Author
Arab Media Center
PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
No. 16/2008
10 - 16 April 2008
Crisis of fuels in Gaza due to the Israeli siege
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
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29 Palestinians, including 10 children and a journalist, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
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13 of the victims, including 8 children, 2 brothers and a journalist, were killed by IOF in Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip.
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2 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF.
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81 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 41 children, 3 women and a journalist, were wounded by IOF in IOF in the Gaza Strip.
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8 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli journalists were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.
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IOF conducted 48 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 6 ones into the Gaza Strip.
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IOF arrested 52 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children, in the West Bank, and held and arrested 56 others in the Gaza Strip.
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IOF destroyed 11 houses and razed at least 320 donums[1] of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.
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IOF used Palestinian civilians as human shields during incursions into Palestinian communities in the Gaza.
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IOF confiscated machines of a bakery and raided a mosque in Hebron.
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IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.
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The fuel crisis in the Gaza Strip has escalated.
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5 Palestinian civilian were arrested by IOF at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
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IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property.
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Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles on the main roads.
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Israeli settlers uprooted 30 trees in Til village, southwest of nablus.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law seriously escalated in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, during the reporting period (10 – 16 April 2008):
Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 29 Palestinians, including 10 children and a journalist, and wounded 81 others, including 41 children, 3 women and a journalist in the Gaza Strip.
On 11 April 2008, IOF killed 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. On the same day, IOF killed an activist of the Palestinian resistance and 6 civilians, including 2 children, and wounded 27 others, including 12 children, in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. On 14 and 15 April 2008, IOF extra-judicially executed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one and 5 civilians bystanders, including a child, in the northern Gaza Strip. On 15 April 2008, 4 activists of the Palestinian resistance were killed and 4 others were wounded during armed clashes with IOF troops that moved into al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. On 16 April 2008, IOF killed 13 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and a journalist, and wounded 32 others, including 17 children, a journalist and a woman, during an incursion into Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip. On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian farmer and wounded 2 others in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, 12 Palestinians, including a child and 2 women, were wounded by IOF in separate attacks throughout the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by IOF in Taffouh village, west of Hebron, and ‘Azzoun ‘Atama village, south of Qalqilya. Additionally, an Israeli journalist was wounded when IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 48 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 52 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children. Thus, the number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 has mounted to 927. During the reporting period, IOF raided confiscated machines of a bakery and raided a mosque in Hebron.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 6 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF razed at least 320 donums of agricultural land, destroyed 11 houses and damaged civilian properties, including a mosque.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the nearly 1.5 million Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. The siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians have further deteriorated. In September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as “a hostile entity,” which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. Since then, IOF have sharply decreased food and fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip. IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and subsequently many factories have stopped their industrial activities. Concerning the movement of persons, IOF allow a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to travel to the West Bank. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it.
The continued Israeli ban on fuel supplies required for civilian life in the Gaza Strip has led to paralyzing 50% of the educational sector as half the students in all educational levels have been unable to reach their schools and universities. In addition, educational sector employees have been unable to reach their work. Furthermore, the transportation sector has nearly stopped functioning throughout the Gaza Strip. As a result, all basic functions of civilian life have come to a near standstill, including drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection. In addition, healthcare facilities registered a 25% drop in clients due to the transportation crisis, and hundreds of healthcare professionals have been unable to reach their work places.
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. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.
West Bank
Contrary to Israeli claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF have also tightened the siege imposed 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 also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. In a report submitted to the Quartet Envoy, OCHA asserted that Israel dismantled 44 sand barriers out of 61 it committed to the United Sates to dismantle. Only 5 of those barriers are major ones. In some cases, according to the report, IOF troops re-established some sand barriers in order to remove them before the media. During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.
Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 12 April 2008, IOF handed notifications to 3 Palestinians from Nazlat ‘Eissa village, north of Tulkarm, that their shops would be demolished, claiming that they were built without licenses and are located near the Annexation Wall. These shops provide sources of income for more than 20 families counting more than 100 individuals. On 13 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalaqila, gathered near the road leading to the town and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. A number of vehicles were damaged. On 14 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road, south of Nablus. The settlers gathered near Hawara checkpoint and threw stones at civilian vehicles. On the same day, at least 40 Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, southwest of Nablus, uprooted at least 30 almond trees in Til village.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 16 April 2008)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 10 April 2008
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They stopped and beat a number of Palestinian children. Before their withdrawal from the village, IOF arrested 3 children:
1. Sameh Hatem Samara, 17;
2. Mohammed ‘Essam Samara, 16; and
3. Helmi Rabah Samara, 17.
· Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They razed an area of agricultural land belonging to Sa’id Mahmoud Abu al-Sheikh in al-Naqqar area. They also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mousa Ibrahim al-Aqra’, 29.
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Wadi al-Hariya neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamed Ta’ma Abu Ermaila, 41.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They raided houses of 5 Palestinian civilians and summoned them fro interrogation:
1. Fajer ‘Abdul Karim Suleiman;
2. Mohammed Ahmed Suleiman;
3. Mohammed Nassim Zaidan;
4. Fat’hi Sari Suleiman; and
5. Amjad ‘Adnan Suleiman.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Amru Ahmed Hamed, 23.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tunbas town. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mohammed Ibrahim Sawafta, 22; and
2. Eihab Mansour Daraghma, 19.
· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Diaa’ Sameeh Abu Arab, 18.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beita village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children:
1. Fadel Kamel Jarawan, 17;
2. Kifah ‘Anad Jaghoub, 17;
3. Tariq ‘Abdullah ‘Adeeli, 17;
4. Bashar Safwan ‘Afana, 17; and
5. Sameer Ahmed al-Shurafa, 40.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mousa ‘Abdul Hamid ABU Maria, 30.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Beita village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mohammed Sa’id ‘Atiq, 19; and
2. Mustafa ‘Eid Jawad, 20.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided al-Huda market, al-Taqwa sewing workshop, al-Rahma bakery and al-Qassmi apartment building, which belong to the Israeli Charity. An hour later, IOF withdrew from the area after informing people making use of these facilities to vacate them in response to an Israeli military order seizing properties of the Islamic Charity in Hebron.
· In the vening, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Herbon. They raided and searched a number of houses and stores belonging to Rabee’ Mohammed al-Tarada, and confiscated a number of computer sets and printers. During their withdrawal from the village, IOF troops fired at a number of Palestinian children, claiming that they threw stones at military vehicles. Four children were wounded:
1. Mohammed Yousef al-Tarada, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;
2. ‘Adnan ‘Abdul Karim Erzaiqat, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;
3. Mohammed Khalil al-Tarada, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and
4. Sa’id ‘Abdul Karim Erzaiqat, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saber Mahmoud Dababsa, but no arrests were reported.
Friday, 11 April 2008
· At approximately 00:30, IOF aircrafts fired 2 missiles at 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance in the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. The two activists were killed:
1. Mohammed Mustafa al-Najjar, 31; and
2. Ameen Mahmoud al-Najjar, 26.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Awni ‘Abdul Ghani Fares, 35.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children:
1. Mohammed Jamal Rabah, 17;
2. Mohammed Taleb Mar’ei, 16; and
3. ‘Essam Mohammed Bayadsa, 21.
· At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· In the early morning, IOF initiated a wide scale incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp. During this operation, which continued until the evening, IOF killed 7 Palestinians, including 6 civilians, wounded 27 others, destroyed 3 houses and razed at least 50 donums of agricultural land.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00, IOF troops and heavy armored vehicles under air cover moved nearly 1,000 meters into the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They raided several houses and transformed them into military outposts. They also used a number of civilians as human shields. At approximately 09:30, IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who gathered to watch the incursion. Two people were wounded, and one of them, 12-year-old Ziad Sharif al-‘Owaisi, died of his wounds 4 hours later. The child was hit by a gunshot to the chest.
