Israeli Forces Continue to Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs
Introduction
This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to violate the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Throughout the week, Israeli occupying forces conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot at Palestinian civilians, which included children; indiscriminately shelled residential areas and demolished houses; and leveled agricultural land. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “separation wall” inside the West Bank while imposing a tight siege on the OPTs.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 15 military incursions into Palestinian areas, which include 10 into Rafah. During the incursion into Rafah, Israeli occupying forces killed 1 Palestinian woman, destroyed 51 Palestinian houses and razed 9 donums of agricultural land. The civilian infrastructure of the affected areas was severely damaged. These Israeli military operations left behind around 800 Palestinians homeless. As a result of the indiscriminate Israeli shelling that accompanied these incursions, a Palestinian woman was killed and 6 other civilians were injured. These house demolitions in Rafah are aimed at facilitating the creation of a buffer zone along the border with Egypt. Israeli forces have also continued to construct a fortified iron wall along the border. Israeli occupying forces demolished 9 houses in Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis.
Despite the fact that the International Court of Justice is preparing to consider the case of the “separation wall” in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution adopted on 8 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces have continued with the construction. PCHR’s field workers reported that construction is continuing in numerous areas from the Jordan Valley in the north, to Hebron in the south. Israeli occupying forces also continued to raze and confiscate areas of Palestinian land, particularly in Jerusalem, Salfit, Ramallah, Hebron and the northern Jordan Valley. It is worth noting that Israeli occupying forces have recently distributed maps, indicating that thousands of donums of Palestinian agricultural land surrounding Salfit will be confiscated. The construction of the wall in Salfit district will effectively cut off more than 52% of the total area of Salfit, including a number of wells.
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. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities and restrict movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by stationing Israeli soldiers at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on the freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian villages, towns and cities. For the third consecutive week, they have continued to impose a tightened siege on Nablus and neighboring refugee camps and villages, denying movement of Palestinian civilians, including medical personnel and patients. Israeli occupying forces have continued to further impede the movement of Palestinian civilians, by erecting more military checkpoints and deploying infantry units on dirt roads, which Palestinian civilians often use when the main roads are closed. Israeli occupying forces also imposed curfews on some Palestinian communities. This week, Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinians, claiming that they are wanted by Israeli occupying authorities.
Israeli occupying forces conducted several incursions into Palestinian areas, particularly in Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron and Jenin. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured and dozens of others were arrested.
On Monday, 19 January, 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued written orders to 10 Palestinian families in Deir el-Balah ordering the confiscation of their land and homes located northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement. According to the owners of these properties, Israeli soldiers informed them orally when they were handed the orders that the land will be used to establish additional Israeli security facilities. The total area subject to these confiscation orders is approximately 700 donums. The orders permit 7 days for appeal. PCHR is preparing to submit an appeal against these orders to the Israeli military legal advisor
In the Gaza Strip, following the bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing on 14 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and imposed further restrictions at border crossings and military checkpoints. Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli soldiers stationed at these checkpoints regularly harass and humiliate Palestinians trying to pass. Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. On Thursday, 15 January 2004, one day after the bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman against Israeli soldiers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, Israeli occupying forces prevented Palestinian women from crossing the checkpoints at the entrances to al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis and Rafah. In an escalation of attacks against Palestinian workers, 25 Palestinians were injured on Tuesday morning, 20 January 2004, at Beit Hanoaun (Erez) crossing in northern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at thousands of Palestinian workers waiting at the crossing.
In violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law, on 20 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces transferred Anwar ‘Abdul Latif Abu Zahu, 30, from Jenin, to the Gaza Strip. Abu Zahu had been detained by Israeli occupying forces since 11 April 2002. It is worth noting that Israeli occupying forces transferred 18 Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip in November and December 2003. These unlawful transfers constitute a war crime under article 85 of Protocol 1 Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 15 January 2004
At approximately 00:30, Israeli soldiers in 5 military jeeps broke into al-Mustaqbal Nursery near ‘Aalia Hospital in the center of Hebron. Israeli soldiers destroyed the contents of the nursery and blocked its doors. According to Yusra Mutair, the nursery’s director, following a written military order, Israeli soldiers destroyed the furniture, confiscated files, including disks, and blocked the doors.
