Palestinian civilians in a route at
the 300 checkpoint north of Bethlehem, waiting to be allowed by Israeli
soldiers to cross the checkpoint
Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· IOF continued
to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– Dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from
tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises.
– IOF arrested a
Norwegian human rights defender.
· IOF continued
to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in the Gaza Strip’s border areas.
– A Palestinian child was wounded in the northern
Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 14
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into
the Gaza Strip.
– IOF arrested 8
Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank.
· Israel has
continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip
from the outside world.
– IOF imposed
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem
and other communities in the West Bank during the Ramadan Month.
– Israeli troops
stationed at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank
arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
· Israel has
continued to take measures aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in
Jerusalem.
– A new plan was
set out to establish an elevator and a tunnel in al-Buraq yard near al-Aqsa
Mosque.
– The Israeli
Municipality of Jerusalem forced 3 Palestinian civilians to demolish their
houses in Sour Baher village.
· IOF have
continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have
continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– Israeli settlers stormed a house and set fire
to a tract of agricultural land in the north of Tulkarm.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the
OPT continued during the reporting period (19 – 25 August 2010):
Shooting:
In
the West Bank, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest of the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. As a result, dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises.
In
the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian child was wounded when Israeli troops stationed
at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at Palestinian workers
who were collecting raw construction materials in the northern Gaza Strip.
Incursions:
During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 14 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 8
Palestinian civilians, including two children. IOF also arrested two Palestinian civilians, 4 Israeli human rights
defenders and an international one.
In
the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into the northern Gaza Strip,
during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
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.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to
close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels only
through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming
security reasons.
· 1.5 million
people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and
their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main
concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of
food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has
continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip for more than three years.
· Israel has not
allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking
gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah
International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of
patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to 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.
· At least 800
Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for
more than three years.
· IOF have
continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
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 630 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints
across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 – 80 ‘flying’ or temporary
checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
· 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 (47 out of 72 roads).
· 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.
Measures
Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem:
IOF
have continued to take measures at creating a Jewish majority in
Jerusalem.
During the reporting the Jewish District
Construction and Development Company in Jerusalem submitted a plan to the
Planning and Construction Committee in the Israeli Ministry of Interior, to
establish a large elevator to link the Jewish district with al-Nuraq Yard. The elevator would pass by two wells, through
which Jewish visitor would be able to reach a 56-meter-ling tunnel that leads
to the al-Buraq Yard. The plan includes
also public services, large halls, a biblical museum, shops of monuments and
public toilettes.
On Monday and Tuesday, 23 and 24 August 2010,
the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem forced 3 members of the Dabash family to
demolish their houses in Sour Baher village, south of Jerusalem, claiming that
the houses were built without licenses.
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
22 August 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph
Tomb, east of Nablus. They conducted
Jewish rituals until 05:00. They then
left the area.
On
23 August 2010, Israeli settlers stormed Khirbat al-Hamam area to the north of
Tulkarm. They broke into a house
belonging to Mohammed al-Jalouli. They
held the family inside the house, and at approximately 19:00, they set fire to
a 5-donum area of agricultural land near the house.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19 – 25 August
2010)
1. Incursions
into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday,
19 August 2010
· At approximately 02:00, an infantry unit of IOF
moved into al-‘Eissawiya village, northeast of Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers took position atop of a hill
in the east of the village and opened fire into the air. They withdrew from the village later, and no
casualties were reported.
Friday,
20 August 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sourif
village, northwest of Hebron. They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Amjad Isma’il Ghnaimat, 31;
2. Lu’ai Fawaz ‘Aabed, 24; and
3. Mos’ab Mustafa al-Hour, 20.
Sunday,
22 August 2010
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bedya
village, northwest of Salfit. They
patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:45, IOF moved into ‘Izbat
al-Ashqar village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into
Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Rafat
village, west of Salfit. They patrolled
in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday,
23 August 2010
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit
Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian
civilians:
1. Haitham Murad al-Khatib, 18; and
2. Amjad Khaled al-Barghouthi, 19.
Tuesday,
24 August 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tammoun
village, southeast of Tubas. They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Azmi Hussein Bani ‘Ouda, 35.
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops
stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of
Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers, who were collecting
raw construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlements
of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit” used to stand. The workers fled from the area and no
casualties were reported.
· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved nearly 150 meters into the
northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They patrolled in the area for a few
hours. They moved back to the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 20:00.
· Also at approximately 16:00, IOF moved into
‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They
patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:15, an Israeli undercover
unit moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, traveling in a civilian
vehicles with a Palestinian registration plate. Israeli soldiers raided a house belonging to the family of Ramzi
Mohammed Abu Maria, 21, and arrested him.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Eskaka
village, northeast of Salfit. They
raided a house belonging to Zaidan Mohammed Lami and summoned him for
interrogation.
Wednesday,
25 August 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into
Tulkarm. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Murad Jamal al-Jamal, 16, and arrested him.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit
Ta’mar village, east of Bethlehem. They
raided and searched a house belonging to Maher Hassan al-Wahesh, and summoned
him for interrogation.
· At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops
stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of
Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers, who were collecting
raw construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlements
of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit” used to stand. As a result, Mohammed Ramadan Subeh, 17, from
Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the left thigh.
· At approximately 06:40, Israeli troops
stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of
Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers, who were collecting
raw construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlements
of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit” used to stand. The workers fled from the area and no
casualties 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. As a result, dozens
of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises. IOF also arrested a Norwegian
human rights defender.
· Following the
Friday Prayer on 20 August 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil’ein
village, west of Ramallah. They moved
towards the annexation wall. Israeli
troops stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, several demonstrators also suffered from tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli troops. Additionally, Israeli troops arrested Evi, 28, a Norwegian human rights
defender.
· Also following
the Friday Prayer on 20 August 2010, 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, several demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others
sustained bruises.
· Also following
the Friday Prayer on 20 August 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Nabi Saleh 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. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Also following
the Friday Prayer on 14 August 2010, Palestinian civilians and international
human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Ma’sara
village, south of Bethlehem. They moved
towards areas of land where IOF intend to construct a section of the annexation
wall. IOF had already closed the
entrance of the village. Once the
demonstrators arrived at the area, Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and
sound bombs at them, and a violently beat a number of them. As a result, 12 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 more than
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.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to
close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to only allow the entry of fuels
through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming
security reasons.
· 1.5 million
people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and
their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main
concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of
food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has
continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip for more than three years.
· Israel has not
allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking
gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah
International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of
patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to 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.
· Since the
imposition of the closure, living conditions of the Palestinian civilian
population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have
mounted sharply.
· At least 800
Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for
more than three years.
· IOF have
continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
At
approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities decided
to open Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border in both
directions without specifying a date for its closure. The Egyptian decisions came following the
Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the crossing point
was effectively opened and restricted categories of Palestinian civilians were
allowed to travel through it.
Movement at Rafah International
Crossing Point
18 – 24 August 2010
Date |
Details |
18 August 2010 |
454 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 255 others and |
19 August 2010 |
402 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 351 others |
20 August 2010 |
141 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 297 others |
21 August 2010 |
332 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 422 others |
22 August 2010 |
416 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 249 others |
23 August 2010 |
417 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 249 others |
24 August 2010 |
423 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 184 others |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) Crossing
18 – 24 August 2010
Date |
Imports |
||
Category |
Amount |
||
Tons |
Liters |
||
18 August 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
993 |
|
Agricultural materials |
221 |
|
|
Various goods |
2,066 |
|
|
Humanitarian aids |
183 |
|
|
Cooking gas |
153.340 |
|
|
Industrial fuel |
|
160,988 |
|
19 August 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
703 |
|
Agricultural materials |
267 |
|
|
Various goods |
1,317 |
|
|
Humanitarian aids |
404 |
|
|
Cooking gas |
155 |
|
|
Industrial fuel |
|
307,994 |
|
22 August 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
973 |
|
Agricultural materials |
249 |
|
|
Various goods |
1,972 |
|
|
Cooking gas |
154.390 |
|
|
Industrial fuel |
|
153,994 |
|
23 August 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
1,120 |
|
Agricultural materials |
228 |
|
|
Various goods |
1,209 |
|
|
Cooking gas |
132.310 |
|
|
Industrial fuel |
|
154,001 |
|
24 August 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
1,054 |
|
Agricultural materials |
278 |
|
|
Various goods |
1,386 |
|
|
Humanitarian aids |
226 |
|
|
Cooking gas |
129.780 |
|
|
Industrial fuel |
|
154,006 |
Al-Mentar
(Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 19 August 2010, and
allowed the entry of 741 tons of wheat and 1,677 tons of fodder. They also opened it on Monday, 23 August
2010, and allowed the entry of 1,560 tons of wheat and 2,340 tons of
fodder.