At approximately 14:30, an IOF tank fired a shell at a group of people in the vicinity of the area where the incursion was taking place. Four of them were killed instantly and a fifth died of his wounds at Shifa Hospital an hour later. Nine others, mostly children, were wound. The victims killed are:
1. Shihab Mohammed Abu Zbaida, 18;
2. Jihad Mohammed Abu Zbaida, 19;
3. Yousef Ali al-Mughari, 18;
4. ‘Abdul Raziq ‘Ata Noufal, 19; and
5. Yousef Ibrahim Sarhan, 15.
At approximately 20:10, an IOF plane fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance. An activist, Munther Mohammed Hwaishel, 28, was killed, and two were wounded.
Indiscriminate shelling by IOF in the area wounded 15 civilians who were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for treatment.
At approximately 22:00, IOF redeployed outside the Gaza Strip after razing 50 dunoms of agricultural land, heavily damaging 3 houses, and arresting 20 Palestinians. All detainees except one were released.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Rami Rebhi Nazzal, 22.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Iama’il Ya’qoub Es’aifan, 17; and
2. Nadeem Yahia Manasra, 20.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
· At approximately 00:00, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired a surface-to-surface missile at al-Mentar Street in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of the city. Ramzi ‘Abdullah al-Swairki, 18, was wounded by shrapnel to the chest, hands and feet, when he was near his house nearly 2,000 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hussam Na’im Housha, 20.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Ghareeb, 23.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mohammed Ahmed al-Nammoura, 18; and
2. Shadi Mohammed Abu Znaid, 20.
· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Hawara village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew, allegedly to secure the movement of Israeli settlers in the streets. IOF and settlers left the village at approximately 19:30 without lifting the curfew.
· At approximately 19:30, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Khaled Hijazi, a leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (the armed wing of Fatah movement), in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The missile went astray and hit the fourth floor of a neighboring house belonging to Salama Ya’qoub Mahdi, heavily damaging it. Reema Nasser al-Bar’awi, 18, who lives in another neighboring houses, was wounded by shrapnel to the face.
Monday, 14 April 2008
· At approximately 00:40, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nayef al-Rajoub, former Minister of Religious Affairs and Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council who has been detained by IOF. According to al-Rajoub’s wife, IOF troops besieged the house and threw stones at its doors and windows. They forced the family out and broke into and searched the house. Also according to the wife, IOF troops stole an amount of money (approximately US$ 700).
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Mohammed Faisal al-Zaqla, 16;
2. Mohammed ‘Essam Sabbah, 22; and
3. Shadi Mahmoud ‘Awadh, 22.
· At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da’if village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They knocked the door of a house belonging to Nasfat Hafez al-Khuffash. Only his 8 children were in the house, and they were extremely terrified. Al-Khuffash’s wife came to the house soon and opened the door for IOF troops, who brutally broke into the house and searched it. Before their withdrawal from the village, IOF troops arrested ‘Abdul Hadi Fat’hi al-Khuffash, 15, who gathered with other civilians in the area.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF attacked dozens of Palestinian civilians near ‘Azzoun ‘Atma gate, east of Qalqilya. Four civilians were wounded. The Israeli official radio claimed on its web site that 8 Palestinians were injured in a quarrel in ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, and two of them were evacuated to an Israeli hospitals. Investigations conducted by PCHR refute such claims. In his testimony to PCHR, Ibrahim Mahmoud Ayoub, an eyewitness, stated that 4 buses were transporting dozens of school children, who were in a school trip, to ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, which is isolated behind the Annexation Wall. When they arrived at the gate established on the Wall, IOF troops prevented them from passing through. Families of the children gathered in the area in an attempt to convince IOF troops to allow the child to travel back to the village. IOF troops opened fire at the children and their families. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Abdul Salam ‘Abdullah Yousef, 40, seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face;
2. Hamdallah ‘Abdullah Yousef, 27, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the left shoulder;
3. Munther ‘Abdul Karim Mustafa, 35, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder; and
4. ‘Azmi Sidqi Salama, 45, head of the local council of the village, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand.
