PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 46/2005 24 - 30 November 2005

They have no mercy… even on trees.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

· IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

· Houses were raided and 46 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children and 8 university students, were arrested by IOF.

· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; Rafah International Crossing Point was partially reopened; Palestinian workers were humiliated at Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip; and IOF arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

· IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; they leveled more areas of land in 'Aaboud village near Ramallah; they demolished the fences of two houses in Dahiat al-Barid area in occupied East Jerusalem; and they imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians near the Wall.

· Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; 5 Palestinian civilians were injured; 330 trees were uprooted; and IOF closed 50 shops and workshops in Hebron.

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (24-30 November 2005).

Shooting: IOF have continued to fire at Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. During the reported period, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank. IOF also fired artillery shells at Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip.

Incursions: IOF conducted 25 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 46 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children and 8 university students. IOF employed undercover units and trained dogs in these incursions. IOF also transformed 5 houses into military sites.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big prison. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 4 hours a day only. In the meantime, IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and sick patients for several weeks. During the reported period, IOF allowed several hundreds of workers to reach their work places in Israel. Only a few seriously ill patients have been allowed to travel to Israeli hospitals through the crossing. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and have imposed severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, IOF have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday, 18 November 2005, IOF prevented Palestinian workers from entering Israel through Kufor Qassem crossing and moved them to a crossing to the north of Qalqilya. They conducted prolonged checking for workers. IOF have continued to establish a crossing at Za'tara crossroads, south of Nablus. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF continued to level land in 'Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah, to construct a new section of the Wall. They also placed signs that determine the route of the Wall and demolished fences of two houses in Dahiat al-Barid area, north of occupied Jerusalem. Furthermore, 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 Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and 3 other civilians were detained for 3 hours. In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians near the Wall. They prevented at least 100 school children from Beit Ameen village from crossing an iron gate in the Wall to reach their school in 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya.

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. During the reported period, 5 Palestinian civilians were injured in 4 attacks launched by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Israeli settlers also uprooted 330 trees in Nablus and Hebron. IOF have continued to place a fence on both sides of the "Trans-Samaria" road. In Hebron, IOF issued a military order closing 50 shops and workshops.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (24–30 November 2005)

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

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF, that had moved into Jenin on the preceding day, arrested Eyad Abu al-Rub, 27; and Firas Abu al-Rub, 25. They surrounded an apartment building where the two Palestinians were hiding for more than 20 hours. They shelled the building and threatened to destroy it with the two men inside.

· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They took position on the roofs of a number of houses in the east and south of the town. Then, they surrounded an under-construction building belonging to Ahmed 'Omar 'Alawna at the southern entrance of the town. They planted explosives inside the building and destroyed it. Three shops under the building were severely damaged. IOF claimed that they found weapons and explosives inside the shops. During this incursion, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF, and IOF opened fire at these civilians. A Palestinian child, 18-year-old Aysar Ahmed 'Omran, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They surrounded a house belonging to 'Awad Salama al-Dahdoul in the southeast of the town. They blew up the doors and broke into the house. They searched the house and destroyed the furniture. Then, they arrested the owner's son, 24-year-old Salama, who is a member of the Palestinian National Security Force.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Be'r al-Mahjar and Jabal Abu Rumman neighborhoods in the north and southwest of Hebron respectively. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Abdul Qader Mohammed Abu 'Eisha, 22, the cousin of Zaid Abu 'Eisha who was killed by IOF one week earlier; and

· At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at 4 Palestinian children who were attempting to cross the border to search for jobs inside Israel. The children fled, but an IOF jeep chased them. IOF arrested 3 of the children, while the fourth one was able to escape. The three children were detained by IOF until Monday evening, 28 November 2005. They were identified as:

· At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at 3 Palestinian children who had attempted to get close to the border. Then, they chased the children and arrested them:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Rujbi quarter in the south of the old town of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp. They patrolled the streets. They also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 19:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired a number artillery shells at uninhabited Palestinian areas. By 23:00, they had fired at least 20 artillery shells at these areas.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They surrounded an apartment building belonging to Ghassan Barham in the center of the village and forced its residents out. They also surrounding a neighboring building belonging to the al-Far family. They searched the building and arrested 8 students of the Arab American University:

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Farsh al-Hawa neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched an apartment building belonging to Hussein Mohammed Bader. They transformed the third floor and the roof into a military site and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of residents of the building. IOF left the building at approximately 10:00.

