·                       4 Palestinians were killed by IOF & a 5^th Dies of Wounds in the Gaza Strip.

o                      IOF Commit two failed Extra-judicial executions.

·                       11 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and an elderly, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank.

o                      6 of the Injured were wounded in the weekly Bal’in Demonstration, and 5 were wounded in Ein Beit El-Ma’ Refugee Camp west of Nablus.

·                       IOF conducted 29 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

·                       IOF arrested 38 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 35 in the Gaza Strip.

·                       IOF raze tens of Dunums of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.

·                       IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, and continues to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

o                      Severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the closure.

o                      6,000 Palestinians stuck on the Egyptian side of the Gaza Strip border for 6 weeks. The number of travelers who died in Egypt so far is 16.

o                      IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 2 Palestinian civilians.

·                       Israeli settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers continue:

o                      Palestinian house demolished in Asakra village east of Bethlehem.

o                      Settlers set fire to farms in the West Bank

Summary

IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (19-25 July 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 4 Palestinians; and a fifth Palestinian died of wounds sustained during an IOF incursion on 27 June 2007. In addition, IOF wounded 11 Palestinians, including 5 children and an elderly woman.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 4 members of the Palestinian resistance in 2 incidents on Sunday, 22 July 2007. In the early morning, IOF fired at 2 resistance activists north of Beit Lahia and prevented ambulances from rescuing them. They died of their wounds by bleeding. And in the evening, IOF killed 2 members of Al-Quds Battalions by firing a surface-to-surface missile at them in Beit Hanoun. And on Thursday, 19 July 2007, officials at Shifa Hospital announced the death of Ali Hilles of wounds sustained from a tank shell fired by IOF during an incursion into Sheja’eya Quarter east of Gaza on 27 June 2007.

And on 22 and 24 July, IOF committed two failed extra-judicial executions in Gaza City. In both attacks by IOF planes, the rockets missed their targets. The first execution attempt took place against members of Al-Quds Battalions on Gaza’s coastal road. And the second attack was against a member of the same group near Al-Quds Open University in Gaza City. The rocket strayed and hit a residential building, causing extensive damage, but no injuries.  

In the West Bank, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and an elderly woman were injured IOF gunfire. On Friday, 20 July 2007, IOF moved into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp and fired rubber-coated metallic bullets at children and youth throwing stones at troops. Five people were injured, including 3 children and an elderly woman. One of the injuries was serious. In addition, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, injuring 6 demonstrators, including 2 children.  

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 29 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During those incursions, IOF arrested 72 Palestinian civilians, including 1 child. And in the Gaza Strip, IOF razed tens of dunums of agricultural land in Beit Lahia and Gaza Valley villages.

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

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians have been stuck in Egypt waiting to be allowed in the Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s documentation, 16 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions.

IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. During the reporting period, IOF reopened the crossing for some hours to allow the entry of some goods into the Gaza Strip. If this closure continues, a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. They prevented traders and patients from passing through. IOF allow very few patients to travel through the crossing, but following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF reopened Kerem Shalom crossing, southeast of Rafah, and Sofa crossing, northeast of the town. During the reporting period, Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is deigned for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, witnessed active movement.  

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Contrary to promises by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease restrictions on movement in the West Bank, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 2 Palestinian civilians.

Settlement Activities: Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.  On 19 July 2007, settlers from Beni Hefer settlement set fire to 255 olive trees  in Hebron. And on 22 July 2007, settlers marched to the evacuated settlement of Homesh northwest of Nablus. They attacked Palestinian civilian homes and vehicles in the area, causing damages to at least 1 vehicle and 4 houses. And on the same day, settlers from Alon Moreh set fire to olive trees near the settlement; and settlers from Yitzhar set fie to olive trees near that settlement.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19-25 July 2007)

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

Thursday, 19 May 2007

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the city of Tulkarm and its 2 adjacent refugee camps (Tulkarm and Noor Shams). They raided and searched a number of houses, and detained 10 Palestinians, including a child:

1.      Isam Ali Mohammad Abu Dayya (19).

2.      Ahmad Abd El-Rahman Ahmad Meqbel (26).

3.      Mohammad Abd El-Rahman Ahmad Meqbel (22).

4.      Mohammad Fathi Hasan Jamal (26).

5.      Jawad Mohammad Salim Najjar (25).

6.      Maysara Bassam Saleh Abu Tharifa (28).

7.      Yazid Mohammad Hafith Abu Dayya (20).

8.      Mousa Ahmad El-Sayes (22).

9.      Emad Ahmad El-Sayes (20).

10.  Shadi Abd El-Fattah Mahmoud Kharyoush (17).

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the town of Beit Kahil, north of Hebron, and raided the house of Mushir Mahmoud Salem El-Zuhur (25), and detained him.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and its refugee camp and raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ras El-Jora area north of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Zeid Shaker El-Juneidi (21), and arrested him.  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Taffouh west of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Abdallah Abd Rabbo Erzeiqat (28), and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Qabatya southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Doha southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into the village of Zuwata west of Nablus. They surrounded the house of As’ad Mohammad El-Natur and demolished the northern part of the house. IOF arrested Jihad As’ad El-Natur. Then, the IOF troops moved to the house of Mahmoud Mohammad El-Natur, As’ad’s brother. The IOF bulldozed the house fence and garden. They arrested Fares Mahmoud El-Natur (21) before leaving the area.

As’ad El-Natur (47) gave the following statement to PCHR’s fieldworker: “At approximately 5:30 on Thursday, 19 July 2007, I had prayed El-Fajr prayer, and was sitting in the living room talking with my wife Sa’ida Hussein Mahmoud Sakhin (39). We heard some noise behind the house. My wife got up and looked out the window, and saw some soldiers. She came back and sat down. After about 5 minutes my daughter Aya (18) woke up and came to the living room. I told her that the army was near the house. Suddenly we heard shooting at the house wall. My son Jihad (20) got up and went to the bedroom and woke up my children: Lara (6), Mohammad (7), Ayoub (12), Wala (15), and Amani (17). We all sat in the living room. At about 6:00, we heard a voice calling me and my family to come out of the house. We obeyed the order. My wife got out first; then I followed with the children. The told us to sit beside the wall. The they summoned me and my son Jihad. They strip searched us. They took my son to the third floor of our neighbor’s house. After 10 minutes they took me to my neighbor’s house. The officer accused me of housing a “terrorist.” I denied the charge, and told him to go search the house. He ordered me to go to the house and retrieve our ID cards, Jihad’s clothes and shoes, and to open all doors, windows and closets. I complied with the order. On my way back the army asked me to take off my clothing; and I was strip searched a second time. At about 7:30 a bulldozer arrived and bulldozed the northern part of the house. We started to scream at them. The troops beat us and held us at gunpoint. The took us to a distance of 500 meters from the house. They arrested my son Jihad before leaving.”

·      In the morning of Thursday, 19 July 2007, officials at Shifa Hospital announced the death of Ali Zuhdi Hilles (23) of wounds sustained from IOF last month. Hilles was injured on 27 June 2007 by shrapnel throughout his body when a tank shell was fired during an incursion into Sheja’eya Quarter in the eastern part of Gaza City. Hilles was a member of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions, the armed wing of Hamas.

Friday, 20 May 2007

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the town of Saida north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the city of Nablus, Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp west of Nablus, and the village of Zuwata to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses, and detained 4 Palestinian civilians:

1.            Mohannad Rushdi Rashad El-Jabi (28), a lecturer in El-Najah University in Nablus.

2.            Mohammad Abd El-Karim Mesbah Sharaf (25), a lecturer in El-Najah University in Nablus.

3.            Mohammad Abu Jamous (25), a computer engineer.

4.            Shaher Yousef Fadel El-Jabi (25), a stockbroker in the Nablus Stock Exchange.

Yusef Fadel Faris El-Jabi, ex-director of the Nablus Firefighting unit, gave the following statement to PCHR’s fieldworker: “At about 2:00 on Friday, 20 July 2007, I woke up to the sound of sound charges detonated in my garden in the village of Zuwata, west of Nablus. I heard a loudspeaker calling for us to exit the house. My wife Wafa Samih El-Bustami (50), my daughter Wafa (22), and I went out of the house, and saw that it was surrounded from all sides. I was strip searched. They asked me about my sons; and I told them that they were in their grandfather’s house in the northern mountain. They ordered me to ask my wife to go inside the house and bring all mobile phones, open windows and doors, turn on all lights, and to open all closets. She complied. And they confiscated all mobile phones. The soldiers threatened to raid the house and kill anyone they find inside. I told him to do whatever he likes. They did not raid the house; but ordered me to get into the jeep with them. They moved, and transferred me to another jeep after a while. They took me to Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp at about 2:30. I was kept inside the vehicle till about 7:30. Then an officer checked my ID; and ordered my release. IOF took me back to my house, where my wife told me that our son Shaher was arrested at his grandfather’s house. My nephew Fadel Maher Asqalan, a lawyer, arrived after half an hour and told me that my son and three of  his friends were arrested: Mohammad Abu Jamous (25), Mohannad El-Jabi (28), and Mohammad Sharaf (25).”