IOF troops arrested 2 civilians: Hassan Nabil Hannoun, 26; and his brother Ahmed, 23. IOF also imposed a curfew on the village until the following day morning.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Habayel Riah area in Hebron. They raided al-Rahma bakery, which belongs to the Islamic Charity, after blowing up the doors. They confiscated machines. At the same time, IOF troops raided and searched ‘Ali al-Bakkaa’ Mosque in Bab al-Zawia area in the center of Hebron, and confiscated some documents and photographs.
· 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.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved nearly 1,000 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They raided a number of houses and a school and transformed them into military site. IOF troops forced male civilian aged over 16 to get out of their houses. They gathered those civilians in a big hold they had dug in the area. IOF held those civilians handcuffed until 17:00, using them as human shields. IOF troop then transported those civilians in a truck to the border between the Gaza Strip. Those civilian were released at approximately 13:00 on the following day, excluding 5: Eyad ‘Atwa Abu Midyaf, 30; ‘Emad ‘Atwa Abu Midyaf, 35; Ameen Ibrahim al-‘Eimawi, 45; Mansour Jihad Abu Midyaf, 31; and Tariq Swailem Abu Sabet, 45. At approximately 17:00, IOF troops positioned inside a house opened fire at Ziad ‘Ali Hajjaj, 30, when he, his wife and their baby got out of their house to find a more secure place. He was wounded by 5 gunshots to the back and the right foot, and the baby fell on the ground. During their incursion into the area, IOF razed 113 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, almonds, palms, vegetables, wheat and parleys. They also damaged irrigation networks and electricity and telephone supplies. At approximately 22:30, IOF withdrew from the area towards Wadi al-Salqa area, but continued to fire at the area sporadically.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses. They also exchanged fire with activists of the Palestinian resistance. Two activists were wounded. By the following day morning, IOF had destroyed 4 houses completely and a 5th one partially.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, northeast of Nablus. They intercepted a civilian car that was traveling on the main road, and arrested the driver, 21-year-old Hammad Riadh Mliatat.
· At approximately 21:45, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles for no apparent reason at a 6-storey apartment building belonging to Bassam Hussein ‘Aabed near al-Taqwa Mosque in Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. The two missiles hit a flat on the 4th floor, where Sa’d al-Din ‘Abed al-Masri, his wife and their 3 children live. The flat was heavily damaged, and one of the children, 3-month-old Aayat, was lightly wounded.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved nearly 2,000 meters into the east of Gaza City. A number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops. Four activists were killed:
1. ‘Abdul Karim Ahmed al-Khaisi, 35;
2. Mustafa ‘Adnan al-Tatar, 28;
3. Mahmoud Tawfiq Helles, 21; and
4. Karam Akram al-Wadiya, 22.
Another 4 activists were also wounded. During this incursion, IOF arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, but released them on the following day morning. They also razed 300-square-meters of agricultural land and heavily damaged a mosque, a house and a number of civilian facilities.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Hashem Mohammed ‘Azmouti, 42; and
2. Nasser Rabah Faza’, 25.
· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Nidal Hmaid Souman, 38;
2. Ahmed Ibrahim Hadia, 20; and
3. Mohammed Ahmed al-Balboul, 18.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
1. Tariq Waleed Subeh, 48; and
2. Mohammed Fawaz ‘Obaid, 20.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mahmoud Mohammed al-Shaibani, 24.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· 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.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:35, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:
1. Sa’ed Nawaf Makhlouf, 21;
2. Mahmoud ‘Adanan al-Musaimi, 24;
3. Mahmoud Khaled al-Jermi, 18;
4. Bahaa’ Hamed Hashash, 19; and
5. Shaker ‘Abed Hashash, 18.
· During the day, IOF killed 13 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, 8 children and 2 brothers, and wounded 32 others, including 17 children and a woman, in Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip. They also razed large areas of agricultural land and demolished a number of houses during an incursion into the village. PCHR’s investigations strongly indicate that IOF used excessive force and willfully targeted journalists in spite of the clear markings on their suits and vehicles.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:00, IOF moved nearly 1,200 meters into Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses and started to raze areas of agricultural land. At approximately 07:00, IOF fired a tank shell at a house belonging to Salem ‘Ali Abu Sa’id, 73. Abu Sa’id and his daughter-in-law, 36-year-old Hala ‘Atiya, were wounded by shrapnel to their shoulders. Medical sources described Abu Sa’id’s wounds as serious. At approximately 16:30, an IOF aircraft that provided air cover for the incursion fired 2 missiles at a number of Palestinian civilians who gathered near al-Ihsan Mosque, nearly 300 meters away from the area in which IOF troops were deployed. As a result, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and 2 brothers were killed, and 18 others, including 12 children were wounded. The civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Mahmoud Ahmed Mohammed, 45;
2. Sofian Ahmed Mohammed, 41;
3. ‘Abdullah Maher Abu Khalil, 15;
4. Tariq Fareed Abu Taqiya, 16;
5. Islam Hussam al-‘Eissawi, 16;
6. Talha Hani Abu ‘Ali, 13;
7. Bayan Sameer al-Khaldi, 17;
8. Mohammed Mohammed al-‘Assar, 17; and
9. Fadi Jamal Musran, 20.
Fadel Shana’a, 23, a cameraman of Reuters, accompanied by Wafa Abu Mezyed, 25, a soundman, arrived at the area to photograph the children who were killed by Israeli missiles. When they finished photographing, they got on a Reuters vehicle, which was clearly marked with the press badge. They then traveled back to continue their work in the area. They stopped hundreds of meters away from the area where IOF troops were deployed. They got out of the vehicle and a number of children gathered around them. Soon after, IOF fired a tank shell at them. Shana’a was instantly killed and Abu Mezyed was wounded. Abu Mezyed was able to flee from the area. IOF soon fired another shell that hit the back of the vehicle and heavily damaged it. Three civilians, including 2 children, were also killed by the attack, and 12 others, including 5 children, were wounded. The civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Ahmed ‘Aaref Farajallah, 14;
2. Ghassan Khaled Abu ‘Otaiwi, 17; and
3. Khalil Isma’il Dughmosh, 22.
At approximately 21:30, IOF troops redeployed outside the village after razing at least 200 donums[2] of agricultural land and demolishing 6 houses.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Jenin refugee camp. They besieged and opened fire at a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Bassem Jabarin, 38. They then called on Jabarin to surrender to them and he did. They then searched the house and arrested Jabarin, which was included on the amnesty list issued by IOF.
· At approximately 13:00, an IOF infantry unit moved in Bourat Abu Samar area in the north of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF troops exchanged fire with a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance. In the meantime, 3 Palestinian farmers were on their agricultural land, nearly 1,000 meters away from the area. They decided to leave the area in a car. Soon after, an IOF aircraft fired 2 missiles at the car. One of the farmers, Hani Salah Milad Zo’rob, 35, was killed. The other two farmers were wounded: Mohammed Jamal Abu Shaqfa, 21; and ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdul Karim Abu Jarad, 43.
· At approximately 15:50, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip, east of Jabalya town, fired at 2 Palestinian civilians working in the al-Shuhada cemetery, approximately 800 meters away from the border. The two civilians were wounded:
1. Kayed Mohammed al-Najjar, 53, wounded by a gunshot to the right leg; and
2. ‘Abdul Hadi ‘Eid al-Batash, 57, wounded by a gunshot to the buttocks.
