A Palestinian is carried into al-Aqsa Martys Hospital in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah, as he was wounded by Israeli troops, 22 March 2010

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

· 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed by IOF in the West Bank.

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

· 16 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two Israeli peace activists were wounded by Israeli gunfire.

· Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

· 22 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a woman, were wounded.

· 3 houses belonging to Palestinians were damaged by Israeli fire.

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

· IOF conducted 10 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 3 incursions into the Gaza Strip.

· IOF arrested 32 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, two women and two journalists, in the West Bank, and 22 Palestinian workers, including 4 children, in the Gaza Strip. 

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

· Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested at least 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman.

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

· The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 20 housing units for settlers in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

· IOF confiscated 49 donums of land in Bitounia, west of Ramallah.

· Israeli settlers uprooted 35 olive trees in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (18 – 24 March 2010):

Shootings: During the reporting period, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank, and wounded 38 Palestinians, including 7 children and a woman, as well as two Israeli peace activists in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

On 20 March 2010, IOF killed two Palestinian civilians, including a child, in cold blood in Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus. IOF intentionally fired at the two civilians from a close range.

Less than 24 hours later, IOF shot dead two Palestinian civilians from 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, while they were farming their land.

During the reporting period, 16 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two Israeli peace activists, were wounded when IOF used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, 22 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a woman, were wounded, when Israeli warplanes bombarded civilian targets and Israeli troops fired at workers and farmers near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 10 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a woman. 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of land that they had previously razed, and arrested 22 Palestinian workers, including 4 minors. 

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

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over 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 18 March 2010, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved a construction plan in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. According to Israeli radio sources, licenses were issued for the construction of 20 housing units for settlers. 

Also on 18 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Elli" settlement uprooted 25 olive trees in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus.

On 19 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Beit 'Ain" settlement, north of Hebron, attempted to burn wooded areas in Safa village. A number of trees were burnt, but locals were eventually able to extinguish the fire.

On 21 March 2010, the Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported that the IOF have declared a plan to seize 49.2 donums of land in the town of Bitounia, west of Ramallah, to implement new security arrangements on road #443 before opening it to Palestinian movement two months and a half later. IOF plan to establish a checkpoint at Ofer crossing, west of Ramallah, and Palestinian vehicles will be allowed to travel on road #443 between Macavim checkpoint and the new checkpoint, in accordance with an Israeli High Court ruling. 

On 23 March 2010, Israeli settlers from "Elli", "Shilo" and "Ma'ale Levoni" settlements attacked dozens of Palestinian farmers in Senjel village, north of Ramallah, and prevented them from farming on their lands. The settlers threw stones at the farmers and attempted to take over a number of tractors. IOF arrived at the area and closed it off. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (18 – 24 March 2010)

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

Thursday, 18 March 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

1. Ahmed 'Aaref Hamayel, 16;

2. Laith Saleh Hamayel, 17; and

3. Maher Fawzi Hamayel, 17.

· At approximately 11:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the east of 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the establishment of a security fence and 'buffer zone' along the border. No casualties were reported.

Friday, 19 March 2010

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli warplanes fired five missiles at Saladin Gate, Yebna refugee camp and Block J, all of which are located in the south of Rafah, near the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, allegedly to destroy tunnels. As a result of the strike, Bader ‘Oudet Allah al-Sha’er, 32, was wounded by shrapnel to the face and Salem Hamdan al-Sha’er, 48, sustained a fracture in the right foot. The wounded persons are workers in the tunnels below the Gaza-Egypt border. 

· At approximately 01:25, Israeli F-16 fighter jets dropped a bomb on a farm in the east of ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties or material damage were reported.  The Israeli radio claimed that the Israeli Air Force had targeted a tunnel established for infiltration into Israel.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to activists of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. They threatened those activists of detention. No arrests were reported. 

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed Fayez al-Wawi, 16.

