Israeli Forces Perpetrate More Crimes
in the OPTs
· 6
Palestinians, including 3 civilians, one of whom is a child, were killed by
Israeli troops
· Israeli
troops carried out an assassination attempt in Gaza City
· Continued
Israeli offensive on Beit Hanoun
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 22
houses were destroyed in Rafah
· Houses
were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested
· Israeli
forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas and a number of
Palestinian civilians were injured
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued
· Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs; Rafah
Terminal on the Egyptian border has been closed, 6 Palestinian civilians were
injured by the Israeli gunfire near military checkpoints, and Beit Hanoun has
been under a strict siege for the 4th consecutive week
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 and extra-judicial killings,
incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house
demolitions. This week, 6 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, one of
whom is a child, were killed and a number of other civilians were injured by
Israeli troops.
In the Gaza Strip, on 18 July 2004, a 4-year-old
child from Rafah died form an injury she had sustained by Israeli troops last
week. This week, 10 Palestinian
civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were injured when Israeli troops
shelled Palestinian residential area. Israeli
troops conducted 4 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip,
the widest of which was into Rafah, during which Israeli troops demolished 22
houses, rendering 292 people (50 families) homeless. Israeli troops have continued their wide
scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun for the 4th
consecutive week. This week, they razed
more areas of agricultural land and destroyed some civilian facilities in the
town. On 19 and 20 July 2004, Israeli
troops launched 2 aerial attacks against a house in al-Shati refugee camp in
Gaza City, in an attempt to assassinate an allegedly wanted Palestinian, but he
survived these attacks.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a
series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child,
were killed by Israeli troops in Balata refugee camp on 17 and 19 July
2004. Three other Palestinians were
killed by Israeli troops that attempted to arrest or kill them in Hebron town and
Saida village in Tulkarm on 15 and 19 July 2004 respectively. A number of Palestinian civilians were also
wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Israeli
troops also arrested dozens of Palestinian civilians throughout the West
Bank.
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially in Bethlehem and Jenin
districts, despite a resolution approved by the United Nations General Assembly
on Wednesday, 21 July 2004, calling for the adoption of an advisory opinion
issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004 demanding that
Israel halt construction of the annexation wall since it is illegal.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
tightened siege on the OPTs and have imposed severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,
including Jerusalem. Israeli troops
positioned at military checkpoints fired at Palestinian civilians, injuring 6
of them. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli
troops have continued to close most border crossing. On
Sunday morning, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops closed Rafah Terminal on the
Egyptian border. They have also continued to close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the
entrance to al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip for the 2nd
consecutive week. 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
Israeli Offensive on Beit Hanoun
Israeli occupying forces have continued their
offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun since 28 June
2004. Since then, a number of
Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed, hundreds of donums[1] of
Palestinian agricultural land have been razed and the civilian infrastructure
of the town has been largely destroyed. Israeli troops have also isolated the town from the rest of the Gaza
Strip.
At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 July 2004,
Israeli troops started to demolish a number of civilian facilities in the
southwest of Beit Hanoun. By 18:00, they
had demolished 3 brick factories owned by Ahmed Hassan Musleh, Jaber ‘Abdu
Daifallah and Mahmoud Hassan Musleh. They had also demolished a desalination facility owned by Habeeb
al-Basiouni, a tin-made house owned by ‘Eid al-Sawarka, and fences of 6 houses
belonging to al-Basiouni family.
At approximately 14:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus
near al-Shawa fuel station to the west of Salah al-Din Street in the west of
Beit Hanoun.
At approximately 15:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops started to raze large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the east
of Jabalya. By 19:00, they had razed
nearly 50 donums of agricultural land belonging to the al-Jadba.
At approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 17 July 2004,
Israeli troops shelled Palestinian houses in al-Masryeen area. Shrapnel from artillery shells hit Jamil
Rabah al-Masri’s house, and injured his child, Kholoud, 7, who was sleeping, in
her right shoulder.
At approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 18 July 2004, Israeli
troop razed large areas of agricultural land planted with citrus and vegetables
belonging to the families of al-Shanti and Qassem at al-Sultan Street in the
west of Beit Hanoun. They also destroyed
fences of a number of houses and 2 civilian cars. In the meantime, Israeli troops continued to
raze areas of agricultural land in the east of the town.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 19 July 2004, Israeli
troops razed more areas of agricultural land in al-Basha area in the east of
Beit Hanoun. They also started to
establish a military post in the area. Israeli troops blocked a muddy road leading to the area.