2. Extra-Judicial Executions
During the reporting period, IOF committed two extra-judicial executions in the northern Gaza Strip, in which they killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 6 others, including 5 civilian bystanders.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR:
· At approximately 23:30 on Monday, 14 April 2008, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at Ibrahim Mohammed Abu ‘Olba, 43, from Beit Lahia, the leader of the National Resistance Brigades (the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine), while he was walking in the center of the town. The missile hit him directly. He died soon after arriving at the hospital, as his body was dismembered. Two civilian bystanders, including a child, were wounded: Mohammed Yahi Zaqqout, 15; and Hassan Mohammed Sa’ad, 31. A number of houses in the area were also damaged.
· At approximately 21:45 on Tuesday, 15 April 2008, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at ‘Abdullah Mohammed al-Ghussain, 38, from al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, an activist of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), while he was riding a motorcycle together with another activist near al-Shuhada Square in the west of Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Al-Ghussain was killed and the other activist was seriously wounded. Additionally, 2 civilian bystanders were wounded: Tariq Ussama Mousa, 19; and Mohammed Khamis Ziara, 25. A woman was also shocked.
3. Continued Siege on the OPT
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the nearly 1.5 million Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. The siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians have further deteriorated. In September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as “a hostile entity,” which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. Since then, IOF have sharply decreased food and fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip. IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and subsequently many factories have stopped their industrial activities. Concerning the movement of persons, IOF allow a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to travel to the West Bank. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it.
The continued Israeli ban on fuel supplies required for civilian life in the Gaza Strip has led to paralyzing 50% of the educational sector as half the students in all educational levels have been unable to reach their schools and universities. In addition, educational sector employees have been unable to reach their work. Furthermore, the transportation sector has nearly stopped functioning throughout the Gaza Strip. As a result, all basic functions of civilian life have come to a near standstill, including drinking water delivery, sewage water disposal, and garbage collection. In addition, healthcare facilities registered a 25% drop in clients due to the transportation crisis, and hundreds of healthcare professionals have been unable to reach their work places.
On 9 April 2008, IOF stopped the flow of the heavily reduced fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. As a result, the humanitarian situation hit hard by continuous collective punishment since 15 June 2006, deteriorated even further.
PCHR’s monitoring indicates that the Gaza Strip has become a ghost town, especially in the morning and in the afternoon. Approximately 145 fuel stations and all suppliers of fuel and gas shut down due to the total lack of supplies. Local sources indicate that the transportation sector is operating at 15% capacity, including public and private transportation. The civilian population finds it extremely difficult to reach places of work, study, and even healthcare facilities.
The educational sector is the hardest hit by the fuel crisis. Absenteeism in schools and universities has been 20-50% since Saturday, 12 April 2008, especially in Gaza City that houses most schools and universities. The Islamic University, al-Azhar University, al-Aqsa University, and al-Quds Open University registered 30-55% absenteeism. The Islamic University stated that On Sunday, 13 April 2008, 60% of its 19,000 students and 600 faculty members were absent due to their inability to reach the university. Al-Azhar University stated that absenteeism of their students (19,000) climbed from 30% on Saturday to 40% on Sunday, and 55% on Monday morning. Al-Aqsa University suspended studies starting from Monday till Thursday due to 50% absenteeism of students (14,000) and staff.
Approximately 50% of the 6,000 students in Al-Aqsa University branch in Khan Yunis were absent on Monday, and 10% of the staff members were not able to come to work. Approximately 1,000 students were absent from the Islamic University branch in Khan Yunis. Also in Khan Yunis, 30% of the students were absent in al-Quds Open University.
At the school level, thousands of students and teachers have been unable to reach their schools. Absenteeism ranged from 10 to 30% of the total number of school students (448,000). UNRWA schools in the eastern part of Khan Yunis registered 30% absenteeism (10,500 students). A school in al-Qarara village to the north of Khan Yunis closed due to the absence of a large number of teachers. Dar al-Arqam private school in Gaza announced a 3-day suspension of education as the school’s buses ran out of fuel.
