israeli War Crimes

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org


Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
No. 22/2005

02– 08 June 2005





Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Kill Palestinians and Increase Number of Incursions into the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

· Two Palestinians in the West Bank and an unidentified person in the Gaza Strip were killed by IOF; one of the victims was extra-judicially killed by IOF.

· A number of Palestinian civilians were injured by IOF.

· IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and one incursion into the Gaza Strip.

· Houses were raided and 35 Palestinian civilians, including two dentists, were arrested by IOF.

· IOF raided and searched a flour company in Khan Yunis and used two of its workers as human shields.

· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; a Palestinian trader died at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and IOF held 16 patients at the Crossing; IOF have continued to close a number of roads and border crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada; and IOF arrested six Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

· IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF attacked Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists who demonstrated in protest to the construction of the Wall, and arrested seven Palestinian civilians.

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




Summary

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (02 – 08 June 2005):



Unlawful Killings and Shootings: Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed two Palestinians in the West Bank and an unidentified person in the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, 07 June 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed a member of the Islamic Jihad. The victim was hit by several live bullets throughout the body after which the IOF bulldozed the house where he hid over him. IOF also killed an innocent bystander while they were shelling the house. On the same day, IOF killed a person, who has not been identified, near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, apparently when he was attempting to infiltrate into Rafah through the border. The victim is likely to be Egyptian. During the reported period, seven Palestinian civilians, including four children, were wounded by IOF.



Incursions: IOF conducted 23 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 34 Palestinian civilians. IOF broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem and attacked hundreds of Palestinian civilians who gathered to stop attempts by extremist Israeli settlers to break into the Mosque. IOF also conducted one incursion into the Gaza Strip and used two workers at al-Matahen Flour Company in Khan Yunis as human shields while searching the company.



Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close some roads and border crossings of the Gaza Strip and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. A Palestinian trader died at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip due to the congestion at the crossing on 03 June 2005. IOF also held 16 patients who were on their way from the Gaza Strip to Israeli hospitals for at least 14 hours on 06 June 2005. They interrogated these patients and forced them to travel back to the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, IOF positioned at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested six Palestinian civilians, including a girl. On Thursday, 02 June 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint near Bethlehem fired at a Palestinian child, wounding him with a live bullet in the abdomen.



Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the "Annexation Wall" inside the West Bank territory. On Thursday, 02 June 2005, IOF started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land an uproot trees in Marda village, south of Nablus. By the end of the reported period, IOF had uprooted at least 800 olive trees. On Friday, 03 June 2005, IOF razed at least 300 donums[1] of agricultural land in al-Ramadin village, southwest of Hebron. On Monday, 06 June 2005, IOF razed at least eight donums of agricultural land in Jayous village, north of Qalqilya, to establish an iron gate for the Wall. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. A number of demonstrators were injured and/or arrested.



Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. On Sunday, 05 June 2005, IOF demolished a house and a number of agricultural stores and animal farms in Yatta village, south of Hebron. On Wednesday, 08 June 2005, a number of Israeli settlers demolished walls of a shop in Hebron and set fire to it.



Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (02 – 08 June 2005)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 02 June 2005

· At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. 'Ali Ahmed Buraijiya, 28; and

2. Hamza 'Abdul Rahim Buraijiya, 27.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Emad Hamdi Abu Maria, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested five Palestinians:

1. Mohammed 'Abdul Karim Farajallah, 19;

2. Wajdi 'Abdullah al-Batran, 20;

3. Tariq Ahmed 'Awad, 18;

4. Rami 'Eid al-Batran, 22; and

5. Ahmed Mahmoud al-Batran, 18.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested four Palestinians:

1. 'Alaa' Mahmoud 'Awaisa, 18;

2. Tariq Shihda al-Zibdiya, 22;

3. Zayed 'Ali Khudairat, 36; and

4. Jihad Mahmoud 'Awaisa, 22.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Ibrahim Saber Abu Hashash, 40; and

2. Mohammed Saber Abu Hashash, 23.

· Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Salamouna village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sami Ibrahim Taqatqa, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into the east of Nablus. They were positioned near Joseph’s Tomb and Balata refugee camp and on top of a number of neighboring houses, to allegedly provided protection for a number of Israeli settlers who arrived in the area to pray at Joseph’s Tomb. No arrests were reported.



