Israeli Troops Continue Attacks in
the OPT
· 7
Palestinians, 6 of whom were civilians, including a child, were killed by
Israeli troops
· 4
of the victims were extra-judicially killed by Israeli troops in Jenin
· Israeli
troops conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 6
houses were destroyed and at least 50 donums[1]
of agricultural land were razed in Rafah
· At
least 70 donums of agricultural land were razed in Deir al-Balah and Khan
Yunis
· 3
houses were destroyed in the West Bank in the context of retaliatory measures
against families of Palestinian activists
· Houses
were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested
· Continued
shelling of residential areas and civilian facilities and a number of Palestinian
civilians were injured
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued
· Israeli
troops have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs; Rafah International
Crossing was partially reopened and a number of Palestinian civilians were
arrested at military checkpoints
Introduction
Israeli occupying Forces (IOF) have launched more
attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
(OPT). This week, 7 Palestinians, 6 of
whom were civilians, including a child, were killed by Israeli troops. In
addition, a number of Palestinian civilians were injured by the Israeli
gunfire. Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying troops
included willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into Palestinian
areas, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure imposed on
Palestinian communities.
This week, Israeli troops conducted 4 incursions into
Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. On
4 and 8 November 2004, Israeli troops moved into Rafah. They destroyed 6 houses, leaving 26
Palestinian civilians homeless, and razed at least 50 donums of agricultural
land. on 9 November 2004, Israeli troops
moved into Deir al-Balah and razed at least 20 donums of agricultural
land. On 10 November 2004, Israeli
troops moved into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, and razed at least 50
donums of agricultural land. This week,
Israeli troops continued to fire at Palestinian residential areas, especially
in Rafah and Khan Yunis. A number of
Palestinian civilians were injured, including a patient who was receiving
medical treatment at the hospital.
In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians, including a child,
were killed by Israeli troops. Four of
the victims were extra-judicially killed by an undercover unit of Israeli
troops in Jenin on 7 November 2004. A
child was killed also in Jenin on 6 November 2004, when Israeli troops fired at
a number of Palestinian children who threw stones at those troops. A sixth Palestinian was killed in ‘Allar
village near Tulkram on 7 November 2004 as he exchanged fire with Israeli
troops. The seventh Palestinian was
killed when Israeli troops opened fire at markets and shops in Nablus on 9
November 2004. This week, Israeli troops
moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of
Palestinian civilians, and arrested dozens of others. They also destroyed 3 houses in the context
of retaliatory measures against families of Palestinian activists. In addition, Israeli settlers continued to
attack Palestinian civilians.
IOF have
continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory. This week, Israeli troops continued to raze
areas of agricultural land in Deir al-‘Asal village, southwest of Hebron. On Friday, 5 November 2004, Israeli troops
handed new maps that show the new route of the wall to Palestinian farmers in
Beit Sourik village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. According to local
sources, the new maps are not different from those Israeli troops had handed to
farmers in April 2004, against which they appealed to the Israeli High Court,
which issued a decision ordering Israeli troops to change the route of the wall
around Jerusalem, including inside Beit Sourik village. Also on Friday, 5 November 2004, Israeli
occupation authorities issued a military order prohibiting Palestinian
civilians from construction on both sides of the wall near Tulkarm.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the
OPT and have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops positioned
at military checkpoints imposed more restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops
have also continued to close most border crossings of the Gaza Strip. These measures have negative impacts on the
Palestinian economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights. On 8 November 2004, they partially reopened
Rafah Tinternational Crossing Point on the Egyptian border.
In the West Bank, Israeli troops have continued to
impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and arrested some
of them while crossing military checkpoints. This week, Israeli troops issued a military order, according to which
Palestinian university students would be allowed to enter Nablus only on
Saturdays and would be allowed to leave the city only on Wednesdays.
Shelling of, and
Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and
Property
Thursday, 4 November 2004
At approximately 03:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the west of Rafah opened fire at
Palestinian houses in ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of the town. a Palestinian ciuvilian, Wajdi ‘Ouda
L-Tarabin, 35, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand when he was
inside his house.
