Weekly Summary of israeli War Crimes

This is a weekly summary of israeli war crimes committed in palestine for the week ending 1 Feb 2006, 2mins, english

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

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

No. 04/2006

26 January- 01 February 2006

Palestinian Woman in front of the rubble a house demolished in Bethlehem on 31/01/2006.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Human Rights Violations and Siege Continue throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

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3 Palestinians, including 1 mentally-handicapped child, killed by IOF.
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13 Palestinian civilians, including 1 child, wounded by IOF.
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IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
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Houses were raided and 53 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, arrested by IOF in the West Bank.
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6 West Bank houses transformed by IOF into military outposts.
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IOF continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; IOF have imposed a partial closure on the Gaza Strip; and IOF arrested 8 Palestinian civilians at checkpoints in the West Bank.
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IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank. IOF bulldozed 150 dunums of land in Hebron; IOF erected a cement barrier in Daheyat Al-Barid; 2 demonstrators injured by IOF in Beilin; 2 houses in Bethlehem bulldozed by IOF; and 6 Palestinian civilians detained in Jenin and Tulkarm near the Wall.
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Israeli settlers attack Palestinian civilians and property; and 2 houses are demolished in Bethlehem.

Summary

IOF continued to perpetrate human rights violations throughout the OPT during the reporting period (26 January – 1 February 2006). A number of these violations are classified as war crimes under International Humanitarian Law. Israeli violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) continued during the reporting period:

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians. Two were victims of extra-judicial assassinations and the third was a mentally-handicapped 9-year old girl. On 26 January 2006, IOF killed a 9-year old Palestinian girl in Khan Yunis. IOF fired at agricultural land east of Khan Yunis and killed the mentally-handicapped girl, who was lost. And on 31 January 2006, IOF committed an extra-judicial assassination in the village of Arraba in the West Bank. The victims were the commander of Al-Quds Battalions in the West Bank and his assistant. In addition, 13 Palestinians, including 1 child, were injured during the reporting period.

Incursions: IOF conducted 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 53 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children. IOF also transformed 6 houses into military sites.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big prison. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, has been partially reopened. The crossing point is operated for 8 hours a day only. IOF reopened Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for a limited number of workers after closing it for a month. The crossing’s operation was handed to a private company, a step PCHR fears will lead to transforming it into an international border crossing. IOF have continued to close al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City, since 15 January 2006.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. IOF continue to prevent residents of Jenin and Tulkarm from passing through Za’tara checkpoint since 15 August 2005. Over the past month, IOF have prevented north West Bank residents, apart from a few humanitarian cases, from passing through the checkpoint. And on 1 February 2006, IOF closed the road connecting the northern part of the West Bank with the center. The road was closed under the pretext of evacuating the settlement outpost of Amouna. Eight Palestinian civilians were detained at IOF checkpoints during the reporting period.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF continued to raze areas of land to the east of "Shavi Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus, to establish a wall around it. In addition, they bulldozed an area of approximately 150 dunums in Beit El-Rosh village. IOF demolished 2 houses in El-Nu’man village because they were located close to the Wall. IOF used excessive force to disperse a peaceful demonstration by Palestinian civilians, international solidarity activists, and Israeli peace activists in Bal’ein. 2 demonstrators were injured, and a Palestinian and 3 Israelis were detained and beaten. In addition, 6 Palestinians were detained around the Wall.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers, in breach of international humanitarian law, continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers from Kiryat Arba attacked Palestinian civilians and property close to the settlement. In addition, Palestinian civilians and property in Kufr Laqif came under settler attacks. And on 31 January 2006, settlers carried out a series of attacks throughout the West Bank in the aftermath of evacuating the settlement outpost of Amouna, east of Ramallah. IOF bulldozed 2 houses in El-Walja village, northwest of Bethlehem, and bulldozed 2 dunums of agricultural land in Al-Khader village.

