Israeli Forces Perpetrate More
Crimes in the OPTs
· 4
Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli troops
· One
of the victims was killed in an extra-judicial assassination
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· At
least 400 donums[1]
of agricultural land were razed and 3 houses were destroyed in the Gaza Strip
· 2
houses were destroyed in Khan Yunis by Israeli troops in the context of
retaliatory measures against families of Palestinian activists
· Israeli
troops used a child as a human shield during a military operation in the OPTs
· Israeli
forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas injuring a number of
Palestinian civilians
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of
Palestinian land were seized
· Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more
violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by
Israeli occupying forces included willful and extra-judicial executions,
incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house
demolitions. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of
the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight
siege on the OPTs. This week, 4
Palestinian civilians were killed and at least 20 others, including a number of
children, were injured by Israeli troops.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted
10 military incursions into Palestinian areas, the widest of which was against
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun on 22 June 2004, during which they killed
3 Palestinian civilians and razed at least 300 donums of Palestinian
agricultural land. Israeli troops razed 77 donums of agricultural land in
the town during another incursion on 18 June 2004. They also razed 43 donums of agricultural
land in Khan Yunis, destroyed 3 houses in Rafah and arrested 12 Palestinian
civilians in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah. On 18 June 2004, Israeli troops destroyed 2
Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village in Khan Yunis in the context of
retaliatory measures against families of Palestinian activists. On 18 and 19 June 2004, Israeli helicopter
gunships destroyed 3 workshops in the Gaza Strip. This week, Israeli troops used a Palestinian
child as a human shield during a military operation in Wadi al-Salqa village in
the central Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a
series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. A Palestinian was extra-judicially executed
by Israeli troops in Nablus on 23 June 2004. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West
Bank. In addition, 13 Palestinian
civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire.
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank. They razed more areas of Palestinian land and started to construct some
sections of the wall around Jerusalem, in a strategic attempt to redefine the
borders of the town, by annexing more of its land and forcing Palestinians to
leave it. They also razed more areas of
Palestinian land near Salfit for the purpose of the construction of the wall in
the area.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have
continued to close most border crossings. A number of these crossing were partially reopened, but under severe
restrictions. They imposed severe
restrictions on traveling through Rafah Terminal. In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces
have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They
have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 17 June 2004
At approximately 00:30, Israeli
occupying forces moved into Nablus. They
surrounded the eastern cemetery after they had chased 3 Palestinian boys. They fired at the boys, wounding one of them,
Walid Mohammed al-Shahrouri, 18. They
arrested the three boys.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli
troops moved into al-Duha village near Bethlehem. They arrested 3 Palestinians, including 2
brothers:
1. Mousa Mohammed al-Zaghari, 21;
2. Wajdi Mo’tassem al-Zaghari, 19; and
3. Mousa Mo’tassem al-Zaghari, 26.
At approximately 01:30, Israeli
troops moved into Tulkarm. They arrested
4 Palestinians:
1. ‘Aamer ‘Abdul Karim Bashir, 19;
2. ‘Emad ‘Aadel Abu Sharifa, 20;
3. Mohammed Fayez Fahmawi, 20; and
4. ‘Alaa’ ‘Abdul Rahim Sarhan, 22.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli
occupying forces moved into al-Jabriyat neighborhood in the southwest of
Jenin. They opened fire at Palestinian
houses. A Palestinian, Ahmed Fawzi
Yassin al-Sa’di, 25, was wounded and arrested. Israeli occupying forces claim that he was wanted.
