Israeli Forces Continue to
Perpetrate Crimes in the OPTs
· One
Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· Israeli
forces raided two banks in Ramallah and confiscated large amounts of money
· More
areas of Palestinian agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip
· Houses
were raided and a number of Palestinians were arrested
· Continued
use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in Israeli military operations
· Construction
of the “Separation Wall” in the West Bank has continued and more areas of
Palestinian land were seized
· In
a continuation of settlement activities, Israeli forces ordered confiscation of
more areas of Palestinian land in the Gaza Strip
· 4
Palestinian houses were destroyed by Israeli forces as part of the continuing
campaign of retaliation against the families of Palestinians accused of
involvement in attacks against Israeli targets
· Indiscriminate
shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued and a number of Palestinian
civilians were injured
· Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs; Israeli
forces closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border as well as Sofa crossing
and continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area
· In
violation of international humanitarian law, Israeli forces transferred a
Palestinian detainee from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip
Introduction
This week, Israeli occupying forces continued to
violate the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations included the use of
extra-judicial assassinations and willful killings. Throughout the week,
Israeli occupying forces also conducted incursions into Palestinian areas; shot
at Palestinian civilians, including 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 and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted
7 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they razed areas of
Palestinian agricultural land and destroyed a number of civilian facilities. They also raided houses and arrested a number
of Palestinians. Israeli forces
continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, injuring 9 Palestinian
civilians, including 4 children. On 21
February 2004, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian from al-Boreij
refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip while he was near the eastern border of
the Gaza Strip. Reasons for the victim’s
presence in the area are not clear, but he was not armed.
On 22 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed
written orders to a number of Palestinian families living near “Netzarim”
settlement, south of Gaza City, informing them that their land would be seized
for “military purposes” until the end of December 2005. Such orders mean
that the land will be effectively permanently confiscated. The orders
provide seven days for appeal. PCHR submitted appeal on behalf of the
owners of these lands to the Israeli military legal advisor. According to the orders which were issued by
the Head of the Israeli Military Southern Command, Dan Harel, “the seizure of
land is carried out in light of the current security situation and for absolute
military needs (security wall – Netzarim, Gaza) to establish security
facilities.” The area of land subject to
these orders is estimated at 27 dunums. However, the construction of a
“security wall” around the Netzarim settlement is likely to involve seizure of
additional Palestinian land and/or denial of access to other Palestinian land
in this area. The maps annexed to the military orders show that the wall
will encircle the southern part of “Netzarim” settlement; expanding an existing
buffer zone around the settlement. The construction of the wall is
expected to isolate hundreds of dunums of Palestinian land, which will be
trapped between the settlement and the new security wall.
There has been a clear increase in the use of land
seizure orders in the Gaza Strip in 2004. On 19 January 2004, Israeli occupying
forces issued written orders to 10 Palestinian families in Deir el-Balah
ordering the confiscation of land located northeast of “Kfar Darom”
settlement. The total area affected is approximately 700 dunums. On
6 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed land seizure orders to 7
Palestinian families who own agricultural land to the west of “Kfar
Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, informing them that their
land would be confiscated for security and military purposes. The
area of this land is estimated at 200 dunums.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted
a series of military incursions into Palestinian areas. In an unprecedented military action ordered
by a government, on 25 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces moved into the
Arab Bank and the Cairo – Amman Bank in Ramallah. They checked the ID cards of the staff and clients. According to Israeli official sources,
Israeli forces confiscated 40 million NIS (approximately US$ 9.1 million),
which will be transferred to Israel Central Bank. The Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
claimed that “the military operation in Ramallah targeted 390 bank accounts
belonging to Palestinian charitable societies.” He further claimed that intelligence revealed that “these amount of
money were devoted to fund hostile attacks against Israel.”
PCHR is concerned for this action which will cause
further deterioration to the Palestinian economy, which has been targeted by
Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of the current Intifada. PCHR calls upon the international community,
particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to
provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians and property and bring
back the stolen money.
Israeli forces also raided and searched houses in the
West Bank and arrested a number of Palestinians. They also used excessive force to disperse
demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians. As a result, a number of civilians were
injured.
In violation of article 33 of the Geneva Convention
Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, 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. This
week they destroyed 4 houses in the West Bank.