In another attack against Palestinian civilian property, early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces demolished 8 Palestinian houses in Deir al-Balah.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 4 bulldozers, and accompanied by 2 dogs, moved approximately 800m into Palestinian areas to the northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Israeli soldiers raided Ahmed Ibrahim Sa’id’s house, holding the residents in one room and transforming the roof into a military post. Israeli soldiers then called upon the residents of neighboring houses to vacate the buildings, without their belongings. Soon after, armored Israeli military bulldozers began to demolish the houses in an operation that continued until 22:00, leaving 8 houses demolished:
The bulldozers also razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives, palms and citrus owned by Sa’id ‘Ouda Sa’id.
At approximately 03:00, an Israeli armored personnel carrier and 3 military jeeps moved into Budrus village, west of Ramallah. Israeli soldiers raided and searched the house of ‘Aayed Marar, Head of the Budrus Popular Committee Against the Apartheid Wall. They arrested Marar and his brother Na’im, 31, also a member of the committee and Secretary-General of the Fatah movement in the village. It is worth noting that Na’im Marar had previously been arrested following clashes that took places in the village, but was later released.
At approximately 10:00, 3 aircraft belonging to the “Israeli Environment Authority” sprayed 1000 donums of Palestinian agricultural lands with incendiary chemicals. The land, which belongs to the Jabarin, Younis, ‘Abed Rabbu and ‘Arram families from Yatta village, south of Hebron, was planted with wheat, parley and lentils. The plantation was totally destroyed and 3 Israeli Environmental Authority jeeps oversaw the operation.
At approximately 17:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into ‘Arraba village, west of Jenin. Israeli soldiers opened fire at houses and imposed a curfew on the village. 1 Palestinian civilian, Khalil ‘Abdullah Mohammed ‘Aarda, 35, was seriously wounded by several live bullets in the legs.
At approximately 18:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkram, and imposed a curfew. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 16 January 2004
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafidya neighborhood in the west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:
At approximately 12:00, Israeli occupying forces under cover of indiscriminate shelling and reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers, moved into the ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. They forced the residents of 3 houses (31 civilians) to leave their homes, severely beating 4:
Armored Israeli military bulldozers then demolished the houses and razed 9 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
It is worth noting that the only road between the Gush Katif settlement block and Morag settlement, north of Rafah, passes through the ‘Oraiba area.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by an armored military bulldozer, moved into al-Rabwat area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. Under cover of indiscriminate shelling, they demolished a 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mustafa ‘Olayan Mustafa al-‘Aqqad. The house had previously been vacated by the 8 residents, following frequent Israeli shelling from the “Gani Tal” settlement and was partially destroyed by Israeli occupying forces on 5 December 2003. In the same area, the Israeli military bulldozer demolished part of a fence surrounding the house of Salah ‘Abdul Ra’ouf ‘Abdul Ghafour.
At approximately 17:15, Israeli soldiers positioned at military posts near “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians at a cemetery adjacent to the aforementioned settlement. A Palestinian civilian, Bassel Nayef Abu Namous, 22, was inured by shrapnel in the face.
Saturday, 17 January 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200m into Block L of Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border, indiscriminately shelling in the area. Soon after, armored Israeli military bulldozers demolished a 160-square-meter house owned by Nabil Hassan Mohammed Abu Jazar, in which 10 people lived, without allowing the residents to remove their belongings. They also demolished al-Tawhid Mosque, which had been damaged during a previous military incursion. Al-Tawhid Mosque is the third mosque demolished by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of the current Intifada.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qeshta neighborhood near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. This Israeli military incursion continued until 06:00, during which armored Israeli military bulldozers completely demolished 3 Palestinian houses and 2 others partially:
According to ‘Abdullah Mahmoud Qeshta, bulldozers began to demolish the house while his family was still inside, so he had to make a hole in a wall in order to save his family.
Early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into Til village, southwest of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They surrounded the home of Fathi Rashid Hamad, forced the family to remove their furniture, and threatened to destroy the house if the owner’s daughter Manal, 23, a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus, did not surrender. The owner, his wife, and 8 daughters live in a 120-square-meter, 2-storey house.
