The front area of a house belonging to Hani al-Hayek in
al-Zawayda village in the middle of the Gaza Strip bombarded by Israeli
warplanes on 05 March 2011.
Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continued Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· 7 Palestinian
civilians, including two children, were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in
Qasra village, southeast of Nablus.
· IOF launched a
series of air strikes against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.
– A car was bombarded, and 4 offices, stores and 12 flats were
damaged in Nussairat refugee camp.
– Two rooms were destroyed and 6 houses were damaged in al-Zawaida
village.
· IOF continued
to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the
Gaza Strip.
– Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing
boats in the northern Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued
to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– 4 Palestinian civilians,
including two children, and an international solidarity activist, were wounded.
– Two journalists
suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· IOF conducted 42
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
– IOF arrested 10
Palestinian civilians, including two children.
· Israel has
continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip
from the outside world.
– Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints in the West
Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.
– IOF closed al-Mentar (Karni) crossing completely.
· IOF have
continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have
continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– IOF demolished an agricultural barrack in Beit Uammar town near
Hebron.
– IOF delivered notices to 12 Palestinian civilians in Jenin and
Hebron ordering them to stop construction of a number structures.
– Israeli settlers transported large amounts of mud to Arats village
near Bethlehem and damaged large areas of Palestinian agricultural land.
– Israeli settlers continued to throw stones at Palestinian civilian
vehicles on the main roads in the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (03 – 09 March 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, 11
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, and an international solidarity
activist were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
In a joint attack by a number of
Israeli settlers and IOF against Palestinian civilians in Qasra village,
southeast of Nablus, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were
wounded. Another two civilians suffered
from tear gas inhalation and 3 others were injured as a result of being
beaten. Medical sources described the
conditions of three of the wounded as serious.
During the reporting period, IOF
used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest
to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in
the West Bank. As a result, 4
Palestinian civilians, including two child, and international solidarity
activist were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation, including two
journalists.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF launched a
series of air strikes against the Gaza Strip. As a result, 4 a car and two rooms were destroyed and 6 houses, 12
flats, 4 offices and stores were damaged.
Incursions:
During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 42 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 10
Palestinian civilians, including two children.
Restrictions
on Movement:
Israel
had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza
Strip
Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since
June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic
situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a
humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the
population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the
blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of
the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of
the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip
and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply
shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become
internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain
economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially,
culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza
does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with
Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international
human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the
ground refute Israeli claims with
respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the
reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli
declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes
an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the
minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have
continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip.
· IOF have
imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had
continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing
to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social
visits.
· Israel has
imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists
and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented
representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from
entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living
conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated;
levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
West
Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank,
including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF have
established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting
Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying
at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are
approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints
across the West Bank.
· When complete,
the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers
around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of
the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been
constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of
the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are
closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately
500 kilometers
of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third
of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to
Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult
to obtain.
· IOF continue to
harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the
construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian
civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West
Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Settlement
Activities:
Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of
international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.
On 03 March 2011, Israeli settlers from “Halmish”
settlement, northwest of Ramallah, closed the entrance of Nabi Saleh village,
while IOF were present in the area. A
number of those settlers attempted to enter the village. They also threw stones at Palestinian
civilian vehicles. later, IOF intervened
an evacuated the settlers from the area. No casualties or damages were reported.
On 04 March 2011, 5 Israeli settlers riding motorcycles broke into
Raba village, southeast of Jenin. They
took a round in the streets and moved southward towards the nearby Ebziq
village.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from
“Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrance of
the settlement. They threw stones at
Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Salfit road. No casualties were reported.
From Friday, 04 March 2011, until Monday, 07 March 2011, lorries of
“Gush Etzion” settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, unloaded large
amounts of mud, stones and solid waste onto Palestinian agricultural lands in
Wad Abu Shahin area to the west of Artas village, south of Bethlehem. More than 20 donums of agricultural land
planted with apricots and olives were filled up.
On 05 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers gathered near Jeet
intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on
Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were
reported.
On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from
“Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, stormed Palestinian
agricultural lands in Yassouf village, east of Salfit. Soon, IOF intervened and evacuated them from
the area.
