PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory	No. 21/2008 15 - 21 May 2008

IOF Soldier leading several Gaza Strip Palestinians detained during a recent incursion

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic War Crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Isolate the Gaza Strip from the World

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, during the reporting period (15 – 21 May 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed four Palestinians, including a child and a farmer, in the Gaza Strip; and two other Palestinians died from previous injuries sustained in the Gaza Strip.; A Palestinian boy was also shot dead by IOF troops at Huwara checkpoint near Nablus. In addition, IOF wounded 13 Palestinians, including 4 children and a farmer, in the Gaza Strip, and a Palestinian was injured by settler gunfire in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF used excessive force on 20 May, killing one child and injuring a second by artillery fire directed at an empty rocket launcher near Beit Lahia. On 15 May, a Palestinian died of wounds sustained 11 days earlier during an IOF incursion east of Khan Yunis. A Palestinian farmer was killed on 20 May, and two other Palestinians were injured by IOF excessive force the same day. In addition, two members of the resistance were killed, and three injured, in Gaza City. Four other resistance members were injured in a second attack in the same area earlier on the same day. On 21 May, IOF injured two children when IOF targeted a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip. Another civilian was injured by indiscriminate IOF gunfire east of Khan Yunis. Also on 21 May, a child died of wounds sustained on 11 April during an IOF incursion into El-Bureij refugee camp.

In the West Bank, IOF troops at Huwara checkpoint killed a Palestinian boy and then prevented ambulances from reaching him. IOF claimed that a Palestinian in his 20’s approached the checkpoint and was “playing with his clothes”, refused to adhere to IOF orders to stop, which, according to the IOF, forced them to shoot at him. However, PCHR investigations refute these claims. Even according to the IOF account of the shooting, IOF could clearly have used less lethal force and detained the young man. On Monday 19 May, a Palestinian from Jerusalem was injured after being shot by settler gunfire south of Hebron.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 40 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children. To date, the number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 stands at 1,183.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF razed at least 121 donums of agricultural land. They also arrested three Palestinians.

In addition, IOF started digging a large trench east of Khan Yunis inside the Gaza Strip. The trench extends from El-Farahin area east of Greater Abasan to the town of Khuza’a.

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.

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 a 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.

Contrary to Israeli claims to have eased restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, have been denied access to Jerusalem, including occupied East Jerusalem. IOF have established numerous checkpoints around and inside East Jerusalem. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays in order to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often harass and assault Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF positioned at checkpoints across the West Bank have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, the IOF complete closure of the West Bank. For 26 of the last 32 days, a total closure has been imposed on the West Bank.

In addition, IOF closed the “17” checkpoint north of Nablus from 14-17 May. IOF also closed the road from Nablus to Jenin and Tulkarem, and maintained their presence on the Jeet and Yitzar checkpoints. IOF continued to detain Palestinians at checkpoints, detaining two Palestinians during the reporting period.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international humanitarian law, continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, PCHR documented four attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and their property in Nablus and Hebron. As a result, one Palestinian was injured by gunfire and a second sustained bruising. A third was Palestinian detained by IOF. In addition, several houses sustained damages from settler attacks.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (15 – 21 May 2008)

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

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmad Yusef Mohammad Samara Shreim (20).

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinians:

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Beit Jala. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammad Khalil Abd Rabbo (35).

· At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the nearby Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians, including a minor:

· At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into the town of Taqou’ southeast of Bethlehem. Patrolled the streets; no arrests were reported.

· In the early morning, IOF started digging a trench inside the Gaza Strip opposite the Israeli military outpost east of El-Farahin area in Greater Abasan east of Khan Yunis. The trench extended south until the town of Khuza’a. The digging is conducted daily from 8:30am till the evening, with occasional firing at agricultural land. Eyewitness accounts state the trench is approximately 3 meters wide and 5 meters deep, and extends 70-100 meters inside the Gaza Strip. The digging continued till time of publication.