The Ministry of Health announced that most ambulances have stopped due to lack of fuel. In addition, the Ministry announced that it has started using its limited fuel reserve to operate health centers and important equipment. The Ministry warned that the expiry of this small reserve would paralyze the health sector and the remaining operational ambulances; thus depriving civilians of minimum healthcare services. In addition, hospitals and medical centers in the Gaza Strip are suffering from the absence of staff due to their inability to reach their workplaces. As a result, the operation of these institutions is threatened at a time of escalating Israeli military activity inside the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, 14 April 2008, the Egyptian authorities reopened Rafah International Crossing Point to allow 20 patients to travel back to the Gaza Strip after they had received medical treatment abroad.
IOF have maintained the effective closure of the commercial crossings of al-Mentar (Karni), Sofa, and Nahal Ouz. IOF have sporadically opened these crossings in order to facilitate the passage of some humanitarian aids into Gaza.
Concerning fuels, IOF have allowed too limited amounts of fuels into the Gaza Strip. Transportation and other services in the Gaza Strip have been largely disrupted.
The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.
The West Bank
IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. In a report submitted to the Quartet Envoy, OCHA asserted that Israel dismantled 44 sand barriers out of 61 it committed to the United Sates to dismantle. Only 5 of those barriers are major ones. In some cases, according to the report, IOF troops re-established some sand barriers in order to remove them before the media.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 12 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 13 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 14 April March 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.
At approximately 07:00 ON Friday, 11 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 3 Palestinian children when they traveled out of Hawara village:
1. Eihab Rajeh ‘Ouda, 17;
2. Tha’er Tayseer Abu al-Massamir, 17; and
3. Hammam Ghassan ‘Ouda, 17.
· Tulkarm: The Israeli government anticipated the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region with claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and removing a number of checkpoints, but facts on the ground go against such claims. IOF officer brought correspondents of global news agencies to checkpoints and requested them to photograph IOF bulldozers while removing some sand barriers and cement blocks. When the photographing ended, IOF brought things back to how they had been. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians aged below 35 from passing through checkpoints. They have also continued to prevent Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands, which are isolated by the Annexation Wall.
· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday afternoon, IOF troops positioned at Container checkpoint conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 13 April 2008, IOF closed the entrance of Wadi al-Nais village, south of Bethlehem, with sand barriers. On Wednesday, 16 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at al-Walaja intersection, northwest of Bethlehem, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
On Sunday, 13 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at the western entrance of Beit Jala tonw arrested Yousef Mohammed Abu Roumi, 23.
· Hebron: At approximately 15:30, IOF troops positioned at a checkpoint in ‘Ein Sarah Street in the north of Hebron, arrested ‘Eid Ahmed Zaidat, 25, a university student, from Bani Na’im village southeast of Hebron.
4. Construction of the Annexation Wall
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 11 April 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF troops had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, an Israeli journalist was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 11 April 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators moved towards Palestinian land which IOF intend to confiscate. IOF troops placed barbwire near the land to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained bruises throughout their bodies: Ahmed Mahmoud Taqatqa, 28; Mohammed Yousef Burjiya, 18. and Zaid ‘Eissa Zawahra, 10.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· On Saturday, 12 April 2008, IOF handed notifications to 3 Palestinians from Nazlat ‘Eissa village, north of Tulkarm, that their shops would be demolished, claiming that they were built without licenses and are located near the Annexation Wall:
1. 9 shops belonging to ‘Abdul Rahim Mohammed Shawareb;
2. 5 shops belonging to ‘Abdullah Mohammed Shawareb; and
3. One shop belonging to ‘Awni Mohammed Hussein.
These shops constitute sources of income for more than 20 families counting more than 100 individuals.
· At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 13 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalaqila, gathered near the road leading to the town and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. A number of vehicles were damaged.
· On Monday evening, 14 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road, south of Nablus. The settlers gathered near Hawara checkpoint and threw stones at civilian vehicles.
· At approximately 23:00 also on Monday, at least 40 Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, southwest of Nablus, uprooted at least 30 almond trees in Til village.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented last year, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
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