At around 05:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers, moved approximately 200m into Block O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They completely demolished 2 Palestinian houses:
It is worth noting that the families had already vacated the two houses due to the intense Israeli military operations against the inhabitants and properties of the area.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. They planted explosives inside a house owned by Mohammed Salim al-Malalha, which had been partially demolished the preceding day, and totally destroyed it. They also destroyed 2 other houses:
At noon, Israeli occupying forces arrested Rami Hassan D’ib, 45, from Shabtin village, west of Ramallah. Israeli forces had summoned D’ib for interrogation by the Israeli intelligence and arrested him. D’ib is married and has 7 children.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep opened fire at a civilian car that was traveling from Nablus to Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of the city. A Palestinian child, Yahia ‘Abdul Hamid Zain al-Din, 15, from Majdal Bani Fadel village, was wounded in the left leg by a live bullet.
At approximately 15:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into the village of Beit Fourik, east of Nablus, and opened fire at Palestinian houses. In response, a number of Palestinian children gathered in the center of the village and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 17-year-old Khalil Khaled Hussein Abu Hait with 2 live bullets in the legs. Upon their withdrawal from the village in the evening, Israeli soldiers arrested Fadi Mousa Khatatba, 20.
At approximately 19:30, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved into Kufor Malek village, east of Ramallah. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, in an attempt to impose a curfew on the village. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the children, seriously wounding 17-year-old Saif ‘Abdul Majid Bu’airat with a live bullet in the neck. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at the child from the distance of around 40m and obstructed the passage of the car that tried to evacuate him to the hospital for 15 minutes.
Sunday, 18 January 2004
At approximately 02:30, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into Bireen neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces raided al-Sha’rawi Mosque in Ras al-Joura neighborhood in the north of Hebron. They held the praying men for 80 minutes and subjected them to checking. Three worshippers were also severely beaten.
At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 200m into al-Shouka neighborhood in the southeast of Rafah. This incursion continued until 03:30 on the following day, during which Israeli occupying forces partially destroyed 3 Palestinian houses:
Israeli forces also raided a number of other houses and arrested four Palestinians:
At approximately 23:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 15m into the Abu Houli area, south of Deir al-Balah. They raided a 280-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Ahmed Saqer. They forced the 18 residents of the house out, and used the owner as human shield while searching the house. The search continued until the following morning, during which Israeli soldiers damaged the contents of the house. Later, Israeli soldiers checked the ID cards of the residents and interrogated 3 of the owner’s sons for more than 30 minutes. It is worth noting that Israeli occupying forces have imposed a family curfew and allows the family to move only between the hours of 06:00 and 08:00, 13:00 and 14:00, and 16:00 and 17:00. In addition, they also seized the house for several months and transformed it into a military post. They left 7 months ago.
Monday, 19 January 2004
At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians:
At approximately 03:45, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched Sabri Hatem Habel’s house and arrested his son Samir, 26.
At the same time, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus. They arrested Firas Sultan Ghaleb, 19, a student at an-Najah National University in Nablus.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu Da’oud’s house and arrested his two sons: ‘Aamer, 18; and Majed, 19.
At approximately 07:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in a military location to the west of Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah opened fire at the neighborhood. A Palestinian woman, Samiha Yousef ‘Othman, 23, was injured by shrapnel in the back while she was near her house.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers in a military jeep that was patrolling in the vicinity of the “Separation Wall” near Sneeria village, east of Qalqilya, opened fire at a Palestinian woman, Halima Rajeh Mustafa Salama, 36. She was wounded by 3 live bullets in the shoulder, the right foot, and the left leg. When people living in the area heard the sounds of shooting, they moved towards Israeli soldiers and told them that she is deaf and dumb. The woman was evacuated in an Israeli ambulance to an Israeli hospital. According to eyewitnesses, the woman was on her way to her farm near the “Separation Wall,” southwest of the village.
At approximately 14:30, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Qalqilya in a civilian car that had a Palestinian registration. Israeli soldiers, who were wearing civilian clothes, raided a shop of paints owned by Yousef ‘Abdul Rahman Hammad pointing their guns at all those who were in the shop. They held the owner’s sons: Sa’ad, 22; and Hani, 24, for 30 minutes inside the shop and then arrested Hani.
