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

• An elderly Palestinian woman was killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

• A Palestinian civilian died from previous injuries.

• 12 Palestinians, including 8 civilians, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

• IOF conducted 33 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 5 ones into the Gaza Strip.

• IOF razed 295 donums[1] of agricultural in the northern and southern Gaza Strip.  

• IOF completely demolished one house, and partially demolished five others in the southern Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 43 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank, and detained 11 others in the Gaza Strip.

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

• IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

• 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

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

• Ehud Olmert gave a green line for the construction of 884 housing units for settlers in Occupied East Jerusalem.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, during the reporting period (29 May – 4 June 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed an elderly Palestinian woman, and another civilian died of a previous injury in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 11 Palestinians, including 8 civilians, were injured by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 May, IOF killed an elderly Palestinian woman during an incursion into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. On the same day, Palestinian medical sources declared that a Palestinian civilian died of injuries sustained by IOF on the previous day.

On 30 May, 4 Palestinian civilians were injured when IOF used force against a demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians near Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, in protest at the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

On 1 June, IOF wounded 3 activists of the Palestinian resistance during an incursion into Bani Suhiala village, east of Khan Yunis.

On 3 June, a Palestinian civilian was injured by IOF gunfire during an incursion into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were injured when IOF used force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders on 30 May. They were protesting against the continuing construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramalllah, and al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem.  

On 31 May, a Palestinian child was injured when IOF fired ammunition at a number of children who gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles in Sarra village, southwest of Nablus.   

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 34 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 43 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children. Since the beginning of this year, 1,267 Palestinian civilians have been arrested by IOF in the West Bank.   

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 4 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF razed at least 195 donums of agricultural land, completely demolished one house, and partially demolished five others, and also detained 11 Palestinian civilians.  

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 continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for almost two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and has violated the human, economic and social rights of the approximately 1.5 million Palestinian civilian population, particularly their rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. The siege has also paralyzed the Gazan economy. In addition, the siege has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and many factories have been forced to close. Severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the entire Palestinian civilian population. Regarding civilian movements, IOF permit very few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in order to travel to the West Bank or Israel. Rafah International Crossing Point in the southern Gaza Strip is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world via a country other than Israel. 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 from reaching it. IOF also imposes restrictions on the access of fishermen to sea, using force to impose severe restrictions on their rights to fish on their own coastline.

West Bank

Contrary to Israeli claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the 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 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 troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 2 Palestinian civilians.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, the Israeli Minister of Housing declared that his ministry would invite bids to construct 120 housing unit on Abu Ghunaim Mount, south of East Jerusalem, and 700 others in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement neighborhood in Jerusalem. In a statement to Israel Radio, Boim said the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave a green line to start the construction of 884 housing units in Occupied East Jerusalem before flying to the United States.

On 1 June, IOF prevented vehicles belonging to the local council of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, from leveling land in the east of the village in preparation for supplying the village with electricity.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (29 May – 4 June 2008)

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

Thursday, 29 May

·      At approximately 01:00, medical sources at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Ahmed Mohammed Khalil al-‘Omour, 24, died of an injury he had sustained on the previous day. According to PCHR documentation, at approximately 08:50 on Wednesday, 28 May, IOF aircrafts that were covering a land incursion into al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis fired 3 missiles at a number of Palestinian civilians and resistance activists. Two civilians and a resistance activist were wounded. One of them, Ahmed Mohammed Khalil al-‘Omour, 24, sustained a serious head injury. He was evacuated to the European hospital, where he later died.  

·      Also at approximately 01:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 700 meters into al-Farta area in the east of Beit Hanoun. IOF troops raided and searched a number of houses and arrested a number of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 03:00, IOF military backup arrived in the area to support the infantry unit. They razed 50 donums of agricultural land. At approximately 06:00, IOF withdrew from the area and released all detainees.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers:

1.      Majdi Mohammed Khalaf, 21

2.      Majd Mohammed Khalaf, 18

3.      Hassan Ahmed Qash, 23

4.      Ahmed Yassin Khlouf, 22

5.      Mohammed Nayef Khlouf, 21.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Khalil ‘Abdul Karim Srour, 27

2.      ‘Abdul Qaher ‘Ali Srour, 26

3.      ‘Aayed Sadiq, 23.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Reehiya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They besieged a 3-storey house belonging to Yasser Qazmouz in al-Manshiya area in the north of the camp. They used megaphones to order residents out of their houses. The residents complied and the IOF subsequently broke into the houses and searched them. Before leaving the area, IOF troops arrested Qazmouz’s three sons: ‘Omar, 23; Mahmoud, 20; and ‘Aamer, 26.

