Israeli Forces Perpetrate More Crimes
in the OPTs
· 4
Palestinians, including 2 handicapped civilians and one child, were killed by
Israeli forces
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 2
houses were destroyed and 10 donums[1]
of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip
· Houses
were raided and dozens of Palestinians were arrested
· Israeli
forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, injuring a number of
Palestinian civilians
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of
Palestinian land were seized
· Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations
of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli
occupying forces included willful killings, incursions into Palestinian areas,
indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions. Israeli occupying forces
have also continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank
and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 4 Palestinians, including 2
handicapped civilians and one child, were killed and at least 20 others were
injured by Israeli troops.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops continued to shell
Palestinian residential areas, especially in Khan Yunis and Rafah. A Palestinian child was killed and 15 other
civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were injured. Israeli helicopter gunships also destroyed 2
workshops in Gaza City. Another
Palestinian was killed when he exchanged fire with Israeli troops that had
moved into Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. This week, Israeli occupying forces conducted
5 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed 2
houses in Rafah and razed 14 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Deir
al-Balah.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a
series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. Two handicapped Palestinian civilians were
killed by Israeli troops. Israeli troops
also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West Bank. In addition, Israeli settlers continued their
attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties.
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem, in
the northern Jordan Valley and in Qalqilya. They razed more areas of Palestinian land and started to construct some
sections of the wall around Jerusalem. Israeli
occupying authorities also issued a military order seizing areas of Palestinian
land in Bethlehem for the purpose of wall construction. This week, the Israeli High Court allowed the
Israeli military to level areas of Palestinian land in Shaqba village,
southwest of Ramallah, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the
wall.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have
continued to close most border crossings. A number of these crossings were partially reopened, but under severe
restrictions. On Tuesday, 8 June 2004,
Israeli occupying forces closed the “Erez” industrial zone in the
northern Gaza Strip, denying access of around 5000 Palestinian workers to their
work places. In the West Bank, Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian
communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 3 June 2004
At approximately 02:00, Israeli
occupying forces moved approximately 200 meters into al-Brazil neighborhood in
the south of Rafah, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They demolished a 160-square-meter, 3-storey
house owned by Khalil Ibrahim Mousa, in which 9 people (3 families) lived.
Also at approximately 02:00,
Israeli troops moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They arrested 7 Palestinians:
1. Mohammed Jamal al-Nabulsi, 25;
2. Sultan Zaki al-Tashtoush, 23;
3. Farid Zaki al-Tashtoush, 22;
4. Hassan Abu Hammad, 40;
5. Ahmed Jamal Barakat, 18;
6. Hussam Hassan Musaimi, 23; and
7. Mohammed Hassan Mussaimi, 25.
At approximately 02:15, Israeli
troops moved into Kharabtha village, south of Ramallah. They arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. ‘Aamer ‘Abdul Latif Hammouda, 30;
2. No’man ‘Abdul Latif Hammouda, 26; and
3. Mahmoud Mohammed Enjas, 29.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli
troops moved into al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem. They arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. ‘Adnan Hassan al-Atrash, 48;
2. ‘Eissa Ibrahim al-Atrash, 41; and
3. Nidal Mohammed Jouda, 32.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli
troops moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring villages of al-‘Ebayat and
Artas. They arrested 6 Palestinians:
1. Sami Samir Kana’an, 24;
2. Khader Mohammed al-Dalu, 26;
3. Mohammed Samir al-‘Allawi, 25;
4. Bassam Mahmoud al-Hassanat, 25;
5. Ibrahim ‘Abed Jubran, 19; and
6. Mohammed Isma’il Jaber, 24.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli
troops moved into the villages of Na’lin and Qebia. They arrested 7 Palestinians:
1. Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim Sorour, 29;
2. Bilal ‘Abdul Qader Nafe’, 33;
3. Salah Mohammed al-Khawaja, 37;
4. Nidal Ghidan, 30;
5. ‘Omar Hussein Qutna, 31;
6. Yassin Younis Qassem, 30; and
7. Majed Mohammed al-Halawani, 25.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli
troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian
civilian, Ghassan Ahmed Abu Dibaa’, 35, was wounded by a live bullet in the
left knee. He was 400 meters away from
the source of fire when he was wounded.
