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

11 Palestinians, including a child, killed by IOF.

28 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by IOF gunfire.

IOF continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, especially the northern area.

IOF conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, particularly Nablus, and one incursion into the Gaza Strip.

IOF killed 4 Palestinians inside the northern Gaza Strip in the first military operation of its kind, since the IOF’s redeployment around the Gaza Strip.

60 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 women, were arrested by IOF.

3 houses were transformed by IOF into military sites.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close border crossings of the Gaza Strip; the north of the West Bank has been separated from the south; and IOF arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children, at checkpoints in the West Bank.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF confiscated more razed areas of agricultural land in Hebron; the Israeli High Court gave a green light to IOF to continue to construct a section of the Wall near “Shavi Shomron” settlement in the north of the West Bank; IOF razed two bird farms near Bethlehem.

Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; 3 houses were demolished by IOF allegedly because they were built without licenses, and 5,400 square meters of land in Northern ‘Assira village were confiscated.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (25–31 May 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 11 Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 8 Palestinians. On Friday, 26 May 2006, a Palestinian farmer was killed by IOF artillery shelling that targeted the northern Gaza Strip. Later on the same day, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed and two children and a woman were wounded in Beit Lahia, when one of the victims attempted to check a shell fired by IOF at the northern Gaza Strip. Late on Monday, 29 May 2006, 3 members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, were killed when they clashed with an IOF undercover unit that moved into the northern Gaza Strip. A few hours later, a Palestinian security man was killed in the same area when an IOF aircraft fired a missile at him.

In the West Bank, IOF killed two Palestinian militants in two separate incidents in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, and Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, on Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006. Earlier, on Friday, 26 May 2006, a third Palestinian civilian from Balata refugee camp died from a wound he had sustained by IOF on 15 April 2006.

During the reported period, IOF continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded. Six other civilians (4 medical personnel and 2 journalists) were wounded during the IOF incursion into the northern Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, 18 civilians, including two international solidarity activists and an Israeli, were wounded by IOF gunfire.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF carried out repeated incursions into Nablus. IOF also conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 60 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 2 women. The women were arrested in order to exert pressure on their husbands to surrender to IOF. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF since the beginning of 2006 has increased to 1,630. In addition, IOF transformed 3 houses into military sites. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions. During the reported period, IOF moved twice into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, and leveled areas of land near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. During the reported period, IOF conducted a military operation, which was the first of its kind since the IOF’s redeployment around the Gaza Strip in September 2005. An IOF undercover unit, supported by helicopter gunships, moved into Beit Lahia town. Before this latest incursion, IOF had repeatedly moved several meters into some areas in the Gaza Strip.

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 large prison. IOF have continued to monitor the movement of Palestinian civilians through Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border. Although IOF have allowed the transportation of food aid from Egypt into the Gaza Strip through Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, southeast of Rafah, the crossing has not yet been officially opened. IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip from reaching their work places in Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. They have continued to prevent hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip from traveling to the West Bank. IOF have partially operated al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. As a result of the repeated closures of the crossing, the economic conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities 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 have continued to separate the north and south of the West Bank. For this purpose, they have closed Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They have also erected two new checkpoints near Ramallah. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank abused a number of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. On 29 May 2006, IOF issued a military order confiscating nearly 30 dunums[1] of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Ja’ba village, northwest of Hebron. Also on the same day, IOF handed notices to 4 Palestinian civilians in Sameeramis area, south of Ramallah, informing them that their houses would be demolished as they were allegedly built without licenses. According to local sources, the houses are located near a section of the Wall being constructed by IOF in the area. On 30 May 2006, IOF destroyed two bird farms in al-Walaja area, northwest of Bethlehem. The two farms stood on areas which were confiscated by IOF for construction of the Wall. Also on 30 May 2006, the Israeli High Court approved the construction of a section of the Wall around “Shavi Shomron” settlement, northwest of Nablus, near the Nablus–Jenin road. The court rejected petitions by local councils of Palestinian villages on whose lands the settlement stands. This court ruling came 3 weeks after statements made by the Israeli Minister of Justice Haim Ramon before Israeli security officials on 9 May 2006, in which he vowed to make efforts with the judiciary to accelerate legal procedures to construct the remaining sections of the Wall. The Israeli High Court issued two new decisions in this regard. On 19 May 2006, IOF used forced to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 4 Palestinians civilians, 2 international solidarity activists and an Israeli were wounded.

