venerdì 13 luglio 2007

PCHR Report 05-11/07/07. Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian

PCHR
 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

No. 27/2007

05 - 11 July 2007


Journalist Emad Ghanem whose legs were amputated as he was shot by Israeli Occupation Force when he was reporting on an Israeli military operation

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

  • IOF killed 11 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, in the Gaza Strip and a 12th one on the West Bank.

  • The victims in the Gaza Strip were killed during an IOF incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp.

  • The victim in the West Bank was extra-judicially executed by IOF.

  • 30 Palestinians, including 25 civilians, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

  • 24 of these Palestinians, including 20 civilians, were wounded during an IOF incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp.

  • IOF arrested 2 of the wounded in the West Bank.

  • IOF conducted 36 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 2 incursions into the Gaza Strip.

  • IOF razed at least 200 donums[1] of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.

  • IOF damaged some public and private property.

  • IOF arrested 69 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, and 10 others in the Gaza Strip.

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

  • IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge.

  • At least 6,000 Palestinians have been stuck at the Egyptian side of Rafah International Crossing Point, and the number of deaths among them has mounted to 14.

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

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (5 – 11 July 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 12 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, and wounded 30 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 8 children, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 11 Palestinians, including 3 civilians. On Thursday morning, 5 July 2007, IOF initiated a wide scale incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, which continued until Friday evening, 6 July 2007. During this incursion, IOF killed 3 Palestinian resistance and 8 activists of the Palestinian resistance, and wounded 24 others, including 8 children and a cameraman of the local al-Aqsa Television, whose legs were amputated.

In the West Bank, on Sunday evening, 8 July 2007, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) at the southern entrance of Jenin. They also wounded and arrested another activist. They claimed that that they attempted to stop a car, in which 4 Palestinian militants were traveling, but the militants of fire, so IOF returned fire, killing a militant. IOF also arrested the other 3 militants. However, investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that IOF observed the car and fired at it.

On 6 July 2007, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded when IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders against the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. On 9 July 2007, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded when IOF fired at them during an incursion into Jericho.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 36 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, IOF arrested 69 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 1,567.

In the Gaza Strip, in addition to the aforementioned incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp, IOF conducted an incursion into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. During the two incursions, IOF razed at least 170 donums of agricultural land, arrested 10 Palestinian civilians and damaged some civilian property.

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 imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians have been stuck in Egypt waiting to be allowed in the Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s documentation, 14 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions.

IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. During the reporting period, IOF reopened the crossing for one day only to allow the entry of flour into the Gaza Strip. If this closure continues, a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. They prevented traders and patients from passing through. IOF allow very few patients to travel through the crossing, but following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF reopened Kerem Shalom crossing, southeast of Rafah, and Sofa crossing, northeast of the town.

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Contrary to promises by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease restrictions on movement in the West Bank, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 3 Palestinian civilians.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (5 – 11 July 2007)

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

Israeli Offensive on al-Boreij Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip

On Thursday morning, 5 July 2007, IOF initiated a wide scale incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, which continued until Friday evening, 6 July 2007. During this incursion, IOF killed 3 Palestinian resistance and 8 activists of the Palestinian resistance, and wounded 24 others, including 8 children and a cameraman of the local al-Aqsa Television, whose legs were amputated. IOF also razed at least 80 donums of agricultural land.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30 on Thursday, 5 July 2007, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. IOF troops clashed with activists of the Palestinian resistance. In these clashes, 3 resistance activists were killed:

  1. Mohammed Nayef ‘Owaidat, 24;

  2. Ahmed Suleiman al-Qrainawi, 23; and

  3. Mohammed Jawad Siam, 35.

Later, military reinforcements, including aircrafts, arrived at the area to support the infantry unit. IOF raided 3 houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 04:30, an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society moved towards the area as it received information that people were wounded in the area. IOF fired at the ambulance and held it medical crew, consisting of ‘Azmi Hisham Abu Dala, 25, and Mohammed Khamis al-Salhi, 39, inside a house for 4 hours. IOF then released the medical crew, but kept the ambulance in the area.

At approximately 11:00, a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. Soon, IOF fired an artillery shell at them. As a result, a resistance activists was instantly killed and the two others were wounded, but died from their wounds later:

  1. Mohammed Subhi Nour, 23;

  2. Mohammed ‘Awadh Abu Gharqoud, 22; and

  3. Ahmed Nabeel Abu Jild, 21.

Additionally, a cameraman of al-Aqsa Television, who was photographing the incidents in the area and who attempted to offer help to one of the wounded before he died, was wounded by the IOF gunfire. Investigations conducted by PCHR’s team revealed that the cameraman, Emad Ghanem, 22, was shot deliberately. Ghanem was first shot to the right thigh and fell down on the ground before he was shot for the second time while lying on the ground beside his Camera. He currently suffers severe wounds as his both legs were amputated.