At approximately 05:00 on Monday, 19 July 2004, 10
Israeli military vehicles moved into al-Na’aima Street. They surrounded a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house
belonging to Nahed ‘Abdul Rahman Abu ‘Ouda, who was killed by Israeli troops near
his house last week. Israeli troops
surrounded the house and neighboring houses. At approximately 07:00, Israeli troops demolished Abu ‘Ouda’s house and
his brother’s house. Four neighboring
houses belonging to the Abu ‘Ouda family and store owned by Fayez Jadallah
al-Kafarna were severely damaged.
At approximately 23:30, on the same day, Israeli
military vehicles moved from Erez crossing towards the east of Beit Lahia. They started to establish a road between the
area and Salah al-Din Street in the east, by razing large areas of agricultural
land planted with citrus owned belonging to the families of Abu Jarad and
‘Abdul Dayem.
At approximately 12:30 on Tuesday, 20 July 2004, a
number of Israeli military vehicles moved towards the southern entrance of Beit
Hanoun. They surrounded the municipality
of the town and held its staff inside for 2 hours.
At approximately 15:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops destroyed 2 sites of the Palestinian National Security Force in the
south of Beit Hanoun.
At approximately 17:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops started to destroy a number of civilian facilities in the west of Beit
Hanoun. By 20:30, they had destroyed a
1-donum agricultural nursery, a vegetable fridge, an electricity generator, a
bird farm, agricultural equipments and a well.
At approximately 18:00 on Wednesday, 21 July 2004,
Israeli troops destroyed al-Sikka Street in the west of Beit Hanoun. They destroyed the water and sewage networks
of the area. They also destroyed a well
owned by Mohammed Mousa Shabat; a deserted house owned by Tayseer al-Hwaihi;
fences of 2 houses; and a shop.
This week, PCHR received appeals from Palestinian
civilians living in Beit Hanoun, complaining about a shortage of
foodstuffs. Israeli troops established a
muddy road, nearly 1 kilometer away from the town to allow Palestinian
civilians to move on feet. Electricity
and water supplies have been cut from several parts of the town.
Thursday, 15 July 2004
In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into
Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire
at houses. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Alaa’
Rafiq Haikal Dumairi, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the right
shoulder.
Throughout the day, Israeli troops moved into the
towns of Ramallah, al-Bireh, Jenin, Tulkarm and Bethlehem, and the villages of
Yatta and Beit ‘Awa near Hebron. They
raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 21 Palestinians, including
2 women and 3 children.
At approximately 12:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by
a tank and a military bulldozer, moved nearly 150 meters into Gizan al-Najjar
area in the south of Khan Yunis. They
demolished a 120-square-meter house owned by Ahmed Mahmoud Abu Nar, in which 6
people (2 families) lived. Israeli
troops had already forced the two families to vacate the house on 30 June
2004.
At approximately 17:10, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in
al-Salam neighborhood. A Palestinian
woman, Randa Mohammed Abu Hilal, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left
thigh.
In the evening, Israeli troops shot dead Malek ‘Abdul
Salam Nasser al-Din, 44, from Hebron, after they had surrounded the house where
he hid from several hours. They claimed
that he was wanted for being a member of the ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the
military wing of Hamas movement.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
18:30, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces, moved into al-Hawooz
area in the southwest of Hebron, using 2 civilian cars that had Palestinian
registrations. Soon, 8 armed masked
persons got out of the two cars and surrounded a 3-storey apartment building
belonging to the Farrah family, in which 35 people (5 families) live. A few minutes later, more Israeli troops
arrived and tightened their control over the area. They opened fire at the building. Then, they called on residents of the
building through megaphones to leave it with their hands up. When the residents got out of the house,
Israeli troops checked them and interrogated them about Nasser al-Din. At approximately 19:20, Israeli troops
resumed firing at the building. They
called on Nasser al-Din to surrender, but he attempted to resist. Nasser al-Din’s father and brother came to
the area, and Israeli troops forced them to enter the building twice to try to
convince him to surrender. At
approximately 20:20, an Israeli military bulldozer moved towards the building
and started to demolish it over Nasser al-Din, so he was forced to get
out. As soon as he appeared through the
entrance of the building, Israeli troops opened fire at him before the eyes of
his family, residents of the area and a number of journalists. He was killed by more than 50 live bullets. At approximately 21:30, Israeli troops
withdrew from the area after they had arrested the victim’s brother, Falah,
50. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, the
building and 2 neighboring shops were damaged.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Kamel
al-Sedoudi, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the back, when he was inside
his house.
