PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

 http://www.pchrgaza.org


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

No. 13/2005

31 Mar.- 06 Apr. 2005



Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)



Israeli bulldozers demolishing a building in East Jerusalem.







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7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded by IOF.
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IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas.
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Houses were raided and a number of Palestinian civilians were arrested.
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Construction of the “Annexation Wall” in the West Bank has continued; more areas of Palestinian land were confiscated and 5 houses and a number of animal farms were destroyed for this purpose.
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Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank.
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IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have continued to close a number of roads since the beginning of the current Intifada, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel at Rafah International Crossing Point, IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.



Introduction

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have launched more attacks on Palestinian civilians and property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This week, human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included shooting at and causing injury to Palestinian civilians, incursions into Palestinian areas, house raids and arbitrary arrests. In violation of international law including international humanitarian law, IOF have also continued to construct the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose. They have continued to illegally expand existing settlements at the expense of Palestinian land. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

This week, IOF conducted 24 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, during which a Palestinian civilian was wounded. A number of others sustained injuries from being beaten by the IOF. IOF also arrested 18 Palestinian civilians, including a number of Palestinian Policemen. In the Gaza Strip, on 1 April 2005, IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing near their houses in Khan Yunis. Two of the children were wounded. On the same day, IOF arrested 4 Palestinian children who attempted to infiltrate into Israel.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory, especially in Ramallah and Hebron. For the purpose of the construction of the Wall, they demolished five houses in Wadi Rahhal village, southwest of Bethlehem, and issued military orders to demolish another house and an agricultural store in Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They also confiscated nine donums[1] of land in al-Walaja village and Beit Jala town, northwest of Bethlehem. This week, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Wall. Five Palestinian civilians and an Israeli solidarity activist were wounded.

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, especially in Hebron which has been the scene of many such past attacks on Palestinian men, women and children.

Contrary to Israeli claims, IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to close a number of roads and crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada. IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities near Israeli settlements, causing more suffering to Palestinian civilians. This week, IOF continued to impose severe restrictions on travel through Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border.

In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This week, they erected a number of sudden military checkpoints. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and arrested six civilians, including two children. IOF claimed that the one of the children attempted to stab an Israeli soldier at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus.



Shelling of and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 31 March 2005

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shihda Mahmoud 'Aqel, 36, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Ibrahim Mahmoud 'Awad, 22; and

2. Ahmed Nawaf Sabarna, 22.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Nasser 'Abdul Rahim Salama, 29; and

2. Nidal Yousef Salama, 26.



Friday, 1 April 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Muthallath al-Shuhada village, south of Jenin. They surrounded Mousa Khader Turkman's house and knocked on the door. When Turkman opened the door, they beat him and broke into the house. They held the 10 residents of the house in a room and interrogated them about the owner's son Ra'fat, 20, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force. The son was arrested by Palestinian Security Services three weeks ago and was taken to a detention center in Ramallah but later escaped.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Aur village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Nadi Wahid Abu Hassan, 23, physically disabled; and

2. Hamdi Zaki al-Shami, 20.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into agricultural areas in the Israeli-controlled al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They informed 'Awad Taher al-Astal and 'Omran Khamis al-Astal that four donums of their agricultural land would be razed because they are located near a settler road in the area.

At approximately 01:15, IOF positioned in a military post between "Gani Tal" and "Neve Dekalim" settlements, west of Khan Yunis, fired at two Palestinian children who playing on sand dunes to the west of al-Amal neighborhood, when the area was completely quiet. The two children were wounded:

1. Fadi Ra'ad al-'Attal, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot; and

2. Hassan Mohammed al-'Attal, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

At approximately 14:30, IOF arrested four Palestinian children who attempted to infiltrate into Israel through the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Deir al-Balah, to search for job opportunities due to the current severe economic conditions in the Gaza Strip:

1. Fares Abu al-'Arraj, 16, from Deir al-Balah;

2. Mahmoud Abu Dughaim, 16, from Deir al-Balah;

3. 'Abdullah Abu Jayab, 16, from al-Maghazi Refugee Camp; and

4. Mohammed al-Bashiti, 16, from al-Maghazi Refugee Camp.



Saturday, 2 April 2005

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched seven houses but no arrests were reported. According to eyewitnesses, these latest raids were conducted within a climate of almost daily raids and searches by the IOF on houses in the village.



Sunday, 3 April 2005

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled on the main and branch roads in the village, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Tawani village, south of Hebron, and arrested Mahmoud Hussein al-Shawahin, 37.

At approximately 22:00, IOF opened fire at Bassem 'Aadel Nassar, 32, when he was on his way back home in Khillat Hadour neighborhood in the east of Hebron. He was injured in the right leg by shrapnel from live bullets. The IOF proceeded to beat Nassar until residents of nearby areas intervened and evacuated him to the hospital.