On 06 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Kerni
Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrances of the
nearby Kufor Laqef village. They threw
stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.
On 07 March 2011, IOF moved into Barta’a village, which has been
isolated by the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin. They handed notices to a number of
Palestinian civilians ordering them to stop construction works in their houses,
claiming that the construction is unlicensed.
On 08 March 2011, IOF handed notices to 4 Palestinian civilians ordering
demolition of a number of caves, tents and stores in Yatta twon, south of
Hebron. According to information
available to PCHR, the notices included order to demolished 4 caves, 4 tents
and 4 barracks in Zeef area, under the pretest to their adjacency to an Israeli
military post and “Bni Hefer” settlement.
On 09 March 2011, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of
Hebron. They demolished a
500-square-meter agricultural barrack belonging to Mohammed Younis
al-‘Allami. IOF claimed that the barrack
is close to Hebron-Bethlehem road and Israeli settlements in the southern West
Bank.
Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 March 2011)
1. Incursions into
Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 03 March 2011
· At
approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, northeast of
Hebron. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Mohammed and Ra’ed Kamel al-Mashni, 29 and 31
respectively. The latter is physically
disabled.
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Be’r al-Mahjar neighborhood in the
northwest of Hebron. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed and ‘Abdul Majid al-Dab’at,
19 and 22 respectively.
· At
approximately 08:30, IOF moved into the industrial zone in al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
· At
approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled in the
streets. They stopped and questioned
Suhaib Mahfouz Abu ‘Eissa, 20, and summoned him for interrogation. They withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 09:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and took position near Palestinian
Technical University (Khadouri) in the west of the town. They stopped, checked and questioned a number
of students. They then moved
eastwards. They stormed a shop of sweets
in the center of the town and questioned its owner. They withdrew from the town later and neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at
approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Turmo’iya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
· At
approximately 10:10, IOF moved into Snirya village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 11:00, IOF moved into ‘Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
· At
approximately 11:10, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
· At approximately
11:45, IOF moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 12:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of
Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported. They then moved into the nearby Masliya
village. They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 19:10, IOF moved into Far’ata village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 23:30, IOF moved into the agricultural area located between
‘Allar and Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They searched the area and fired flash bombs. They withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.
Friday,
04 March 2011
· At
approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Bitillu village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 14:20, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of
Jericho. They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
· At approximately
22:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· Also at
approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.
Saturday, 05 March 2011
· At
approximately 00:30, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a civilian car parked
near a building belonging to Kamel Jebril Farajallah in the market area in
Nussairat refugee camp. The car were
heavily damaged, and 4 offices, stress and 12 flats were damaged.
· At
approximately 01:50, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 14:30, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 18:05, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 22:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at Abu Jarad training site
of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas, south of Gaza
City. Neither casualties nor damage were
reported.
· Also at approximately 22:30, an IOF warplane fired
a missile at a space area in the southeast of al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the
east of Gaza City. No casualties were
reported.
· At
approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 23:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a bird farm belonging
to Hani Kamel al-Hayek in the southwest of al-Zawaida village in the central
Gaza Strip. The farm was destroyed and a
number of bords were killed. Six nearby
houses were damaged:
Sunday, 06 March 2011
· At
approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Naji Mohammed Tamimi, 52, Member of the Public
Committee against the Wall and Settlement in the village.
· At
approximately 08:35, IOF moved into Bedya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and established
a checkpoint in the center of the village. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.
Monday, 07 March 2011
· At
approximately 10:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately
14:00, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 22:45, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in
the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats forcing them
to flee. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Deir
al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.
Tuesday, 08 March 2011
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided, searched and damaged a number of
houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children:
· Also at
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim
Mohammed Da’ma, 27, in the north of the town and arrested him.
· At
approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and established
a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 09 March 2011
· At
approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and established
a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.
2. Use of
Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement
Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During
the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians,
including two children, were wounded. Dozens
of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises, including two journalists.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 04 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the
construction of the annexation wall. Israeli
soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs
and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, ‘Aassem Basman Yassin, 17, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal
bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from
tear gas inhalation.
· Also following
the Friday Prayer on 04 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation
wall. They clashed with Israeli troops
positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops
fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
demonstrators. As a result, a
Palestinian civilian, who has not been identified, was hit by a tear gas
canister to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation.
