Israeli Forces Continue attacks and
human rights violations in the OPTs
· 13
Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 4 children and one woman, were killed
by Israeli troops
· 8
of the victims, including 2 children, were killed in 2 extra-judicial killings
· Continued
Israeli offensive on Beit Hanoun
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 14
houses were destroyed and more areas of agricultural land were razed in the
Gaza Strip
· One
house was destroyed in the context of retaliatory measures against families of
Palestinian activists
· Israeli
warplanes destroyed a house and a workshop in the Gaza Strip
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued despite ICJ decision
· Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a total siege on the OPTs; Rafah
Terminal on the Egyptian border has been closed, Israeli troops fired at
Palestinian civilians waiting at military checkpoints, and Beit Hanoun has been
under a strict siege for the 5th consecutive week
Introduction
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more
violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This week, 13 Palestinians, mostly
civilians, including 4 children and one woman, were killed and a number of
other civilians were injured by Israeli troops. Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included
willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into Palestinian areas,
indiscriminate shelling, house demolitions and land leveling.
In the Gaza Strip, 7 Palestinians were killed by Israeli
troops. Two of the victims were killed
in an extra-judicial execution carried out by Israeli troops in Gaza City on 22
July 2004. A woman and an 11-year-old child were killed
in Khan Yunis on 25 and 26 July 2004, when Israeli troops shelled Palestinian
residential areas in the town. On 24
July 2004, Israeli troops shot dead a 16-year-old Palestinian child in the
northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, which has been subject to a wide scale
Israeli offensive for the 5th consecutive week. On 27 July 2004, Israeli troops killed 2
Palestinians during an incursion into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of
Gaza City.
This week, Israeli troops conducted 9 military
incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, during which Israeli
troops demolished 14 houses in Rafah and Khan Yunis, rendering 137 people (22
families) homeless, razed 10 donums[1] and
demolished 5 agricultural houses in Khan Yunis. Israeli troops have continued their wide scale
offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun for the 5th
consecutive week. This week, they razed
more areas of agricultural land and destroyed some civilian facilities in the
town. At least 3500 donums of
agricultural land, mostly planted with citrus, the main agricultural product in
the Gaza Strip, have been razed in the town by Israeli troops since the
beginning of this offensive, causing large losses to the Palestinian
agricultural sector.
On 22 and 25 July 2004, Israeli warplanes launched 3
aerial attacks; 2 against a house and the third one against a workshop. Israeli troops also fired at Nasser Hospital
in Khan Yunis in 3 occasions this week. As a result, a patient, a nurse and a child were injured.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a
series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. This week, 6 Palestinian, including 2 children,
were killed by an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces in another
extra-judicial execution in Tulkarm on 25 July 2004. A number of Palestinian civilians were also
wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Israeli
troops also arrested dozens of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. On 28 July 2004, Israeli troops destroyed a
house in Tulkarm in the context of retaliatory measures against families of
Palestinian activists.
Israeli occupying forces are expected to resume construction
of the annexation wall around Jerusalem. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
approved on Tuesday, 27 July 2004, proposed changes to the track of the wall
following a decision taken by the Israeli High Court in this regard on 30 June
2004. However, even after these changes,
the wall will still be constructed inside the West Bank, in violation of
international law and 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. In the Gaza Strip,
Israeli troops have continued to close most border crossing for the 17th
consecutive week, and have imposed severe restrictions on internal movement. Since Sunday
morning, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops have continued to close Rafah Terminal on
the Egyptian border, the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world
(see PCHR’s press release on 25 July 2004). 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 and Neighboring
Areas
Israeli occupying forces have continued their
offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun and neighboring areas since
28 June 2004. Since then, a number of
Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed, large areas 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 03:00 on Thursday, 22 July 2004,
Israeli troops destroyed a brick 500-square-meter factory and a razed a 6-donum
area of agricultural land owned by Isma’il Ibrahim Abu ‘Eida in the east of Jabalya,
nearly 1000 meters to the west of the border between the Gaza Strip and
Israel.
At approximately 12:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned atop of Wasfi al-Za’anin’s house in al-Sikka Street in the
west of Beit Hanoun fired at Tariq Qasfi Nasser, 20, who was walking in the
street, wounding him with a live bullet in the right foot.
