Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate
Crimes in the OPTs
· 4
Palestinians, including a child and an elderly man, were killed by Israeli
forces
· The
elderly man was run over by an Israeli settler
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 14
houses were destroyed in Rafah
· Areas
of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip
· Houses
were raided and a number of Palestinians were arrested
· Construction
of the “separation wall” continued in the West Bank
· Indiscriminate
shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued and a number of Palestinian
civilians were injured
· A
Palestinian house in Rafah was destroyed by Israeli forces as part of the
continued campaign of retaliation against the families of Palestinians accused
of involvement in attacks against Israeli targets
· Continued
siege on the OPTs
Introduction
This week, Israeli occupying forces have continued to
perpetrate violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including incursions into Palestinian areas,
willful shooting at Palestinian civilians, indiscriminate shelling of
residential areas, house demolition and agricultural land leveling. They
have also continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs. This week, 4
Palestinian civilians, including a child and an elderly man, were killed and
more than 20 others were injured by Israeli occupying forces.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted
8 incursions into Palestinian areas. They moved into Block O in Rafah refugee
camp on 13, 18 and 19 November 2003, during which time they destroyed 12
Palestinian houses totally and 2 others partially. More than 10 Palestinian civilians were
wounded by Israeli gunfire during these 2 incursions, which were conducted by Israeli
forces claiming to be searching for weapons smuggling tunnels. These operations
have resulted in civilian casualties, as well as wide-spread destruction to
property. The facts on the ground prove that the real purpose is to clear the
area in order to create a buffer zone along the Egyptian border, south of
Rafah.
On 13 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved
into Baten al-Samin neighborhood in the southwest of Khan Yunis. They raided
and searched a number of Palestinian houses and razed 45 donums[1] of
Palestinian agricultural land. The
following day, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Boreij refugee camp in
the central Gaza Strip. During this
4-day incursion, Israeli occupying forces razed more than 50 donums of
Palestinian agricultural land. This week,
Israeli occupying forces also moved also into al-Mughraqa village, south of
Gaza City, and al-Shouka neighborhood in Rafah.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted
a series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas, particularly in Tulkarm
and Nablus. These incursions were accompanied
by intense gunfire, during which time a number of Palestinians civilians were
killed or wounded. Israeli occupying forces also arrested dozens of
Palestinians. This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on ‘Assira
village, north of Nablus.
In violation of international humanitarian law, in
particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected
person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces
took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered,
facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, Israeli occupying forces
destroyed a Palestinian house in Rafah and arrested its owner.
This week, Israeli occupying forces shot dead 3
Palestinians, including a child. On 15
November 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian child during an
incursion into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus, claiming that their
soldiers had opened fire at demonstrators who threw stones and incendiary
bottles at them, after all other attempts to disperse the demonstrators failed.
However, PCHR’s investigations and eyewitness reports revealed that the child
was standing at the door of his family’s house when he was shot. On 16 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces
shot dead a Palestinian civilian when he left his house in Rafah to check what
was going on following an Israeli incursion into al-Shouka neighborhood in the
southeast of the town. On 17 November
2003, a Palestinian resistance man was killed in clashes with Israeli occupying
forces in Tulkarm refugee camp. Israeli
soldiers fired at him twice after he was hit by a live bullet in the head and
did not allow anyone to offer him medical aid. On 14 November 2003, an elderly Palestinian man from Hebron was killed when
an Israeli settler ran him over while he was walking on a bypass road to the west
of the town.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including Jerusalem. They have continued to close a number of main
and branch roads in the Gaza Strip, without any consideration for the special
circumstances of the month of Ramadan and Israeli forces continue to harass and
humiliate Palestinian civilians traveling through the military checkpoints and
border crossings. These Israeli measures constitute violations of Palestinian
economic, social and cultural rights. Israeli occupying forces often hold
Palestinian civilians, including women and children, between Abu Houli and
al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, for extended periods of time.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. PCHR’s field workers reported
that Israeli occupying forces continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian
civilians, contrary to Israeli claims that the siege imposed on the West Bank
has been eased. Israeli soldiers withdrew from a number of checkpoints,
particularly to the north of Ramallah, however they often raid these
checkpoints and pursue Palestinian civilians and vehicles.