In this context, the Israeli civil administration in the West Bank announced that the number of settlers there increased by 5% in the year 2005. This increase comes despite the evacuation of 4 settlements in the northern West Bank. The number of settlers at the end of 2005 was 253,137, compared to 241,494 at the end of 2004. The number of settlers in the West Bank at the end of 2005 exceeded the number of settlers in the Gaza Strip and West Bank at the end of 2004, which stood at 250,494. It is noted that the number of West Bank settlers increased by 3.09% in the second half of 2005.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (26 January – 1 February 2006)

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

Thursday, 26 January 2006

 At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jatta village, south of Hebron. They raided the house of Murad Ismail Rashid Abed Rabbo, 27, and arrested him after searching the house.

 Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Enoun area, northeast of Hebron. They raided the house belonging to Ahmad Hamed El-Ja’bari. About 20 IOF soldiers raided the house, detained the 12-member family in 2 rooms, and used the remainder of the house as a military outpost.

 Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the El-Hawouz El-Thani area in Hebron. The troops raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 8 civilians:

1. Anwar Khalil Ed’eis, 47;

2. Tariq Anwar Ed’eis, 24;

3. Abdel A’theem El-Natsha, 32;

4. Harun Nayroukh, 28;

5. Murad Mujahed, 33;

6. Ala’ Dofash, 26;

7. Labib Yunis Jowayhan, 29; and

8. Ali Dofash, 29.

 In an incident of excessive use of force, IOF killed a 9-year Palestinian girl in Khan Yunis, near the Gaza Strip border section east of the city. IOF claimed that they suspected that someone was approaching the border. PCHR’s initial investigation indicate that, at approximately 20:20, IOF troops on the Israeli side of the border east of Khan Yunis initiated intense indiscriminate fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the border in Al-Qarara. The Israelis informed the Palestinian side of the fire and that someone had fallen in the targeted area. A Palestinian security force accompanied by an ambulance combed the area and found the body of a girl hit by bullets in the upper body. The body was transported to Naser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where it was identified as the body of Aya Mohammad Suliman Al-Astal, 9. She was hit by a number of bullets in the chest and bled to death. The girl’s father informed PCHR that his daughter suffered from a mental disorder and seems to have lost her way after going out in the afternoon. The family had looked for their daughter for a long time before finding her dead at the hospital.

 At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Beit Enoun area, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1. Qasem Farid Jaber, 21; and

2. Zeyad Mohammad Bader Jaber, 23.

Friday, 27 January 2006

 At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided the house belonging to Mubarak E’leyan Zeidat, 30, and arrested him after searching the house.

Saturday, 28 January 2006

 At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Beir Ouna area, northwest of Beit Jala, and Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They patrolled the area and then withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 Also at approximately 08:00, IOF troops, stationed at the checkpoint east of Qalqilya, detonated the commercial vehicle belonging to Mohammad Ahmad Abdallah Mallouh. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that Mohammad was going to his shop in Qalqilya. He was surprised by a group of IOF soldiers who forced him out of his car. After a few minutes, he was surprised when the soldiers blew up the vehicle without stating any reasons for doing so.

 At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled the village until midnight and then withdrew. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 29 January 2006

 Also at approximately 00:30, a large contingent of IOF troops raided Tulkarm, and deployed in a number of neighborhoods in the city and in Noor Shams refugee camp. The raided and searched a number of houses, firing randomly at some of them. The targeted houses suffered material damage and no arrests were reported.

 At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the village of Bietlou, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses. In addition, IOF detained 10 civilians, including 5 children:

1. Ibrahim Muflih, 18;

2. Othman Fayez, 17;

3. Asyad Mohammad Zeyada, 17;

4. Mohammad Taysir Darwish, 17;

5. Qassam Taysir Darwish, 19;

6. Salah Tawfiq Bazar, 20;

7. Fadi Ibrahim Zeyada, 17;

8. Basel Abdel Mohsin Radwan, 18;

9. Ismat Suliman Rayyan, 17; and

10. Jad Anwar Ali Salem, 18.

 At approximately 19:30, a unit of undercover IOF troops moved into Nablus in a vehicle bearing Palestinian license plates. They surrounded Al-Andalus building, in the El-Makhfeya neighborhood, in southwest Nablus. A few minutes later, regular IOF troops raided the city to back up the undercover troops. Using loudspeakers, IOF ordered the building’s residents to get out. Then, they raided the building and searched it. IOF detained Hamza Yousef El-Haj Ahmad, 19, before withdrawing.

