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

· 6 Palestinians, including one child, were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

· IOF launched aerial, naval and land attacks on Palestinian civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities.

· IOF conducted 21 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip.

· IOF arrested 21 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank.

· IOF closed two civil associations in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem.

· IOF demolished 3 houses and razed 17 donums[1] of agricultural land in al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip.

· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT has have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

· IOF troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians.

· Israel has continued its settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

· A new settlement plan to build 549 housing units in Sour Baher village south of Jerusalem was proposed.

· The Israeli government decided to include the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem on the list of Israeli archaeological sites.

· IOF ordered the demolition of a number of houses and civilian facilities in the West Bank.

· Israeli settlers seized a 100-donum area of land near Ramallah, and uprooted 45 olives trees near Nablus. 

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (18 – 23 February 2010):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF wounded 6 Palestinians, including one child, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 20 February 2010, 3 activists of the Palestinian resistance were wounded by IOF in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. 

During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian civilians, but no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians, including one child, were wounded when Israeli troops fired at a civilian vehicle near Housan village, south of Bethlehem. 

IOF also used forced against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 21 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 21 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. IOF also closed two civil associations in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 18 February 2010, IOF moved into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. They demolished 3 houses and razed 17 donums of agricultural land. On 22 February 2010, IOF moved into the north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, and leveled areas of land, which they had previously razed. 

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to enforce a tightened closure regime in 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

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed 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 main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

· Israel had continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for over two and a half years.

· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

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

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

· Israel continues to prevent the entry of spare parts form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived for family visitation for more than two years. 

· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.

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 630 permanent 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 have 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 lead 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.

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

On 18 February 2010, IOF moved into Eastern Barta'a village, southwest of Jenin. They handed demolition notices to owners of 9 houses and facilities, claiming that they had been built without licenses.

During the reporting period, the Israeli district committee for organization and construction in Jerusalem proposed a new settlement plan to construct 549 new housing units. According to the Israeli organization Ir Amim for an Equitable and Stable Jerusalem with an Agreed Political Future, the plan will be advertised soon, and according to it, the housing units will be built on a 153-donum area of land in Beit Safafa village, south of East Jerusalem. According to Israeli law, the public will have 60 days to challenge the plan. 

In its weekly meeting held on Sunday, 21 February 2010, the Israeli government endorsed the inclusion of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem on the list of Israeli archaeological sites. It also allocated more than US $ 1 million for "their maintenance and repair."  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the decision with the policy of settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) by stating that: "Our existence as a state does not only depend on the army, but also on enhancing our knowledge, our national feeling, which we will convey to the next generation, and our connection to the homeland." Under the plan, 150 archaeological sites will be linked by a "historical biblical trail" in order to "educate the next generation about Jewish and Zionist history." 

On 20 February 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian houses in the Wadi al-Haussain area. A Palestinian child was injured in the head.

On the same day, Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, seized a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives. 

On 21 February 2010, at least 50 Israeli settlers broke into a synagogue in the north of Jericho allegedly to conduct religious rituals, without coordination with the Palestinian side, which is required as the synagogue is located in an area controlled by the Palestinian National Authority according to the Oslo Accords. Soon, IOF moved into the area in an attempt to evacuate the settlers.

On the same day, Israeli settlers moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They performed Jewish prayers near monuments in the village. It is worth noting that IOF had moved into the village at 22:00 and closed its entrances.

On 22 February 2010, Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement uprooted 45 olive trees in Bourin village, south of Nablus. In the meantime, IOF moved into the village and imposed a curfew.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (18 – 23 February 2010)

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

Thursday, 18 February 2010 

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

1. Jihad 'Eissa Shabana, 45; and

2. Shaher 'Abdul Majid Ebrayoush, 35.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Am'ari refugee camp near al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Suleiman Habboub, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched two flats in al-'Aqqad building in the center of the city, and arrested two Palestinian minors:

1. Sami Hashem Abu Shalbak, 17; and

2. 'Alaa' Mohammed al-Tiryaqi, 17.

· Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mo'taz Fayez 'Eissa, 22; and

2. Yousef Sha'ban Yassin, 24.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 700 meters into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. During this incursion, which continued until 16:30, IOF demolished 3 houses and razed 17 donums of agricultural land:

1. They demolished a 175-square-meter house belonging to Mo'in 'Ali Abu Sa'id, which used to house 5 people;

2. They demolished a 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to 'Abdul Hai Salem Ben Sa'id, which used to house 8 people;

3. They demolished an 80-square-meter, tin-made house belonging to Jaber Salem Subaih, which used to house two women;

4. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olive, guava and palm trees, and destroyed a well, an agricultural pool and a storage shed belonging to Jaber Salem Subaih;

5. They razed a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with olive and citrus trees, belonging to Suleiman 'Awad Abu Sa'id; and

6. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olive trees, belonging to Salem Suleiman Ben Sa'id.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the children, but no casualties were reported.