At approximately 23:00, IOF, accompanied by dogs, moved into al-Buqai' area in the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided houses belonging to 'Emad, Rami, Tha'er and Murad al-Nawaja'a. They forced the 21 residents of these houses out and destroyed the furniture of the houses. They also beat some residents, injuring two of them: Rami Mohammed al-Nawaja'a, 33; and Mohammed Ra'ed al-Nawaja'a, 11.



Monday, 4 April 2005

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They erected a number of checkpoints and searched a number of Palestinian ambulances. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets of the village for a few hours. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinians:

1. Ziad Mohammed Haidar, 25; and

2. Mamdouh Hassan Hamamra, 24.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Marda village, south of Nablus. They opened fire at houses and patrolled the streets. No arrests were reported.



Tuesday, 5 April 2005

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Ras village for the second time this week. They raided and searched a number of houses. They drew maps of the structures of these houses and registered ID number of their owners. No arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin and patrolled the streets. They withdrew from the village a few hours later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the village. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Nabil Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sami 'Essam Hannoun, 20, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Qassem Salama Salim, 20, and arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, a Border Guard Unit of the Israeli Police raided Nayef Jowaihan's house in al-Thawri neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The Unit held residents of the house in one room, searched the house and then arrested the owner's son, 22-year-old Adham.

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bab al-Zawia area in the center of Hebron. They surrounded a number of Palestinian policemen who were directing traffic at Bab al-Zawia Square. IOF severely beat these policemen and took them to a military post near "Beit Hadasa" settlement, approximately 250 meters away. A number of Palestinian civilians witnessing the events tried to intervene. The IOF immediately fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at civilians, shops and cars. Four members of the Palestinian police and three civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises as a result of these attacks:

1. 'Essam Hisham al-Mu'aiwi, 23;

2. Khaled Mohammed 'Oqaili, 25;

3. Ziad Mohammed 'Atawna, 21;

4. 'Awad Sadiq Ghareeb, 23;

5. Nayef 'Abdul Hamid 'Amru, 25;

6. Nidal Mohammed al-Ja'bari, 21; and

7. Hassan Sa'id Mujahed, 25.



At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the street and stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians. No arrests were reported.



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

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. They have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. Furthermore, the prolonged suffering of Palestinian civilians living in areas near Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip has continued.

With regard to internal movement, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip), even though they have increased the hours of opening the two checkpoints. They often close the two checkpoints and hold and check Palestinian civilians in between.

IOF have also continued to impose a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. Male Palestinians aged 16-35 have been prohibited from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area. Only 150 civilians have been allowed to exit the area on a given day but under severe restrictions. The IOF allow the entry of foodstuffs into the area on Saturdays and Sundays and allow the entry of other goods on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On other days, they allow the transportation of agricultural products out of the area. IOF and settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. With regard to education, 1430 schoolchildren study at one school in the area, which lacks electricity and water. The school also lacks teachers of a number of subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. Only one teacher from outside the area is allowed to teach at this school and he is prevented sometimes from entering the area. As a result of such conditions, the school was forces to cancel the scientific section, so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis. Israeli troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.

IOF also continue to close a number of roads inside the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada, such as the western Rafah – Khan Yunis road in the southern Gaza Strip, Abu al-'Ajeen road between the villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa in the central Gaza Strip and Salah al-Din Street at "Netzarim" and "Kfar Darom" junctions in the central Gaza Strip. Furthermore, IOF have continued to prohibit Palestinian civilians from using "Kissufim", "Morag" and al-Mentar roads in the southern and central Gaza Strip, which have been devoted for the movement of IOF and settlers. IOF have continued to close Gaza International Airport for the fourth consecutive year.

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities located near Israeli military posts and settlements, particularly al-Sayafa area between "Dogit" and "Elli Sinai" settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. At least 200 Palestinian civilians live in the area, including 47 students, a physician, 5 public employees, 50 children and 7 patients. On Thursday, 31 March 2005, IOF established a new military post and a new military observation tower to the south of "Elli Sinai" settlement, near the gate of the area. At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 2 April 2005, IOF raided and searched five houses in the area.



The daily suffering of Palestinian civilians living in al-Sayafa area is demonstrated in the following:

1. Palestinian civilians under the age of 30 are prohibited from moving out and into the area without prior coordination.

2. A very limited number of farmers are allowed to enter the area but only following prior coordination.

3. University students have been forced to live outside the area due to the prohibition imposed on the movement of those who are under 30.

4. The area lack paved roads, which makes transportation extremely difficult, so residents of the area have to move on foot.

5. IOF open the iron gate at the entrance of the area between 07:00 to 09:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 only.