Friday, 03 June 2005

· At approximately 00:00, IOF raided al-Matahen flour company in al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis, near a settler road in the southern Gaza Strip. They checked two guards of the company and used them as human shields to search the company. Then, IOF went to the fifth floor of the building and transformed it into a military site. According to workers, IOF prevented them from entering this area. IOF claimed that they wanted to provide protection for Israeli settlers during their travel between the "Gush Katif" settlement bloc and Israel.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinians:

1. Nidal Hussein Jawabra, 23;

2. Nidal Jamil Abu Khalil, 23; and

3. Sa'ed Rushdi Makhoul, 21.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-'Eizariya village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mukafeh Mousa Abu Roumi, 38, and beat and arrested him.

· At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians who were going to mosques for the Friday Prayer. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the children. Two children were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. 'Anan 'Atiya Rayan, 14, wounded in the face; and

2. Nader Hassan al-Sharawna, 17, wounded in the foot.

In addition, a passing civilian, 34-year-old Mohammed Mahmoud Nassar, suffered from tear gas inhalation.



Saturday, 04 June 2005

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Salamouna village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sameer Ibrahim Taqatqa, 21, and arrested him. IOF had arrested Taqatqa's bother two days earlier.

· In the evening, IOF moved into Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem. They stopped a number of Palestinian children and arrested three of them:

1. Tal'at Farouq Raddad, 15, who suffers from psychological disorder. Raddad was released later after his family paid a fine of 3,000 NIS (approximately US$ 685);

2. Bassem Yasser al-Sheikh, 15; and

3. 'Eissa Saleh 'Eissa, 15.

· At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into al-'Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided Kamal Mohammed al-Qaisi's house. They held the six residents of the house in one room and searched it. IOF have repeatedly raided the house since 15 April 2005, when they arrested the owner's son, Nawaf.



Sunday, 05 June 2005

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dar Salah village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled Mohammed Abu Haniya, 27, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khaled Hassan al-Shawawra, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into al-Zahirya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and dental clinic at the main road. They held the director of the clinic, 33-year-old Emad Kamel al-Tal, and a number of dentists and nurses for more than one hour. IOF interrogated them and then arrested al-Tal and summoned three of his colleagues for interrogation by the Israeli intelligence.

· At approximately 19:30, IOF positioned in military posts to the west of Khan Yunis fired at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on the debris of houses already destroyed by IOF. One of the children, 16-year-old Mohammed Salem 'Arram, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.



Monday, 06 June 2005

· At approximately 01:30, an undercover unit of IOF moved into Tulkarm using a civilian vehicle. Members of the Unit attempted to arrest three allegedly wanted members of the Palestinian resistance,\ who had just left a restaurant in the centre of the town. One of the three members of the resistance, 24-year-old Salah al-Iraqi, noticed the presence of the undercover unit and the three hid in neighbouring alley. Members of the IOF undercover unit exchanged fire with the three members of the Palestinian resistance. During these clashes, al-Iraqi was injured by shrapnel in the left thigh. According to eyewitnesses, the IOF undercover unit withdrew then to the Israeli military liaison post to the west of the town.

· In the morning, IOF broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem. They prevented Palestinians aged under 45 from entering the Mosque, while they allowed dozens of extremist Israeli settlers to enter. However, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were able to reach the yards of the Mosque and clashed with IOF and settlers who attempted to break into the Mosque and forced them to leave the area. Then, IOF moved into the yards of the Mosque and fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian civilians. A number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and a number of others sustained bruises.



Tuesday, 7 June 2005

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested seven Palestinians:

1. Samer Ahmed Swaitat, 22;

2. Hussein Suleiman Warrad, 22;

3. Sami Suleiman Warrad, 24;

4. Muntasser Salah Turkman, 26;

5. Fawzi Salah Turkman, 23;

6. Mohammed Ahmed Warrad, 24; and

7. Sameer Hassan Swaitat, 23.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF raided a house belonging to the family of Dr. Ahmed al-Maslamani, 48, Director of Union Heath Work Committees, in Beit Hanina village north of Jerusalem, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF positioned in military posts on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire in the vicinity of the border, opposite to Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Several hours later, the Israeli liaison office informed the Palestinians that there was a young man's body in the area that had been the target of the earlier gunfire. At approximately 11:00, a Palestinian ambulance went to the area and searched for the body. The body was found at approximately 12:00 and was evacuated to a hospital in Rafah. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by a live bullet to the head. The victim, whose age was estimated at 18, has not been identified, but he is likely to be Egyptian as Egyptian banknotes were found in his pockets.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They chased a civilian car and forced it to stop and arrested Mohammed 'Abdul Rahim al-Sawnia, 27.

· Also at approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched Mohammed Ahmed al-Sallamin's house, but no arrests were reported. IOF had arrested the owner's daughter, 28-year-old Nariman, on 29 May 2005 at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp.



Wednesday, 08 June 2005

· At approximately 00:40, an Israeli military aircraft fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The missile exploded, but no casualties were reported.

