Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
- Two Palestinian civilians -- a woman and a disabled young man - were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
- 13 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.
- IOF conducted 31 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
- Houses were raided and 83 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF.
- 10 houses were transformed by IOF into military sites.
- IOF shelled an apartment building in the northern Gaza Strip.
- IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, especially in the West Bank; the eastern part of the West Bank was isolated from the remainder of the West Bank; and IOF arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, at checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF uprooted 400 trees in Beit Siera village near Ramallah; they established a separation fence around "Shavi Shomron" settlement near Nablus; they isolated Marda village between an iron fence and a separation wall around "Ariel" settlement near Nablus; IOF used force against Palestinian civilians protesting against the construction of the Wall in Bal'ein and 'Aaboud villages near Ramallah.
- Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; a Palestinian child was injured; Israeli settlers wrote slogans insulting Prophet Mohammed on the walls of a mosque; settlers closed the Nablus -- Qalqilya road; and IOF demolished two houses in Jerusalem.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (9 -- 15 February 2006):
Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed two Palestinian civilians. On 13 February 2006, IOF shot dead a Palestinian woman who was grazing animals nearly 250 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. On 15 February 2006, IOF shot dead a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian in Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. During the reported period, IOF shelled Palestinian communities in the Gaza Strip. An artillery shell hit an apartment building in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF also fired at Palestinian civilians during incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. As a result, 13 civilians were wounded, including 7 who were wounded in extra-judicial executions.
Incursions: IOF conducted 31 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 83 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children. IOF also transformed 10 houses into military sites. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big prison. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, has been partially reopened. The crossing point is operated for 8 hours a day only. IOF reopened Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing and allowed less than 4,000 Palestinian workers to travel to their work places inside Israel. Palestinian workers are also checked in a special room that is equipped with an as yet unidentified type of x-ray machine. Although IOF reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, they allowed the entry of foodstuffs only.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. IOF have completed cutting off the eastern sector of the West Bank from the remainder of the West Bank. Some 2,000,000 Palestinian residents of the West Bank are prohibited from entering the area, which constitutes around one-third of the West Bank, and includes the Jordan Valley, the area of the Dead Sea shoreline and the eastern slopes of the West Bank mountains. IOF have continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 45 from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday Prayers. During the reported period, IOF arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF continued to construct a separation barrier around "Shavi Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus. IOF constructed cement sections at a distance of nearly 500 meters at the eastern border of the settlement near the Nablus -- Jenin road. IOF uprooted at least 400 olive trees in Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall. IOF also closed the sole entrance to Marda village, west of Nablus, with an iron gate intended to control the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. IOF installed the iron gate after they had placed an iron fence to the north of the village and constructed a barrier to the south of the village in order to separate it from "Ariel" settlement. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal'ein and 'Aaboud villages near Ramallah. Four Palestinian civilians were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. IOF also arrested and violently beat 15 demonstrators, but released them later.
Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers launched 5 attacks on Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank. As a result of these attacks, a Palestinian child was injured. Two Israeli settlers also wrote slogans insulting the Prophet Mohammed on the walls of a mosque in Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. A number of Israeli settlers closed the Nablus -- Qalqilya road. They also attacked houses near Nablus. In addition, IOF demolished two houses in East Jerusalem.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (9 -- 15 February 2006)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 9 February 2006
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinian civilians:
1. Saqer Ahmed Sabarna, 21;
2. Hazem Mohammed Sabarna, 21;
3. Yousef Rezeq 'Aadi, 19;
4. 'Olayan Mohammed al-Sulaibi, 25;
5. Ra'fat Yousef al-Sulaibi, 23;
6. Mohammed Bassam al-Za'aqiq, 20;
7. Ziad Bader Ekhlil, 25;
8. Mahmoud Bader Ekhlil, 22;
9. Ayman Faisal Ekhlil, 20;
10. Ahmed Faisal Ekhlil, 21; and
11. 'Omar Mohammed Buraigheith, 25.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Hamza Ahmed Jebra'il Najajra, 23;
2. Ahmed 'Ali 'Awad, 23; and
3. Mohammed Kamal Houshiya, 25.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mashour Zaki al-Jau'aidi, 26;
2. Talal Ahmed al-Ju'aidi, 24;
3. Bilal Kumayel Qar'an, 27;
4. Ahmed Abu Mughaiseb, 24;
5. Shadi 'Aziz Melhem, 24;
6. Hamza Daoud al-Hatshi, 24; and
7. Suleiman Hast Zaid, 16.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Aamer 'Abdul Latif Abu Khalil, 27;
2. Malek Anas Shukri, 21; and
3. 'Aassem Lutfi Abu Khalil, 17.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They called on Palestinian civilians through megaphones to get out. They raided and searched houses, verified the identity cards of civilians and arrested two of them:
1. Manhal Yousef Tahleesh, 21; and
2. Baker Hussein 'Abdul Ghani, 22.
At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into the Schools neighborhood in the north of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, allegedly to search for stone throwers. They stopped Ahmed Ibrahim 'Eissa, 20, violently beat him and them arrested him. 'Eissa sustained injuries and bruises throughout the body.
Friday, 10 February 2006
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Suleiman Mohammed al-'Assa, 31, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:35, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Nidal Rasheed Mansour, 22; and
2. Sa'ad 'Ezzat 'Aamer, 23.
Saturday, 11 February 2006
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They surrounded a house belonging to 'Omar Jarrar in Tal'at al-Khubez area in the southeast of the refugee camp. They ordered the family through megaphones to get out of the house and the family did. Then, IOF raided and searched the house opening fire intensively. Two Palestinian civilians were injured and were able to escape:
1. Ashraf al-Sa'di, 22, injured by shrapnel to the chest; and
2. Ameen Abu Sirriya, 25, injured by shrapnel to the limbs.
IOF also arrested 6 other civilians:
1. Shadi Zaidan Wishahi, 20;
2. Rami Bilal Abu Ghalyoun, 22;
3. Mohammed Jameel Abu al-Kamel, 21;
4. Mohammed 'Omar Jarrar, 20;
5. 'Abdul Rahman 'Omar Jarrar, 18; and
6. Ahmed Faisal 'Abdul Wahab, 25.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Na'el Mohammed al-'Aatwna, 21, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah al-'Awawda, 23, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched at least 10 houses in the south and west of the village. They violently beat a number of residents of these houses and held some families in rooms. Then, they transformed 7 of these houses into military sites and imposed severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of the residents. In his testimony to PCHR, Yahia Jamal al-'Omour stated that IOF raided his house in the al-Jalajel area to the west of the village. They held the family in one room and transformed the houses into a military site. IOF held the owner's 1-year-old niece in one room, separating her from her mother for more than an hour and a half. IOF also held the owner's father, 75-year-old Jamal Mohammed al-'Omour, who suffers from diabetes, in a room for an extended period.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad 'Abdul Mon'em Rahhal, 24, and arrested him.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Salama Mohammed al-Swaiti. They held the 11 residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site.
At approximately 12:00, dozens of Palestinian civilians demonstrated in 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, in protest to slogans insulting Prophet Mohammed written by Israeli settlers on the walls of a mosque in the neighboring Nabi Elias village. IOF fired tear gas at the demonstrators. A number of children gathered stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired at the demonstrators wounding 4 of them, including 3 children:
1. Ahmed Basim Riashi, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the foot;
2. Qussai Hussam Radwan, 14, wounded by a live bullet to the foot;
3. Mo'emn Hisham 'Edwan, 18, wounded by a live bullet to the right leg; and
4. Murad Saqer Salim, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the left leg.
IOF also arrested Hamada Shaker Eshtaiwi, 18, from Kufor Qaddoum village, who had passed by the area but did not participate in the demonstration.
At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned on the roof of a house in Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron, fired at a number of Palestinian children. Two children were wounded:
1. Mustafa Waleed Taraira, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg; and
2. Ma'ath Mohammed Taraira, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh.
Sunday, 12 February 2006
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into the villages of al-Shyoukh and Sa'ir, north of Hebron, allegedly to search for an Israeli pilot who had landed in a glider near the two villages. They imposed a curfew on the two villages. They fired flash bombs and searched the two villages and nearby areas. They also fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians to force them to stay at homes. No casualties were reported. Later, IOF declared that the news regarding the disappearance of the Israeli pilot had been false.