Monday, 30 January 2006

 Also at approximately 01:00, IOF troops moved into Qalandeya refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Latifa, 22; and

2. Mahmoud Abdel Rahim El-Khatib, 23;

 At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into El-Azza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided the house of Firas Ibrahim Khalil El-Nashash, 28, and arrested him after searching the house.

 At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Abu Sneina neighborhood, in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Ayoub Abu Hamdeya, and transformed it into a military outpost.

 At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into El-Baqee’a area in the eastern part of Toubas, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 Palestinian shepherds from the nearby village of Tammoun:

1. Omar Aref B’sharat, 39;

2. Mustafa Abdallah B’sharat, 30; and

3. Saleh Abdallah B’sharat, 25.

 At approximately 12:30, about twenty IOF soldiers hidden in a truck moved into the village of Kufr Qalil. They surrounded the house of Hayel Bassam Sharif Mansour. A few minutes later, a large IOF force moved into the village under machine gun fire, and surrounded the same house. Using loudspeakers, IOF ordered the residents to leave the house and they complied. The troops then raided the house in an attempt to detain Hayel, who was not in the house at the time of the raid. Scores of Palestinian youths gathered and threw stones at the raiding troops. IOF fired at the demonstrators, moderately injuring Hasan Ahmad Ezzat, 19, with a bullet to his hand. He was taken to Rafedia hospital in Nablus for treatment.

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

 At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the surrounding refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ramiz Jum’a, 22;

2. Mohammad El-Kharraz, 26;

3. Khaled Naser El-A’thma, 23; and

4. Hussein Saleh Abu Leil, 17.

 At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into the village of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the house belonging to Mohammad El-Harroub, and then transformed the house into a military outpost.

 At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Farkha village, west of Salfit (southwest of Nablus). They raided the house of Sheikh Yusuf Mohammad Ismail Qomboz, 39, and arrested him after searching the house. Yusuf is the Imam in Abu Bakr Mosque in the village and is a member of the village council.

 At approximately 02:30, IOF moved in the village of Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, using 2 as military outposts. These two houses belong to Mohammad Suliman Yunis Abu Allan and Ahmad Mohammad Shaheen.

 At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the village of Ya’bod, southwest of Jenin. They surrounded the house belonging to Salim Jaber Hamarsha. They searched the house and arrested his Salim’s son, Nahed Hamarsha, 22.

 At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into the village of Beit Forik, east of Nablus. They surrounded the house belonging to Wajdi Abdel Rahim Hannani. They searched the house and arrested his Wajdi’s son, Ranaz Hannani, 21.

 At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into the village of Deir Esteya, southwest of Nablus. They surrounded a number of houses in the northern part of the village and forced their residents to go outside. The IOF troops raided the house of Bilal Khader Mohammad Mansour, 33, and arrested him after searching the house. He was taken to the Qadomim detention center, east of Qalqilya.

 At approximately 14:00, an undercover IOF unit traveling in a vehicle with Palestinian license plates moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They surrounded a number of houses near the mosque in the center of the refugee camp. A few minutes later, a large contingent of regular IOF troops raided the refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Majdi Mustafa Abu Akar, 23;

2. Murad Khalil Abu Akar, 25;

3. Munthir Abu Akar, 22; and

4. Mohammad Abu Akar, 21.

A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at the troops, who replied immediately with gunfire. Khaled Malash, 46, a passerby, was injured by shrapnel to the head.

