Member of the al-Shawama family surround their house which was demolished by Israeli Occupation Forces in Abu al-Arqan village near Hebron

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

· Two activists of the Palestinian resistance and eight civilians, including five children and a woman, were wounded by shrapnel of flechette shells fired by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

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

- Ten Palestinian civilians, including two children and three journalists, were injured West Bank.

- IOF arrested a journalist and four international human rights defenders.

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

· IOF conducted twenty-three incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and five limited incursions into the Gaza Strip.

- IOF arrested twenty-seven Palestinian civilians, including seven children, three women and a journalist, and four international human rights defenders in the West Bank.

· 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 and border crossings in the West Bank arrested three Palestinian civilians.

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

-IOF demolished seventy-four Palestinian civilian facilities in Area "C."[1]

-One Palestinian civilian was injured by Israeli settlers.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (15 – 21 July 2010):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed two activists of the Palestinian resistance and wounded eight civilians, including five children and a woman, in the Gaza Strip. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 21 July 2010, IOF killed two activists of the Palestinian resistance and wounded eight civilians, including five children and a woman, when they fired flechette shells at the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. 

In the West Bank, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, ten Palestinian civilians, including two children and three journalists, were injured. IOF also violently beat a number of demonstrators. 

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least twenty-three military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested twenty-two Palestinian civilians, including seven children and three women.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted five limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they searched the areas.

Restrictions on Movement: Israel had 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 approximately three 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, Israeli forces decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently and to divert the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, citing security reasons. 

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The principle concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain basic necessities: food, medicine, 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 since 10 December 2008, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened on only 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. Israel has prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

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

· At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years. 

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

West Bank

Israel has 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.

· Israeli forces 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 Israeli forces 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 eighteen Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by Israeli forces (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 Israeli forces; these permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· Israeli forces continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by Israeli forces in Jerusalem and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by Israeli forces.

Settlement Activities: 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.

During the reporting period, IOF demolished two inhabited houses, a mobile home, two houses currently under construction, sixty-four barnyards, five shops and an agricultural pool in Area "C" in the West Bank. It should be noted that the Israeli government instructed the Israeli military and Civil Administration to intensify demolitions of Palestinian houses and facilities in Area "C," claiming that they are unlicensed and "pose a security threat to Israel." According to the Israeli daily "Haaretz," such measures target six areas in the West Bank. 

During the reporting period, one Palestinian civilian was injured when Israeli settlers attacked him in Hebron. 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (15 – 21 July 2010)

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

Thursday, 15 July 2010

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested eight Palestinian civilians, including two women:

1. Laith Mofeed Abu Ghulma, 20;

2. Lanan Yousef Abu Ghulma, 30;

3. Taghreed Yousef Abu Ghulma, 27;

4. Ayman Mohammed Abu Ghulma, 20;

5. Sajed 'Abdul Latif Mlaitat, 40;

6. Mos'ab 'Abdul Latif Mlaitat, 24;

7. Hani 'Aaref Hanani, 22; and

8. Mohammed Tayseer Hanani, 22. 

IOF also confiscated four computers and a number of mobile phones. 

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Sa'id Bisharat, 28.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. There they leveled areas of Palestinian land.

Friday, 16 July 2010

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:10, IOF moved into Tulkarm through its southern entrance. The moved towards al-Salam Square and then northward, where they patrolled near the headquarter of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service. At approximately 03:35. IOF moved into the town through the northern entrance. They moved towards the center of the town and patrolled in the area. At approximately 04:00, IOF stopped near the western gate of the Palestinian security compound. Israeli troops stepped out of military jeeps and photographed the compound. At approximately 04:15, IOF moved into the town through its western entrance. They moved towards the Palestinian security compound and photographed its eastern gate. Later, IOF moved towards Tulkarm refugee camp and photographed al-Salam Mosque. At approximately 05:20, IOF moved towards Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkram. They took a position atop of a house belonging to Eyad Abu Jamoud Saif. IOF began to redeploy outside the town at approximately 05:50.  

Saturday, 17 July 2010

· At approximately 21:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya fired three artillery shells at Abu Safiya area. No casualties were reported.

Sunday, 18 July 2010

· At approximately 00:30, IOF escorted dozens of Israeli settlers into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. The settlers conducted religious rituals in the village for several hours.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Suleiman Mohammed al-Shalabi, 22.

· At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved nearly 500 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, where they leveled areas of Palestinian land and fired at Palestinians in the area. No casualties were reported.

Monday, 19 July 2010

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sofian Zaki Bahar, 34. It should be noted that Mr. Bahar had been released from Israeli jails just forty days earlier. 