At approximately 15:00, dozens
of Palestinian civilians demonstrated on the lands of Beit Luqia village, west
of Ramallah, in pretest to the construction of the annexation wall in the
area. A number of young men and children
threw stones at Israeli military bulldozers and the escorting troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the
stone throwers, wounding 2 brothers:
1. Ayman ‘Abdullah Bader, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet in the face; and
2. Mujahed ‘Abdullah Bader, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet in the neck.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli
troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal”
settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian agricultural
land in al-Rabwat area. Shrapnel from
live bullets burnt 2 donums of wheat owned by ‘Othman Yousef al-Agha.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli
occupying forces, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Artas village, south
of Bethlehem. They surrounded ‘Adnan
al-Rassi Abu ‘Ammar’s house in Al-Sha’baboun area. They opened fire at the house. At approximately 23:30, Israeli troops blew
up the door and broke into the house. They
forced the five residents of the house out and searched it. They were searching for one of the owner’s
relatives, Khaled Abu ‘Ammar, who is allegedly wanted by these troops. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, a room in
the house was burnt.
At the same time, Israeli troops
positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian
houses in Block N in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Husni Mohammed al-‘Attar, 48, was wounded by a
live bullet in the right thigh.
Friday, 4 June 2004
At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into
al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They arrested ‘Eissa ‘Abdul Fattah Salah, 33.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into
Zaher al-Nada village, east of Bethlehem. They arrested Khaled Hassan ‘Ebayat, 26.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops started to
level areas of Palestinian land in al-Sumairi area in al-Qarara village to the
south of the “Kissufim” settler road, northeast of Khan Yunis. They created a hill of sands, apparently in
preparation for establishing a military post in the area.
At noon, Israeli troops positioned in military posts
in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at Gizan al-Najjar area to the north. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Eyad
‘Abdul Wahab al-Najjar, 28, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and
2. Fayez
Yousef ‘Abdul Karim, 25, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
Approximately 3 hours later, Israeli troops opened
fire at Abu Qarqoush area to the south of the aforementioned settlement. A Palestinian child, Najawan Hisham
al-‘Adini, 13, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli troops moved
approximately 200 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir
al-Balah. They razed a 10-donum area of
agricultural land planted with vegetables owned by Hussein Suleiman
al-Sumairi.
At approximately 21:30, 8 Israeli military jeeps,
reinforced by a helicopter, moved into Ramallah. They opened fire at houses and markets. Then, they imposed a curfew on the center of
the town and surrounded al-Kurdi apartment building, where a number of students
of Bir Zeit University live. They forced
residents of the building out and checked them. At approximately 22:00, Israeli troops broke into the building and
searched it. Before their withdrawal
from the town on the following morning, Israeli troops arrested 3 university
students:
1. ‘Abdul
Karim Subeh, 25, from Kufor Ra’ei village west of Khan Yunis;
2. Haitham
Adib Jawabra, 25, from Kufor Ra’ei village west of Khan Yunis; and
3. Ibrahim
Mohammed Bani ‘Ouda, 22, from Tammoun village east of Jenin.
At approximately 22:30, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved approximately 300 meters into al-Tawashi area to the
west of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. The Israeli troops raided Salem Fadel ‘Abdul
Jawad’s house. They handcuffed and
blindfolded the owner and held him and his family in one room. They remained in the house until Satuday
evening, 5 June 2004, during which time they prevented 3 of the owner’s
daughters from attending their school final exams. They also held all the neighbors who came to
the house.
Saturday, 5 June 2004
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Bani Na’im village, east of
Hebron. They arrested 4 Palestinians:
1. Rawhi
Mahmoud Harahsha, 31;
2. Nasser
Mousa Harahsha, 30;
3. Fawaz
‘Abdul Mahdi al-Zaidat, 47; and
4. Nizar
Salem Harahsha, 31.
