WEEKLY REPORT ON ISRAELI HUMAN RIGHTS VIOATIONS

WEEKLY REPORT ON ISRAELI HUMAN RIGHTS VIOATIONS IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY FOR 01 - 07 December 2005
PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
 http://www.pchrgaza.org/



Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

· 4 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, were killed by IOF.
· One of the victims was extra-judicially executed by IOF in Rafah.
· 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by IOF.
· IOF launched at least 8 attacks on the Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
· Houses were raided and 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were arrested by IOF.
· IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; Rafah International Crossing Point was partially reopened; IOF have closed Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip; and IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
· IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall; IOF arrested two Palestinian children near the Wall; and at least 610 donums[1] of Palestinian land were confiscated in Yatta village near Hebron to construct a section of the Wall, which will also isolate 14000 donums of land.
· Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; at least 90 donums of Palestinian land in Nablus and Bethlehem were confiscated; and IOF razed 5 donums of land in Silwan neighborhood in Jerusalem to establish a car parking lot for Israeli settlers.


Summary
On Monday, 5 December 2005, the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stated that he ordered IOF to conduct military operations in the Gaza Strip and the north of the West Bank, including extra-judicial executions targeting activists of the Islamic Jihad. Following a bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya on Monday, IOF imposed a total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israeli media sources reported that IOF were instructed to shell areas from where Qassam rockets are launched; to resume extra-judicial executions; and to prevent members of the Palestinian police from carrying weapons in Tulkarm. The Israeli government has decided also to prevent Palestinians from entering Israel; to cancel VIP permits; to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel; to prevent the movement of Palestinian convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and to give a green line to launch a wide scale military operation against the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. PCHR asserts that these latest decisions will serve to increase tension in the region and will threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (1 – 7 December 2005):
Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A fourth Palestinian died in the West Bank from a wound he had sustained at the beginning of the current Palestinian Intifada. On 2 December 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian when he was attempting, together with other civilians, to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs. On 3 December 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian fisherman in al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They claimed that he did not obey orders to stop while sailing in the sea. On 7 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Rafah. In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian died from a wound he had sustained in Jenin at the beginning of the current Intifada. In addition, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Five of these civilians were wounded in Rafah when IOF extra-judicially executed one Palestinian. IOF also launched a series of aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Incursions: IOF conducted 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. IOF used trained dogs to search houses.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big jail. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 4 hours a day only. In the meantime, IOF have closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and on fishing in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have declared the West Bank a closed military zone following the bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya. They have erected more checkpoints and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, and the villages of Prophet Samuel and al-Jeeb and Dahiat al-Barid area near Jerusalem, to construct new sections of the Wall. IOF decided to change the route of the Wall to the north of Jerusalem, but these changes will not reverse the fact that the Wall is being constructed inside the West Bank territory, in violation of international law and the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004. During the reported period, IOF issued a military order confiscating at least 610 donums of Palestinian land in Yatta village, south of Hebron, to construct a new section of the Wall. This section will isolate at least 14200 donums of Palestinian land. In the meantime, the Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni stated that "the Israeli High Court issue judicial rulings to decide the borders of Israel through the Wall." During the reported period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. At least 20 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 5 others, including a journalist, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. IOF also beat and arrested two Israeli solidarity activists. Also during the reported period, IOF arrested two Palestinian children who were walking near the Wall.
Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, IOF handed home demolition notices to 12 civilians in Qaryout village, south of Nablus. IOF claimed that these houses were built without obtaining necessary licenses in Area C, which is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. In addition, IOF also confiscated 5 donums of land in Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus, to establish a military post. IOF also issued a military order confiscating 85 dunums of land in the villages of al-Khader and Battir, and Beit Jala town, to establish a crossing point to separate the western rural areas of Bethlehem from the rest of the governorate. On Monday, 5 December 2005, IOF razed 5 donums of land owned by Palestinian civilians in Silwan neighborhood to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a car parking lot for the vehicles of extremist settlers living in the area.


Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (1 – 7 December 2005)

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

Thursday, 1 December 2005

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Odai 'Abbas Qaraqe', 14;
2. Hamza Jamal Radi, 19;
3. Mustafa 'Awad Abu 'Aaker, 19; and
4. Mohammed Fathi Radi, 18.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They ordered through megaphones male Palestinians over 16 in the old town to get out of their houses holding their identity cards. IOF checked these Palestinians and arrested 4 of them:

1. Mo'yad al-Aghbar, 23;
2. Maher Haddada, 22;
3. Ayman al-Dawaya, 24; and
4. Eihab al-Ramahi, 17.

A few hours later, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired at the children. Seven Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded:

1. Eyad 'Abdul Nasser Shabaru, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the neck;
2. Sabreen Nasser 'Eiran, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the left leg;
3. Mahmoud Hussein Salem, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg;
4. Mohammed 'Atiya Mansour, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right knee;
5. Qassem Mohammed Kalbouna, 28, wounded by a live bullet to the ear;
6. Saleem Ghassan Abu al-So'ud, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head; and
7. Tamer Mohammed 'Olaiwi, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bahaa' Mohammed Marshoud, 17, and arrested him. A number of Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire with IOF. One of the gunmen, 23-yesr-old Hani Hashash, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sha'aba, Namera, Wadi al-Tuffah and Be'r al-Mahjar neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed Faisal Abu Hamdiya, 20;
2. Ahmed Mohammed al-'Owaiwi, 19;
3. Mansour Mohammed al-Fakhouri, 16;
4. Ziad Zuhdi Mahfouz, 17;
5. Radwan Mohammed al-Ja'bari, 24;
6. Fares Khader al-Natsha, 29;
7. Lutfi Isma'il al-Ja'bari, 28;
8. Jihad Ibrahim al-Ja'bari, 16; and
9. Adham Ibrahim al-Mutawar, 21.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nidal Thalji, 18, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the village. They withdrew at approximately 04:30 and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the village and opened fire sporadically. Dozens of shops were hit by live bullets. No arrests or casualties were reported.

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They took position in the center of the town. They opened fire at houses and shops. Then, IOF moved towards Tulkarm refugee camp, east of the town. They took position at Hannoun crossroads until 05:00, during which time they opened fire into the air to terrify Palestinian civilians. No casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They surrounded Zeita Secondary School for Girls, where primary elections of Fatah movement were taking place. They broke into the school and ordered the voters not to leave it. IOF checked the voters and beat some of them. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 2 December 2005

· At approximately 21:00, an IOF gunboat opened fire a Palestinian fishing boat opposite to Rafah. The boat and its motor were damaged. According to eyewitnesses, IOF forced one of the fishermen on the boat, Shihda Ibrahim Zo'rob, to take off his clothes and jump into the sea. They forced him to remain in the water for one hour. Then, they forced him to lie on the board of the gunboat for 4 hours under very clod weather. Palestinian boats transported Z'orob to the shore later.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired live bullets and a number of artillery shells at agricultural areas near the border. Later, IOF informed the Palestinian liaison that they fired at a number of persons who were attempting to cross the border. Palestinian security forces and ambulances moved towards the area and searched it. They found two wounded Palestinians:

1. Anwar 'Ata Abu Lebda, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the right knee; and
2. Zuhdi Nafez Shaheen, 19, wounded by two live bullets to the chest and the left leg.

Two hours later, the medical crews found the body of Sayed 'Abdul Hadi Abu Lebda, 15. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by several live bullets to the chest. He bled to death.

Saturday, 3 December 2005
· In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian fisherman from Rafah. They claimed that he did not obey order to stop down the sea and that he was sailing in a restricted area.

At approximately 04:30, an IOF gunboat noticed a Palestinian fishing boat coming from Egypt towards the Gaza Strip opposite to Rafah seashore. Israeli marine troops opened fire into the air and ordered the boat through megaphones to stop near the fishing harbor, but the boat did not stop. Immediately, Israeli marine troop opened fire at the boat. The boat was destroyed. Then, they opened fire at the fishermen who attempted to flee. One of the fishermen, 22-year-old Ziad Isma'il al-Bardawil, was killed by a live bullet to the back.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun, fired at least 30 artillery shells at agricultural areas in the town. They shells hit uninhabited area. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

Sunday, 4 December 2005

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli F-16 fighter jets launched 3 missiles at Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. The missile hit uninhabited areas. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mousa al-'Atiyat, 40. They forced residents of the house out and searched it. Then, they arrested the owner as a hostage until his brother, 37-year-old 'Adnan, surrender to them.