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, IOF demolished two houses in Brouqin village, southwest of Nablus, and a third one in Um al-Safa village, south of Hebron, claiming that these houses were built without licenses. IOF also confiscated 5,400 square meters of land in Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (25–31 May 2006)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 25 May 2006

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They patrolled the streets. They withdrew a few hours later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Farkha village, southwest of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and opened fire into the air. Soon after, two IOF helicopters airdropped dozens of soldiers near the cemetery of the village. IOF withdrew later and no casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Um al-Dalia neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sha’ban ‘Abdul Hafeez Turki, 22, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including the wife of an allegedly wanted Palestinian. She was arrested in order to exert pressure on her husband to surrender:

1. Samia Estaitiya, 26, Fadi Qaffisha’s wife;
2. Shaher Abu ‘Ali, 27;
3. Jamal al-Qubbaj, 26;
4. ‘Abdul Rahman Murtada Hefnawi, 22; and
5. Ziad Abu al-‘Adas, 25.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Majdi Mohammed Masad, 20;
2. Mustafa Lames Subeh, 27;
3. Raji Khaled ‘Aamoudi, 27; and
4. Canaan Mohammed ‘Ateeq, 19.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beeta village, southeast of Nbalus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians: Ihsan Rezeq ‘Adeeli, 46, a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, and his son, 22-year-old Waddah. IOF also transformed 3 houses into military sites.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Hamza Fathi Ramadan, 20; and
2. Samer al-Lahham, 27.

Friday, 26 May 2006

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They besieged the Social Sport Club on the first floor of the al-Manara apartment building in the south of the town. They forced residents of the building out and held them in the street. They then blew up the doors of the club. They searched it and confiscated a computer set, some administrative files and photos. Before their withdrawal from the area, IOF closed the club and hanged copies of two military orders by the IOF GOC Central Command, Ya’ir Naveh. According to the first order, the club will be closed for two years because of “practicing terrorism and posing a threat to Israel Defense Force’s security.” According to the second order, all contents of the club will be confiscated. The club is devoted to sport activities and is not affiliated to any political faction. It was first licensed by IOF in 1993 and was re-licensed by the Palestinian National Authority in 1995.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinians:

1. Basem Nassar al-Sha’rawi, 28, a police officer;
2. Basem Kamel al-Sha’rawi, 28, a police officer;
3. Mohammed Yousef al-Nammoura, 26;
4. Mo’ammar Mohammed al-Nammoura, 21;
5. ‘Eissa Mohammed al-Nammoura, 24;
6. Murad Mohammed al-Nammoura, 26; and
7. Rami Mohammed al-Darawish, 25.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They patrolled the streets. A number of Palestinian militants exchanged fire with IOF. One of the militants, 24-year-old Yousef Abu Lail, was wounded by two live bullets to the left hand and leg.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into ‘Atteel village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bassam Tahseen Abu Khalil, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 07:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Lahia, fired an artillery shell at Palestinian agricultural land in Khour Zannoun in the east of Jabalya, approximately 2,000 meters away from the border. The shell fell near a citrus orchard belonging to the Abu Warda family but no casualties were reported. A few minutes later, IOF fired another shell that landed approximately 50 meters away from the same area. As a result, ‘Omar Mustafa Mohammed Abu Warda, 43, was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest, the abdomen and the back, while he was working in the orchard. He was evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at 16:00. This victim was the third farmer to be killed by IOF shelling that has targeted the northern Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2006.

· At approximately 11:20, IOF resumed shelling in the northern Gaza Strip. A shell fell near the sewage facility in the north of Beit Lahia. As a result, Ibrahim Maher Abu Jarad, 16, was wounded by shrapnel to the head.

