Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Especially the Gaza Strip

• During the reporting period 23 Palestinians, including one civilian, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

• Ten of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF.

• Eight of the victims were killed by IOF during an offensive on al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip.

• Thirty-two Palestinians were wounded by IOF gunfire in the Gaza Strip, and nine people, including an American human rights defender, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.

• IOF invaded al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip.

• IOF razed 133 donums[1] of agricultural land.

• IOF partially destroyed 10 houses and arrested one Palestinian.

• IOF transformed a number of houses into military sites.

• IOF conducted 24 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

• IOF arrested 87 Palestinian civilians, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in the West Bank.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.

• IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and a humanitarian crisis has emerged.

• IOF prevented at least 150 Palestinian pilgrims from traveling through Erez crossing.

• IOF troops positioned at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

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

• IOF demolished a house in Jerusalem.

• Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian farmer in Nablus.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (13 – 26 December 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 23 Palestinians. Ten of the victims were extra-judicially executed in 3 IOF air strikes carried out in less than 9 hours, on December 18, the eve of the Eid al-Adha. The victims were all members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad). In addition, 10 civilian bystanders were wounded.

On 20 December 2007, IOF killed 8 members of the Palestinian resistance during an incursion into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. In addition, 21 Palestinians, including a woman, two children and two journalists, were wounded.

On 18 December, an IOF air strike killed 2 police officers in Rafah. On 21 December 2007, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance in Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. On 24 December, IOF killed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

On 23 December, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a gunshot fired by IOF, when he was on his land east of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, 13 Palestinian civilians and an American human rights defender were wounded by IOF gunfire.

On 14 and 21 December, nine Palestinian civilians and an American human rights defender were wounded when IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, organized in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall. On 14 December, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF gunfire near the Annexation Wall to the south of Hebron. On 23 December IOF troops positioned at a checkpoint near Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, wounded and arrested a Palestinian civilian. On 24 December, two Palestinian children were wounded by IOF gunfire in Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.   

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 24 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 87 Palestinian civilians, including two children, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) two members of the municipal council of Nablus and three university professors. The number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2007 now stands at 2,640.

IOF also made incursions into the Gaza Strip. On 20 December, the second day of the Eid al-Adha, IOF moved into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. During this incursion, IOF killed eight Palestinians, and wounded another twenty one. They also razed 73 donums of agricultural land and partially destroyed 10 houses. In addition, IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian. On 21 December, an IOF infantry unit moved into Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. During this incursion, IOF troops killed a member of the Palestinian resistance. 

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

The Gaza Strip

To date, IOF have closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for almost 18 months continuously. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. The siege has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. The siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has also severely affected the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities, such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza have continued to deteriorate. On 19 September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip “A hostile entity,” and at this point measures of collective punishment against the civilian population escalated. Since September 2007, IOF have limited the goods exported to the Gaza Strip to just nine basic materials. As a direct consequence, local markets ran out of many goods, causing a sharp increase in prices, which in some cases amounted to 500%. The IOF have also banned the import of some medicines, furniture, electrical appliances and cigarettes, as well as decreasing the amounts of some other goods being imported into the Gaza Strip, such as fruits, milk and some other dairy products.

The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians across the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WB/GS) Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the WB/GS have been denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside Jerusalem. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, in order to prevent them from praying at the Jerusalem al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently assault Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city.

IOF have also tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities across the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints across the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections across the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least three Palestinian civilians.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT, in violation of international humanitarian law, have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, IOF demolished a Palestinian house in the Wad al-Jouz neighborhood of East Jerusalem. A number of Israeli settlers also attacked a Palestinian farmer in Til village, southwest of Nablus. The farmer was injured.  

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (13 – 26 December 2007)

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

Thursday, 13 December

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Mohammed Muhareb Jabarin, aged 26, and his brother Yousef, 19.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They forced Palestinian civilians out of their houses, and searched the houses. They arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, but released them later, excluding:

1.      Bassir Mohammed Ghanem, 27

2.      Mahmoud Riad Fraij, 26

3.      Ibrahim Qassem al-‘Ajouz, 27

4.      Mohammed Mazen al-Hajar, 24.

·      Also, at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Sami ‘Abdul Karim Eshtaiwi, 23

2.      ‘Alaa’ Ghazi Barham, 24.

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

·      At approximately 20:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped near a coffee shop belonging to Hussein Faisal Abu Sirriya. IOF troops raided the coffee shop. They arrested 12 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Abdul Rahman Hussein al-Wahesh, 22.