Friday, 16 July 2004
In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into
Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire
at houses. A Palestinian child,
15-year-old Mohammed ‘Omar Ghanem, was wounded by a live bullet in the left
hand, when he was near his house.
Also in the morning, Israeli troops moved into the
villages of ‘Arraba and Qabatya near Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4
Palestinians.
At approximately 23:10, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in
al-Salam neighborhood. A Palestinian
civilian, Talab Ahmed al-Debari, 19, was wounded by a live bullet in the left
leg.
Saturday, 17 July 2004
At approximately 04:00, Israeli
troops moved into Masha village in Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinians.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli
troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
residential areas in the town. Two
Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Mahmoud
Mohammed Abu Tu’aima, 35, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the head;
and
2. Rami
‘Atallah ‘Aabed, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli
troops positioned in a military post near “Tal Qatif” settlement,
southwest of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Birka
area. A Palestinian woman, Salwa Salim
Abu Katifa, 35, was wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks, when she was on
the beach, nearly 300 away from the source of fire.
At approximately 19:15, 5
Israeli military jeeps moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They were positioned near the cemetery of the
camp. A number of Palestinian children
and young men gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. When a young man, Yasser Khalil ‘Abed
Tantawi, 21, attempted to get close to the cemetery, Israeli troops shot him
dead with 3 live bullets in the head, the chest and the abdomen. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops
fired at him from a distance of nearly 10 meters only. The victim’s bother, Mahmoud, had been killed
by Israeli troops on 28 February 2002. In
addition, 3 children were wounded by Israeli troops during these clashes:
1. ‘Ameed
‘Adnan Sa’d, 9, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the neck;
2. Adham
Ziad Khaled, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand; and
3. Waleed
Mohammed ‘Abdul Jaleel, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.
Sunday, 18 July
2004
In the morning, Israeli troops moved into Bethlehem and the neighboring
al-Khader village; ‘Azzoun village near Qalqilya; Beit Reema village near
Rammalah; and ‘Askar refugee camp near Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8
Palestinians.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian
border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in the
town. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Abed
Hassan ‘Abdul Qader ‘Othman, 52, was wounded by shrapnel in the right forehand
and the left leg.
At approximately 17:30, Israeli troops positioned near Salah al-Din Gate
on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian
civilians who were trying to offer help to a member of the Palestinian
resistance who had been injured by those troops. One of these civilians, Isma’il ‘Abdul ‘Aziz
Abu ‘Anza, 22, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest. According to eyewitnesses, the injured member
of the resistance bled to death, as Israeli troops fired at whoever attempted
to offer him help.
Also at approximately 17:30, Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian
border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Barahma area. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Emad Suleiman
Barhoum, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh, when he was near
his house.
At approximately 21:15, medical sources at Gaza European Hospital in
Khan Yunis declared that 4-year-old Samar ‘Omar Fouju, from Rafah, died form an
injury she had sustained by Israeli troops last week.
According to PCHR’s documentation, this child was seriously wounded by a
live bullet in the head, when Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border,
south of Rafah, opened fire at the Zo’rob neighborhood, where she lives. In addition to this child, 8 other civilians,
including 3 women and 3 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire.
Monday, 19 July
2004
At approximately 02:00,
Israeli troops, reinforced by a military bulldozer and 3 helicopters, moved
into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They surrounded a number of houses and opened fire at them. Then, they forced residents of these houses
out and held them in 2 other houses. Israeli troops opened fire at 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Yousef Hamad
and Fateh Fathi Hajja, where a number of allegedly wanted Palestinians were
hiding. One of these Palestinians, Saher
Subhi Ahmed Hajjaj exchanged fire with Israeli troops and was able to escape
from the area. Israeli troops chased
him. They shot him dead with several
live bullets throughout the body. Another
Palestinian, Bassel Abu Shihab, 26, was also killed by Israeli troops, which
claimed that he blew up an explosive belt he was carrying. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops
shelled the house where Shihab was hiding, killing him. In addition, Samir Fathi ‘Ajaj, 25, was
wounded by 2 live bullets in the shoulder and the leg. He was arrested together with 4 other
Palestinians by Israeli troops.