At approximately 14:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of young men who gathered near a house belonging to Fahmi Wishah. As a result, 7 young men were wounded.

At approximately 15:20, IOF opened fire at a number of young men who were observing what was going one. One of the young men, 18-year-old Ahmed Jameel Abu Naje’, was killed by a gunshot to the neck.

At approximately 17:00, IOF shot dead Mohammed Saqer Noufal, 19, with a gunshot to the head, when he attempted to throw a hand grenade at them. Another young men, 19-year-old ‘Obaida Hijazai al-Qassas, attempted to pull his bodies, but IOF shot him dead with a gunshot to the head. Also as a result of the IOF gunfire in the area, 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

At approximately 19:30, IOF started to pull back towards the Gaza Strip eastern border. In the meantime, Palestinian civilians found bodies of 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance, who were apparently killed during armed clashes with IOF. The two activists were identifies as:

  1. Mohammed Mustafa Mansour, 24; and

  2. Emad Ibrahim Shaheen, 24.

During this incursion, IOF held and interrogated at least 70 Palestinian civilians, andt kept 9 of them in custody. They also razed at least 80 donums of agricultural land and damaged a security site and a bord farm.

Other Incursions

Thursday, 5 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. ‘Abdul Karim Mohammed al-‘Awawda, 34; and

  2. ‘Ali Hussein Abu Znaid, 47.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Baraa’ Jihad ‘Asafra, 30, and arrested him. They also summoned his father for interrogation.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qeffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Khattab Mustafa ‘Amarna, 21.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:00, 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 01:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Abu ‘Ajamiya, 21, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nidal Daifallah ‘Othman, 35, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF troops that had moved into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun on Wednesday morning, 4 July 2007, raided a house belonging to Isma’il Mahmoud al-Basiouni in the southeast of the town. They held the 12 residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site. IOF remained in the house until 23:00, during which time IOF arrested 3 of the owner’s sons. IOF released two sons later, while kept the third one, 21-year-old Adham, in custody. IOF redeployed outside the town at approximately 23:00 on Friday, 6 July 2007. During their incursion into the town, IOF razed at least 90 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of al-Za’noun and Basiouni. They also damaged a number of houses and a medical center.

At approximately 16:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. IOF troops raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fares Mahmoud Saleem, 23, a member of the Palestinian intelligence service, and arrested him.

Friday, 6 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and the neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched dozens of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman Musleh al-Dik, 24, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 brothers:

  1. Faze’ Sidqi Sawafta, 35;

  2. ‘Arafat Sidqi Sawafta, 32;

  3. ‘Alaa’ Sidqi Sawafta, 30;

  4. Mohammed Faleh Daraghma, 25; and

  5. Mohammed Hashem al-Maslamani, 27.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They radied and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Yousef al-Sheikh, and arrested his two sons: Yousef, 24; and ‘Ali, 22.

Saturday, 7 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Sunday, 8 July 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Rumman neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Mohammed Saleem Abu ‘Eiisha, 22; and

  2. Mowaffaq Abu ‘Eisha, 24.

At approximately 22:00, after an IOF undercover unit had extra-judicially executed an activist of the Palestinian resistance by firing at a car, in which he and a number of his colleagues were traveling (see below), the other activists were able to escape to al-Shuhada Triangle village, southwest of Jenin. IOF immediately moved into the village and besieged a house belonging to Mohammed Naji Hanaisha. On the following day morning, 9 July 2007, IOF arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a 12-year-old child, from the house, but releases them later.

Monday, 9 July 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Omar Khalil Ziada, 40, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Ussama ‘Adli al-Sayeh, 20;

  2. ‘Omar ‘Adli al-Sayeh, 24;

  3. Ussama Mahmoud Salahat, 25; and

  4. Mohammed Tayseer Hashash, 23.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamada Mahmoud Abu Salah, 22.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Amjad Jaber al-Hroub, 20; and

  2. Yasser Safi al-Hroub, 17.

At approximately 20:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jericho. IOF raided a billiard club in the center of the town, opening fire indiscriminately. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

‘Abdul Nasser Mohammed al-Taweel, 26, who was wounded and arrested by IOF troops; and

Sameer Mohammed Abu Tareef, 23, wounded by a gunshot to the chest.