At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops started to raze more areas of agricultural land near al-Sikka
Street. They also raided the building of
the agricultural cooperative society and destroyed its fence.
On Saturday evening, 24 July 2004, Israeli troops
shot dead a Palestinian child who was on the roof of his house.
According to the victim’s cousin, Jalal Nasser, 24,
who was with him, at approximately 22:30, Hussam Helmi Mahmoud Nasser, 16, was
going back home, nearly 200 meters to the east of al-Sikka Street, after he had
bought food. Hussam and Jalal went up to
the roof of the 3-storey house. A few
minutes later, a live bullet was fired at Hussam from a house that had been
seized by Israeli troops. The bullet hit
Hussam in the chest. The cousin rushed
down and informed the family of what happened. Immediately, Hussam was evacuated to a clinic, but he soon died from his
wound.
On Saturday morning, 25 July 2004, Israeli troops
expanded their offensive on Beit Hanoun. They moved into al-Amal neighborhood in the east of the town. They raided a number of houses and
transformed their roofs into military sites. They also razed approximately 300 donums of agricultural land belonging
to the families of al-Shawa, Shurrab and Abu ‘Ouda.
At approximately 07:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops were positioned near the crossroads of al-Masriyeen Street and Khalil
al-Wazir Street in the center of the town. They opened fire at neighboring areas. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Abdul Salam Abu ‘Ouda, 27, was wounded by a
live bullet in the chest. Israeli troops
prevented ambulances from reaching him, so a local doctor performed a surgery
for him in the town’s clinic.
At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 27 July 2004, 8
Israeli military vehicles, including 2 bulldozers, moved into the north of Beit
Hanoun. They raided a school in the
area, demolished its fence and severely damaged its classrooms. Israeli troops also razed more areas of
agricultural land belonging to the families of al-Shawa and Nasser.
At approximately 10:30 on Wednesday, 28 July 2004,
Israeli troops surrounded Jalal Nashwan’s house at al-Sikka Street in the
southwest of Beit Hanoun, and demolished its fence.
At approximately 19:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned at the northern entrance to Beit Hanoun opened fire at a
number of Palestinian civilians who were on a neighboring muddy road. Three civilians were wounded:
1. Ashraf
Jaber Abu ‘Ouda, 30, a taxi driver, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
2. Mohammed
Nabil Sorour, 16, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, wounded by a live
bullet in the left thigh; and
3. Samir
Khalil al-Nemnem, 40, a taxi driver from Jabalya refugee camp, wounded by a
live bullet in the left thigh.
At approximately 19:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops partially demolished a 150-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Abdul
Karim Fawazi Abu Jarad, in which 20 people (3 families) lived, at al-Sikka
Street. Israeli troops had forced the
families out of the house 10 days earlier and used it as a military site.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
tight siege on Beit Hanoun. Since the
beginning of the Israeli offensive on the town, at least 3500 donums of
Palestinian agricultural land, mostly planted with citrus which is the main
agricultural product of the Gaza Strip, have been razed.
Thursday, 22 July 2004
At approximately 00:55, an Israeli helicopter gunship
fired a missile at a 70-square-meter smith workshop owned by Mohammed Mustafa
Salhiya in the densely populated al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis. The workshop which lies under Salhiya’s house
was completely destroyed and the house was damaged.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 200 meters into Block J in Rafah refugee
camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense gunfire, they demolished a 130-square-meter
house owned by Ahmed Fayez Mohammed al-Rikhawi, in which 15 people (2 families)
lived.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli troops moved into
Nablus. They opened fire at houses and
shops. Dozens of Palestinian children
and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired
rubber-coated metal bullets at the stone throwers, wounding 5:
1. Mohammed
Farouq Boubali, 18, wounded in the left shoulder;
2. Riad
Kamal Abu ‘Eisha, 16, wounded in the left leg;
3. Naji
Mohammed Hamama, 16, wounded in the chest;
4. Hassan
Husni Kalbouna, 25, wounded in the right hand; and
5. Sa’id
Hani al-Kouni, 19, wounded in the left leg.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved nearly 150 meters into
Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of intense gunfire, they
demolished an agricultural house and a 5-donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives owned by Mohammed Madiouf Sha’at. They also demolished 2 agricultural rooms
belonging to the Sha’at family.