Monday, 13 February 2006
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the towns of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour and the refugee camps of al-Duhaisha, 'Aaida and al-'Azza. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Abdullah 'Eissa Shu'aibat, 21, from Beit Sahour; and
2. Mohammed Ahmed Qatamesh, 24, from Bethlehem.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Ahmed Sami Sabarna, 22; and
2. Yusri Mohammed Sabarna, 25.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:
1. Khalil Suleiman Houshiya, 23;
2. Mohammed Suleiman Houshiya, 21;
3. 'Abdullah Bassam Houshiya, 21;
4. 'Abdullah 'Ali Zayed, 20;
5. Muneer Subhi Furaihat, 20; and
6. Anees Ghazzawi, 21.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ahmed Ibrahim Raddad, 20;
2. 'Abdul Karim Yousef Hamad, 21;
3. Fahmi Mahmoud Nasser, 24; and
4. 'Essam Suleiman Samaha, 22.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli soldier in a military jeep positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to the east of Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip, fired at a Palestinian woman who was grazing animals nearly 250 meters away from the border. She was seriously wounded by a live bullet, which entered the right shoulder and settled in the chest. She was evacuated to the hospital but efforts to save her life failed. The victim was identified as Naifa Mohammed Khamis Abu Musa'ed, 36.
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata and 'Askar refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mahmoud Ghazi al-Refa'ei, 22;
2. Ahmed Ghazi al-Refa'ei, 20;
3. Mahmoud Nabeel al-Ghoul, 24;
4. Ahmed Nabeel al-Ghoul, 21;
5. Tha'er Mahmoud Masha, 22; and
6. Bassem 'Atallah al-Afghani, 21.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kufor Jammal village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Shaker Hussein 'Abdul Raheem, 25; and
2. Mahmoud Rebhi al-Sheikh, 21.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-'Azza village, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Jihad Noufal, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ahmed Badawi 'Abdul Basset, 33;
2. Ra'ed Marwan al-Natsha, 26;
3. 'Abdullah Mustafa Shaheen, 17;
4. Karam 'Ali al-Joulani, 33;
5. Bader Yahia al-Qawasmi, 27; and
6. Mohammed Kayed Imam, 43, who spent 8 years in Israeli jails in the past.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muhannad 'Ali Dar 'Aabed, 20, and arrested him.
At approximately 09:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at the northern Gaza Strip. One of the shells hit a flat belonging to Wa'el 'Aatef Abu Nada in building tower (1) of al-'Awad Housing Project. The flat, which was empty, was severely damaged. Shrapnel also hit a children's bedroom in a flat belonging to 'Abdul Kraim Mohammed Matar in the same building. The room was empty and no casualties were reported.
At approximately 13:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Zaytouna neighborhood in Beit Jala. Israeli soldiers fired at Hazem Mas'ada al-'Ejla, 27, wounding him to the foot. Then, IOF vehicles moved into the town to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. IOF also arrested al-'Ejla.
Wednesday, 15 February 2006
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Shaker 'Ouda, 21, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Askar village and refugee camp near Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Saleh Farahat Dwaikat, 27; and
2. Jaber Fathi Zain, 22.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ahmed Hilmi Abu Salah, 34;
2. Musleh Saleh Hamdan, 28;
3. Sheikh 'Ammar Kamal Mannaa', 33;
4. Muntasser Mustafa 'Awad, 30;
5. Mo'taz Hassan al-Qareeb, 24;
6. Nidal Taher Jayousi, 38;
7. Mustafa Hassan 'Ouda, 28;
8. Ashraf Hassan Hijazi, 26;
9. Mahdi Khairi al-Mabrouk, 30; and
10. Amjad Rebhi Abu Safaqa, 18.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided two houses belonging to 'Abdul Rahman Abu al-Rub and Ahmed Mohammed al-Rub. They held the first family in one room, forced the second family out and transformed the two houses into military sites. At approximately 08:00, Israeli soldiers fired at Mujahed Ameen 'Aaref al-Samadi, 27, who was mentally disabled, as he was walking in the street holding a toy pistol. He was instantly killed by a bullet to the chest. IOF claimed that they had fired at a Palestinian gunman.