· At approximately 11:00, Palestinian medical sources announced the death of Maher Mohammad Salim El-Najjar (45) as a result of wounds inflicted by IOF during an incursion in the town of Khuza’a east of Khan Yunis on 4 May. PCHR notes that at 9:40 am on 4 May IOF, fired at Husam Mohammad Salim El-Najjar (40), wounding him in the back. He was on the roof of his house, and fell from the roof as a result. His brother, Maher, tried to assist him, but was also shot. Husam was killed immediately; and Maher suffered serious injuries. He was taken to hospital and then transferred to Israel. However, he died of his injuries.

· At approximately 13:30, IOF fired bullets and tear gas at hundreds of Palestinians organizing a demonstration 1,000 meters away from the crossing to protest the siege imposed on Gaza. As a result, a child, fourteen year old Anwar Kalloub from Beit Hanoun was injured by a bullet in his thigh.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF troops deployed along the Gaza Strip border near Juhr El-Deek area south of Gaza City fired at three girls from Nuseirat refugee camp who were in the area, apparently because the IOF thought the girls were taking part in Nakba commemorations. Tasnim Dawoud Abu El-Ros (15) was injured by a bullet to the foot.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmad Naser Ahmad Abu El-Kalbat (24).

· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into the village of Qaryout southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets, detained and questioned four Palestinians, including 3 children, before leaving the area:

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

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Shoka southeast of Rafah. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 17 Palestinians. After questioning, 14 were released and 3 remain under detention:

In addition, IOF razed 8 dunums of agricultural greenhouses planted with vegetables belonging to members of Abu Shallouf clan. They also destroyed a chicken farm containing 50,000 chickens belonging to Atteya Ahmad Jaber.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the town of Dura south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, stopping opposite a student activity organized by the Ministry of Education. The students were provoked and threw rocks at the soldiers, who started to chase the students and fire rubber-coated metallic bullets and tear gas. After 90 minutes, IOF troops withdrew. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Arab El-Rashayda area southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched valleys, houses, and caves in the area, and arrested Omar Abd El-Hamid El-Aramin (54) from Jerusalem. IOF claimed he was wanted by them.

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

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into the town of El-Bon El-Sharqiya south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians:

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched Omar Bin El-Khattab Mosque, and arrested Ammar Saleh Mohammad Abu Ghalyoun (22).

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of El-Yamoun south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Asem Fayez Bashir Jaradat (25).

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into El-Amari refugee camp in Ramallah. They patrolled the streets. No raids or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Silwad northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Qabatia southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Maythamoun southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Sanur southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Seryes southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrests were reported.

· At approximately 08:10, IOF used excessive force and killed a child in the proximity of a rocket launching pad in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Majd Zeid Okal (12) and Abd El-Rahman Mohammad Abu Habel (12) were playing in an open area near Hammouda Petrol Station about 500 meters away from their homes. They came close to a rocket launcher which had been used a few minutes earlier to launch a rocket towards Israel. As soon as they came close to the launching pad, IOF fired a surface to surface missile at them, killing Majd Okal. Abd Habel suffered moderate injuries. PCHR notes that IOF employs cameras which can determine who is standing near the launching pad, and therefore know if they are targeting the rocket launchers.

· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved 1 kilometer inside the Gaza Strip east of Zaitoun Quarter in Gaza City. At approximately 12:30, and IOF plane fired a rocket at a group of resistance members, injuring 4 of them. Two hours later, at approximately 14:30, an IOF plane fired a second rocket at a group of resistance members, killing 2 men and injuring 3 other. Mohammad Khamis Odeh (28) and Zayed Kamel Abu Wadi (23) both died instantly. The incursion ended at approximately 15:15.

· At approximately 10:50, IOF used excessive force and killed one farmer and injured two others in an agricultural field approximately 1,000 meters away from the border east of Juhr El-Deek village. IOF fired an artillery shell at the farmers, killing Ali Hamdi El-Dahdoud (30) from Gaza City, injuring his nephew Ismail Osama El-Dahdoud (18), and Mohammad Jamal Abu Hadayed (17). Prior to the firing of the shell, an armed clash had occurred between IOF and resistance members. Nonetheless, IOF fired the shell despite knowledge that the target area was occupied by farmers only.