· Also following
the Friday Prayer on 04 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against
land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh
and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators
attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near
“Halmish” settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, two Palestinian civilians were
wounded:
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF turned a house belonging to
a Helmi Tamimi into a military site until 16:50.
· At
approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, female activists, international solidarity activists and public and
social figures organized a peaceful demonstration against the construction of
the annexation wall and settlement activities organized by the Palestinian
Union of Women’s Work Committees for International Women’s Day and on the 42nd
anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of
Palestine. The demonstrators gathered
near offices of Qalandya Association in Qalandya refugee camp, south of
Ramallah, and moved towards Qalandya checkpoint. IOF closed the checkpoints and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear
gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, Sinda, 24, an international
solidarity activist, was hit by a tear gas canister to the face. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from
tear inhalation or sustained bruises.
· At
approximately 12:45 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit
Uammar town, north of Hebron, in protest to Israeli settlement activities. They moved towards closed Palestinian areas
located neat “Karmi Tsur” settlement, south of the town. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal
bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and
journalists. Israeli settlers also
threw stones at the demonstrators. As a
result, Hamza Ahmed Abu Hashem, 12, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet
to the right arm, and shrapnel from a sound bomb to the back. Four Palestinian civilians, including two
journalists suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises:
3. Continued
Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and
imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza
Strip
Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since
June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic
situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal
closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights
and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared
recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with
the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and
complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out
of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new
Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one
that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in
Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain
economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially,
culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the
list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy,
which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying
Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such
as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the
ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed
on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of
goods.
· Israeli
declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes
an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the
minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have
continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip.
· IOF have
imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had
continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing
to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social
visits.
· Israel has
imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists
and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented
representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from
entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living
conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated;
levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point
02 –
08 March 2011
|
Date |
Details |
|
02 March 2011 |
242 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 78 others |
|
03 March 2011 |
251 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 140 others |
|
04 March 2011 |
Closed. |
|
05 March 2011 |
Closed. |
|
06 March 2011 |
268 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 149 others |
|
07 March 2011 |
222 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 77 others |
|
08 March 2011 |
258 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 72 others |
Note: Palestinian university students were not allowed to travel to
Egypt due to continued closure of Egyptian universities. Travelers who did not have visas to enter
Egypt were not directly transported to airports as it was the case during the
era of former Egyptian President Husni Mubarak.
Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
02 –
08 March 2011
|
Date |
Imports |
||
|
Category |
Amount |
||
|
Tons |
Liters |
||
|
02 March 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
691 |
|
|
Agricultural materials |
138 |
|
|
|
Various goods |
1,034 |
|
|
|
Humanitarian aids |
691 |
|
|
|
Cooking gas |
180 |
|
|
|
03 March 2011 |
Foodstuffs |
701 |
|
|
Agricultural materials |
153 |
|
|
|
Various goods |
1,180 |
|
|
|
Humanitarian aids |
535 |
|
|
|
Cooking gas |
183.940 |
|
|
On Wednesday, 02 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 36 tons of iron
for ANERA and 9 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority.
Exports:
On Wednesday,
02 March 2011, 2.5 tons of tomatoes were exported.
On Thursday, 03
March 2011, 260,000 flowers were exported.
It is worth noting that the Border Transportation Company has
declared a strike at border crossings because of the complete closure of
al-Mentar (Karni) crossing since 06 March 2011. The Company called for:
– Reopening
al-Mentar crossing.
– Allowing
imports and exports through al-Mentar crossing.
– Cancelling the
fees imposed by the Palestinian and Israeli sides at the crossings.
– Allowing all
kinds of construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF completely
closed the crossing.