At approximately 22:00, 3 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Hares village, southwest of Nablus. Israeli troops opened fire at houses. A Palestinian woman, Lami’a Qassem Kulaib, 70, was seriously wounded by
a live bullet in the abdomen, when she was sitting in front of her house.
Also at approximately 22:00, Israeli troops
positioned along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
residential areas in the town. A
Palestinian civilian, Riad Hammouda Abu Nuqaira, 18, was wounded by a live
bullet in the left leg, when he was walking in al-Junaina neighborhood, nearly
900 meters away from the border.
In the day hours, Israeli troops moved into Ramallah;
Jenin; and Beit Ummar village near Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6
Palestinians.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, north of Rafah,
opened fire at Palestinian houses in Musabbeh neighborhood to the south. A Palestinian child, Ahmed Mohammed Abu
Muhsen, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand, when he was in front
of his house.
Friday, 23 July 2004
At approximately 12:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses
located to the east and north. A number
of live bullets hit rooms in Nasser Hospital, nearly 700 meters away from the
source of fire. A patient, ‘Abdullah
Ibrahim Abu Mustafa, 35, was injured by shrapnel in the left hand, and a number
of rooms were damaged.
In the day hours, Israeli
troops moved into Ramallah; Hebron; and Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 5 Palestinians.
At approximately 17:30, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in
al-Salam neighborhood to the north of the border. A Palestinian child, ‘Adli Mohammed Zannoun,
13, was injured by shrapnel in the face.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli troops positioned in
a military posts in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at
neighboring Palestinian residential areas. A Palestinian civilian, Hamdan ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Qadi, 34, was wounded by
a live bullet in the left shoulder.
Saturday, 24 July 2004
At approximately 01:00, Israeli
troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 200 meters into
Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense gunfire, they
totally demolished 5 houses belonging to the families of Abu Musameh, Hassouna,
Salah and al-Yazji, rendering 65 people (12 families) homeless.
At approximately 11:00,
Israeli troops moved into the old town of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children and young
men threw stones at those troops. Immediately, those troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding
21-year-old ‘Alaa’ ‘Omar al-Najjar with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
face.
At approximately 11:15,
Israeli troops positioned on top of Ahmed Mahmoud Swaiti’s house at the
entrance to Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron, fired at passing
Palestinian civilians. Munther Mohammed
Swaiti, 12, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg. Israeli troops have been positioned on the top
of the house since Thursday, 22 July 2004.
During the day, Israeli
troops moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron; Tubas village, southeast of
Jenin; and al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 5 Palestinians, including 2 brothers.
At approximately 23:00, an
infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved nearly 70 meters into
Palestinian areas located to the west of “Kfar Darom” settlement,
southeast of Deir al-Balah. Israeli troops
raided 5 houses belonging to the Bashir family. They used Bashir Hassan Bashir as a human shield while searching the 5
houses. They also broke the floor of one
of the house and dug a hole. They
withdrew from the area after having warned its residents of helping members of
the Palestinian resistance.
Sunday, 25 July
2004
At approximately 01:00,
Israeli troops moved into the south of Tulkram refugee camp. They fired at a number of Palestinian
civilians who were sitting near the Palestinian security compound (Muqata’a),
already destroyed by those troops. One
civilian, Mohammed Amin Mohammed ‘Abbas, 26, was wounded by a live bullet in
the back. He was also arrested by
Israeli troops.
At approximately 10:15,
Israeli troops positioned in a military post known as “al-Nouria” and
in other military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement,
west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses located to the east. Four Palestinian civilians, including 3
children, were wounded:
1. Bayan
‘Abdul Fattah Abu al-Sa’id, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the chest;
2. Omaima
Saber al-Ra’ei, 9, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
3. Hamdi
Fathi al-Salibi, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and
4. Ramadan
Shalash al-Bayouk, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the back.
