One Week in the life of Palestine: A Report from Palestine Center for Human Rights

[holyland]

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights LTD (non-profit)
http://www.pchrgaza.org
 
 
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory  No. 48/2008

27 Nov.- 03 Dec. 2008
 
 



Patient Ahmad El-Sousi is suffering by power cuts affecting support devices needed for him to survive
 
 
 

 

 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) amidst a Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip Due to the Closure

3 Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The two children were killed by an air raid, while the third victim was extra-judicially executed by an IOF undercover unit.

10 Palestinians and 3 international human rights defenders were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

IOF conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 2 into the Gaza Strip.

IOF arrested 28 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.

The Gaza Strip is suffering a serious humanitarian crisis due to the IOF closure of the border crossings.

IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to take measures aiming at the Judaization of Jerusalem.

IOF demolished 3 houses in Jerusalem.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property.

Israeli settlers continued brutal attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.

Israeli settlers desecrated a mosque in Tormos'iya village north of Ramallah.

Israeli settlers uprooted 50 olive trees in Ras Karkar village near Ramallah.

 

 
Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (27 November – 3 December 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 children, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and wounded 10 others, including 2 children, and 3 international human rights defenders.

In the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday evening, 2 December, IOF killed 2 Palestinian children and wounded 2 others seriously. An IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of Palestinian children who were sitting in the streets in al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. an IOF spokesman admitted responsibility for the attack, but claimed that it targeted a number of persons who launched mortars at IOF and Israeli towns. According to eyewitnesses, the victims were civilians who were sitting in the streets.

On 28 November, four members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded during clashes with IOF troops that had moved into al-Farahin area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis.

In the West Bank, On Monday, 1 December, IOF extra-judicially killed a Palestinian from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. He was shot dead by an IOF undercover unit, when he climbed into a vehicle belonging to the Palestinian Preventive Security Service (PSS), in order to be transported from his house to the PSS' headquarters. He was in the process of being granted amnesty by the IOF. He was hit by several bullets, and IOF troops later took him to Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus. Later, IOF contacted the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to send an ambulance to transport his body.

During the reporting period, 3 Palestinian civilians and 3 international human rights defenders were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest at the construction of the Annexation Wall west of Ramallah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 28 Palestinian civilians, including a child. The number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 stands at 2,261. IOF also transformed 4 houses in Hebron into military sites during the reporting period.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 2 incursions into Palestinian communities. On 28 November, IOF moved into al-Farahin area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, and chased a number of members of the Palestinian resistance. On 30 November, IOF moved into the same area and leveled areas of Palestinian land.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have 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

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

·      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 Egypt-brokered 'Tahdiya' or truce between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel began on 19 June; however, there have been no major changes regarding the movements of civilians and goods through the six Gaza Strip border crossings.

 

·      Rafah International Crossing Point, the only border crossing from the Gaza Strip to the outside world via a country other than Israel, remains closed.

 

Impacts of Tightening the Siege Imposed on the Gaza Strip over the Past Four Weeks

·      The Gaza Power plant completely ceased operation due to the lack of energy fuel. Over the past three weeks, IOF have allowed only 1,721,610 liters of industrial gasoline into the Gaza Strip, sufficient for just 5 days.

 

·      The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

 

·      The majority of the civilian population lack regular access to drinking water.

 

·      Electricity is cut off for hundred of thousands of civilians for 8-12 hours daily, which has had a severe impact on all civilians, especially 500,000 school and university students who are currently sitting exams.

 

·      The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were forced to suspend it humanitarian aids program for at least 750,000 Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip for 5 days.

 

·       Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been forced to wait in long queues to buy bread.

 

·      At least 45 bakeries in the Gaza Strip (75%) have been closed due to the lack of electricity and cooking gas. The remaining 18 bakeries have been forced to scale down production.  

 

·      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.

 

·      IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians needing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or family visits.

 

·      IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

 

·      IOF have decreased the number of patients allowed to travel through Erez crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in the West Bank and Israel to an average of 17 patients daily, which marks a decrease by 15% in comparison with the first quarter of 2008.

 

·      Health conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated and all medical facilities have been impacted as some emergency medical services are dependent on electricity. At least 94 medicines are now completely out of stock.

 

·      The lives of a number of new born babies are being endangered, and they depend on medical equipment, such as incubators, that are electrically operated.