·      At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. Neither casualties nor arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 16:00, IOF moved nearly 800 meters into Abu Rouk area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land. At approximately 19:30, Yusra Ibrahim Qudaih, 67, came out of her house, which was almost 200 meters away from the invaded area, presuming the IOF had withdrawn. As soon as she stepped out of her house, house, an IOF tank fired live ammunition at her. She was hit by three bullets, and fell to the ground. Her sons dragged her back inside the house, then took her to a neighbour’s house. An ambulance transferred her to Nasser Hospital, where she died of her injuries. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 22:00 after having razed at least 25 donums of agricultural land.

Friday, 30 May

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 13:30, thousands of Palestinian civilians, including a number of children, organized a rally in Rafah and Khan Yunis. The rally had been called for by Hamas in protest at the continuing IOF siege of the Gaza Strip. The civilians moved en masse towards Sofa Crossing. when they approached the crossing, IOF troops positioned at the border opened fire at them. Four civilians were wounded:

1.      ‘Ali Ziad ‘Aashour, 23, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the chest;

2.      Mohammed Saleh Jarghoun, 23, wounded by a gunshot to the left hand;

3.      Mohammed Mousa Abu ‘Azzoum, 20, wounded by a gunshot to the right thigh

4.      Jihad ‘Ihsan al-Natour, 19, wounded by a gunshot to the right thigh.

·      At approximately 22:00, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at an agricultural storeroom on a tract of land belonging to ‘Abed Rabbu Abu Haleeb, in the center of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. The missile went astray but damaged a house belonging to Abu Haleen.

Saturday, 31 May

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Waleed Daoud Daoudi, 40

2.      Tayseer Subhi Mabrouk, 50

3.      Ahmed Subhi Mabrouk, 33;

4.      ‘Abdul Rahman Qassem Mabrouk, 18

5.      Qassem Mustafa Mabrouk, 42.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of shops. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Jihad Salman Abu Sharekh, 22

2.      Tal’at Abu ‘Allan, 24.

·      At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Sarra village, southwest of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the children. Tamer ‘Abdul Ghafer Turabi, 15, was wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb.

·      At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and erected a checkpoint at the northern entrance of the village, banning movement to and from the village. IOF withdrew from the village several hours later. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 1 June  

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF heavy military vehicles moved almost 1,500 meters into al-Zanna area in the northeast of Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. They began to destroy civilian property. By 09:30, IOF had razed 120 donums of agricultural land and a number of greenhouses. They also destroyed a house belonging to Jamal Zayed Abu Jame’, and damaged 5 other local homes. During the incursion, an IOF tank fired a shell at a number of Palestinian resistance activists, wounding 3 of them. IOF also arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including a child, but released them the following day.

Monday, 2 June

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Fakhri al-Froukh, 17.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses in the center of the town and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Ali Suleiman Souman, 29

2.      Ibrahim Jamal Hassan, 25.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 3 June

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They besieged a number of houses in the southwestern part of the town and ordered their residents to get out. IOF then raided and searched 2 houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1.      Nafez Mohammed ‘Obaid, 23

2.      ‘Abdul Rahman Hussein Salman, 17.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Jihad ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Manasra, 18;

2.      Mohammed Mousa Hmaidat, 18

3.      ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Zaidat, 32.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1.      ‘Abed Mohammed Swaiti, 20;

2.      ‘Azzam ‘Izzu Jadallah, 19

3.      Murad Nayef ‘Amru, 20.

·      At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Jalal Ahmed, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 12:00, IOF moved nearly 1,200 meters into al-Sraij area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They started to raze area of Palestinian agricultural land. By 17:00, IOF had razed at least 100 donums of agricultural land. During their redeployment outside the area, IOF opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, Saleh Mohammed al-Astal, 24, was wounded by a gunshot to the right hand, whilst near his own house. IOF moved into the area again the following morning, 4 June.

·      At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Marj Ibn ‘Aamer Plain at Jenin-Haifa, west of Jenin. They patrolled on fields and arrested 2 Palestinian children:

1.      Sadiq Mohammed ‘Abahra, 14

2.      Bashar Mohammed Nawahda, 16.

Wednesday, 4 June  

·      At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and erected checkpoint in the streets. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh town. They patrolled in the streets. They withdrew from the town later. No arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets. They withdrew from the town later. No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses and detonated sound bombs in alleys. They also besieged a house belonging to Thabet Mahmoud Mubasher, 40, and arrested him.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to the family of ‘Omar Mahmoud Ahmed, 32, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Sarra village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hatem ‘Awni Ghanem, 23.

·      At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinians:

1.      Mohammed Jameel Hardan, 25

2.      Hussein Jameel Hardan, 22;

3.      Mohammed Hatem Suleiman, 23, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces;

4.      Ahmed ‘Essam Hammad, 22

5.      Mohammed ‘Omar al-Aqhash, 22

6.      Hisham ‘Awadh Jarrar, 21.

·      At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud Ahmed Shawahna, 20.

·      At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the center of the town.

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

As previously documented, IOF have continued to impose a siege on the 1.5 million civilians of the Gaza Strip. The border crossings of the Strip have been closed for almost two years as part of the IOF collective punishment policy, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of civilians and goods. As a result, the territory is unable to secure its basic needs of food, medicine, and other supplies, pushing the poverty rate above 80%.

