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

· 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank.

· Two Palestinian militants were killed and 3 others were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

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

· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.

· IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 3 limited incursions into the Gaza Strip.

· IOF arrested 35 civilians, including two children, in the West Bank.

· 12 of them, including 5 internationals and two photojournalists, were arrested during the dispersion of peaceful demonstrations.

· IOF partially destroyed a house in the southern Gaza Strip.

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

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

· IOF demolished two houses in the West Bank.

· Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars belonging to Palestinian civilians in Hawara village, south of Nablus.

· Thousands of Israeli settlers stormed Kufor Hares village and Joseph's Tomb in the northern West Bank.

· An Israeli settler threw a steel object at a car belonging to a Palestinian political figure.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (08 – 14 April 2010):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 3 others in the Gaza Strip. IOF further wounded 7 civilians, including two children, in the West Bank.

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded during the reporting period, and 3 journalists sustained bruises 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, on 13 April 2010, IOF killed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 3 others in armed clashes near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp. 

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 22 Palestinian civilians, including two children.  Twelve of the detainees, including 5 international solidarity activists and two journalists, were arrested by IOF during a peaceful demonstration protesting Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the Annexation Wall in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.   

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of land, which they had previously razed.  During these incursions, two Palestinian houses were damaged.  

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 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 08 April 2010, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit.  Later, at least 5,000 Israeli settlers moved into the village and raided several Islamic sites.  They also threw rocks at houses, damaging them. 

On 10 April 2010, an Israeli settler threw a small steel object at the car of Khaled Hassan Sobeh, 50, member of the political bureau of the Palestinian People's Party, when he was traveling from Nablus to Ramallah.  The front window of the car was broken, but no injuries were reported.

On 12 April 2010, IOF moved into the east of Nablus to secure access of Israeli settlers to the area.  Soon, buses transporting dozens of Israeli settlers arrived. The settlers exited the buses and conducted religious ceremonies near Joseph's Tomb. 

On 13 April 2010, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit.  They demolished a 130-square-meter, two-storey, house currently under construction and belonging to Maher Hassan Sultan, claiming that it was being built without a license.  They also demolished a car wash facility belonging to Ghannam 'Abed Daoud. 

On 13 April 2010, at least 15 Israeli settlers from "Karmi Tsur" settlement to the south of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, threatened Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 42, and his family, when they were on their own land 70 meters from the aforementioned settlement.  The settlers fired into the air, terrifying the family.

On 14 April 2010, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They demolished a 160-square-meter house belonging to 'Ali Saleem Mousa, in which 8 people live.  The house is located 150 meters from the Annexation Wall. 

Also on 14 April 2010, Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars belonging to Palestinian civilians in Hawara village, south of Nablus.  The settlers also spray-painted a Star of David onto the wall of a mosque in the village.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (08 – 14 April 2010)

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

Thursday, 08 April 2010

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Aamer Hani al-Barghouthi, 20;

2. 'Abed Tal'at al-Reemawi, 21;

3. Tariq 'Abdullah al-Reemawi, 21;

4. Yousef Hazem al-Reemawi, 20;

5. 'Abdullah Mohammed al-Reemawi, 20; and

6. Hakeem Hussein al-Barghouthi, 18.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash'al village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled Mohammed Taha, 17, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the old city of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Kamel Jabarin, and summoned 3 of his sons for interrogation: Ra'ed, 35; Hammouda, 21; and Sami, 20.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved 400 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip.  They leveled areas of land, which they had previously razed, along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  During this incursion, Israeli tanks opened fire indiscriminately.  At approximately 15:00, a tank shell hit a house belonging to Hisham Mohammed Abu Farhana.  The house and a neighboring house belonging to Abu Farhana's brother were damaged.  IOF redeployed outside the area at approximately 21:00 of the same day.