·      At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp for a second time. They raided and searched a number of houses. Youth gathered and threw stones at the troops, who responded by firing rubber-coated metallic bullets. Five people were injured, including 3 children and an elderly woman. They were taken to Rafedia hospital for treatment, where one of the injuries was listed as serious:

1.             Mohammad Salem Mahmoud El-Ashqar (17), seriously injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the abdomen.

2.             Idris Abd El-Ghafour Qattawi (18), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the leg.

3.             Ali Naser Issa Ramadan (16), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the hand.

4.             Rami Basem El-Kosa (16), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the head.

5.             Amna Mahmoud Waqid (65), injured by shrapnel in the left leg.

Saturday, 21 May 2007

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Kufr Qalil southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 22 May 2007

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border to the north of Beit Lahia fired heavily at 2 resistance activists situated 400 meters inside the Gaza Strip. Both were seriously injured. Ambulances were prevented from reaching them till 5:30. Their bodies were taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital, where they were identified as Mustafa Na’im Abbas (24) and Mohammad Rubin Ma’rouf (21). Both were from Beit Lahia.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Khader, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house belonging to Ibrahim Suliman Subeih (40), and detained  him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and its refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. Palestinian resistance activists exchanged fire with the troops. No injuries or arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Kufr Ra’i southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Mohammad Khaled Abdallah Melhem (22).

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into El-Seyafa area to the north of Beit Lahia. They raided and searched a number of houses. They detained the 80-years old “Mukhtar” of the area and 4 others from El-Ghul clan. The elderly man was released after a few hours; and the other four were released the following evening. Some damages were inflicted on houses; and IOF bulldozed 5 dunums of agricultural land.

·      At approximately 04:45, IOF killed 2 members of Al-Quds Battalions, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, in the town of Beit Hanoun by firing a surface-to-surface missile at them. The activists had survived a failed assassination by an IOF airplane after they had fired a rocket into Israel. The activists were identified as:

1.      Abdel Karim Jamil El-Kafarna (21) from Beit Hanoun.

2.      Mohammad Hisham Abu Seif (22) from Jabalia refugee camp.

·      At approximately 19:55, and IOF plane fired a rocket at a vehicle on the coastal road near the Presidential Compound south of Gaza City. Two members of Al-Quds Battalions, armed wing of Islamic Jihad, were in the vehicle. The rocket missed its target, and both members fled unharmed. 

Monday, 23 May 2007

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the town of El-Shayoukh northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched the house belonging to Samir Mahmoud Issa Oweidat (21) and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched the house belonging to Obeidah Dawud El-Qawasmi (21) and delivered a notice for an interview by Israeli Security Officials.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into El-Thahereya southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the house belonging to Mohye El-Deen Ismail El-Battat. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Doha southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:50, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house belonging to the prisoner Issam Odeh Awwad. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 24 May 2007

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 civilians, including 3 students studying at El-Najah University:

1.      Mohammad Anwar Fathi Mona (26).

2.      Hamid El-Koni (30).

3.      Sa’ad Maher El-Kharraz (26).

4.      Mu’taz El-Taher (25).

5.      Ra’ef Salem El-Akar (35).

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into the village of Zuwata west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Naser Mohammad El-Hadidi (37).

·      At approximately 13:30, and IOF plane fired a rocket at a member of Al-Quds Battalions, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, traveling in a vehicle near Al-Quds Open University in Gaza City. The rocket missed its target and hit a residential building belonging to Khalil Nimr El-Khatib (64). Extensive damage was caused in the 4^th floor. No injuries were reported.

Wednesday, 25 May 2007

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 civilians:

1.         Osama Mohammad Hasan Atteya (23).

2.         Ala Sodqi E’shtewi (21).

3.         Mohammad Hassan Salama (19).

4.         Maysara Mahmoud Othman (26).

5.         Hisham Mahmoud Khadraj (24).

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Kufr Qalil southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 civilians:

1.         Mohammad Qasem Awad Qani (20).

2.         Jihad Ref’at Izzat Amer (19).

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin and raided the office of the “Land of Children” Association, and confiscated files. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF infantry moved into the Gaza Valley village (Juhr El-Deek) in the center of the Gaza Strip. And at approximately 06:00, IOF armored vehicles moved 2 kilometers inside the Gaza Strip. IOF troops took positions atop 4 residential houses in the area, and held the residents of each house in one room in each house. IOF bulldozed agricultural land in the area. IOF called on all males to gather in one place. At approximately 23:00, IOF withdrew after arresting 30 civilians.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bethleham and raided the house belonging to Odeh El-Hureimi, and transformed it into a military outpost.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the village of El-Burj south of Hebron. They raided the house belonging to Mohammad Abd El-Razzaq Talahma. They arrested his son Theyab (24), and notified his sons Thieb (20) and Ghannam (22) of interviews with Israeli security officials.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 civilians, one of them a child:

1.         Mohammad Baher Jamous (17).

2.         Khaled Yusef El-Safadi (21).

2.      Continued Siege on the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly one year. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. As a consequence of the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, at least 73% of the families in the Gaza Strip live below the poverty line, and unemployment has been estimated at 55%. In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non-payment of salaries for the public sector for nearly a year as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors.

·      Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. During the reporting period, the crossing point was not reopened.  There are approximately 6,000 Palestinians held at the Egyptian side of the border awaiting to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip. Most of them have run out of money and are living on assistance. In addition, 16 of them have died in Egypt. The bodies were returned to Gaza through the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing.

·      Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank.  Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing.  IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing.  With this closure, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. IOF have allowed nearly 400 traders to pass through the crossing. IOF have also continued to prevent members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Hamas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem. On Friday, 16 February 2007, IOF opened the new Erez International Crossing Point under new procedures. Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have to obtain permits from the IOF Civil Administration as it was the case before. According to Palestinians who traveled through the new crossing point, IOF impose the same restrictions on their movement as in the past. IOF have decreased the number of patients allowed to travel through the crossing for alleged security claims, even though those patients do not pose any threat to the security of Israelis and they are badly in need for advanced medical treatment. Patients who are allowed to pass through the crossing are forced to wait for long hours to undergo complicated passage and security procedures. They are thoroughly checked in a humiliating manner. Patients are also forced to pay additional financial expenses to use Israeli ambulances to transport them from the crossing to hospitals since Palestinian ambulances are banned from transporting patients.

·      Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have continued to close the crossing. However, it was opened partially on 23 July 2007 to allow wheat into the Gaza Strip.

·      Nahal Ouz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the entry of fuels. The crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday.

·      Sofa Crossing: The crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday, allowing the entry of some food and medical products. However, there has been a complete ban on construction materials to Gaza, stopping work in all construction projects in the Strip.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip.  Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families.  Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

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

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday afternoon, 19 July 2007, IOF tightened security procedures at all checkpoints around Nablus. Tens of vehicles were detained for several hours in Sahl Deir SAraf northwest of the city. And on Friday, 20 July 2007, IOF troops at checkpoints used lengthy search procedures against civilians trying to enter Nablus. And on Friday evening, IOF closed the Bathan checkpoint on the northeast entrance of the city. And on Saturday, 21 July 2007, IOF troops at the Bathan, Za’tara, and Beit Eba checkpoints delayed civilian movement by using extremely slow search procedures. And in the evening of the same day, IOF closed the Bathan checkpoint. On Sunday, 22 July 2007, IOF closed the Nablus – Jenin road section between Burqa and Selet El-Thaher, and prevented Palestinian vehicles from accessing that section. The closure coincided with a march by Israeli settlers to the evacuated settlement of Homesh. In addition, troops at Za’tara checkpoint used extremely slow security procedures against civilians and vehicles. And on Monday, 23 July 2007, IOF troops closed Beit Eba checkpoint and prevented civilians from passing through.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 19 July 2007, IOF erected 4 checkpoints around Tulkarm near El-Ras village, Bal’a intersection, El-Jarousha intersection, and Beit Lied intersection. Troops used extremely slow search and security procedures against civilians and vehicles. And on Saturday, 21 July 2007, IOF closed the Wadi El-Teen checkpoint and prevented civilian movement. On Sunday, 22 July 2007, IOF tightened search procedures at all checkpoints in Tulkarm, causing extensive delay for civilian traffic. On Monday, 23 July 2007, IOF closed all checkpoints in Tulkarm and prevented civilian movement for several hours, leaving civilians under the scorching sun; and when these checkpoints were opened, search and security procedures were very slow. And on Wednesday, 25 July 2007, IOF closed the Wadi El-Teen checkpoint and used extremely slow search and security procedures at Ennab checkpoint, and forced tens of civilians to turn back.