The continued Israeli ban on fuel supplies required for civilian life in the Gaza Strip has led to the paralysis of the educational sector. In addition, the health sector is on the verge of collapse due to the stoppage of many ambulances from operating for lack of fuel. Healthcare facilities have registered a 25% drop in clients due to the transport crisis, and hundreds of healthcare professionals have been unable to reach their work places. Furthermore, the transportation sector has almost ceased functioning throughout the Gaza Strip, resulting in massively reduced essential services, including the delivery of drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection.

Over the past 5 months, IOF are allowing a very limited number of seriously ill patients and staff of international organizations to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint. The Gaza Strip remains isolated from the West Bank and the outside world.

The tightened siege has led to the collapse of the Gaza Strip economy sectors. Most production facilities have ceased to operate due to the siege and the ensuing restriction on movement of goods and individuals.

Impacts of the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip:

·       Livings conditions of the population have continued to deteriorate due to the shortages in foodstuffs and medicines and the sharp increase of prices due to the siege.

·       At least 950 Gazans who are detained in IOF jails in Israel have been deprived of family visits for a full year.  

·       The average number of patients allowed to travel from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in the West Bank or Israel has recently decreased from 50 t0 13.

·       Fuel supplies have been decreased; only 0.5% of the daily need of benzenes, 12.8% of the daily diesel requirement, and 17% of the daily cooking gas requirement have been allowed into the Gaza Strip since October 2007.

·       The lack of fuel led to the flooding of the sewage treatment plant in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City for several hours, during which time raw sewage water flooded the streets and houses as well as agricultural land.

·       125  water reservoirs have been directly affected by fuel shortages.

·       At least 250,000 of the population are receiving supplies of drinking water for limited hours due to fuel shortages.  

·       At least 35 sewage treatment plants have almost run out of fuel, and at least 50,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage water are being pumped into the sea, which is a serious environmental problem.       

Regarding Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is designed for fuel deliveries, during the reporting period, IOF allowed the entry of the following amounts of fuels:

During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing for several hours on Sunday and Monday, 1 and 2 June 2008, an allowed the entry of 5,150 tons of seeds and animal fodder.

Regarding Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, during the reporting period, it was open for the following hours:

Regarding Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities have started to open the crossing on a limited basis for a small number of Palestinian patients. Details are shown below:

In the meantime, IOF have continued to close Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for approximately 2 months.

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 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 and harass the fishermen. Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinian fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gazan coastline.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from passing through some checkpoints, especially in the northern West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

·      Jerusalem: As previously noted, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. On Sunday afternoon, 1 June, IOF closed the center of East Jerusalem and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. For this purpose, they closed all roads leading to the center of the city.

On Wednesday evening, 4 June , IOF troops positioned at the Container checkpoint, southeast of Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed al-Qeeq, 25, a journalist from Dura village, southwest of Hebron. 

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected additional checkpoints on the main roads. On Thursday, 29 May, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around the city imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. On Saturday morning, 31 May, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and Za’atara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 1 June, IOF troops positioned at Za’atara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 2 June, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus, especially Za’atara and Beit Eiba checkpoints, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.   

At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 29 May 2008, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Rami Talal Shinnar, 30, from Tulkarm.

·      Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 29 May, IOF erected a checkpoint at the western entrance of ‘Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and prevented Palestinian civilians aged below 35 from passing through. On Friday, 30 May, IOF erected a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm, and banned the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Beit Leed village. On Satuday, 31 May, IOF erected a checkpoint at the main entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm, and banned the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village from 06:00 to 10:00. On Sunday, 1 June, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and prevented civilians aged below 30 from passing through. On Tuesday, 3 June 2008, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm, and banned the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. On Wednesday, 4 June, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, for several hours.

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 civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, and al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem.

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 30 May, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall, but IOF closed all gates designed for crossing the Wall. The demonstrators then set fire to tires in protest to the closure of gates. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1.      Adeeb Ahmed Abu Rahma, 38, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;

2.      Mohammed Khalil Abu Rahma, 33, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand; and

3.      Yassin Mohammed Yassin, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg.

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 May, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators moved towards Palestinian land which were confiscated by IOF. IOF troops placed barbwire near the land to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. They also fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters and violently beat a number of demonstrators.

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

IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

·      On Sunday morning, 1 June, IOF prevented vehicles belonging to the local council of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, from leveling land in the east of the village in preparation for supplying the village with electricity. In a letter sent by the council to PCHR, the council stated that on 13 April 2008, it obtained permission to build a room electricity connection, which it applied for nearly a year and a half earlier. However, IOF have continued to prevent the council from building the room, claiming that the area on which the room will be built is a part of Area C (under Israeli security and civil control according to the Oslo Accords), and any action there must be coordinated with the Israeli military liaison. The council applied to the Israeli military liaison to obtain permission to reach the area, but it has not so far received any response.

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