Israeli occupying forces issued written orders to 10 Palestinian families in Deir el-Balah ordering the confiscation of their land and homes located northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement. According to the owners of these properties, Israeli soldiers informed them orally when they were handed the orders that the land will be used to establish additional Israeli security facilities. The total area subject to these confiscation orders is approximately 700 donums. The orders permit 7 days for appeal. PCHR is preparing to submit an appeal against these orders to the Israeli military legal advisor.
Tuesday, 20 January 2004
At approximately 01:45, 6 Israeli military jeeps moved into Rafidya neighborhood in the west of Nablus, and surrounded the al-Najah apartment building nearby. Israeli soldiers knocked the door of Fawaz ‘Aqel, a professor at an-Najah National University and asked him about Ya’qoub’s Busaili’s flat. After telling them that Busaili’s flat is on the 3rd floor, they asked him to accompany them to the flat. When he refused, Israeli soldiers forced him to accompany them and made him knock on the door of Busaili’s flat. Israeli soldiers moved into the flat and arrested ‘Ali Yousef Busaili, 21, and his brother-in-law Rami Hanani, 25, from Beit Fourik village. Hanani was released a few hours later.
Simultaneously, Israeli occupying forces arrested Fadi ‘Adli al-Jit, 20, in the old town of Nablus.
Early in the morning, 400 Palestinian families were forced by the Israeli occupation forces to evacuate their homes in Rafah during an Israeli military incursion into the area. A total of 25 civilian homes located on the border area with Egypt were destroyed.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at around 2:30am on Tuesday 20 January 2004, Israeli occupation forces that included tanks and heavy military bulldozers, entered 400 meters inside the Al-Sha’er and Qishta quarters in Salah El-Din Gate area of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. After subjecting the Palestinian residences in the area to heavy machine gun-fire, Israeli military bulldozers began demolishing civilian homes in the area without allowing the residents an opportunity to remove their belongings. This operation continued until 11am. Fifteen homes were completely destroyed and a further ten were severely damaged, thus rendered uninhabitable.
At approximately 03:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps moved into ‘Anza village, southwest of Jenin, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:
At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They surrounded Ahmed Kaher Abu Fara’s house and forced their residents out. Afterwards, Israeli soldiers searched the house and arrested the owner’s son, Fadi, 20, a university student.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They surrounded ‘Atiya al-Badawi’s house and forced its 10 residents out. Israeli soldiers searched the house and arrested the owner’s son, Akram, 21, a university student.
At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. They arrested Ahmed ‘Aaref Khalil al-‘Asafra, 21, and Samer Munir al-‘Asafra, 20.
At approximately 06:00, 7 Israeli military jeeps moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They raided 6 houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into the Palestinian area located between “Elli Sinia” and “Nissanit” settlement, north of Beit Lahia, and razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
At approximately 09:00, 6 Israeli military jeeps moved into Ramallah. They raided the al-Ramouni building in the center of the town and arrested 3 Palestinians:
At approximately 13:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 700m into al-Ahmar area in the east of Beit Hanoun. For no apparent reason, Israeli soldiers arrested 4 Palestinian civilians who were grazing animals in the area. Two of the detainees were identified as: Ahmed Silmi Abu Lufaita, 41; and Mousa Subaih Rashid al-Sawarka, 38.
At approximately 17:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Palestinian agricultural areas in the east of al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, and chased 3 Palestinian children. They were able to arrest one of the children, Mohammed ‘Abdullah Manha, 14, while the other two children were able to escape.
At approximately 23:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved approximately 1km to the northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement. They raided Akaram ‘Awad Sa’id’s house, in which 10 people live. They held the residents in one room and interrogated the owner and his cousin, Ibrahim Mousa Sa’id, 20, afterwhich they arrested the cousin. The bulldozer razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
Wednesday, 21 January 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. They arrested 4 Palestinians:
At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into Qeshta neighborhood in the south of Rafah again. Under the cover of intense shelling, they raided a number of houses and transformed them into military posts. Israeli occupying forces expanded this incursion to include the neighboring al-Brazil neighborhood. In Qeshta neighborhood, they completely destroyed one Palestinian house and 5 others partially. As a result of the intense Israeli shelling of houses in the two areas, a Palestinian woman, Muna Fayez Ahmed Isma’il, 31, was killed by a live bullet in the head. In addition, 6 other civilians were wounded:
Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Kufor Qallil village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinians. One of the detainees, Ibrahim al-Ashqar, 55, was arrested in a plan by the Israelis to force his son Ahmed, 26, who is allegedly wanted, to surrender.
