PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

 http://www.pchrgaza.org


Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
No. 18/2005

05- 11 May 2005





Israeli Violations Continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

· One Palestinian died from a previous wound inflicted by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

· A number of Palestinian civilians were injured by IOF.

· IOF have continued to construct the ‘Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF fired at Palestinian civilians demonstrating in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF beat Palestinian civilians whose land had been confiscated resulting in Palestinian pregnant woman miscarrying.

· IOF conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas.

· Palestinian houses were raided resulting in the arrest of 20 Palestinian civilians.

· Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank; Israeli settlers seized 18 donums[1] in al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and IOF seized at least 800 donums of land in Bethlehem and Nablus.

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






Introduction

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (5-11 May 2005). This week, human rights violations perpetrated by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) included shooting at 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 to expand settlements. They have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

In the West Bank, 'Abdul Fattah Raddad, 25, from Saida village near Tulkarm, died from injuries he sustained on 2 May 2005. He had been evacuated to an Israeli hospital after he had been injured and arrested by the IOF.

This week, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah, injuring six. They also used force against Palestinian farmers resulting in a Palestinian women miscarrying and three arrests. The farmers land had been confiscated for the purpose of the construction of the Wall in Deir al-'Asal village, southwest of Hebron.

Force was also used to break up another protest on 9 May 2005 in the old town of Jerusalem where 11 people were injured. Palestinian Muslims were protesting their denial of entry to the al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers.

This week, IOF razed areas of Palestinian land in al-Sammou' village for the purpose of the construction of the Wall. They also placed signs to determine the route of the Wall to the south of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. In addition, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilian on both sides 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. On 8 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers seized 18 donums of Palestinian land in al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They also destroyed an electricity tower and severely beat a Palestinian civilian. In the West Bank on 7 May 2005 an Israeli settler poured an unknown substance into two wells in Kufor Qddoum village, north of Qlqilya. On 10 May 2005, IOF issued a number of military orders confiscating at least 800 donums of Palestinian land in Bethlehem and Nablus. On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land in the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village. This week, Israeli settlers living in settlement posts in Hebron launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.

This week, IOF conducted at least 14 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF injured a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested 17 others, including a child and six students. In violation of Palestinian civil and political rights the IOF closed two offices used by the Palestinian Central Election Commission to register Palestinian electors in Jerusalem.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem:



On Tuesday, 10 May 2005, IOF instituted a comprehensive closure on the OPT which has resulted in severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. These closures will continue until Saturday evening, 14 May 2005. The IOF also continued to close a number of checkpoints in the northern West Bank for the third consecutive week and erected temporary military checkpoints. At checkpoints the IOF arrested eight Palestinian civilians, including two university students.



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 continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the third consecutive week. They have continued to impose severe restriction at checkpoints on the main road in the Gaza Strip. IOF have continued to use a special checking machine at Rafah International Crossing Points, despite warnings from the PNA and human rights organizations of its dangers.















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



Thursday, 5 May 2005



At approximately 10:30, an Israeli military jeep moved into Sabastia village, northwest of Nablus. It took position at the entrance of Sabastia Secondary School where voting for local council elections was ongoing. Ten minutes later the jeep withdrew from the area. This action was in violation of an agreement reached between the PNA and IOF that Palestinian police would be present in the Israeli controlled town of Nablus and the IOF would not interfere with the elections being held that day.

At noon, Israeli medical sources at the hospital of al-Ramla prison declared dead 'Abdul Fattah Yousef Mohammed Raddad, 25, from Saida village north of Tulkarm. He died from wounds he had sustained on 2 May 2005 from the IOF.

PCHR’s investigation of the incident leading to the death of Raddad documented that at approximately 02:00 on 2 May 2005, IOF moved into the northeastern part of Saida village. At approximately 04:30, an exchange of fire was heard in the area. At approximately 05:00, IOF imposed a curfew on the village. Later, IOF stated that they killed Shafiq 'Awni Mustafa 'Abdul Ghani, 34, in an exchange of fire. IOF also stated that they arrested 'Abdul Fattah Raddad, 25, but did not indicate that he was wounded. IOF evacuated Raddad to an Israeli hospital, where he received medical treatment.

