Mselia village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed 'Abdul Qader Ja'afra, 16.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Shukhaidem village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

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

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Najeh, 20.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Hashimiya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. Neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 11:30, IOF warplanes bombarded the Egyptian border near al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF warplanes bombarded the Egyptian border near Yebna refugee camp south of Rafah. No casualties were reported

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jad Ibrahim Raddad, 29.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sheikh Qassem Tawfiq Khader, 45.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Qassem Jeetawi, 25.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mustafa Tawfiq Zaidan, 33.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Aziz 'Atiya Ta'ma, 24.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor 'Abboush village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Saleh Saifi, 40.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed 'Ali 'Awadh, 17.

· At approximately 00:45, an IOF warplane bombarded the main police station in the center of Khan Yunis, which had been repeatedly bombarded. The station sustained additional damage.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched offices of Bayariq Charity in Abu Safiya building in the east of the town. They confiscated three computers and some documents and ordered the closure of the offices. PCHR notes that Bayariq Charity provides support for at least 1,450 orphans.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses. By 20:00, IOF had arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

During this operation, IOF violently beat 3 Palestinian civilians: 'Ammar 'Abdul Qader Khaled, 33, who sustained a fracture to his left hand; Mo'men Shafiq Khuraisha, 23; and Sakher Mutlaq Shamasna, 23.

· Between 01:05 and 02:35, IOF warplanes launched at least 10 air strikes on the Egyptian border in Yebna refugee camp and near Salah al-Din Gate in Rafah. No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 10:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired at a number of Palestinian farmers and 6 members of the International Solidarity Movement, who were nearly 500 meters away from the border. As a result, a farmer, 21-year-old Mohammed Rezeq al-Buraim, was wounded by a gunshot to the left foot.

During the reporting period, IOF extra-judicially executed one Palestinian and injured another in Khan Yunis.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:20 on Friday, 13 February, an IOF drone fired a missile at two Palestinians who were riding a motorcycle in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, the two Palestinians were seriously injured and the motorcycle was destroyed. One of the Palestinians, 'Ali 'Abdul Bari Shaker al-Qedra, 28, a member of the Salah al-Din Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees), died of his injuries on Monday morning, 16 February.

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 continue to impose a total 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 policy of collective punishment, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of civilians and goods. As a result, the territory is unable to secure basic foods, medicine, and other supplies, and the poverty rate now stands at more 80%.

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.

With regard to Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities started to open on a limited basis for some patients.

IOF allow a very limited number of seriously ill patients and staff of international organizations to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF also continue 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 at least 3,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords permit Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles from the Gaza coastline.

During the twenty-two day IOF offensive in the Gaza Strip, the civilian population suffered a massive deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation. The resulting acute humanitarian crisis is increasingly affecting all aspects of civilian life, and Palestinian civilians continue to be denied their economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.

The overall deterioration of health services in the Gaza Strip has been exacerbated due to the overwhelming number of fatalities and casualties caused by the IOF military offensive. All medical institutions in the Gaza Strip continue to be affected, including hospitals, primary healthcare centers and mental health service providers. Health institutions cannot meet the current demand for their services.

Date	Details
11 February 2009	94 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 February 2009	109 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 February 2009	81 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 February 2009	Closed.
15 February 2009	103 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
16 February 2009	133 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 February 2009	118 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and goods for local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Details
11 February 2009	5 Palestinians and 4 internationals were allowed to travel to Egypt. 27 patients and their companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 February 2009	A Jordanian journalist was allowed to travel to Egypt. 59 patients and their companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 February 2009	3 journalists companion were allowed to travel to Egypt. 27 patients and their companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 February 2009	16 Palestinian patients and their companions were allowed to travel to Egypt. 6 Palestinian patients and their companions, and a 4-member delegation of Hamas were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
15 February 2009	3 journalists companion were allowed to travel to Egypt. 30 patients and their companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
16 February 2009	15 international were allowed to travel to Egypt. 37 patients and their companions and the body of a Palestinian who died of previous wounds were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 February 2009	13 Moroccan physicians, 3 journalists and a 4-member delegation of the Popular Resistance Committees were allowed to travel to Egypt. 37 patients and their companions were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Date	Energy Fuel (liters)
11 February 2009	428,800
12 February 2009	441,000
13 February 2009	Nil
14 February 2009	Nil
15 February 2009	434,430
16 February 2009	438,410
17 February 2009	440,810

Date	Details
15 February 2009	75 containers of seeds and fodder were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
16 February 2009	76 containers of seeds and fodder were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 February	73 containers of seeds and fodder were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

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

· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often assault Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 12 February, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 14 February, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 15 February, IOF erected a checkpoint near Oudala intersection and another at the western entrance of Beita village, south of Nablus. The two checkpoints were located between Hawara and Za'tara checkpoints, south of Nablus. IOF troops positioned at the two checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday morning, 16 February, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 12 February, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. On Saturday, 14 February, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Sunday evening, 15 February, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Tulkarm imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday evening, 16 February, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 12 February, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Jenin-Haifa road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday morning, 14 February, IOF erected a checkpoint between Rummana and Zabbouba villages, west of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 15 February, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday, 17 February, IOF erected two checkpoints at the entrances of 'Arraba and Fahma villages, southwest of Jenin, and a third one at the entrance of 'Arbouna village, east of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to, from and inside the Hebron. On Sunday and Monday, 15 and 16 February, IOF erected several checkpoints around Hebron. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and held some of them for a number of hours.

· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and subjected them to prolonged checks. On Monday evening, 16 February, IOF erected a number of checkpoints to the south and east of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

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

· Following the Friday Prayer on 13 February, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders demonstrated in Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They moved towards the gate in the south of the village in order to cross the Wall towards their lands. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the demonstrators, wounding two of them:

1. Hassan 'Abdul Rahim Baida, 38, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left shoulder;

In the same context, IOF troops stormed a house belonging to Bahajat Mustafa Baida, 55, which is located just four meters away from the Wall. They fired a number of tear gas canisters inside the house and violently beat Baida, who suffers from heart disease and diabetes. He was evacuated to hospital, where he was placed under intensive care. Other members of the family also suffered tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 February, scores of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall and threw stones at IOF troops positioned in the area. Immediately, IOF troops fired gunshots, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators also suffered tear gas inhalation.

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

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

· At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 16 February, IOF moved into Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They took up position in the south of the village and declared it a closed military zone. At approximately 10:00, they uprooted at least 20 olive trees belonging to 'Ata Mustafa Mousa.

· On Wednesday morning, 18 February, IOF and Israeli settlers started to establish a new road for settlers on lands of Yatta village, south of Hebron. For this purpose, they leveled areas of Palestinian land near "Carme'el" settlement.

· During the reporting period, the council of an Israeli settlement community decided to construct new housing units to the southwest of Bethlehem. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported on Monday, 16 February, that the Israeli government had taken the decision to confiscate 1,700 donumms of Palestinian land in Bethlehem in order to expand "Efrat" settlement, southwest of the town. According to the newspaper, the council of "Gush Etzion" settlement bloc decided to build 2,500 housing units on the land belong to Wadi al-Nais, al-Ma'sara and Um Salamouna villages.

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 in September 2005, 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 LTD (non-profit) http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 07/2009 12 - 18 Feb. 2009

A Palestinian boy carries a door through the a rubble of a destroyed workshop in Jabalya refugee camp on 14 February 2009