As the International Court of Justice commenced
consideration of the issue of the “Separation Wall” being constructed by
Israeli occupying forces in the West Bank, on Tuesday, 24 February 2004,
Israeli occupying forces began constructing part of the wall extending from
“Alkanah” settlement, southeast of Qalqilya, to “Ofar” detention center,
southwest of Ramallah. The length of
this part is expected to 42km and its construction will lead to more
Palestinian land confiscation.
One day before the sessions of the International
Court of Justice in move intended to mislead, Israeli occupying forces began to
dismantle a part of the wall to the east of Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of
Tulkram. However, this part is one of
two walls established around the village, therefore the village will remain
separated from the Green Line. In the
meantime, Israeli occupying forces have continued to raze and confiscate areas
of Palestinian land for the purpose of the wall construction.
On Thursday morning, 24 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces transferred Lu’ai Tayseer ‘Ali Salama, 32, from Qariout
village near Nablus to the Gaza Strip, implementing an order that “assigned his
residence” to the Gaza Strip for a period of 4 years. Salama had been
arrested by Israeli occupying forces in Ramallah on 12 March 2002, and detained
at ‘Ofar detention center near Ramallah. One week later, a 6-month
administrative detention order was issued against him and he was transferred to
Negev Prison. The administrative detention order was renewed for 6 months
and then twice more for 4 months in each. In the past two years, Israeli
occupying forces have escalated the use of unlawful transfers against
Palestinian civilians living in the West Bank. They unlawfully
transferred dozens of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to the Gaza
Strip for periods that ranged between 6 months and 2 years. Salama has been the second Palestinian
civilian deported by Israeli occupying forces from the West Bank to the Gaza
Strip in 2004. Israeli occupying forces transferred Anwar ‘Abdul Latif Salama
Abu Zahu, 31, from Jenin to the Gaza Strip confining him there for a period of
two years starting on 20 January 2004.
PCHR reiterates its position that the unlawful
transfer of a protected person constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva
Convention, and a war crime, as further clarified in the First Additional
Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.
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.
Israeli occupying forces have continued
to impose a tightened siege 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.
On Wednesday, 24 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border and Sofa crossing
on the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, northeast of Rafah.
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. They have blocked a number of roads using
cement blocks, sand barriers, and trenches. They have also erected temporary checkpoints and arrested a number of
Palestinians.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 19 February 2004
At approximately 01:00, and infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved into Sheikh ‘Ejlin neighborhood in the south of Gaza
city. Israeli soldiers raided and
searched Shehada Ahmed ‘Awad’s house. They arrested him and his five sons. The father and the sons were taken to the neighboring
“Netzarim” settlement where they were interrogated. Later, Shehada and two of his sons were
released, while the other three sons remained in custody: Ahmed, 23; Mohammed,
19; and Mahmoud, 21. Members of the
family are relatives of the husband of the woman who carried out a bombing
against Israeli soldiers at Erez crossing on 14 January 2004.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces
raided As’ad Faraj Maslamani’s house in Beit Hanina neighborhood north of
Jerusalem. They held the family in one
room, searched the house, and then inquired about the owner’s son, Faraj,
22. When the family told Israeli
soldiers that he lives in the family’s other house in al-Ram village, a number
of soldiers went to the other house and took the owner with them, while the
other soldiers continued to hold the family in the house. Israeli soldiers then raided the second house
and arrested the son. Furthermore, al-Maslamani’s
eldest son, Ayman, has been detained by Israeli occupying forces for several
months.
At approximately 05:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into al-Judaida village, southeast of Jenin. Israeli raided and searched Jamil Zaqzouq’s
house and arrested his daughter, Ghadeer, 19, a student at the Arab-American
University in Jenin.
At approximately 07:45, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Beit Rima and Deir Ghassana villages, northwest of Ramallah. Israeli soldiers took position near two
schools and fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at their
yards. A Palestinian child, ‘Ali Samir
al-Eimawi, 12, suffered from tear gas inhalation. Two other children were also wounded by
rubber-coated metal bullets:
1. Walid
Khaled al-Rimawi, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right
hand;
2. Rani
Nemer ‘Ata, 17, wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets in the legs.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into Balata refugee camp, east of
Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian
houses. A Palestinian woman, Sanaa’ Lutfi
Dwaikat, 40, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 500m into
al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza city. They razed more than 120 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They
razed a 101-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes owned by ‘Abdul
Dayem Furaih Abu Middain and his brothers.
2. They
razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes owned by Haidar
Farahat al-Zahhar.
3. They
razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes owned by Mahmoud
and ‘Obaid Talab Abu Kumail.
4. They
razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes owned by ‘Abdul
Hamid As’ad Abu Kumail.
