PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 34/2008 14 - 20 August 2008
An Israeli soldier abusing a Palestinian civilian

 

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

 

• 31 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, and three international human rights defenders, were injured by IOF gunfire in the West Bank.

• 27 of these civilians were injured when IOF used force against 3 peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.

• IOF conducted 40 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

• IOF arrested 37 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children. 

• IOF raided and confiscated the equipments of three radio stations in Hebron.

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

• IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested at least one Palestinian civilian.

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

• IOF confiscated 6 donums[1] of land in Jenin and 1,500 square meters of land in the center of Hebron.

• Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron.

 
 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (14 – 20 August 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF wounded 31 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, and three international human rights defenders in the West Bank. Most of these civilians were injured when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall.

On 14 August, two Palestinian children were injured by IOF gunfire in al-Duheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. IOF troops moved into the camp and fired at a number of children who threw stones at IOF military vehicles.

On 20 August, two Palestinian children were injured when IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas, and opened fire indiscriminately.

During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein and Ne’lin villages, west of Ramallah. As a result, seventeen Palestinian civilians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, whilst dozens of others suffered tear gas inhalation. IOF also sprayed a foul-smelling liquid at the demonstrators.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 37 Palestinian civilians, including ten children. Since the beginning of 2008, IOF have arrested 1,789 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. On 20 August, IOF raided the headquarters of three Palestinian radio stations in Hebron. They confiscated equipment and arrested two members of staff.   

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.

 

Gaza Strip

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 litres of untreated and partially treated sewage are being dumped into the Gaza Strip Mediterranean Sea daily, posing a public health risk.

 

·      Approximately 400 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.  

 

West Bank

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 600 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 kms of the Wall has already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.

 

·      There are around 500 kms 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 a checkpoint near Nablus arrested a Palestinian civilian.

 

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

On 14 August, IOF issued a military orders to seize a 1,500-suare-meter area of land in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron in order to “to establish a road for military purposes.” On the same day, IOF razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land between Salem military post and Rummana village, west of Jenin. Also during the reporting period, Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank. As a result of such attacks, one Palestinian civilian was injured.   

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (14 – 20 August 2008)

 

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

Thursday, 14 August

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Zawia village, south of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khader Salem Qadous, 34, and arrested him.

 

·      Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. No casualties were reported.

 

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yasouf village, northeast of Salfit. They raided a number of houses at the entrance of the village. No arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Snaina neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Anwar Najeh al-Jamal, 28, and arrested him.

 

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

 

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

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Rami Younis Ghazal, 26

2.      Muhannad Sabri Ghanem, 27.

 

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

 

1.      ‘Emad Majdi ‘Ouda, 15;

2.      Wa’el Khalil ‘Atallah, 25;

3.      Ra’fat Na’im Abu ‘Akar, 43;

4.      Mohammed Yahia al-Qassas, 30;

5.      ‘Adnan Na’im al-Kabu, 38;

6.      Mohammed Hassan al-Najjar.

 

A few hours later, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. IOF troops wounded and arrested two children:

 

1.      Mohammed al-Salhi, 15;

2.      Hamdi Ma’rouf al-Atrash, 17.

 

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-‘Asakra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hassan Mohammed ‘Aayesh, 26.

 

·      At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and closed Queen Zain Street in the center of the town. They also fired tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians. A number of civilian suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

·      At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Deir al-‘Assal village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nader Kamel Shawamra, 20, and arrested him.

 

Saturday, 16 August  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Bassa neighborhood in the southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aadel Fawzi Nawawra, 27, and arrested him.

 

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

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Qoussin village, southwest of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Fayez ‘Abdul Nabi, 23, and arrested him.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Rihiya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 17 August

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Tuffah neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ezzat ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Natsha, 20, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Abu ‘Ayash neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Anan Mousa Bassal, and arrested him. According to the family, IOF troops stole 4,500 NIS (approximately US$ 1,260) and some jewelry from the house.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 18 August

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas town. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. Neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 19 August

·      At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and shops. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Ahmed Suleiman ‘Abdul Qiq, 57;

2.      Yasser ‘Abdul Fattah ‘Amru, 47.

 

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Marwan Mohammed Abu ‘Assal, 21;

2.      Jihad Mohammed Abu ‘Assal, 31;

3.      Adam ‘Abdul Ghani Barakat, 22;

4.      ‘Emad ‘Abdul Raziq Najjar, 22;

5.      Marwan Nazeeh Melhem, 23;

6.      ‘Abdul Karim Sa’id Barakat, 21.