At approximately 03:00, an
infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved nearly 150 meters into al-Mughraqa
village, south of Gaza City. Israeli
troops raided and searched a 2-storey house owned by Saqer ‘Eid Abu Leila, in
which 15 people live. They also checked
the identity cards of residents of the house. Then, they transformed the roof of the house into a military site, where
they remained until 09:00. According to
residents of the house, Israeli troops confiscated some of their personal
belongings.
At approximately 13:30,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” and “Gadid” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at Palestinian residential areas in the town. A Palestinian child, Warda Mohammed Fathi
‘Aabdin, 3, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck, when she was
inside her family’s house in Jourat al-Lout area, nearly 1500 meters away from
the source of fire.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli
troops positioned in a military post near “Netser Hazani” settlement,
northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Jeya area in
al-Qarara village. A Palestinian child,
Nisma Saleh Saqer, 12, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot, when she
was inside her house, nearly 200 meters away from the source of fire.
At approximately 15:00, 9
Israeli military jeeps moved into Beeta village, south of Nablus. Israeli troops opened fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children and young
men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli military jeeps. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone
throwers, wounding 5 children.
At approximately 20:00, 3
Israeli military jeeps moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They were positioned near the cemetery of the
camp. Dozens of Palestinian children and
young men gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the
stone throwers. Ussama Sameeh Daoud
Zaitoun, 17, was instantly killed by a live bullet in the chest. According to eyewitnesses, the child was shot
by Israeli troops positioned atop of a house belonging to the al-Sal’ous family
inside the cemetery, from a distance of less than 40 meters. Israeli troops claimed that they shot dead an
armed Palestinian in Balata refugee camp, but eyewitnesses asserted than the
victim was not armed.
In the day hours, Israeli
troops moved into Tammoun village, east of Jenin; Bazaria village, northwest of
Nablus; Yatta village, south of Hebron; Tulkarm and the neighboring Saida
village; Salfit; and the villages of Bitounia and Mazare’ al-Noubani near
Ramallah. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 21 Palestinians.
Tuesday, 20 July
2004
At approximately 00:00, an
infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved nearly 200 meters into
Palestinian areas located to the west of “Kfar Darom” settlement,
southeast of Deir al-Balah. They raided
a 2-storey house owned by ‘Ali Mohammed Abu Qassem, in which 19 people (2
families) live. They held residents of
the house on the first floor and transformed the roof into a military
site. They left the house 4 hours
later.
At approximately 07:30, Israeli
troops, accompanied by 10 military bulldozers, moved into Barata’a al-Sharqia village,
southwest of Jenin. Immediately, the
bulldozer started to tear down a number of civilian facilities that were
allegedly constructed without proper licenses. These facilities are located neat the annexation wall, which has
isolated the village from its surroundings. Palestinian villagers gathered in the area, and a number of children and
young men threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire at the villagers. As a result, 6 villagers, including a child,
were wounded. They were all evacuated to
Israeli hospitals. During this
operation, the Israeli military bulldozers tore down 4 civilian facilities in
the village, without allowing their owners to appeal against the demolition
order. Israeli troops also arrested 2
Palestinian villagers (see details below).
At approximately 20:00,
Israeli troops moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They opened fire at houses, wounding 8
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.
In the day hours, Israeli
troops moved into ‘Anata village, east of Jerusalem; the villages of Hawara and
‘Assira al-Shamalia near Nablus; the villages of Silwad, Biddu and Kufor Ne’ma
near Ramallah; Hebron; Barta’a al-Sharqia village near Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 22 Palestinians.
Wednesday, 21 July
2004
At approximately 00:00,
Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved
nearly 500 meters into al-Salam and al-Brazil neighborhoods adjacent to the
Egyptian border, south of Rafah. They
opened fire at Palestinian houses. Israeli troops seized control over the area and started to demolish a
number of houses. By 07:00 on Thursday,
22 July 2004, Israeli troops had demolished 18 houses completely and 4 others
partially, rendering 292 people (50 families) homeless. A number of houses were also damaged by the
Israeli shelling.
At approximately 20:50,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Kfar
Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian
houses located to the north of the aforementioned settlement. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Aadel Isma’il
Bashir, 40, was wounded by a live bullet in the left shoulder, when he was near
his house, around 300 meter away from the source of fire.