In violation of international human rights law and
humanitarian law, Israeli occupying forces have continued to construct the
“separation wall” inside the West Bank. They have also imposed further restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the areas adjacent to the wall.
This week, Israeli occupying forces used excessive force against Palestinian
civilians and members of International Solidarity Movement, who were protesting
against the construction of the wall.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 13 November 2003
At approximately 00:30, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided, searched and fired at a number of houses, claiming that
they were searching for wanted Palestinians. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, ‘Eissa Khalil Abu Zahra, 63, was
wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder, while he was inside his house.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 4 bulldozers and 2
helicopters, moved approximately 800m into Baten al-Samin neighborhood in the
southwest of Khan Yunis. The incursion was accompanied by intense shelling by
Israeli helicopters and tanks. A number
of Israeli soldiers raided a 3-storey house owned by ‘Ali Mahmoud Khalil
Buraika, in which 18 people live. They
detained the residents of the house in one room and took up position on the roof.
As they seized complete control over the area, Israeli soldiers surrounded a
400-square-meter, 2-storey house in which 20 people (4 families) live, belonging
to the family of Salim Mohammed Salim al-Bashiti, who is allegedly wanted by
Israeli occupying forces. Israeli forces
blew up the door and fired inside the house, before handcuffing the 8 male
residents and placing them in an armored personnel carried, where they were
beaten by Israeli soldiers and attacked by dogs. Israeli soldiers called for the wanted man to
surrender and threatened to destroy his house and torture his family. After
they ascertained that al-Bashiti was not there, Israeli forces broke into the
house and searched it. According to the residents,
Israeli soldiers stole jewelry and a bag that contained a large sum of money
belonging to a member of the family who works as a money changer.
As a result of the Israeli gunfire during this
incursion, a Palestinian civilian, Bilal Hussein Zo’rob, 21, was wounded by 2
live bullets in the right leg and foot. Israeli occupying forces destroyed the water and electricity networks of
the area. They also razed areas of
agricultural land:
1. They
razed a 42-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and destroyed an
irrigation network owned by Mustafa Musallam Yousef al-Barqi.
2. They
razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed 2
agricultural rooms and a fence surrounding the land owned by Zaki Hamad
Mohammed al-Bashiti.
3. They
razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives and
destroyed the fence surrounding the land owned by Khaled Hamad Mohammed
al-Bashiti.
4. They
razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives and
destroyed the fence surrounding the land owned by ‘Aatef Ahmed Mohammed
al-Bashiti.
5. They
razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by
Ibrahim Hammad Mahmoud Buraika.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by 7 heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 150m into Block O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian
border. They immediately started to destroy Palestinian houses, previously vacated
by their owners due to frequent Israeli shelling:
1. They
destroyed a 150-square-meter house owned by Nayef Mohammed Salama Abu Jazar, in
which 9 people lived.
2. They
destroyed a 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Ouda Darwish
Hassan Jazaria, in which 8 people lived.
3. They
destroyed a 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mustafa Darwish
Hassan Jazariam, in which 8 people lived.
4. They
destroyed an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Ibrahim
Abu Naja, in which 8 people lived.
In the evening, Israeli soldiers in military jeeps
opened fire at a civilian car at the entrance to Tarqoumia village, west of
Hebron, wounding 2 Palestinian civilians.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
20:00, Shadi and Mohammed Taleb Abu Haltam, aged 20 and 21, were traveling in a
private car on their way back home in Taqoumia. When they arrived at the western entrance to the village, Israeli
soldiers in a military jeep opened fire at them. Shadi was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets
in the back and the right shoulder, and Mohammed was wounded by 3 live bullets
and shrapnel in the shoulders and the limbs.