6. The area lacks basic services, such as electricity, as IOF have prevented establishing an electricity network in the area.

7. Patients have to walk or transport on animal cart as ambulances are not allowed to enter the area without lengthy prior coordination.

8. Farmers face extreme difficulties in marketing their products or bringing agricultural equipment into the area.

In the same context, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Ma'ni area near "Kfar Darom" settlement in the central Gaza Strip. The area has lacked water and telephone networks for three years after IOF destroyed this infrastructure. According to residents of the area, they obtain water from a well in the area or bring it from Deir al-Balah. IOF do not allow any Palestinian living outside the area from entering the area.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, including workers and patients, through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Workers who can work in Israel must be over 35, married and approved by Israeli Security Services.

The daily suffering of Palestinian workers at Erez crossing is demonstrated in the following:

1. Workers are subject to strict and prolonged checking and humiliation on their way to their work places.

2. Some of them are subject to interrogation by Israeli Security Services.

3. Many workers are arbitrarily prevented from entering Israel for ‘security’ purposes.

4. Work permits of workers who do not go to their work for a period that exceeds one week are cancelled.

5. On 13 March 2005, IOF established a new route equipped with cameras, where workers are checked before reaching the two passage routes at the crossing.

On Monday, 28 March 2005, while IOF were checking workers, an Israeli soldier suddenly closed one of the iron gates at the crossing. As a result, one of the workers, 44-year-old Mazen Hassan Lubbad, sustained bruises and fractures throughout the body.

Only 25 patients who suffer from serious medical complaints are allowed to enter Israel daily. This entry is only after lengthy prior coordination and under inhuman conditions. Patients have to wait for long hours before they are forced to walk or move on wheel chairs to be searched by the IOF. Only patients who suffer from diseases deemed serious by the IOF are allowed to travel in ambulances. Other patients are forced to travel by taxis after passing through the crossing.

IOF have continued to impose severe restriction on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing, east of Gaza City. Even though, IOF declared last week that they would ease these restrictions, they have allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel through the Crossing and 270 to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. The Crossing’s limited operation has caused significant damages to goods and caused large financial losses to Palestinian traders. In the same context, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel through Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah. They only allow the entry of construction raw materials into the Gaza Strip through the crossing.

Even though Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is open, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on travel. The Crossing Point is opened from 09:00 to 17:00 everyday. Since 20 February 2005 the IOF have allowed Palestinians aged 16-35 to travel through the Crossing since 20 February 2005, they have continued to summon and interrogate a number of these Palestinians. This week, many Palestinian travelers had to wait for several days at the Palestinian side of the Crossing Point, as IOF allowed a small number of travelers to travel on each day. Since 18 February 2005, IOF have used an enhanced x-ray machine for all travelers through the Crossing Point to Egypt which photographs people naked and exposes them intensive ionization (the negative health effects of X-Rays machines particularly to pregnant women and people with heart problems are well document). During the reporting period, the IOF has limited the use of the machine after intensive behind the scenes lobbying and a public media campaign which PCHR played an integral role. However the machine continues to be used and PCHR is concerned that the restrictions on use of this machine do not amount to the ending of harassment by the IOF against Palestinian civilians at the Rafah international crossing.



The West Bank

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



Ramallah

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 4 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Safa and Bal'ein, west of Ramallah. They stopped hundreds of Palestinian civilian vehicles and checked Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday morning, IOF erected another checkpoint at the entrance of Bitounia town, southwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles.



Tulkarm

On Thursday morning, 31 March 2005, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. The checkpoint remained closed throughout the day. On Friday morning, 1 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at 'Ennab crossroads, east of Tulkarm. The checkpoints imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilian vehicles in the area.



Nablus

Contrary to Israeli claims, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to stop and search Palestinian vehicles. On Friday, 1 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the main road between the villages of Jama'in and Marda, south of Nablus. They also closed the road leading to the neighboring villages of Yasouf and Eskaka. On Tuesday morning, 5 April 2005, IOF erected two checkpoints on the road that leads to Ramallah and the road that leads to the towns of Tulkarm, Qalqilya and Jenin.



Hebron

IOF had continued to close all roads leading to Palestinian communities to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron until Saturday evening, 2 April 2005. At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 4 April 2005, IOF closed a road that leads to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron, in the context of a series of measures recently taken by IOF to enhance their control over the mosque and surrounding areas.



Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Saturday morning, 2 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Ramin crossroads, east of Tulkarm, and arrested 'Abdul Latif Mohammed Hamdan, 29, from Bala'a village.

At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance to 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They arrested two Palestinians:

1. Jamal Akram 'Ajaj, 18; and

2. Mahmoud Tayseer 'Abdul Ghani, 20, both from Saida village.

On Sunday, 3 April 2005, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested 'Emad Isma'il Abu Dahouk, 24.