Also at approximately 02:00,
Israeli troops arrested Lu’ai No’man Mutawe’, 22, in Hebron.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli
occupying forces, reinforced by 2 tanks and 2 military bulldozers, moved into
Palestinian areas located to the northeast of “Netzarim” settlement,
south of Gaza City. They destroyed a
well belonging to the Abu Dahrouj family. Then, they surrounded 4 houses belonging to the same family with sand
barriers. As a result, windows and door
of these houses were broken, and movement of the 32 residents of the houses has
been restricted. Israeli troops also
destroyed an agricultural pool and a bird farm belonging to the al-Wehaidi
family. In addition, Israeli troops destroyed
a branch road of Salah al-Din street that served the families of al-Wehaidi and
Abu Dahrouj in their movement outside the area. The civilian infrastructure of the area was damaged.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli
troops arrested Sami Qassem al-Sa’di, 27, in Tubas village near Jenin.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli
troops moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. A number of Palestinian young men fathered
and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli troops opened fire. Three of the young men and 2 passing civilians, including a child, were
wounded:
1. Bader Hatem Abu Zant, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the eye;
2. Sameh Naji Kilan, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal
bullet in the right leg;
3. Mohammed Sa’id Massa’id, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the
left hand;
4. Ghaleb Mohammed Mazhar, 55, wounded by a live bullet in
the right hand; and
5. Yazan ‘Abdul Latif Abu Laban, 7, wounded by shrapnel in
the head.
Friday, 18 June 2004
At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Gadid” settlement, west of Khan
Yunis, shelled Baten al-Samin area to the east. Six artillery shells hit the southern and western façades of Zaki
‘al-Abed Zo’rob. Shrapnel hit his child,
Sa’eda, 13, to the left foot, and the house was damaged. Two neighboring houses were also
damaged.
At approximately 02:20, Israeli troops raided Khalil
Mohammed Abu ‘Omar, 80, in the center of Hebron. They violently beat the 25 residents of the
house, injuring a number of them, including Nader Abu ‘Omar, 40, who suffers
from a disease in the stomach.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli troops moved into
Nablus. They raided and searched Ghazi
Aslan’s house in Rafidya neighborhood, and arrested the owner’s daughter,
Ritab, 18. They also arrested Khader
‘Abdul Qader Himmu, 17.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces,
accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved around 500 meters into the east of
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. By the following day morning, they had razed 77 donums of Palestinian
agricultural land planted with citrus belonging to the families of Shurrab,
Jarada, al-Kafarna, al-Basha, Abu ‘Ouda and al-Bo’.
Also at approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved around 200 meters into al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah,
adjacent to the Egyptian border. They
demolished a 180-square-meter house owned by Joma’a Harb al-Bunch, in which 5
people lived.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved approximately 500 meters into al-Fukhari area in the east of Khan
Yunis. They razed 37 donums of
Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and wheat and destroyed
agricultural equipments belonging to the families of Abu ‘Ouda, Abu To’aima and
Abu Kaware’.
At approximately 23:05, Israeli helicopter gunships
launched 2 missiles at a workshop owned by the heirs of Mousa Sha’ban, near
‘Asqoula crossroads in the east of Gaza City, a densely populated area. The workshop was largely destroyed. Around 12 minutes later, the Israeli
helicopter gunships launched 3 missiles at an industrial compound owned by
Ayman Khalil al-Faseeh, at Salah al-Din Street, southeast of Gaza City. The compound was largely destroyed, and a
resident of the area, Ahmed Sa’dallah al-Ra’ei, 29, was injured by shrapnel in
the left leg. A number of houses in the
area were also damaged. The workshop and
the compound had been attacked by Israeli helicopter gunships in the past and
were reconstructed.
Saturday, 19 June 2004
At approximately 03:00, Israeli
troops moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. They surrounded Mohammed al-Ahwal’s house to
arrest one of his sons. A few hours
later, a number of children and young men gathered in the area and threw stones
at Israeli troops. Immediately, those
troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding 4:
1. Ramez
Hisham Abu Keshek, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;
2. Mohammed
Ibrahim ‘Abdullah, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;
3. Mohammed
Ahmed Ghazzawi, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the testicles;
and
4. Khalil
Khamis Abu Zuhair, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right
hand.
Israeli troops also
arrested 3 of al-Ahwal’s sons: Salah, 25; Khamis, 29; and Ziad, 40.