2. 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
Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling all outlets and crossings.
Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. Working hours at the crossing have been limited to 8 hours a day. It is noted that, contrary to media reports, the commercial crossing in Rafah has not been opened. The commercial crossing still requires some technical preparations parallel to those being conducted at the Kerem Shalom crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control. For more information on the border crossings agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, please refer to previous PCHR's reports.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: This is the only crossing point for Gaza Strip workers, medical cases, traders and ordinary citizens into Israel and to the West Bank. On 9 February 2006, IOF closed the crossing completely following an armed clash between IOF and members of the Palestinian resistance. The crossing was reopened on 13 February 2006 and less than 4,000 Palestinian workers have been allowed to reach their work places inside Israel through the crossing. Since 20 January 2006, IOF handed responsibilities over to an Israeli private company. Only one of 24 routes in place has been operated for the passage of workers since, causing delays and congestion. Palestinian workers are also checked in a special room that is equipped with an as yet unidentified x-ray machine. There are concerns that this could be similar to the x-ray machine used previously at Rafah International Crossing Point, when it was under IOF's direct control. A few medical cases have been allowed to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank, but only under strict conditions.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. On 5 February 2006, IOF reopened the crossing after it had been closed for more than 3 weeks, during which all aspects of trade were paralyzed. Following the reopening of the crossing, only foodstuffs have been permitted into the Gaza Strip.
Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. They close the crossing from time to time for no apparent reason, as happened on 14 February 2006.
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. 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 in Gaza have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships, and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military have opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza's sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.
The West Bank
IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in 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.
Jerusalem: IOF have maintained the isolation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the OPT. They have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the city conduct prolonged checking of Palestinian civilians. They chased Palestinian civilians, who resorted to alternative branch roads and held dozens for several hours. For the second consecutive week, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians aged under 45 from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque, claiming that Palestinian civilians intended to organize a demonstration in protest to cartoons insulting the Prophet Mohammed.
Nablus: IOF have continued to impose strict closure measures in Nablus. IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians living in Jenin and Tulkarm from crossing the checkpoint. They have also continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus, aged under 30 from crossing Beit Fourik checkpoint. Dozens of university students and employees have not been able to go to their universities and work places. On Saturday morning, 11 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northeastern entrance of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. The northeastern entrance of Nablus is the only entrance that is not blocked with checkpoints. In the afternoon, IOF erected a checkpoint near the Popular Housing Project to the northeast of Nablus. In the evening, they obstructed the passage of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 13 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the al-Bathan -- Nablus road, northeast of Nablus. They stopped Palestinian civilian vehicles and conducted prolonged checks on Palestinian civilians.
On Sunday evening, 12 February 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the al-Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, arrested Wissam Naji 'Abdul Raziq, 25, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force.
On Monday afternoon, 13 February 2006, IOF positioned at al-Bathan checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, violently beat a number of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF forced 9 civilians who were traveling in a van to get out and checked them. Then, 3 Israeli soldiers beat these civilians.
On Tuesday noon, 14 February 2006, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nbalus. According to eyewitnesses, IOF arrested a Palestinian child, claiming that he was carrying explosives.
At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested 'Abdul Qader Mohammed Mar'ei, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force from Kufor Dan village near Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 9 February 2006, IOF closed 'Ennab iron gate, east of Tulkarm. They stopped Palestinian civilian vehicles and conducted prolonged checks on Palestinian civilians. Also on Thursday, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala'a intersection on the Tulkarm -- Nablus road. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also obstructed the passage of medical crews towards villages located to the east of Tulkarm. On Friday, 10 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint near al-Jaroushiya intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also held a number of young men who resorted to alternative branch roads for several hours. On Saturday morning, 11 February 2006, IOF closed Wad al-Teen road, south of Tulkarm, which links the town with other towns in the West Bank. At approximately 11:00, IOF allowed Palestinian civilians to cross the checkpoint, but only on foot. On Sunday, 12 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Deir al-Ghosoun and 'Attil, north of Tulkarm. They stopped Palestinian civilian vehicles for several hours.
