Damaging the content of a house in Kafr
Qaddoum village in Qalqilya while IOF moved into the village.

Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

 

A
Palestinian civilian and two resistance activists were wounded by IOF in the
Gaza Strip.

 

IOF use
force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the
West Bank.

5
Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded. 

Dozens
of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

IOF
conducted 52 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3
limited ones into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF
arrested 32 Palestinians, including 6 children, in the West Bank.

A
house was damaged and some jewelry was lost during house raids.

 

IOF
continued to fire at Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

 

Israel
has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza
Strip from the outside world.

IOF
established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (05 – 11 April 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, IOF wounded
8 Palestinians, including 6 civilians, one of whom is a journalist, in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, IOF wounded 5
civilians, including journalist, during the dispersion of peaceful
demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activities in the West Bank. 
Dozens of civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 07 April 2012,
two Palestinian resistance activists were wounded by an Israeli air strike in
the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

 

On 08 April, a Palestinian civilian
was wounded by IOF while he was collecting junks in the east of Gaza City.

 

During the reporting period, IOF
opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the northern
and southern Gaza Strip.  No casualties
were reported.

 

Israeli gunboats also opened fire at
Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip 3 times. 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 52 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 32 Palestinian
civilians, including 6 children.    

 

In
the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the
Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had
already razed.

 

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.

 

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. 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.

 

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.

 

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
31 March 2012, a number of Israeli settlers attacked 4 Palestinian civilians
who were traveling near Mikhmas intersection, east of Ramallah.  These civilians were on their way to an
agricultural area in Deir Dibwan village, east of Ramallah.  The settlers attacked them with iron tubes
and bars and sprinkled a spicy material at them.  As a result, Rajaa’ Sabri ‘Aridh, 57,
sustained fractures to her left hand and bruises throughout the body, and Ahmed
Muharram al-Zeer, 50, sustained bruises. 

 

On
the same day, a number of masked Israeli settlers from “Beit Ain” settlement
attached a Palestinian farmer, Mohammed ‘Abdul Hamid al-Sulaibi, 67, and his
family in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, while they were working on their
land.  Al-Suliabi’s children were
extremely terrified.

 

On
02 April 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Ja’wana area in
the east of Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus.  Without warning, they immediately dismantled
and confiscated 6 tents and two water tanks. 
This attack had been the second of its kind in the area since 14
February 2012. 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (05 – 11 April 2012)

 

1. Incursions into
Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip

 

Thursday, 05 April 2012

 

At approximately 00:10, IOF
positioned in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza
Strip opened fire at the industrial zone located to the northwest of Beit
Hanoun town.  Palestinian civilians livening
in the surrounding areas were extremely terrified.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 20 Palestinians, including 4 children:

 

1. Riad Mohammed Eshtaiwi, 38, a
police officer;

2. Tha’er Bassim Eshtaiwi, 38, a
police officer;

3. Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Aamer, 25;

4. Hikmat Mahmoud Eshtaiwi, 35;

5. Nasfat Mahmoud Eshtaiwi, 26;

6. Harb Mashour Jom’a, 18;

7. ‘Alqama Mahmoud Jom’a, 24;

8. Mohammed Majed Jom’a, 17;

9. Mujahed Hassan ‘Abbas, 34;

11. 10. Ahmed ‘Abdul Qader
‘Abdullah, 17;

12. Salam Tayseer Barham, 20;

13. Yousef Mustafa Eshtaiwi, 17;

14. Qais Shaher Jom’a, 16;

15. Raslan ‘Aladdin Jom’a, 25;

16. Wassim ‘Abdul Fattah Eshtaiwi,
25;

17. Aws ‘Abdul Raziq ‘Aamer, 24;

18. Mujahed Subhi Darwish, 22;

19. Sbari ‘Ata Eshtaiwi, 22;

20. Tariq Mohammed ‘Aamer, 19; and

21. Mahmoud Nasser Eshtaiwi,
19. 

 

According to ‘Ata Sabri Eshtaiwi,
44, his wife lost her jewelry when IOF raided his house. 