Friday, 14 November 2003
At approximately 03:20, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved
approximately 1200m into al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City. They razed a
3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Ihsan ‘Abdul
Ra’ouf al-Bourno.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved from the eastern border of the
Gaza Strip approximately 500m into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza
Strip. During this incursion, which
continued until Tuesday evening, 18 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces
razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They
razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Jaber
Suleiman Mohammed Abu Khousa.
2. They
razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Atiya
Mohammed Silmi al-‘Awawda.
3. They
razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hassan
‘Abdullah Abu Khousa.
4. They
razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and oranges owned
by ‘Abdullah Hassan ‘Abdullah Abu Khousa.
5. They
razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mohammed
‘Abdullah Salem Abu Khousa.
6. They
razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Fatema
Ghanem Abu Khousa.
7. They
razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Abdul
‘Aziz Ahmed Shehada ‘Awad.
8. They
razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mahmoud
Suleiman ‘Awad al-‘Awawda.
9. They
razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Majdi
Mohammed Mousa Abu al-Sa’id.
10. They razed a 1-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives owned by Jaber Salem Ibrahim al-Nabahin.
11. They razed a 3-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed a 16-square-meter room and
a 1000-liter water tank owned by ‘Awad Mohammed Silmi al-‘Awawda.
12. They razed a 500-square-meter area of
agricultural land planted with olives owned by Suleiman Mohammed Silmi
al-‘Awawda.
13. They razed a 4-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives owned by Ibrahim ‘Ouda Mahmoud
al-‘Awawda.
14. They razed a 1.5-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives owned by Isma’il ‘Omar ‘Abdul Karim Abu
Jalal.
15. They razed a 1.5-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives and fruits owned by Saqer ‘Omar ‘Abdul
Karim Abu Jalal.
16. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural
land planted with olives and fruits owned by Mas’oud ‘Omar ‘Abdul Karim Abu
Jalal.
17. They razed a 1.5-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives and fruits owned by ‘Abdul Latif ‘Omar
‘Abdul Karim Abu Jalal.
18. They razed a 2-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mas’oud Mosa’ed Abu Jalal.
Saturday, 15 November 2003
In the evening, in an apparent willful killing,
Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian child during an incursion into
Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They claimed that their soldiers had
opened fire at demonstrators who threw stones and incendiary bottles at them,
after all other attempts to disperse the demonstrators failed. However, PCHR’s investigations and eyewitness
reports revealed that the child was standing at the door of his family’s house
when he was shot.
According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’
reports, at approximately 18:05, two Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit
Fourik village, east of Nablus. Ahmed
Marwan Nasser Hanani, 14, his father, 42, and their neighbor ‘Aatef Hassan
Samara, 35, were on their way to the mosque in the center of the village for
the evening prayer when the incursion began. When the three arrived at the main road, they heard sounds of shooting
coming from the vicinity of the mosque. The father and the neighbor went back home, while the child remained
standing in front of the fence surrounding the house, approximately 15m away
from the house. Soon after, the two
military jeeps moved towards a dirt road linking the village and the nearby
Beit Dajan village while indiscriminately firing live ammunition into civilian
areas. After the Israeli gunfire
stopped, the father and his neighbor started to return to the mosque when they
observed the child bleeding on the ground. They immediately took him to the clinic of Dr. Younis ‘Abdul Raziq
Hanani. Ahmed died upon arrival at the
clinic. According to Dr. Hanani, there
were tires marks on the child’s body, and a bullet wound in his chest.
At approximately 20:30, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Tulkarm through its northeastern entrance. They took position near al-Qarout fuel
station. Israeli soldiers immediately
opened fire at passing Palestinian civilians for no apparent reason. 15-year-old Ma’ath Mahmoud Rashid Daqqa was
wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks.
Sunday, 16 ovember 2003
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces in
military locations near ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah opened fire at
Palestinian houses. A Palestinian child,
‘Aatef Sa’ad Abu ‘Aathra, 8, was wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.