5. They
razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with grapes owned by Khamis
As’ad Abu Kumail.
PCHR’s field worker in Gaza City reported that
Israeli occupying forces started to establish a settler road linking
“Netzarim” settlement and the southeast of al-Mughraqa village,
apparently to establish a new military location in the area.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 200m into al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area ordered
residents of the area leave their houses. They then closed al-Matahen road in the area with sand barriers and
searched the area. Workers at al-Matahen
Company in the area were not able to return to their homes until 16:00.
Friday, 20 February 2004
At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces,
accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved approximately 600m into al-Birka
area in the southwest of Deir al-Balah. They razed an 8-donum area of Palestinian agricultural land, 4
greenhouses planted with tomatoes stood on 4 of those donums and the remaining
4 donums were planted with olives, which were owned by Yasser Mohammed Musallam
al-Riati and his brothers.
At approximately 08:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Ras al-‘Ein neighborhood in Nablus. Israeli occupying forces opened
fire at houses and streets. As a result,
2 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Aamid
Munjed ‘Abdul Latif Madhi, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
head; and
2. ‘Amid
Mohammed Amin Rammah, 23, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.
At approximately 12:20, Israeli soldiers positioned
in military locations near “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan
Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood to the
southeast. Two Palestinian children were
wounded while on their way to a mosque:
1. Khalil
Jamil Faisal Ramadan, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and
2. Mohammed
Khaled Mohammed ‘Arafa, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot.
A number of live bullets hit the walls of the
mosque.
Saturday, 21 February 2004
At approximately 05:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into al-Duha village, southwest of Deir al-Balah. They raided and searched Hussein Haroun
Fararja’s house and arrested his son, Ashraf, 27.
In an excessive use of force, in the morning of 21
February, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian from
al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, while he was near the eastern
border of the Gaza Strip and east of the refugee camp.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 08:00, Israeli soldiers fired at Ussama Yousef Salama al-Mughari,
33, from al-Boreij refugee camp, while he was near the eastern border of the
Gaza Strip and wounded him by a live bullet in the chest. Al-Mughari remained on the site bleeding
until 11:00 when Israeli occupying forces informed the Palestinian side that a
civilian was wounded in the area. Immediately, an ambulance was dispatched to the area, but by the time it
reached al-Mughari, he had already died. The ambulance evacuated his body to a hospital in Deir al-Balah. Al-Mughari was a member of Palestinian
security services, and there is no information on the reasons of his presence
in the area. In addition, al-Mughari did
not have any kind of weapons when he was shot.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces,
accompanied by military bulldozers, moved approximately 400m into the Shallouf
area, southeast of Gaza city, and razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They
razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Rashad
Mohammed Salman al-Dahdouh.
2. They
razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and fruits owned
by the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments and rented by Hammad
‘Olaiwa.
3. They
razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by the
Dalloul family.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupying forces,
accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into ‘Oraiba area
in the north of Rafah. They razed a
3-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted with potatoes
stood, owned by ‘Omar ‘Ali al-Agha and farmed by Walid ‘Abdullah
al-Namouli. They also partially
demolished a 200-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by ‘Ouda Swailem al-Malalha,
in which 13 people (3 families) live.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli occupying forces
positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at al-Salam
neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian,
Harb Hassan Barakat, 35, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the
abdomen. He was approximately 200m away
from the border when he was wounded.
Sunday, 22 February 2004
In the morning, Israeli occupying forces handed
written orders to a number of Palestinian families living near “Netzarim”
settlement, south of Gaza city, informing them that their land would be seized
for “military purposes” until the end of December 2005. Such orders mean
that the land will be effectively confiscated. The orders provide seven
days for appeal. PCHR submitted an appeal on behalf of the owners of
these lands to the Israeli military legal advisor.
According to the orders which were issued by the Head
of the Israeli Military Southern Command, Dan Harel, “the seizure of land is
carried out in light of the current security situation and for absolute
military needs (security wall – Netzarim, Gaza) to establish security
facilities.”
The area of land subject to these orders is estimated
at 27 dunums. However, the construction of a “security wall” around the
Netzarim settlement is likely to involve seizure of additional Palestinian land
and/or denial of access to other areas of Palestinian land in this locale.
The maps annexed to the military orders show that the wall will encircle the
southern part of “Netzarim” settlement which will expand an existing buffer
zone around the settlement. The construction of the wall is expected to
isolate hundreds of dunums of Palestinian land, which will be trapped between
the settlement and the new security wall.