· At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Marda village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew to prevent the organising of a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in the village. They closed the entrances of the village and raided a number of houses. According to eyewitnesses, IOF stopped three international solidarity activists and confiscated their passports.

· At approximately 17:00, an Israeli military aircraft fired three missiles at three members of 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, who were on agricultural land in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. The three members survived the attack, as two missiles went astray and the third one hit the back of their car which was parked in the area. The targeted area is located approximately three kilometres away from the border.



2. Extra-Judicial Killing

On Tuesday morning, 07 June 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed Muraweh Khaled Ekmayel, 30, from Qabatya village southeast of Jenin. The victim was hit by several live bullets throughout the body after which the IOF bulldozed the house where he hid over him. IOF also killed an innocent bystander while they were shelling the house.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 07 June 2005, IOF, accompanied by two military bulldozers and reinforced by two helicopters, moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They surrounded a 140-square-metre, two-storey house belonging to Fawzi Abu al-Rub in the east of the village. They ordered the eight residents of the house through megaphones to leave. After the residents of the house left, IOF opened fire at the house. The IOF gunfire continued until 08:00 when the two Israeli military bulldozers took over and began to demolish the house.

At approximately 08:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, the IOF opened fire at these civilians and at neighboring houses. A Palestinian civilian, 27-year-old Nasser Sa'id 'Abdul Rahim Zakarna, was killed by several live bullets to the chest, the back and the abdomen. According to eyewitnesses, he was killed while he was painting walls of a house near the Abu al-Rub's house that had been surrounded by IOF.

Additionally, three other civilians, including a child, were wounded by the IOF gunfire:

1. Mahmoud Khaled Saba'na, 19, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;

2. 'Aadel Saba'na, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and

3. Tamer Saba'na, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the shoulder.

The demolition of Abu al-Rub's house was completed by 10:30. At approximately 11:00, IOF withdrew from the village after having completely destroyed the house. Immediately, Palestinian civil defense crews arrived at the area and searched the debris where they found the body of Muraweh Khalend Ekmayel. The body was evacuated to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin. According to medical sources, Ekmayel was hit by several live bullets throughout the body. He had been allegedly wanted by IOF since the beginning of the current Intifada for being a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad.



3. Continued Siege of the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

· Internal Movement: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), even though they have increased the hours of opening at the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between. On Sunday morning, 05 June 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints for one hour. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, IOF closed the two checkpoints, and IOF positioned at al-Matahen checkpoint opened fire at Palestinian civilians waiting near the checkpoint and at a site of the Palestinian National Security Force in al-Qarara village. No casualties were reported.

IOF have also continued to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada, such as the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road in the southern Gaza Strip, Abu al-'Ajeen road between the villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa in the central Gaza Strip and Salah al-Din Street at "Netzarim" and "Kfar Darom" junctions in the central Gaza Strip. Furthermore, IOF have continued to prohibit Palestinian civilians from using "Kissufim", "Morag" and al-Mentar roads in the southern and central Gaza Strip, which have been devoted for the movement of IOF and settlers. IOF have continued to close Gaza International Airport for the fourth consecutive year.

· Enclaves: IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements:

o Al-Mawasi: approximately 5,800 Palestinians live in al-Mawasi situated within the Israeli "Gush Katif" settlement bloc in the southern Gaza Strip. Restrictions imposed on the movement of residents include: (1) Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area; (2) IOF allow the entry of foodstuffs into the area on Saturdays and Sundays, and allow the entry of other goods on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On other days, they allow the transportation of agricultural products out of the area. IOF and settlers in the area have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property; (3) Education continues to be drastically affected: 1430 schoolchildren study at one school in the area, which lacks electricity and water. The school also lacks teachers of a number of subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. Only one teacher from outside the area is allowed to teach at this school and he is sometimes prevented from entering the area. As a result of such conditions, the school was forced to cancel science classes and students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis; and (4) IOF troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.

o Al-Sayafa: approximately 180 Palestinians civilians live in al-Sayafa, an area located between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Restrictions imposed on the movement of residents include: (1) Palestinian civilians under the age of 30 are prohibited from moving out and into the area without prior coordination; (2) A limited number of farmers are allowed to enter the area but only following prior coordination. Farmers face extreme difficulties in marketing their products or bringing agricultural equipment into the area. ; (3) University students have been forced to live outside the area due to the prohibition imposed on the movement of those who are under 30; (4) the area lacks paved roads, which makes transportation extremely difficult, so residents of the area have to move on foot; (5) IOF open the iron gate at the entrance of the area between 07:00 to 09:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 only; (6) The area lacks basic services, such as electricity, as IOF have prevented establishing an electricity network in the area; and (7) Medical patients have to walk or use animal cart as ambulances are not allowed to enter the area without lengthy prior coordination.

o Al-Ma’ni: IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip where approximately 140 Palestinians reside. The area has lacked water and telephone networks for three years after IOF destroyed this infrastructure. According to residents of the area, they obtain water from a well in the area or bring it from Deir al-Balah.