 At approximately 14:00 and after the extra-judicial assassination of 2 Islamic Jihad operatives, IOF troops moved into the village of Arraba, southwest of Jenin. Scores of Palestinians gathered and threw stones at the troops. IOF replied immediately with gunfire, and injured 11, including 1 child. The injured were taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin for treatment. IOF arrested 4 civilians, including 1 child, during the operation:

1. Mahmoud Hosni El-Shiebani, 34;

2. Wa’el Hosni El-Shiebani, 28;

3. Hazem Husam El-Shiebani, 20; and

4. Mahmoud Husam El-Shiebani, 14.

The injured were:

1. Emad Atef Hamran, 25, leather-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;

2. Basel Rebhi Suliman Qalawla, 24, leather-coated metal bullet in the right leg;

3. Abdel Majid Taher Ahmad Saleh, 24, leather-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;

4. Abdel Nabi Najib Assaf, 24, leather-coated metal bullet in the right leg;

5. Oday Emad Wajeh Arda, 14, leather-coated metal bullet in the head;

6. Ali Ahmad Hussein Hardan, 20, leather-coated metal bullet in the pelvis;

7. Mohammad Faris Abu Salah, 32, leather-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;

8. Anas Nabil Abu Salah, 20, leather-coated metal bullet in the right thigh;

9. Sa’id Nabil Abu Salah, 26, two leather-coated metal bullets in the leg and right hand;

10. Husam Mohammad Lahlouh, 19, two leather-coated metal bullets in the right thigh and right hand; and

11. Abdel Latif El-Shiebani, 19, three leather-coated metal bullets in the back, pelvis, and right hand.

Wednesday, 1 February 2006

 At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the village of Sarta, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, and took them to the Howwara detention center, south of Nablus:

1. Jum’a Mahmoud Abdallah El-Khatib, 25;

2. Tawfiq Hani Abdel Latif Salah, 24;

3. Khayri Mohammad Ali Meslih, 30;

4. Othman Abdallah Meslih, 33; and

5. Nitham Mohammad Nemr Meslih, 30.

 At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the village of El-Thahreya, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, including the houses belonging to Ali Abu Allan, Ibrahim Abu Allan, Riziq Abu Allan, and Atef Abu Allan. IOF detained the family of Atef Abu Allan in one room in their house and used the rest of it as a military outpost.

 At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into the village of Kufr Jamal, south of Tulkarm. They surrounded a number of houses in the village and raided the house belonging to Abdel Qadir Ahmad Tobah. They searched the house and arrested the houseowner’s son, Ahmad (17), and took him to Qadomim detention center, east of Qalqilya.

2. Extra-Judicial Execution:

 On Tuesday, 31 January 2006, IOF committed an extra-judicial assassination in the village of Arraba, southwest of Jenin, which targeted 2 Palestinians: the commander of Al-Quds Battalions (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and his assistant. IOF claimed that they surrounded a house in Arraba, where the wanted men Nidal El-Sa’di and Ahmad Toubasi were staying. IOF claimed that the wanted men came out of the house firing at the troops, and injured one soldier. According to the IOF claim, the troops returned fire. However, PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that IOF fired without warning at the two men. It is noted that IOF usually utilize undercover units in assassinations. Furthermore, 11 Palestinians were injured in a demonstration against the IOF regular troops that raided the village to secure the withdrawal of the group, which carried out the assassination.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 13:55, an undercover IOF unit infiltrated into the eastern outskirts of Arraba. They were travelling in 3 white Mercedes salons bearing Palestinian license plates. The troops got out of the car and opened fire at a grey Hyundai that was parked near a metal structure belonging to Mahmoud Hosni El-Shiebani. Two gunmen jumped out of the Hyundai and fired at the IOF troops. The exchange of fire continued and the two gunmen fell nearly 60 meters away from their car. After committing the assassination, a large contingent of regular IOF troops moved into Arraba to support the undercover unit and secure its withdrawal. At approximately 19:00, IOF withdrew from the village. A Palestinian ambulance went to the scene of the assassination and transported the bodies of the 2 victims to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital in Jenin. They were identified as:

1. Nidal Ali Lutfi Abu Sa’da, 27, from Allar village, north of Tulkarm. He is the commander of Al-Quds Battalions in the West Bank; and

2. Ahmad Husam El-Toubasi, 23, from Jenin refugee camp.

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 Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Even though IOF were 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. Working hours at the crossing are 8 hours a day. No IOF violations have been registered regarding freedom of movement through the checkpoint since it was reopened. However, the agreement governing the operation of the crossing effectively institutionalizes the Israeli occupation. The commercial crossing in Rafah has not been opened. The commercial crossing still requires some technical preparations parallel to those being conducted at the Kerem Shalom crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control. For more information on the border crossings agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, please refer to previous PCHR's reports.

 Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: This is the only crossing point for Gaza Strip workers, medical cases, traders or ordinary citizens into Israel and to the West Bank. During the reporting period, the crossing was partially opened for some workers, but remained closed for civilian movement to and from the West Bank. Approximately 4,000 workers out of 5,000 with permits were allowed to enter Israel for work. On 20 January 2006, IOF handed over the operation of the crossing to a private company. However, only one isle (out of 24) was opened. As a result of overcrowding, all workers cannot pass through. In addition, workers are searched by an X-ray machine. PCHR is concerned that this machine could be similar to the one used in Rafah crossing before it was handed over to the PNA, thus putting workers who are screened daily at a health risk. In addition to workers, IOF allowed some patients, traders, VIP’s, and staff of international organizations to pass through the checkpoint.

 Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: The crossing is the only commercial outlet for the Gaza Strip. Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. IOF has continued to close the crossing since 15 January 2006. This closure coincides with the export season for strawberries and flowers. It has severely impacted Palestinian agricultural exports and caused financial losses for farmers. The director-general of the agricultural development project in Gaza announced that 100 tons of agricultural produce went to waste in the greenhouses run by the PA in the sites of the evacuated settlements in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the closure of the checkpoint has resulted in shortages of sugar, wheat, dairy products, and fruit in the Gaza Strip market. In addition, construction material shortages were reported.

 Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. They close the crossing from time to time for no apparent reason.

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 the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

The West Bank

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

 Jerusalem: IOF continued to impose restriction on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem after the Palestinian Legislative Council elections on 25 January 2006. In the early morning of Friday, 27 January 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the entry of Palestinian civilians into the city. In addition, IOF reinforced their presence at the checkpoints controlling entry to the city. Troops at these checkpoints used humiliating search procedures against Palestinian civilians. Also on Friday, IOF deployed foot patrols along the road from Daheyat Al-Barid to Sheikh Jarrah. These patrols stopped and searched vehicles suspected of carrying Palestinian passengers.

On Tuesday, 31 January 2006, an IOF patrol in the old city in Jerusalem detained 4 civilians from the Young Leaders Forum, who were touring the old city. They were taken to El-Qashla detention center for interrogation. The detained civilians are:

1. Rafat Mohammad Arrar, 22;

2. Dawoud J’bour, 25;

3. E’leyan Ahmad Arrar, 21; and

4. Fadi Allan Jum’a, 27.

 Ramallah: IOF continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that IOF periodically erect a checkpoint on the Attara Bridge on the northern entrance to Birzeit, north of Ramallah. Troops at the checkpoint implement slow search procedures that delay commuters. In addition, IOF erected a number of checkpoints during the reporting period. These checkpoints were on the Ein Sienya-Attara intersection, Eyoun El-Harameya, Sonjol intersection, and Tormos’aya intersection. IOF stationed at these checkpoints detained and searched Palestinian vehicles.

On the morning of Wednesday, 1 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint in the Wadi El-Harameya area on the Nablus-Ramallah road, north of Ramallah. All commuters were subjected to very slow search procedures. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint on the road connecting Ramallah with its northwest villages, opposite the settlement of Ateret.