Jenin: On Saturday morning, 11 February 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints around Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 12 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the south of Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and verified the identity cards of Palestinian civilians. They also erected 3 checkpoints on the Nablus -- Jenin road and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
On Thursday evening, 9 February 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint to the south of Jenin arrested Saif al-Din Hassan Subeh, 19, from Bourqin village, while he was on his way back home from Nablus.
Also on Thursday, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They stopped a number of Palestinian civilian vehicles and thoroughly checked Palestinian civilians. They also held a number of civilians for several hours.
Bethlehem: On Friday afternoon, 10 February 2006, IOF closed the Tunnel road, southwest of Beit Jala and settler road (60). They claimed that they arrested two Palestinian children who were carrying a knife.
At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 11 February 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint near 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, arrested 13-year-old Mahmoud Yousef Saqer, while he was playing near his house.
On Sunday morning, 12 February 2006, IOF positioned at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem arrested Sa'id 'Ali Zaqzouq, from al-Duhaisha refugee camp.
On Tuesday noon, 14 February 2006, IOF positioned at Gilo checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, arrested Amjad Hussan Abu Sorour, 28, from 'Aaida refugee camp, who is physically disabled.
Jericho: On Sunday morning, 12 February 2006, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed all roads leading to the town and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. They also prevented Palestinian civilians from traveling towards al-Karama International Crossing Point. It is worth noting that entrances to the town have been blocked by checkpoints since the beginning of the current Intifada.
Hebron: At approximately 07:20 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, IOF positioned at the northern entrance of al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, stopped and searched a Palestinian school bus that was transporting school children from the refugee camp to the neighboring Beit Ummar village. They claimed that they had been searching for stones and empty bottles. When they finished searching, IOF left the bus and ordered the children not to open windows. Then, an Israeli soldier fired at one of the children, 17-year-old 'Alaa' Mohammed Jawabra, claiming that he had opened the window near his seat. He was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face.
On Monday morning, 13 February 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, arrested Fawzi Ahmed al-Tubasi, 21, from al-Rihiya village.
On Tuesday morning, 14 February 2006, IOF positioned at iron gates at the entrances to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested Shihda Waleed 'Amru, 18, from Dura village, claiming that he was carrying a knife.
IOF have completed cutting off the eastern sector of the West Bank from the remainder of the West Bank. Some 2,000,000 Palestinian residents of the West Bank are prohibited from entering the area, which constitutes around one-third of the West Bank, and includes the Jordan Valley, the area of the Dead Sea shoreline and the eastern slopes of the West Bank mountains. IOF claimed that the moves have been "security measures" and have no connection to any political intentions whatsoever. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley were imposed at the start of the Intifada. The prohibition also applies to thousands of residents of towns and villages in the northern West Bank, like Tubas and Tamun, most of whose lands are in the Jordan Valley, and some of whose residents have been living there for many years. Since the start of the Intifada, Palestinians have been banned from using Road 90, the Jordan Valley Road, with use of the road restricted to residents of the Jordan Valley, and only north of Jericho. Four permanent checkpoints ensure that passage is denied to Palestinians, whose identity documents do not list them as residents of the Jordan Valley. Entry is permitted only to a few thousand holders of special permits from the Civil Administration, as well as some 5,000 Palestinians who work in the settlements.
3. Construction of the Annexation Wall
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory.
IOF continued to construct a separation barrier around "Shavi Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus. PCHR's field worker in Nablus reported that IOF constructed cement sections at a distance of nearly 500 meters at the eastern border of the settlement near the Nablus -- Jenin road. IOF continued to level areas of Palestinian land in the villages of Sabastia, al-Naqoura and Seir Sharaf for the purpose of the construction of the barrier. They also confiscated dozens of dunums of Palestinian agricultural land in the three villages. In the meantime, IOF have closed a checkpoint on the Nablus -- Jenin road, near the aforementioned settlement since 15 August 2005.