· At approximately 03:00, an Israeli military aircraft launched at least one missile at the office of al-Ihsan Charitable Society in Jaffa Street in the northeast of Gaza City. The office, which is located on the first floor of a two-storey building, was damaged. IOF claimed that this attack was launched in the context of "the use of all possible means to respond to launching rockets at Israel."

· In the morning, IOF established an observation tower at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis. The tower was established on a hill and was surrounded by cement blocks and sand barriers. It is located a few hundreds of meters to the south of an already existed Israeli military post. The establishment of the tower aims at further reinforcing the Israeli military control over the border. Palestinian civilians are worried that this new tower may be used to fire at Palestinian civilian area. It is worth noting that this new tower has been the fourth to be established by IOF along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel since the implementation of the Disengagement Plan 3 months ago.

Monday, 5 December 2005
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Rami Mohammed 'Awad, 30, a candidate for the election of the local council;
2. Isma'il Raja Abu Tame', 48, a candidate for the Palestinian legislative elections; and
3. Mohammed Ahmed Souqiya, 28.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed 'Eissa 'Awad, 25;
2. Isma'il Mohammed 'Awad, 19;
3. Mohammed Bassam al-Za'aqeeq, 19; and
4. Mohammed 'Emad 'Awad, 15.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Ahmed Khalil Salah, 18;
2. Mohammed 'Eid Abu Ghalyoun, 18; and
3. Rezeq Shehada Salah, 30.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They opened fire indiscriminately. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF opened fire wounding two civilians:

1. Munjed Hussein Salama, 20, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
2. Murad Mohammed Abu 'Aker, 19, wounded by a live bullet to the foot.

Tuesday, 6 December 2005
· In the early morning, medical sources at Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin declared that Amjad Maher 'Abdul Latif al-Sa'di, 22, died from a wound he had sustained in the first month of the current Palestinian Intifada. Al-Sa'di was wounded by a live bullet to the head during clashes between Palestinian civilians and IOF near al-Jalama checkpoint, north of Jenin, in October 2000. He suffered from paralysis. On 25 November 2005, he was brought toe the hospital as his health condition deteriorated. He was moved into the intensive care unit until his death.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family o Lutfi Ameen Abu Sa'da, who carried out a bombing in the Israeli town of Netanya. They arrested his father, Ameen Abu Sa'da, and his three brothers: Mohammed, 24; Tamer, 19; and Samer, 15. IOF also raided and searched a number of other houses in the village and attested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Bilal Jameel Jeebat, 18; and
2. Rami al-Kharouf, 22.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qeffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashraf Waleed Sabbah, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They opened fire and raided and searched a number of houses. No casualties or arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashraf 'Abdul Hamid Farroukh, 29, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Anwar Kamel Weraidat, 33, and arrested him.

Wednesday, 7 December 2005
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jasser Khalil al-'Aassi, 45, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They opened fire indiscriminately. They broke into the Awqaf building. They raided offices of the Islamic Club and al-Ihsan Society. They confiscated computer sets and some files and ordered the closure of the society for one year.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Haras area in Hebron. They raided a pharmacy and arrested the pharmacist, Maher 'Abdullah Abu Sunaina, 36.

Extra-Judicial Execution
On Wednesday, 7 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially killed a field leader of Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, in Rafah. Four civilian bystanders, including 3 children, were also wounded. This attack came in the context of the implementation of a series of measures adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments against Palestinians in the OPT.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:30 on Wednesday, 7 December 2005, an Israeli military aircraft launched a missile at a civilian car that was traveling in Kherbat al-'Adas neighborhood in the northeast of Rafah. The missile hit and destroyed the car. The driver was instantly killed. He was identified as Mahmoud Suleiman al-'Arqan, 28. In addition, 5 civilian bystanders (a man and his son, and 3 children) were wounded:
1. Hamada Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal, 14, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
2. Saleh Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal, 13, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
3. Mohammed Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aal, wounded by shrapnel to the head and the neck;
4. Yousef Mohammed al-Sheikh 'Eid, 55, wounded by shrapnel to the head; and
5. Mahmoud Yousef al-Shiekh 'Eid, 11, wounded by shrapnel to the head and the limbs.