Friday, 19 February 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, who had been released from Israeli jails 3 weeks prior:

1. Yousef Nidal Mafarja, 20;

2. 'Abbas Hisham 'Aassi, 20; and

3. Mustafa Rebhi 'Aassi, 22.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadel Sa'id Zakarna, and arrested his two sons: Mohammed, 24; and Mahmoud, 36.

· At approximately 10:00, Israeli gunboats patrolling off the coast of al-Sudaniya beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach; no casualties were reported.

Saturday, 20 February 2010

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time, and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 06:30, an armed clash erupted between a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. About 30 minutes later, Israeli troops and gunboats opened fire at the area. As a result, 3 resistance activists were wounded, and a mosque in the area was damaged.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Safa village, north of Hebron. They fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased Palestinian farmers to prevent them from accessing their agricultural lands. Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters at a number of houses, which threatened the life of 8-year-old Nasser Bassam 'Aadi, who suffers from several chronic diseases. According to his mother, a tear gas canister was fired at the house, which forced her to take him from the house to his uncle's house, as he faced extreme difficulties breathing. 

· At approximately 09:30, Israeli gunboats patrolling off the coast of al-Sudaniya beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach; no casualties were reported.

· In the morning, IOF moved into Sour Baher village, south of Jerusalem. They stormed offices of the Zaid Ben Thabet Center and the Cultural Forum Association and closed them until 28 February 2010. They also confiscated several documents and computer hard disks. 

· At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops stationed in observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the east of Jabalya city, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers who were working on their lands, nearly 400 meters from the border. The farmers fled and no casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 20:00, Israeli troops in a military jeep patrolling to the west of Housan village, west of Bethlehem, opened fire at a Palestinian civilian vehicle. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. Mohammed Bassem Shousha, 17, seriously wounded by 5 gunshots to the abdomen;

2. Isma'il Mohammed Za'oul, 19, wounded by two gunshots to the pelvis and the hand;

3. Mos'ab Ahmed Za'oul, 21, wounded by a gunshot to the hand.

An Israeli military spokesman claimed that "Palestinians fired at a military unit in Housan village, so soldiers returned the fire."

· At approximately 20:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the northeast of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the town. The gunfire continued for nearly 40 minutes, but no casualties were reported. 

Sunday, 21 February 2010

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Zaubaidat village, north of Jericho, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were approximately 400 meters from the border. The workers were gathering stones, iron bars and aggregate from the debris of destroyed buildings in the area, in order to sell them. The workers fled and no casualties were reported.

· At approximately 10:30, an artillery shell fired by Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel landed on a 300-square-meter house belonging to Ahmed 'Ali Obaid, in which 13 people live, and a 150-square-meter house belonging to Daoud 'Ali al-Shanti, in which 18 people live. Windows were broken, but no casualties were reported.

· At approximately 10:50, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, fired an artillery shell at the Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the town, approximately 400 meters from the border. Palestinian ambulances rushed to the area to evacuate any possible casualties. As medical crews were searching for casualties, Israeli troops fired at them. No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 22 February 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Amjad Mohammed al-Shalalda, 19.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, shops and offices, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:15, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the Bourat Abu Samra area, in the north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Until approximately 18:25, they leveled areas of land, which they had previously razed.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Bourin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ayman Lu'ai al-Najjar, 24;

2. Amjad Lu'ai al-Najjar, 23;

3. Majdi Lu'ai al-Najjar, 21; and

4. Eyad Mustafa al-Zawahri, 24.

Tuesday, 23 February 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the Abu Snaina neighborhood of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Mo'in Fawzi Abu Hadeed, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Masayef neighborhood of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saqer Ameen 'Aateeq, 17, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Far'a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses, shops and workshops and arrested Hussein Kamel Abu al-Samen, 26, and his brother Mohammed, 24. 

2. Continued Siege on the OPT

Israel has 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

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed 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 main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

· Israel had continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for over two and a half years.

· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

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

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

· Israel continues to prevent the entry of spare parts form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.

· Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived for family visitation for more than two years. 

· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

17 – 22 February 2010

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

17 – 22 February 2010

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 18 February 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,840 tons of wheat and 1,960 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 22 February 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,240 tons of wheat and 1,940 tons of fodders. 

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. As mentioned above, IOF have allowed a small number of patients to pass through the crossing, but under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

17 – 22 February 2010

The West Bank

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, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. Israeli troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks on Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 13 February 2010, IOF closed Halmish checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  On Sunday morning, 22 February 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Rafat village, southwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday afternoon, 18 February 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday evening, IOF closed al-Jalama checkpoint, north of Jenin, for more than one hour. They also established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, and another checkpoint at the entrance of Ta'nak village, west of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

· On Friday morning, 19 February 2010, Israeli troops stationed at a military checkpoint established at the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested 'Abdul 'Aziz Sha'ban al-Hindi, 37.

· At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 20 February 2010, Israeli troops patrolling in al-Majnouna area to the south of Hebron arrested two Palestinian civilians: Ahmed Khalil Najib, 22; and his brother Yassin, 27.