2.      ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Hussein al-Wahesh, 22.

3.      Mohammed ‘Eissa Qanouh, 35.

4.      Ahmed Rida Mer’eb, 21.

5.      Hasan ‘Omar Matahen, 28.

6.      Ahmed Bahar ‘Ammouri, 25.

7.      Mohammed ‘Awni al-Badawi, 30.

8.      Mahmoud Marwan al-Sous, 18.

9.      Ahmed Mohammed Sha’ban, 24

10.  ‘Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Masharqa, 18.

11.  Hussein Faisal Abu Sirriya, 26.

12.  Akram Mahmoud Nassar, 42.

Friday, 14 December

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

Saturday, 15 December

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Battir village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Mo’ammar Mohammed Mo’ammar, 27.

2.      ‘Aassem Isma’il Mo’ammar, 25.

3.      Saleh No’man Mo’ammar, 22.

4.      ‘Omar Sameer Abu Ne’ma, 21.

5.      Nidal Mohammed Abu Ne’ma, 25.

Sunday, 16 December  

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested 25 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Ahmed al-Haj ‘Ali Mutair, 69, Member of the PLC representing Hamas

2.      Ahmed Isma’il Doula, 45.

3.      Dr. Mustafa al-Haj Hamad, 48, a university professor

4.      Muntasser Mustafa al-Haj Hamad, 17.

5.      Ghassan Thouqan, 46, a university professor

6.      Ma’ath Ghassan Thouqan, 21.

7.      ‘Anan Ghazal, 48, member of the Municipal Council

8.      ‘Abada ‘Anan Ghazal, 21.

9.      ‘Abdul Jabbar Dwaikat, 49, member of the Municipal Council

10.  ‘Aadel ‘Abdul Jabbar Dwaikat, 22.

11.  ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Jabbar Dwaikat, 19.

12.  Sami al-‘Aassi, 30, a journalist

13.  Fadel Hamed al-Beetawi, 31, an engineer.

14.  Ahmed Hamed al-Beetawi, 26, a journalist

15.  Dr. Khader Sarandak, 48, Dean of the Faculty of Sharia’ (Legislation) at an-Najah National University.

16.  Anas Khader Sarandak, 27.

17.  Hussam Makkawi al-Kharraz, 49.

18.  Ayman al-Kharraz, 22.

19.  Mo’ayad al-Kharraz, 19.

20.  Marwan Nabeel ‘Aj’aj, 27.

21.  Walaa’ Nabeel Aj’aj, 25.

22.  Mohammed Fu’ad al-Hilali, 19.

23.  Ahmed Fu’ad al-Hilali, 20.

24.  Ibrahim Ya’qoub Batta, 21.

25.  Mohammed Hasan al-Hilali.

Monday, 17 December

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Lu’ai Mohammed Ghayaza, 22.

2.      Rezeq Mohammed Ghayaza, 28.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fara’a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Azzam ‘Ali Jawabra, 44.

2.      Eyad Mohammed Sarhan, 37.

Tuesday, 18 December  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Bassa neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Murad Bader Shaheen, 30, director of the office of members of the PLC representing Hamas, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 10:45, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a police station of the dismissed Palestinian government in Musabbeh neighborhood in the north of Rafah. Two police officers were killed:

1.      Hani Najeh Barhoum, 21.

2.      Mohammed Khaled al-Shareef, 20.

Thursday, 20 December

·      IOF Offensive on al-Musaddar Village in the Central Gaza Strip

In the early morning, IOF moved into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. They raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. During this incursion, which continued until the evening, IOF killed 8 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 21 other Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 2 journalists. IOF also partially destroyed 10 houses, razed 73 donums of agricultural land and arrested a Palestinian civilian.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:30, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. IOF troops raided seven houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 06:00, IOF sent back-up troops into the area, who raided more houses. During these house raids, IOF troops wounded Zaid Salem Thabet, aged14, as he attempted to escape. IOF troops also violently beat women and detained men in a house belonging to Kamal al-Telbani. At approximately 07:00, a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops. Three resistance activists were killed as a result of the exchange of fire.

1.      Waleed Hasan Kalloub, 28.

2.      Jihad Mousa Jaber, 19.

3.      Ibrahim ‘Aa’ed Abu Middain, 24.

During the offensive on al-Musaddar Village, IOF troops opened fire indiscriminately. A tank shell fired by IOF troops fell near a slaughter-house in the east of the neighboring al-Maghazi refugee camp. Five Palestinian civilians were wounded, including 7-year-old Qais Sami Jaber.