Sofa Crossing: At approximately 11:00 on
Wednesday, 09 March 2011, IOF opened Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and
allowed the entry of 512 tons of construction aggregate. According to information available to PCHR,
the crossing was exceptionally opened from 11:00 to 14:00, and it will be opened
again to allow the entry of 70,000 tons of aggregate, which have been blocked
for years, for UNRWA and the Palestinian private sector.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel
has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of
Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of
international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited
number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the
crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting
their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients
permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe
restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
02 –
08 March 2011
|
Date |
02 March |
03 March |
04 March |
05 March |
06 March |
07 March |
08 March |
|
Patients |
32 |
30 |
1 |
Nil |
40 |
43 |
43 |
|
Companions |
27 |
31 |
1 |
Nil |
44 |
37 |
37 |
|
Arabs from Israel |
6 |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
14 |
1 |
1 |
|
Diplomats |
13 |
44 |
21 |
Nil |
13 |
30 |
30 |
|
International Journalists |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
International Workers |
13 |
44 |
21 |
Nil |
13 |
30 |
30 |
|
Travelers abroad |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Business People |
77 |
57 |
Nil |
Nil |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
Economic Meetings |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Security Interviews |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
VIP’s |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Ambulances to Israel |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
3 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Ambulances from Israel |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the
reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have
established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the
movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim
Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Ramallah: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian
civilians in Ramallah. At approximately
16:20 on Thursday, 03 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of
Ramallah. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles. At
approximately 07:00 on Friday, 05 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near
the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles. At approximately
13:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance
of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 14:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint
near the entrance of Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 08 March
2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bitillo village,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately
09:00, they established a checkpoint the entrance of Beit Reema village,
northwest of the city. At approximately
09:45, the established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of
the city. At approximately 19:00, IOF
re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:40 on Monday, 07 March
2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Jainsafout village, east of
Qalqilya. At approximately 19:00 on the
same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east
of Qalqilya, and another one at Jeet intersection, northeast of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 05 March 2011, Israeli soldiers
positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On the same day morning, IOF established a
checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 02 March
2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Ta’nak intersection, northwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 05 March 2011, IOF established a
checkpoint at the intersection of bypass road #35 and the northwestern entrance
of Hebron. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday
morning, 06 March 2011, IOF established a number of checkpoints at the
entrances of Sa’ir and Shyoukh villages, northeast of Hebron, and al-Zahiriya
and al-Hajri villages, southwest of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at
Military Checkpoints
· On Friday
afternoon, 04 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Kfar Etzion checkpoint
on Hebron-Bethlehem, arrested Amal Jamal Taqatqa, 19, from Beit Fajjar village
southwest of Bethlehem, claiming that she attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
· At
approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 06 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at
the annexation wall in Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin, arrested Mohammed
‘Ali Saleem, 22, claiming that he got close to the wall and crossed one of its
gates. It is worth noting that detainee
suffers from psychological disturbances.
· At
approximately 15:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF arrested Nidal Mohammed
Isma’il, 24, and Ahmed Fat’hi ‘Abdul Dayem, 24, when they were in their private
car on Tulkarm-Nablus road near Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. IOF claimed that the two young men attempted
to remove Israeli flags from a monument of an Israeli settler. IOF released the two young men at
approximately 21:00 on the same day on bail of 1,100 NIS for each one of them,
pending their trial on 05 April 2011.
4. Settlement
Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of
international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 20:30 on Thursday, 03 March 2011, Israeli settlers
from “Halmish” settlement, northwest of Ramallah, closed the entrance
of Nabi Saleh village, while IOF were present in the area. A number of those settlers attempted to enter
the village. They also threw stones at
Palestinian civilian vehicles. later,
IOF intervened an evacuated the settlers from the area. No casualties or damages were reported.
· At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 04 March 2011, 5 Israeli settlers
riding motorcycles broke into Raba village, southeast of Jenin. They took a round in the streets and moved
southward towards the nearby Ebziq village.
· At approximately 18:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli
settlers from “Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the
entrance of the settlement. They threw
stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Salfit road. No casualties were reported.
· From Friday, 04 March 2011, lorries of “Gush Etzion”
settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, unloaded large amounts of mud, stones
and solid waste onto Palestinian agricultural lands in Wad Abu Shahin area to
the west of Artas village, south of Bethlehem. More than 20 donums of agricultural land planted with apricots and
olives were filled up. According to Mohammed
Ibrahim Abu Swai, from Arats village, who is a victim of Israeli settlement
activities, IOF facilitated access of lorries to the area. He stated that the area and neighboring areas
have been closed by IOF under security claims. This attack on Palestinian land came a few days after Israeli
construction crews had established a network of huge pipelines from
“Efrat” settlement through Sha’ab Sultan area and then to agricultural areas of Arats village. There serious concerns that Israeli settlers
may pump residuals of the settlement onto Palestinian agricultural lands.