A Failed Extra-Judicial Execution
In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial
execution officially adopted by the Israeli political and military
establishments in violation of international law and humanitarian law, on Monday
afternoon, 19 July 2004, and Tuesday morning, 20 July 2004, Israeli occupying
forces launched 2 aerial attacks on a house in al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza
City belonging to al-‘Abed Yousef al-‘Abed al-Qouqa, 41, a prominent leader of
the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees. Al-Qouqa survived the attacks, but 5 other civilians were injured and
his house and 3 neighboring houses were severely damaged. In addition, 13 other houses were lightly
damaged. Israeli troops admitted
responsibility for these attacks. Israeli security sources also claimed that Israeli troops had attempted
to assassinate al-Qouqa 10 days earlier, when Israeli helicopter gunships
attacked a civilian car in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
16:30 on Monday, 19 July 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at
a 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by al-Qouqa, in which 15 people (3
families) live. The missile struck the
roof and its shrapnel injured two of al-Qouqa’s friends who were waiting him
there. No casualties were reported among
residents of the house. PCHR’s field
worker in Gaza City who saw the house after this attack reported that the
missile spread tiny cubic objects when it exploded. Apparently, Israeli troops used this kind of
missiles, which do not cause severe damage to properties, for the first
time. At approximately 02:30 on Tuesday,
20 July 2004, Israeli helicopter gunships fired 2 missiles at the same
house. One of the missiles penetrated
the roof and destroyed the second floor, whereas the other missile hit the
first floor and a neighboring house. As
result, 3 Palestinian civilians were injured, and 13 neighboring houses were
damaged.
Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall
In a challenge for the advisory opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice which considered the construction of the
annexation wall inside the West Bank illegal, the Israeli government has
continued to construct the wall, especially in Bethlehem and Jenin.
On Friday morning, 16 July 2004, Israeli troops
started to stable cameras and lights on the section of the annexation wall near
“Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron. Israeli troops have continued to deny access
of Palestinian civilians to their land in ‘Ein Bani Salim area, which has been
isolated behind the wall.
Also on Friday morning, 16 July 2004, an engineering
unit of the so-called Israeli Civil Administration started to survey areas of
Palestinian land in Artas village, south of Bethlehem, for the purpose of the
construction of a section of the wall in the area. According to local sources, this
surveillance, which had continued for 3 days, included 3000 donums of
Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, grapes and vegetables in Abu
Zunaid, Khellat al-Nakhla and Khellat al-Qutan areas in the south of the
village. The same sources added that
this planned section of the wall wound extend from Beit Ta’mar area in the
southeast of Bethlehem towards Wad Rahhal area and them to “Kfar
Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
On Sunday, 18 July 2004, Israeli occupying
authorities delivered notices to 4 Palestinian civilians, informing them that
their 2 houses and 2 bird farms, which are located near the annexation wall
would be demolished. According to local
sources, the two houses belong to Naji Taher Qabaha and Mohammed Ahmed Khader,
whereas the bird farms belong to Taher Qabaha and Fayez Khalil Qabaha.
In Qalqilya, this week, engineering units of Israeli
occupying forces started to survey hundreds of donums of Palestinian
agricultural land in Jayous village, northeast of the town, to the east of the
annexation wall. These units placed
signs that determine tracks of roads to be established in the area.
On Tuesday morning, 20 July 2004, Israeli troops
destroyed an olive press, a carpentry workshop, a sewing facility and an
under-construction house in Barta’a al-Sharqia village, southwest of Jenin,
claiming that they had been established without proper licenses. These facilities are located near the
annexation wall.
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 16th consecutive
week. They have continued to close most border crossings of the Gaza
Strip. Israeli troops have also
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan
Yunis. On Sunday morning, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops closed Rafah
Terminal on the Egyptian border, only 3 days after they had reopened it. They have also continued to close al-Tuffah
checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis for the second
consecutive week. In the meantime,
Israeli troops have continued to impose a tight siege on the northern Gaza
Strip town of Beit Hanoun for the 4th consecutive week.