At approximately 08:30, Nihad Khalil Shana’a, 30, a Reuters cameraman, was wounded in the left thigh by a gunshot fired by IOF troops, whilst filming the military operation in the area.

At approximately 09:30, IOF troops opened fire on a number of Palestinian resistance activists, killing 28-year-old Mahmoud Mahmoud al-Mis’hal.

At approximately 14:00, three Palestinian resistance activists clashed with IOF troops who were positioned on top of a house belonging to Mohsen al-Musaddar. The three activists were killed in the clash:

1.      Hamza Salem Abu Tiour, 24.

2.      Samer Helmi Abu Saif, 23.

3.      Khalil Bajes al-‘Eissawi, 22.

At approximately 15:20, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, one resistance activist, 22-year-old Naim Suleiman al-‘Arrouqi, was killed, and Rami Tayseer Abu Dayyah, 22, a correspondent from the local al-Aqsa TV, was wounded in the head by shrapnel.  

The IOF continued to shell houses. Two missiles hit a house belonging to ‘Abdul Hakim Ahmed al-Musaddar, the mayor of al-Musaddar village. The house was damaged, and the brother of the mayor sustained shrapnel wounds to his face and shoulders.

During this incursion, IOF razed 73 donums of agricultural land planted with olive and citrus trees, and also partially destroyed 10 houses.

At approximately 17:00, IOF troops redeployed outside the village, taking at least 50 Palestinian civilians with them. IOF interrogated these civilians, and then released them, excluding Khaled ‘Ali Sa’id, aged 37.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Waleed Kamel Burhom, 38.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tha’er Ibrahim al-Jawarish, 23, and arrested him.

Friday, 21 December

·      At approximately 02:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 800 meters into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. A number of Palestinian resistance activists clashed with the IOF troops. A resistance activist, ‘Awadh Naji Mohammed al-Fujom, 21, from nearby Bani Suhaila village, was seriously wounded by several gunshots. Medical efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead at approximately 06:00.

Saturday, 22 December

·      At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Skafiya neighborhood to the west of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported. A number of houses were damaged. 

Sunday, 23 December  

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Abu Snaina and Deir Bahha neighborhoods in the south and west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Jameel Zakaria al-Jamal, 23.

2.      Mahmoud ‘Eissa Abu Snaina, 22.

3.      Hamza ‘Othman al-‘Owaiwi, 36.

4.      ‘Ammar ‘Othman al-‘Owaiwi, 28.

5.      Eyad Isma’il Mujahed, 39.

6.      Nour Khaled Shawar, 19

7.      Ja’far ‘Abdullah Shawar, 22.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Shuhada Triangle village, south of Jenin. They besieged a house belonging to the family of Rabee’ Hussein ‘As’ous, aged 21. They opened fire at the house, forcing the residents outside. IOF then called on ‘As’ous to surrender, threatening to destroy the house if he did not. Half an hour later, ‘As’ous surrendered, and IOF troops arrested him.

·      At approximately 15:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at ‘Abdul Rahman Salem Abu Hamam, aged 40, who was in the company of a friend and a child. They were all standing on a tract of land almost 350 meters away from the border. The land belongs to Abu Hamam. No one was hurt, and the three Palestinians climbed into Abu Hamam’s car in order to leave the area. As they were departing, IOF troops fired at them again. At this point Abu Hamam was wounded by a gunshot to the back.

Monday, 24 December  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Rasheed Nasri Sabarna, 23.

2.      Mahmoud Faisal Khamis, 24.

·      At approximately 01:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at three Palestinian resistance activists, who were nearly 500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Boreij refugee camp. Two of the activists were killed:

1.      ‘Atallah Ahmed al-‘Awawda, 25

2.      Jom’a Mefleh Abu Hjayer, 25.

·      At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and opened fire at houses and shops. Dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. IOF troops immediately fired at the children wounding 2 of them:

1.      Eyad ‘Abdul Qader Swaidan, aged 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

2.      Yazeed Hussein ‘Enaya, aged 6, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot.

Tuesday, 25 December  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1.      ‘Ezzat Sa’di Khuffash, 20.