Early in the morning, a large contingent of solders
for the Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Shouka neighborhood in the
southeast of Rafah. Under cover of
intense shelling from a helicopter and several tanks, they destroyed a
Palestinian house, killed a Palestinian and arrested 5 others.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
02:00, more than 20 Israeli military vehicles, reinforced by a helicopter,
moved approximately 1000m into al-Shouka neighborhood in the southeast of
Rafah. The incursion, aimed at arresting
Bassam Mahmoud Abu Lebda, 37, a member of the Palestinian National Security
Force, accused by Israeli occupying forces of digging tunnels and smuggling
weapons across the Egyptian border, was accompanied by intense indiscriminate
shelling from a helicopter and tanks. When a Palestinian civilian, Hassan Ziada Abu Khatla, 55, got out of his
house to check what was going on, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with several
live bullets in the chest, the abdomen and the feet. Then, Israeli soldiers surrounded Abu Lebda’s
house. Abu Lebda succeeded in escaping
to the house of his neighbor, Mohammed Salem al-Buraikat, but Israeli soldiers
chased him. They fired at him, wounding
him with a live bullet in the arm, and then arrested him. In the process of raiding al-Buraikat’s
house, Israeli soldiers fired several grenades inside, causing severe damage to
the house. They then arrested al-Buraikat,
along with 3 members of the Abu Lebda family. A few hours later, Israeli occupying forces destroyed Abu Lebda’s
house.
Monday, 17 November 2003
In the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into
Tulkarm refugee camp through its eastern entrance. They imposed a curfew on al-Balawna quarter,
and began to indiscriminately fire at houses. A number of Israeli soldiers raided a 3-storey house owned by Baker
Khalil al-Serouji and detained its residents in one room. They then mounted the
roof of the house and began to fire into the surrounding neighborhood. During the operation several Palestinian
civilians clashed with Israeli soldiers, which left one Palestinian resistance
fighter dead. In addition, a Palestinian
civilian, who attempted to offer medical aid to the resistance fighter, was
wounded by Israeli gunfire. According to
eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers repeatedly fired at the resistance fighter after
he had been wounded, and completely failed to offer him medical aid.
In his testimony to PCHR, an eyewitness, Hayel Mousa
‘Abdul Rahman Serouji, 39, said:
“At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 17 November
2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They surrounded al-Balawna quarter. A number of Israeli soldiers raided the house
of Baker Khalil ‘Abdullah al-Serouji and transformed it into a military site,
from which they fired at its surroundings. A number of Palestinian gunmen gathered and clashed with Israeli
soldiers. While Yousef Taleb D’iab
Khader, 19, was attempting to hide behind a corner of one of the houses, I saw
an Israeli soldier firing at him from inside al-Serouji’s house, approximately
150m away from the young man. The young
man was wounded by a live bullet in the forehead. A number of Israeli soldiers moved towards
him. When they became approximately 20m
away from him, they fired at him again. Then, they moved forward towards him. When they became about 3m away from him, they fired at him again. Israeli soldiers surrounded the young man for
about an hour, without allowing anyone to get close to him. When they left the area, I got out of my
house and moved towards the young man to offer him help. When I arrived at an alley near my house,
Israeli soldiers fired at me. I was
wounded by a live bullet in my left hand. Later, an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society evacuated me
to Dr. Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm.”