At
approixmately 04:30, Israeli troops moved into Ysouf village, south of
Nablus. They arrested 6 Palestinians:
1. ‘Emad
Hassan Diouk, 45;
2. ‘Abdul
Hamid ‘Ali Ahmed, 39;
3. Nejem
Fu’ad al-Khuffash, 32;
4. Mahmoud
Ibrahim Abu al-Haija, 30;
5. Mohammed
Shafiq al-Khuffash, 18; and
6. Mahmoud
Shafiq al-Khuffash, 17.
At
approximately 04:30, Israeli troops moved into Yatta village, south of
Hebron. They raided Mohammed ‘Ali
Da’ajna’s house in the southwest of the village. They forced the 8 residents of the house out
and searched it. Then, they held
residents of the house inside it until 15:00.
At
approximately 16:00, Israeli troops moved into Balata refugee camp, east of
Nablus. They opened fire at houses. A number of Paletsinian children gathered and
threw stones at the Israeli troops. Immediately, these troops fired at the children, wounding 2 of them and
a passing civilian:
1. Tha’er
‘Abdul Halim al-Shaf’ei, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
right thigh;
2. Mujahed
‘Aadel Hassan Marshoud, 11, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
right foot; and
3. Yousef
Mahmoud Hajjaj, 33, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
Sunday,
6 June 2004
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Dura village, southwest of
Hebron. They arrested Tayseer Yousef
al-Talahma, 32.
At
approximately 04:00, Israeli troops moved into Beit Dajan village, east of
Nablus. They arrested 2 Palestinians:
Hikmat Khaled ‘Abdul Jalil, 27; and his brother Ziad, 20.
At
approximately 10:00, Isreali troops positioned in military posts at the
Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Rafah
refugee camp. Four Palestinian civilians
were wounded:
1. Ussama
Khalil Hussein, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the face while he was in his
shop;
2. ‘Abdul
Rahman Mohammed al-Farra, 25, a policeman from Khan Yunis, wounded by a live
bullet in the right leg;
3. Enshirah
Mahmoud Abu ‘Azzoum, 42, wounded by a live bullet in the left arm while she was
in the market; and
4. Munir
Humaid al-Soufi, 43, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen while he was in
the market.
At
approximately 14:15, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of
Rafah, opened fire at Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Nabil Mohammed Abu
Naja, 17, was injured by shrapnel in the left leg and foot.
At
approximately 17:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the
vicinity of “Gadid” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at cemeteries and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Nansi Yousef Mohammed Wadi, 22, was seriously
wounded by a live bullet in the head, when she was in her family’s house in the
center of Khan Yunis, around 1200 meters away from the source of fire. On the following day morning, 17-year-old
Mohammed Jamal Subhi Nabhan’s body was found in the cemetry. He was hit by several live bullets to the
back. According to his family, he left
home and went to the cemetery to visit graves of 2 of his deceased
friends.
Also at
approximately 17:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered at the western
entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, south of Ramallah. They threw stones at Israeli troops
positioned at Qalandya checkpoint. Immediately,
Israeli troops fired at the children who then moved back to the camp. At approximately 19:00, when clashes were
over, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved towards the western entrance of the
camp. For no apparent reason, Israeli
troops opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were standing near
Qalandya Social Center. ‘Arafat Ibrahim
Ya’qoub, 31, who is physically handicapped, was instantly killed by 2 live
bullets in the head. He was not able to
have a shelter from the Israeli gunfire like other civilians. The victim had been wounded by 3 live bullets
in the back fired by Israeli troops in 1992, which paralyzed him. He had been also wounded by a live bullet in
the chest fired by Israeli troops in 2002. He was married and a father of 3 children.
At approximately
17:30, Israeli troops moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. A number of children gathered in the center
of the camp. They threw stones at
Israeli troops. Immediately, these
troops fired at the children, wounding 4:
1. Amin
Eyad Abu Warda, 9, wounded by a rubber-coated in the left hand;
2. Salah
Fahmi Rezeq, 15, wounded by 2 rubber-coated bullets in the chest and the left
thigh;
3. Ahmed
Ghazi Abu Thiraa’, 12, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the right forearm
and the left leg; and
4. Mohammed
Munir al-Titi, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right forearm.