· At approximately 12:30, an undercover unit of IOF moved into Jamal 'Abdul Nasser Street in Bethlehem using a civilian car that had a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near the building of the Palestine Telecommunication Company. Israeli soldiers got out of the car and attempted to stop a Palestinian taxi to arrest one of the passengers. A number of members of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, who were traveling in a vehicle in the area, noticed the undercover unit and intervened to prevent Israeli soldiers from arresting Palestinian civilians. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire indiscriminately to terrify Palestinian civilians and security men. As a result, a Palestinian child, 15-year-old Ameer Saleh Za'aqeeq, was wounded by a live bullet to the pelvis. Soon, an exchange of fire took place between Palestinian security men and Israeli soldiers. Reinforcements of IOF were brought to the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. It is worth noting that it was the second time in less than a week that Palestinian security personnel discovered the presence of undercover units of IOF in Bethlehem.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned in the south of Hebron opened fire at a number of Palestinian children and young men in Jabal Jouhar neighborhood to the south of "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron. Mo'taz Zuhair al-'Ajlouni, 18, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head. IOF claimed that Palestinian civilians threw stones at one of their vehicles.

· At approximately 23:00, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in Jabal Jouhar and al-Kassara neighborhoods in the southeast of Hebron. They forced the families out and violently beat 4 civilians:

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tawfiq 'Ata al-'Asa, 32, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-'Aaskra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses in the refugee camp and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

During the house raids, one of the dogs used by IOF in searching houses bit 12-year-old Fadel 'Abdul Rahman Qassem. He was evacuated to the hospital.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in Hebron. They arrested two Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Adham Ibrahim al-Mutawar, 28, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Faisal Ekhmayes, 20, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 03:15, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jihad Ibrahim Nemer, 16, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They surrounded a 3-storey apartment building in Ras al-'Ein neighborhood. Without warning, they shelled a flat on the third floor, where Zarifa Saleem Kharma, 41, and her five children live. They survived the attack as they were able to escape to neighboring flats. Their flat was totally destroyed and other flats were damaged.

A few hours later, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired the children. Five Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded:

1. Nour al-Din Tayseer 'Abdul Haq, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot;

4. Mohammed Nizam al-Teerawi, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the elbow; and

5. Ahmed Ziad Suleiman, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Awad Ibrahim al-Rajoub, 28, and arrested him. They also confiscated a portable computer and mobile phone from the house. Al-Rajoub is a correspondent of al-Jazeera.net.

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.

Even though IOF have been redeployed around the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government maintain the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling all outlets and crossings.

· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, had remained closed for nearly two months. During the reported period, the crossing point was reopened in accordance with an agreement concluded in November, regarding the operation of the crossing point. According to the agreement, the crossing point would be operated on 25 November 2005 by the Egyptians and Palestinians, with the presence of a European force as a third party, whose responsibilities have not been determined. Goods and foreigners will not be able to travel through the crossing point, rather they will travel through Kerem Shalom crossing point to the southeast of Rafah. Israel insists on having some authority at Rafah International Crossing Point, including fixing cameras to monitor the movement at the crossing point and handover of lists to the Europeans of those Palestinians banned from travelling, for alleged security reasons, in order to ensure their ban. The crossing point was supposed to be operated for 12 hours a day and then for 24 hours, but it has been so far operated for only 4 hours a day.

The agreement allows IOF to monitor the border crossings, which are the main artery to the economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian civilian population. The absence of actual Israeli military presence inside the Gaza Strip does not mean that the Israeli military occupation has come to an end. The field conditions in the Gaza Strip prove that IOF have continued to control movement to and from the Gaza Strip. This agreement reinforces the IOF control over, and occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has not come to an end with the implementation of the "Disengagement Plan" (for more details about this agreement, see PCHR's press release issued on 16 November 2005, and the section of this report on the siege imposed on the OPT). PCHR is concerned that IOF may continue to perpetrate violations of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Even though IOF declared that they would ease the restrictions imposed on the movement of Palestinian civilians through the crossing, they have allowed only 3500 workers, out of several thousands, to travel to their work places inside Israel. These workers are over 35; married with children; and have valid magnetic cards. These workers are subject to prolonged checking and humiliation. During the reported period, IOF allowed a limited number of ill patients and dozens of traders to travel under strict conditions to Israel.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. According to field information, 40-50 trucks transport exported goods from the Gaza Strip and 250 trucks transport goods imported from Israel and the West Bank. The capacity of the crossing before the current Intifada was 800 trucks daily, including 150 that transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the Intifada, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing in order to economically pressure Palestinian civilians.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. IOF reopened the crossing on 27 November 2005 following a 5-day closure.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2500 fishermen, 2500 support staff and their families.

The Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military, using helicopter gunships, and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

IOF have continued to establish military posts and observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel in order to maintain control over the Gaza Strip.

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 in Hebron. On Thursday afternoon, 24 November 2005, IOF issued an order to close the gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers on Saturday 26 November 2005. Sources in the Islamic Waqf directorate in Hebron informed PCHR’s fieldworker that they received the IOF order to close the Mosque from 15:00 on Friday until 21:00 on Saturday under the pretext of allowing Israeli settlers to celebrate Sarah Day. This is the first time in more than 30 years that the Islamic Waqf directorate received such an order because of Jewish feasts, as it was the first time that Israeli settlers in Hebron and their supporters celebrated the event. It is noted that IOF imposed a series of similar closures throughout October 2005. They included 6 days to allow settlers and Jewish visitors to celebrate different Jewish feasts, including Yom Kippur and Succoth.

On Friday, 25 November 2005, the restrictions imposed by IOF on the freedom of movement in Hebron prevented hundreds of Muslim worshippers from reaching the Ibrahimi Mosque and surrounding neighborhoods in the old town of Hebron. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that hundreds of worshippers, shoppers and traders wishing to reach their shops in the old town, and those wishing to visit their relatives were not able to reach the Mosque or nearby areas.

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 27 November 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints in different parts of Hebron. IOF erected a checkpoint at the Liberty Square intersection in the southwest of the city; another one at the Jerusalem Square intersection in the north; a third one on the road leading to Hebron University in the northwest of the town; and a fourth one on the intersection between Hadoura and Namera neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. IOF held vehicles and civilians, including students and employees, for several continuous hours. These civilians were subjected to searches and field interrogation. Furthermore, they were forced to stand up, facing a wall for hours. IOF compared the names of detained civilians to a list of names they had. As a result, students and employees were not able to reach their destinations on time.

On Wednesday, 30 November 2005, IOF had continued for the second consecutive day to impose severe movement restrictions in al-Sahla Street and the Ibrahimi Mosque areas. In addition, IOF continued their systematic abuse against the pupils of the Ibrahimiya Elementary School for Boys and al-Fayhaa' Elementary School for Girls, which are located in al-Sahla Street. Israeli soldiers prevented pupils from reaching their schools. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that IOF troops fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at pupils and teachers to disperse them. They also beat a number of pupils. Other pupils were detained for more than 2 hours, and prevented from reaching the schools.

On Saturday afternoon, 26 November 2005, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, arrested Jihad 'Abdul Karim Nassar al-'Awawda, 28; and Murad Mohammed Yousef Abu Sheikha, 21. Both are from Karma village, southwest of Durra village in the southern part of Hebron governorate.

On Tuesday evening, 29 November 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the intersection between the al-Sheikh neighborhood and Bab al-Zawya area in the center of Hebron. They stopped cars and pedestrians, and subjected them to searches. They arrested Radwan Refa'ei al-Ja’bari, 25, a member of the Palestinian security.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Nablus. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that throughout the reporting period, IOF imposed severe restrictions on movement and erected temporary checkpoints on roads, especially on the Bathan road, northeast of Nablus; at the "Yitzar" settlement intersection, south of the city; and at the Jeet village intersection, southwest of the city. Furthermore, restrictions continued on all permanent checkpoints set up around Nablus.

PCHR’s fieldworker reported that IOF are working to complete the construction of a border crossing in the Za’tara intersection area, south of Nablus. This intersection separates the north of the West Bank from its center and south. In addition, it leads to Jericho.

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 24 November 2005, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, for more than two hours. IOF claimed that they arrested 3 Palestinian children, who had intended to cross the checkpoint carrying weapons and explosives.

On Thursday afternoon, 24 November 2005, IOF positioned at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested Shadi Sebti F’leih Saleh Himaid, 26, from Beit Dajan village. He was arrested on his way home from Nablus, where he studies Islamic law at al-Najah National University.