· At approximately 22:20, Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah.  Thirteen Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded as a result. The wounded civilians, who are all residents of Rafah, were collecting raw aggregate from the destroyed runway of the Airport. They are:

1. Hazem Salman Abu Sitta, 24, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest and the back;

2. Mohammed Ahmed al-'Assar, 18, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the right elbow;

3. Mo'men Ahmed al-Debari, 15, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the right hand;

4. 'Areef Tarrash Rabee', 41, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;

5. 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abu Shalhoub, 22, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;

6. Mohammed 'Aatef Abu Hussein, 20, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;

7. 'Alaa' 'Areef Rabee', 20, wounded by shrapnel to the right forearm;

8. Na'el Riad Abu Tailakh, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the pelvis;

9. Suleiman Nabeel Mansour, 18, shocked;

10. Mohammed Hammad Abu Leila, 20, shocked;

11. Hussam Suleiman Abu Sitta, 23, sustained a fracture to the right elbow;

12. Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Shalhoub, 20, sustained a fracture to the right leg; and

13. 'Abdullah Hammad Hussein, 24, sustained bruises to the right elbow and knee.

Saturday, 20 March 2010

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, south of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mo'tassem Ra'ed Mezher, 17.

· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into the east of Iraq Borin village, south of Nablus. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who immediately responded by firing, but no casualties were reported. The Palestinian boys withdrew into the village, while IOF took position in the east of the village. At approximately 15:00, a Palestinian civilian Ford transit minibus, driven by Zakareya ‘Adel Qadous, arrived in the village from Nablus. In the meanwhile, Israeli soldiers were positioning themselves approximately 30 meters to the east of the intersection of Iraq Borin village and exited their jeeps. The driver drove to the western entrance to the village. Approximately 100 meters from the intersection, in front of the mosque of the village, the driver found out that there were burning tires and that the street was closed. He stopped and Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul Qader Qadous, 16, and Usaid Abdul Naser Qadous, 20, stepped out of the minibus. As the driver turned around to travel back to Nablus, Israeli soldiers opened fire at Mohammed, who was wounded by a bullet to the heart, and Usaid who was wounded by a bullet to the head. A number of young Palestinians who were at the scene carried the two wounded persons back into the minibus. After the minibus drove for approximately 20 meters, Israeli military jeeps tried to stop it, but the driver managed to pass them and reach Nablus Specialized Hospital. Mohammed was dead upon arrival at the hospital, while Usaid underwent a prolonged surgery, but was pronounced dead on Sunday morning, 21 March 2010. Usaid was student at an-Najah National University in Nablus.

· At approximately 14:30, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 900 meters into the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli troops chased a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks and aggregate from the debris of the destroyed industrial zone. A number of workers were able to flee, but Israeli troops arrested 17 others, including 4 children, and confiscated 4 animal carts. At approximately 02:00 on the following day, IOF released 15 detainees, but kept the other two in custody: Mohammed Sayed al-Basyouni, 22; and 'Ali Jamal Kharawat, 23.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

· At approximately 12:05 on Sunday, 21 March 2010, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Nablus was informed by the Israeli Military Liaison that there were two bodies belonging to Palestinians who were killed by Israeli troops near ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. A PRCS ambulance drove to the reported scene. Ahmed Jebril, the driver, and Jamal Husni Abu Hamda, a paramedic, were in the ambulance. A vehicle belonging to the Israeli Military Liaison was waiting near Huwarra checkpoint at the southern entrance of Nablus to direct the ambulance to the bodies. The ambulance followed the military vehicle that drove towards the east of 'Awarta village on the ‘Aqraba – Yanoun road. The military vehicle stopped near an area of land planted with olives, approximately seven kilometers from the village. As the ambulance arrived, Jebril and Abu Hamda saw two bodies. The bodies were lying by the two sides of the road and there was a distance of 10-15 meters between them. They were covered with blankets used by the IOF. Israeli soldiers who were at the scene allowed the paramedics to examine the two bodies. Both bodies exhibited several wounds all over.  Abu Hamda saw two small hoes and a Pepsi Cola in a plastic bag with one of the soldiers. The two bodies were carried to the ambulance that drove to ‘Awarta commercial checkpoint to return to Nablus. Residents of ‘Awarta village who gathered near the checkpoint identified the two victims as: Mohammed Faisal Mahmoud Qawariq, 20; and Salah Mohammed Kamel Qawariq, 19, both from ‘Awarta village. 