2.      Ameer Nasfat Hjair, 20.

3.      Tamer Mohammed Suleiman, 20.

4.      ‘Abdul Qader Saleh Semari, 20.

5.      Ahmed Rasmi Khuffash, 21.

6.      Jalal Tariq Khuffash, 24.

7.      Mahmoud Ameen Khuffash, 14.

8.      Jdai Ahmed Ebdah, 22.

9.      Hazem Ibrahim Ebdah, 26.

10.  Mazen Ibrahim Ebdah, 20.

Wednesday, 26 December

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Ghassan Bassam Shatawi, 21.

2.      Radi Nemer Hashash, 20.

3.      ‘Abdul Rahman Khaled Abu Jnaid, 19.

4.      Haitham Sa’id ‘Atalllah, 28.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Roujib village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Abdul Karim Majed al-Halabi, 33.

2.      Eyad Mohammed Dwaikat, 35.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kufor Qallil village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Saddam ‘Atiya Mansour, 19; and

2.      Adham Shihada ‘Aamer, 19.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Til village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Assida, 24.

2.      Khaled ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Assida, 22.

2.      Extra-Judicial Executions

·      At approximately 20:30 on Monday, 17 December 2007, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a white Skoda car, in al-Nasser Street in the north of Gaza City. The commander of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and his bodyguard were inside the car. The missile hit the car and killed the two occupants:

1.      Majed Yousef al-Harazin, 35, from al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in Gaza City, commander of the al-Quds Brigades.

2.      Jihad al-Sayed Dhaher, 39, from al-Karama neighborhood in Gaza City, his bodyguard.

In addition, five 5 children living in the area of the attack were wounded:

1.      Mohsen Hasan Skaik, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the chest

2.      Yousef Hasan Skaik, 12, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body

3.      Mahmoud ‘Essam ‘Adas, 17, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body

4.      Ahmed Riadh al-Hayek, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the head and the feet

5.      Kamal Ahmed al-Sourani, 16, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

·      At approximately 23:30 on Monday December 17, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired a surface-to-surface missile at 4 activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), who were walking in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, nearly 3,000 meters away from the border. The four activists were killed:

1.      Ayman ‘Abdul Latif al-‘Eila, 25, from al-Shati refugee camp.

2.      Kareem Marwan al-Dahdouh, 24, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood.

3.      Na’ed Rushdi Tafesh, 34, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood.

4.      ‘Ammar Abu Sa’id, 34, from al-Sabra neighborhood.

·      At approximately 05:30 on Tuesday, 18 December, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at 4 activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad). The activists were walking in Block 9 in the densely populated Jabalya refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, having just prayed in al-Tawba Mosque. The four activists were killed:

1.      Mohammed Sa’id al-Taramsi, 34.

2.      Sameer ‘Awadallah Baker, 33.

3.      Ussama ‘Ali Yassin, 32.

4.      Hussam Mahmoud Abu Jabal, 36.

Five civilian bystanders were also wounded:

1.      Fat’hi Mohammed Zumlot, 55.

2.      Mohammed Hasan Ahmed, 41.

3.      As’ad Wajeeh Msallam, 28.

4.      Yasser Bassem Abu Jalala, 26.

5.      Ibrahim Jom’a Baroud, 27.

3. Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose a total 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 18 months. 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. During the reporting period, the Israeli government once again declared the Gaza Strip as “a hostile entity,” which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. 

·      Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the only crossing from the Gaza Strip to a country other than Israel. The IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, although they do not directly control the Crossing Point. The IOF have also prevented European Union observers working at the crossing point from reaching it. Rafah crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. Since that date thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stranded on the Egyptian side of the crossing, and twenty four civilians, including eight women and a child, have died. The bodies were returned to Gaza via the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. In addition, thousands of travelers were allowed to return to the Gaza Strip through al-Ojah crossing, which lies eight kilometers to the east of Rafah International Crossing Point.    From there, they were transported to Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing to enter the Gaza Strip.  Hundreds of Palestinian civilians who have residencies in other countries were allowed to travel out of the Gaza Strip via Erez Crossing. However, at least 1,500 Palestinians remain stranded on the Egyptian side of Rafah International Crossing Point, waiting to be allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip. In addition, thirty Palestinians remain stranded at al-‘Areesh Airport in Egypt. On 3-4 December 2007, the Egyptian authorities allowed 2,200 Palestinian pilgrims to pass through Rafah International Crossing Point to travel to Saudi Arabia.

·      Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have com