· Jenin: On Sunday morning, 27 November 2005, IOF erected 3 checkpoints in the Jenin governorate. One checkpoint was set up on the Tubas-Fara’a road; a second one at the entrance of Tammoun village; and the third one on the northern outskirts of Toubas. IOF positioned at these checkpoints stopped vehicles and searched passengers; thus, hindering the movement of commuters.

On Monday morning, 28 November 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Tubas-Tayaseer road, in the southeast of the governorate. number of IOF military vehicles closed the road, stopped vehicles, and searched passengers.

On Wednesday morning, 30 November 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints: one on the Tallouza-Fara’a intersection; another one at the Far’a-Toubas intersection; and two checkpoints at the Tammoun intersection. IOF positioned at these checkpoints prevented civilians from passing through and turned them back.

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday afternoon, 24 November 2005, IOF positioned at the Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, detained two children at gunpoint and subjected them to a thorough search. The two were then handcuffed and taken to an undisclosed location. IOF claimed that the two children were carrying explosives. It was learned later that the detained children were: Rashid Khalil Abu Mohsen, 14; and Sameh Mohammad Hussein Sawafta, 15.

· Tulkarm: At approximately 05:30 on Thursday morning, 24 November 2005, IOF positioned below the bridge close to al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, closed the road leading to al-Kufriyat villages. They prevented civilians from leaving Tulkarm. The closure continued until 14:00 on the same day, when residents of al-Kafriyat only were allowed to pass, while residents of Tulkarm were prevented from passing the checkpoint.

On Friday, 25 November 2005, IOF positioned below the bridge, to the south of Tulkarm, prevented city residents from leaving. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that Israeli soldiers intentionally hindered the movement of civilians and barred them from going out of the town towards Qalqilya and al-Kafriyat villages. As a result, scores of Palestinian civilians were prevented from reaching their workplace outside Tulkarm. Furthermore, IOF detained scores of youth and took their ID cards, forcing them to sit on the ground for more than two hours.

On Sunday morning, 27 November 2005, IOF reinforced their siege on Tulkarm, and erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances to the city and the roads leading to it. IOF completely closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, and erected a checkpoint below the nearby bridge. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint on al-Jarousha village intersection, north of Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint detained vehicles and scores of young men for 1-3 hours. The detained young men were forced to sit on the ground, as soldiers checked their ID’s, before they were turned back. Furthermore, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Bala’a village intersection, east of Tulkarm, and prevented the movement of civilians in and out of the city at the checkpoint. Alongside these measures, IOF military jeeps patrolled the Tulkarm-Nablus road, stopped vehicles and searched them, and subjected civilians to humiliating treatment.

· Qalqilya: In the early morning of Friday, 25 November 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint to the east of the city of Qalqilya. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that the checkpoint was erected close to the military liaison office. Scores of youth were detained at the checkpoint, and were forced to sit on the ground as soldiers checked their ID’s. Each person was detained from 1-3 hours. Periodically, soldiers insulted and humiliated the detained persons, who were not able to reach their destinations.

On Saturday morning, 26 November 2005, IOF erected two checkpoints at the eastern and southern entrances to Qalqilya. They prevented Palestinian civilians living in Israel from entering the town. It is noted that hundreds of Palestinians living in Israel come to the town on Saturday for shopping because of the lower prices compared to Israel.

On Monday, 28 November 2005, thousands of Palestinian workers were subjected to humiliating treatment during search procedures at the crossing point north of Qalqilya, which connects Qalqilya and Salfit with Israel. The workers, who gathered at the crossing early, could not pass through because of a delay in opening the crossing. They indicated that the search for each one of them lasted nearly 30 minutes. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers opened only one of the two crossing terminals for passage. It is noted that the number of workers is estimated at 13,000 in addition to hundreds of traders. IOF reopened the crossing after negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. It is also noted that the crossing had been a military checkpoint that was closed at the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada. Now, it is a fully equipped border crossing.

On Wednesday morning, 30 November 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints along the Qalqilya-Nablus road. One checkpoint was set up at the northern entrance of 'Azzoun village; another on the road between the villages of Azzoun and Kufr Thulth; and a third checkpoint was erected on the Emateen village intersection. IOF positioned on these checkpoints stopped vehicles and checked the ID’s of passengers.