· External movement:

o Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing: even through the crossing is officially open, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian workers and patents. IOF have allowed approximately 5,000 Palestinian workers out of 25,000 workers who used to hold work permits before the current Intifada, to continue to enter Israel. These workers are subject to prolonged checking and humiliation by the IOF when the crossing is open. Some of workers are subjected to interrogation by Israeli Security Services while many other workers are arbitrarily prevented from entering Israel under the guise of ‘security’ concerns. Compounded these strict security procedures which often result in workers being denied entry is the rule that if workers do not go to their workplaces in Israel for more than one then there permit is cancelled. The limited number of traders who are allowed to enter Israel are subject to the same measures.

On Friday afternoon, 03 June 2005, a Palestinian trader, 60-year-old Ramadan Mahmoud Mushtaha, from Gaza City, died while trapped in the congested crossing on his was back into the Gaza Strip.

With regard to patients, IOF allow less than ten patients daily to enter Israel to receive medical treatment. Palestinian patients aged 25-40 are prohibited outright from entering Israel; 46 women have been prevented by IOF from entering Israel this month alone. Patients have to walk a very long distance between the checking points which cause stresses on their already ill health. Further, Palestinian ambulances are prevented from entering Israel, so patients travel to Israeli hospitals in private cars. Many patients have been prevented from entering Israel for security claims.

On Monday morning, 06 June 2005, IOF held 16 Palestinian patients and 2 ambulance drivers who were on their way to Israeli hospital, even though their access to Israeli hospitals was coordinated in advance. IOF interrogated these patients until 21:00, and forced them to travel back to the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, 07 June 2005, IOF held another Palestinian ambulance.

o Al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. This is despite the IOF declaration that they have eased such restrictions. During the reporting period they allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel and 270 to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. These restrictions have caused goods to perish and large losses to Palestinian traders.

o Sofa crossing: IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel through Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah. This crossing has been closed for people for more than one year and only raw construction materials are allowed to be enter.

o Rafah International Crossing Point: Even though this crossing point on the Egyptian border is open, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel. The crossing point is opened from 09:00 to 17:00 everyday. The policy of the IOF restricting the movement of all Palestinians between the ages of 16-35 has officially been lifted but in reality the IOF continue to arbitrarily refuse movement for many Palestinians within this group.

On Sunday, 05 June 2005, IOF arrested Ashraf Mohammed Abu Mousa, 40, from Rafah, when he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). IOF have not allowed patients who have metal objects in their bodies from traveling through the crossing.

The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank Territory. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to close a number of roads inside the town. On Friday, 03 June 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach the Ibrahimi Mosque for the Friday Prayer, due to the severe restrictions imposed by IOF on the roads leading to it. On Sunday, 05 June 2005, IOF closed the northern entrances of the town on the 38th anniversary of the beginning of Israeli occupation. IOF were extensively deployed in the area.

· Bethlehem: On Sunday, 05 June 2005, IOF closed all entrances of to the town in order to allow Israeli settlers to organize celebrations on a bypass road to the southwest of the town and at Jerusalem – Beit Shemesh crossroads to the north of the town. On Thursday morning, 02 June 2005, IOF positioned at Gilo checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bethlehem fired at 16-year-old Rateb Amin Rabba' wounding him with a live bullet to the abdomen. According to eyewitnesses, IOF fired at the child when he attempted to resort to an alternative road to avoid crossing the checkpoint.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 06 June 2005, IOF closed Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus. This closure continued for three hours. On Tuesday morning, 07 June 2005, IOF erected a number of sudden checkpoints at the main crossroads leading to the city. For example, they erected a checkpoint near "Yitshar" settlement, approximately two kilometres away from Hawara checkpoint south of Nablus. IOF prevented Palestinian civilians from crossing the checkpoint towards Ramallah. On Wednesday morning, 08 June 2005, IOF erected a number of sudden checkpoints at the main crossroads leading to the city. Palestinian civilians were forced to resort to alternative long roads to travel between Nablus and Ramallah.