2. Continued Siege on the OPT
IOF have continued to impose tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip
Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling or outlets and crossings.
· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, had remained closed for nearly two months. During the reported period, the crossing point was reopened in accordance with an agreement that was concluded regarding the operation of the crossing point. According to the agreement, the crossing point would be operated on 25 November 2005 by the Egyptians and Palestinians with the presence of a European force as a third party, whose responsibilities have not been determined. Goods and foreigners will not be able to travel through the crossing point, rather they will travel through Kerem Shalom crossing point to the southeast of Rafah. Israel insists to have some authorities at Rafah International Crossing Points, including fixing cameras to monitor the movement at the crossing point and handing lists of those who are banned from travelling for security claims to the Europeans to ensure their ban. The crossing point was supposed to be operated for 12 hours a day and then for 24 hours, but it has been so far operated for 4-5 hours a day.

The agreement allows IOF to monitor the border crossings, which are the main artery to the economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian civilian population. The absence of actual Israeli military presence inside the Gaza Strip does not mean that the Israeli military occupation has come to an end. The field conditions in the Gaza Strip prove that IOF have continued to control movement to and from the Gaza Strip. This agreement reinforces the IOF control over, and occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has not come to an end with the implementation of the "Disengagement Plan." PCHR is concerned that IOF may continue to perpetrate violations of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Even though IOF declared that they would ease the restrictions imposed on the movement of Palestinian civilians through the crossing, they have allowed only hundreds out of several thousands to travel to their work places inside Israel. These workers are over 35; married, have children; and have valid magnetic cards. These workers are subject to prolonged checking and humiliation. During the reported period, IOF allowed a limited number of patients and dozens of traders to travel under strict conditions to Israel. Tuesday, 6 December 2005, IOF closed the crossing in response to a bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. According to field information, 40-50 trucks transport exported goods from the Gaza Strip and 250 trucks transport goods imported from Israel and the West Bank. The capacity of the crossing before the current Intifada was the passage of 800 trucks daily, including 150 ones that transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the Intifada, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing to pressure Palestinian civilians.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. They close the crossing from time to time for no apparent reasons.
The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2500 fishermen, 2500 support staff and their families.
Since the Fishermen have been allowed back into the sea, they have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships, and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.
IOF have continued establish military post and observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to maintain control over the Gaza Strip.

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

· Hebron: On Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (1, 3, 4 December 2005), IOF continued to impose severe restrictions on the Sahla Street and vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. IOF troops continued their abuses against pupils of al-Ibrahimiya Elementary School for Boys and al-Fayhaa' Elementary School for Girls. IOF prevented more than half the pupils from reaching their schools. As a result, teachers and pupils were forced to hold classes near the electronic checkpoint close to the schools.

On Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF arrested 3 brothers from Dura village, south of Hebron. IOF erected a checkpoint on the entrance of Kharsa village to the north of Dura village, and stopped a civilian car. Israeli soldiers arrested the three brothers: D'iaa' Ahmad Khalil al-'Awawda, 21; Shams al-'Awawda, 19; and Asad al-Deen al-'Awawda, 16.

At approximately 6:30 on Monday, 5 December 2005, IOF chased a number of Palestinian workers who work in the Abu Ghneim settlement. They detained a number of workers and severely beat two: Ahmad Hussein Ghuneimat, 27; and Salam Hassan al-Zeer, 32, both from the Sourif village, north of Hebron. Both sustained bruises and cuts throughout the body, and were transported to Beit Jala Hospital for treatment. Their injuries were described as moderate.

On Wednesday morning, 7 December 2005, IOF positioned at the entrance of "Ramat Yishai" settlement in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron arrested 'Aakef 'Abdul Majid Abu Sunaina, 32, when he was farming a tract of agricultural land belonging to the Abu Haikal family near the aforementioned settlement.

· Nablus: At approximately 8:00 on Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF set up 3 checkpoints on the Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, and closed the road completely. They prevented Palestinian civilians from leaving or entering Nablus for a few hours. It is noted that the Bathan road is the only entry and exit point to and from the city that does not have permanent checkpoints. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Hawara village, south of Nablus. Israeli soldiers stopped traffic on the two directions and searched commuters.