PCHR remains concerned that these latest seizure
orders near “Netzarim” settlement are part of a broader plan to expand direct
Israeli territorial control in many areas of the Gaza Strip. There has
been a clear increase in the use of land seizure orders in the Gaza Strip in
2004. On 19 January 2004, Israeli occupying forces issued written orders to 10
Palestinian families in Deir el-Balah ordering the confiscation of land located
northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement, with a total area of approximately 700 dunums.
On 6 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces handed land seizure orders to 7
Palestinian families who own agricultural land to the west of “Kfar
Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, informing them that their
land would be confiscated for security and military purposes. The
area of this land is estimated at 200 dunums.
PCHR is currently appealing the military orders in
both these instances. In the first case, PCHR’s first appeal to the Israeli
military legal advisor was rejected. PCHR subsequently submitted an appeal to
the Israeli High Court. The High Court will reconvene on 26 February
2004. The court has thus far refused to issue an interim injunction to
halt the seizure orders. With regard to the second case, PCHR submitted
an appeal on behalf of the seven families to the Israeli military legal
advisor. No response has yet been received.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces
positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
Palestinian residential areas in the town. A Palestinian civilian, Sami Yasser Hammad, 21, was wounded by a live
bullet in the left arm, while he was in al-Junaina neighborhood, approximately
700m away from the source of fire.
Monday, 23 February 2004
At approximately 03:30, 5 Israeli military jeeps moved
into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched Sabri Abu Lail’s house and arrested his two
sons: Ahmed 25; and Amjad, 23.
At the same time, 15 Israeli military vehicles moved
into Bethlehem and into ‘Aaida refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians
from ‘Aaida refugee camp:
1. ‘Aamer
Jamil Abu Sorour, 17;
2. Eyad
Salama al-Jawarish, 20;
3. Mahmoud
Yasser al-Mashayekh, 17;
4. Saif
al-Din ‘Ayad, 19;
5. Mo’ayad
Salama al-Debes, 23;
6. Hamza
Ibrahim Zarrina, 22; and
7. Nidal
Khalif Zawahra, 26.
In the morning, Israeli occupying forces raided and
searched a number of houses in Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. Mohammed
Jamal Za’oul, 24;
2. Mazen
Hani Za’oul, 27; and
3. Khalil
Isma’il Hamawa, 27.
At approximately 10:30, Israeli marine troops on a
gunboat opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing
approximately 2km away from the Deir al-Balah seashore. A number of boats were able to escape towards
the seashore, while one boat remained in the area. Israeli troops moved towards the boat and
ordered the six fishermen from Deir al-Balah who were on its boars to jump into
the water and swim towards them. Soon,
another Israeli gunboat arrived at the area. Israeli troops handcuffed 5 of the fishermen and arrested them:
1. Mohammed
‘Ali al-Aqra’, 18;
2. Qussai
‘Ali al-Aqra’, 20;
3. Hassan
‘Ali al-Aqra’, 23;
4. Jamil
Younis al-Aqra’, 18; and
5. Anwar
Mohammed al-Aqra’, 18.
As the International Court of Justice convened in the
Hague to consider the issue of the “Separation Wall” which is being
constructed by Israeli occupying forces in the West Bank, Palestinian civilians
organized peaceful marches throughout the OPTs. Israeli occupying forces used excessive force to disperse these
civilians. As a result, a number of
civilians were injured and others suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:00, Palestinian civilians
organized a peaceful march in Hebron. When the march arrived at the center of the town, Israeli soldiers fired
live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets at the march. A number of demonstrators threw stones in the
direction of Israeli soldiers. In these
clashes, 8 Palestinian civilians – one medic staff member, 3 children and 4
women – were wounded:
1. Salama
Mohammed Abu Sakout, 42, a medic of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, wounded
by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg;
2. Shireen
Hamdi Abu Maizar, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot;
3. Safaa’
‘Abdul Hafez al-‘Ashi, 25, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back;
4. Safwat
Walid Yousef ‘Amru, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh;
5. Wafaa’
‘Abed al-Ja’bari, 35, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left
shoulder;
6. Mohammed
Zakaria al-Ja’bari, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right
hand;
7. Rajaa’
Mohammed Nasser al-Din, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
right hand; and
8. Jihad
‘Abdul Rahman Ahmaru, 26, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.