At approximately 03:30, an
infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved around 150 meters into
Palestinian areas located to the northwest of “Kfar Darom”
settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. Israeli troops raided and searched Saber Saleh Wali’s uninhabited
house. They transformed the house into a
military site. In the evening, Israeli
military reinforcements were brought to the area. Israeli troops opened fire at houses. As a result, a Palestinian woman, Hamida
Ibrahim Hammad, 50, was wounded by a live bullet in the feet, when she was
inside her house. During this incursion,
Israeli troops demolished a room in the house they had seized, the fence of a
house belonging to al-Akhras family and gas pipelines belonging to ‘Akila fuel
station.
Also at approximately
03:30, Israeli troops raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians,
including 2 brothers:
1. Fadel
Edris Sarsour, 23;
2. Burhan
Edris Sarsour, 25; and
3. Yasser
‘Abdul Fattah Ghaith, 23.
At approximately 04:00,
Israeli troops moved into ‘Awarta village near Nablus and arrested ‘Alaa’
Khalil ‘Awad, 23.
At approximately 04:15,
Israeli troops moved into Jenin and arrested Yasser Ahmed Ghazzawi, 23.
At approximately 10:00,
Israeli troops moved into Namera neighborhood in Hebron. They surrounded a Palestinian police station
in the area after having closed all roads leading to it. They checked the ID cards of passing
Palestinian civilians and members of the Palestinian police. Two hours later, Israeli troops withdrew from
the area and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:00,
Israeli troops arrested Rajeh Radwan al-Junaidi, 30, in Hebron.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli
troops in a military jeeps positioned in Wadi al-Hamam area between Nablus and
al-Bathan village to the east fired at a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was
traveling from Nablus to the village. A
Palestinian civilian, Salim Shehada Shaf’ei, 26, from al-Bathan village, was
wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
At approximately 16:30,
Israeli troops positioned in “al-Nouria” military post, west of Khan
Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis
refugee camp. A Palestinian child,
‘Alaa’ Mohammed Rustom, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 18:00,
Israeli troops moved into Qalandya refugee camp near Ramallah and arrested 5
Palestinians, including 2 brothers:
1. Eyad
Ibrahim Abu Latifa, 19;
2. ‘Abdullah
Ibrahim Abu Latifa, 21;
3. Samer
Fareed Ziada, 21;
4. ‘Ouda
Khair Fayala, 22; and
5. Ahmed
‘Olayan Hamad, 19.
At approximately 22:50, Israeli
troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim”
settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian woman, Jamila Hassanain Abu
Mukhaimer, 45, was injured by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right
arm.
At approximately 23:00, 2
Israeli helicopter gunships launched a missile at a 300-square-meter store of
wood and construction raw materials at owned by Mousa Hassan Qandil at the
entrance to al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The store and a civilian vehicle were
severely damaged.
Sunday, 20 June 2004
At approximately 02:00,
Israeli troops moved into Bethlehem and arrested 2 Palestinians:
1. Ibrahim
Khalaf Humaid, 25; and
2. Lu’ai
Ahmed al-‘Azza, 21.
At approximately 17:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” and “Gadid” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire
at the cemeteries and Baten al-Samin areas to the east. A Palestinian child, Mohammed Fathi ‘Azab,
16, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck.
Monday, 21 June 2004
At approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying
forces moved around 300 meters into Abu Haddaf area in al-Qarara village,
northeast of Khan Yunis. Israeli troops raided
and searched Salem ‘Abed Rabbu Abu Haddaf’s house. They held the 13 residents of the house on
one room. At approximately 03:00,
Israeli troops arrested 2 of the owner’s sons: Maher, 30; and Muneer, 25, and
left the area.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops moved into
Sa’ir village near Hebron. They arrested
5 Palestinians:
1. Nasser
Hassan al-Mutawar, 22;
2. Salem
Hassan al-Mutawar, 35;
3. Basem
Hassan al-Mutawar, 39;
4. Tal’at
Bassam Hassan al-Mutawar, 20; and
5. Ra’fat
Bassam Hassan al-Mutawar, 19.