The two bodies were transferred to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. Dr. Abdul Karim Hashash, who examined the bodies, told a PCHR fieldworker that Mohammed Qawariq was hit by four bullets to the chest (with entrances and exits), one to the bottom of the abdomen and two to the left thigh and leg. He also sustained fractures and burns on his left leg. This indicates that he was shot from a close range. Salah Qawarir was hit by a bullet that entered the chest and exited from the back, another one to the right arm (with a entrance and an exit) and a third one that entered the back and exited the top of the chest. Abu Hamda stated that the nature of the wounds sustained by the two Palestinians, their clothes and the items he saw with the soldier indicated that the two Palestinians has been farming on their land. 

Monday, 22 March 2010

· At approximately 01:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at al-Shouka village near Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, allegedly to destroy a tunnel.  The targeted tunnel was set on fire as a result, but no casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jenan neighborhood of al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal al-Sheikh, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks from the rubble of destroyed buildings in the industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip. The workers escaped and no casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 20:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian lands near the border. As a result, Suleiman Mahmoud Braim, 34, was wounded by shrapnel to the ear, when he was near his house approximately 500 from the border.

· At approximately 23:50, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an area belonging to Ussama Zimmu in al-Sha'af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. A number of nearby houses were damaged and 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a woman, were lightly injured by glass shards:

1. Khawla Jihad al-Kahlout, 28;

2. Alaa' Sa'ed Kareem, 16;

3. Ruba Sa'ed Kareem, 12;

4. Yasser Na'im Hijazi, 25;

5. 'Abed Anees Marzouq, 62;

6. Akram al-Fayoumi, 21;

7. Nahidh Khalil Abu 'Amsha, 45; and

8. Mohammed Nahidh Abu 'Amsha, 19.

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fara'a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Jamal Tayeh, 21.

· At approximately 09:30, IOF moved approximately 100 meters into the industrial zone to the southwest of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of land that they had previously razed.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

· At approximately 01:05, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles that landed in a garden of a house in the Riad al-Saleheen area of Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The home, in which 10 people live, belongs to Mustafa Khalil Mustafa. Mustafa's house and two neighboring homes were damaged: A house belonging to Nidal Sa'ad al-Kurdi, in which 10 people live; and a house belonging to Khalil and Rafeeq Yousef Rab'a, in which 12 people live. No casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Bassel Faisal al-Darabee', 15.

· At approximately 07:00, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 800 meters into the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli troops chased a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials, and arrested 5 of them, including: Mahmoud Mohammed Ma'rouf, 17; Shadi 'Ammar Ma'rouf, 17; and Mustafa Ghanem, 43.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations

IOF have 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 the ongoing settlement activities. At least 20 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, and others sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

· Following the Friday Prayer on 19 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, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and some of them sustained bruises.

· Also at noon on Friday, 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli 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 IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises. 

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest against 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, 11 demonstrators, including two children and two Israeli human rights defenders, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets, and another one was hit by tear gas canisters:

1. 'Abdul Hafiz Mahmoud al-Tamimi, 29, wounded on the right hand;

2. Ra'fat Mahmoud 'Arar, 15, wounded in the face;

3. Ra'ed 'Ali Salem, 27, wounded on the right hand;

4. Marwan 'Abdul Karim al-Tamimi, 43, wounded on the right hand;

5. Doudi, 25, an Israeli human rights defender, wounded on the left hand;

6. Elli Shik, 22, an Israeli human rights defender, wounded on the left leg;

7. 'Ali Nemer Salem, 56, wounded on the left hand;