In Bethlehem, Palestinian civilians organized a
peaceful demonstration near Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque (Rachel’s Tomb) in the north
of the town. Israeli soldiers positioned
in the area fired tear gas at the demonstrators. Four civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation and were evacuated to the hospital.
In Tulkarm, Palestinian civilians organized a
peaceful demonstration in Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of the town. When the demonstrators got near to the ”
Separation Wall”, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and
tear gas canisters at them. Two
schoolchildren were wounded:
1. Mahmoud
Na’im Mohammed Masha’al, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Musa’ab
Fawaz Barakat, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas
inhalation.
In Qalqilya, Israeli occupying forces fired live
ammunition and tear gas canisters at thousands of Palestinian civilians who
were demonstrating at the southern entrance of the town. A number of civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation, 3 of whom were evacuated to hospitals.
In Jenin, Israeli occupying forces moved into
al-Toura village, west of the town. They
fired live ammunition and tear gas at Palestinian civilians; three civilians
suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli occupying forces also fired tear gas
canisters at Palestinian civilians who were participating in a peaceful
demonstration in al-Mutalla area, east of Jenin. At least 20 civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation.
In Budrus and Qebia villages, west of Ramallah,
Israeli occupying forces fired dozens of tear gas canisters at Palestinian
civilians who were demonstrating in the area. Dozens of civilians, including children and women, suffered from tear
gas inhalation.
Tuesday, 24 February 2004
At approximately 01:00, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved approximately 800m into Wadi al-Salqa village, east of
Deir al-Balah. Israeli soldiers raided
‘Abdul Samad Mahmoud al-Masri’s house and held its 12 residents on one
room. They searched the house and
transformed it into a military site. They withdrew from the house at 12:00, arresting the owner’s son,
Yasser, 21. They also destroyed the
house’s fence.
At approximately 01:30, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Tarqoumia village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Ghazi ‘Adul Hamid Qa’qour’s house and arrested
his son, ‘Alaa’ al-Din, 23, a university student.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Dura village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. Walid
Khader ‘Ata Humaidat, 32;
2. Mohammed
‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Swaiti, 24; and
3. Mohammed
‘Aamer al-Raj’ei, 26.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Bethlehem and Beit Jala towns, al-Duhaisha refugee camp and al-Duha
village. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested ‘Oun Shibli Rizqallah, 56, from Beit Jala.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into
al-‘Orouj village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Ali Ahmed
al-‘Orouj, 18.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by 4 heavy military vehicles, moved hundreds of meters into
al-Shouka neighborhood in the southeast of Rafah. Israeli soldiers intercepted a Palestinian
vehicle belonging to Nayef Mohammed ‘Eid al-Rumailat, 40. They forced him and his
two friends traveling with him out of the vehicle and searched it. A few minutes later, they stopped another
vehicle belonging to Baker ‘Abdul Raziq Abu Bakra, 26, and arrested him. Israeli soldiers also raided a house
belonging to the Sallouf family and checked 15 Palestinian civilians who were
inside the house.
Wednesday, 25 February 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Tulkarm and raided offices of a charitable organization. They broke the doors and confiscated
equipment of the offices, including computers, telephones, files, and furniture
and closed the offices. Employees have
not been able to enter the offices.
At approximately 02:00, 25 Israeli military vehicles
moved into Tubas village, east of Jenin. Israeli soldiers surrounded Mustafa Mas’oud Abu Naa’sa’s house and
ordered all those who were inside through loudspeakers to get out. Israeli soldiers then brought Ahmed Lufi
Daraghma’s mother to the area and ordered her to call on her son to
surrender. At approximately 07:00, 4
Palestinians got out of the house and surrendered to Israeli occupying forces:
1. Ma’en
Ibrahim Daraghma, 27;
2. Ahmed
Lufi Daraghma, 30;
3. Kzem
Mohammed Daraghma, 26; and
4. Mo’ayad
Ibrahim ‘Ainabousi, 24.
Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 4 Palestinians:
1. ‘Alaa’
Yousef Sarhna, 20;
2. Mohammed
Ahmed Mustafa al-Najjar, 20;
3. Hussam
‘Awad Nassar, 23; and
4. ‘Omar
Muhsen Abu ‘Ajamia, 22.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into
Yatta village, south of Hebon. They
arrested Tariq Harb Huraizat, 24, a university student.