At approximately 03:00, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved around 600 meters into Baten al-Samin area in the
southwest of Khan Yunis. In the
meantime, 2 Israeli helicopters flew over the area. Israeli troops raided and searched a house
belonging to the Burika family. They
arrested Bassel Salim Buraika, 25, and his brother Bassam, 22. In the street, Israeli troops stopped and
beat Suleiman ‘Abdullah Khalaf, 61, while he was going to the mosque for the
dawn prayer.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast
of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas located to the
north. Three Palestinian civilians,
including 2 children, were wounded:
1. Maisaa’
Fathi al-Sumairi, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;
2. Eyad
‘Abdul Karim Abu Mo’aileq, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand; and
3. Bushra
Mohammed Abu Mughassib, 29, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian, Khamis Mohammed Abu
‘Ouda, 55, was wounded by 2 live bullets in the leg.
Tuesday, 22 June 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved about 200 meters into Abu Sha’ar area in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast
of Deir al-Balah. They surrounded 7
houses belonging to the families of al-Hanajra and Abu Musa’ed. They ordered residents of the houses to get
out and gathered them near the nearby “Kissufim” settler road. Then, they used 15-year-old Bilal Qadar
al-Hanajra as a human shield while searching the houses. At approximately 03:00, Israeli troops
arrested 5 Palestinians, including a child.
At approximately 01:30, following an armed clash
between Israeli troops and members of the Palestinian resistance, those troops
moved about 700 meters into Palestinian areas located to the northeast of
“Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They surrounded a number of houses belonging
to the Ben Sa’id family. They forced
their residents out. Then, Israeli troops
planted explosives inside 2 of these houses destroying them:
1. A
350-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Ben Sa’id, in which 12
people lived; and
2. A
250-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed Ibrahim Ben Sa’id, in which
9 people lived.
In addition, 11 neighboring houses were severely
damaged.
In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into Beit
Eiba village near Nablus, Kufor al-Dik village near Salfit, Dura village and
al-‘Arroub refugee camp near Hebron, and Qabatya village near Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 11 Palestinians.
At approximately 02:00, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces, counting around 300 soldiers, moved about 1500 meters into
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Immediately, they raided Khalil ‘Abdul Fattah al-Masri’s 4-storey
house. They held the 35 residents of the
house in one room on the second floor. They took up position on top of the house and transformed it into a
military site. According to residents of
the house, Israeli troops used children as human shields while searching the
house. At approximately 14:30, more
Israeli military reinforcements, including bulldozers, were brought to the
area. They opened fire at a residential
area. A Palestinian civilian, Ahmed
Fathi al-Masri, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand. In the evening, Israeli troops continued to
fire at residential areas in the town. As a result, Khaled Jamal Ayoub al-Shanbari, 20, was killed by several
live bullets throughout the body. When
Ibrahim ‘Abdul Rahman Salha tried to transfer al-Shanbari’s body, Israeli
troops shot him dead with several live bullets throughout the body. Israeli troops prevented ambulances from
transferring the two victims’ bodies. Residents of the area were able to reach the bodies one hour later. They transferred them to ambulances. At approximately 22:30, Israeli troops fired
at Mohammed Fadel Na’in, 19, wounding him with a live bullet in the left foot. This Israeli military incursion continued
until Wednesday. At approximately 08:00
on Wednesday, Israeli troops opened fire at Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed Abu Sa’ada,
21, wounding him with several live bullets in the chest, the pelvis and the
legs. He bled to death as ambulances
were not able to reach him. According to
eyewitnesses, Abu Sa’da was coming back home from a visit to one of his
relatives outside the town when he was shot. During this incursion, Israeli military bulldozers razed at least 300
donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with citrus belonging toe the
families of al-Basha, al-Shawa, Shurrab, al-Nakhala, al-Safadi, Jarada, Wahdan
and Sha’at. They also destroyed 3 bird
farms belonging to the Abu ‘Ouda family. Israeli troops withdrew from the town on Wednesday evening, 23 June
2004.