8. Nabeel 'Abdul Basset al-Tamimi, 22, wounded on the right leg;

9. Ahmed Jamal al-Tamimi, 65, wounded on the chest;

10. Saber Nazir al-Tamimi, 17, wounded on the left leg;

11. Ra'ed Munther Hamed, 20, hit by a tear gas canister to the back; and

12. Huthaifa Fadel Yahia, 19, wounded on the back.

Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israel human rights defenders and peace activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Budros village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Annexation Wall. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs, and beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, Mohammed Mansour Yousef, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand. A number of other demonstrators sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also detained 3 Palestinian civilians, including two journalists, for more than 3 hours: Sa'adat Sha'ban 'Awadh, 27; Haroun Yousef 'Amaira, 26, a reporter for Palestine Television; and Najeeballah Hassan Sharwana, 21, a cameraman for Palestine Television.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration near Qalandiya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli troops stationed at the checkpoint. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. Baraa' Mohammed al-Qadhi, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;

2. Ra'ed Zuhair 'Eissa, 32, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and

3. Farhan Sa'ada, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back.

Israeli troops also arrested Mohammed 'Ali 'Ali, 16.  

3. 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.  

· 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

17 – 23 March 2010

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

17 – 23 March 2010

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 18 March 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,535 tons of wheat and 1,91 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 22 March 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,067 tons of wheat and 1,599 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

17 - 23 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. On Thursday evening, 18 March 2010, IOF began imposing increased restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the old city.  According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Border Police officers established military checkpoints at the entrances of the old city, on all of the streets inside the walls of the old city, as well as on streets in the immediate vicinity. On Friday morning, 19 March 2010, Palestinians under 50 years of age were not permitted to enter al-Aqsa Mosque.  On Saturday morning, 20 March 2010, IOF closed a checkpoint established at the entrance of Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem.  

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of 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 Thursday, 18 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Attara village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 21 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 20 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday morning, 21 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Huwarra checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday morning, 19 March 2010, IOF reinforced their presence in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and the old city in the south and center of Hebron. They raided a number of houses and turned them into temporary military bases. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 20 March 2010, IOF chased a number of Palestinian farmers and international and Israeli solidarity activists and prevented them from reaching agricultural lands located to the north of Safa village, north of Hebron, claiming that the area was a closed military zone. Israeli troops also detained 3 Israeli solidarity activists, as well as one international, for several hours. At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 22 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the Dura – al-Majd intersection, south of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

· On Friday evening, 19 March 2010, Israeli troops arrested Bilal Mohammed Shawabka, 14, from al-Fawar refugee camp south of Hebron, when he was near "Beit Hajai" settlement.

· At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 20 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed near the Annexation Wall to the southwest of Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron, arrested 4 Palestinian farmers who were on their land near the Wall:

1. Isma'il Mohammed al-Swaiti, 55;

2. Mohammed Zaidan al-Swaiti, 35;

3. Fawaz Faisal al-Swaiti, 22; and

4. Mansour Faisal al-Swaiti, 26.

· On Saturday evening, 20 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed at a military checkpoint at the entrance of Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, arrested Ibtissam Mustafa Abu Dayah, 42.

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.

· On Thursday, 18 March 2010, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved a construction plan in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. According to Israeli radio sources, licenses were issued for the construction of 20 housing units for settlers. 

· On Thursday morning, 18 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Elli" settlement uprooted 25 olive trees belonging to Mohammed Jaber, Ahmed Jaber and 'Abdul 'Aziz Mardawi in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus.

· At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 19 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Beit 'Ain" settlement, north of Hebron, attempted to burn wooded areas in Safa village. A number of trees were burnt, but locals were eventually able to extinguish the fire.

· On Sunday, 21 March 2010, the Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported that IOF declared a plan to seize 49.2 donums of land in the town of Bitounia, west of Ramallah, to implement new security arrangements on road #443 before opening it for Palestinian movement two and a half months later. IOF plan to establish a checkpoint at Ofer crossing, west of Ramallah, and Palestinian vehicles will be allowed to travel on road #443 between Macavim checkpoint and the new checkpoint, in accordance with an Israeli High Court ruling. 

· On Tuesday morning, 23 March 2010, Israeli settlers from the settlements of "Elli", "Shilo" and "Ma'ale Levoni" attacked dozens of Palestinian farmers in Senjel village, north of Ramallah, and prevented them from farming their lands. The settlers threw stones at the farmers and attempted to take over a number of tractors. IOF arrived at the area and closed it off.

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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)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).