Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue to Perpetrate War Crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· 5 Palestinians including 2 Children killed by IOF
o 1 victim killed in an extra-judicial execution.
· 19 Palestinians, including 6 children and 1 woman, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the OPT.
· IOF conducted 22 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
o IOF arrested 26 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 3 in the Gaza Strip.
o IOF raze 12 Dunums of agricultural land in the northern Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, and continues to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
o Severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the closure.
o IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child.
o Palestinian dies at J’bara checkpoint south of Tulkarm.
o Child abused at Anata checkpoint.
o Muslim worshippers barred from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron on the first and seventh days of Ramadan.
· Israeli settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers continue:
o Palestinian child hit by settler vehicle north of Salfit.
o 523 dunums confiscated in the towns of El-Khader and Artas near Bethlehem.
Summary
IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (13-19 September 2007):
Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 5 Palestinians including 2 children.
In the Gaza Strip, 2 children were injured, one seriously. On 13 September, the child Hasan Abd El-Dayem was injured by the explosion of unexploded ordinance in Beit Lahia. And on 15 September, the child Ali El-Kafarna was seriously injured during an IOF incursion into Beit Hanoun. IOF also committed two extra-judicial execution attempts; but failed to kill or injure the targeted individuals.
In the West Bank, IOF killed 5 Palestinians including 2 children. On 16 September, IOF extra-judicially executed a member Fatah’s armed wing, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, in Balata refugee camp. And on the same day, IOF killed a man in Hebron and injured 4 members of his extended family after breaking up a clan clash in the city. On 17 September, IOF killed a child in Ramallah when youth threw stones at them. On 18 September, IOF killed a child in Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp. The child was initially injured; but he bled to death as IOF prevented medics from attending him. On 19 September, IOF killed a handicapped man in the second day of operations in Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp. The man was on the balcony of his house when troops shot him.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 22 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During those incursions, IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians. The largest incursion, which was still ongoing at time of publication, was into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp near Nablus. So far during this incursion, a child and a handicapped man were killed. In the Gaza Strip, IOF razed 12 dunums of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip.
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. On 15 September, a cancer patient heading to hospital for treatment died at the IOF checkpoint at J’bara Gate. And on the same day, IOF troops at Anata checkpoint near Jerusalem severely beat a child and let loose a guard dog on him. The child was taken to the hospital as he was suffering from considerable bleeding. He was later arrested from his house.
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 stuck in Egypt were allowed in the Gaza Strip through El-Ojah – Erez route. According to PCHR’s documentation, 19 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. 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 are 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, Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is deigned for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, was opened for standard fuel for one day only.
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 6 Palestinian civilians. In addition, IOF closed checkpoints surrounding Nablus several times during the week, especially during rush hour traffic.
On 15 September, a cancer patient heading to hospital for treatment died at the IOF checkpoint at J’bara Gate. And on the same day, IOF troops at Anata checkpoint near Jerusalem severely beat a child and let loose a guard dog on him. The child was taken to the hospital as he was suffering from considerable bleeding. He was later arrested from his house.
Settlement Activities: Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, an Israeli vehicle hit and killed Mohammad Abu Yacoub (14) north of Salfit. Israeli police established that the vehicle driver did not attempt to avoid the child or to use the brakes. And on 18 September, the IOF commander in Bethlehem issued a military order confiscating 523 dunums of Palestinian land in the towns of El-Khader and Artas near Bethlehem.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (13-19 September 2007)
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