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mousa Jabarin, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a two-storey house belonging to the al-Sayed family after breaking down several doors. They arrested Amjad Sabe' al-Sayed, 26. At the same time, Israeli troops raided and searched a house belonging to 'Abdul Karim Saleh al-Sayed and arrested his daughter Fathiya, 57, who hold a Jordanian nationality and was visiting her family. According to her sister, Israeli troops told her that she would be detained for two days to be interrogated. 

· At approximately 12:15, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They leveled areas of Palestinian land and opened fire. They pulled back towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 13:00 and no casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into al-Shouka village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, where they leveled areas of Palestinian land. They then moved northward, where they leveled areas of previously-razed Palestinian land.

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported. Afterwards they moved into the nearby Bal'a village and patrolled in the streets for some time. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Ali Ahmed Bernat, 16, and arrested him. 

· At approximately 09:45, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and then moved towards Zeita village to the south. They stopped and questioned a number of Palestinian civilians.  They withdrew from the area an hour later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 15:20, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They stopped near the building of the municipality, where they demanded a number of workers in the municipality to warn residents of the village against throwing stones towards the Annexation Wall.

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and photographed houses located near the Palestinian security compound. IOF withdrew at approximately 04:30 and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Khirbat Qais village, south of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They stormed a workshop belonging to 'Abdul Rahman Mansour, who was not in the workshop, and arrested his son, 24-year-old Shams al-Din. They also informed owners of nearby shops that Mr Mansour must turn himself into the Israeli authorities. 

· At approximately 12:15, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into al-Amal quarter in the northeast of the northern Gaza Strip of Beit Hanoun. They opened fire and leveled areas of previously-razed Palestinian land. At approximately 15:45, they fired two flechette shells at a group of activists of the Palestinian resistance. One activist was killed immediately and another was seriously wounded and died of his wounds a few hours later. The two Palestinian activist killed are as follows:

1. Mohammed Hatem al-Kafarna, 23; and

2. Qassem Mohammed Kamal al-Shanbari, 20. 

At the same time, IOF fired three flechette shells at various areas in Beit Hanoun. As a result, eight Palestinian civilians, including five children and a woman, were wounded:

1. Haitham Tha'er Qassem, 4, wounded by shrapnel to the head;

2. Samah 'Eid al-Masri, 9, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest and the head;

3. Ibrahim Wissam al-Masri, 6, wounded by shrapnel to the back;

4. 'Imad Taha al-Kafarna, 35, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand and the back;

Mohammed 'Azzam al-Masri, 9, sustained a fracture to the right hand when he fell down as he  was attempting to escape;

5. Shadia al-Kafarna, 35, wounded by shrapnel to the head;

6. Mohammed al-Za'anin, 30, wounded by shrapnel to left knee; and

7. Baraa' Rajab, 8, wounded in the head.

Five houses were also damaged.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities.  As a result, ten Palestinian civilians, including two children and three journalists, were injured. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.  

· Following the Friday Prayer on 16 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest against the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. When they marched towards the Annexation Wall, Israeli troops stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, two demonstrators, including a child, were injured:

1. Majd Eyad Bernat, 12, hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot; and

2. Mohammed Ahmed Hamad, 18, hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg.

Additionally, IOF arrested two human rights defenders, who were not identified. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 16 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against 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. As a result, three demonstrators, including a child, were wounded:

1. Sabti Mahmoud al-Khawaja, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;

2. Khamis 'Abdullah, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right shoulder; and

3. 'Abdullah Nayef Mousa, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back.

Additionally, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises. 

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 16 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the 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. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also arrested an international human rights defender.   

· On Saturday afternoon, 17 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in the center of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They moved towards the Zaher al-Brahish area, where IOF plan to confiscate areas of Palestinian land to the north of the Israeli settlement of "Karmi Tsur." Israeli troops attacked the demonstrators and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, five Palestinian civilians, including three journalists, were injured:

1. 'Abdul Rahim 'Omar al-Qoussini, 42, a cameraman of Reuters, sustained burns to the left shoulder and a hole in the left tympanum from shrapnel of a sound bomb;

2. Hazem Bader, 46, a cameraman of France Press, sustained bruises to the chest and the limbs;

3. 'Abdul Hafiz Diab al-Hashlamoun, 43, sustained bruises and shrapnel to the back;

4. Khalil Ahmed Abu Hashem, 43, Secretary of the Committee against Settlement in Beit Ummar village, sustained bruises and shrapnel to the back; and

5. Mohammed 'Ayad 'Awadh, 45, an activist of the Palestinian Solidarity Project and a photographer of the Israeli B'Tselem, sustained bruises to the face. 