 Nablus: On Thursday morning, 26 January 2006, IOF troops stationed at the permanent checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on Palestinian civilian movement. Troops stationed at Howwara checkpoint, south of Nablus, intensified “collective punishment” measures and used complex search procedures. In addition, the checkpoint was surrounded by a wall of cement blocks that is 2 meters high. IOF troops force civilians to walk through a passage way surrounded by barbed wire to reach the checkpoint on the way to Nablus.

Also on Thursday, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Nablus-Qalqilya-Tulkarm intersection, southwest of the Nablus. The troops subjected commuters to humiliating search and ID check procedures. A long queue of cars formed as a result of the slow and degrading procedures.

On Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF closed the Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, by erecting 2 checkpoints. The first was on the Bathan village intersection and the second opposite El-Seirafi Park. Palestinian civilians were allowed to pass on foot only. It is noted that this road is the only one used by residents of Jenin, Tulkarm, and northwest villages (of Nablus) to enter into Nablus. These actions coincided with the start of the second semester at schools and universities in the area. Students, teachers, and employees were delayed in reaching their destinations.

On Wednesday, 1 February 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Talouza-Asieray El-Shamaleya road, north of Nablus. They detained a large number of commuters for long periods of time. The road is one of the key roads connecting Nablus with its northern villages and with Jenin.

Also on Wednesday, IOF erected a checkpoint on the outskirts of El-Laban El-Sharqi village, south of Nablus. The troops forced hundreds of commuters to wait in their vehicles, delaying them from reaching their destinations on time. Most of the commuters were employees, workers and students.

At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF troops stationed at the Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Reda Mahmoud Suliman Khaled, 40. He was returning home to Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp from his work at UNRWA.

On Wednesday, 1 February 2006, IOF troops stationed at the Beit Ebba checkpoint, west of Nablus, arrested Mo’ayed Hussein Sadiq Shaker, 22, from the village of Kufr Jamal, near Qalqilya. He was taken to the Qadomim detention center, east of Qalqilya.

 Tulkarm: for the second consecutive month, IOF continued to impose strict restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Tulkarm. IOF erected temporary checkpoints on roads and closed additional roads throughout the reporting period.

On Friday, 27 January 2006, IOF closed the J’bara checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prevented movement to and from the city. They used police dogs during search procedures conducted at the checkpoint, frightening children and women. Simultaneously, IOF closed the Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. They detained scores of youths who tried to bypass the checkpoint using dirt roads.

On Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF tightened the siege on Tulkarm. Troops were deployed along all the roads leading to the city. IOF erected a number of checkpoints that included one on the Bal’a village intersections, another on Showeika intersection, and a third on the Far’oun village intersection. Hundreds of civilians were detained at these checkpoints and were prevented from reaching Tulkarm. In addition, IOF detained scores of youths who had tried to bypass the checkpoints via dirt roads.

On Sunday, 29 January 2006, IOF closed a number of checkpoints around Tulkarm and on the entrances to surrounding villages. IOF prevented residents of Qofeen from leaving or entering their village. Troops stationed at the Wadi E’Tien checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, detained scores of youth for several hours, after which, they were turned back, and not allowed to pass through.

On Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF troops stationed at the J’bara checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, arrested Abdel Rahman Hannoun, 23, and took him to an unknown location. He is from the village of Anata, east of Tulkarm.

 Jenin: In the early morning of Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Jenin-Nablus road, opposite the evacuated settlement of Homish, south of Jenin. The checkpoint remained until a late hour in the evening. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that IOF troops manning the checkpoint followed very slow and degrading search procedures against Palestinian civilians. It took the fieldworker an hour to pass through the checkpoint. The troops insulted commuters and asked them about their political affiliations and whom they voted for in the PLC elections. The actions of IOF troops seemed to be collective punishment after the Hamas victory in the elections.

Also on Saturday, IOF erected a checkpoint near the water well in Wadi El-Far’a, south of Toubas and on the Toubas-Nablus road. An IOF foot patrol searched commuters and checked their ID’s.

