PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

 http://www.pchrgaza.org


Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
No. 16/2005

21- 27 Apr. 2005





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



· One Palestinian civilian was killed by IOF.

· A number of Palestinian civilians were injured by IOF.

· Construction of the “annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued and at least 260 donums[1] of land were confiscated in Bethlehem and Jerusalem for this purpose.

· IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas.

· At least 27 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF.

· 3 Palestinian civilians were used by IOF as human shields.

· Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank and more areas of Palestinian land were confiscated in Hebron.

· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested 16 Palestinian civilians and injured one, and IOF have continued to use a special checking machine at Rafah International Crossing Point.




Introduction



Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks on Palestinian civilians and property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). IOF willfully killed a Palestinian civilian in Hebron. This week, human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included shooting at Palestinian civilians, incursions into Palestinian areas, house raids and arbitrary arrests. In violation of international law and 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 also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This week, IOF used three Palestinian civilians as human shields in military operations in the OPT.



On 25 April 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Hebron. The victim lost control over his car and was not able to stop it when he was surprised by an Israeli military checkpoint, so IOF opened fire at him. IOF claimed first that the victim ran down an Israeli soldier. Then, they stated that "lived bullets were found in the soldier's head fired by his colleagues who were on duty" and that "it is possible that this was the cause of his death."



This week, IOF conducted at least 20 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, the widest of which was into Balata refugee camp near Nablus on 21 April 2005. IOF raided and searched a number of houses and opened fire at Palestinian civilians. As a result, two Palestinian civilians were wounded and 27 others were arrested. On 23 April 2005, IOF used two Palestinian civilians as human shields while raiding a photo exhibition in Yassid village near Nablus. On 27 April 2005, IOF used a third civilian as human shield while raiding a flour company in the Gaza Strip.



IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory. On Sunday, 24 April 2005, IOF issued military orders confiscating 80 donums of agricultural land in al-Ja'ba village near Bethlehem, and 181 donums in Beit Sourik village near Jerusalem for the purpose of the construction of the wall. This week, IOF published a planning map for Kherbat Jebara village, south of Tulkarm, which has been isolated behind the wall. According to the local council of the village, the map ignored 30 out of the 60 houses of the village and areas of land devoted for public projects, such as an elementary school and a clinic. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the wall.



Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. This week, IOF confiscated eight donums of Palestinian land in Hebron for the purpose of settlement expansion. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian schoolchildren in Hebron, injuring two of them. They also attacked and seriously injured an old Palestinian man in Beit Dajan village near Nablus.



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 closed checkpoints on the main road in the Gaza Strip several times this week. They also fired at Palestinian civilians waiting at the checkpoints, injuring one. IOF also arrested four Palestinian civilians at Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border.



In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They closed al-Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron for three days. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians as well as erecting a number of sudden military checkpoints. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and arrested 12 of them, including two children.













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



Thursday, 21 March 2005



At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Jala, al-'Azza refugee camp and Beit Ta'mar village near Bethlehem. They patrolled in these areas and raided a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.



At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jalal 'Abdul Ra'ouf Douman, 25, and arrested him.



Friday, 22 April 2005



At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and forced their residents out. Then, they arrested five Palestinians, including two brothers:

1. Anwar Mohammed Samamra, 23;

2. Ra'ed Mohammed al-Hawarin, 22;

3. Shadi Zayed al-Hawarin, 20;

4. Na'el 'Abdullah al-Hawarin, 19; and

5. Qa'ed 'Abdullah al-Hawarin, 23.



At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses and took position near al-Arqam mosque in the west of the camp. Then, they raided and searched a number of houses. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF. Two members of the resistance were wounded in the exchange of fire:

1. Ahmed 'Ata Abu Saltah, 23, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg; and

2. Ahmed Rasmi Abu Ras, 24, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.



Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched 'Araef Samoudi's house in the south of the town, and arrested his two sons: Akram, 23; and 'Essam, 25.



At approximately 03:00, IOF, reinforced by two helicopters, moved into Saida villahe, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Lu'ai Mohammed Ashqar, 27. IOF also raided a house belonging to the family of Mo'tassem Taleb Raddad, 25, who is allegedly wanted by IOF. Raddad was not at home.



Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mazen 'Ezziddin, 25, and arrested him.



In the afternoon, IOF positioned in the old town of Hebron raided two houses belonging to 'Abdul Halim al-Jamal and Majdi 'Abed al-Tabakhi and transformed them into military sites.



Saturday, 23 April 2005



At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Aaref Salama Harbiyat, 22, and arrested him.



At approximately 07:30, two Israeli military jeeps moved into Yassid village, northwest of Nablus. They took position at the southern entrance of the village and checked passing Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00, three other Israeli military jeeps arrived at the area. The five jeeps moved forward into the village. IOF held Marwan Mohammed al-Zaher, 30, and Nidal 'Ersan al-Zaher, 24, and used them as human shields when raiding a photo exhibition established by Hamas. They searched and photographed the exhibition. When they withdrew from the village, an Israeli soldier spat at a poster of the late leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in front of the residents of the village, in an attempt to provoke them. No arrests were reported.



At approximately 08:30, IOF took position near Hebron University in the north of Hebron. They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians, including at least 30 university students. IOF also beat and insulted a number of students.



Sunday, 24 April 2005



At approximately 16:30, a land exploded near Ma'moun Mohammed al-'Att, 21, when he was grazing animals in 'Azmout village, northeast of Nablus, nearly two kilometers away from "Alon Moreh" settlement. He was injured in the left foot. His brother and his cousin who were nearly 100 meters away hurried towards him and carried him away from the area. Then, they evacuated him in a civilian car to the hospital.



Monday, 18 April 2005



At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sami 'Ali Hardan, 20, and arrested him.



At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into the villages of Beit Ta'mar and al-Furaidis, east of Bethlehem. They erected a number of checkpoints and checked passing Palestinian civilians. No arrests were reported.



At approximately 08:00, IOF, accompanied by two military bulldozers, moved into Beit Eiba village, west of Nablus. The bulldozer removed all publicity and campaigning items for the up coming municipality elections, which will be held on 5 May 2005.



At approximately 21:00, IOF positioned in a military post on al-Tartouri Mount, which overlooks the old town of Hebron, arrested Eyad 'Abdul 'Aziz Abu Sunaina, 18, when he was near his house.



At night, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian in Hebron. First, they claimed that the victim ran down an Israeli soldier. Then, they stated that they would "investigate the possibility that the incident was not deliberate." On the following day, IOF stated that the soldier "was shot by his colleagues." The Arabic web page of the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot quoted Israeli military sources as saying that "live bullets were found in the soldier's head fired by his colleagues who were on duty" and that "it is possible that this was the cause of his death."



According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:40, Eyad 'Eid Rabee' al-Dwaik, 30, from Hebron, was traveling in his taxi from Halhoul village to Hebron. When he arrived at the Bridge area at the northern entrance of Hebron, he was surprised by a military checkpoint erected by Israeli soldiers positioned in an observation tower in the area. He tried to stop his taxi but he could not. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at him, wounding him with a number of live bullets. He lost control over the taxi. IOF surrounded the taxi and prevented ambulances from attending the victim. They did not offer him first aid. Then the IOF declared the area a closed military zone. Nearly 20 minutes later, IOF allowed a Palestinian ambulance to evacuate the victim to the hospital. Ten minutes later the victim died as a result of the injuries he had sustained. According to medical sources he was hit by seven live bullets to the neck, the back, the abdomen and the left thigh and side. IOF prevented journalists from reaching the area to report on the incident. They beat 'Abed al-Hashlamoun, a cameraman of the German news agency. He was injured in the head.



At approximately 22:30, IOF, reinforced by a helicopter and a drone, moved into the east of Nablus to provide protection for Israeli settlers who came to the neighboring Joseph Tomb to pray. During this incursion, IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians: Mustafa Mohammed al-Riahi, 30; and Hassan 'Ali Zahlan, 56. The latter was released on the following day morning.



Tuesday, 26 April 2005



At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Musbah Ya'qoub al-Hawarin's house and arrested his son, 23-year-old Rami.