On Monday noon, 4 April 2005, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested two Palestinian children:

1. 'Ammar Fayez 'Arafat, 15; and

2. Mahmoud Ghazi Thiraa', 14, both from Balata refugee camp near Nablus.



IOF claimed that one of the children attempted to stab and Israeli soldier with a knife.



Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. This week, they confiscated more area of Palestinian land and demolished a number of houses for this purpose.

At approximately 07:50 on Thursday, 31 March 2005, IOF, accompanied by five bulldozers, moved into Wadi Rahhal village, southwest of Bethlehem. They surrounded a number of houses in the north of the village and force their residents to vacate them in 25 minutes. At approximately 09:00, the Israeli bulldozers started to demolish a number of houses. IOF used force against Palestinian civilians to prevent them staying near their houses. They severely beat one of these civilians, 19-year-old 'Aamer Mohammed Fawaghra, when he wanted to remove remaining furniture of the affected houses. Residents of these houses were informed by the Israeli "Civil Administration" on 23 March 2005 that their houses would be demolished. By 17:00, IOF had demolished five houses and a shop:

1. A 300-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Asa'ad Mohammed Fawaghra, in which 8 persons lived;

2. A 150-square-meter house owned by Waleed Mohammed Jouda, in which 2 individuals lived;

3. A 120-square-meter house owned by Ghaleb 'Abed Ziada, in which 5 individuals live;

4. A 130-square-meter, under-construction house owned by 'Abdullah Khader Ziada;

5. A 160-square meter, under-construction house owned by 'Eissa 'Ali Isma'il; and

6. A 150-square-meter shop.

On Wednesday morning, 6 April 2005, IOF moved into Bir Nabala, northwest of Jerusalem. They demolished a two-storey house and a number of animal farms located near the Wall. IOF claimed that these structures were built without licenses.

On Sunday, 3 April 2005, IOF issued a military order confiscating nine donums of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Walaja village and Beit Jala town, northwest of Bethlehem, for the purpose of the construction of the Wall.

On Monday, 4 April 2005, IOF uprooted at least 200 olive trees in al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem.

Also on Monday, IOF informed two Palestinian civilians from Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm, that a house and an agricultural stores belonging to them, located near the Wall, would be demolished.

On Saturday morning, 2 April 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Nazlat 'Eissa village, north of Tulkarm, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, wounding 45-year-old Fayez 'Ouda al-Taneeb with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.

On Sunday afternoon, 3 April 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of members of Israeli and International Solidarity groups organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, wounding an Israeli activist with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.

On Wednesday morning, 6 April 2005, IOF positioned in the construction sites in Deir Ballout village, southwest of Nablus, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers who attempted to reach their agricultural land whish was being razed by IOF. Four farmers were wounded:

1. Hamada 'Abdul Wahab 'Abdullah, 25, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the shoulder;

2. Khalil 'Abdul Rahim 'Abdullah, 55, seriously wounded by 2 live bullets in the thigh;

3. Amjad Daoud 'Abdullah, 32, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest; and

4. Samer Daoud 'Abdullah, 26, wounded by a live bullet in the leg.



Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilian and Property

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities.

On Thursday morning, 31 March 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, beat a Palestinian farmer, 47-year-old 'Abdul Samee' 'Abdul Muttaleb al-Muhtaseb, when he was farming his agricultural land, which is located near the industrial zone of the aforementioned settlement. They also forced him to leave his land and threatened to shoot him if he comes back.

On Saturday afternoon, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement in the center of Hebron seized a two-storey house belonging to Zakariya and Jouda Salim al-Bakri. They broke the doors took the furnishings out and brought their new furniture in. Residents of the house had previously left the house 3 years ago due to repeated attacks by settlers.

At approximately 12:40 on Monday, 4 April 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, escorted by IOF, started to establish a settler road near the western fence of the aforementioned settlement. The establishment of road is expected to destroy areas of Palestinian agricultural land.

On Monday, 4 April 2005, Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village from reaching their agricultural land. IOF have divided this land into nine sections, access of farmers to each section is limited to one day every year.



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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 a state above law and 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 solidarity groups to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals and to urge their governments to bring these war criminals 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 the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

6. PCHR calls upon European governments to change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights.

7. PCHR welcomes the ICJ Advisory Opinion which has confirmed international law and made clear the legal obligations of Israel to dismantle the wall, and the associated regime and has further made clear the obligations of the international community that they must now take firm action, through the UNGA and UNSC, to “ensure respect” by Israel for the Fourth Geneva convention and the Advisory Opinion.

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 OPTs, including for facilitating 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 solidarity groups, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPTs and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.

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.