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF
moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Ma’rouf
Taqatqa, 37, and arrested him.  They then
raided and searched a house belonging to his father, M’oayad, 43, and arrested
him

 

At approximately 08:40, IOF moved
into Rammoun village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:20, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:00, IOF moved
nearly 300 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of
Jabalya.  They opened fire indiscriminately.  Consequently, Palestinian farmers and workers
in the area were forced to leave it.  IOF
fired 4 artillery shells at the area and leveled areas of Palestinian land that
had been already razed.  IOF withdrew from
the area at approximately 19:30.  No
casualties or damage were reported.

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved
into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF
positioned in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza
Strip opened fire at the industrial zone located to the northwest of Beit
Hanoun town.  Palestinian civilians
livening in the surrounding areas were extremely terrified.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved
into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday,
06 April 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into al-Jabriyat suburb, south of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Wajeeh
Tamimi, 16, and arrested him.

 

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF
moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats. 
Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither
casualties nor damage were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved
into Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets and transformed
a house belonging to Bakr ‘Adnan ‘Ali into a military site.  They withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:20, IOF moved
into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved
into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians.  Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered
and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear
gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. 
A number of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved
into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians.  Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered
and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys.  A number of Palestinian civilian suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved
into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians.  Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered
and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys.  A number of Palestinian civilian suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 23:50, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 07 April 2012  

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved
into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 06:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats. 
Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither
casualties nor damage were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved
into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 09:40, IOF moved
into Hijja village, east 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 Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Aaur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into ‘Aaboud village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 15:40, IOF moved
into Khirbat Falah village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, an Israeli
warplane fired two missiles at a motorcycle on which two activists of the
Palestinian resistance who were traveling in Taha Hussein Street in Khirbat
al-‘Adas area in the northeast of Rafah. 
The missiles exploded near the motorcycles and the two activists were
wounded moderately by shrapnel throughout the body.

 

Also at approximately 20:00, IOF
moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 08 April 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Jenin.  They raided and searched a
number o houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

 

1. Mousa Ahmed al-Bulbol, 27;

2. Tariq Husni Abu al-Haija, 25; and

3. Wa’el Fakhri Turkman, 16.

 

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF
moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Jenin. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ameen Ahmed
al-‘Asafra, 23.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.  
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef
Mahmoud Abu Shamla, 20, and arrested him. 
They released him at approximately 09:30 on the same day.

 

At approximately 02:35, IOF moved
into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian
civilians:

 

1. Ashraf Ahmed Hussein, 28;

2. ‘Alaa’ Bassem Hussein, 24;

3. ‘Abdul Hadi Mahmoud Shbaita, 26;
and

4. Sa’id Wassef Radwan, 24.

 

At approximately 06:30, Israeli
gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats. 
Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither
casualties nor damage were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved
into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin, and patrolled in the streets.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and
threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys.  IOF withdrew later and neither casualties nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:20, IOF moved
into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. 
They raided and searched a shop of car parts.  They withdrew at approximately 15:00 and
neither house raids no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:30, Ahmed
Hussein Hassanain, 23, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, was
admitted into Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, as he was wounded by a bullet to the
right foot.  Israeli soldiers positioned
at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at him when he was
collecting junks in the east of Juhor al-Dik village, east of Gaza City. 

 

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved
into Sirris village, south of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved
into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 20:40, IOF moved
into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:10, IOF moved
into Salfit.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into Kufor Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 09 April 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to Bilal ‘Abdul Salam Tamimi, 46, an activist of the
Palestinian Popular Resistance Movement, but no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast
of Jericho.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho and the neighboring
‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp.  They
patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Boreij
refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. 
They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already
razed.  They withdrew from the area at
approximately 14:00.

 

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of
Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved hundreds of meters into Khuza’a
village and al-Fukhari area, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan
Yunis.  They leveled areas of Palestinian
land which they had already razed.  They
withdrew from these areas in the evening.

 

At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  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 Budros village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village,
northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported. 

 

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:05, 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 09:30, IOF positioned at the border between the
Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the southern Gaza Strip of Khan Yunis
opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the Khuza’a
village.  Two houses belonging to the
al-Najjar family were damaged.