At approximately 22:40, an IOF undercover unit moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped in the center of the village and IOF troops besieged a café. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the village to support the undercover unit. IOF troops arrested 13 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Cana’an ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Ateeq, 17;

  2. Ameer ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Ateeq, 20;

  3. Mohammed Hammad Shalamish, 27;

  4. Mahmoud Mohammed Subeh, 23;

  5. Mohammed Tariq Subeh, 25;

  6. Nour ‘Abdul Salam Qasrawi, 24;

  7. Yousef ‘Abdul Fattah Salama, 23;

  8. Mahmoud Hisham Farhan, 26;

  9. Rami Talal Khlouf, 23;

  10. Mahmoud Khaled Mansour, 26;

  11. Naji ‘Atallah Sabbah, 23;

  12. Fadi Ra’ouf Khlouf, 23; and

  13. Ahmed ‘Omar Murtada, 17.

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Eissa neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdullah Mohammed al-Tamimi, 34, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Tarboush, 52, and arrested him.

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Rafidya neighborhood in the west of Nablus. They besieged the housing project of doctors and forced all residents out. They interrogated men and arrested 3 of them:

  1. Samer Darweesh ‘Eiran, 29;

  2. Nidal Tahseen al-Faqeeh, 32; and

  3. ‘Ali ‘Ashour, 25.

Wednesday, 11 July 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Sammou’ village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayoub Ahmed al-Za’arir, 35, secretary of Fatah movement in the village, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Khellat al-Dar area in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

  1. ‘Abdul Ghani Abu Turki, 26; and

  2. ‘Aamer Mohammed Abu Rmouz, 22.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Isma’il Mohammed al-‘Awawda, 44, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Hasan Ghassan Waidan, 19;

  2. Ahmed Ghazi Swaidan, 20;

  3. Jihad ‘Ali Radwan, 20;

  4. Muarad Kamel Suleiman, 20;

  5. Bilal Nazeeh Suleiman, 19;

  6. Zaid Hussam Saleem, 20; and

  7. Qais Mohammed ‘Edwan, 20.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Yousef Rabai’a, 31, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Mahmoud Faraj, 16, from Balata refugee camp.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

  1. Ibrahim Hussam al-Tubasi, 25;

  2. Eihab Jameel Abu Sandal, 22;

  3. Majdi Hussam al-Zer’ei, 27; and

  4. Khalil Tawalba, 18.

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Shafe’ Bassam al-Sa’di, 30.

Extra-Judicial Execution

On Sunday evening, 8 July 2007, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) at the southern entrance of Jenin. They claimed that that they attempted to stop a car, in which 4 Palestinian militants were traveling, but the militants of fire, so IOF returned fire, killing a militant. IOF also arrested the other 3 militants. However, investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that IOF observed the car and fired at it.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:30 on Sunday, 8 July 2007, an IOF undercover unit moved into the south of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped near Jannat Park at the southern entrance of Jenin. A few minutes later, IOF troops opened fire at a civilian car that was traveling in the area. As a result, the driver, 20-year-old Mahmoud Najeeb Nazzal, an activist of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), was killed by several gunshots to the upper part of the body. One the passengers, 23-year-old Wissam Abu Wa’er, was also wounded and arrested. Additionally, IOF arrested 2 other passengers, who were traveling in the car: Yousef Ziad Nazzal, 26; and Hilal al-Swaiti.

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

OF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly one year. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. As a consequence of the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, at least 73% of the families in the Gaza Strip live below the poverty line, and unemployment has been estimated at 55%. In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non-payment of salaries for the public sector for nearly a year as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors.

Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians have been stuck in Egypt waiting to be allowed in the Gaza Strip. According to PCHR’s documentation, 14 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank. Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing. With this closure, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. IOF have allowed nearly 400 traders to pass through the crossing. IOF have also continued to prevent members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Hamas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem. On Friday, 16 February 2007, IOF opened the new Erez International Crossing Point under new procedures. Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have to obtain permits from the IOF Civil Administration as it was the case before. According to Palestinians who traveled through the new crossing point, IOF impose the same restrictions on their movement as in the past. IOF have decreased the number of patients allowed to travel through the crossing for alleged security claims, even though those patients do not pose any threat to the security of Israelis and they are badly in need for advanced medical treatment. Patients who are allowed to pass through the crossing are forced to wait for long hours to undergo complicated passage and security procedures. They are thoroughly checked in a humiliating manner. Patients are also forced to pay additional financial expenses to use Israeli ambulances to transport them from the crossing to hospitals since Palestinian ambulances are banned from transporting patients. Since the beginning of this year, IOF have allowed 10 patients daily to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank through the crossing. IOF have also continued to prevent many Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. Following Hamas’ takeover in the Gaza Strip, dozens of Palestinians went to the crossing to travel to the West Bank. IOF allowed a few Palestinian patients to travel to Israel to receive medical treatment following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF allowed a number of Palestinian businessmen to pass through the crossing point.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing for one day only to allow the entry of 218 of flour into the Gaza Strip.