At approximately 03:15, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched Kamel Jabraw’s house and arrested him together with his son Mohammed, 23.
At approximately 03:45, Israeli occupying forces moved into Jabal Jouhar and al-Harayiq areas in the south and east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of homes, and arrested 2 Palestinians:
At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Tulkarm refugee camp under cover of intense gunfire. They raided and searched Kahder Balawna’s house and arrested his sons: Ahmed, 21; and Salah, 24.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by 7 heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 400m into al-Shouka area in the southeast of Rafah. They raided and searched Sa’ad Mohammed Salim Shallouf’s house. According to the owner’s wife, Israeli soldiers brought her son Sa’id, 26, who was arrested on 30 December 2003, and dug into the ground, claiming that they were searching for weapons.
At approximately 11:15, Israeli soldiers positioned in military posts near “Gadid” settlement, southwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian agricultural areas in Baten al-Samin area to the east. A Palestinian farmer, ‘Abdul Mu’ti Marzouq al-Bashiti, 28, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand. When other farmers hurried to offer him help, Israeli soldiers fired at them. Another farmer, ‘Abdul Hamid, Marzouq al-Bashiti, 45, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.
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 01:00 on Thursday 15 January, Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They surrounded a 100-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Abed Rabbu. They forced the residents of the house to evacuate the building and planted explosives inside the structure. They then detonated the explosives. As a result, the first floor, where 5 residents live, was rendered uninhabitable and the second and third floors were severely damaged. ‘Abed Rabbu is the father of Tariq ‘Abed Rabbu who was shot dead by Israeli occupying forces at the end of 2002, and Musa’ab ‘Abed Rabbu, 24, who was sentenced by Israeli occupying forces to 10 years in prison.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces surrounded 2 80 square-meter, 2-storey houses owned by Khaled and Mazen Hussein D’iab al-Waisi. Israeli soldiers gave the 2 families only 15 minutes to remove their belongings before they planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. Khaled al-Waisi is the father of Haitham al-Waisi, who was arrested by Israeli occupying forces 2 days earlier on 13 January.
At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 19 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into Yatta village to the south of Hebron. They invaded Raqa’a neighborhood in the west of Yatta, and Um al-Safar east of the village, seizing complete control over Yatta. At approximately 03:40, they surrounded a 120-square-meter house belonging to the family of Baker Mohammed Shehada al-Najjar, who has been detained by Israeli occupying forces for one year. They forced the 5 residents of the house out in 10 minutes, without allowing them to vacate their belongings. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it at approximately 05:00. Israeli occupying forces also arrested 2 Palestinians in Yatta.
On Wednesday morning, 21 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces sealed the entrances to a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdullah ‘Adnan al-Sharbati, 22, from Jerusalem, who has been detained by Israeli forces. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli policemen and “Border Guard” soldiers raided al-Sharbati’s house and forced the residents to evacuate the house. Then, they sealed all entrances to the first floor of the 110-square-meter, 2-storey house. As a result, the family is not able to enter their home. 6 people live in the house.
Continued Construction of the “Separation Wall”
On Thursday, 15 January 2004, the local council of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, west of Ramallah, received a part of the map of the “Separation Wall” from Israeli occupying forces. That part of the map illustrates the track of the wall, which passes through the village. According to the map, a Palestinian elementary school will be trapped between the wall on one side and the Israeli settlement areas of “Beit Horoun” and the By-Pass road (#443), on the other side. Thus the wall isolates the school from the village and access of Palestinian schoolchildren to their school will likely be restricted or even prohibited by Israeli occupying forces.
On Saturday morning, 17 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces notified Bedouin families living to the west of Salfit town that they must leave the area as the wall will pass through the area. An officer of the occupying Israeli Civil Administration handed a written military order to ‘Ali al-‘Azazma, which obligates the families to leave the area by 15 February 2004. The area is only 500m away from the headquarters of the Palestinian National Security Force in Salfit. The families, which count 40 people, have been living in the area for 20 years and raise approximately 200 animals.