· At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 February 2010, Israeli troops stationed at a checkpoint on the Jenin-Nablus road arrested Mos'ab Jameel Thmainat, 21, a student at An-Najah University. 

3. 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 peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest of the construction of the Wall.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 19 February 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. Dr. Salam Fayad, Palestinian Prime Minister; Dr. Sabri Saidam, the Palestinian President's Advisor for Communications and Information Technology; Dr. Nabeel Sha'ath, Member of the Central Committee of the Fatah movement; Tayseer Khaled, Member of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization; Dr. Mustafa al-Barghouthi, Secretary General of the National Initiative; the Mayor of Geneva; and a number of national figures participated in the demonstration. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall and attempted to cross onto the annexed lands behind it. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and some of them sustained bruises.

· Also at noon on Friday, 19 February 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also at noon on Friday, 19 February 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Wad Raya area between Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam villages, northwest of Ramallah. When they attempted to reach lands located near "Halmish" settlement, which Israeli settlers attempt to seize, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. Dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

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

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

· At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 18 February 2010, IOF moved into eastern Barta'a village, southwest of Jenin. They handed demolition notices to owners of 9 houses and facilities, claiming that they were built without licenses:

1. A 350-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Na'el Ibrahim Qabaha;

2. A 150-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Yahia Yousef Qabaha;

3. A 240-square-meter, under-construction house and a bird farm belonging to Mohammed Tayseer Qabaha;

4. A 240-square-meter, under-construction house and a bird farm belonging to Saleh Saleh Qabaha;

5. A 150-square-meter house belonging to Muhannad Yousef Qabaha;

6. A 150-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to 'Aayesh Mustafa Qabaha;

7. A 150-square-meter house belonging to 'Alaa' Hatem Qabaha;

8. A 150-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Mohammed Hatem Qabaha; and

9. A 240-square-meter, under-construction house and a bird farm belonging to Rami Saleh Qabaha.

· During the reporting period, the Israeli district committee for organization and construction in Jerusalem proposed a new settlement plan to construct 549 housing units. According to the Israeli organization Ir Amim for an Equitable and Stable Jerusalem with an Agreed Political Future, the plan will be advertised soon, and the housing units will be built on a 153-donum area of land in Beit Safafa village, south of East Jerusalem. According to the Israeli law, the public will have 60 days to challenge the plan. This plan is linked with another plan, which has already been announced, to construct 2,337 housing units in "Givat Hamatos" settlement. These plans are part of a 4-stage project to construct 3,699 housing units and a number of hotels, including the necessary infrastructure. According to the Ir Amim, these plans aim at establishing a new Israeli settlement that will reinforce the separation between Jerusalem and the southern West Bank. 

· In its weekly meeting held on Sunday, 21 February 2010, the Israeli government endorsed the inclusion of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem on the list of Israeli archaeological sites. It also allocated more than US $ 1 million for "their maintenance and repair."  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the decision with the policy of settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) by stating that: "Our existence as a state does not only depend on the army, but also on enhancing our knowledge, our national feeling, which we will convey to the next generation, and our connection to the homeland." Under the plan, 150 archaeological sites will be linked in a joint "historical biblical trail" in order to "educate the next generation about Jewish and Zionist history." PCHR condemns this decision, and recalls that the decision was taken on the eve of the 16^th anniversary of the killing of 29 Palestinian worshippers in the Ibrahimi Mosque by an Israeli settler, Baroch Goldstein, on 25 February 1994. PCHR further emphasizes that the continued international tolerance towards crimes committed by Israel, the Occupying Power, serves to encourage the continuation of such crimes. Accordingly, PCHR repeats its calls for the international community to provide protection for Palestinian civilians, their property and their religious sites. It is worth noting that Israeli occupation authorities established the "Shamgar Committee" following the mass killing in the Ibrahimi Mosque on 25 February 1994. The committee recommended dividing the Mosque between Muslims and Jews (30% and 70% respectively).

· At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 20 February 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Haussain area. As a result, 'Alaa' Husni Abu Es'aifan, 7, was injured in the head.

· On the same day, Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, seized a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olive trees belonging to Hassan Mohammed Sahabana and Hussam Dib 'Aaida. 

· At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 21 February 2010, at least 50 Israeli settlers broke into a synagogue in the north of Jericho, allegedly to conduct religious rituals, without coordination with the Palestinian side, which is required as the synagogue is located in an area controlled by the Palestinian National Authority according to the Oslo Accords. Soon, IOF moved into the area in an attempt to evacuate the settlers.

· At approximately 23:00 on the same day, Israeli settlers moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They performed Jewish prayers near monuments in the village. It is worth noting that IOF had moved into the village at 22:00 and closed its entrances.

· On Monday evening, 22 February 2010, Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement uprooted 45 olive trees in Bourin village, south of Nablus. In the meantime, IOF moved into the village and imposed a curfew.

…………………………………………………………

Recommendations to the International Community

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 their 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 immediate 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 that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators 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 demand Israel 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 process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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Public Document

For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).