Tuesday, 18 November 2003
Early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into Block O in
Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border, for the second time this
week. They transformed a number of
Palestinian houses into military sites, from which they fired at their surroundings. Until 09:00, they completely demolished 7
Palestinian houses and partially demolished 2 others. 11 Palestinians were wounded by
indiscriminate Israeli gunfire. The
military operation was justified as an operation to locate tunnels used for
weapons smuggling.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
02:00, more than 35 Israeli heavy military vehicles, reinforced by 2
helicopters, moved approximately 250m into Block O in Rafah refugee camp,
adjacent to the Egyptian border. This incursion was accompanied by intense
shelling from helicopters and tanks. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of Palestinian
houses. They mounted the roofs of a
number of these houses and began firing into the surrounding areas. Israeli military bulldozers then completely
demolished 7 Palestinian houses and partially demolished 2 others. During the incursion 11 Palestinians were
wounded by the Israeli gunfire and shelling:
1. Daoud
‘Abdullah Abu Jazar, 19, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head;
2. Bilal
Mohammed Abu Jazar, 19, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck;
3. Eyad
Mubah Abu Tiour, 24, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest;
4. Ashraf
Fathi Abu Hilal, 22, seriously wounded by an explosive live bullet in the
abdomen and another live bullet in the buttocks;
5. Mohammed
Ramadan Fayed, 32, wounded by shrapnel in the neck;
6. ‘Abdullah
‘Ali al-Ghouti, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg;
7. Zkaria
Mohammed al-Najjar, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the face;
8. Mohammed
Hamed al-Sabe’, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the buttock;
9. Ibrahim
‘Abdul Rahman ‘Obaid, 13, wounded by shrapnel in the right foot;
10. Tamam Ahmed Abu ‘Anza, 38, wounded by
shrapnel in the head; and
11. Mohammed Sa’id al-Hams, 20, wounded by
shrapnel in the right arm.
Note: PCHR has a complete list of the houses that
were demolished.
At approximately 06:20, Israeli soldiers on tanks
positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza City, opened
fire at Palestinian houses and farms near al-Mentar crossing. 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded while they
were walking approximately 2km away from the border:
1. ‘Abdullah
Mohammed Sarsour, 30, wounded by 2 live bullets in the abdomen and the left
hand; and
2. Mohammed
Khalil Farawana, 21, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left
leg.
At approximately 07:40, Israeli soldiers positioned
in military locations and on tanks on a settler road linking
“Netzarim” settlement and the border of Israel, south and southeast
of Gaza City, opened fire at nearby Palestinian agricultural areas and streets. A horse was killed and another one was
injured. The two horses are owned by
Yasser Mustafa Qaddoura Malaka. The
Israeli gunfire took place while school children were on their way to schools.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers opened fire
at a number of Palestinian civilians while they were crossing Surda military
checkpoint, north of Ramallah. Tha’er
Yousef Hassan Qadri, 28, from Salfit, was wounded by a live bullet in the right
leg.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces,
which have imposed a curfew on ‘Assira village, north of Nablus, since
Thursday, 13 November 2003, fired at 16-year-old Shalabi Younis Ahmed Shalabi,
wounding him with a live bullet in the right thigh. Israeli forces claimed that the child broke
the curfew imposed on the village.
At approximately 22:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Burqa village, northwest of Nablus. They fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at
Palestinian houses. A number of
Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the
stone throwers, wounding 3 of them:
1. Samer
Ghassan Mohammed ‘Omar, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the rhigh;
2. Jamil
Mohammed Jamil, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and
3. Munjed
Khaled Far’ounia, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand.
Wednesday, 19 November 2003
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and the house of ‘Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed Sulaimia, 71. Israeli soldiers confiscated 150 mobile
phones and telephone cards. The costs
for these goods are estimated at more than 5000 NIS (approximately US$
1100). They also arrested Sulaimia and
his son, Mahmoud, 27. The family owns a
shop for mobile phones.
At approximately 02:30, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Usarin village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7
Palestinians.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli soldiers positioned
in military locations in the vicinity of “Netzarim” settlement, south
of Gaza City, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Zahra town, southeast of
the city. A Palestinian civilian, Ziad
‘Abdul Karim Abu Hilu, 31, from al-Boreij refugee camp, was wounded by a live
bullet in the jaw, when he was working approximately 700m away from the source
of fire.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 300m into Zo’rob
neighborhood in the southwest of Rafah. In 2 hours, they razed 2 greenhouses owned by Zaki Hamdan Hijazi and
‘Ouda ‘Eissa Hijazi.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 200m into Block O in
Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense shelling, they
demolished 2 shops owned by Hassan ‘Abdul Nabi al-Dam. One Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Fathi al-Bis,
20, was injured by shrapnel in the head and the right shoulder.