Monday, 7 June 2004
At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into Tammoun
village near Jenin. They arrested 7
Palestinians:
1. Fares
Khader Bani ‘Ouda, 20;
2. Bashar
‘Abdul Wali Bani ‘Ouda, 23;
3. ‘Essam
Najib Bani ‘Ouda, 20;
4. Mohammed
Rashid Bani ‘Ouda, 19;
5. Bassel
Rashid Bani ‘Ouda, 23;
6. Jihad
Na’im Bani ‘Ouda, 28; and
7. ‘Azzam
Hussein ‘Abdul Wali, 22.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into Deir
Ghassana village near Ramallah. They arrested
8 Palestinians:
1. Asa’ad
al-Shu’aibi, 82;
2. Ahmed
Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 29;
3. ‘Abdul
Latif Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 34;
4. ‘Abdul
Baset Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 36;
5. Mahmoud
Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 41;
6. Mohammed
Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 44;
7. Safi
Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 52; and
8. Faisal
Asa’ad al-Shu’aibi, 55.
In the morning, Israeli troops shot dead a mentally
and physically handicapped Palestinian civilian in Tulkarm. They claimed they he did not obey orders to
stop and was carrying a suspicious sack. According to eyewitnesses, they drew the attention of Israeli troops to
the fact that he is handicapped, but they continued to fire at him.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
10:30, ‘Omar ‘Abdul Jabbar ‘Abdul Fattah Farekh, 26, from Far’oun village,
south of Tulkarm, went to buy meat from the southern area of the village. While he was walking towards the area, he saw
an Israeli military jeep entering the village through its eastern entrance,
around 400 meters away. He escaped as he
used to do when seeing Israeli troops. The jeep chased him. Then, an
Israeli soldier got out of the jeep and fired at him from a distance of around
300 meters, and wounded him by a live bullet. He attempted to jump over a fence in the area, but he was not able as he
had a disability in the hands, and Israeli troops continued to fire at
him. He was hit by 2 other live
bullets. When some civilians tried to
draw the attention of Israeli troops that he is handicapped, they answered that
they are in a battle field, and continued to fire at him. Around 20 minutes later, a Palestinian
ambulance arrived at the area and tried to offer him help, but Israeli troops
held it for around 30 minutes, during which he died. His body was transferred to a hospital in
Tulkarm. According to medical sources,
he was hit by several live bullets in the shoulders, the chest and the
abdomen.
At approximately 13:00, hundreds of Palestinian
civilians and dozens of international and Israeli peace activists demonstrated
in Khalayel al-Rumaila area in the west of a-Zawia village, southeast of
Qalqilya, against the construction of the “annexation wall” in the area. When they tried to intercept Israeli
bulldozer, Israeli troops fired at them and wounded 14-year-old Mahmoud Mustafa
Shuqair with a live bullet in the hand.
At approximately 15:30, in the context of the planned
construction of a separating fence along the “Kissufim” settler road,
northeast of Khan Yunis, Israeli troops began putting barbwire along an 800-meter-long
section of the road. The new fence is
20-30 meters away from an old one that was established in the beginning of the
current Intifada inside Palestinian areas, around 70 meters away from the road. As a consequence of establishing the new
fence, a 170-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Isma’il Jama’an
al-Sumairi, in which 7 people live, has become trapped between the two
fences. Israeli troops have started to
establish a fence along the “Kissufim” settler road since 6 May 2004,
around 200-400 meters inside Palestinian areas.
Tuesday, 8 June 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli troops moved into
Tulkarm. They raided offices of al-Ihsan
charitable society in the eastern part of the town. They searched the offices and confiscated
cheques whose value is about 50,000 NIS (about US$ 11,100), an amount of 5000
NIS (US$ 1,100), stamps, 2 computer sets, a printer and a photocopier. They also closed the offices according to a
military order. The society provides
aids to poor families.