 

·      Fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip through the Nahal Oz crossing have sharply decreased to below minimum requirements. Since the closure, the Gaza Strip has received only 19.6% of the daily amount of fuel required for the operation of the sole Gaza power plant, 4.1% of the daily requirement of benzene, 2.9% of the daily requirement of diesel, and 4.8% of the amount of cooking gas needed by the population.  

 

·      IOF have closed all commercial crossings to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Al-Mentar (Karni) crossing was partially reopened for 3 days and Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing was partially reopened for 6 days, to allow the entry of limited amounts of humanitarian aid.

 

·      Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; poverty and unemployment levels are rapidly increasing.

 

·      At least 900 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived for family visitation for more than 15 months.

 

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 the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

 

·      There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, 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 has 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 leads to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).

 

·      There are around 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.

 

·      During the reporting period, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

Judaization of Jerusalem: IOF have escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. During the reporting period, IOF demolished 3 houses in East Jerusalem.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT have, in violation of international humanitarian law, continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, Israeli settlers living in "Kiryat Arba" settlement, and those who seized al-Rajabi building on 19 March 2006, launched a series of systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in Palestinian residential areas of Hebron. IOF provided protection for these settlers. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured during these attacks, and the settlers launched these attacks under the pretext of rejecting a ruling from the Israeli High Court that ordered their evacuation from the al-Rajabi building in Hebron. Israeli settlers also launched attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in villages located around Ramallah. They uprooted at least 50 olive trees and mounted attacks against a number of houses.

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (27 November – 3 December 2008)

 

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

 

Thursday, 27 November

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Omar 'Abdul Qader Nasrallah, 21.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Izbat al-Jarad village, south of Tulkarm. They raided an animal farm belonging to Ahmed Fu'ad Kharyoush, 24, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash'al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Nasser Hassan 'Abdul Wahed, 28;

2.      Salam Mohammed Taha, 21;

3.      Tariq Ghassan Shihada, 21.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kharbtha al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Khalil 'Ali al-Nawaj'a, 36.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura town, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed 'Adnan al-Shahateet, 20.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Deir Samet village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and shops, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Abdul Rahim Jawad Abu 'Amsha, 23.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into 'Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Nader Khair Bani Fadel, 24;

2.      Munther Jamal Mayadma, 22;

3.      Ussama Fares Mayadma, 22;

4.      Hamza Ussama Dairiya, 22;

5.      Fursan Jameel Bani Fadel, 23.

 

Friday, 28 November

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Um al-Tout village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 12:10, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired 3 artillery shells at Palestinian agricultural areas in al-Farahin area in 'Abassan village, apparently targeting a number of members of the Palestinian resistance. No casualties were reported. Soon after, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 300 meters into the area. Members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops. Four members of the Palestinian resistance were wounded in these clashes.

 

·      At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided an internet café belonging to Sakher al-Ahmed. They verified the identity cards of customers and searched the café. No arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 29 November  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ja'far Sami 'Edwan, 22, and arrested him.

 

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Toura village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Omar Fa'thi Qabha, 21.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Jdaida village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Sirris village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Sanour village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tubas town. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Far'a refugee camp, south of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 30 November  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a a number of houses and arrested Fadi 'Awadh Mansour, 30.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Norther 'Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 08:30, IOF, accompanied by 3 bulldozers, moved nearly 300 meters into al-Farahin area in the east of 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. They leveled grass that grew up in the area. such operation has become a routine action by IOF in the area.

 

·      At approximately 14:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. IOF troops stormed a car wash facility. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the area. IOF arrested Khairi Mohammed Hannoun, 21.

 

·      Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Mash'al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nasser Hussein Zahran, 25.

 

Tuesday, 2 December  

·      At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Mohammed Abu 'Amira, 23.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim Bassam al-'Aridi, 25.

 

·      At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Eyad Hassan Abu Zaytoun, 21.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Sanour village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

·      At approximately 15:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of Palestinian children who were sitting on the roadside near the pubic medical center in al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. Two children were killed:

 

1.      'Omar Mousa Hammas, 15, hit by shrapnel throughout the body and he was difficult to identify as his body was badly burnt and his limbs were severed;

2.      Ramzi Ibrahim al-Duhaini, 16, hit by shrapnel throughout the body.

 

Another two children were wounded:

 

1.      Hani 'Awad Abu Suhaiban, 14, whose condition was described as critical;

2.      Khaled Nasser al-Duhaini, 17, whose condition was described as serious.

 

According to various Israeli news web sites, an IOF spokesman admitted responsibility for the above attack, but claimed the Israelis had targeted a number of persons who launched mortars at IOF and towards Israeli towns. According to eyewitnesses, however, the victims were civilians who were sitting in the streets. They said that they heard sounds of 7-8 mortars fired at IOF by Palestinian gunmen 10 minutes before the attack, but the gunmen withdrew from the area safely.