· At approximately 16:00, medical sources at Jordan Hospital in Amman declared that ‘Alaa’ ‘Aatef Jaber Hujair, 20, had died from a wound he had sustained on 15 April 2006.

According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 15 April 2006, IOF chased a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling on the al-Bathan–Tallouza road, north of Nablus. They opened fire at the vehicle, seriously wounding ‘Alaa’ ‘Aatef Hujair, 20, from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus, with a live bullet to the chest. He was first evacuated to a hospital in Nablus, but as he was in a serious condition, he was transferred to Jordan Hospital in Amman, where he received medical attention until his death.

· At approximately 18:25, an artillery shell fired by IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fell near a house belonging to Yousef Shihda Qassem in Fad’ous area in the north of Beit Lahia, but it did not explode. The owner’s son, 18-year-old Mohammed, took the shell into the first floor of the house. He was accompanied by his cousins: Mustafa Shehada ‘Ali Qassem, 19; and ‘Arafa Basheer Zindah, 17. They checked the shell, which immediately exploded. The three were killed. In addition, two children from the same family and a woman in a neighboring house were wounded:

1. Mohammed ‘Abdullah Qassem, 10, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
2. Yousef Shehada Qassem, 17, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
3. Safiya Ghazi al-Adham, 21, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Qadi and Jabal Jouhar in the south and southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and forced their residents out for several hours. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 27 May 2006

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Muneer Abu Khalifa, 20, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. During this incursion, IOF abused a medical crew from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, and woman who was being evacuated to a hospital. In his testimony to PCHR, Firas al-Buz, a paramedic, said:

“At 03:27 on Saturday, 27 May 2006, we went to the Public Housing Project to transport Najah al-Sadiq, who was in labor, to the hospital. We evacuated her. At al-Ghawi intersection, we were surprised by the presence of a number of IOF jeeps firing at us. The front of the ambulance was hit by a number of live bullets. The driver, Anton Ghateet, talked to IOF soldiers through a megaphone informing them that a woman in labor was in the ambulance, but they did not care and continued to shoot. An IOF jeep then hit the back of the ambulance, and another one stopped in front of it. IOF soldiers forced us, including the woman, to get out of the ambulance and insulted us. They then forced us to sit nearly 10 meters away from the ambulance with our hands over our heads. Soon after, they searched the ambulance and checked our identity cards. An IOF soldier beat the ambulance’s driver.”

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mahmoud Sa’id Furaihat, 24; and
2. Akram ‘Ezzat Furaihat, 22.

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

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ras ‘Atiya village, north of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bilal ‘Abdul Rahim Mara’ba, 32, and arrested him.

Sunday, 28 May 2006

· At approximately 00:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. A few minutes later, an IOF force moved into the village. A number of young men noticed the presence of IOF in the village, so they returned home. IOF opened fire at those men, wounding Khaled Ya’qoub Kittana, 21, with a live bullet to the left foot.

· At approximately 01:25, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Mohammed Hassan al-Khatib, 20;
2. Anas ‘Ammar Zablah, 19; and
3. Hani Ibrahim Hannoun, 16.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Beit Ta’mar village, east of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They opened fire and patrolled the streets. They withdrew from the village a few hours later and no arrests were reported.

Monday, 29 May 2006

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Mohammed Daoud Rabai’a, 25, a member of the Palestinian Civil Defense; and
2. Khalil Daoud Radaida, 33.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Be’r Haram al-Rama and Qaizoun neighborhoods in the north and northeast of Hebron respectively. They raided and searched a number of houses and beat a number of their residents. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Shadi Nour al-Din Musawdi, 19; and
2. Rasheed Rashad Musawdi, 26.

· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nahleen village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Fadi Hussein Najajra, 23; and
2. ‘Ali Ibrahim Shakarna, 25.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They besieged a number of houses in the east of the village and forced their residents out. IOF then raided and searched a number of houses. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Sa’el Meqbel ‘Asrawi, 33;
2. Ma’zouz ‘Ammar Taqatqa, 22; and
3. Majdi Mohammed Jeebat, 34.

· Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into ‘Atteel village, north of Tulkarm. They besieged a house belonging to Ashraf ‘Adnan Abu Khalil, 28. They ordered him to get out of the house and he did. IOF then broke into the house and searched it. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested Abu Khalil.