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into the northern part of Hebron and raided the house of Safwat Mohammad Jihad Hassouna (29) in Ein Sara quarter, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Beit Ommar north of Hebron and raided the house of Sufian Zaki Odeh Bahar (32), and arrested him. He is the director of the local Benevolent Islamic Society.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Saida north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the town of Nuba northwest of Hebron. The raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 Palestinians:

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and nearby Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2 children:

· At approximately 07:30, IOF boats fired at Palestinian fishermen boats off the Sudaneya shore west of Jabaliya. The firing continued 8:30. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 08:20, IOF moved approximately 500 meters inside Wadi Gaza village southeast of Gaza City. They razed 100 dunums of agricultural land planted with olive trees and wheat belonging to Maqbouli, Badawi, Tarabin, and El-Dahdouh clans. IOF withdrew at 16:00 in the afternoon.

· At approximately 12:45, IOF troops deployed along the Gaza Strip border fired a shell at a group of resistance members near Abu Obaida School in Beir El-Na’ja area west of Beit Lahia. The resistance members survived the attack; but two children sustained shrapnel inuries. In addition, the shelling damaged the house of Jayyab Abu El-Jedyan, sheltering a family of 8. The injured are:

· At approximately 13:35, an IOF plane fired 2 rockets at a civilian vehicle near El-Falouja School west of Jabalia refugee camp. The rockets hit the vehicle directly and destroyed it completely. No injuries were reports; and damages were inflicted on nearby houses. The vehicle belongs to a member of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions, the armed wing of Hamas.

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into the town of Yatta south of Hebron. They raided a bookshop belonging to the handicapped Mousa Ali Abu Fanar (35), and arrested him after confiscating his computer and printer.

· At approximately 17:00, a group of children gathered at the western entrance of El-Arroub refugee camp north of Hebron. They threw stones at a military outpost at the entrance of the refugee camp. IOF troops chased the children and detained 17 of them, and took them to the nearby Gush Etzion detention center. Twelve were released; and 5 remained under arrest:

· At approximately 17:00, Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Khaled Abd El-Naser Abd El-Hadi (17) from El-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. He had been seriously injured on 11 April when IOF fired a shell at a group of children gathered near the area of an IOF incursion into El-Bureij refugee camp. He was transferred to Israel for treatment, but died of his injuries.

· At approximately 18:45, IOF troops on the Gaza Strip border east of Khan Yunis fired machine guns indiscriminately at agricultural land and houses in Greater Abasan and New Abasan. Naji Mahmoud Jibril Abu Tu’ema (41) was moderately injured by a bullet in the left leg while inside his cousin’s house, 700 meters away from the border.

IOF have continued to impose a stringent 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.

As previously noted, the IOF have imposed to impose a siege on the 1.5 million civilians of the Gaza Strip. The border crossings of the Strip have been closed for more than two years as part of 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%.s

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.

On 9 April, IOF stopped the flow of the heavily reduced fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. As a result, the humanitarian situation hit hard by continuous collective punishment since 15 June 2006, deteriorated even further.

The Ministry of Health announced that most ambulances have stopped due to lack of fuel. In addition, the Ministry announced that it has started using its limited fuel reserve to operate health centers and important equipment. The Ministry warned that the expiry of this small reserve would paralyze the health sector and the remaining operational ambulances; thus depriving civilians of minimum healthcare services. In addition, hospitals and medical centers in the Gaza Strip are suffering from the absence of staff due to their inability to reach their workplaces. As a result, the operation of these institutions is threatened at a time of escalating Israeli military activity inside the Gaza Strip.

Over the past 4 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 restriction on movement of goods and individuals.

Concerning the movement at Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which designed for the entry of fuels, limited and insufficient quantities of gasoline was allowed to enter this week after a 5-week ban. Substantial quantities of industrial fuel and cooking gas were allowed to enter. And benzene remains banned for over a month and half. As a result, most vehicles use cooking gas as fuel, causing a crisis in homes. As a result, most Gaza homes lack cooking gas, and resort to alternatives to cook.