According to his family, representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) visited him at the hospital. They stated that he was wounded by two live bullets in the abdomen and the right leg and that he was in a stable condition. Also according to the family, Raddad was arrested in an area which is at least two kilometers away from the place where 'Abdul Ghani was killed. MSF asked IOF to perform an autopsy of Raddad's body. IOF have so far kept the body.

At approximately 15:30, IOF, accompanied by a military bulldozer, moved into al-Naqoura village, northwest of Nablus. The bulldozer closed an agricultural road that links the village with the neighboring village of Ejnesenia. This road had been closed since the second year of the current Intifada but shortly before residents of the village had reopened it.



Saturday, 7 May 2005

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin, and imposed a curfew. According to eyewitnesses, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the northeastern and southwestern entrances of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles but no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Rashaida village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Salama Mohammed Rashaida, 30.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided shops and forced the owners to close them. They also raided Mohammed Hassan al-Fasfous' house and transformed it into a military site after holding its eight residents in one room. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the stone throwers, wounding 15-year-old Maher Sharif Abu Ras with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head. Four other civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.



Sunday, 8 May 2005

· At 00:15, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and forced the residents out. They arrested four Palestinian civilians: Ahmed Murshed Abu Saa', 23; Aws 'Omar Abu Saa', 21; Ahmed 'Abdul Ra'ouf Daoud, 20; and Muthanna 'Abdul Rahman Mahanna, 18. IOF interrogated them about their knowledge of another Palestinian wanted by the IOF before releasing them a few hours later.

· At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets but no arrests were reported.



Monday, 9 May 2005

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested seven Palestinians:

1. Nidal Isma'il Ghanem, 25;

2. Ahmed Khaled 'Ateeq, 24;

3. Mahmoud Majed 'Ateeq, 25;

4. Ghassan 'Ali 'Ateeq, 26;

5. Malek Khaled Shalabi, 16;

6. Salah Mahmoud Sammour, 27; and

7. 'Abdullah Mahmoud Sammour, 22.

IOF claimed that Ghanem had been wanted for four years for being a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Asakra village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Omar al-Mo'ti, 19 and arrested him.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF and Israeli police used force to prevent dozens of thousands of Palestinian Muslims from entering al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. According to several sources, IOF deployed at least 2000 members of the police and members of the Border Guard at all entrances of the Mosque. They also erected dozens of checkpoints at the entrances of the old town. Palestinians gathered on the road leading to the Mosque where the Israeli police attempted to disperse them. They beat some of these Palestinians and fired tear gas canisters in the area. At least 11 protestors suffered from tear gas inhalation and/or sustained bruises.



Tuesday, 10 May 2005

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians:

Asyad 'Adnan al-Shanti, 21; and
Fares Hussam Abu Zarifa, 21.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Joma'a al-'Abed Shalash, 28.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF and the Israeli police surrounded two offices used by the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) to register Palestinian electors in Jerusalem. They raided and searched the two offices and confiscated some of their documents. They also arrested two staff members: Ameen Ibrahim Abu Shousha; and Muna Jubran.

According to information from the CEC all registration centers throughout the OPT were open/reopened, including Jerusalem for complementary registration. CEC also stated at least 100,000 Palestinians were eligible to vote in Jerusalem. Last year, IOF closed a number of registration centers established by the CEC in Jerusalem in preparation for the Palestinian presidential election.

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Hawara village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They forced Palestinian civilians to stay at homes.



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. 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. 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 sometimes prevented from entering the area. As a result of such conditions, the school was forced to cancel science classes , so students who wish to study science have to go to Khan Yunis. IOF troops frequently close al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area.

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 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 180 Palestinian civilians live in al-Sayafa area, and 200 others live around it. Their daily suffering 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 close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the third consecutive week, prohibiting access of dozens of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel and several patients to hospitals. Before this closure, IOF had allowed nearly 5000 Palestinian workers out of 25000 workers, who used to work in Israel before the current Intifada, to enter Israel.

