PCHR Weekly Report

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

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (23 – 29 October 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed an elderly Palestinian man in al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin, and wounded another four civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

On 29 October, IOF shot and killed an elderly Palestinian in al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. IOF troops targeted the man when he came out of his house carrying a hunting rifle, to check on a corral of sheep near his house, as he thought there may be thieves in the area. IOF could have used less force or even arrest him.

On 25 October, two Palestinian civilians were injured in al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, when IOF troops fired at Palestinians who threw stones at military vehicles that had moved into the camp.

During the reporting period, a Palestinian child was injured when IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized in protest at the continuing construction of the Annexation Wall in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 35 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 26 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and a girl. The number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of the year stands at 2,098.

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. During the reporting period, IOF imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT for the Jewish Sukkot 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 were being 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 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 leading to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

· 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.

Annexation Wall: During the reporting period, IOF started to raze areas of land in al-‘Amra natural reserve, which has been isolated by the Wall, southwest of Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, IOF razed areas of land in the vicinity of a residential compound where 27 Palestinians from five families live, in order to establishing a fence that would surround, and isolate, the compound. IOF informed the families that they would have a fence built around their homes. Al-‘Amra is the largest natural reserve in the West Bank, and has already been isolated by the Wall. Control over the area was supposed to have been handed over to the Palestinian National Authority: however, the IOF have retained control over the area. In addition, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers whose land is on the other side of the Wall from reaching their olive groves in order to harvest their olives, although the farmers have valid permits to access their own land.

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 stopped work at a land inning project that was being carried out by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees in al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron. IOF also confiscated machines from the workers. This project is one of several projects being funded by the European Commission in Hebron and Bethlehem.

On 26 October, a number of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, stormed al-Ras Islamic cemetery opposite to the settlement. They destroyed the headstones of local Palestinian graves. They then attacked Palestinian cars that were parked in front of local houses, breaking windows and slashing the tires of at least 25 cars.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (23 – 29 October 2008)

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

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Rebhi ‘Abdul Rahman Jawabra, 22.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Abdullah Jaber Abu Sharekh, 33.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned ‘Eissa al-Barbari and Hatem ‘Abdullah for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:10, IOF moved into al-Harayiq area in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Omar Mansour Abu Esnaina, 25, and arrested him. They also confiscated his mobile phones and some of his computer accessories.

· At approximately 14:00, an IOF infantry unit moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They chased a number of Palestinian children claiming they had thrown stones at IOF military vehicles traveling on the main road adjacent to the camp. They captured, assaulted and detained four children for 3 hours:

· At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a young woman.

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

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the Olive Valley to the south of Tallouza village, north of Nablus. They verified the identities of Palestinian farmers who were harvesting olives and then arrested Mohammed Jihad Barahma, 24.

· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and imposed a curfew on the villagers. They opened fire indiscriminately at houses and shops and into the air. The curfew continued for several hours, and when it was lifted, IOF closed the western entrance of the village with sand barriers and rocks.

· At approximately 22:55, IOF moved into Kufor Qallil village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses. A few hours later, a number of Palestinian civilians civilian gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at those civilians and wounded two of them:

1. ‘Emad Waleed Tayeh, 19, seriously wounded by 2 gunshots to the chest and the thigh;

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to Bassam Ibrahim Za’oul, 47. They forced the family out and turned the house into a military site. They also violently assaulted two of the owner’s sons: Bassel, 22; and Ahmed, 21.

· 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 a child:

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

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

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Yahia Kayed Jebril, 17.

· At approximately 08:30, IOF troops in a military jeep positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in Khuza’a village near the border. A gunshot penetrated the window of a classroom on the second floor of Khuza’a School for Girls, nearly 500 meters away from the border. Fifteen year old ‘Aziza Suleiman Qudaih, was struck I the face by broken glass, and the other school children were terrified.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ghaleb Mohammed Salem, 29.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

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

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ra’fat Hussein Sa’ad, 21, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Bal’a village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Emad Salah Younis, but no arrests were reported.

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

· In the early morning, IOF troops shot to death an old Palestinian in al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the early morning, IOF moved intro al-Yamoun village. At approximately 03:00, Mohammed Taher Mohammed ‘Abahra, 65, came out of his house to check on a herd of sheep in a corral, suspecting there may be thieves in the area. ‘Abahra was holding a lamp and carrying a hunting rifle. IOF troops opened fire, killing him by a gunshot to the chest. The victim is the father of Warrad ‘Abahra, who was extra-judicially executed by IOF on 19 July 2005.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses in the Old Town and arrested Mujahed Zaher al-‘Ashi, 21.

· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Eiba village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

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

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Nemer al-Hairan, 27, and arrested him.