 

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

 

At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  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, 4 demonstrators
and a journalist were wounded, and dozens of others suffered from tear gas
inhalation and other sustained bruises.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 06 April 2012, 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 and in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails.  The
demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending the political split.
 They then moved towards areas of 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, dozens
of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 March 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag
and called for national unity and for the release of Palestinian prisoners
detained in Israeli jails.  They moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  
Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday prayer on 06 April 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in
the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly
peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near
the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli
settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize.
 Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near
all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the
protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.  Israeli
soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at the protesters.  A result, 3 civilians, including Ahmed Jamal
Dgahlas, 27, a freelance journalist, were wounded, and other demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation (PCHR keeps names of the wounded).

 

At approximately 01:20 on Friday, 06 April 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in
protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF.  IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs
at the demonstrators.  As a result, two
demonstrators, including a child, were hit directly by tear gas canisters.  Additionally, a number of demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

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 nearly 5 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.  

 

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically
made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip
although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and
operational capacity.

 

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the
strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing
total control over the flow of imports and exports.

 

The total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02
March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza
Strip.  Following this closure, all the
economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut
off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar
crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational
capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the
culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of
the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw
materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities.  The limited quantities of raw materials
allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in
the Gaza Strip.

 

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has
continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This
crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on
04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery
of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to
receive Gaza’s needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum
absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on
alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families
who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and
approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower has continued to suffer from permanent
unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic
establishments.

 

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of
Gaza’s products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any
real chances to rerun economic establishments. 
The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem
crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this
crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were
allowed to be exported during last April.

 

For approximately four consecutive years, IOF
have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During
the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of
construction materials for a number of international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe
restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy
aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit
Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the
West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new
categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the
crossing.

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international
diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza
Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March
2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he
was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

For approximately 57 months, IOF have continued to deny
approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails
their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure,
which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

04 –
10 April 2012

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

02 –
09 April 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 03 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 513,000
flowers.

On Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 252,000 flowers.

On Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 211,000
flowers.

 

Notes:

 

On Monday, 02 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 456 tons of
cement and 2,030 of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 160 tons of cement
and 840 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of
fodders and 120 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 03 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 330 tons of
cement, 1,820 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel
for UNRAW.  They also allowed the entry
to 39 tons of construction steel, 702 tons of fodders and 156 tons of
wheat. 

 

On Wednesday, 04 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 318 tons of
cement, 2,730 tons of construction aggregates and 82 tons of construction steel
for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry
of 39 tons of construction steel, 936tons of fodders and 78 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 464 tons of
cement and 2,100 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 702 tons of
fodders and 273 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 640 tons of
cement, 3,430 tons of construction aggregates and 54 tons of construction steel.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of
fodders and 117 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 09 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 400 tons of
cement, 3,150 tons of construction aggregates and 70 tons of construction steel
for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry
of 546 tons of fodders and 109 tons of wheat.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

04 –
10 April 2012

 

 

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.

 

There are approximately hundreds of 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, confiscating more Palestinian land.

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the
West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from
the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a
network of checkpoints.

 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4
permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not
allowed to enter it without permits.

 

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural
reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.

 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods
throughout the West Bank.

 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem,
and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even
arrested in the streets by IOF.

 

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 young Muslim Palestinians from
praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.  On Monday
morning, 09 April 2012, IOF closed all entrance of the old town of
Jerusalem.  They established several
checkpoints to allow thousands of Jews to celebrate the Jewish Easter.  At night, IOF closed the main entrance of
al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem, with cement blocks.    

 

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF re-established their
presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of
Ramallah.  At approximately 16:30, they
established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 06 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30,
IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of
Ramallah, and another one at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of
Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00 on
Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras
Karkar village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF re-established their presence
at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. 
At approximately 20:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad
village, northeast of Ramallah.    

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established 4
checkpoints around Qalqilya. s

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin.  At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 09 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest
of Jenin. 

 

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 05 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm.  At the same time, IOF positioned at Ennab
checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus, east of Tulkarm, impose additional restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 
At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 09 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Allr intersection, north of
Tulkarm. 

 

Jericho:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. 
At approximately 19:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah
road.  At approximately 15:00 on Friday,
06 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Dyouk
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 11:40,
IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 08 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north
of Jericho.  At approximately 17:30, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a
checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road.

 

……………………………………………………

 

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).