· At approximately 08:05 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, a number of
Israeli settlers gathered near Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian
vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 18:20 on the same day, a number of Israeli
settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, stormed
Palestinian agricultural lands in Yassouf village, east of Salfit. Soon, IOF intervened and evacuated them from
the area.
· At approximately 09:10 on Sunday, 06 March 2011, a number of
Israeli settlers from “Kerni Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya,
gathered at the entrances of the nearby Kufor Laqef village. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian
vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, 10 Israeli
settlers from “Yish Ad” settlement outpost, which stands on the lands
of Qasra village, east of Nablus, attacked Thiba Salama and her son,
23-year-old ‘Omar ‘Abed Salama, while they were plowing their land in the
area. Three of the settlers were armed
with M16 rifles, a fourth one was carrying a pistol and the others were
carrying shovels and sticks. The
settlers threw stones at the woman and her son and then beat them. The two were forced to flee towards the
village. They told villagers that the
settlers were uprooting olives trees in the area, nearly 500 meters away from
the village. Loudspeakers of mosques
called on villagers to defend their lands. Dozens of Palestinian civilians went to the area. Immediately, the settlers and Israeli
soldiers who arrived at the area to protect them fired at Palestinian
civilians. As a result, 7 Palestinian
civilians, including two children, were wounded:
1. Ibrahim Yousef
Darwish, 16, seriously wounded by a gunshot which entered the left side and
exited the right one;
2. Qaher
‘Awadallah ‘Ouda, 25, wounded by two gunshots to the feet;
3. Ayman Yousef
‘Ouda, 34, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the pelvis;
4. ‘Omar Ayman
Farah, 18, wounded by a gunshot to the right hand;
5. Khalil Ahmed
Wadi, 43, wounded by a gunshot to the right leg;
6. ‘Anan ‘Abdul
Rahim Hassan, 19, hit by a tear gas canister to the back; and
7. Yahia ‘Azmi
Massamir, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen.
Two
Palestinian civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation: Lu’ai Mahmoud
Hassan, 20; and Anwar ‘Abdul Jabbar Hassan, 36. Additionally, 3 civilians were injured or sustained bruises as a result
of being beaten:
1. Ibrahim Ahmed
Mahmoud, 50, injured in the chest;
2. Waheed Mohammed
Darwish, 38, injured in the head and the chest; and
3. Mansour Yahia
al-Sa’di, 32, sustained bruises throughout the body.
· At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF moved into
Barta’a village, which has been isolated by the annexation wall, southwest of
Jenin. They handed notices to a number
of Palestinian civilians ordering them to stop construction works in their
houses, claiming that the construction is unlicensed:
· On Tuesday morning, 08 March 2011, IOF handed notices to 4
Palestinian civilians ordering demolition of a number of caves, tents and
stores in Yatta twon, south of Hebron. According to information available to PCHR, the notices included order
to demolished 4 caves, 4 tents and 4 barracks in Zeef area, under the pretest
to their adjacency to an Israeli military post and “Bni Hefer”
settlement. These civilian facilities
belong to Mohammed Shihada Abu Taha, Mahmoud Shihada Abu Taha, Shihada Mohammed
Abu Taha and Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Taha. The demolition of these facilities apparently constitutes an attempt to
evacuate the area as a prelude to annex it to the aforementioned settlement.
· At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 09 March 2011, IOF moved into
Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They
demolished a 500-square-meter agricultural barrack belonging to Mohammed Younis
al-‘Allami. IOF claimed that the barrack
is close to Hebron-Bethlehem road and Israeli settlements in the southern West
Bank.
…………………………………………………………
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 Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence
practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it
is above the law and encourages Israel 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 OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with
their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for
and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for
the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the
Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends
that international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
6. 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 OPT.
7. PCHR calls on
the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was
implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a
compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza
Strip.
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 OPT, including the
facilitation of 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 OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon
the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions
imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for
international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates
that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and
humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian
question. Rather, such an arrangement
can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based
on respect for international law, including international human rights and
humanitarian law.
…………………………………………………………
Public Document
For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).