As to al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, it has been designated for wheat, grain, and fodder for over a year. During the reporting period, the crossing remained closed with two exceptions. On Monday, 19 May, it was partially opened to allow only 2 truckloads of fodder and grain; and on Tuesday, 20 May, it was partially opened to allow 11 truckloads of grain and fodder; totaling 420 tons. It is noted that IOF open the crossing one or two days a week to allow fodder and grain only.

Concerning the movement at Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, during the reporting period, it was as shown in the following table:

Date	Details
14 May 2008	Entry of 48 truckloads of basic goods
15 May 2008	Entry of 63 truckloads of basic goods
16 May 2008	Entry of 744 heads of cattle
17 May 2008	Closed
18 May 2008	65.5 truckloads of basic goods
19 May 2008	56 truckloads of basic goods
20 May 2008	55 truckloads of basic goods
21 May 2008

With regard to Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the Egyptian authorities started to open it limitedly for some patients. The movement the crossing during the reporting period was as shown in the following table:

Date	Details
18 May 2008	Return of 14 patients and companions who were treated in Egypt.
19 May 2008	Travel of 18 travelers, 14 of them official political delegations of Hamas and Jihad for talks in Egypt.
20 May 2008	Return of 21 patients and companions who were treated in Egypt.

In the meantime, IOF have continued to close Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for more than 5 weeks.

IOF continues to exercise total control over the Gaza Strip sea and airspace. IOF boats pursue fishermen and frequently deny them entry to the sea to fish. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. IOF repeatedly use gunfire to enforce a 9 nautical mile fishing zone. For more information, refer to PCHR’s press releases and state of border crossing reports.

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinians aged 16-35 from passing through some checkpoints, especially in the northern West Bank. Over the past 5 weeks, IOF imposed several complete closures on the OPT; the last of them expired on 18 May. The first closure was from 17-28 April on the occasion of Passover; the second was from 30 April till 2 May on the occasion of the Holocaust; and the third was from 6-18 May on the occasion of Independence Day. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. During the reporting period, IOF maintained the closure imposed on the city from 6-18 May. In addition, IOF deployed additional police in the city and around the old city. In addition, IOF erected several checkpoints and roadblocks on the entrances to the city and in main roads.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF closed the “17” checkpoint north of Nablus from 14-17 May. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Bazaria village and closed the road leading to Jenin and Tulkarm. IOF also maintained presence on the Jeet checkpoint and on the Yitzar settlement intersection. On 18 May, IOF troops at Huwara checkpoint imposed additional restrictions on movement by using police dogs and slow search procedures. And on the evening of 19 May, IOF closed Huwara, Awerta, and Beit Foriek checkpoints, and instructed travelers to head to the Beit Ebba checkpoint west of Nablus. The Beit Foriek checkpoint was closed several hours after a Palestinian was killed at Huwara checkpoint.

At approximately 19:15 on Monday, 19 May, IOF killed Fahmi Abd El-Jawwad El-Dardouk (15) from Nablus at Huwara checkpoint. The child was detained at the electronic checking gate. A soldier ordered him to expose the upper part of his body. The boy complied and was about to turn to show the soldier his back. The soldier suddenly fired at him and the boy fell on the ground. IOF prevented Palestinians on the scene from reaching the boy. At approximately 20:00, IOF brought a robot to check the body, which was delivered to a Palestinian medical crew at approximately 23:25. At 8:30 the next day, the boy’s identity was verified. Eyewitnesses stated that the boy was wearing an earphone connected to his cellular phone, attached to his waist, which may have made the soldier suspicious!