On Saturday morning, 3 December 2005, IOF imposed more restrictions at the checkpoints around Nablus. Hundreds of civilians were held at the checkpoints. IOF also erected a checkpoint to the west of Deir Sharaf village and hindered civilian movement. As a result, students and employees from the village were not able reach their destinations in the city. In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers positioned at Beir Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Dozens of young men were detained and vehicles were prevented from crossing the checkpoint. Trained police dogs were used to search commuters. In addition, IOF imposed more restrictions at the Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints, south of Nablus. Israeli soldiers searched commuters and their belongings in addition to checking the identity cards of civilians who under the age of 30. Dozens of civilians were detained for hours under the pretext of ID verification.

On Monday afternoon, 5 December 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances to the villages of Hares, Kuful Hares, Marda, Eskaka, Yasouf, and al-Zawia, south and southwest of Nablus. IOF positioned at these checkpoints conducted searches and checked the ID’s of commuters, who were detained for long periods of time as a result.

Also on Monday, IOF closed the Bathan road section to the east of Nablus and prevented Palestinian vehicles from passing until 18:00. Thousands of students and employees were not able to return homes on time. Another checkpoint was erected 2 kilometers to the north of this one. Civilians who passed through the first checkpoint were detained at the second one. Moreover, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Surra village crossroads, southwest of Nablus. Israeli soldiers subjected Palestinian civilians and their vehicles to slow search procedures.

On Tuesday morning, 6 December 2005, IOF closed the Bathan road and prevented Palestinian civilians from moving on the road. IOF erected 3 checkpoints on the road and prevented Palestinians from entering or leaving Nablus, even on foot. This was done simultaneous to implementing more stringent procedures at permanent checkpoints around Nablus. In addition, IOF positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, prevented Palestinian civilians from Jenin and Tulkarm from passing through the checkpoint. Further, they implemented very slow search procedures that resulted in long queues of cars waiting for permission to pass through.

· Jenin: On Thursday evening, 1 December 2005, IOF erected 3 checkpoints at the entrances of Tubas village, southeast of Jenin, and closed the entrance of Tammoun village. The checkpoints were erected at the northern, southern, and eastern entrances of Toubas. Soldiers detained scores of vehicles and searched passengers.

On Tuesday morning, 6 December 2005, IOF erected 3 checkpoints to the southeast of Jenin. The checkpoints were set up at the entrance of Tammoun village; the southern entrance of Tubas village; and the northern outskirts of Tubas village. Dozens of civilians were detained for hours at these checkpoints.

At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint in al-Hamra area, east of Toubas, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians and took them to an undisclosed location. Prior to the arrest, the troops stopped their vehicle as they attempted to pass through the checkpoint. These civilians have not been identified.

· Tulkarm: At approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF closed the agricultural road linking Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm, with neighboring villages. An IOF bulldozer closed the road with sand barriers. As a result, dozens of civilians, especially farmers working on their fields in the Eastern Plain area, were not able to travel back homes on their tractors.

At approximately 5:00 on Friday, 2 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint between the villages of Jebara and al-Ras, south of Tulkarm. They detained dozens of civilians for several hours after checking their ID’s. Dozens of civilians were not able to participate in the Fatah movement primary elections, as Fatah members in Kherbet Jebara went to Kufr Sour to vote. At approximately 6:00, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Far’oun village crossroads, south of Tulkarm. Dozens of civilian vehicles were detained, and drivers were prevented from passing through or going back for 2 hours.

At approximately 5:00 on Saturday, 3 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the unpaved road linking Tulkarm with Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers detained vehicles and civilians for hours. Furthermore, they confiscated the ID’s of young men and forced them to sit on the ground. The detained young men were called one by one and were subjected to field interrogations. Some young men were prevented from passing the checkpoint.

At approximately 7:00 on Sunday, 4 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Bala’a village crossroad on Tulkarm-Nablus road. Traffic was stopped on both directions of the road. In addition, IOF detained dozens of young men and beat some of them who attempted to bypass the checkpoint to reach 'Anabta village. Search operations continued at the checkpoint until 13:00.

On Monday afternoon, 5 December 2005, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of civilians in Tulkarm, isolating it from the outside world. IOF completely closed the Tulkarm-Qalqilya road and prevented civilians from entering or leaving Tulkarm. IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Ras village crossroads on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road and detained vehicles. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both directions of the road. Furthermore, IOF prevented civilians from crossing the checkpoint on foot and forced them to return to their vehicles.

