israeli War Crimes

This is a summary of israeli war crimes committed in Palestine for the weeke ending 25 August 2005. 5mins, english

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
No. 33/2005

18 - 24 August 2005

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Execute, Raze, Arrest and Destroy.

· 5 Palestinian civilians were extra-judicially killed by IOF in Tulkarm refugee camp.

· 12 Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF and settlers.

· IOF conducted 18 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

· Houses were raided and 9 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF.

· 9 houses were transformed by IOF into military sites.

· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have imposed a tightened siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank; IOF have closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints in the Gaza Strip; IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank and a woman at Rafah International Crossing Point; and IOF have continued to use a special checking machine at the crossing point.

· IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF confiscated 1585 donums[1] of Palestinian land near East Jerusalem.

· Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; 600 donums of agricultural land were confiscated and 100 others were razed for the purpose of settlement expansion in Hebron, Nablus and Tulkarm; and a number of Palestinian civilians were injured in Hebron and Qalqilya.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (18-24 August 2005) as IOF were evacuating 25 settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip:

Extra-Judicial Execution: Late on Wednesday, 24 August 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed 5 unarmed Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in Tulkarm refugee camp. One of the victims was allegedly wanted by IOF. IOF claimed that they raided a house where these individuals were hiding to arrest them. They further claimed that they exchanged fire with the victims and killed them. PCHR's investigations refute this claim and indicate that the victims were unarmed and they were not together when they were killed. PCHR reiterates its warning that the Palestinian civilian population may pay the price of the redeployment of IOF in the Gaza Strip. It is worth noting that IOF redeployed in Tulkarm 4 months ago but regained control over the town 6 weeks ago.

Incursions: IOF conducted 18 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians. IOF also seized 9 houses and transformed them into military sites in the West Bank. Four Palestinian civilians were also injured. During the incursions into the Gaza Strip, IOF raided houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians. They also damaged 3 houses and a kindergarten and injured a Palestinian civilian.

Restrictions on Movement: Since IOF started to implement the "Disengagement Plan" in the Gaza Strip, they have imposed severe restrictions on Palestinian civilians, especially in communities located near Israeli settlements. They have continued to close Erez crossing for the second consecutive week and to impose severe restrictions at other border crossings of the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip). In addition, IOF have continued to close a number of roads since the beginning of the current Intifada. In the West Bank, IOF have continued to close Za'tra checkpoint, south of Nablus, and 'Ennab gate, east of Tulkarm, for the fifth consecutive week. Since the declaration of the northern West Bank as a closed military zone, on Monday morning, 15 August 2005, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected a number of iron gates on the main roads. They also erected a number of checkpoints and arrested at least 7 Palestinian civilians. In the West Bank, PCHR field workers documented two cases of inhumane treatment by IOF at military checkpoints.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. For this purpose, they razed more areas of agricultural land to northwest of Jerusalem. They also razed a playground in 'Anata village, northeast of Jerusalem. On Sunday, 21 August 2005, IOF confiscated 1585 donums of Palestinian land in villages located near Jerusalem for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. A child was wounded by IOF and at least 30 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

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, especially in the Gaza Strip during the implementation of the "Disengagement Plan." During the reported period, Israeli settlers launched 9 attacks on Palestinian civilians. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF that supported Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian civilians in Bala'a village, eats of Tulkarm.

The full report is available online at:

html format:

http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/25-08-2005.htm

pdf format:

http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/pdf/weekly%20report…

Public Document

For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).

*Office Hours are between 08:00 – 16:00 hours (05:00 GMT – 13:00 GMT) Sun – Thurs.

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