At approximately 12:30, Israeli troops moved into the
campus of al-Quds Open University in Yatta village, south of Hebron. They held and interrogated dozens of
students. A number of students threw
stones at the Israeli troops. Immediately, those troops fired at the students, wounding 3:
1. Sha’ban
‘Abdullah Abu Sabha, 27, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
abdomen;
2. Yasser
Mohammed ‘Olayan, 25, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg;
and
3. Mohammed
‘Eissa Makhamra, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullets in the left
arm.
At approximately 14:50, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, south of Khan
Yunis, opened fire at Gizan al-Najjar area to the north. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Suleiman
‘Ouda, 20, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot, when he was around
700 meters away from the source of fire.
Wednesday, 23 June 2004
In the early morning, Israeli troops moved into Beit
Eksa and Silwad village near Ramallah, al-Duhaisha refugee camp near Bethlehem,
and ‘Ezbat al-Jarad village near Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Paletsinians.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at residential areas in the
town. A Palestinian civilian, Fadel
Es’ayed al-‘Aqqad, 24, from Khan Yunis, was wounded by a live bullet in the
right foot, when he was near the campus of al-Quds Open University in
al-Junaina neighborhood.
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
Wednesday morning, 23 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed another
extra-judicial execution in the West Bank.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
08:45 on Wednesday, 23 June 2004, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces
moved into an-Najah National University Street in Nablus. Israeli troops raided a photography studio
opposite the university. They opened
fire at Shadi Khaled Mahmoud Salim, 26, from Salfit, who is allegedly wanted by
Israeli occupying forces for his activities in the Islamic Jihad. Salim who was at the door of the studio was
wounded by a live bullet in the chest. They left him bleeding to death. Then, they severely beat Salim’s colleague, Muhannad Mahmoud Abu ‘Eisha,
from Beit Wazan village near Nablus, and the studio’s owner. A number of university students gathered and
threw stones at Israeli troops. More
Israeli military reinforcements were brought into the area. They opened fire at the students. Then, they took Salim’s body, arrested Abu
‘Eisha and withdrew from the area. At
approximately 10:00, Israeli troops delivered Salim’s body to a Palestinian
ambulance near Surra military checkpoint.
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 11th
consecutive week. Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to the north of
Khan Yunis. They have also imposed severe restriction at Rafah
Terminal. They partially reopened Erez crossing in the northern Gaza
Strip, allowing a limited number of Palestinian workers to reach their work
places inside Israeli. They have also continued to impose a strict siege
on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and other Palestinian areas
located near Israeli settlements.
This week, Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints to
the north of Khan Yunis. On Thursday
morning, 17 June 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints. They reopened the two checkpoints at 12:30,
but prevented private cars from crossing. Since that date, they have not allowed any private car to cross the two
checkpoints.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops closed the two
checkpoints. They sporadically allowed
cars to cross the checkpoints. Israeli
troops also stopped and searched a number of vehicles.
On Monday morning, 21 June 2004, Israeli troops
closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of vehicles. The same happened on Tuesday, 22 June
2004.
For the 12th consecutive week, Israeli
occupying forces have continued to close most border crossings between the Gaza
Strip and Israel. Even though Israeli
occupying forces partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to
the east of Gaza City, they imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods
through the crossing.
This week, Israeli occupying forces partially
reopened Erez crossing, allowing dozens of Palestinian workers who work in the
industrial sector to reach their work places in Israel. On Thursday, 17 June 2004, Israeli occupying
forces issued work permits for these workers, with strict conditions attached,
including that a worker must be over 35 and married. According to the Palestinian Ministry of
labor, Israeli occupying authorities issued 513 work permits. On Sunday, 20 June 2004, 332 Palestinian
workers were able to reach their work places inside Israel, but after prolonged
checking at Erez crossing. However,
Israeli troops confiscated dozens of work permits of workers living in Rafah
for no apparent reason.