At approximately 08:30,
Israeli troops positioned in a military post near the coastal road, south of
Gaza City, opened fire at Palestinian civilian vehicles that were traveling on
the road. Two Palestinian civilians (a
man and his wife were injured):
1. Ramzi
Ibrahim Subeh, 25, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right hand;
and
2. Shireen
Fayez Subeh, 17, injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the jaw.
At approximately 22:30,
Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and a helicopter, moved
nearly 200 meters into Block K in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian
border. Under the cover of indiscriminate
shelling, they demolished 4 houses belonging to the Barhoum family, rendering
16 people homeless. A 5th
house was severely damaged by the Israeli shelling. In addition, a Palestinian civilian, Tayseer
Isma’il al-‘Aajez, 30, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right
thigh. Israeli troops withdrew from the
area at approximately 05:00 on the following day, but they came back to the
area in the evening.
In the hours of the day,
Israeli troops moved into Nablus and the neighboring Marda village; and the
villages of al-Tabaqa and Kharsa near Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians,
including 2 children and 2 brothers.
Friday, 5 November 2004
At approximately 00:45, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, Akram Ahmed Baroud, 19, was wounded by a live
bullet in the left leg, when he was inside his house.
At approximately 08:20, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Netzarim” settlement, south of
Gaza City, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the neighboring al-Mughraqa
village. A Palestinian child, 11-year-old
Yousef ‘Aayesh Shallouf, was wounded by a live bullet in the chest.
At approximately 22:30, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian child, 13-year-old ‘Abdul Majid Marzouq, was wounded by a
live bullet in the left leg.
In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into
Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp; Beit Reema village near
Ramallah; and al-Khader village near Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 10
Palestinians, including a child and 3 brothers.
Saturday,
6 November 2004
At
approximately 12:00, dozens of Palestinian schoolchildren gathered in
al-Zahraa’ neighborhood in the northwest of Jenin. They threw stones at Israeli troops that had
been conducting a series of military activities in the town since 28 October
2004. immediately, Israeli troops fired
the children, killing 14-year-old ‘Alaa’ Hisham Samara with a live bullet in
the head. According to eyewitnesses,
Israeli troops shot the child from a distance of less than 70 meters.
At
approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the
Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas
in the town. a Palestinian civilian, Ahmed
‘Ali al-Muzayan, 25, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg when he was
near his house in al-Juniana neighborhood, nearly 1000 meters away from the
border.
At
approximately 20:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the
vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee
camp. A number of live bullets hit the building of Nasser Hospital, nearly 700
meters away from the aforementioned settlement. A Palestinian civilian, Munther Ma’moun al-Batash, 26, who was receiving
medical treatment following a car accident, was injured by shrapnel from a live
bullet in the head.
In the hours
of the day, Israeli troops moved into Jericho; Bir Zeit village near Ramallah;
Ethna and Yatta villages and al-‘Arroub refugee camp near Hebron; and Jenin
town and refugee camp. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 15 Palestinians.
Sunday,
7 November 2004
In the early
morning, Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian in ‘Allar village, north of
Tulkarm. The victim clashed with those
troops thinking that they came to arrest him.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:00, as Ameen Fawzi ‘Abdul
Rahim Hamdan, 19, from ‘Allar village north of Tulkarm, was on a farm belonging
to his family between his village and Bala’a village, he was surprised by 2
Israeli military jeeps arriving at the area. Apparently, he thought that Israeli troops came to arrest him, so he
clashed with them. Israeli troops shot
him dead with several live bullets. At
approximately 02:30, the victim’s body was transferred to the hospital. According to medical sources, the victim was
hit by 9 live bullets to the neck, the shoulders, the left hand, the chest and
the back.
At
approximately 04:20, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the west of
Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Mohammed
al-Ghoul, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand when he was inside
his house.
At
approximately 09:30, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the
vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village and al-Satar al-Gharbi
area. A Palestinian girl, Shaimaa’ Ayoub
al-‘Abadla, 22, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg, when she was
inside her house.
At
approximately 09:40, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the
Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Brazil neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Emad Mohammed
al-Ghoul, 25, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.
Also at
approximately 09:40, Israeli troops positioned in military posts along the
Egyptian border opened fire at Block J in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed Mohammed
‘Afana, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.