On Monday evening, 5 December 2005, IOF positioned at al-Taybeh checkpoint, west of Tulkarm, arrested Yousef Mohammed Hamed Shuraim, 35, from Qalqilya, when he was traveling back home from his work inside Israel.

On Tuesday morning, 6 December 2005, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of civilians in Tulkarm governorate, erecting a number of checkpoints in the process. IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, and stopped vehicles. They prevented vehicles from passing through and forced commuters to return to where they came from on foot. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint on al-Jarousha road, north of Tulkarm, and another one on Bala’a crossroad, east of the town. IOF positioned at these checkpoints stopped vehicles and checked the ID’s of passengers.

· Qalqilya: On Monday morning, 5 December 2005, IOF closed the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. IOF erected a checkpoint in the vicinity of the Israeli Military Liaison Office, and another one at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of the town. Commuters leaving and entering the town were subjected to search at both checkpoints.

On Tuesday morning, 6 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers stopped and searched vehicle and verified the ID’s of passengers. Furthermore, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance to the city, on the road that links the town with Habla village and nearby villages. IOF also erected a number of checkpoints onthe roads that link Qalqilya with Tulkarm and Nablus.

· Bethlehem: On Thursday morning, 1 December 2005, IOF arrested Mustafa Hassan 'Asakra, 20, from al-'Asakra village, east of Bethlehem. IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of al-'Asakra village and searched vehicles. They detained a taxi for more than an hour before arresting 'Asakra and taking him to an unknown destination.

On Monday morning, 5 December 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint on the Wadi al-Nar road, east of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammad Ibrahim al-Dara’awi, 21, a member of the Palestinian National Security force, from al-Shawawra village east of Bethlehem, when he was on his way to work.

3. Construction of the Annexation Wall
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory.
· On Thursday, 1 December 2005, the Israeli daily Ha'aretz quoted the Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni as stating that "the Israeli High Court issue judicial rulings to decide the borders of Israel through the Wall." According to newspaper, this statement contradicts the Israeli attorney general's office, which has repeatedly claimed that the Wall is being constructed for security purposes rather than political ones and that it is a temporary means to protect security. The newspaper also referred toe Livni's statement a few days earlier that the construction of the Wall stemmed from a security need and would affect the future borders.

· On Thursday morning, 1 December 2005, IOF bulldozers started to raze large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the west of al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, near bypass road (60), to construct a section of the Wall. According to local sources, hundreds of donums of agricultural land would be razed.

· At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF that were patrolling near the Wall arrested two Palestinian children from 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, when they were walking near the Wall:

1. 'Aadel Abu Sorour, 17; and
2. Salah Mohammed Darwish, 14.

· At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 2 December 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Ten demonstrators suffered from tear inhalation. In addition, 4 demonstrators were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets:

1. Nazmi 'Eissa Yassin, 42, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
2. Sameer Suleiman Barnat, 30, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;
3. Adeeb Abu Rahma, 34, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen; and
4. Rezeq 'Eissa Barnat, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand.

· Also at approximately 12:30 on Friday, 2 December 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in 'Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Jamal al-'Aarouri, 40, a photographer of the daily local al-Ayyam, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand. At least 10 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also beat and arrested two Israeli solidarity activists.

· On Sunday morning, 3 December 2005, IOF started to raze large areas of Palestinian land in the villages of Prophet Samuel and al-Jeeb, northwest of occupied Jerusalem, to construct a new section of the Wall. According to eyewitnesses, IOF razed areas of Palestinian land near bypass road (434) which links between the settlements of "Ramot" and "Givat Ze'ev", northwest of Jerusalem.

· On Monday morning, 5 December 2005, IOF moved into Dahiat al-Barid area, north of occupied Jerusalem. IOF bulldozers started to lay foundations to construct a section of the Wall in the area. According to eyewitnesses, IOF bulldozers demolished the fence of a house belonging to Amjad al-Khales. It is worth noting that IOF completed the construction of most of this section of the Wall, which extends from Qalandya checkpoint in the south to Dahait al-Barid in the north.