 

Wednesday, 3 December  

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

 

1.      Ma'an Khaled 'Omran, 24;

2.      Rami Ibrahim Lahlouh, 23.

 

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Khaled al-'Aassi, 23.

 

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

 

1.      Eyad Abu Sha'ira, 18;

2.      'Abdul 'Aziz Kamal Da'ajna, 20;

3.      'Abdul Rahman Ghassan al-Qaissi, 17.

 

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Huthaifa S'oud Abu Sarhan, 25.

 

2.      Extra-Judicial Execution

On Monday evening, 1 December, IOF extra-judicially killed Mohammed Kamal Abu Thiraa', 27, from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. Abu Thiraa' was shot dead by an IOF undercover unit, when he climbed into a vehicle belonging to the Palestinian Preventive Security Service (PSS) in order to be transported from his house to the PSS' headquarters. He was in the process of being granted amnesty by the IOF. He was first hit by several gunshots, and IOF troops took him to Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus. Later, IOF contacted the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to send an ambulance to collect his body.

In his testimony to PCHR, Na'im Daoud 'Aamer, 43, the driver of the PSS vehicle, stated:

"At approximately 21:30 on Monday, [1 December 2008], I was on duty in the headquarters of the PSS in Til Street in Nablus. Mohammed Kamal Abu Thiraa', [27], from Balata refugee camp, phoned me asking me to transport him as I used to do everyday from his house to the PSS' headquarters to prove his presence, as required by the Israelis to be granted amnesty. I drove a vehicle of the PSS towards his house. When I was on my way, he phoned me again, telling me that he was at his uncle's house in al-Quds Street near the camp. I traveled to the area. When I arrived, I saw 4 men standing in front of a car maintenance workshop belonging to Mohammed al-Bustami. I turned around and they disappeared behind the vehicle. While I was turning around, one of them hailed me. I phoned Mohammed to leave the house.  He came out, and got into the vehicle and sat on the front seat next to me.  Before he closed the door, we were apprehended by the four men  holding pistols. One of them pointed his pistol at  my head, while the other three fired at Mohammed. He was wounded. Soon after, a black vehicle arrived at the area and a number of IOF troops got out of it. They pushed me out of the car and kidnapped Mohammed. Later, I traveled to the PSS' headquarters. I learnt that the chief of the PSS received a phone call and was informed that Mohammed died."

 

3.      Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have 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

As previously noted, the closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Gaza fishing industry is being decimated by IOF harassment of fishermen. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza's coastal communities depend on revenue from the fishing industry, including 3,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to fish up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

 

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period

·      Nahal Oz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the importation of fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, IOF closed the crossing and did not allow fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip.

·      Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF completely closed the crossing and did not allow the entry of any commodities into the Gaza Strip.

·      Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: The movement at the crossing during the reporting period was as shown in the following table:

 

Date
 Patients
 Companions
 Traders and Businessmen
 International Journalists
 International Workers
 Travelers abroad
 
26 November
 12
 12
 Nil
 Nil
 15
 Nil
 
27 November
 13
 12
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 
28 November
 3
 3
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 
29 November
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 
30 November
 24
 25
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
 
1 December
 15
 15
 Nil
 Nil
 3
 Nil
 
2 December
 22
 20
 Nil
 Nil
 15
 Nil
 

 

·      Rafah International Crossing Point: The movement at the crossing point during the reporting period was as shown in the following table:

 

Date
 Details
 
28 November
 95 Palestinians, including a number of patients, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
 
29 November
 39 Palestinians, including 10 members of an UNRWA delegation and a number of patients, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
 
1 December
 111 Palestinians, including a number of patients, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
 
2 December
 408 Palestinians, including a number of patients, were allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
 

 

·      Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing: The movement at the crossing during the reporting period was as shown in the following table:

 

Date
 Details
 
26 November
 36 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
 
27 November
 8 containers of goods and humanitarian aids were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
 
28 November
 Closed
 
29 November
 Closed
 
30 November
 Closed
 
1 December
 Closed
 
2 December
 Closed
 

 

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege 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 to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 27 November, IOF troops positioned at Jaba' checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, arrested 'Atallah Abu Ghattas, 25, from Hebron.