An Old Palestinian Man Killed by an Israeli Settler
On Friday afternoon, 14 November 2003, Hamdan Mahmoud
Hindi al-‘Aramin, 81, from Sa’ir village in Hebron, was killed, when an Israeli
settler hit him with a vehicle. Al-‘Aramin was walking on the bypass road (60), west of Hebron.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
14:00 on Friday, 14 November 2003, al-‘Aramin was walking from Jerusalem
towards his home in Sa’ir village, west of Hebron. When he arrived at Halhoul-Sa’ir triangle
(also known as “Prophet Joseph Junction”) on the bypass road (60), he
crossed the street. Immediately, an
Israeli settler, who was driving a car (grey Mitsubishi) deliberately turned
towards him and rammed him with the vehicle. Al-‘Aramin was thrown 20m and landed on mounds of stones behind an iron
barrier at the side of the road. The
Israeli settler drove away and escaped. Al-‘Aramin man was critically injured
and died en route to the hospital.
According to the victim’s son, Mohammed, 52, an
Israeli military location in the area filmed the crime. However, Israeli soldiers did not make any
attempt to arrest the Israeli settler. A
number of Palestinian civilians phoned the Israeli police at “Gush
Etzion” checkpoint, and the police later arrested the settler near a
checkpoint south of Bethlehem. The
Israeli radio station reported that the settler is from “Ze’ef”
settlement, northwest of Jerusalem, and that the investigations conducted by
the Israeli police proved that the settler turned towards the victim
unjustifiably.
Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted
Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli
Targets
In violation of international humanitarian law, in
particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected
person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces
took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered,
facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, Israeli occupying forces
destroyed 5 Palestinian houses in the West Bank this week.
At approximately 02:00, more than 20 Israeli military
vehicles, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into al-Shouka neighborhood in the
southeast of Rafah. This military
operation aimed at arresting Bassam Mahmoud Abu Lebda, 37, who is allegedly
wanted by Israeli occupying forces. Israeli soldiers surrounded Abu Lebda’s house. Abu Lebda escaped to a neighboring house, but
Israeli soldiers chased him. They fired
at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the arm. Then, they arrested him. Israeli soldiers also arrested a number of
Abu Lebda’s relatives and one of his neighbors. At approximately 05:15, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside Abu
Lebda’s house and blew it up. The
130-square-meter house was home to 9 people (3 families). It is worth noting that Israeli occupying
forces had already demolished the previous residences of these families. The families used to live in Block O in Rafah
refugee camp, but their homes were destroyed by Israeli Occupying Forces. Abu Lebda is accused by Israeli occupying
forces of digging tunnels and smuggling weapons across the Egyptian border.
Continued Siege on the OPT
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli occupying forces have continued to restrict
movement of Palestinian civilians. They
have also continued to close a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza
Strip, without any consideration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Observance of the Ramadan holiday requires
Muslim Palestinians to conduct house visits to friends and relatives. However, Israeli military checkpoints and
border crossings have become sites of humiliation and degradation for
Palestinian civilians. These Israeli measures
constitute violations of the economic, social and cultural rights of the
Palestinian people. Israeli occupying
forces often hold Palestinian civilians, including women and children, between
Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, for long hours. Such measures deprive Muslims of carrying out
the Ramadan observance.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to restrict
movement of Palestinian civilians at al-Matahen and Abu Houli military
checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between
the south and north of the Gaza Strip. On Friday, 14 November 2003, Israeli occupying
forces closed the two checkpoints and blocked many Palestinian vehicles in
between. They checked ID cards and
searched Palestinian vehicles. They also
fired at cars waiting at the checkpoints. Similar events also occurred on Saturday and Monday, 15 and 17 November
2003. Such Israeli measures have
deprived Palestinians from visiting their relatives in Ramadan, and obstructed
movement of goods between the north and south of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli occupying forces have also continued to
deliberately obstruct Palestinian access through the Rafah Terminal on the
Egyptian border. They have decreased the
work hours of Israeli staff to less than 8 hours a day instead of 24
hours. They have also decreased the number
of Palestinian personnel allowed to work at the terminal to only 6 members of
the Palestinian police. Thousands of
Palestinians, particularly relatives of those who were killed, injured or
arrested by Israeli occupying forces, have been deprived of their right to
travel through Rafah Terminal. Palestinian travelers are also thoroughly checked by Israeli
soldiers. Additionally, Israeli security
services often summon, interrogate and arrest large numbers of Palestinian
travelers.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, restricting movement
of Palestinian civilians out of and into the area. Since Sunday, 26 October 2003, Israeli
occupying forces have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinians
through al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area, west of Khan
Yunis. Palestinians under 35 years of
age have been denied access through the checkpoint. Israeli occupying forces have also tightened
the siege imposed on al-Sayafa area between “Dogit” and “Elli
Sinai” settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians moving outside and into
the area are thoroughly checked by Israeli soldiers at the gate of the area,
which is the only outlet into the area.