· At approximately 10:00, the IOF intelligence arrested Ashraf ‘Abdul Halim Subaih, 25, from Hebron, after having summoned him and his brother Shareef to the IOF “Civil Administration.” The brother was released.

· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets. They withdrew from the camp an hour later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qalqilya, traveling in a civilian car. Members of the unit got out of the car and raided a park belonging to the Sa’sa’ family in the southeast of the town. They arrested Mohammed Bassem Sa’sa’, 18. Members of the unit also moved into a neighboring farm and arrested twin brothers, Fadi and ‘Abdul Latif ‘Ouda Daoud, 21.

· At night, an undercover unit from the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) moved into Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. This operation, which continued until Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006, killed three members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, who engaged in armed clashes with the IOF unit. A fourth Palestinian was killed when an IOF aircraft fired a missile at him. In addition, four medical personnel and two journalists were wounded.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:20, an IOF undercover unit moved nearly 2,500 meters into Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. When IOF soldiers reached a position 400 meters away from the American International School, they clashed with a group from the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad. The armed clash lasted for half an hour and killed three members of the al-Quds Brigades:
1. Mohammed ‘Omar Khalil ‘Omar, 20;
2. Yousef Khalil Abu al-Me’za, 24; and
3. ‘Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abu Shanab, 27.

A fourth member was also wounded in the clash. The four members are all from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.

Approximately thirty minutes later, three Palestinian ambulances arrived at the scene of the attack in order to evacuate the bodies. A number of Palestinian journalists were in the area reporting on the clashes. As soon as the medical crew got close to one of the bodies, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile, which fell just 50 meters away from the ambulances. Four medical personnel and two journalists were wounded as a result:

1. Diaa’ al-Halabi, 25, a paramedic from al-‘Awda Hospital, wounded by shrapnel to the head, the chest and the right thigh;

2. Rami al-Haj ‘Ali, 30, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest and back;

3. Mohammed Shihda al-Muqayad, 25, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest;

4. Nahid Saleh al-Shawa, 50, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the left thigh;

5. Yahia Ibrahim al-Madhoun, 27, a correspondent from the local Shabab Radio station, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg; and

6. Mahmoud al-Bayed, 32, a cameraman from Ramatan News Agency, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg.

At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 30 May 2006, an IOF aircraft fired another missile at Saber Mohammed Abu Qailaq, 22, a security man living in the area, while he was checking the area. The missile killed him instantly. A Palestinian civilian, 27-year-old Ashraf Sha’ban Dawas, was wounded by shrapnel to the head, while he was near his house.

Tuesday, 30 May 2006

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ebayat village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Ibrahim ‘Ebayat, 22, and arrested him.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ta’mar village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ma’moun Mohammed Wazahra, 16.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fawaghra neighborhood in Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdul Karim Hassan, 19, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The unit took position inside the cemetery of the camp. When members of the unit noticed a number of Palestinians in the area, they called them. These Palestinian attempted to escape and one of them, 24-year-old Hani Khalil al-Saqqa, fired at the unit from his pistol. Immediately, a number of IOF jeeps moved into the camp and IOF soldiers opened fire at the Palestinians who attempted to escape. Al-Saqqa was instantly killed by a live bullet to the head. In addition, 4 of the other Palestinians, who were unarmed, were wounded:

1. Yousef Khamis Abu Mustafa, 25, wounded by a live bullet to the left leg;
2. Yousef al-Lahwani, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh;
3. Nasri ‘Awad Balhajawi, 24, wounded by a live bullet to the right hand; and
4. Maher ‘Ali Eshtaiwi, 23, wounded by shrapnel to the head.

· At approximately 03:10, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. Members of the unit hid in a deserted house in the south of the village. When they noticed a number of Palestinian militants passing by the area, they opened fire at them without warning. One of the militants, 20-year-old Tariq Ahmed Zakarna, was instantly killed by 3 live bullets to the head and the chest. Three other militants were also wounded:
1. Rami Mohammed Zakarna, 21, wounded by a live bullet to the side;

2. Mohammed Mahmoud Abu al-Rub, 19, wounded by a live bullet to the right side; and

3. ‘Alaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Qader Abu al-Rub, 20, wounded by 3 live bullets to the abdomen and the lower limbs.