At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ten Palestinians:

1. Ahmed Hassan Samman, 19;

2. Mohammed Talal al-Baz, 19;

3. Bassam 'Abdullah Daoud, 35;

4. Ahmed Hisham Deeb, 18;

5. Mohammed Farah Samman, 35;

6. Anas Farah Samman, 24;

7. Yousef 'Abdullah al-'Eila, 45;

8. 'Othman Yousef al-'Eila, 25;

9. 'Abdullah Yousef al-'Eila, 22; and

10. Mohammed 'Abdullah al-'Eila, 35.



At approximately 15:20, IOF raided Mohammed Hamed Abu 'Eisha's house near "Ramat Yishai" settlement post in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in Hebron. They held residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site.



Also at approximately 15:20, IOF transformed Na'im Mohammed Da'na's house in the old town of Hebron and Naji 'Aadel Eskafi's house in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood into military sites after having held the two families in one room in each house.



Wednesday, 27 April 2005



At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Fu'ad 'Abdul 'Aziz Zaidat, 35.



At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched three houses belonging to Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.



At approximately 08:10, IOF raided al-Matahen flour company in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, near a settler road. They checked the 40 staff members of the company and used one of them as a human shield while searching the building. Then, they transformed the fifth floor of the building into a military site.



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 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. On Thursday noon, 21 April 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints and prevented movement of Palestinian civilians between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. This closure continued until night, when IOF opened the two checkpoints for one hour only, during which time they fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians who were waiting at the checkpoints. One civilian, 48-year-old 'Abdul Qader Hussein Abu Libda, from Bani Suhaila village near Khan Yunis, was wounded by a live bullet in the right knee, and a number of others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Then, IOF closed the two checkpoints again until 15:00 on Friday, 22 April 2005. On Tuesday, 26 April 2005, IOF closed the two checkpoints for two hours, as a Palestinian bus needed maintenance between the two checkpoints. In the evening, IOF closed the two checkpoints until further notice. The two checkpoints have been closed since then.



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. 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.



(For more details about the suffering of Palestinian civilians living in al-Mawasi area, see PCHR's previous weekly reports and PCHR’s comprehensive report available on the website, entitled “ Suffering in Isolation”).



IOF have also continued 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 enforce a closure on Gaza International Airport. The Airport has now been closed for four consecutive years.



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. 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.



(For more details about the suffering of Palestinian civilians living in these two areas, see PCHR's previous weekly reports).



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. IOF have closed the crossing since 25 April 2005 for the Jewish Easter. This closure is expected to continue until the end of this month. As a result, at least 5200 workers and dozens of patients have not been able to travel to Israel.



IOF have continued to impose severe restriction on commercial transactions at al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing, east of Gaza City. Even though, IOF have declared that they would ease these restrictions, they have allowed only 30-35 trucks to enter Israel through the crossing and 270 one to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. The crossing has been operated in a very limited capacity, which have damaged goods and caused large losses to Palestinian traders. On 21 April 2005, IOF closed the crossing for two hours, following an attack against Israeli soldiers. 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. Even though, 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. IOF have continued to use a special checking machine, which causes health problems, despite Palestinian protests. The latest of these involved the suspension of work by the Palestinian side at the crossing point on 26 April 2005. IOF first stopped using it on 6 April 2005, following protests by human rights organizations and the Palestinian National Authority. On 21 April 2005, IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians while they were on their way back to the Gaza Strip: Hani Ya'qoub Jaber, 29, from al-Boreij refugee camp; and Hani Mohammed al-Agha, 29, from Khan Yunis. On 22 April 2005, IOF arrested Ziad 'Emad Fadda, 28, from Khan Yunis. On 25 April 2005, IOF arrested Maher 'Abdul Karim Abu Asad, 28, from Deir al-Balah, while he was on his way back to the Gaza Strip. Rafah International Crossing Point remains the only outlet for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip to the outside world since the beginning of the current Intifada.



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.