At approximately 12:30,
Israeli helicopter gunships fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to
Bassem Jiniya in the densely populated al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast
of Gaza City. The two missiles hit the first floor, which serves as a workshop,
destroying it. Three Palestinian
civilians were injured by shrapnel from the missile. Residents of the house, who live on the
second floor, faced extreme difficulties while leaving it. At approximately 21:50, Israeli F-16 fighter
jets fired 2 missiles at the same house, completely destroying it.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli
troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 200 meters into
Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. Throughout 3 hours, they destroyed 4
agricultural houses, a bird farm, 5 donums of agricultural land, a well and an
irrigation network belonging to the al-Masri family.
At approximately 19:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” and “Gadid” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at Palestinian houses to the east. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, which sporadically continued for
several hours, 12 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were
wounded.
At approximately 21:00,
Israeli troops moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They opened fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children and young
men gathered and threw stones at those troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and raided
wedding party, opening fire. Eight
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded.
At approximately 22:30, Israeli
troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Netser
Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian
houses and farms in al-Jiya area in the al-Qarara village. A Palestinian woman, Ghalia Hammad Younis,
50, was wounded by several live bullets in the neck, the chest and the limbs,
when she was sitting near her house nearly 150 meters away from the
aforementioned settlement. The woman
crept towards a neighboring tent, where her relatives live. She died as soon as she reached the tent. The victim’s sister and relatives went to a
Palestinian police station in the village and informed about the incident. Immediately, a Palestinian ambulance moved
towards the areas, but Israeli troops prevented it from reaching the
victim. At approximately 02:30 on the
following day, an ambulance was able to reach the areas following coordination
with the Israeli side through the Palestinian liaison. The victim was suffering from a psychological
disorder and was living with other Bedouins in tents set up in the area. On 9 September 2002, she had been wounded by
3 live bullets in the thigh, when Israeli troops fired at her near
“Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis.
Monday, 26 July
2004
At approximately 10:30,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses
in al-Nimsawi neighborhood and the cemeteries area. A Palestinian civilian, Ayman Yousef
al-‘Aa’raj, 26, was wounded by a live bullet in the right ankle.
At approximately 16:00, 7
Israeli military jeeps moved into Beeta village, south of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children and young
men gathered and threw stones at those troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the stone throwers, wounding ‘Ata
‘Abdul Jaber Shaker, 21, with a live bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 18:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” and “Gadid” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire
at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Baten al-Samin area. One live bullet penetrated a window in
Mahmoud Mousa Zo’rob’s house, nearly 1200 meters away from the source of fire,
and hit his child Sarah, 11, in the chest. The child died on the way to the hospital. In addition, 12-year-old ‘Ali Ahmed Hamdan
was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot, when he was near his
house.
Also at approximately
18:00, Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of
“Netser Hazani” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at
Palestinian houses and farms to the east of the aforementioned settlement. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Musa’ed
al-Swairki, 45, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot, when he was
farming his land, nearly 300 meters away from the aforementioned
settlement.
At approximately 19:00, 3
Israeli military jeeps moved into Nablus. Israeli troops fired at houses. A
Palestinian child, Sa’ed Sami Hamdan, 12, was injured by shrapnel from a live
bullet in the neck and the right hand.
Tuesday, 27 July
2004
At approximately 05:00, Israeli
troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved into the
east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Under the cover of intense gunfire, they
raided a number of houses and transformed their roofs into military sites, from
which they fired at the area. Maher
Hammad Abu al-‘Ata, 26, was killed by a live bullet in the chest, and 5 other
civilians were injured. A number of
members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with Israeli troops. During these clashes, one member of the
resistance, Fadi Ziad al-Mughanni, 22, was killed by a live bullet in the
chest. Israeli troops withdrew from the
area at approximately 10:00.
At approximately 06:20,
Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire
at Palestinian houses in al-Salam neighborhood to the north of the border. A Palestinian child, Na’im Mohammed Hassan,
16, was wounded by a live bullet in the right arm.
At approximately 10:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses
in Khan Yunis refugee camp, al-Nimsawi neighborhood and the cemeteries
area. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed
‘Omar Abu Touha, 22, was seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the
back and exited the chest, when he was on the ruins of his house already
destroyed by Israeli troops.