Soon after, IOF moved into the village. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Haitham ‘Adnan Saba’na, 35;
2. Hassan Mohammed Abu Zaid, 34;
3. Hussam Mustafa Kumayel, 30;
4. Tammam Mohammed Kumayel, 25; and
5. Aysar Mohammed Zakarna, 20.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Sa’id Sidda, 22, and arrested him.

· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Aziz Haroun Kayed, 42, Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian Cabinet. They confiscated a number of CD’s from the house and arrested him.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mahdi al-Khateeb, 20;
2. ghassan al-Ramahi, 21;
3. ‘Eissa Suhail, 21;
4. Sa’ed Mahmoud Mer’eb, 23; and
5. ‘Abdul Rahim Ghannam, 20.

· At approximately 11:25, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town. A Palestinian child, 7-year-old Rihab Faisal Abu Hasheesh, was wounded by shrapnel to the feet, when she was near her family home in Um al-Nasser village to the north of Beit Lahia.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Hares village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadi Kulaib, 34, and arrested him.

Wednesday, 31 May 2006

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ziad Hassan Saba’na, 24;
2. Ahmed Mahmoud Zakarna, 24; and
3. Ziad ‘Aadel Nazzal, 28.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. A number of Palestinian militants clashed with IOF. Two militants were wounded in those clashes:

1. Mahmoud Miqdad al-Khateeb, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the hand; and
2. Jawad Sa’id al-Ka’bi, 24, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen.

IOF then raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman:

1. Mo’taz Jameel ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 17;
2. Elaine ‘Abdul Hamid Dwaikat, 23;
3. Mutlaq al-Qaisi, 45;
4. Ayoub Abu Lail, 55; and
5. Fareed Abu Lail, 51.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Malek Mohammed Saleem, 25; and
2. Mo’men Mohammed Saleem, 21.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Moahmmed Khaled Ameen Rayan, 16, and arrested him.

· At approximately 11:40, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired a number of artillery shells at Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. One of these shells fell in al-Sayafa area in the north of the town, wounding 17-year-old Hamdi Hassan Abu Khousa with shrapnel to the back, while he was near his home.

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

Although IOF have been redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip through 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. Daily working hours at the crossing point have been increased to 10 hours. It is noted that, Kerem Shalom commercial crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control has not been fully operational. The crossing was opened a few weeks ago to allow the transportation of food aid from Egypt into the Gaza Strip due to the economic crisis in the Gaza Strip caused by repeated closures of al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing. On Friday, 5 May 2006, IOF closed the crossing in violation of the Israeli-Palestinian agreement on border crossings.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: The crossing is the only commercial one serving the Gaza Strip. IOF frequently close the crossing as a means of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF partially operated the crossing and allowed the importation of limited amounts of goods, but prohibited the exportation of goods from the Gaza Strip.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing since 12 March 2006. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from traveling through this crossing. During the reported period, IOF decreased the number of patients permitted to travel to Israeli hospitals from 50 to 20. IOF have allowed international workers and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. Concerning serious medical cases needing medical care in Israel, these people are subjected to prolonged and complicated checks by IOF. IOF have prevented patients under 35 from entering Israel, and imposed a condition that patients must be transferred to hospital rather than to clinics and private medical centers. Patients are subjected to prolonged and complicated checking that extends up to 6 hours. IOF have also prevented Palestinian ambulances from entering Israel and families of patients have therefore been forced to hire Israeli ambulances at high prices. Contrary to Israeli claims concerning the ease of restrictions imposed at the crossing, IOF have allowed only 10 traders who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but have continued to prevent workers from traveling to their work places in Israel.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. IOF repeatedly close the crossing for no reason.

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 have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military has 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.