At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 10 February 2006, Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also beat a number of demonstrators. Four demonstrators were wounded:
1. Hudia 'Ali al-Khatib, 40, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot;
2. Rami 'Abdul Latif, 23, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand;
3. Ahmed Zuhdi, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back; and
4. Mohammed al-Khatib, 41, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest.
A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 15 demonstrators, but released them later.
Also at approximately 13:00 on Friday, 10 February 2006, about 400 Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful march in 'Aaboud village, north of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
On Sunday morning, 12 February 2006, IOF moved into al-Swaitiya quarter in Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, IOF raided Palestinian houses to the east of the Wall and forced them out. They held and searched at least 300 civilians for several hours, claiming that residents of the villages made holes into the Wall.
On Sunday noon, 12 February 2006, IOF uprooted at least 400 olive trees in Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah, for the purpose of constructing a section of the Wall. According to local sources, at least 4000 olives trees are threatened to be uprooted in light of the declared Israeli plans regarding the construction of the Wall in the area.
On Monday, 13 February 2006, IOF closed the sole entrance to Marda village, west of Nablus, with an iron gate intended to control the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. According to local sources, IOF installed the iron gate after they had placed an iron fence to the north of the village and constructed a barrier to the south of the village to separate it from "Ariel" settlement. It is worth noting that at least 900 dunums of agricultural land have been razed and at least 3,000 olives trees have been uprooted in the village for the purpose of constructing sections of the Wall.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:
On Saturday evening, 11 February 2006, Israeli settlers in "Ramat Yishai" settlement in the Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron attacked Palestinian civilians and property. A Palestinian child, 10-year-old Ahmed 'Abdul Karim al-Haddad, was injured and his family's house was damaged.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:00, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a house belonging to the al-Haddad family. They violently beat the aforementioned child while he was near his family's house. When he attempted to escape, they chased him and when then they captured him, they pushed him onto a hill of stones. He sustained injuries and bruises throughout the body and fainted. The settlers also chased and attempted to attack the child's sister, 16-year-old Shatha, but she managed to escape. Then, the settlers threw stones at the house and damaged its garden. They also attempted to prevent the evacuation of the child to the hospital. IOF were present in the area but did not intervene to stop these attacks.
At approximately 04:15 on Sunday, 12 February 2006, two Israeli settlers wrote slogans in Hebrew on the walls of a mosque in Nabli Elias village, east of Qalqilya, insulting the Prophet Mohammed. According to 'Othman As'ad Zammari, 67, a resident of the village, when was on his way to the mosque he saw an Israeli settler writing on the walls of the mosque, while another settler was waiting in a car. When the two settlers left the area, he went to the mosque. When other civilians arrived at the mosque for the Dawn Prayer, he told him what he had seen. They left the mosque and found slogans written on its walls in Hebrew. A few hours later, residents of the village brought an Israeli citizen to read the slogans for them. They discovered that these slogans insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Residents of the village called the Palestinian liaison to inform them of the incident. Then, IOF arrived to the area and removed the slogans.
On Monday morning, 13 February 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kerni Shomron" settlement, east of Qalqilya, closed the Nablus -- Qalqilya road and prevented Palestinian civilians vehicles from traveling on the road.
At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 13 February 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from "Taqqoua" settlement, southeast of Bethlehem, chased and threw stones at Hussein Mohammed Humaida and Mohammed Mahmoud Sabbah, while they were on their agricultural land near the settlement.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, at least 60 Israeli settlers from "Eitamar" and "Alon Moreh" settelemnt, east of Nablus, moved in Kherbat Tana area to the east of Bit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They threw stones at houses. IOF arrived at the area later and evacuated the settlers.
Also at approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, IOF moved into al-Sawahra al-Sharqiya village, southeast of Jerusalem. They demolished a 200-square-meter house belonging to Fareed Mohammed Abu al-Dab'at, in which 10 individuals lived. IOF also moved into Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood and demolished a 65-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Nassim Siam.
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 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 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.
5. 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.
6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.
7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.
8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal with Israeli citizens in a similar manner.
12. 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.
Public Document
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