 

·      Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 27 November 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 29 November, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 1 December 2008, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara and Hawara checkpoints, south of Nablus, and Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of the city, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On the same day evening, IOF closed Nablus-Tulkarm road near "Shavi Shomron" intersection and erected another iron gate on the road. Palestinian civilians are concerned that IOF may close the gate, and thus close the road which links Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya and Jenin.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 27 November, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Majdi Ahmed Saba'na, 23, from Qabatya village southeast of Jenin.

 

On Saturday morning, 29 November, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohammed 'Awni Abu Hassan, 24, from al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin.

 

·      Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close all roads leading to and from the town. On Thursday evening, 27 November, IOF erected 5 checkpoints the entrance of al-Zababda, Ya'bad, 'Arraba, Kfair and Sanour near Jenin. On Saturday morning, 29 November 2008, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday noon, 30 November, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qoud village, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

 

4.     Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. 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.

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 28 November, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Fomia Inada, a Japanese human rights defender, was hit by a tear gas canister in his eye.

 

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 28 November, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, two Danish human rights defenders and a Palestinian child were wounded:

 

1.      Billa, 23, a Danish citizen, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to back;

2.      Aida, 26, a Danish citizen, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;

3.      Mohammed Ahmed 'Amira, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg.

 

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on Friday, 28 November 2008, IOF attacked a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders in Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the construction of the Wall. They fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 2 demonstrators were wounded:

 

1.      Mohammed 'Abdul Waleed Saleem, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot;

2.      Mohammed 'Abdul Rahim Saleem, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg.  

 

5.     Judaization of Jerusalem

IOF have recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. For the purpose of reporting about violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem, PCHR has decided to add a new section to the Weekly Report.

·      During the reporting period, IOF demolished, for the second time, a house belonging to 'Ali Joma' in al-Mukabber village, southeast of Jerusalem. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF troops stormed the area. Workers of the demolition contractor removed some of the furniture a few minutes before a bulldozer demolished the 90-square-meter house, where 11 people live. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem demolished the house a year ago, and the family appealed to the Israeli Central Court and then to the High Court which approved the demolition and imposed a fine of 10,000 NIS (approximately US 2,700) on the family. When the family rebuilt the house, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered its demolition.

 

·      Also during the reporting period, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to Hazem Suleiman al-'Eissawi in al-Salam suburb, east of Jerusalem. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF moved into al-Salam suburb and demolished the 90-square-meter house, which was rebuilt after IOF had demolished it in 2006. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem demolished the house, and the family appealed to the Israeli Central Court and then to the High Court which approved the demolition and imposed a fine of 6,000 NIS (approximately US 1,600) on the family.

 

·      On Wednesday morning, 3 December, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem demolished a room and a balcony belonging to Yusra Mohammed Shuqair in Silwan village, south of al-Aqsa Mosque, claiming that they were built without a license.

 

6.      Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

During the reporting period, Israeli settlers living in "Kiryat Arba" settlement and those who had seized al-Rajabi building since 19 March, launched a series of systematic terrorist attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in nearby Palestinian residential areas in Hebron. IOF provided protection for settlers. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured. The settlers launched such attacks under the pretext of rejection for the Israeli High Court ruling that ordered their evacuation from the al-Rajabi building.

 

·      On Thursday morning and noon, 27 November, Israeli settlers launched a series of attacks against Palestinian houses in al-Ras, Wadi al-Hussain and al-Ja'bari neighborhoods. They also attacked the funeral of a Palestinian in the Islamic cemetery in al-Ras neighborhood. Two Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were injured: Jom'a 'Abdul Halim al-Ja'bari, 42; and Monawar Farahat al-Ja'bari, 61. In the afternoon, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians who got out of mosque for the funeral procession Rateb 'Eissa Jaber towards the Islamic cemetery in al-Ras neighborhood. IOF troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.

 

·      On Friday, 28 November, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement and those who had seized al-Rajabi building attacked Palestinian civilians and property in al-Ras, Wadi al-Hussain and al-Ja'bari neighborhoods using stones and empty bottles. IOF troops provided protection for the settlers. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained fractures and bruises throughout their bodies:

 

1.      Shareef 'Abdul Hai al-Ja'bari, 6, injured in the head;

2.      Ghaleb Mansour al-Ja'bari, 41, sustained a fracture to the left hand;

3.      Shadi Majdi al-Ja'bari, 18, sustained bruises and cuts throughout the body;

4.      Majdi Mohammed al-Ja'bari, 44, sustained bruises and cuts throughout the body.

 

According to eyewitnesses, IOF troops closed these areas and took positions atop of a number of houses, while the settlers were attacking Palestinian civilians and their houses. In the meantime, 5 buses transporting dozens of Israeli settlers arrived into Hebron to support settlers in the town. IOF troops provided protection for those buses.