· Ramallah: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. IOF also erected a checkpoint near “Oufra” settlement. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at the two checkpoints prevented Palestinians coming from the northern West Bank from entering the town. Palestinian civilians were forced to take alternative longer roads.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF continued to separate the north of the West Bank from the center and south. For this purpose, they erected more checkpoints on the main road linking the north with the south of the West Bank. On Saturday morning, 27 May 2006, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 28 May 2006, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They prevented Palestinian aged under 30 from passing through the checkpoint. On Monday morning, 29 May 2006, IOF closed all checkpoints around Nablus. At approximately 19:00, IOF partially reopened those checkpoints. On Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006, IOF positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They prevented residents of Tulkarm and Jenin, especially those who are under 30, from crossing the checkpoint. At noon, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, prevented, for no apparent reason, Palestinian girls aged under 25 from leaving the city.

On Thursday evening, 26 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the Yassid–Beit Emrin road, northwest of Nablus, arrested Hussam ‘Abdul Rahman Zaher, 29, from Yassid village.

On Wednesday afternoon, 31 May 2006, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested an unidentified Palestinian child. They claimed that the child was carrying explosives.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 25 May 2006, IOF closed Ertah crossing, west of Tulkarm, and prevented Palestinian workers and vehicles from entering Israel. At the same time, IOF positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 26 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 27 May 2006, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They prevented civilians aged under 30 from crossing the checkpoint. They also chased dozens of civilians who had resorted to using alternative dirt roads. On Sunday, 28 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Atteel intersection, north of Tulkarm. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the area. On Wednesday, 31 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tullakrm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and held dozens of young men. At approximately 10:00, IOF closed the checkpoint. In the morning, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Atteel intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 31 May 2006, IOF positioned at ‘Atteel checkpoint, north of Tulkarm, arrested Na’el Salem al-Kharouf, 29, from ‘Allar village north of Tulkarm.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to close the northern Jordan Valley. They have closed al-Hamara and Tayseer checkpoints. On Friday morning, 26 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also held a number of young men for two hours. On Saturday, 27 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Masliya village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday noon, 28 May 2006, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, held dozens of Palestinian civilians for a long time under the sun.

On Friday morning, 27 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the Jenin–Ya’bad road arrested Mahmoud Hamarsha, 20, and Khaled ‘Amarna, 22, both from Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. On Friday noon, 26 May 2006, IOF closed Nabi Younis checkpoint. This closure continued for 4 hours. On Saturday noon, 27 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the northern entrance of Hebron prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. On Sunday evening, 28 May 2006, IOF established a new military post to the southwest of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, only 150 meters away from another military post that stands at the northwestern entrance of the refugee camp. The new post was established on an area of land belonging to Ibrahim Atwar Abu ‘Ayash, from Beit Ummar village, which was confiscated a few years ago.

On Tuesday, 30 May 2006, IOF positioned at Taqoumia crossing point, west of Hebron, arrested Mohammed Raji al-Battat, 15, from al-Zahiriya village south of Hebron.

On Wednesday evening, 31 May 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint in the old town of Hebron arrested an unidentified Palestinian civilian.

· Bethlehem: During the reported period, IOF prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilian vehicles on settler bypass road (60). At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 29 May 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Furaidees-Za’tara intersection, and another one at Taqqou’ intersection, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

On Tuesday evening, 30 May 2006, IOF positioned at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem arrested Tha’er Mahmoud Doudin, 26, from Dura village southwest of Hebron.

3. Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

· At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 26 May 2006, about 500 Palestinian civilians and 50 international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 4 Palestinians civilians and 3 international and Israeli solidarity activists were wounded:

1. Mohammed Ahmed ‘Eissa, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
2. ‘Ouda Abu Rahma, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;
3. ‘Omar Hisham Nasser, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
4. ‘Abdullah al-Rawashda, 21, hit by a tear gas canister to the chest;
5. Elizabeth, an international solidarity activist, hit by a sound bomb to the head;
6. Ana Steven, a Swedish solidarity activist, hit by a tear gas canister to the chest; and
7. Shai Ephrami, an Israeli solidarity activist, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

· On Monday, 29 May 2006, IOF issued a military order confiscating nearly 30 dunums of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Ja’ba village, northwest of Hebron. IOF had already confiscated at least 100 dunums of agricultural land in the village to establish a border crossing point on a settler road linking “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc with Beit Shemesh town inside Israel.