At approximately 03:00, 4 Israeli military jeeps
moved into ‘Anza village, south of Hebron. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2
Palestinians:
1. Sidqi
Qassem Ibrahim ‘Amour, 28; and
2. Islam
Nader Mohammed Sadaqa, 27.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces
moved into Seilat al-Harthia village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 3 Palestinians:
1. ‘Ammar
‘Abdullah Zayoud, 23;
2. No’man
Shafiq Zayoud, 32; and
3. Ussama
Ahmed Mohammed al-Shalabi, 30.
At approximately 04:15, 10 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Artas village, south of Bethlehem. They raided the house of Isma’il Asa’ad Khalil, 45, while firing live ammunition
and sound bombs. They then searched the
house and arrested Khalil.
In an unprecedented action taken by an army upon
orders from its government, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Arab Bank
and the Cairo – Amman Bank in Ramallah. They checked the ID cards of the staff and clients. According to Israeli official sources,
Israeli forces confiscated 40 million NIS (approximately US$ 9.1 million),
which will be transferred to Israel Central Bank. The Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz claimed
that “the military operation in Ramallah targeted 390 bank accounts belonging
to Palestinian charitable societies.” He
further claimed that intelligence revealed that “these amounts of money were
devoted to fund hostile attacks against Israel.”
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Ramallah and
al-Bireh. They imposed a curfew on the
center of the two towns. A number of
Israeli soldiers surrounded banks in the area. They broke into the Arab Bank and Cairo – Amman Bank. They pointed their guns at the staff and
clients and checked their ID cards. Then, they released the clients and some staff members, while continued
to hold a number of staff members. Israeli soldiers forced staff members to open the computers they use,
and some persons in civilian uniform, apparently accountants who came with
Israeli forces, checked the data on these computers. This Israeli military operation continued
until midnight, during which Israeli forces confiscated approximately 40
million NIS (approximately US$ 9.1 million), according to Israeli sources.
During this operation, a number of Palestinian
children gathered near al-Manara Square in the center of Ramallah and threw
stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal
bullets and tear gas canisters at the children. As a result, 16 Palestinian civilians were injured (PCHR has a list of
their names).
At approximately 16:10, Israeli occupying forces
positioned in military locations near “Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Satar al-Gharbi area. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Mohammed
‘Abdul Hamid al-Astal, 17, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;
2. Ashraf
Ibrahim Abu Bakra, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the foot; and
3. Suleiman
Mohammed Abu Mughassib, 20, wounded by a live bullet in the foot.
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, 19 February 2004,
Israeli occupying forces moved into Salfit village, south of Nablus. They surrounded a 3-storey house owned by the
heirs of ‘Abdul Qader Ahmed al-Halabi. They
forced residents of the house out without allowing them a chance to vacate
their belongings. Soon after, Israeli
soldiers planted explosives on the second floor of the house and destroyed the
house, which housed three families (10 people). Hussan ‘Abdul Qader al-Halabi is currently serving a life sentence in
Israeli jails and his son is currently serving a 4-year sentence.
At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 19 February 2004,
20 Israeli military vehicles moved into Seilat al-Harthia village, west of
Jenin. They surrounded Mohammed Mot’eb
Daoud al-Tahaina’s house in the center of the village. They forced the 11 residents (2 families) of
the 185-square-meter, 2-storey house out and destroyed it.
On Monday morning, 23 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces moved into Salfit village, south of Nablus, surrounded ‘Abdul
Qader Ibrahim Salim’s house, and forced the 6 residents of the
120-square-meter, 2-storey house out. At
approximately 04:00, Israeli soldiers destroyed the house. The owner’s son, Ahmed, 21, is currently
serving a life sentence in Israeli jails.
Continued Construction of the “Separation
Wall”
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction
of the “Separation Wall” inside the West Bank. They confiscated more areas of Palestinian
land for this purpose.
This week, Israeli military bulldozers continued to
raze areas of Palestinian land in ‘Asala village, southeast of Qalqilya. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying
forces have established a road, 2km long and 8m wide, linking between “Alfe
Menasheh” settlement and the site of land leveling in the village, apparently
to build a new settlement post. Israeli
occupying forces razed more than 80 donums of the land of the village behind
the wall in the past two weeks. According to the local council of the village, the construction of the
wall has isolated more than 3500 donums of the land of the village
(approximately 85%) of the total area of the village. In addition, Israeli occupying forces
obligate the villagers to get permits to access their lands.
On Tuesday morning, 24 February 2004, Israeli
military bulldozers demolished a 150-square-meter house owned by Jamil
Shuqairat, in which 9 people lived, in the al-Shayah area in al-Sawahra
village, east of Jerusalem. Israeli
forces claimed that the house was built without a license. Israeli forces did not allow residents of the
house to vacate their belongings. They
also warned a number of families in the area that their houses would be
demolished under the same pretext.