Jerusalem



On Thursday evening, 21 April 2005, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They imposed a strict siege on the city, through reinforcing their presence at various checkpoints around the town and erecting more checkpoints on the main roads. Later, IOF reinforced their presence in the old town and the roads leading to it to allegedly provide protection for Jews during their celebrations of the Pessach. On Friday morning, 22 April 2005, IOF reinforced their presence in the old town and prevented thousands of Palestinian civilians from going to al-Aqsa Mosque for the Friday Prayer. On Tuesday morning, 26 April 2005, IOF closed the entrances to Silwan village and al-Thawri neighborhood to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque.



Ramallah



On Friday morning, 21 April 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, for several hours. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were forced to wait at both sides of the checkpoint. On Monday morning, 25 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Turmos'iya crossroads, northeast of Ramallah, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians.



Hebron



IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town, especially around the Ibrahimi Mosque and the old town. On Friday, 23 April 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach the Ibrahimi Mosque. IOF positioned at various checkpoints and iron gates leading to the mosque imposed severe restriction on access of Palestinian civilians to the mosque. At approximately 09:00 on Friday, IOF closed two roads leading to the mosque with cement blocks. On Monday and Tuesday, 25 and 26 April 2005, IOF closed the mosque for Palestinian prayers, but allowed Israeli settlers to enter it. On Monday morning, 25 April 2005, IOF took position on the roads leading to Hebron University. They stopped and checked dozens of university students. They also beat a number of them and held at least 70 until 11:00.



Bethlehem



On Friday evening, 22 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint in the center of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They stopped and held dozens of Palestinian civilians.



Nablus



IOF have imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have closed Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, since Friday morning, 23 April 2005. 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 civilian vehicles. They have also prevented Palestinian civilians aged under 35 from crossing these checkpoints. They erected a number of sudden checkpoints on the roads leading to the city. On Sunday morning, 24 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on Jenin – Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and held Palestinian civilians aged under 35 for several hours.



Jenin



On Friday morning, 22 April 2005, IOF closed al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, and Tayaseer checkpoint, east of the town. They prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land. IOF also closed Fatma gate on Jenin – Nazareth road, and Barta'a gate on the annexation wall, west of Jenin. In addition, they erected a number of checkpoints on Jenin – Nablus road.











Tulkarm



On Thursday, 21 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Sawana crossroads, south of Tulkarm. On Saturday, 23 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala'a crossroads. Then, they moved into Bala'a village, east of Tulkarm.



Qalqilya



On Monday morning, 24 April 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on Qalqilya – Nablus road and prevented movement of Palestinian civilians for several hours. They also erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.



Arrests and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians While Crossing Military Checkpoints



Friday, 22 April 2005



At approximately 12:00, IOF positioned at Yishar checkpoint on Nablus – Ramallah road arrested Jaber Ahmed Dalani, 31, from Qeera village near Nablus.



At approximately 14:00, IOF positioned at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested Mahmoud Ma'rouf Nasasra, 17, from Beit Fourik village. They claimed that the child was carrying four bombs.



In the evening, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on Bethlehem – Jerusalem road arrested Khaled Abu al-Baha, 32, when he was traveling to Ramallah with his family. Abu al-Baha was released from Israeli jails a few months ago.



At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned in the old town stopped and beat two Palestinian civilians who were on their way back home: Mohammed 'Abdul Karim Misk, 16; and Mohammed Wa'el Salahab, 20.



At approximately 23:00, IOF positioned at a military checkpoint on the road leading to al-Quds University arrested Muntasser Nizar Ramadan, 20, from Hebron.



Saturday, 23 April 2005



At approximately 14:00, IOF positioned at Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested two Palestinian civilians: Sadiq Munadel Mulaitat, 17; and Ussama Najeh Sabti, 18, both from Beit Fourik village. IOF claimed that one of them attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.



At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on Wad Abu Katila road in Hebron arrested 'Omar Ahmed Fathi al-Qawasmi, 32.



Sunday, 24 April 2005



In the evening, IOF positioned at a checkpoint in Kharsa village, southwest of Hebron, arrested 'Aziz Mousa al-Tumaizi, 37, from Ethna village near Hebron.



Monday, 25 April 2005



At approximately 09:00, IOF prevented 'Awad 'Awad, 38, a cameraman of France Press, from photographing near Shu'fat checkpoint in Jerusalem. When refused to obey the order to stop photographing, IOF severely beat him and held him for several hours in a room near the checkpoint. Then, IOF took him to an Israeli police station in Jerusalem and interrogated him. He was released in the evening.