The daily suffering of Palestinian workers at Erez crossing before this latest closure was demonstrated in the following:

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

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

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

4. Work permits of workers who did not go to their work for a period that exceeded one week were cancelled.

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 271 to enter the Gaza Strip from Israel. The crossing has been operating with a very limited capacity, which has damaged goods and caused large losses to Palestinian traders. At approximately 14:00 on 11 May 2005, IOF closed the crossing and declared that this closure would continue until Saturday evening, 14 May 2005, for Israeli festivals. IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel through Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, for more than one year. Only construction raw materials are allowed to be entered 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. Rafah International Crossing Point has been 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 Sunday, 8 May 2005, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the old town. According to eyewitnesses, IOF placed cameras at the entrances to al-Aqsa Mosque and imposed restrictions on the access of Muslims to the Mosque. They did not allow men aged under 45 to enter the Mosque. On Monday morning, 9 May 2005, IOF positioned at the entrances of the city prevented Palestinian civilians coming from the West Bank, including those who had valid permits from entering the city.



Hebron

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained 21 checkpoints throughout the town and have continued to close a number of roads and entrances to neighborhoods. They also seized a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. This week, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints inside and round the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday morning, 10 April 2005, IOF closed all entrances to the villages of al-Sammou' and al-Raihiya, and prohibited movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the two villages.

Ramallah

On Tuesday morning, 10 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Turmos'eia crossroads on Ramallah – Nablus road. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Nablus

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Nablus for the third consecutive week. IOF positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians traveling to the central and southern West Bank. At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 9 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northwestern entrance of 'Asira village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.

Jenin

On Thursday morning, 5 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the road that links between the villages of Tubas and 'Aqqaba, southeast of Jenin. They confiscated three Palestinian civilian vehicles for no apparent reasons. IOF often confiscate Palestinian civilian vehicles to use them in moving into Palestinian areas and arrest or kill wanted Palestinians. IOF also erected a checkpoint in al-'Aqaba area to the north of Tubas village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 8 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the northeastern entrance of Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday morning, 10 May 2005, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley and al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley prevented dozens of Palestinian civilians from crossing the two checkpoints. They also prevented Palestinian farmers from going to their agricultural land in the northern Jordan Valley.

Tulkarm

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 8 May 2005, IOF closed al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. This closure continued until 12:00. In the last 10 days, IOF repeatedly closed the checkpoint for no apparent reasons. On Monday, 9 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the western entrance of al-Sawana area, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 10 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Saida crossroads, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and held and interrogated a number of young men. At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 10 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Sida crossroads, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling to and from Saida village. They also held and interrogated a number of young men.

Qalqilya

On Sunday morning, 8 May 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint near 'Azzoun village on Qalqilya – Nablus road. They also erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Jayous village, north of Qalqilya. They held and interrogated dozens of Palestinian students. On Monday, 9 May IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.



Arrests of Palestinian Civilians While Crossing Military Checkpoints

Saturday, 7 May 2005

· In the morning, IOF positioned at 'Ennab gate, east of Tulkarm, arrested Asad Mufeed Khalil, 21, a member of Palestinian National Security Force from Tulakrm.

· Also in the morning, IOF positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Malek Talal 'Abdul Ghani, 21, a university student from Saida village near Tulkarm.

· At noon, IOF positioned at a checkpoint in Deir Sharaf area, northwest of Nablus, arrested Mahmoud Mohammed Mustafa, 20, a college student from 'Attil village near Tulkarm.

· In the evening, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron, arrested Hassan Khalil Sulaimiya, 19. According to eyewitness, IOF held and checked at least 20 Palestinian civilians before arresting Sulaimiya.



Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the ‘Annexation Wall’ inside the West Bank territory. This week, they razed more areas of Palestinian agricultural land for this purpose.

On Thursday morning, 5 May 2005, IOF razed dozens of donums of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall.

Also on Thursday morning, engineering units of IOF placed signs that determine the route of the wall to the south of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. The process of land surveillance included hundreds of donums of Palestinian land.

On Friday morning, 6 May 2005, Palestinian civilians and a number of international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village in protest to the construction of the wall. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Six demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested seven Israeli solidarity activists, including Rabi Erik Asher, a prominent activist from Rabbis for Human Rights.

On Sunday morning, 8 May 2005, IOF closed the gate established at the sole entrance of 'Azzoun 'Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya, and prevented Palestinian civilians from crossing the gate. According to eyewitnesses, the closure of the gate continued for two hours.