·      Jenin: On Saturday, 21 July 2007, IOF troops at the Oraba – Ya’bud checkpoint in Jenin prevented a medical team from Physicians for Human Rights – Israel from reaching the village of Beit Qad. The physicians were forced to take another road and were delayed for hours. Salah El-Haj Yehya informed PCHR’s fieldworker: “As in previous Saturdays, a delegation from Physicians for Human Rights – Israel headed to the village of Beit Qad, northeast of Jenin to organize a voluntary medical day for the besieged residents. There were 30 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and others in the delegation. The delegation crossed the Ennab checkpoint and continued to Bazariaand to Selet El-Thaher. Near the Oraba – Ya’bud intersection, there was a temporary checkpoint of three army vehicles that stopped vehicles, resulting a long queue of cars. The medical convoy moved up to the army vehicles, who stopped them. A representative went to the troops and explained to them the nature of the convoy and its work. The troops were not convinced and insisted that the area was closed since the redeployment in the end of 2005, and that no Israeli’s would be allowed to pass. After an hour and half the convoy took an alternative route through the Palestinian village of Sanour. However, there was another checkpoint; and the convoy took a third route. The convoy reached the village at about 13:30. Hundreds of patients who were waiting for the convoy lost hope and left before we arrived. When the convoy arrived there were only 100 patients who received treatment.”

·      Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Saturday, 21 July 2007, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Monji Azmi Zanabit (23) from the village of Deir El-Ghosun near Tulkarm, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

·      Jericho: IOF troops stationed at the checkpoint on the southern entrance of Jericho detained Sami Ismail Khalil Shanaran (35), who is from Hebron. He was subjected to a field interrogation for several hours before his transfer to an undisclosed location. Shanaran works in the Presidential Guards.

3.     Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2007, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the gate at the Wall established in the village and attempted to cross it. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, 6 demonstrators, including 2 children, were injured:

1.      Mohammad Fathi Mustafa Abu Rahma (14), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the head.

2.      Abdallah Ahmad Issa Abdallah (16), injured by a tear gas grenade in the leg.

3.      Ibrahim Abd El-Fattah Ibrahim Burnat (24), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the head.

4.      Rani Abd El-Fattah Ibrahim Burnat (27), injured by a tear gas grenade in the leg.

5.      Yasin Mohammad Ali Yasin (19), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the shoulder.

6.      Abdallah Mahmoud Mohammad Abu Rahma (36), injured by a rubber-coated bullet in the leg.

·      On Thursday, 17 July 2007, IOF closed the iron gates in the Annexation Wall section west of El-Zawya, west of Salfit. They prevented farmers from reaching their land beyond the gate. Farmers informed PCHR’s fieldworker that their land is planted with trees, whose produce is threatened to expire if not picked, which would inflict significant material losses for them.

·      On Friday, 20 July 2007, IOF closed the iron gates in the Annexation Wall section south of Marada in the north of Salfit. They prevented farmers from reaching their land beyond the gate. Farmers informed PCHR’s fieldworker that their land is planted with trees and are their primary source of income. It is noted that the Wall surrounds the whole village, save for one terminal controlled by an iron gate.

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 to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 

·      On Thursday morning, 19 July 2007, IOF moved into Asakra village east of Bethlehem. They demolished the house belonging to Mohammad Hussein El-Kamel, a water resevior, and two mobile homes.

·      In the afternoon of Thursday, 19 July 2007, settlers from Beni Hefer settlement east of Bani Na’im in Hebron, set fire to olive groves east of the settlement. A settler called Abraham set fire to olive groves in El-Hamra area about 1 kilometer from the settlement. As a result, 255 trees planted in 75 dunums were burned.  

·      On Sunday morning, 20 July 2007, dozens of settlers headed to the evacuated settlement of Homesh to the northwest of Nablus. IOF closed the roads in the area, and prevented Palestinians from using these roads. Settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles that came near the area. A taxi belonging to Nimr Yusef Abda (48) was damaged by 2 rocks.

·      At approximately 6:00 on Sunday, the settlers headed to Homesh threw rocks at Palestinian houses on the outskirts of the village of Burqa, near the site of the evacuated settlement. Four houses suffered broken windows, and crops were damaged. The houses belong to Khalid Faleh Salah, Nizar Yusef Seif, Azzam Abd El-Latif Abu Omar, and Abd El-Salam Aref Salah.

·      At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, settlers from Alon Moreh east of Salem (east of Nablus) set fire to trees near the settlement. Dozens of olive trees were torched.

·      At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, dozens of settlers from Yitzhar to the south of Nablus set fire to trees near the settlement. Dozens of olive trees in El-Safah area were torched.

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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 immediately 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 last year, 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 (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).