Tuesday, 26 April 2005



In the morning, IOF positioned at Za'tara checkpoint on Nablus – Ramallah road arrested a Palestinian civilian.



Wednesday, 27 April 2005



In the morning, IOF positioned at al-Jalama checkpoint, north of Jenin, arrested two Palestinian children: Hammam Daraghma, 15; and Mohammed Nasser Darghma, 15. They claimed that two children carried home-made bombs.



Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall



On Sunday, 24 April 2005, IOF handed military orders to a number of residents of al-Jaba'a village, south of Bethlehem, confiscating 80 donums of agricultural land for the purpose of the construction of the wall. They also handed military orders to a number of residents of Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem, military orders confiscating 181 donums of agricultural land for the purpose of the construction of the wall.



This week, IOF published a planning map for Kherbat Jebara village, south of Tulkarm, which has been isolated behind the wall. According to the local council of the village, the map ignored 30 out of the 60 houses of the village and areas of land devoted for public projects, such as an elementary school and a clinic.



On Thursday morning, 21 April 2005, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Nine demonstrators, including aan international solidarity activist, suffered from tear gas inhalation.



Also on Thursday morning, a similar demonstration was organized in Saffa village, west of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.



On Saturday, 23 April 2005, IOF prevented residents of the villages of Ras Teera, Magharat al-Daba'a and Wad al-Rasha from crossing an iron gate on the wall established at the entrance to these villages, and forced them to use another gate, which is nearly seven kilometers away. This new measure has added more suffering and financial burdens on residents of these villages.



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.



At approximately 12:10 on Saturday, 23 April 2005, dozens of Israeli settlers moved from "Beit Hadasa" settlement post in the center of Hebron, towards a Palestinian female elementary school at al-Shuhada Street. They chased and beat schoolchildren. Ten schoolchildren were injured, and three of them were evacuated to the hospital as they sustained injuries and bruises in the face, the back and the limbs:

1. Majd Hani Abu Haikal, 15;

2. Fidaa' Mohammed Abu 'Eisha, 14; and

3. Rajaa' Hamed Abu 'Eisha, 14.



On Sunday evening, 24 April 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gid'oun" settlement, northeast of Nablus, severely beat an old Palestinian man. In his testimony to PCHR, 'Aziz 'Abdul Karim Hanani, 70, from Beit Dajan village near Nablus said:



"At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 24 April 2005, when I was grazing my sheep, nearly 1500 meters to the north of Beit Dajan village, I was surprised by a white car coming from "Gid'oun" settlement, northeast of Nablus. I realized that it was a settler car. When the car became nearly 250 meters away from me, I gathered my sheep and moved towards my village in the north. As I walked nearly 150 meters, I was surprised by five settlers coming down form 'Awad Mount. Two of them were holding stones, and one of them shouted on me: 'Stop!" I answered: 'I am 70 years old, what do you want from me?' A blonde settler moved towards me and tried to take a cane which I was holding. The two persons who were holding stones moved towards me and they started to beat me in order to take the cane to beat me with it. The cane broke and they took a part of it and beat me with it. Two persons remained watching. I was beaten for 15 minutes. Then, the settler left me bleeding. I made efforts to ride my donkey and I gathered my sheep. I moved towards the village and a relative of mine evacuated me to the hospital."



Also on Sunday, IOF confiscated eight donums of Palestinian land in Wad al-Fardous area in Hebron neat "Kiryat Arba" settlement to annex them to the neighboring "Shmorot Ishaq" settlement post. According to the owners of the land, the Israeli High Court issued a decision in 1981 prohibiting the seizure of their land by IOF and settlers.



At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 26 April 2005, a number of armed Israeli settlers severely beat three Palestinian civilians in al-Shuhada Street in Hebron:

1. Ibrahim 'Ali Ramadan, 26;

2. Tamer Farid Abu Sunaina, 17; and

3. Nadi Farid Abu Sunaina, 15.



The three sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body.









***



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.





“END”








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