A worker builds a new house in the "Beitar Illit" settlement near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank

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

· IOF used excessive force against peaceful Palestinian demonstrations in the West Bank.

· 17 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 3 journalists, were wounded by Israeli gunfire.

· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the Gaza Strip.

· IOF arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen from the Gaza Strip and confiscated their boat.

· IOF conducted 18 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

· IOF arrested 14 Palestinian civilians, including two children. 

· IOF stormed a school in 'Azzoun village near Qalqilya.

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

· IOF arrested a Palestinian businessman at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and detained him for several days.

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

· The Israeli government approved the construction of 1,712 housing units in Israeli settlements in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

· IOF ordered the demolition of civilian property in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (04 – 10 March 2010):

Shooting: During the reporting period, 40 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 3 journalists, were wounded when IOF used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. 

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 18 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 14 Palestinian civilians, including two children. IOF also stormed a school in 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.

Restrictions on Movement: 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.  

· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons. 

· 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 the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, 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 home to the Gaza Strip.

· Israel had 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 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 mounted sharply.

· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half 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 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 06 March 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Brakha'' settlement, escorted by IOF, stormed Iraq Bourin village, southeast of Nablus. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrances of the village and threw stones at the settlers. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets.

On the same day, IOF delivered demolition notices to Palestinian civilians living in Fasayel village, north of Jericho, ordering the demolition of their houses, barnyards and barracks, claiming that they had been built without the necessary permits. 

Also on the same day, IOF handed notices to 3 Palestinian civilians living in al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho, ordering the demolition of barnyards and barracks belonging to them. 

Also on the same day, the Israeli government approved the construction of 112 housing units in the settlement of "Beitar Illit", west of Bethlehem. 

Also on the same day, a young Israeli settler intercepted two Palestinian children in the center of Hebron. The young settler attempted to run down the two children with his bicycle. He also broke a birdcage, which the two children were carrying. The settler's hand was injured when he attempted to pull at the birdcage. Immediately, Israeli troops intervened and arrested the two Palestinian children. They released the children on bail.

On 09 March 2010, the Israeli Ministry of Interior approved the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported that the new housing units would be constructed in the "Ramat Shlomo" neighborhood, expanding it in the east and the south. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (04 – 10 March 2010)

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

Thursday, 04 March 2010

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Bitounia, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the boys. IOF withdrew from the town later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fareed Murshed Khayat, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mos'ab Ahmed Za'oul, 21, and arrested him.

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

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Othman 'Ali Zayed, 25.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nasser 'Adnan 'Aabed, 20. 'Aabed was released a few hours later, having been interrogated by IOF.

· At approximately 15:20, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast of Beit Hanoun opened fire at Palestinian houses located approximately 800 meters from the border. The gunfire continued sporadically for 20 minutes. No casualties or damage were reported.

Friday, 05 March 2010

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Ymoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tamer Suleiman Abu Toul, 21.

· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed 'Awadh Mansour, 26.

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli naval troops opened fire at a small Palestinian fishing boat 500 - 700 meters from Rafah beach in the southern Gaza Strip. They then surrounded the boat and forced the fishermen on board to take off their clothes and swim towards the gunboat. Israeli naval troops arrested the fishermen and confiscated the boat. The fishermen were released at approximately 16:30 on the same day. They are: Nafez Mohammed al-Aqra', 39; Mohammed Nabeel al-Aqra', 22; and Mohammed Mohammed al-Aqra', 20.

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were collecting bricks and iron bars from the debris of buildings of the former Industrial Zone. The civilians fled and no casualties were reported.

Saturday, 06 March 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Muntasser Diab 'Awadh, 21, and arrested him.

Sunday, 07 March 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, west of Jericho. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Til village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Bassel Yousef Ramadan, 18.

Monday, 08 March 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Sheikh quarter in the center of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Islam 'Abdul Latif al-Harbawi, 19, and confiscated his mobile phone and computer set.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Anata refugee camp near Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mousa Ibrahim Salama, 24, and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They stormed Yasser 'Arafat School in the west of the village, claiming that students had thrown stones at their vehicles. They attempted to arrest a student, and debate erupted between the forces and the school headmaster. IOF withdrew from the area two hours later, following the intervention of the Israeli-Palestinian liaison department. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 09 March 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Ein Sarah and al-Zahed neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Allam Mohammed Dandis, 27; and

2. Bassam Robin al-Adhami, 28.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

1. Hamza 'Abdullah Shousha, 16; and

2. Muntasser Mohammed Za'oul, 17.

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

· At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Mohammed Kamel Eghbariya, 25.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations

Israel has continued to construct the Annexation Wall and 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 and of settlement activities.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 05 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall and attempted to access annexed lands behind it. Immediately, IOF 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 sustained bruises.

· Also at noon on Friday, 05 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, 3 demonstrators, including a child, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Rami Mohammed Sorour, 11, wounded in the head;

2. Ahmed Daoud Khawaja, 24, wounded in the left leg; and

3. Sa'id 'Atallah 'Amira, 21, wounded in the right leg.

Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 05 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to land confiscation in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam, northwest of Ramallah. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Eihab Afdal al-Barghouthi, 14, wounded in the head;