Monday,
8 November 2004
At
approximately 03:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved
nearly 200 meters into ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. They raided Joma’a Musallam al-Hashash’s
house and arrested his son, ‘Abdullah, 17. Then, they called through megaphones on residents of the area to get out
of their houses. At least 70 people were
held in bad conditions until 12:00. During this incursion, Israeli troops demolished 2 houses and razed 46
donums of agricultural land.
At
approximately 17:00, Israeli troops moved into Nablus. They fired at markets and shops. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Hussam
‘Ali Hussein ‘Awada, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the back; and
2. ‘Allam
Mohammed ‘Arboudi, 24, wounded by shrapnel in the face.
In the hours
of the day, Israeli troops moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps;
al-Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah; the villages of Ethna and Halhloul near
Hebron; and al-Yamoun village near Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12
Palestinians, including a girl.
Tuesday,
9 November 2004
At approximately
10:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of Jenin and
threw stones at Israeli troops that were patrolling in the streets. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the
children, wounding 14-year-old Samer Subhi Jibara with several rubber-coated
metal bullets in the legs.
At
approximately 13:30, Israeli troops moved nearly 200 meters into al-Birka area
in the southwest of Deir al-Balah. They
razed 20 donums of agricultural land planted with guavas and citrus and
destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abed Rabbu Mustafa Abu Mo’ailiq.
At
approximately 16:45, 6 Israeli military jeeps moved into Nablus. They took position near al-Suhadaa’ Square
and at the entrances to the old town. Israeli troops opened fire at markets and shops. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were
wounded, one of whom died later:
1. Qadri
Fayez ‘Abdullah ‘Aashour, 24, seriously wounded by several live bullets in the
neck, the abdomen and the left thigh and arm, and was pronounced dead at night;
2. Ja’far
Mohammed ‘Abed al-‘Abboud, 19, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the
abdomen; and
3. Lu’ai
Ahmed Mahmoud Barakat, 19, wounded by several rubber-coated metal bullets in
the abdomen and the chest.
Wednesday,
10 November 2004
At
approximately 03:15, Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles,
moved nearly 500 meters into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling,
they started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land. By 13:00, they had razed at least 50 donums
of agricultural land belonging to the families of Qudaih and Abu Rujaila.
Extra-Judicial Killings
In a
continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination officially adopted
by the Israeli political and military establishments, on Sunday, 7 November
2004, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying troops committed an
extra-judicial killing in Jenin, which left 4 Palestinians dead. Three of the victims were members of the
al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement. Israeli military
sources claimed that an undercover unit of Israeli troops shot dead 4 armed
Palestinians in Jenin after having chased their car. During the chase, the same sources further
claimed, the Palestinians traveling in the car fired the unit. However, investigations conducted by PCHR
indicate that Israeli troops forced the 4 Palestinians to get out of the car
and shot them dead from a very close distance.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:45 on the aforementioned
day, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying troops, disguised in Palestinian
civilian clothes and traveling in a civilian car that had a Palestinian
registration plate, moved into Jenin. The car stopped neat Jarrar fuel station at the southern entrance of the
town. Then, a civilian jeep that had a
Palestinian registration plate arrived at the area to buy fuel. Immediately, members of the Israeli
undercover unit got out of the car and surrounded the jeep. They forced all those who were in the jeep to
get out and shot them dead. Soon, at least 20 Israeli military jeeps arrived at
the area and closed it. At approximately
18:45, the bodies of the victims to the hospital. According to medical sources, each one of the
victims was hit by 5 live bullets in the head and the neck. They were identified as:
1. Ahmed
Mohammed Fadel Masharqa, 27;
2. Amin
Jamal Abu al-Kamel, 23;
3. Fadi
Khader Eghbariya, 24; and
4. Mohammed
Mahmoud Salah al-Din Fahmi, 22.
It is worth
noting that Israeli troops had demolished houses belonging to families of the
first two victims and arrested a number of their relatives in the early morning
(see below).
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.
At
approximately 02:30 on Sunday, 8 November 2004, Israeli troops moved into
Tal’at al-Khubbaz area in the south of Jenin refugee camp. They surrounded a 120-square-meter, 2-storey
house owned by Mohammed Fadel Masharqa. They forced the 15 residents of the house (3 families) out and planted
explosives inside the house. At approximately
04:00, Israeli troops destroyed the house. The owner’s son, ‘Aamer, 17, was killed while carrying out a bombing in
Tel Aviv on Monday, 1 November 2004.