At approximately 22:00,
Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 200 meters
into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They demolished 7 houses belonging to the
families of al-Hawari, al-Mallahi, Khudair and Abu Nemer, in which 48 people (7
families) lived. They also leveled areas
of agricultural land they had already razed.
In the day hours, Israeli
troops moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin; Nablus; and Beit Leqia and
Kharbtha al-Misvah villages near Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 24
Palestinians.
Wednesday, 28 July
2004
At approximately 01:00,
Israeli troops moved into Sheikh ‘Ejlin neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza
City. They raided a house in the area
and transformed its roof into a military site. They closed the coastal road near the neighborhood, which links between
the central Gaza Strip and Gaza City. Then, Israeli troops started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural
land and demolish a number of civilian facilities. By Thursday morning, 29 July 2004, they had
razed at least 100 donums of agricultural land planted with fruits and
vegetables belonging to the families of Shamallakh, Dalloul and ‘Awad. They also destroyed a 4-storey building,
under which a fuel station stood, owned by Jamil Isma’il al-Essi and partners. Israeli troops also destroyed the fencing of
a number of houses and damaged a number of civilian facilities in the
area. In addition, the second floor of
Talab Jamil al-Dani’s house was severely damaged when it was hit by an
artillery shell fired by Israeli troops.
At approximately 03:00,
Israeli troops moved into Taulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire at houses and raided some of
them. A Palestinian child, Nihad Khaled
Abu al-Ghayab, 16, was wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks.
In the day hours, Israeli
troops moved into Jenin and the neighboring Tubas village; al-‘Arroub refugee
camp, north of Hebron; Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 17 Palestinians.
At approximately 09:00,
Israeli troops moved from Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, south of
Rafah, nearly 300 meters into Salah al-Din Street. By 14:00, they had demolished a house owned
by Kamel Mohammed Abu ‘Amra, in which 9 people lived. They had also demolished a bird farm and
razed 12 donums of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to the
families of Abu Taha and Qeshta.
At approximately 17:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at houses in
al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp. A number of live bullets hit Nasser Hospital,
nearly 700 meters away from the aforementioned settlement, injuring a member of
its staff, Ra’fat ‘Abdullah ‘Eissa, 39, with shrapnel in the neck.
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 Thursday,
22 July 2004, and Sunday, 25 July 2004, Israeli occupying forces committed 2
extra-judicial executions in Gaza City and Tulkarm respectively, killing 8
Palestinians. Four of the victims,
including 2 children, were civilian bystanders.
According to PCHR’s preliminary investigations, at
approximately 20:40 on Thursday, 22 July 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship
fired 2 missiles at a civilian car that was traveling on Salah al-Din Street
near Dalloul fuel station in the densely populated al-Zaytoun neighborhood in
the southeast of Gaza City. The car was
completely destroyed. Two Palestinians,
who were traveling in the car, were killed:
1. Hazem
Yasser Erhayem, 24; and
2. ‘Abdul
Ra’ouf Mohammed Abu ‘Aassi, 20.
Israeli occupying forces admitted responsibility for
this execution and claimed that the two victims were allegedly wanted. In addition, a passing civilian, Mohammed
Talal Noufal, 22, was injured by shrapnel from the missiles.
At approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 25 July 2004, an
undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces moved into Tulkarm using a civilian
car that had a Palestinian registration. The car stopped near a
restaurant at Khaled Ben al-Walid Street in the western quarter.