2. Ref'at Wajeeh al-Tamimi, 20, wounded in the left leg;

3. Jihad Kamel al-Tamimi, 22, wounded in the left leg;

4. Mohammed 'Atallah al-Tamimi, 21, wounded in the right leg;

5. Nidal Hussein al-Tamimi, 23, wounded in the left leg; and

6. Tamer Farah al-Tamimi, 18, wounded in the right leg.

Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· At noon on Friday, 05 March 2010, IOF stormed the compound housing al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem at the end of the Friday Prayer. They violently beat Palestinian worshippers and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Soon, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the old city and threw stones at Israeli troops, who continued to fire tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. The clashes extended to Ras al-'Aamoud neighborhood and continued until the evening. At least 17 Palestinian civilians were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 05 March 2010, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, protesting the inclusion of the Mosque on a list of Jewish heritage sites. Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and violently beat several of them. As a result, Dr. Sa'ed Abu Hajla, a lecturer at an-Najah National University in Nablus, was injured by shrapnel from a sound bomb; Chief Justice Tayseer Bayoudh al-Tamimi suffered from tear gas inhalation; and 4 journalists sustained bruises: Mohammed Hmaidat; Akram al-Natsha; 'Abdul Ghani al-Natsha; and 'Abdul Hafiz al-Hashlamoun. Israeli troops also destroyed al-Hashlamoun's camera. 

· At noon on Saturday, 06 March 2010, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians at the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 4 demonstrators were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. 'Emad Abu Nassar, 36, wounded in the leg;

2. Younis Mousa 'Arar, 38, wounded in the hand;

3. Diaa' 'Abbas 'Aadi, 21, wounded in the hand; and

4. Yousef Nasri Ekhlil, 51, wounded in the foot.

Additionally, 6 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

· On Sunday, 07 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Jala, protesting the construction of the Wall to the northwest of the town. The demonstration moved from the Arab Orthodox Club in Beit Jala towards bypass road #60, where a section of the Wall is being constructed. The demonstrators planted trees. Soon, IOF surrounded the demonstrators and used force against them to prevent them from planting trees. The Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 5 civilians, including a child and 3 journalists, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Najeh Diab al-Hashlamoun, 47, a cameraman of the Associated Press, wounded in the right hand;

2. 'Abdul Hafiz Diab alk-Hashlamoun, 45, a cameraman of the Press Association, wounded in the back;

3. Hazem Ragheb Bader, 38, a cameraman of France Press, wounded in the right thigh;

4. Mahmoud 'Ali 'Ayad, 16, wounded in the back; and

5. Mofeed al-Qarbi, 18, wounded in the left leg.

3. Continued Siege on the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

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.  

· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons. 

· 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 the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

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

· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, 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 home to the Gaza Strip.

· Israel had 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 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 mounted sharply.

· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half 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

03 – 09 March 2010

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

03 – 09 March 2010

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 03 March 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,280 tons of wheat and 1,102 tons of fodders. It was opened again on Monday, 08 March 2010, allowing the entry of 1,326 tons of wheat and 2,028 tons of fodders. 

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF 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. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

03 – 09 March 2010

The West Bank

Israel has 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. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandya 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 10:30 on Sunday, 07 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Attara village, north of Ramallah. They imposed restrictions on the movement to and from the village. They also summoned a number of Palestinian civilians for interrogation. 

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On the morning of Friday, 05 March 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. At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 06 March 2010, IOF erected a checkpoint between Qabatya and Misliya village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands in 'Ein al-Baida and Wadi al-Reesh areas to the north and northwest of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

· At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 04 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip arrested Ahmed Saleem Abu 'Eida, 38, a businessman from Jabalya refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Abu 'Eida was summoned by the Israeli intelligence for an interview at the crossing, having been banned from traveling through the crossing for two years. Abu 'Eida was released on Tuesday, 09 March 2010.

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 11:00 on Saturday, 06 March 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Brakha'' settlement, escorted by IOF, stormed Iraq Bourin village, southeast of Nablus. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrances of the village and threw stones at the settlers. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Saher 'Aahed al-Faqeeh, 35, wounded in the shoulder;

2. Bashar Wa'el Qadous, 17, wounded in the jaw;

3. Nader Ibrahim Qae'dan, 35, wounded in the head; and

4. Firas 'Aahed al-Faqeeh, 35, wounded in the thigh.

· On Monday morning, 08 March 2010, IOF handed demolition notices to Palestinian civilians living in Fasayel village, north of Jericho, ordering the demolition of their houses, barnyards and barracks, claiming that they had been built without the necessary permits. These civilians are: 'Ali Hussein 'Ebayat; 'Aayed 'Atallah Rashaida; and Ibrahim Mohammed Rashaida. IOF threatened to implement the demolition order within two weeks.

· Also on Monday, 08 March 2010, IOF handed notices to 3 Palestinian civilians living in al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho, ordering the demolition of barnyards and barracks belonging to them. These civilians are: 'Adnan Mohammed Dua'is; Shihda Mohammed Du'ais; and Salem 'Ali Ka'abna. 

· Also on Monday, 08 March 2010, the Israeli government approved the construction of 112 housing units in the settlement of "Beitar Illit", west of Bethlehem. The Israeli Minister of the Environment claimed: "At the end of last year the government decided to freeze construction, but this decision provided for exceptions in cases of safety problems for infrastructure projects started before the freeze."

· Also on Monday evening, 08 March 2010, a young Israeli settler, approximately 15 years of age, intercepted Ibrahim Mohammed 'Abu 'Eisha, 11, and Shareef Tayseer Abu 'Eisha, 12, when they were on their way home in the Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood, which is near the "Ramat Yishai" settlement outpost in the center of Hebron. The young settler attempted to run down the two children with his bicycle. He also broke a birdcage, which the two children were carrying. The settler injured his hand while attempting to pull at the birdcage. Immediately, Israeli troops intervened and arrested the two Palestinian children. They released them on bail at approximately 20:30 of the same day.

· On Tuesday, 09 March 2010, the Israeli Ministry of Interior approved the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported that the new housing units would be constructed in the "Ramat Shlomo" neighborhood, expanding it in the east and the south. 

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

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