 

At night, Israeli settlers resumed their attacks against Palestinian houses and cars. They broke windows and cut tires of at least 20 cars. They also burnt a car belonging to Tariq Mohammed al-Ja'bari. Additionally, the settlers destroyed water tanks and broke windows of a number of houses.

 

·      On Saturday, 29 November, Israeli settlers resumed their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron. They launched dozens of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in al-Ras and Wadi al-Hussain areas adjacent to "Kiryat Arba" settlement and al-Rajabi building, which they had seized since 19 March 2006, southeast of Hebron. IOF troops were present in these areas, but did not intervene to stop the attacks. As a result, Rasheed Mohammed Ziada, 19, was wounded by a gunshot to the right shoulder, which was unleashed from the gun of an IOF soldier when IOF troops attacked him. In addition, 12 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a field worker of the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B'Tselem), sustained bruises and cuts:

 

1.      As'ad Murtada al-Ja'bari, 60;

2.      'Eissa Isma'il 'Amru, 32;

3.      Makroum Nasser al-Ja'bari, 15;

4.      Tha'er Nasser al-Ja'bari, 14;

5.      Khalawi Motee' al-Ja'bari, 19;

6.      Jamal Jameel Abu So'aifan, 48;

7.      Ghada Hisham Abu So'aifan, 30;

8.      Hisham Jameel Abu So'aifan, 33;

9.      Rajaa' Rebhi Abu So'aifan, 39;

10.  Husni 'Abdul Hai Abu So'aifan, 40;

11.  Bahaa' Husni Abu So'aifan, 9;

12.  'Abdul Hai Abu So'aifan, 65.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the settlers used stones and iron bars in their attacks on Palestinian civilians and property. They attacked at least 20 houses and cheered with slogans calling for the death of Arabs.

 

·      At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 1 December, hundreds of Israeli settlers arrived in Hebron to support other settlers who live in the town. IOF secured their transportation to settlement outposts in the center of Hebron and to al-Rajabi building. At night, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and houses in al-Ras and Wadi al-Hussain neighborhoods. They also attempted to seize a number of houses. A number of houses were heavily damaged.

 

·      On Tuesday evening, 2 December, at least 100 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian houses in al-Ras, Wadi al-Hussain, al-Nassara and Jaber neighborhoods. They also attacked Palestinian civilians walking in the streets. When Palestinian civilians attempted to stop these attacks, IOF troops intervened and fired dozens of sound bombs and tear gas canisters at these civilians. Three Palestinian civilians were injured: Mohammed Majdi al-Ja'bari, 27; Samer Mohammed al-Ja'bari, 23; and Lu'ai Mohammed al-Ja'bari, 19. The settlers also damaged a car belonging to Majdi Mohammed al-Ja'bari.

 

·      On Wednesday, 3 December, hundreds of Israeli settlers living in settlement outposts in the center and south of Hebron attacked Palestinian civilians and houses al-Shuhada and al-Sahla streets and al-Masharqa, al-Ras, Wadi al-Hussain, al-Nassara and Jaber neighborhoods. IOF troops were present in these areas but did not stop these attacks. They even prevented human rights defenders and journalists from entering these areas. A store belonging to Bilal Mohammed Sharbati was burnt and 2 houses belonging to Mohammed 'Abdullah Dandis and 'Ata Mohammed al-Razem were damaged. Ayman 'Ali al-Rajabi, 18 was injured the neck and the hands when IOF troops attacked him.  

 

Attacks in Other Areas

·      On Monday, 1 December, Israeli settlers living in "Shilo" settlement, northeast of Ramallah, moved into Tormos'iya village, north of the town. They wrote slogans in Hebrew on walls of a mosque in the village insulting the Islam and Prophet Mohammed. The same settlers also attacked Palestinian civilian property in Senjel village, north of Ramallah. They cut tires of vehicles and wrote slogans in Hebrew on a mosque in the village insulting the Islam and Prophet Mohammed.  

 

·      On Wednesday morning, 3 December, a number of Israeli settlers attacked live fields in 'Ein Ayoub area in the west of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. They uprooted 5 olive trees.

 

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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 its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

 

4.      PCHR calls for the immediately 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 international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people 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 last year, 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 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 agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

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Public Document

For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR's office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (mailto:pchr@pchrgaza.org">pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).