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
18 – 24 August 2010
Date |
18 August |
19 August |
20 August |
21 August |
22 August |
23 August |
24 August |
Patients |
15 |
17 |
1 |
Nil |
34 |
37 |
27 |
Companions |
18 |
16 |
1 |
Nil |
34 |
37 |
27 |
Palestinians |
6 |
13 |
1 |
Nil |
4 |
Nil |
2 |
Diplomats |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
13 |
2 |
International |
1 |
3 |
5 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
4 |
International |
39 |
65 |
7 |
Nil |
13 |
14 |
19 |
Travelers |
8 |
7 |
Nil |
Nil |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Traders |
20 |
4 |
Nil |
Nil |
11 |
9 |
6 |
Business |
3 |
4 |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
13 |
7 |
Meetings |
18 |
4 |
Nil |
Nil |
5 |
5 |
1 |
Ambulances |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Ambulances |
Nil |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
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. On
Friday morning, 20 August 2010, the second Friday in the Holy Ramadan Month,
IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in
Jerusalem. Israeli troops stationed at
military checkpoints around Jerusalem prevented Palestinian civilians aged
below 50 from entering the city for the Friday Prayer. IOF also reinforced their presence in the
city. They established a number of
roadblocks and checkpoints in various areas.
· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained their presence at 41
checkpoints around the town. The town
has been also impacted by the construction of the annexation wall to the north
and west, and large areas of Palestinian land have been isolated by the
wall. During the reporting period,
Israeli troops stationed at the 300 checkpoint (Rachel Toms), north of
Bethlehem, continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians are forced to wait in
queues on two routes outside the checkpoint. They are then checked by Israeli soldiers using electronic checking
machines. Such checking is often
prolonged and humiliating. During the
reporting period, only Palestinians who have permits and those aged over 50
were allowed to travel to Jerusalem. In
the meantime, Israeli troops stationed the container checkpoint imposed
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 20 August
2010, Israeli troops stationed at the Container checkpoint stopped a
Palestinian bus. They checked and
humiliated Palestinian civilians for nearly 3 hours. On Wednesday, 25 August 2010, IOF expanded a
checkpoint established at Beit Fajjar intersection, southwest of
Bethlehem.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close a number of
roads in the center, south and southeast of Hebron for several years. The crises of water in Hebron has devastated
the community and damaged the economy. During the reporting period, Palestinian civilians were forced to buy
water tanks in high prices from a selling point belonging to Israeli settlers
who closed it completely on Sunday noon, 22 August 2010. Israeli troops also imposed severe
restrictions on trucks transporting water tanks. Some civilians were forced to carry water
jars to their homes, or on animals. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed in the vicinity of
the Ibrahimi Mosque stopped and checked Palestinian civilians wishing to pray
in the mosque.
· Nablus: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians. On Sunday morning, 22 August
2010, IOF established a checkpoint opposite to al-Tanib factory in the west of
Nablus. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported. On Wednesday morning, 25 August 2010, IOF
established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, southwest of Nablus. They also established a checkpoint at
“Yits’har” intersection, south of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles. Also on Wednesday,
IOF closed al-Bathan checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, and the 17 checkpoint,
northwest of Nablus.
· Ramallah: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian
civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops
positioned at the Jaba’ and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have
imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of
Palestinian civilians. During the
reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped
and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 21 August 2010, 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, but no arrests were reported. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mughayar village, northeast of
Ramallah. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:00 on Friday, 20 August
2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of ‘Anabta village,
east of Tulkarm. They stopped and
searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 16:50 on Sunday, 22 August 2010, IOF established a
checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the agricultural
road located to the east of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, since 2009. The village is also separated from road #55,
which links between Nablus and Qalqilya, with a barbwire fence. The fence cuts off the village from
agricultural land belonging to it in the north. At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 20 August 2010, IOF established a
checkpoint near ‘Izbat al-Tabib village at road #55 between Nablus and
Qalqilya. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles. On
Tuesday evening, 24 August 2010, IOF established a number of checkpoints on
roads leading to Qalqilya. They stopped
and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 25 August 2010, IOF established a
checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the northern
entrance of Salfit with cement blocks and sand barriers since 2000. They have also continued to close two roads
linking Marda village with agricultural land belonging to it. At approximately 21:30 on Friday, 20 August
2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Brouqin – Kufor al-Dik road, west of
Salfit. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, 24 August
2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Salfit-Brouqin road, west of Salfit, and
another checkpoint between the villages of Brouqin and Qarawat Bani Zaid, west
of Salfit. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests
at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 23:00 on Friday, 20 August
2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Jainsafout village, east of
Qalqilya. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Fu’ad Mustafa Diab, 17, from Deir
Estia village northwest of Salfit.