· Also on Monday, 29 May 2006, IOF handed notices to 4 Palestinian civilians in Sameeramis area, south of Ramallah, informing them that their houses would be demolished as they were allegedly built without licenses. According to local sources, the houses are located near a section of the Wall being constructed by IOF in the area.

· On Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006, IOF destroyed two bird farms in the al-Walaja area, northwest of Bethlehem: a 200-square-meter farm belonging to Haitham al-A’raj; and a 250-square-meter farm belonging to Shareef Abu ‘Ali. The two farms stood in the al-Zaher and al-Natouf areas, which were confiscated by IOF for construction of the Wall.

· Also on Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006, the Israeli High Court approved the construction of a section of the Wall around “Shavi Shomron” settlement, northwest of Nablus, near the Nablus–Jenin road. The court rejected petitions by local councils from Palestinian villages on whose lands the settlement stands. The petitioner argued that the construction of the Wall in the area impacts Palestinian villagers and will lead to the uprooting of hundreds of olive trees. The court claimed that “there is a balance between security needs and the Israeli population’s rights on one hand, and the Palestinian population’s rights on the other hand.” It is worth noting that the route of the Wall in the area will seize 53 dunums of land in the villages of Sabastia, al-Naqoura and Deir Sharaf; will lead to the uprooting of at least 350 olive trees; and will separate Palestinian farmers from their agricultural land, which will be located behind the Wall. This court ruling came 3 weeks after statements made by the Israeli Minster of Justice Haim Ramon before Israeli security officials on 9 May 2006, in which he vowed to make efforts with the judiciary to accelerate legal procedures to construct the remaining sections of the Wall. The Israeli High Court has issued two new decisions in this regard.

· At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 31 May 2006, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams organized a peaceful demonstration in the Qawawis area near Kherbat Sousia village, to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. The demonstration was in protest against the closure of a road between Qawawis and al-Kareml areas by IOF in preparation for the construction of a new section of the Wall in the area. The demonstrators attempted to remove cement blocks placed on the road by IOF. Immediately, IOF fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· During the reported period, IOF continued to raze areas of Palestinian land near the settler bypass road (60) to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, for the purpose of the construction of new sections of the Wall. IOF also completed the construction of 5 kilometers of a section of the Wall that extends from Munaizel village, southeast of Yatta village, to “Avigail” settlement outpost.

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 Thursday, 25 May 2006, IOF handed a military order to the local council of Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus, seizing 5,400 square meters of land from January 2006 until 31 December 2007. They claimed that the seizure was for military necessities.

· At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 30 May 2006, IOF moved into Brouqin village, southwest of Nablus. Soon after, IOF demolished two Palestinian houses, claiming that they had been built without licenses: a 140-square-meter house belonging to Mowaffaq Fayez ‘Abdul Rahman; and a 130-square-meter house belonging to ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ‘Ezzat Khader. IOF also informed the owners of 8 other houses that their houses would also be demolished.
· At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 31 May 2006, IOF moved into Sha’b Sammour area in the north of Um al-Safa village, south of Hebron. They demolished a 170-square-meter building, in which 15 individuals lived, and a number of facilities belonging to Isma’il and Hammad ‘Olayan ‘Awad, and Mohammed ‘Ouda Abu Humaid. IOF claimed that these structures had been built without licenses. The owners of the buildings asserted that the demolition of their property was aimed at expanding “Ma’oun” and “Etana’il” settlements. IOF had also already handed notices to 4 civilians that their houses will be demolished:

1. A 150-square-meter house belonging to Sa’id Mohammed ‘Olayan, in which 10 individuals live;
2. A 100-square-meter house belonging to Ibrahim Hassan Daoud, in which 5 individuals live;
3. A 60-square-meter house belonging to ‘Eissa Abu Murair E’tiya, in which 6 individuals live; and
4. A 120-square-meter house belonging to Sami Hammad ‘Olayan.

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 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 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 the 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. ~


[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.