On Sunday, 29 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the outskirts of El-Far’a refugee camp, southeast of Jenin. The detained and searched scores of vehicles headed to Nablus, thus delaying commuters.

On Monday, 30 January 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Aqqaba-Jenin road north of Aqqaba village, southwest of Jenin. They hindered the movement of pedestrians and vehicles along the road.

At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 30 January 2006, IOF troops at the Tayasir checkpoint, east of Toubas (southeast of Jenin) detained Mahmoud Fayez El-Debk, 24, who is from Toubas. He was detained in a nearby IOF base and then taken by a jeep to an unknown location.

 Hebron: In the afternoon of Friday, 27 January 2006, IOF troops deployed in the old city of Hebron intensified their detentions against Palestinian civilians, especially before and after Friday prayers. Scores of civilians were detained and forced to stand facing walls in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and the old city square. In addition, IOF troops were deployed in Wadi El-Nasara and Wadi El-Hosein areas, near the settlement of Kiryat Arba. The troops prevented civilians from commuting along the “worshippers’ road,” the only road in Wadi El-Nasara area. Thus, civilians were forced to take rough routes and walk through fields to reach their homes.

On Tuesday, 31 January 2006, IOF reinforced its troop presence in Hebron’s old city, around the Ibrahimi Mosque and in El-Sahla square. They hindered hundreds of Palestinian civilians from reaching the Mosque to attend a celebration organized by the Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs on the occasion of the new Hijri year.

 Bethlehem: At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 30 January 2006, an IOF patrol in Beir Ouna village, northwest of Beit Jala, severely beat a Palestinian civilian. Mahmoud Mousa Salah, 63, from Al-Khadir village was on his way home from Beir Ouna. The IOF foot patrol stopped him and beat him severely under the pretext that he did not have a permit to be inside Israel. He suffered bruises all over his body and was taken to the Beit Jala Hospital for treatment. His injuries were classified as moderate. It is noted that Beir Ouna is part of the OPT; however, IOF consider the village part of West Jerusalem.

Also on Monday evening, IOF troops deployed around Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque, north of Bethlehem, detained and severely beat Issa Khalil Asad, 48, from Artas village (south of Bethlehem). He suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Beit Jala Hospital for treatment.

4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. Some of the most noted violations during the reporting period were:

 In the morning of Thursday, 26 January 2006, IOF started to bulldoze land owned by Palestinian civilians in Beit El-Roush village, southwest of Hebron. The new areas being bulldozed are located 50 meters to the west of the Wall section built on village land. The area of the targeted land is 150 dunums and belongs to Mohammad Ahmad Ismail El-Shawamra.

 In the morning of Friday, 30 January 2006, IOF troops patrolling the Wall section near the village of Zabouba, northwest of Jenin, detained 2 Palestinian civilians. Both were detained close to the Wall section built on village land. They were:

1. Theyab Hasan Abu Zaytoun, 19; and

2. Na’el Mustafa Jaradat, 20.

 At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 28 January 2006, IOF used force to disburse the weekly anti-Wall demonstration in the village of Bal’ein, west of Ramallah. IOF fired tear gas and sound charges at demonstrators and then beat them with batons and gun butts. Korean demonstrator, Dong Hau Li, 30, and Ahmad Zuhdi Ash’al, 14, sustained injuries and bruises. In addition, IOF detained 3 Israeli peace activists. The three were beaten before their release.

 At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 28 January 2006, IOF troops stationed in the vicinity of the Wall section near the village of Qofeen, north of Tulkarm, detained 4 Palestinian farmers on their way to their farms near the Wall. They were taken to Salem detention Center, west of Jenin, where they were subjected to interrogation, and detained for 9 hours. The farmers were:

1. Mohammad Tawfiq Mohammad Amarna, 19;

2. Baha Abdel Latif Katana, 20;

3. Haytham Nabil Samir To’ma, 21; and

4. Saleh Asad Abdel Latif Aqel, 22.

 On the morning of Sunday, 29 January 2006, IOF resumed construction of the Wall sections in Daheyat Al-Barid neighborhood, north of Jerusalem. IOF placed cement blocks on the main road in the area, extending from El-Amouri and Arna’ut buildings towards Al-Salam Company. These blocks passed through scores of houses, separating them. IOF connected the cement blocks with barbed wire fences. It is noted that IOF have completed constructing the Wall sections along the main Ramallah – Jerusalem road, extending from Qalandiya checkpoint in the north till Daheyat Al-Barid. In addition, IOF used cement blocks to close Al-Ram intersection on the western entrance to Daheyat Al-Barid, which connects it with Beir Nabala and the villages northeast of Jerusalem.

 Also on Sunday, 29 January 2006, IOF erected cement barriers along the eastern border of Shavi Shamron settlement, northwest of Nablus, as a prelude to constructing Annexation Wall sections around the settlement. PCHR’s fieldworker reported that, since the beginning of the year, IOF has been leveling the land on the eastern border of the settlement along the Nablus – Jenin road. Furthermore, IOF had issued scores of confiscation notices to Palestinian landowners from the villages of Sabsateya, El-Naqoura, and Deir Sharaf, confiscating their agricultural land for military purposes.

 At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, IOF moved into El-Nu’man village, east of Bethlehem. They demolished 2 houses belonging to Nidal Ahmad El-Der’awi and Khader Ahmad El-Der’awi. The first house was built on an area of 150 square meters, and housed a family of 6. The second house was under construction. IOF claimed that the houses were built without the necessary permits. Sources in the village indicated that the reason for the demolition was that both houses were close to the Annexation Wall section in the area.

5. 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:

 At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 26 January 2006, a group of Israeli settlers from the settlement of Karni Shamron, east of Qalqilya, attacked a number of Palestinian civilians in Kufr Laqif village. The settlers threw stones at the Palestinians, injuring Azmi Mohammad Mousa, 32, with a stone to the head. The victim informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the settlers threw stones at his house and he was hit with a rock to the head. He was treated on the spot. His house and nearby houses suffered damage. In addition, the victim informed the fieldworker that the settlers have repeated their attack, and fired guns to terrorize the Palestinian civilians in the area, in order to force them to leave. He also stated that the settlers damaged the village’s power transformer in an earlier attack.

 In the evening of Friday, 27 January 2006, a group of settlers from the settlement of Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian homes near the settlement. Groups of students from the religious institute in the settlement gathered outside the settlement’s fence and threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian houses in the area.

 In the evening of Tuesday, 31 January 2006, groups of settlers perpetrated a number of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property throughout the West Bank. The attacks came in the aftermath of the evacuation of the Amouna settlement outpost, erected on the land of Ein Yabroud village, east of Ramallah. Settlers closed the road leading to Za’tara village, south of Nablus, and stopped Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Ramallah road. They beat several commuters, fired bullets, and threw stones at the vehicles, damaging some of them. In addition, scores of settlers gathered around Howwara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and closed the road. Other groups of settlers gathered on the outskirts of Shilo settlement, north of Ramallah, and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling the Nablus-Ramallah road.

 At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, IOF moved into El-Walja village, northwest of Bethlehem. They surrounded the house of Monthir Hamad El-Moghrabi, and forced the residents out at gunpoint, without allowing them to take their belongings. Then, the IOF demolished the house completely. It was built on an area of 100 square meters and housed a family of 6. After demolishing the first house, IOF moved to the house belonging to Mahmoud Ahmad El-A’raj, forced the family out without allowing them to take their belongings, and demolished the house completely. The second house was built on an area of 140 square meters and housed a family of 8.

 Also on Tuesday, IOF bulldozed agricultural land in Al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. The targeted land was 2 dunums in area, belonging to Mohammad Salim Issa and was adjacent to settler road 60, near the village cemetery.

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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 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 in keeping with international law.

7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.

8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

9. In recognition of 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 dunum is equal to 1000 square meters.

Public Document

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