· At approximately 00:30 on Sunday, 22 August
2010, 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 and arrested Anas Ibrahim Zaidani, 22, from Beit Reema
village northwest of Ramallah.
· At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 22 August
2010, Israeli soldiers stationed at a checkpoint near ‘Arraba intersection,
south of Jenin, arrested Nader Ibrahim Kharouf, 30, from ‘Allar village north
of Tulkarm.
· On Tuesday morning, 24 August 2010, Israeli
troops stationed at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian
border arrested two Palestinian civilians: Munir Saleh Bisharat, 34; and Jalal Jameel Bisharat, 41, both are
teachers from Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas.
· On Tuesday evening, Israeli troops stationed at
Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Sobhi ‘Issam Da’bas, 18, a university
student.
· At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops patrolling on bypass road #60, east of Hebron, stormed an agricultural
field in the area and attempted to expel a number of Palestinian civilians who
were farming it. Israeli troops arrested
3 of those civilians: Muhannad Mohammed
Jaber, 17; ‘Aahed Hisham Jaber, 18; and Mohammed Hisham Jaber.
· At approximately 20:30 also on Tuesday, IOF
established a checkpoint near “Ariel” settlement, north of
Salfit. They arrested Moaqffaq Mohammed
Shbaita, 38, from ‘Azzoun village east of Qalqilya.
4. Measures
Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem
Israel has recently escalated arbitrary measures against
Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in order to force them to leave the
city. PCHR has devoted this section in
the Weekly Report to highlighting violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF
against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.
· During the reporting the Jewish District
Construction and Development Company in Jerusalem submitted a plan to the
Planning and Construction Committee in the Israeli Ministry of Interior, to
establish a large elevator to link the Jewish district with al-Nuraq Yard. The elevator would pass by two wells, through
which Jewish visitor would be able to reach a 56-meter-ling tunnel that leads
to the al-Buraq Yard. The plan includes
also public services, large halls, a biblical museum, shops of monuments and
public toilettes. The Director of
Tourism in the Islamic Endowments Department stated that this project aims at
removing the Arab culture from the area, and create Jewish nature in the old
town of Jerusalem, and it also aims at surrounding the al-‘Aqsa Mosque and
isolating it from its Palestinian surrounding.
· On Monday and Tuesday, 23 and 24 August 2010,
the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem forced 3 members of the Dabash family to
demolish their houses in Sour Baher village, south of Jerusalem, claiming that
the houses were built without licenses:
1. A 130-square-meter house belonging to ‘Omar
Ahmed Dabash, in which 7 people live, built in 1994;
2. A 120-square-meter house belong to ‘Imad Ahmed
Dabash, in which 8 people live; and
3. A 200-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed
Ahmed Dabash, in which 6 people live, built in 1968.
According to ‘Imad Dabash, the Israeli
Municipality of Jerusalem ordered the demolition of these houses in 1997. Since that time, members of then family had
been challenging the decision before Israeli courts. They were also forced to pay fines that
exceeded 170,000 NIS (approximately US$ 43,000). In the end, an Israeli court ordered them to
demolish their houses themselves; otherwise, they would be imprisoned for 3
months, forced to pay a fine that exceeds 10,000 for each house, and the
municipality would demolish the house on their expenses.
5. 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 01:00 on Sunday, 22 August
2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph Tomb, east of
Nablus. They conducted Jewish rituals
until 05:00. They then left the area.
· At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 23 August
2010, Israeli settlers stormed Khirbat al-Hamam area to the north of
Tulkarm. They broke into a house
belonging to Mohammed al-Jalouli. They
held the family inside the house, and at approximately 19:00, they set fire to
a 5-donum area of agricultural land near the house.
…………………………………………………………
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).