At the same time, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved approximately 700 meters into Wadi al-Salqa village,
east of Deir al-Balah. Israeli troops
raided and searched ‘Ali Hassan Ben Sa’id’s 3-storey house. They held the 6 residents of the house in one
room and transformed it into a military post. At approximately 06:00, an Israeli military bulldozer arrived at the
area. It razed a 500-square-meter area
of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an agricultural pool
owned by Ben Sa’id. Israeli troops left
the house at approximately 07:00.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into
Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They arrested 4 Palestinians:
1. Ibrahim
Ahmed Abu ‘Aziz, 20;
2. Hazem
Isma’il Harb, 19;
3. ‘Omar
Bassan al-Attira, 22; and
4. ‘Omar
Shawkat Abu Wahdan, 25.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into
Yatta village, south of Hebron. They
arrested 5 Palestinians:
1. Isma’il
Mahmoud Abu Zahra, 60;
2. Nasser
Isma’il Mahmoud Abu Zahra, 32;
3. Maher
Isma’il Mahmoud Abu Zahra, 25;
4. Mohammed
Isma’il Mahmoud Abu Zahra, 23; and
5. Yasser
Isma’il Mahmoud Abu Zahra, 28.
At approximately 03:45, Israeli troops arrested
Ashraf Ramadan al-Natsheh, 27, from Hebron.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops arrested Kraim
‘Ali al-Hour, from al-‘Arroub refugee camp.
At the same time, Israeli troops arrested Hassan
Rafiq Nour, 22, from ‘Anabta village near Tulkarm.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops positioned at
‘Atara checkpoint near Ramallah fired at 31-year-old ‘Emad Mohammed Nabhan and
seriously wounded him with 2 live bullets in the back and the side, while he
was repairing his car.
At approximately 11:00, an undercover unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. Israeli troops surrounded a house belonging
to the family of Khaled Nayef Ramadan, 24. Soon, more Israeli troops, supported by a helicopter, moved into the
camp. When Ramadan noticed the presence
of Israeli troops, he attempted to escape, but Israeli troops fired at
him. He was wounded by 2 live bullets in
the left hand and right foot. Israeli
troops then arrested him. They also
arrested Ahmed Mohammed al-Zaghari, 34.
At approximately 14:00, hundreds of Palestinian
civilians and dozens of international and Israeli peace activists demonstrated
on the lands of al-Zawia village, southeast of Qalqilya, against the
construction of the “annexation wall” in the area. Israeli troops fired at the demonstrators
wounding 2:
1. ‘Adnan
Shaker ‘Abdul Qader, 18, hit by a tear gas canister to the head; and
2. Sami
Hussein Raddad, 33, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.
At approximately 14:40, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Gadid” settlement, southwest of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Baten al-Samin area to the
east. A Palestinian civilian, Ibrahim
Khader al-Bagari, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts around “Qatif” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at Paletsinian houses in al-Satar al-Gharbi area. Two Palestinian civilian were wounded:
1. Hilal
Mohammed Abu Shabab, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand; and
2. Aaya
Mohammed Abu Shabab, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the back.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli troops moved
approximately 400 meters into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah,
adjacent to the Egyptian border. They
demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Khaled ‘Abdul
Fattah ‘Aziz, in which 5 people lived.
At the same time, Israeli troops moved into Ramallah
and arrested Jihad Khalil al-Silwadi, 28.
At approximately 11:30, an Israeli helicopter gunship
launched 3 missiles at 2 workshops for maintainance of motorcycles and motors
owned by Mustafa Khader al-Dayeh on the first floor of a 2-storey building
owned by the Qannita family in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The two workshops were detsroyed and a number
of neighboring houses were damaged.
Wednesday, 9 June 2004
At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops moved into
Jenin. They arrested 4 Palestinians:
1. Nasser Ayoub al-Sa’di, 36;
2. Ayoub Mohammed Samoudi, 35;
3. Samer ‘Abdullah al-Sanouri, 28; and
4. Eihab Ahmed al-Sa’di, 22.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into
al-Khader village near Bethlehem and arrested 2 Paletsinians:
1. Ahmed Hussein Salah, 20; and
2. Hamza Mustafa Salah, 21.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli troops arrested
Mahmoud Salem Hussein ‘Eid, 26, from Hourat al-Shama’a village near Bethlehem.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops moved
approximately 400 meters into the northeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza
Strip. They raided a 2-storey
uninhabited house owned by Fu’ad al-Shoubaki and transformed it into a military
post. At approximately 16:30, a number
of members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with Israeli
troops. One member of the resistance,
Walid ‘Awad ‘Aashour, 22, was wounded by several live bullets in the pelvis and
the legs. Ambulances were not able to reach
him for more than 3 hours, and he bled to death. Israeli troops withdrew from the area later.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block
O in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian
civilian, Khaled ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-‘Arja, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the
left leg.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli troops moved into
al-Jabal al-Shamali area in Nablus. They
stopped near an elementary school in the area. Soon, Israeli troops opened fire at the area for no apparent
reason. A Palestinian civilian, Zuhdi
‘Abdul Hakim al-Masri, 30, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the
abdomen. Al-Masri is a telephone
technician who was working in the area.