On the same day, Israeli occupying forces threatened
to confiscate blue ID cards of Palestinians living near the wall in al-Dawahra
al-Sharqia, Abu Dis and Eizaria villages if they do not move to live in other
areas of Jerusalem.
Also on Tuesday morning, Israeli occupying forces
started construction works of a part of the wall extending from “Alkanah”
settlement, southeast of Qalqilya, to “Ofar” detention center, southwest of
Ramallah. The length of this part is
expected to 42km and its construction will lead to confiscation of more
Palestinian land.
Residents of Qutna village, northwest of Jerusalem,
are worried that the construction of the wall may force them to leave their
homes and lands. Six families living in
the village had been already informed by Israeli occupying forces that their
homes would be demolished, to occur at any time without warning. According to the maps of the wall, more than
900 donums of the land of the village will be confiscated.
According to the bureau of national economy in
Tulkarm, the construction of the wall has so far seized 39860 donums of
Palestinian agricultural land and 6 water wells in the district. The construction of the wall has also
isolated thousands of Palestinians in the villages of Baqa al-Sharqia, Nazlat
‘Eissa, Nazlat Abu Nar and Kherbat Jebara. The number of families in these communities is 1119 (totaling 7166
persons). The wall has also isolated 473
economic facilities and 982 houses. Israeli occupying forces have also destroyed 235 economic facilities,
mostly in Nazlat ‘Eissa village. The
infrastructure of these villages was also destroyed. Losses are estimated at approximately US$
13.3 million.
According to a recent report issued by the National
Information Center at the State Information Service, Israeli occupying forces
have seized at least 165000 donums of Palestinian land in Qalqilya and Jenin
for the purpose of the construction of the wall. They have also razed 22298 donums of
Palestinian land in the two districts. According to the same report, the wall will isolate 126 Palestinian
communities. According to the
Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 220 Palestinian civilians living
behind the wall lack basic medical services.
On Tuesday morning, 24 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces began razing areas of Palestinian land in Beit Sourik village,
southwest of Ramallah, after they had declared that they had initiated
construction of a new part of the wall. They also started to raze areas of Palestinian land in the villages of
Biddu, Nabi Samuel and Qutna. In Qutna
village, they have so far razed 40 donums of land. According to the maps distributed by Israeli
forces, they will raze areas of land in the villages of Beit Eksa, Beit Sourik,
Beit Ejza, Beit Diqqu, Beit ‘Anan, Qutna, Um al-Lahem and al-Qebia.
Israeli occupying forces used force against
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists who
demonstrated in protest to the construction of the wall. On Tuesday, 24 February 2004, 7 land owners
in Beit Sourik, southeast of Ramallah, were injured when Israeli soldiers proceeded
to beat them. In addition, 17 other
civilians were injured when Israeli soldiers beat and fired at them in Beit
Seera village, west of Ramallah. Three
of the injured were evacuated to a hospital in Ramallah:
1. Mohammed
‘Ata, 18, sustained bruises throughout the body;
2. Ahmed
Subhi, 18, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest; and
3. Hani
Nemer, 21, injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.
On Wednesday, 25 February 2004, a number of
Palestinian civilians and 20 international and Israeli solidarity activists
were injured by Israeli soldiers, when they attempted to stop razing
Palestinian lands in Beir Sourik village.
This week, Israeli occupying forces razed more area
of Palestinian land in the northern Jordan Valley for the purpose of the
construction of the wall in the area.
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
Israeli occupying forces have continued
to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, and imposed more restrictions on
movement at border crossing 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, which are open for a maximum
of a few hours each day, have become notorious for acts of humiliation and
harassment by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 21 February 2004,
Israeli forces closed the two checkpoints. They held a number of Palestinian vehicles and searched them.
On Sunday morning, 22 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces restricted movement of Palestinian vehicles, and in the
evening they closed the two checkpoints for two hours, during which time they
held a number of Palestinian vehicles in between and searched them. They held a Palestinian police officer for
three hours.
On Tuesday morning, 24 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces closed Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, the only outlet
of the Gaza Strip to the outside work since the beginning of the current
Intifada. They also closed Sofa crossing
at the border with Israel, northeast of Rafah. The terminal was reopened on Wednesday morning, 25 February 2004.