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

· During the reported period, IOF continued to level land in 'Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall. According to Israeli plans, this section of the Wall will be 12 kilometers long and will be constructed 7 kilometers to the east of the border between the West Bank and Israel. It will annex the settlements of "Beit Arieh" and "Oufarim" to Israel.

· On Thursday morning, 24 November 2005, IOF positioned at an iron gate in the Wall in 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of schoolchildren from the neighboring Beit Ameen village from crossing the gate to go to their school in 'Azzoun 'Atma village. IOF fired live bullets into the air to drive these children away from the gate. On the preceding day, IOF prevented hundreds of schoolchildren from leaving 'Azzoun 'Atma village to go back to their homes in Beit Ameen village until the evening.

· At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 25 November 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in 'Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: 'Abdullah Wajeeh; 'Abdul Rahman Wajeeh; and Salman Khouri. They violently beat these civilians, but released them 3 hours later.

· At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 26 November 2005, IOF positioned at an iron gate on the Wall in Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm, prevented a medical crew from Physicians for Human Rights from crossing the gate to organize a medical relief campaign, even though the crew had permits to enter the village issued by IOF. The crew insisted on entering the village. IOF allowed the crew to enter the village 3 hours later, when members of the Israeli Knesset intervened and pressurized IOF to allow the crew to enter the village.

· On Sunday afternoon, 27 November 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in 'Anata village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, the demonstrators attempted to prevent IOF bulldozers from razing land. IOF fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· On Monday morning, 28 November 2005, IOF moved into Dahiat al-Barid suburb, north of occupied Jerusalem. Engineering units that were accompanied by IOF placed signs to determine the route of the Wall in the area. An IOF bulldozer demolished the fence of a house belonging to Khaled al-'Ammouri. These latest actions followed a decision taken by the Israeli High Court lifting the ban on the construction of the Wall in the area.

4. 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:

· On Thursday morning, 24 November 2005, IOF informed Palestinian civilians that 50 shops and workshops belonging to these civilians in al-Ras area to the west "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, would be closed for 6 months "to keep public order and protect the security of Israel Defense Force." IOF also decided to prevent Palestinian civilian vehicles from traveling on the main road in the area. Officers of the IOF "Civil Administration" handed the military order to a number of Palestinian civilians. The closure of these shops and workshops will deprive at lest 45 families of their sources of income.

· At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 26 November 2005, 5 Israeli settlers stopped Salah 'Ali Sa'id, 60, from Artas village south of Bethlehem, after he had crossed "Gilo" checkpoint, north of Bethlehem. They violently beat him. He was evacuated to Beit Jala Hospital. According to medical sources, he had sustained bruises throughout his body.

· At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 26 November 2005, a number of Israeli settlers living in "Kharsina" settlement, southeast of Hebron, escorted by IOF, attacked Palestinian agricultural land near the settlement. They uprooted at least 130 trees located to the east and north of the aforementioned settlement.

· At approximately 15:20 on Saturday, 26 November 2005, hundreds of Israeli settlers gathered near "Ramt Yishai", "Beit Rumano" and "Abraham Avino" settlement posts in Hebron. They intercepted Palestinian civilians in the old town and attacked some of them using stones and empty bottles. They also attacked a number of houses and forced traders to close their shops. Two Palestinian civilians were injured: Shaker Abu 'Eisha, 18; and Mohammed 'Abed Tabakhi, 28. A number of houses and shops were also damaged.

· On Monday morning, 28 November 2005, 3 Israeli settlers who were traveling in a civilian car with an Israeli registration plate stopped near Nour al-Din Bani Shamsa, 17, from Beeta village south of Nablus, who was standing near the entrance of his village waiting for a taxi to travel to Ramallah. Two of the settlers pulled the child into the car and traveled nearly 200 meters away. They violently beat him. Then, they took him out of the car and left him in the street. The child was evacuated to a hospital in Nablus.

· On Tuesday morning, a guard from "Ma'leh Adumim" settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem, stopped 'Adnan 'Ezzat Jaber, 24, from al-Duha village near Bethlehem, when he was walking near the settlement, and violently beat him. He sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body.

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 exposing 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 in 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 Gaza Disengagement Plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of 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 facilitation of 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 with Israeli citizens in a similar manner.

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. peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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