· At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem.  They raided a two-storey house belonging to Mohammed and Hassan Ahmed Braijiya, activists in Popular Committee against Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the Annexation Wall.  IOF held and interrogated Hassan for some time.  They accused him of incitement and threatened him, urging him not to organize peaceful protests against settlement activities and the construction of the wall. 

Friday, 09 April 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Fayez Hmaida, but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saddam Mohammed Yassin, 20, and arrested him.

Saturday, 10 April 2010

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

Sunday, 11 April 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mukhles Suleiman Radi, 32.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-'Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned Anas 'Abdul Jabbar Abu Tarboush for interrogation.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed Mohammed Zarrouq, 19.  They also summoned Saleh Mohammed al-Jua'aidi. 

Monday, 12 April 2010

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

1. Mohammed 'Ali 'Awadh, 17; and

2. Nasser Sami Sabarna, 20.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Zbaidat and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ahmed Nader al-Aa'raj, 21;

2. Ahmed Mahmoud al-Barq, 20;

3. Jameel Naji Mohsen, 19;

4. Mohammed Wajeeh 'Abdul Karim, 21; and

5. Mustafa al-'Iraqi, 19.

· At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They surrounded Yasser Arafat Elementary School in the west of the village.  They requested to meet the headmaster.  When the headmaster went to Israeli troops to inquire about the reason the school was surrounded, he learned that IOF intended to arrest a number of students for allegedly throwing stones at their vehicles.  They requested to enter each classroom to find suspected students.  The headmaster refused to allow them, so they threatened to remain in the area until the end of the school day, which they did.  When the headmaster noticed, he let the students exit the school through another gate without Israeli troops noticing. 

· At approximately 12:00, Israeli soldiers in military jeeps stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired at dozens of Palestinian civilians participating in a peaceful demonstration near the border in 'Abassan village, protesting against the establishment of a security zone along the border.  No casualties were reported.

· At approximately 22:10, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of the Bedouin Village fired 4 flash bombs that landed on Palestinian houses in the village.  No casualties or damages were reported.

Tuesday, 13 April 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, and summoned 17-year-old Khalil Ibrahim Yassin for interrogation.

· At approximately 05:00, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip exchanged fire with a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance when the latter approached the border.  Israeli troops also fired a number of artillery shells, while aircrafts were hovering over the area.  As a result of the exchange of fire, two resistance activists were killed:

1. Marwan Faraj Mohammed al-Jarba, 22, from al-Boreij refugee camp; and

2. Wa'el Mahmoud 'Abdul Nabi Abu Jalal, 28, from Nussairat refugee camp. 

Three activists were also wounded.  Soon after, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the area.  They leveled areas of land which they had already razed.  They moved back to the border in the afternoon.

· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Bal'a village, east of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a number of houses.  They summoned 3 Palestinian civilians for interrogation: Mohammed 'Abed Suleiman, 24; Fadi 'Abdul Jabbar Mahyoub, 25; and Ra'ed Mohammed Suleiman, 30.  

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamza Isma'il Houshiya, 24.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mahmoud 'Abdullah Qasrawi, 25; and

2. 'Adnan Farah Sobeh, 20.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nidal Jamal Hindiya, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 12:10, IOF moved approximately 250 meters into the east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip.  They leveled an area of land, which they had previously razed.

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 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, and others sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

· Following the Friday Prayer on 09 April 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.  IOF also arrested Haitham Jamal al-Khatib, 34, a photographer of B'Tselem and the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, but released him later.  

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 April 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 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 other sustained bruises. 