Nahal Ouz crossing: The crossing, which is designed for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, was open during the reporting period to allow the entry of amounts of fuels.

Sofa Crossing: During the reporting period, the crossing point was open to allow the entry of some goods for local traders.

Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom): During the reporting period, the crossing was open to allow the entry of some goods and humanitarian aids.

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. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 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 go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 5 July 2007, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through various checkpoints around the city. They prevented Palestinian civilians aged under 35 from passing through various checkpoints around the city. On Friday, 6 July 2007, IOF continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. On Saturday morning, 7 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians and prevented those aged under 35 from passing through. At the same time, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday, 10 July 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at al-Bathan checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, imposed severe restrictions on the movement to and from the city. They conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday morning, 5 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at al-Batahan checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, obstructed the passage of an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society and humiliated the driver.

In his testimony to PCHR, the driver, ‘Adnan Mohammed Ghunaimi, 41, said:

“At approximately 09:40 on Thursday, 5 July 2007, the ambulance station of Palestine Red Crescent Society in Nablus received a message that there was a person in a serious condition at al-Waha Park in al-Bathan village, northeast of Nablus, after he had drowned in a swimming pool. I was instructed to go in ambulance with Mohammed Fawaz Sawafta, 23, a volunteer paramedic, to the place. On our way to the area, we had to pass through al-Bathan checkpoint, which was overcrowded. I turned on the siren in order for the road to be opened for us. When I arrived at the checkpoint, an IOF soldier searched the ambulance, and I told him that we were on our way to evacuate a person who was in a serious condition to the hospital. He allowed us to pass through the checkpoint. When we became 15-20 meters away from the checkpoint, 2 IOF soldiers stopped us. One of them asked me why the siren was on, and I told him that we were on our way to evacuate a person who was in a serious condition to the hospital. I told him that we had just been checked. He ordered us to turn off the vehicle and get out and we did. He then searched the ambulance. He then ordered me to get into the ambulance and I did. The other soldier stopped near the ambulance and pointed his gun at me. I told him that I would phone the ICRC to inform them about what happened with us. The soldier shouted on me and ordered me not to make the phone call. He then hit me 4 times on my left shoulder and hit the vehicle with his gun. The two soldiers then ordered us to go after they had held us for nearly 20 minutes. When we arrived at the park, Ya’qoub al-Sayeh, 27, who had drowned in the swimming pool, was still alive. A physician was offering him first medical aid. We tried to offer him medical aid and then evacuated him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead approximately half an hour later.”

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through various checkpoints around the town. On Thursday, 5 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement to and from the town. They conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 6 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. They also closed a road that leads to agricultural land in the west of Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm, with sand barriers. On Sunday, 8 July 2007, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jaroushiya intersections, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 9 July 2007, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, from 06:00 to 09:00. On Tuesday morning, 10 July 2007, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, until 10:00. When IOF reopened the checkpoint, they prevented Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through the checkpoint.

Hebron: on Thursdat morning, 5 July 2007, IOF troops positioned at a military checkpoint near al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron, arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Adeeb Mousa ‘Asafra, 31; and Karam Mohammed ‘Asafra, 29, both from Beit Kahel village northwest of Hebron.

Jerusalem: On Monday morning, 9 July 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint erected at the southern entrance of al-Sawahra village, southeast of Jerusalem, arrested Tha’er Turki Slaibi, 24, from Beit Ummar village north of Hebron.

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 a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

Following the Friday Prayer on 6 July 2007, 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. IOF soldiers had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, 3 demonstrators were wounded:

  1. Mohammed Khalil Abu Rahma, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;

  2. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Bernat, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg; and

  3. Rebhi Ahmed Abu Rahma, 45, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg.

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.

At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 7 July 2007, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ennab” settlement, east of Tulkarm, set fired to agricultural land located to the west of Rameen village. According to Palestinian farmers, at least 100 donums of agricultural land planted with wheat, olives, almonds and figs were burnt.

On Sunday noon, 8 July 2007, 3 armed Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement, south of Hebron, attacked 2 houses belonging to Khalil Mohammed Harini and Mousa Mohammed Shanaran, which are nearly 5 kilometers away from the aforementioned settlement. According to Harini and Shanaran, the settlers attempted to uproot a number of trees and threatened them to leave the area. This attack, which came 10 days before a court session to consider application for licensing scores of house in the Palestinian village of Sousia, aimed to force Palestinian civilians out of their property in order to expand the aforementioned settlement.

…………………………………………………………


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.


[1] 1 donum is equal to 1,000 square meters.

…………………………………………………………

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 (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).
Pubblicato da alle

Nessun commento:

Posta un commento

Iscriviti a: Commenti sul post (Atom)