· Tulkarm: On Friday morning, 03 June 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far'oun crossroads, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians until 16:00. On Saturday, 04 June 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near al-Jarousha village, north of Tulkarm. The checkpoint remained in the area until 12:00, when IOF moved it to the entrance of the neighboring Deir al-Ghossoun village. At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 06 June 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint near "Ennab" settlement, east of Tulkarm, arrested Fadi Mohammed Tawfiq, 27, from Taulkarm. On Monday afternoon, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday, 07 June 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints around the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 08 June 2005, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. Earlier, at approximately 06:00, IOF closed "Ennab" crossroads to the east of 'Anabta village, thus imposing a total siege on Tulkarm.

· Ramallah: At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 04 June 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint near Bitounia town, southwest of Ramallah, arrested Sameer Suleiman Barnat, 28, from Ba'ein village west of Ramallah. Barnat is a member of the Committee Against the Annexation Wall in his village. At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 06 June 2005, an Israeli military jeep chased a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling between the villages of Kufor 'Ein and Deir Ghassana, north of Ramallah. Then, IOF arrested four Palestinian civilians who were traveling in the vehicle:

1. Bilal Fathi, 28;

2. Ahmed Fadel, 22;

3. Samer Jasser, 24; and

4. Mo'ayad Yasser, 23.



4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory:

· At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 02 June 2005, 15 workers hired by IOF started to cut olive trees in the south of Marda village, south of Nablus, to the north of "Ariel" settlement in the north of the West Bank. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 03 June 2005, IOF resumed cutting olive trees and brought bulldozers that razed areas of agricultural land. According to eyewitnesses, IOF uprooted at least 800 olive trees. This destruction took place two weeks following a decision taken by the Israeli High Court canceling temporary injunctions stopping the construction of the Wall.

· At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 03 June 2005, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into al-Ramadin village, south of Hebron. The bulldozers started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall. By Sunday noon, 05 June 2005, IOF had razed at least 100 donums of agricultural land planted with olives trees and winter crops belonging to the families of Abu Qa'oud and Qaisiya.

· On Friday noon, 03 June 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and a number of international solidarity activists gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They organized a peaceful demonstration that moved to the site of the construction of a section of the Wall. Immediately, IOF attacked the demonstrators and severely beat a number of them.

· On Sunday noon, 05 June 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and a number of international solidarity activists gathered in Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem. They organized a peaceful demonstration that moved to the site of the construction of a section of the Wall. Immediately, IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 06 June 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Marda village, south of Nablus, in protest to the destruction of agricultural land in the village for the purpose of the construction of the Wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 45-year-old Wassef Ibtahim Hujair was injured by a sound bomb.

· At approximately 12:30 on Tuesday, 07 June 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of international solidarity activists demonstrated in al-Ramadin village, south of Hebron, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired live bullets in the air and then fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. IOF also beat some demonstrators. Three Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were injured:

1. Mohammed Khalil Furaijat, 32, sustained bruises throughout the body;

2. Ghaleb As'ad Zagharna, sustained bruises throughout the body; and

3. Hazem Jamil Bader, 34, a cameraman of France Press Agency, injured in the back by shrapnel from a sound bomb.

Five demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF arrested two demonstrators:

1. 'Emad Salem Furaijat, 40; and

2. Mohammed Salama Jakhadma, 42.

· On Wednesday noon, 08 June 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians broke the curfew imposed on Marda village, south of Nablus, and attempted to reach their agricultural land that was being razed by IOF for the purpose of the construction of the Wall. Immediately, IOF fired tear gas canisters at them and arrested 'Ali Ebdah, 35.

· Also on Wednesday noon, at least 35 disabled Palestinian civilians who came from various areas throughout the West Bank organized a demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters and beat a number of them. IOF arrested a disabled person, 23-year-old Rafiq 'Ali Abu Saifain, but released him several hours later. They also arrested three other civilians:

1. Mohammed al-Khatib, 26;

2. Akram al-Khatib, 30; and

3. 'Abdul Fattah Barnat, 32.



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

Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:

· At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 05 June 2005, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They demolished a house, six agricultural stores and three animal farms belonging to Ramadan Salim al-Ka'abna. As a consequence, 20 individuals have become homeless. IOF claimed that these facilities were constructed in a closed zone. These facilities are located near "Ma'oun" settlement. IOF and settlers have launched many attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the area to force them to leave it.

· At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 08 June 2005, a number of Israeli settlers moved from "Avraham Avino" settlement post in the center of Hebron towards the old town. They demolished walls of a closed shop in al-Kayal area and set fire to it. This shop is one of at least 20 shops in the area that have been closed by IOF since the beginning of the current Intifada.



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

5. 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.

6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.

7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.

8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but compounding the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

9. 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 for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

10. 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.

11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.

12. 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 (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr [at] pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).