Continued Siege on the
OPT
This week, Israeli occupying forces have
continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed 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 impose a
tightened siege on the Gaza Strip for the 10th consecutive week. Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to
the north of Khan Yunis. On Thursday
morning, 3 June 2004, Israeli troops held and searched dozens of Palestinian
vehicles in between. At approximately
14:00, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints. This closure continued until 19:30, during
which Israeli troops fired at Palestinian civilians and vehicles waiting at Abu
Houli checkpoint. On Monday, 7 June
2004, Israeli troops closed held and searched a number of vehicles
randomly. The same happened on
Wednesday, 9 June 2004.
For the 10th consecutive week, Israeli
occupying forces have continued to close most border crossings between the Gaza
Strip and Israel. Even though Israeli
occupying forces partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to
the east of Gaza City, they imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods
through the crossing. On Friday
afternoon, Israeli troops moved into the crossing and closed it. They checked all those who were at the
crossing in a humiliating manner. They
arrested 5 Palestinians who work at the crossing:
1. Darwish
Khaled Faraj, 34, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City;
2. Hazem
Nazir Muhaisen, 25, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City;
3. Mo’ein
‘Abdul Malek Ahmed, 39, from Beit Lahia;
4. Bilal
Jamil Abu al-Jedian, 24, from Jabalya; and
5. Sa’id
Mohammed Abu al-Jedian, 51.
On Tuesday, 8 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces
closed the “Erez” industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip, denying
access of around 4000 Palestinian workers to the area.
In violation of the right of health, for two weeks, Israeli
occupying forces have imposed restrictions on access of Palestinian patients
from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank to receive medical
care.
Although Israeli forces reopened Rafah Terminal on
Tuesday, 25 May 2004, they imposed severe restrictions on travel, sharply
decreasing the number of travelers. On
Friday, 28 May 2004, Israeli forces closed the terminal again. They reopened it on the following day under the
same severe restrictions. On Friday, 4
June 2004, Israeli troops arrested Jamil Mohammed Abu al-Jedian, 46, from
Jabalya, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip. Since 18 April 2004, Israeli occupying forces
have continued to prohibit Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from
traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have
continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in
Rafah and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through
al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis. Israeli
troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint, but did not allow Palestinians whose ages
are between 16 and 30 from crossing.
Israeli forces have also continued to impose a
tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. In
the same context, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near
“Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip.
The West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. They imposed curfews
on a number of villages.
Jerusalem
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, on Sunday morning, Israeli military
bulldozers blocked all branch roads leading to Jerusalem – Ramallah road.
Ramallah
Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. They
imposed more checkpoints around the town. They obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles for long
hours.
On Thursday, 3 June 2004, Israeli troops positioned
at ‘Attara checkpoint, arrested Nidal Saleh al-Barghouthi, 24, a university
student from ‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah.
Nablus
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced Palestinian civilians and vehicles to wait for long hours at
military checkpoints. Israeli forces
have also continued to prevent Palestinians under 35, from crossing military
checkpoints erected around the city.
Tulkarm
This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed more
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of temporary
checkpoints around the town. They stopped
Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers. They have also continued to close the iron gate at the eastern entrance
to ‘Anabta village.
On Thursday morning, 3 June 2004, Israeli troops
positioned at a military checkpoint to the east of Tulkarm arrested Shadi ‘Omar
Tarif, 21, from Nour Shams refugee camp.
Hebron
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the city and checked and humiliated
Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 3
June 2004, Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi mosque and parts of the old town
of Hebron.