It is also worth noting that Israeli occupying forces have recently distributed maps outlining plans for the “Separation Wall” in certain areas of the West Bank. According to these official maps, thousands of donums of Palestinian agricultural land surrounding Salfit will be confiscated. The construction of the wall in the Salfit district will cut off more than 52% of the total area of Salfit, including a number of wells. The plans effectively annex the territory, placing the land under the direct control of the Israeli occupying authorities.
The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture has recently published a report outlining the effects of the wall in the Qalqilya district. Thus far, Israeli occupying forces have razed 4074 donums of Palestinian agricultural land near Qalqilya for the purpose of the construction of the wall. In addition, 32000 donums of agricultural land were isolated behind the wall. As a result, the construction of the wall has directly impacted the livelihoods of 2500 Palestinian farmers and their families.
The report further stipulates that 19 wells were isolated by the wall, one of which was destroyed, and 42 other wells were damaged. According to the same report, a 41-donum area of agricultural land containing greenhouses was destroyed, and another 700 dunum section, on which greenhouses stand, was isolated behind the wall. Israeli occupying forces also uprooted 40880 olive trees and isolated 179481 more on the Israeli side of the wall. 37 plant nurseries were damaged and 5 others were isolated. In addition, 11 bird farms were isolated behind the wall.
According to the same report, Israeli occupying forces have established 22 gates along the wall. These gates are usually closed and inaccessible to Palestinians. 4 Palestinian families and 3 Bedouin communities have also been isolated behind the wall. Lands isolated by the wall come under direct Israeli control and are threatened with confiscation and annexation by Israeli occupying authorities.
On Wednesday morning, 21 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces razed more areas of Palestinian agricultural land near “Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron. They also uprooted around 100 trees from an area of agricultural land owned by Khalifa Mohammed ‘Da’na. According to estimations by organizations that document Israeli settlement activity, the construction of the wall in this area is expected to seize more than 1500 donums of Palestinian agricultural land.
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
Following the bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman against Israeli soldiers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing on 14 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces have tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and imposed more restrictions on movement at border crossings and military checkpoints. They have also maintained the closure of a number of main and branch roads in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers stationed at Israeli military checkpoints. Such restrictions on freedom of movement are in contravention of international human rights law to which Israel is a state party, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, continued to obstruct movement of Palestinian civilians. The two checkpoints have been subject to frequent closures in the past weeks and Israeli soldiers stationed there are notorious for acts of humiliation and harassment.
At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 15 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints and held a number of Palestinian vehicles in between. They forced the vehicles into an enclosed area for searching. Then, they arrested 3 Palestinians. Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints again at approximately 11:00 on Monday, 19 January 2004, and held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait at the two checkpoints for 2 hours.
At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 20 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces again closed the two checkpoints and held a number of Palestinian vehicles in between. They forced the vehicles to move into an enclosed area for searching. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait for hours at the two checkpoints until the evening, during which time, Israeli soldiers opened fire sporadically over cars. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Walid Hathat, 28, was wounded by a live bullet in the back.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have escalated violations of Palestinian human rights in the area.
On Thursday, 15 January 2004, one day after the bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman against Israeli soldiers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, Israeli occupying forces denied movement of Palestinian women through the two checkpoints at the entrances to al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis and Rafah. As a consequence, dozens of Palestinian women were not able to go back to their homes in al-Mawasi area.
On Monday, 19 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces informed the Palestinian liaison that al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis, would be closed for one week to review the search procedures at the checkpoint. According to the Israeli occupation authorities, male Palestinians could enter the area through Tal al-Sultan checkpoint, west of Rafah. However, Israeli forces closed Tal al-Sultan checkpoint on the following day.
At approximately 18:30 on Sunday, 18 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on al-Mawasi area of Rafah. Israeli soldiers raided houses in the area, claiming that there were suspicions that persons infiltrated into the area by the sea. The search continued until 01:00 on the following day. No arrests were reported and the curfew was lifted a few hours later.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has been the only border crossing available for Palestinian travelers since the beginning of the current Intifada. Travelers are subject to humiliation and prolonged travel procedures. A number of Palestinians are also denied travel permission without reason. Furthermore, many Palestinian travelers are often forced to spend the night on the Egyptian side of the terminal waiting for Israeli occupying forces to grant them permission to cross into the Gaza Strip.