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabil Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest to land confiscation in Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam.  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, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1.  Ziad 'Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 22, wounded in the head;

2. Ramzi Hussein Tamimi, 31, wounded in the back;

3. Saleh Ayoub Tamimi, 40, wounded in the right leg;

4. Malek Talal Tamimi, 22, wounded in the right hand;

5. Khaled 'Atallah Tamimi, 27, wounded in the right foot;

6. Mo'tassem Khalil Tamimi, 14, wounded in the right leg; and

7. Mohammed 'Abdullah, 17, wounded in the head.  

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

· On Saturday morning, 10 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and number of international and Israeli human rights defenders and peace activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar and Safa village, north of Hebron, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities.  They moved towards 'Ein al-Baida area, 500 meters to the northeast, where IOF plan to confiscate areas of Palestinian land.  Israeli troops were intensively deployed in the area.  They surrounded the demonstrators and declared Safa village a closed military zone.  At approximately 14:00, Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators.  They also beat a number of demonstrators.  According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF arrested 11 civilians (6 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, and 5 international solidarity activists).  The Palestinian civilians who were arrested are:

1. Mohammed 'Ayad 'Awadh, 48;

2. Mousa 'Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 32;

3. Younis Mousa 'Arar, 37;

4. 'Aatef Za'al Abu Daya, 28;

5. Saqer Sadiq Abu Maria, 38; and

6. Hazem Jameel Bader, 42, a photojournalist of France Press. 

Bader was released on the same day, while the other detainees were released on the following day on bails ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 NIS. 

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

07 – 13 April 2010

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

07 – 13 April 2010

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 07 April 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,326 tons of wheat and 1,092 tons of fodders.  They opened also it on Monday, 12 April 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,833 tons of wheat and 2,535 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

07 – 13 April 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.

· 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.  On Sunday morning, 11 April 2010, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.                

· Nablus:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Sunday morning and Wednesday noon, 11 and 14 April 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara 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 noon, 09 April 2010, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the Ethna, Beit Kahel and Kharsa intersections, northwest and southwest of Hebron.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  On Tuesday, 13 April 2010, IOF established 6 military checkpoints on various roads around the town.  They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.           

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 21:00 on Thursday, 08 April 2010, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit.  They closed the entrances of the village and restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 21:30, at least 5,000 Israeli settlers moved into the village and raided sevreal Islamic sites.  They also threw rocks at houses, damaging them.  They left the village, escorted by IOF, at approximately 04:00 of the following day.

· At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 10 April 2010, an Israeli settler from "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, threw a small steel object at the car of Khaled Hassan Sobeh, 50, a  member of the political bureau of the Palestinian People's Party, who was traveling from Nablus to Ramallah.  The front window of the car was broken, but no injuries were reported.

· At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 12 April 2010, IOF moved into the east of Nablus to secure access to the area for Israeli settlers.  Soon, buses transporting dozens of Israeli settlers arrived.  The settlers exited the buses and conducted religious ceremonies near Joseph's Tomb.  A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Israeli troops fired at the children, but no casualties were reported.  The settlers, escorted by IOF, left the area at approximately 06:00 on the following day.

· At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 13 April 2010, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit.  They demolished a 130-square-meter, two-storey, house currently under construction and belonging to Maher Hassan Sultan, claiming that it was being built without a license.  They also demolished a car wash facility belonging to Ghannam 'Abed Daoud. 

· At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 13 April 2010, at least 15 Israeli settlers from "Karmi Tsur" settlement to the south of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, threatened Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 42, and his family, when they were on their own land 70 meters from the aforementioned settlement.  The settlers fired into the air, terrifying the family.

· At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 14 April 2010, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They surrounded a 160-square-meter house belonging to 'Ali Saleem Mousa, in which 8 people live.  They forced the family to vacate their belongings from the house within 30 minutes, and then demolished the home.  The house is located 150 meters from the Annexation Wall.  It is worth noting that IOF have previously demolished a house belonging to the family in the same area in 2004.

· On Wednesday morning, 14 April 2010, Israeli settlers burned 3 cars belonging to Palestinian civilians in Hawara village, south of Nablus.  The cars belonged to Sameer Ibrahim 'Ouda, Ziad 'Abdullah 'Ouda and Hassan 'Awadh 'Ouda.  The settlers also spray-painted a Star of David on the wall of a mosque in the village.

…………………………………………………………

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.

…………………………………………………………

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).