Bethlehem
On Saturday, 5 June 2004, Israeli troops moved into
Housan village, west of the town, and imposed a curfew. Israeli forces also imposed more restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
On Tuesday morning, 8 June 2004, Israeli troops
positioned at Gilo checkpoint, north of the town, arrested Isma’il Jaber Salah,
26; and ‘Ouda ‘Eissa Salah, 33, from al-Khader village, southwest of the
town.
Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall in the
West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem and in
Salafit and the northern Jordan Valley.
On Thursday, 3 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces
issued a military order seizing 11.5 donums of Palestinian land in Beit Jala in
the south of the West Bank, for the purpose of the construction of a section of
the wall in the area.
This week, Israeli troops closed the western part of
al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, near bypass road (60) with barbwire,
denying the access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural land. They also closed the southern part of Housan
village, west of Bethlehem, with barbwire after having razed large areas of
Palestinian agricultural land.
On Friday morning, Israeli troops demolished 3
Palestinian houses in ‘Arab al-Ramadin village, southwest of Hebron, for the
purpose of the construction of a section of the wall:
1. A
130-square-meter house owned by Ibrahim Mohammed al-Masamra, in which 15 people
lived;
2. A
110-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Salah Mohammed al-Masamra, in which 8
people lived; and
3. A
120-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Isma’il Mohammed
al-Masamra.
This week, Israeli troops intensified the construction
of the section of the wall around Jerusalem. They razed more areas of Palestinian land and placed cement blocks in
certain areas for this purpose. They
even paved a number of roads for the use of trucks and bulldozers that work in
the area.
In the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli troops
surveyed areas of Palestinian land around Salfit for the purpose of the
construction of a section of the wall in the area.
Also this week, Israeli troops razed areas of
Palestinian agricultural land in al-Zawia village, southeast of Qalqilya, for
the purpose of a section of the wall, which will isolate at least 20,000 donums
of the vilage’s agricultural land.
On Tuesday morning, 8 June 2004, Israeli military
bulldozers destroyed a car park of al-Quds University in Abu Dis village, east
of Jerusalem, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall in
the area.
Israeli Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers
against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli settlers who live in the OPTs in violation of
international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians
and their properties.
At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 5 June 2004, a
number of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of
Hebron, severely beat Ahlam Mohammed Saber Jaber, 14, when she was near her
family’s house in Hebron. She sustained
bruises throughout the body.
On Sunday morning, 6 June 2004, a number of armed
Israeli settlers seized a 1.5-donum garden near the Ibrahimi mosque in the old
town of Hebron.
Also on Sunday morning, a number of armed Israeli
settlers from “Gil’ad” settlement near Qalqilya opened fire at herd
of sheep belonging to Palestinians from Far’ata and Amatin villages, northeast
of Qalqilya, killing a number of them. Israeli troops arrested 2 Palestinian civilians for several hours as
they protested against this action: Sidqi Sawan, 45; and Tariq Sadiq, 25.
On Tuesday evening, 8 June 2004, dozens of Israeli
settlers escorted by Israeli troops moved from “Kiryat Arba” settlement,
east of Hebron, and attacked Palestinian civilians in Wad al-Nasara
neighborhood with stones.
This week, Israeli settlers from “Qidumim”
settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented Palestinian farmers from the
neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village from reaching their agricultural land.
*****
Recommendations
to the International Community
1. PCHR
calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to
fulfill their legal and moral obligations under article 1 of the Convention to
ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. PCHR believes the
conspiracy of inaction practiced by the international community has encouraged
Israel to act as a state above law and 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 OPTs 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
recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and solidarity groups to participate in the
process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to
bring these war criminals to justice.
5. 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 OPTs.
6. PCHR
calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the
Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security
Council and Commission on Human Rights.
7. PCHR
welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution, which referred the issue of the
Separation Wall inside the OPTs to International Court of Justice to give a
consultative opinion. There is no doubt
that the wall is illegal, which obligates the international community to take
steps that amount to the level of the expected decision by the court.
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 OPTs, including for
facilitating 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 solidarity groups, and urges them
to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s
respect for human rights in the OPTs and to end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.
10. In light of the severe restrictions
imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of
international solidarity groups to the OPTs, PCHR calls upon European countries
to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.
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.
“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:pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