Also at
approximately 02:30 on the same day, Israeli troops moved into al-Hadaf area in
the west of Jenin refugee camp. They surrounded a 110-square-meter, 2-storey
house owned by Jamal Abu al-Kamel. They forced the 10 residents of the house (2
families) out and planted explosives inside the house. This house had been
recently reconstructed by the UAE as it had been destroyed during the Israeli
offensive on Jenin refugee camp in April 2002.
At
approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, 9 November 2004, Israeli troops moved into Iraq
al-Tayeh village, east of Nablus. They
surrounded a 150-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by ‘Azmi Sidqi Jouda. They forced the 11 residents of the house (2
families) out and planted explosives inside the house. At approximately 04:00, they destroyed the
house. The owner’s son, Wajdi, has been
detained by Israeli occupation authorities.
Continued
Construction of the “Annexation Wall”
Israeli troops have continued to construct the
annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially in the southwest of
Hebron.
This week, Israeli military
bulldozers continued to raze areas of Palestinian land in Deir al-‘Asal
village, southwest of Hebron, although the Israeli High Court issued a
temporary injunction stopping land leveling in the village for the purpose of
the construction of the wall.
In a step
that reveals Israeli annexationist plans, in violation of international
humanitarian law, on Friday morning, 5 November 2004, Israeli troops moved
al-Samiriya checkpoint from the northern Jordan Valley to the north of Bardala
village, thus transferring it from the Green Line into the occupied West
Bank.
On Friday, 5
November 2004, Israeli troops handed new maps that show the new route of the
wall to Palestinian farmers in Beit Sourik village, northwest of Occupied East
Jerusalem. According to local sources,
the new maps are not different from those Israeli troops had handed to farmers
on 14 April 2004, against which they appealed to the Israeli High Court as the
plans would confiscate thousands of Palestinian agricultural land. On 30 June 2004, the court issued a decision
ordering Israeli troops to change the route of the wall around Jerusalem,
including inside Beit Sourik village. However, Israeli troops have continued to make efforts to avoid
compliance to this decision.
On Friday, 5
November 2004, Israeli occupation authorities issued a military order
prohibiting Palestinian civilians from construction on both sides of the
wall. Palestinian farmers were surprised
by the order stuck on the iron gates on the wall in Tulkarm. The order prevents any kind of construction
in an area 300 meters to the east of the truce line of 1948, and 100 meters to
the west of the line. The order, which
was declared this week, was originally issued on 5 September 2004.
Continued Siege on the
OPT
This week, Israeli troops 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 Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
This week, Israeli troops have continued
to impose tightened siege on the Gaza Strip. They have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement. They have also continued to close all border
crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely. These measures violate the Palestinian
economic, social and cultural rights.
Israeli troops positioned at al-Matahen and Abu Houli
checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south
of the Gaza Strip) imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians. On Saturday morning, 6
November 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched
a number of Palestinian vehicles in between. On Sunday morning and evening, 7 November 2004, Israeli troops closed the
two checkpoints and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles in
between. They arrested ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Qe’dan, 28, and Mohammed Zorob, both from
Rafah.
Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict
siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have continued
to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and
from the area. Israeli troops frequently
close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area. They have also continued to prevent female
Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and male ones whose ages are
between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint when it is open, without
prior coordination.
Israeli troops have also continued to impose a
tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. They have
also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers. In the same context, Israeli troops 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.
Israeli troops have continued to close
Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the 3rd consecutive
month. Although Israeli troops partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial
crossing to the east of Gaza City, they have imposed severe restrictions on the
flow of goods through the two crossing. As result, the Palestinian market has lacked several basic goods. Israeli troops partially opened Sofa
crossing, northeast of Rafah, and allowed the entry of construction raw
materials, but the crossing has remained closed in the face of Palestinian
workers for the 3rd consecutive month.
On Monday, 8 November 2004, Israeli troops reopened
Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border for arriving travelers after it had been
closed since Sunday, 31 October 2004. During this period of closure, at least 3000 Palestinian civilians were
held at the Egyptian side of the crossing under very bad conditions. This latest closure was the fourth in less
than 4 months. Israeli troops often
impose severe restrictions on traveling through the terminal. The number of Palestinians allowed to travel
through the terminal daily is very limited. As a result, many patients who are badly in need for special medical
treatment abroad have not been able to travel. Israeli troops have continued to prevent Palestinians whose ages are
between 16 and 35 from traveling through the terminal since 18 April 2004,
although they allowed a limited number of this segment to travel, but following
prolonged coordination procedures.