Although Israeli occupying forces have reopened Erez
crossing for Palestinian workers since Sunday, 2 November 2003 (after a
one-month closure), they have imposed additional restrictions on the movement
of workers. A worker must be over 35,
married, have children, have a magnetic card and a valid work permit and have
Israeli security acceptance. Israeli
occupying forces also thoroughly search Palestinian workers and a number of
workers have been summoned by the Israeli security services. Several work permits were cancelled because
the worker is related to someone involved in political activism. Israeli measures designed to restrict the
access of Palestinian workers to their work places have caused further deterioration
of economic conditions in the Gaza strip and throughout the OPT. Poverty and unemployment in Palestinian
society have sharply increased as a result of such restrictions.
The West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. PCHR’s field workers observed conditions at
approximately 20 of the Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank this
week. The field workers reported that
Israeli occupying forces continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian
civilians, contrary to the Israeli claims of easing the siege imposed on the
West Bank.
Nablus
PCHR’s field workers who observed the Israeli
military checkpoints in Beit ‘Eiba and al-Naqoura, northwest of Nablus, Hawara
and Za’tara, south of the city, and al-Hamra, east of the city, reported that
Israeli soldiers positioned at these checkpoints searched Palestinian civilians
before allowing them to cross the checkpoints on foot. On Monday afternoon, 17 November 2003, Israeli
soldiers positioned at Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints held Palestinian
civilians until the evening. At al-Hamra
checkpoint, Israeli soldiers allowed passage only for Palestinian civilians who
wanted to travel to Jordan. Palestinian
civilians wishing to travel to Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarm were humiliated and
thoroughly checked by Israeli soldiers at military checkpoints. PCHR’s field worker in Nablus reported that
on Monday evening he witnessed Israeli soldiers positioned at Hawara checkpoint
aiming their guns at a Palestinian taxi. They forced the driver out of the car and confiscate the vehicle. Israeli soldiers often confiscate Palestinian
vehicles for one month. These vehicles
are sometimes used by undercover units of Israeli occupying forces, which often
infiltrate into Palestinian communities to kill or arrest allegedly wanted
Palestinians.
Tulkarm
Israeli occupying forces have continued to close
‘Ennab gate, east of the town. They
allowed Palestinian civilians to cross the gate only on foot. On Monday morning, 17 November 2003, an
Israeli military jeep stopped approximately 1km east of the gate. There, Israeli soldiers held a number of
Palestinian civilians. Palestinian
vehicles wishing to cross al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of the town, were
forced to wait in long lines before they were allowed to cross the
checkpoint.
Jenin
Israeli occupying forces have continued to close
military checkpoints at various entrances of to the town. Israeli military vehicles also chased
Palestinian civilians who resorted to branch roads.