This week, Israeli troops imposed
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and
al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of Khan Yunis. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 15 July
2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints for 5 hours and held and
searched a number of Palestinian vehicles in between. They arrested one
Palestinian. The same happened on Friday
morning, 16 July 2004. At approximately 17:00
on Saturday, 17 July 2004, Israeli troops positioned on observation towers between
the two checkpoints opened fire at passing Palestinian vehicles. A Palestinian civilian, Hammad Mahmoud
Ibrahim Baraka, 25, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. At approximately 14:45 on Tuesday, 20 July
2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number
of Palestinian vehicles in between. For
the 4th consecutive week, Israeli troops have continued to prevent
private cars from crossing the two checkpoints.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. This week,
Israeli troops launched attacks against Palestinian civilians living in the
area. At approximately 07:20 on Sunday,
18 July 2004, Israeli troops positioned at al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance
to al-Mawasi area opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians who were
waiting at the checkpoint. Five
civilians were injured:
1. Khalil
‘Abdullah Ahmed al-Bardawil, 60, injured by shrapnel in the left hand;
2. Na’im
Mhamoud Abu Hannoun, 47, injured by shrapnel in the left hand;
3. ‘Abdul
Nasser Khalil al-Njajar, 40, injured by shrapnel in the back;
4. Mahmoud
Mohammed Abu Salima, 35, injured by shrapnel in the back; and
5. Suleiman
Yahia al-Astal, 41, injured by shrapnel in the left leg.
At approximately 22:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops raided and searched Na’im Mohammed al-Lahham’s house in al-Mawasi area
in Khan Yunis, and arrested his son, Mahmoud, 25, a farmer. In the meantime, Israeli troops have
continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in
Rafah. When al-Tuffah checkpoint is
open, Israeli troops do not allow male Palestinians whose ages are between 16
and 30 and females whose ages are between 16 and 25 from crossing.
Israeli forces have also continued to impose a
tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. The have
denied entry of domestic gas to the area. They have also imposed severe
restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers, and continued to prevent
those whose ages are under 30 from moving out and into the area. Israeli
troops allow only 5 persons to get out of the area everyday to bring
foodstuffs. 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.
Israeli troops have continued to close
border crossing in the face of Palestinian workers and patients. Since 27 June 2004, Israeli troops have
continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, prohibiting access
of Palestinian workers to their work places inside Israel. Even though Israeli occupying forces
partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza
City, and Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, they have imposed severe
restrictions on the flow of goods through the two crossing.
On Sunday morning, 18 July 2004, Israeli
troops closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which has been the only
outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the
current Intifada. They claim that they
are searching for smuggling tunnels near the terminal. Israeli occupying forces have continued to
prohibit male Palestinians between the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through
Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.
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.
Ramallah
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the town and obstructed the
movement of Palestinian vehicles for long hours. On Saturday morning, 17 July 2004, Israeli
troops positioned at Qalandya checkpoint held 9 Palestinian children who were
on their way to al-Ram village to participate in a summer camp. They forced these children to sit on cement
blocks under the sun. They also held a
number of young men the same way.
Bethlehem
This week, Israeli troops positioned at Gilo
checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops have continued to close the western
entrance to al-Khader village, southwest of the town, denying movement of
Palestinian civilians living in the western villages of Bethlehem and
Hebron.
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. This week, Israeli
troops erected more checkpoints on the old Nablus – Ramallah road. They stopped and searched Palestinian
vehicles. They have also continued to
prevent Palestinians, who are under 40, from crossing military checkpoints
erected around the city.
On Sunday, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops positioned at
Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Ayman al-Zubaidi, 23, from Balata
refugee camp, east of Nablus.
Tulkarm
Since Thursday, 15 July 2004, Israeli troops have closed
an iron gate near “Enab” settlement on Tulkram – Nablus road,
prohibiting movement of Palestinian vehicles in the area. Israeli troops also erected a number of
checkpoints around the town and restricted movement of Palestinians civilians. On Thursday, 15 July 2004, Israeli troops
held a bus, in which around 60 Palestinian students were traveling from Tulkarm
to al-Kafriyat area to the south, for 3 hours.
Qalqilya
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinians civilians. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops positioned at an iron gate on
the annexation wall imposed severe restrictions on access of Palestinian civilians
from Jayous village to their land. On
Sunday, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops prevented a Belgian delegation from
entering ‘Azzoun – ‘Atma village. The
delegation, which included a number of psychiatrists, intended to visit an
elementary school in the village to provide Palestinian children with
psychological guidance and support.
The Jordan Valley
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the area held and
searched Palestinian vehicles and obstructed their movement for long
hours. Israeli troops also erected more
checkpoints in the area to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians.
*****
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 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