Immediately, 4 or 5 gunmen who were wearing civilian clothes got out of the car
and opened fire at Mohammed ‘Adnan Mahmoud Shanteer, 18, who was crossing the
street. He was instantly killed by a live bullet in the head. Then,
the gunmen moved towards the aforementioned restaurant and opened fire at a
number of Palestinians who were sitting there. A few minutes later,
Israeli troops arrived at the area to support the undercover unit. In the
meantime, Palestinian ambulances arrived at the area to evacuate the wounded to
hospitals, but Israeli troops prevented them from reaching the wounded for
nearly one hour, during which the wounded bled to death. According to
eyewitnesses, the victims were fired at from a distance of less than 10
meters. At approximately 21:30, Israeli troops withdrew from the area,
and ambulances transferred bodies of 5 Palestinians, including 2 children, to
Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital. According to medical sources, the victims
were hit by live bullets to their heads. They were identified as:
1. Ahmed
Nabeel Ahmed Barrouq, 16;
2. Sa’id
Jamal Sa’id Abu Qamar, 16;
3. Mahdi
Ra’eq Na’im Tanbour, 21;
4. Hani
Yousef Mohammed ‘Owaida, 26; and
5. ‘Abdul Rahman Ahmed Hassan Shadeed, 33.
Tanbour and ‘Owiada were local leaders of al-Aqsa
Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement, and apparently the attack
targeted them.
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 17th consecutive
week. They have continued to close most border crossings of the Gaza
Strip. Israeli troops have continued to
close Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, the only outlet for the Gaza Strip
to the outside world since 18 July 2004., Israeli troops closed Rafah Terminal
on the Egyptian border, only 3 days after they had reopened it. 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. They have continued to impose a strict siege
on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. In the meantime, Israeli troops have continued
to impose a tight siege on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun for the
5th 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. On Thursday morning, 22 July 2004, Israeli
troops closed the two checkpoints and held and searched a number of Palestinian
vehicles in between. At approximately 16:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops closed the two checkpoints and forced hundreds of Palestinian civilians
to wait until midnight. At approximately
14:45 on Monday, 26 July 2004, Israeli troops closed the two checkpoints and
held and searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. They arrested 5 Palestinians.
On 28 July 2004, Israeli troops closed
the coastal road linking between the central Gaza Strip and Gaza City. They blocked the road with sand barriers and
fired at whoever attempted to travel on the road.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. Although
Israeli troops reopened al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mawasi area on
Tuesday, 27 July 2004, after they had closed it since 11 July 2004, they
imposed severe restriction on the movement of Palestinian civilians through the
checkpoint. They have continued to
prevent female Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and male ones
whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing the checkpoint without prior
coordination.
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. 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.
Since 27 June 2004, Israeli troops have
continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. In the beginning
of July, Israeli troops issued work permits for 500 Palestinian workers, a
number which has increased to 2800 workers so far. However, only 1500 workers are able to reach their
work places inside Israel everyday, due to the restrictions imposed by Israeli
troops at the crossing. As Israeli
troops have continued to impose a strict siege on the northern Gaza Strip town
of Beit Hanoun, Palestinian workers have to cross a distance of 4 kilometers on
foot to reach Erez crossing. 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 crossings.
Since Sunday morning, 18 July 2004, Israeli troops have
continued to close Rafah Terminal, which has been the only outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since 14 February 2001,
when Israeli occupying forces destroyed the runway of Gaza International Airport. Palestinians
from the Gaza Strip have been also prevented from traveling to Jordan and other
countries through al-Karama Terminal (King Hussein Bridge) on the Jordanian
border.
According to information gathered by PCHR field
workers, Israeli occupying authorities have continued to close Rafah Terminal
since 18 July 2004, prohibiting thousands of Palestinians from traveling. As a result, many
patients who are badly in need of special medical treatment abroad have not
been able to travel, and humanitarian and medical aid provided by Arab
countries to the Palestinian people has been blocked at the Egyptian side of
the terminal. According to the Palestinian civil liaison, nearly 300
Palestinian travelers have been blocked at the Egyptian side of the terminal,
lacking basic services, which endangers their health. In addition, around
2000 other travelers have been waiting on the Egyptian side outside the
crossing waiting to be allowed to cross to the Gaza Strip, and many of them
have been forced to travel to Egyptian cities waiting for the terminal to be
reopened.
Recently, Israeli occupying forces have partially
operated Rafah Terminal, sharply decreasing the number of travelers as they have
imposed severe restrictions on travelers. Since 18 April 2004, Israeli
occupying forces have prevented Palestinians whose ages range between 16 and 35
years, including even patients and students, from traveling through the
terminal.