IOF also detained Eyad Hamd, a cameraman of Associated Press, and broke his camera. Additionally, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

According to journalist Hazem Bader, the officer of the Israeli military unit in the area acted violently against media crews. He declared the area a closed military zone and, soon after, he instructed his soldiers to attack journalists by firing tear gas at them. He himself hit Bader using a stick on his nose. He then kicked Mr. Bader on the left leg and detonated a sound bombs near his legs. He did not allow the evacuation of Mr. Bader for nearly thirty minutes. 

According to journalist Eyad Nember Hamad, 51, Israeli troops detained him for an hour and a half, after he demanded them to stop attacking Bader. His camera was also broken.

· At approximately 16:20 on Saturday, 17 July 2010, the Youth Commission against Settlement in Hebron organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to continued closure of al-Shuhada Street in the center of the city. A number of international solidarity activists participated in the demonstration, which stopped near the entrances of "Beit Rumano" settlement outpost in the north of the old city. Israeli troops attacked the demonstrators and arrested an international solidarity activist. They released him at approximately 18:00 and forced him to leave Hebron. It should be noted that IOF have closed al-Shuhada Street for Palestinian vehicles since 1994, and they have closed the street for Palestinians on foot  since 2000.  

3. Continued Siege on the OPT

Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and 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 approximately three 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, Israeli forces decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently and to divert the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, citing security reasons. 

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

· The principle concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain basic necessities: food, medicine, 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 since 10 December 2008, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant.

· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened on only 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. Israel has prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

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

· At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years. 

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

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities announced that Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border would be open indefinitely for travelers from both directions. The Egyptian announcement came following the deadly Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the crossing point was effectively opened and Palestinian civilians were allowed to travel through it.

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

14 – 20 July 2010

According to the Palestinian Crossings and Borders Commission, between 02 June and 15 June 2010, 5,910 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 3,536 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip. The number of people who were denied traveling via the crossing during this period was 1,759.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

30 June – 13 July 2010

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 14 July 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,301 of wheat and 2,262 tons of fodders, as well as on Monday, 19 July 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,989 tons of wheat and 2,490 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 medical conditions to pass via 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 security checks.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

14 – 20 July 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 Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints in and around 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 security checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 15 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:30 on 15 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 16 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Attara village, north of Ramallah. They dismantled the checkpoint later and no arrests were reported. .  

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Tulkarm. At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 18 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection on Tulkarm-Nablus road, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Qalqilya. On Friday morning, 16 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. Also on 16 July 2010, at approximately 19:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hijja village, east of Qalqilya as well as another checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village. There they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 17 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection on Qalqilya-Nablus road and, later that evening, IOF established another checkpoint on Nablus-Qalqilya road, near the entrance of Izbat al-Tabib village. There they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Salfit. At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 19 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Salfit, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. On Tuesday afternoon, 20 July 2010, IOF established three checkpoints at Bani Na'im intersection, the northern entrance of al-Sammou' village, and Tarqoumia intersections: southeast, south and west of Hebron, respectively. There they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and summoned a number of civilians for interrogation. On Wednesday, 21 July 2010, IOF closed the main entrance of Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron, from 08:00 to 12:00. In the afternoon, IOF established a number of checkpoints inside Hebron, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Bethlehem. On Sunday morning and noon, 18 July 2010, and on Wednesday morning, 21 July 2010, Israeli troops positioned at the 300 crossing prevented Palestinian civilians who have permits to enter Jerusalem from passing through the crossing. On Tuesday evening, 20 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Beit Sahour town, east of Bethlehem, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  

· Jericho:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jericho. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 15 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.  

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

· On Monday, 19 July 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Hebron, arrested Qaussai Mohammed Zaidan and Wassef Majd Qishta, both from Qabalan village south of the city.

· At approximately 13:15 on Wednesday, 21 July 2010, Israeli troops stationed on the Nablus-Qalqilya road near Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya, arrested Tha'er Jamal Bilya, 34, from al-Fundoq village east of Qalqilya.

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 09:50 on Thursday, 15 July 2010, IOF moved into Abu al-'Arqan village, southwest of Hebron. They raided two houses belonging to Mustafa Ibrahim Shawamra and Fat'hi Mahmoud Shawamra. They ordered the families to vacate their belongings in thirty minutes and they then demolished the two houses. The area of the first house, in which six individuals were living, was 130 square meters, and the area of the second house, in which seven individuals were living, was 170 square meters. IOF also informed Rawhi Khalil Shawamra that his 80-square-meter house would be demolished. These houses are located in Area "B" (under Palestinian civil control and Israeli security control according to the Oslo Accords). They are located 160 meters away from Area "C" (under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords). According to 'Abdul Hadi Hantash, an activist in defending land in Hebron, such measures seek to restrict Palestinian natural growth towards Area "C."