At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 9 May 2005, IOF escorting machines that construct a section of the Wall in Deir al-'Asal village, southwest of Hebron, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters over the heads of Palestinian civilians whose land was confiscated for the purpose of this construction. They also chased and beat a number of them to force them to leave their land. A pregnant woman, 30-year-old Siham Yousef Abu 'Askar, miscarried as she was beaten by Israeli soldiers and inhaled tear gas. She was in the 9th month of her pregnancy. In addition, Mohammed Salem Abu Hadid, 26, sustained bruises. At approximately 14:00, IOF arrested three Palestinian civilians. They released these civilians on bail at night. IOF also confiscated at least 100 sheep belonging to Palestinian civilians.

On Wednesday morning, 11 May 2005, IOF positioned at two iron gates on the Wall prevented Palestinian farmers from Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya, from reaching their agricultural land behind the wall.



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 Saturday, 7 May 2005, an Israeli settler poured an unknown substance into two wells in Kufor Qddoum village, north of Qalqilya. According to a number of Palestinian farmers, they saw an Israeli settler coming from the neighboring "Qidoumim" settlement on a tractor. He got out of the tractor and poured an unknown substance from a bottle he was carrying into two wells used by Palestinian farmers. Immediately, the local council warned residents of the village through megaphones not to use the walls, and informed the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agricultural. A sample of water was taken from the two wells to be tested in order to identify the substance that was poured by the settler. According to eyewitness, a horse that drank from one of the wells died, which indicates that the substance could be poisonous.

On Saturday noon, 7 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ramat Yishai" settlement post in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilians and property. They chased Palestinian civilians, threw stones at houses and destroyed water pipelines. Five houses were damaged.

Also at noon, five Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, severely beat 7-year-old Mohammed Hisham Edris when he was playing near his family home in Wad al-Nasara neighborhood to the south of the aforementioned settlement. IOF accompanied the settlers, but did not intervene to stop this attack.

On Sunday evening, 8 May 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Avraham Avino" settlement post near the old town of Hebron threw stones at three Palestinian houses and chased a number of Palestinian civilians. These attacks took place before the eyes of IOF positioned in the area.

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 8 May 2005, some Israeli settlers moved into an area of land belonging to Mohammed and Mustafa Kamel al-Farra near "Neve Dekalim" settlement in al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They damaged irrigation networks and plantation. Then, they surrounded 18 donums of the land with wires in an attempt to annex them to the aforementioned settlement. The settlers had already seized 22 donums of land belonging to the same citizens. According to one of the owners, Israeli settlers have seized at least 200 donums of their land since the beginning of the current Intifada.

At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 9 May 2005, six Israeli settlers destroyed an electricity tower in al-Mawasi are in Khan Yunis. Electricity was cut from the area. A number of other settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses.

The Israeli daily Maariv reported according to IOF that settlers recently escalated their attacks against Palestinians, with an increase by 52% in comparison to last year. From the beginning of 2005 until the end of April, IOF initiated 265 probes against settlers for acts of disorder and violence against Palestinians. PCHR asserts that IOF do not deal seriously with complaints submitted by Palestinians against settlers.

On Monday, 9 May 2005, IOF issued a military order seizing areas of Palestinian agricultural land to the south of Hebron to establish a 400-meter-long road to link an Israeli military with a bypass road. The military order, which expires in 2008, gave the owners of land seven days to appeal against it.

On Tuesday morning, 10 May 2005, IOF in Bethlehem issued two military orders seizing 756 donums of Palestinian land in five towns and villages: Beit Jala; al-Walaja; Batteer; Housan; and Wad Foukin. The two military orders signed by the commander of IOF in the West Bank will remain effective until the end of 2007. IOF also handed the owners announcements declaring that a number of Israeli officers would visit the land on 17 May 2005. They also warned the owners not to reject the orders.

On the same day, IOF handed a written notice, signed by the commander of IOF in the West Bank, to the local council of Deir Estia village, southwest of Nablus, seizing 14 donums of the land of the village near "Emanuel" settlement.

On Tuesday morning, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land in the neighboring Kufor Qaddoum village. IOF also informed the farmers that they would not be able to go to their land without permits.





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 searching for Israeli 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 keeping with international law.

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

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including 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 NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. 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 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”