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. Israeli troops positioned at Na’lin
checkpoint, west of Ramallah, stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. An Israeli intelligence officer also
interrogated dozens of passengers. On
Saturday morning, 24 July 2004, Israeli troops held and checked dozens of
Palestinian civilians at the western entrance to Ramallah. On Sunday, 25 July 2004, Israeli troops erected
a checkpoint in the same area and checked the identity cards of Palestinian
civilians. This week, Israeli troops
prevented Palestinians who have Israeli identity cards from entering Ramallah
and al-Bireh. On Monday morning, 26 July
2004, Israeli troops erected a temporary checkpoint near Samiramis neighborhood
and held and searched dozens of Palestinian vehicles.
Nablus
Israeli occupying forces imposed more restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. On
Friday, 23 July 2004, Israeli troops imposed a curfew on the villages of
al-Naqoura and Deir Sharaf. In the
meantime, Israeli troops closed a military checkpoint near al-Naqoura village,
northwest of Nablus. This week, Israeli
troops erected more checkpoints around Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. They have also continued to prevent
Palestinians, who are between 16 and 30 years old, from crossing military
checkpoints erected around the city. On
Saturday, 24 July 2004, Israeli troops detained dozens of young men in a tent
near Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, for several hours. On Monday, 26 July 2004, Israeli troops
closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, declaring the area a closed military
zone.
On Sunday morning, 25 July 2004, Israeli troops positioned
at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Sa’ed ‘Awad Hamad, 23, from
Ramin village, east of Tulkarm, when was on his way to an-Najah National
University in Nablus, where he studies.
At approximately 13:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned at Beit Eiba military checkpoint, west of Nablus, stopped
Kamel Mohammed Cana’an, 26, from Jaba’ village southwest of Jenin, when he was
on his way back home from Nablus, and ordered him to travel back to Nablus. When he debated with them, Israeli troops
severely beat him. When he was able to
move away from Israeli troops and tried to leave the checkpoint, an Israeli
soldier fired at him. He was wounded by
a live bullet in the hand.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 26 July 2004, Muntasser
Hathnawi, 24, from Jenin, was on his way back to the town from Nablus. After he had crossed an Israeli military
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Naqoura village, he saw a Palestinian taxi
that was facing trouble in moving. When
he realised that a patient was in the taxi, he tried to offer help. Soon, an Israeli military jeep arrived at the
area. Three Israeli soldiers got out of
the jeep and beat Hathnawi severely although he was wearing a medical
uniform. Then, they handcuffed him and
took him to the aforementioned checkpoint. He was held for one hour, until the ICRC intervened and ensured his
release. During his detention, Hathnawi
was beaten twice by Israeli troops. He
sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body.
Tulkarm
Since Thursday, 15 July 2004, Israeli troops have continued
to close an iron gate near “Enab” settlement on Tulkram – Nablus road
for the 2nd consecutive week, 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.
Hebron
This week, Israeli troops imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinians civilians inside the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops
held and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians, including a number of women
and children, in al-Shuhada Street. Israeli
troops also reinforced their presence in the old town and near settlements in
the center of the town. In the meantime,
Israeli troops have continued to close the entrances to Beit ‘Awa village, west
of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses,
Israeli troops chased Palestinian civilians who attempted to use alternative
roads.
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. They imposed severe restriction on the
movement of Palestinian trucks loaded with vegetables.
Bethlehem
On Tuesday morning, Israeli troops positioned at a
military checkpoint at the western entrance to Beit Jala arrested Samer Rateb
Isma’il, 23, when he was on his way to his work.
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 03:00 on Wednesday, 28 July 2004,
Israeli troops moved into Tulkram refugee camp. They surrounded a 100-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to the
family of Mohammed Ibrahim Shehada, who is allegedly wanted by those
troops. They forced the 15 residents of
the house (3 families) out and planted explosives on the second floor. Then, they destroyed the second floor. The two other floors were damaged.
*****
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 NGOs 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 NGOs, 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 further calls on the EU heads of
mission to ensure implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders
and to ensure freedom of access and movement for international human rights
defenders. Specifically to stop the
threats and end the restrictions placed on defenders at Ben Gurion airport and
the Erez Checkpoint.
12. 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