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

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Islam Hassan Sabra, 22, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zawia village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Adham Isma’l al-Saber, 17, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Harmala village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Abu Njaim village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

As previously noted, 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 impose a siege on the 1.7 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 near paralysis of the educational sector. In addition, the health sector is struggling amidst a chronic fuel crisis. Healthcare facilities have registered a drop in clients due to the transport crisis.

The tightened siege has led to the collapse of the Gaza Strip economy. Most production facilities have ceased to operate due to the continuing siege, and restrictions on the movement of individuals and goods.

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

Date	Details
22 October 2008	Closed
23 October 2008	76.5 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
24 October 2008	65.5 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
25 October 2008	Closed
26 October 2008	74 containers of goods were allowed into the Gaza Strip
27 October 2008	82 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip
28 October 2008	70 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip

During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, on Sunday, 19 October, and allowed the entry of 2,600 tons of animal fodder and seeds into the Gaza Strip. They also partially reopened it on Tuesday, 28 October, and allowed the entry of 1,000 tons of fodder and seeds.

Regarding Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities have started to open it on a very limited basis for some patients. During the reporting period, movement at the crossing point was as shown below:

Date	Details
22 October	15 Palestinian civilians, including members of Palestinian factions participating in talks with Egyptian Authorities on the internal Palestinian dialogue, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
23 October	66 Palestinian civilians, including pilgrims and patients, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
21 October	Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Mahmoud al-Zahhhar, travelled back to the Gaza Strip following talks with Egyptian officials.

Regarding movement at Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, IOF closed it on Tuesday, 21 October. During the reporting period, movement at the crossing was as shown below:

Date	Benzene	Diesel	Cooking Gas	Energy Fuel
23 October	Nil	307,400 liters	307.920 tons	687,820 liters
26 October	16,870 liters	627,800 liters	310.440 tons	1,216,410 liters
27 October	7,200 liters	600,200 liters	285.480 tons	1,218,130 liters
28 October	Nil	199,000 liters for UNRWA	238.780 tons	1,088,610 liters

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

Date	Patients	Companions	Businessmen	International Journalists	International workers	Travelers abroad
22 October	22	20	Nil	39	18	1
23 October	14	12	30	11	34	11
24 October	7	5	6	Nil	8	3
25 October	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
26 October	36	33	28	1	21	Nil
27 October	30	26	24	5	23	1

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 Agreements 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.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday noon, 25 October, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus. They opened fire into the air and arrested a Palestinian child. On Monday, 27 October, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint again.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 23 October, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, and prevented those aged below 25 from passing through the checkpoint. On Saturday, 25 October, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, from 07:00 to 09:00. On Sunday, 26 October, IOF erected a checkpoint near ‘Attil intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 27 October, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the area. On Wednesday, 29 October, IOF erected a checkpoint near Ektaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 23 October, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jaba’ intersection on Jenin-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. In the evening, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bazaria intersection. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday evening, 27 October, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Shuhada Triangle intersection, south of Jenin. 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 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.

· As previously noted, on Thursday morning, 23 October, IOF started to raze areas of land in al-‘Amra natural reserve, which has already been isolated by the Wall, southwest of Jenin.

· Following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 24 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 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, Mohammed Hani ‘Amira, 11, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the eye, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 24 October, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to 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, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· During the reporting period, IOF continued to prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their lands that have been annexed by the Wall, although the farmers have permits issued by IOF to access their own land. IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from Toura, Um Dar, Nazalt Zaid and Um al-Raihan villages, southwest of Jenin, from crossing iron gates and checkpoints at the Wall to access their land isolated by the Wall. In Um al-Raihan village, IOF continued to prevent at least 100 farmers from reaching their lands although they had applied for permits in advance. In ‘Aanin village, northwest of Jenin, IOF prevented at least 200 farmers from reaching their lands isolated by the Wall although they had applied for permits in advance.

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 Thursday morning, 23 October, IOF forced staff at a land mining project in al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron, to stop working. The project is being managed by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 09:00, IOF stormed the area and handed a written notice to Rabee’ Mustafa Jaber, a farmer. The notice stated that mining on his land would be suspended for 45 days. IOF also confiscated machines. The project is one of several projects being funded by the European Commission.

· At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 26 October 2008, a number of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, stormed al-Ras Islamic cemetery opposite to the settlement. They destroyed the headstones of many Palestinian graves, and vandalized local cars belonging to Palestinians.

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 the PCHR office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).

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. 43/2008 23-29 October 2008
A Palestinian woman gestures as she sits beside a desecrated grave at a Muslim cemetery vandalized by Israeli settlers in the West Bank city of Hebron on 26 October 2008.