 

·      At approximately 03:10, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Taysser Waleed Mash’al, 18;

2.      Bahaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Antar, 18.

 

·      At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the children wounding two of them:

 

1.      Baraa’ Khader Bani ‘Ouda, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and

2.      Sameh Mohammed Bani ‘Ouda, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg.

 

Wednesday, 20 August  

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the municipality housing project in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shihda Abu Snaina and arrested 2 of his sons: Ra’ed, 21; and ‘Izziddin, 18.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Hassan Zayed, 23.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Anata village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Khalil Abu Snaina, 21, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Caritas neighborhood in the north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Muzaffar ‘Adnan Jawarish. No arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Shanaita. No arrests were reported.

 

·      In the morning, IOF, accompanied by the police and officials of the Israeli Ministry of Interior and Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem. They forced Palestinian workers to stop paving a road inside the village, claiming that the area is under the authority of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem. PCHR notes that that a work team authorized by the Agricultural Association and the local council of al-Walaja village was paving a road from the center of the village to a tree that is apparently the oldest tree in the world. IOF stopped the work on the road and threatened to arrest anyone who attempted to work in the area.

 

·      At approximately 11:25, IOF moved into the Traffic Department area in the north of Hebron. They raided and the headquarters of three radio stations: One FM Radio, Al-Horiya Tribune Radio, and Majd Radio and Television. They also raided the house of the director of One FM Radio. According to eyewitnesses, IOF raided these buildings aggressively and damaged equipment. IOF also arrested two staff members of the radio stations: Mohammed Nafez Qaffisha, 26, Director of One FM Radio; and Mahmoud; Othman Qannibi, 40, Director of Programs at Al-Horriya Tribune Radio. IOF also confiscated some equipment from the radio stations, which are all licensed.

 

1.      A broadcasting machine, a broadcasting filter and communication devices from One FM Radio;

2.      A broadcasting machine and 5 computer sets from Al-Horriya Tribune Radio;

3.      A broadcasting machine from Majd Radio and Television.

 

2.      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

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, and the poverty rate stands at above 80%.

The continued Israeli ban on sufficient 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 on the verge of collapse due to the stoppage of some ambulances due to lack of fuel. The transportation sector continues to be affected throughout the Gaza Strip, resulting in massively reduced essential services, including the delivery of drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection.

Regarding Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, the amounts of fuel have recently decreased, which may cause a new fuel crisis. During the reporting period, IOF allowed the entry of the following amounts of fuel:

Date	Benzene	Diesel	Cooking Gas	Energy Fuel
14 August 2008	20,000 liters	377,800 liters	282,150 tons	1,033,200 liters
17 August 2008	45,100 liters	260,480 liters	172,390 tons	560,800 liters
18 August 2008	Nil	260,400 liters	282,760 tons	780,800 liters
19 August 2008	Nil	246,450 liters	325,200 tons	843,830 liters
20 August 2008	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil

IOF allow a very limited number of seriously ill patients and staff of international organizations to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. During the reporting period, movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing was as shown in the following table:

Date	Patients	Companions	Traders	Businessmen	Journalists	International workers	Travelers abroad
13 August	34	31	Nil	13	3	20	18
14 August	30	29	Nil	22	5	60	12
15 August	6	8	Nil	4	4	13	1
16 August	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
17 August	29	28	Nil	16	2	6	4

On Monday, 19 August, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing and allowed the entry of 6,000 tons of aggregate.

Concerning the movement at Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, during the reporting period, it was as shown in the following table:

Date	Details
13 August 2008	84 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
14 August 2008	83 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
15 August 2008	37 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
16 August 2008	Closed