In an escalation of attacks against Palestinian workers, 25 Palestinians were injured on Tuesday morning, 20 January 2004, at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip when Israeli troops opened fire with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at thousands of Palestinian workers waiting at the crossing.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the incident at the Erez crossing began at 02:00 on Tuesday, 20 January 2004 when thousands of Palestinians were queuing to pass through the crossing to work in Israel. Without warning Israeli soldiers opened fire with live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and tear gas, over the heads of workers’ as they were making their way towards the checking area. 25 workers sustained various injuries and were taken to Kamal Adwan and Al Awdah Hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip.
In recent months up to 11,724 Israeli-registered Gazan workers over the age of 35 have been permitted to enter Israel for work purposes, and 4000 registered workers were able to access work inside the Erez Industrial Zone, which is located near the Erez crossing and is under the control of the Israeli military.
However, following the adoption of new procedures on Sunday 18 January 2004, access for registered workers has been restricted. A number of witnesses have reported to PCHR that Israeli soldiers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing are now forcing Palestinian workers to remove their outer garments and walk slowly with their hands raised above their heads, before entering the checking area. Workers have also been prevented from carrying anything on their person, including food, and they are escorted throughout the checking procedure by Israeli soldiers. Palestinians working in the Industrial Zone are now required to enter the area after first passing through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, instead of a separate entrance normally used to access the zone. In addition, Israeli troops have closed 28 of the 30 waiting lines at the security check area in the crossing. These new procedures have resulted in extensive delays in passage through the crossing.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Labor, the number of registered workers permitted to pass through the Erez crossing has been dramatically reduced this week. On Sunday, January 18 2004, only 1445 Gazan workers were able to pass through the Beit Hanoun crossing to reach their places of work in Israel and only 652 were granted access to the Erez Industrial Zone. On Monday, 19 January 2004, only 3339 workers were able to enter Israel and only 1073 were allowed into the Erez Industrial Zone.
The West Bank
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.
Nablus
After a 3-week closure of all military checkpoints at the entrances of Nablus, Israeli occupying forces reopened those checkpoints for Palestinian civilians over 35-year-old. However, they restricted the movement of these civilians. On Thursday afternoon, 15 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces imposed further restrictions at the military checkpoints in the area. They established a room at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, and forced Palestinian civilians to pass through the room. Israeli occupying forces also erected more checkpoints around the city, further restricting movement of Palestinian civilians.
Tulkarm
On Sunday, 18 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces erected temporary checkpoints at the main and branch roads leading to Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. Israeli soldiers were also deployed at the main junctions around the town.
Jenin
On Saturday morning, 17 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed all entrances to Jenin and isolated the town and refugee camp from other Palestinian communities. Israeli soldiers were deployed at the main and branch roads leading to the town. They also erected more military checkpoints around Jenin and denied the movement of Palestinian vehicles. Israeli soldiers also chased hundreds of Palestinian attempting to access their work places on foot.
Qalqilya
On Saturday morning, 17 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the main entrance to ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They also closed the roads between Qalqilya and Tulkarm. On Sunday morning, 18 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces erected more checkpoints around the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces erected 5 temporary checkpoints at the entrances to the villages of Jayous, ‘Azzoun, Kufor Jamal, Kufor Thuloth and Jeet.
Salfit
On Sunday morning, 18 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces tightened the siege imposed on Salfit. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers closed the northern and southern entrances to the town and denied movement of Palestinian civilians.
Denial of Travel
On Saturday morning, 17 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces at al-Karama crossing on the Jordan border denied access to Yasser Bader Subaih, 33, from al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem. Subaih intended to travel to Saudi Arabia and was accompanying his parents on the holy Muslim pilgrimage of the Hajj. However, Israeli soldiers forced him to wait for 3 hours and then informed him that his passage was denied for security reasons.
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PCHR calls:
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Public Document
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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
[1] 1donum is equal to 1000 square meters.