In violation of the right of health, Israeli
occupying forces have imposed restrictions on access of Palestinian patients
from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank to receive medical
care.
Although Israeli forces reopened Rafah Terminal on
Tuesday, 25 May 2004, they imposed severe restrictions on travel, sharply
decreasing the number of travelers. On Thursday, Israeli troops arrested
Isma’il ‘Abed Isma’il al-Nounu, 38, from Gaza City, while he was on his way
back to the Gaza Strip. Since 18 April
2004, Israeli occupying forces have continued to prohibit Palestinians between
the ages of 16 and 35 from traveling through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian
border.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have
continued to close Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance to the area in
Rafah and impose restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians through
al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis. Israeli
troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint, but did not allow male Palestinians whose
ages are between 16 and 30 and females whose ages are between 16 and 25 from
crossing. On Thursday morning, 17 June
2004, Israeli troops closed al-Tuffah checkpoint. This closure continued until Monday morning,
21 June 2004.
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.
In the same context, Israeli occupying forces have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central
Gaza Strip.
The West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. They imposed
curfews on a number of villages.
Jerusalem
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints
around the city in the context of continued construction of the “Annexation Wall”.
Israeli troops positioned at Dahiat
al-Barid checkpoint at the northern entrance of the city imposed severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops also reinforced their presence
on branch roads leading to the city. Israeli troops have also continued to prevent Palestinian Moslems who
are under 45 from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays.
Ramallah
Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. They
imposed more checkpoints around the town. They obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles for long
hours.
Bethlehem
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians, and denied the access of Palestinian workers
to their work places in East Jerusalem. On Saturday morning, 19 June 2004, Israeli troops closed a workshop
owned by Mohammed Taleb Nairoukh near Bilal Ben Rabah mosque, north of the
town. Since the beginning of the current
Intifada, Israeli troops have closed more than 60 Palestinian workshops and
facilities in the area.
Hebron
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints around the city and checked and humiliated
Palestinian civilians. Israeli troops
have continued to close all roads linking between Hebron and Bethlehem.
Nablus
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced Palestinian civilians and vehicles to wait for long hours at
military checkpoints. Israeli forces
have also continued to prevent Palestinians, who are under 35, from crossing
military checkpoints erected around the city. On Sunday, 20 June 2004, Israeli troops seized a number of Palestinian
taxis and informed drivers that their vehicles would be held for 12 days,
because they tried to find alternative roads to closed ones.
Tulkarm
This week, Israeli occupying forces imposed more
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of temporary
checkpoints around the town. They stopped
Palestinian vehicles and checked passengers.
Qalqilya
Israeli troops erected more checkpoints around the
town and stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. On Saturday afternoon, 19 June 2004, Israeli
troops positioned at iron gate on the annexation wall near Habla village, south
of Qalqilya, severely beat Qahera Ibrahim Muhaisen, 42, when she tried to cross
the gate. An Israeli military jeep also
tried to run her down.
At approximately 13:15 on Thursday, Israeli troops
positioned at Jeet junction, east of Qalqilya, arrested ‘Alaa’ ‘Omar Samman,
26, an ambulance driver, when he was transporting a sick child from Qalqilya to
Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. He was
relased 2 days later.
Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall in the
West Bank
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem and in
Salafit area, south of Nablus.
In al-Ram area, north of East Jerusalem, Israeli
occupying forces completed the establishment of infrastructure for the
construction of the wall. According to
eyewitnesses, Israeli bulldozers destroyed parts of the road linking between
Dahiat al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Qalandya checkpoint, south
of Ramallah. They also brought cement
blocks to the area pending a final ruling by the Israeli High Court regarding
the construction of the wall in the area, as the court issued a temporary
injunction on Sunday, 13 June 2004, stopping the construction of this section
of the wall, but allowed Israeli troops to continue the establishment of the
infrastructure in the area.