· At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 15 July 2010, IOF moved into the Lasiefer area in the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided a tin mobile home belonging to Mohammed Khalil Abu Qbaita, in which twelve individuals live, and confiscated the home. They also ordered Ibrahim Khalil Abu Qbaita to remove his mobile home from the area. 

· On Saturday morning, 17 July 2010, a Palestinian civilian was injured when he was attacked by Israeli settlers in Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:30, while Mohammed 'Abdul Ra'ouf al-Muhtasseb, 19, was on his way home near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, at least ten Israeli settlers intercepted him. One of the settlers hit him on the left shoulder and punched him in the left eye. When Mr. al-Muhtasseb attempted to cover his face to protect himself, another Israeli settler intervened and tied Mr. al-Muhtasseb's hands behind his back, while the other settler continued to hit him. When Mr. al-Muhtasseb attempted to escape, a third Israeli settler threatened to shoot him if escaped or hurt any of his colleagues. Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack. Mr. Al-Muhtassen started to scream and his family and other civilians intervened to save him. Israeli troops then intervened to protect the settlers. Mr. Al-Muhtassen was injured in the left eye and sustained bruises to the face, the abdomen and the left leg. 

· At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 19 July 2010, IOF moved into al-Farsiya area, southeast of Tubas. They demolished sixty huts and tents and a 200-square-meter barrack. These facilities belong to Hassan Yousef Abu al-'Aaida, Mohammed Ahmed Makhamra, Hamad Ahmed Makhamra, Fa'eq Mustafa Yousef, 'Adnan Sa'ed 'Aamer, Saleh Sa'ed 'Awadh, Ziad Mohammed, Yassin Jameel Dababat, 'Aadel Abu 'Olayan and Mohammed Mustafa 'Awadh. They also damaged an amount of fodder. 

· At approximately 09:00 also on Monday, IOF moved into al-Baq'a area near bypass road #60, northeast of Hebron. They destroyed an agricultural pool belonging to Ziad Hammouda Jaber, and they further damaged some farms and irrigation networks belonging to the Jaber family. Israeli troops attacked Palestinian civilians who attempted to protect their property. As a result, three civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured:

1. Rudaina Bader Jaber, 50, sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation;

2. Talal Bassam Jaber, 5, suffered from tear gas inhalation; and

3. 'Abdul Jawad Joudi Jaber, 22, sustained cuts and bruises to the legs.

Al-Baq'a area is located near the "Kiryat Arba" and "Kharsina" settlements. They have been subjected to repeated Israeli attacks over the past years, which aim to force dozens of Palestinian families living in the area into leaving the area.   

· At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 21 July 2010, IOF moved into al-Lubban al-Gharbi village, northwest of Ramallah. They demolished two houses currently under constructin and five civilian facilities, claiming that they were built without licenses:

1. A 170-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Ahmed Ya'qoub Salem;

2. A 150-square-meter house belonging to 'Atallah Hussein Abu Salem;

3. A 20-square-meter barnyard belonging to Mohammed 'Abed Abu Salem;

4. A 150-square-meter barnyard belonging to Saleem 'Aassi;

5. A 30-square-mter shop belonging to Eyad Mohammed Hussein;

6. A 25-square-meter shop belonging to Ayman 'Abdul Mo'ti Radi; and

7. A 100-square-meter workshop belonging to Sadiq Wadi. 

Israeli troops also attacked Palestinian civilians who attempted to protect their property. As a result, four civilians, including a child, sustained bruises: Isma'il Ya'qoub, 40; Marwan Zaidan Radwan, 17; Mahmoud Hussein Isma'il, 18; and Hamza Rateb Zaytoun, 30. Additionally, Israeli troops arrested Ayman 'Abdul Mo'ti Radi, 25.

· At approximately 09:30 also on Wednesday, IOF moved into Sanout area near Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They demolished a 250-square-meters, house currently under construction and a barnyard belonging to Nizam 'Arafat al-Rajabi, claiming that they were built without licenses. 

It should be noted that the Israeli government instructed the Israeli military and Civil Administration to intensify demolitions of Palestinian houses and facilities in Area "C," claiming that they are unlicensed and "pose a security threat to Israel." According to the Israeli daily "Haaretz," such measures target six areas in the West Bank. 

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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 its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR calls for the 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 international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented 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 end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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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).