On Tuesday, 20 May, IOF troops on Huwara checkpoint detained Ahmad Fu’ad Abu Nema (43) from Askar refugee camp north of Nablus.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, including a ban on movement of persons age 16-35 through all checkpoints. On Thursday, 15 May, IOF hindered movement to and from Tulkarm by using slow search procedures at the Wadi El-Teen checkpoint south of the city. As a result long queues of vehicles were witnessed. And the following day, IOF erected a checkpoint at the western entrance of Deir El-Ghosoun north of Tulkarm. They detained persons under 35 years old and turned them back. And on Saturday, 17 May, IOF troops on Ennab checkpoint used very slow search procedures that led to long queues of vehicles, and that several people were fatigued and fainted due to the intense heat. And on Sunday, 18 May, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Ateel village north of Tulkarm. They hindered movement to and from Tulkarm, checking ID’s, and chasing persons who tried to bypass the checkpoint. And on Monday, 19 May, IOF closed Wadi El-Teen checkpoint from 6:00 till 9:00, preventing many from reaching their work places. After 9:00, IOF allowed passage after slow and tedious search procedures. And on 20 May, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint and only allowed entry to persons aged more than 35 years after 9:00. In the afternoon, IOF detained hundreds of travelers and subjected them to slow search procedures.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On 18 May, IOF closed the main street in the Municipality quarter with large cement blocks and rocks. The street is used by residents to access several quarters in the city. And on 15 May, IOF issued a military order closing the Ibrahimi Mosque for 2 weeks during the second half of June 2008 under the pretext of a security evaluation. It is noted that permanent IOF presence in the Mosque deprived civilians of their right of worship. In addition, IOF occasionally bans the Muslim Call for Prayer from the Mosque.

On Monday, 19 May, IOF detained Ibrahim Khaled Abu Hamdan (16) from Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp in Nablus while he was trying to pass a military checkpoint in Hebron.

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 to 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 16 May 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to 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, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 16 May 2008, 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 was confiscated by IOF. IOF troops placed barbwire near the land to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. When demonstrators came close to the barbed wire, IOF fired tear gas and sound charges at them; and also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist and a child, sustained bruises and 5 others suffered from tear gas inhalation. The injured with beating are:

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 Friday, 16 May, settlers from Yitzar settlement south of Nablus attacked Palestinian houses in Southern Assira village. Eyewitnesses stated that tens of armed settlers threw rocks at the houses of Jamal Yusef Saleh and Qasem Mohammad Hasan. No injures were reported. IOF troops arrived and fired tear gas and sound charges at Palestinians who attempted to keep the settlers away from the houses!

· On Saturday evening, 17 May, settlers from Kiryat Arba southeast of Hebron renewed their attacks on Palestinian property in Wadi El-Hussein quarter west of the settlement. Approximately 50 settlers threw rocks, iron bars, and empty bottles at ten houses while IOF soldiers stood by to protect the settlers. In addition, IOF prevented Bt’Selem human rights activist Issa Amr from documenting the attack. The attack resulted in damages to the doors and windows of the attacked houses. The attacked houses belonged to Haidar Mohammad El-Ja’bari, Issa Mohammad Jaber, Mohammad Rabi’ El-Ja’bari, Ghalib Ali El-Ja’bari, Suliman Fahed El-Ja’bari, Mohye El-Deen Ahmad El-Ja’bari, Abd El-Hafith Yunis Da’na, and Hafith Mohammad Haidar El-Ja’bari.

· On Monday, 19 May, armed settlers from the Dov Nesher settlement outpost attacked farmers and herders on their land near the outpost. Several IOF soldiers accompanied the settlers to protect them during the attack. The attack resulted in the injury of Emad Ali Rashid (18) with bruises. In additin, Abd El-Mohsin Hasan Rashid was detained. The settlers forced the farmers and herders out of the area.

· On Monday, 19 May, Mohammad Jawad Edkedek (30) from Jerusalem was injured by settler gunfire south of Hebron. At approximately 21:00, he was passing near the entrance of Hafs street in southern Hebron when a settler passing in his car on road 60 fired intentionally at Mohammad. He was hit by two bullets in the right wrist and right thigh. He was taken to a Hebron hospital then transferred to Hadasah Hospital in Jerusalem for treatment.

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 approximately 3 years ago, 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.

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).