The West Bank
Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict
siege on Palestinian communities. They
have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.
Jerusalem
On Friday, 10 November 2004, Israeli troops reinforced
their presence around East Jerusalem. According eyewitnesses, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians at the entrances of the city and near the
old town and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli
troops have continued to prohibit access of Palestinian civilians from the West
Bank and Gaza Strip to the occupied East Jerusalem to pray at al-Aqsa Mosque,
which is the third holiest site for Muslims. For the 8th consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued
to close al-Kahn al-Ahmar road linking between the north and south of the West
Bank. According to eyewitnesses,
Palestinian civilians were forced to resort to dirt roads.
Ramallah
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. On
Thursday, 4 November 2004, Israeli troops closed the northern entrance of
Ramallah. They stopped and searched
dozens of Palestinian vehicles. On
Sunday morning, 7 November 2004, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary
checkpoints to the north and northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and checked hundreds of
Palestinian civilians. Qalandya
checkpoint, south of the town, and declared it a closed military zone. They prevented Palestinian civilians from
traveling to Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians
were forced to resort to alternative dirt roads.
Hebron
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civiloians. On Saturday morning, 6 November 2004,
Israeli troops closed the Ibrahim mosque in the face of Muslims, but they
allowed Israeli settlers to enter the mosque. On Sunday, 7 November 2004, Israeli troops also imposed restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town. They reinforced their presence inside the
town and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians in various areas
in the town.
Bethlehem
On Saturday morning, 6 November 2004, Israeli troops
closed the northwestern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, and
imposed a curfew on parts of the village. Palestinian civilians were forced to resort to alternative agricultural
roads, but Israeli troops chased them and forced them to travel back to their
homes.
Nablus
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. On
Saturday and Sunday, 6 and 7 November 2004, Israeli troops positioned at
military checkpoints around the city prevented students of an-Najah National
University from going to the university. On Saturday morning, 6 November 2004, Israeli troops closed Til road,
southwest of the city, and denied movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jenin
Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened
siege on the town for the 15th consecutive day. They have closed all of the main roads
leading to the town and a number of alternative roads. They have also continued to regularly move
into the town.
Tulkarm
This week, Israeli troops imposed more restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of checkpoints around the town, and stopped and
checked Palestinian civilians.
Qalqilya
This week, Israeli troops imposed more restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of checkpoints around the town, and stopped and
checked Palestinian civilians. They also
held a number of young men for several hours.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints and Border Crossings
On Saturday, 6 November 2004, Israeli troops
positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 2 Palestinians:
1. Ra’ed
Humaidan ‘Ouda, 25; and
2. ‘Abdullah
Mahmoud ‘Ouda, 26, both from Hawara village.
Settlement Activities and Settlers’ Attacks on
Palestinian Civilians and Properties
Israeli troops have pursued settlement activities in
the OPTs and settlers who live in the OPTs in violation of international
humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their
properties.
On Friday evening, 5 November 2004, a number of
Israeli settlers from “Elsaifer” settlement, south of Hebron,
kidnapped 2 Palestinian children who were grazing animals in Janba area near
the aforementioned settlement. According
to eyewitnesses, the settlers kidnapped Sufian Na’im Hamamda, 14, and Yousef
Jabarin, 14, and held them for 12 hours.
On Saturday, 6 November 2004, many Israeli settlers
launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties
in Hebron, especially in the old town and in the southern parts of the
town. They threw stones at Palestinian
houses located near settlement centers inside the town, broke windows and doors
of a number of cars and threw stones at schoolgirls.
On Tuesday morning, 9 November 2004, a number of
Israeli settlers from “Ma’ale Shomron”, east of Qalqilya, uprooted
dozens of olive trees in the neighboring Kufor Thuluth village. They also prevented Palestinian farmers from
reaching their land. The settlers
launched this under the protection of Israeli troops.
****
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 silence 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 its
Advisoryt 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