On Monday, 23 February 2004, Israeli forces at Rafah
Terminal arrested D’ib Mohammed Abu Sultan, 25, from Jabalya, while he was on
his way back to the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
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. On Tuesday, 24 February 2004, Israeli forces
closed al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area in Khan Yunis.
Following the adoption of new procedures at Erez
crossing on Sunday 18 January 2004, access for registered Palestinian workers
has been severely restricted. A number of witnesses reported to PCHR that
Israeli soldiers at 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. In addition, Israeli
troops have closed 20 of the 24 waiting lines at the security checking area in
the Erez crossing. These new procedures have resulted in extensive delays
in passage.
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 have blocked
a number of roads using cement blocks, sand barriers and trenches.
Bethlehem
On Sunday, 22 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces
declared Bethlehem a closed military zone. They closed checkpoints at the entrances of the town and denied access
of hundreds of Palestinian civilians to their homes.
Ramallah
Israeli soldiers positioned at Qalnadya checkpoint,
south of Ramallah, continued to deny passage for Palestinian civilians who do
not have checkpoint permits. They also
searched Palestinian vehicles moving from and into the town.
Nablus
On Sunday morning, 22 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces closed military checkpoints at the entrances to the city, but
reopened them later. They have also continued
to prevent Palestinians under 35 years old from crossing military checkpoints
around the city. On Tuesday morning, 24
February 2004, Israeli soldiers positioned at Beit Fourik and Salem checkpoints
denied access of Palestinian villagers to the city.
Qalqilya
On Sunday morning, 22 February 2004, Israeli forces
erected a number of sudden checkpoints on the main roads and imposed
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jenin
On Sunday morning, 22 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces closed the Jenin – Nablus road and denied access of
Palestinian civilians living in neighboring villages to the town. Israeli forces also erected a number of
sudden checkpoints in the Northern Jordan Valley and imposed restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday, 23 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces denied movement
of Palestinian vehicles on al-Midraj road near the Jordan Valley, which links
between the northern West Bank and other parts of the West Bank.
On Tuesday, 24 February 2004, Israeli soldiers
positioned at al-Jalama checkpoint, north of Jenin, arrested Mohammed Shehada
Jalamna, 30, from Jenin.
Jerusalem
On Sunday morning, 22 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces closed the entrances to the city for several hours and imposed
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also imposed further restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians through various checkpoints around the
city. Israeli soldiers also erected a
military checkpoint at the eastern entrance to ‘Eizaria village and searched
Palestinian vehicles. They also erected
other checkpoints at the entrances to neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
Tulkarm
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. Israeli soldiers and military vehicles were deployed at the entrances to
the town and restricted movement of Palestinian civilians through military
checkpoints. They also erected a number
of checkpoints around the town.
On Tuesday afternoon, 24 February 2004, Israeli
soldiers positioned at al-Jaroushia checkpoint, north of the town, arrested
Mohammed ‘Othman Kittana, 36, from Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of the town,
while he was on his way back to his village from the town.
Israeli Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers
against Palestinian Civilians and Property
In addition to the construction of the
“Separation Wall”, this week, Israeli occupying forces carried out a
number of settlement activities in the West Bank.
On Thursday morning, 12 February 2004, Israeli
occupying forces issued a military order and confiscated a 15-donum area of
land owned by Kayed Shaker al-Swaiti, located approximately 700m to the west of
“Nigihot” settlement, southwest of Hebron. According to al-Swaiti, Israeli forces
summoned him and informed him about this military order and that Israeli
engineers would later survey the land for the purpose of confiscation.
On Sunday, 15 February 2004, Israeli occupying forces
issued a military order confiscating an area of land owned by Mohammed Salim
Eshtayeh in the southwest of Til village, southwest of Nbalus. According to chairman of the local council of
the village ‘Adnan al-Saifi, the purpose of this confiscation is to establish
an observation tower that will overlook a bypass road extending from Jeet village
in the west to Hawara village in the east. According to the military order, this confiscation will continue until
30 January 2005. Israeli occupying
forces have used this method to confiscate thousands of donums of Palestinian
land, but these lands have not been returned to their original owners on the
times specified in military orders.
*****
PCHR calls:
1. Upon the international community to
provide immediate and independent international protection for
the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to
the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective
measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article
146.
3. Upon the international community to
investigate and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches perpetrated in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence,
expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied
Palestinian Territories.
5. Upon the European Union to activate
Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel
must respect human rights.
6. Upon the international community to
provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose
living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued
siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
“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