Ramallah
PCHR’s field workers reported that Israeli occupying
forces dismantled the military checkpoints in ‘Ein ‘Arik, west of the town, and
Surda and ‘Atara, north of the town, while maintaining presence at the
checkpoints of Qalandya, to the south, and al-Taiba and Burqa, to the
east. Israeli soldiers positioned at
Qalandya checkpoint allowed Palestinian civilians to travel back to Rammallah,
but blocked movement towards Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers moved back to Surda and ‘Atara military checkpoints,
which were dismantled, more than once, during which they chased Palestinian
vehicles and damaged their tires. A PCHR
field worker reported that Israeli soldiers erected a number of temporary
military roadblocks to the east and southeast of Ramallah. They blocked Palestinian vehicles for various
periods of time.
Bethlehem
Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoints of
al-Khader, southwest of Bethlehem, and Wadi al-Nar, north of the town, have
continued to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. After an armed attack against Israeli
soldiers positioned at al-Khader checkpoint on Tuesday, 18 November 2003,
Israeli occupying forces declared Bethlehem a closed military zone and
prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians on the main roads.
Hebron
Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoints of
Halhoul, Beit Ummar and Kfar Etzion, north of Hebron, have continued to
restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 16 November 2003, Israeli occupying forces established
a military observation point at the junction of Beit ‘Awa village, west of
Hebron. The observation point was
established on a 5-donum area of land owned by Mahmoud Shaker Swaitat, which
Israeli occupying forces had razed earlier. As a result, villages located to the west of Dura town were cut-off from
neighboring areas and isolated.
Occupied Jerusalem
On Friday morning, 14 November 2003, Israeli
occupying forces reinforced their presence in the northern parts of the city
and surrounding villages, and denied access to Palestinian worshipers trying to
reach the al-Aqsa Mosque. Thousands of
Muslims were not able to pray in al-Aqsa Mosque due to the Israeli
measures. Director of al-Aqsa Mosque
Sheikh Mohammed Hussein stated that only 50000 Palestinians were able to pray
in al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, 14 November 2003, compared to more than half a
million in previous years. He added
that more than 100,000 Palestinians prayed near the old town and at Israeli
military checkpoints surrounding the city.
On Saturday, 15 November 2003, Israeli occupying
forces moved into al-Ram village, north of Jerusalem. They used megaphones and made derogatory
statements and insults about Palestinians, the holy Ramadan Month and the
Islamic beliefs.
Continued Construction of Separation Wall
Israeli occupying forces have continued the
construction of the “separation wall.” They have also continued to close the gates
established along the wall, in violation of the Palestinian right to freedom of
movement. Additionally, this week
Israeli soldiers attacked a number of Palestinian civilians and members of the
International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
On Thursday noon, 13 November 2003, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and ISM members organized a peaceful march near the gate
established by Israeli occupying forces at the southern entrance to Baqa
al-Sahrqia village, north of Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers attacked the demonstrators and fired tear gas at them. More than 20 demonstrators suffered from tear
gas inhalation. Israeli soldiers also
arrested Bruce Kerdfield, an American citizen, and took him to an unknown
destination.
At approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 18 November 2003,
Israeli soldiers positioned at Nazlat ‘Eissa gate, north of Tulkarm, severely
beat 2 Palestinian civilians. According
to Nasser “Mohammed Zaki” Shehada Hassanain, 34, while he and his
bother Jamal, 35, were on their way from Tulkarm back to their home in Nazlat
‘Eissa village, Israeli soldiers at the aforementioned gate beat them
severely. As a result, Jamal sustained
fractures in the left hand and bruises throughout the body, while Nasser
sustained bruised throughout the body.
*********
PCHR calls:
1. Upon the international community to
provide immediate and independent international protection for
the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to
the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective
measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article
146, to ensure respect for the Convention.
3. Upon the international community to
investigate and prosecute before international courts those believed to have
committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence,
expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the
Occupied Palestinian Territories.
5. Upon the European Union to activate
Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel
must respect human rights.
6. Upon the international community to
provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose
living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued
siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
“END”
Public Document
**************************************
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on
+972 8 2824776 – 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail:[email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