In the same context, Israeli sources stated that
Israeli occupying forces would start to construct a section of the annexation
wall around al-Ram village, which would isolate the village from its
surroundings. According to the same
sources, around 70,000 Palestinians living in the village would be isolated
from Jerusalem and its suburbs, and would be forced to travel to Qalandya
checkpoint, around 2500 meters to the north, in order to be able to travel to
Jerusalem. The same sources added that
the Israeli Defense Ministry showed the plan of the construction to journalists
in the weekend.
This week, Israeli occupying forces started to raze
areas of Palestinian land in Salfit and Eskaka villages, south of Nablus, to
construct another section of the wall. According to eyewitnesses, on Thursday, 17 June 2004, Israeli troops
uprooted about 400 olive trees in the area. On Wednesday, 23 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued a military
order seizing nearly 300 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the two
villages, and gave villagers only one week to appeal against the order. According to local sources, the construction
of the wall in the area will isolate nearly 14000 donums of agricultural land
planted with olives.
On Monday morning, 21 June 2004, Israeli occupying
forces handed 28 new notices to Palestinians living in Arab al-Ramadin village,
southwest of Hebron, informing them that their houses and properties would be destroyed
for the purpose of the construction of the wall. These notices included 6 houses, 9 wells and
agricultural pools and 13 greenhouses. The villagers were given 3 days to appeal against the destruction
orders. In the past few months, Israeli
occupying forces demolished at least 20 houses and facilities in the same
village, and informed more than 50 families that their houses and properties
would be destroyed.
Israeli Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers
against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli settlers who live in the OPTs in violation of
international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians
and their properties.
At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 5 June 2004, a
number of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of
Hebron, severely beat Ahlam Mohammed Saber Jaber, 14, when she was near her
family’s house in Hebron. She sustained
bruises throughout the body.
On Sunday morning, 6 June 2004, a number of armed
Israeli settlers seized a 1.5-donum garden near the Ibrahimi mosque in the old
town of Hebron.
Also on Sunday morning, a number of armed Israeli
settlers from “Gil’ad” settlement near Qalqilya opened fire at a
cattle of sheep belonging to Palestinians from Far’ata and Amatin villages,
northeast of Qalqilya, killing a number of them. Israeli troops arrested 2 Palestinian
civilians for several hours as they protested against this action: Sidqi Sawan,
45; and Tariq Sadiq, 25.
On Tuesday evening, 8 June 2004, dozens of Israeli
settlers escorted by Israeli troops moved from “Kiryat Arba”
settlement, east of Hebron, and attacked Palestinian civilians in Wad al-Nasara
neighborhood with stones.
This week, Israeli settlers from “Qidumim”
settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented Palestinian farmers from the
neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village from reaching their agricultural land.
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 08:00 on Friday, 18 June 2004, Israeli
occupying forces moved around 400 meters into Abu Zaher area in al-Qarara
village, south of Khan Yunis. They
surrounded 3 houses owned by Salman Salem Abu Zaher and his sons. They forced residents of the three houses
out. Then, they called through
megaphones on Bader Salman Abu Zaher, 23, who is allegedly wanted by those
troops, to get out and surrender, but he was not there. Soon, Israeli troops destroyed 2 of these
houses and severely damaged the third:
1. A
130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ahmed Salman Abu Zaher, in
which 3 people lived, was totally destroyed.
2. An
80-square-meter, tin-roofed house owned by Hammad Salman Abu Zaher, in which 2
people lived, was totally destroyed.
3. A
150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salman Salem Abu Zaher, in
which 5 people live, was partially destroyed.
Also during this incursion, Israeli troops raided and
searched 6 other houses. They also razed
6 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and corns belonging to the
families of Abu Zaher and Abu Sabet.
*****
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