· Lawyer Mohammed Dahla, who represent Palestinian civilians living in the villages located to the north of Jerusalem stated that IOF informed him in a detailed response about changes to the routes of the Wall in the area. According to these changes, the route of the Wall to the east of the villages of Beit Hanina and Beer Nabala would be close to Begen road (4). The route of the Wall to the north of the villages of Beer Nabala and al-Judaira would be close to road (45) between Qalandya checkpoint and 'Oufar military post. The route of the Wall to the west of al-Jeeb village would be close to road (436), which links "Givat Ze'ev" settlement with Jerusalem, and would separate between the village and the road. There would be other changes to the routes of the Wall near the villages of Beit Hanina and Beer Nabala.

· In the same context, IOF decided to establish several roads to link villages located to the north of Jerusalem, with villages located to the northwest of the city. According to lawyer Mohammed Dahla, IOF plan to establish a road between the villages of Biddu and al-Jeeb; another one between the villages of Beit Hanina and Beer Nabala; and a third one between the villages of Beer Nabala and Rafat. Dahla stated that IOF would issue military orders in order to expand the road that links Rafat village with Ramallah to construct a wall along road (45) to the south of Qalandya village. IOF also plan to close the road that links Beer Nabala village with al-Ram village and Jerusalem. IOF have submitted a request to the Israeli High Court to get permission to establish an iron fence starting from Ramot checkpoint and goes along the road leading to "Givat Ze'ev" settlement isolating Prophet Samuel village and other nearby villages. The fence will also surround the settlements of "Mahneh Giv'on" and "Alfeh Menahem." IOF will also establish an iron fence between Beit Hanina Bridge and Jerusalem.

· During the reported period, IOF issued a military order confiscating at least 610 donums of Palestinian land in Khebat Munaizel area in the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, to construct a new section of the Wall, which will extend from Kherbat Munaizel area to Taweel al-Sheikh area. It will isolate at least 14200 donums of Palestinian land.

· Deputy IOF Chief of Staff Brigadier General Moshe Kaplinsky said at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on Wednesday, 7 December 2005, that "to date, only 35% of the West Bank separation fence has been constructed." Kaplinksy added that some 275 kilometers of a planned 759 kilometers have been completed. He said that only 11 of the planned 39 passages in the fence have been completed. Netzach Mashiah, director of the "separation fence" project in the Israeli Defense Ministry, predicted that construction of the fence from Tirat Zvi in the north to Ein Gedi in the south would be completed by the end of 2006. H e said that by the end of March, 425 kilometers of the fence would be complete. The southern section of the fence, near Hebron, is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2006.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:
· On Thursday, 1 December 2005, IOF handed home demolition notices to 12 civilians in Qaryout village, south of Nablus. IOF claimed that these houses were built without obtaining necessary licenses in Area C, which is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. According to the local council of the village, these houses have been occupied by their inhabitants for more than 5 years. A total of 100 people live in them. The houses in question belong to: Khair Mohammad Ahmad Meqbel; Ahmed Mohammed Ahmad Meqbel; Wa’el Mohammed Ahmed Meqbel; 'Abdul Majid Mousa Mahmoud 'Eissa; Shawqi Tariq Ahmed 'Odeh; Taha 'Abdul Majid Hamdan Mo’ammar, Shehada Ahmed Shehada Meqbel, Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah Hamdan 'Aazem; Mahmoud Mousa Mahmoud Mousa; 'Abdul Fattah Hamdan 'Abdul Haq 'Aazem, Ma’moun 'Abdul Fattah Hamdan 'Aazem; and Wadee' Mohammed Hassan Mousa. It is noted that the Israeli settlements of "Shilo" and "Elli" are built on parts of the land of the village.

· On Friday, 2 December 2005, IOF delivered a military order to the local council of Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus. The order confiscates a large area of land between al-Jubeil and al-Mureigba areas near the Wadi Naser triangle along the road of "Allon" settlement. IOF plan to establish a military post on the land. According to the local council, the order was signed by the infrastructure officer in the IOF Civil Administration. The area of the confiscated land is 5 dunums belonging to Yousef Saleh; Jamal Mustafa; and Turky al-Farah.

· In the early morning hours of Monday, 5 December 2005, IOF armored vehicles and bulldozers started to raze areas of land owned by Palestinian civilians in Silwan neighborhood to the south of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a car parking lot for the vehicles of extremist settlers living in the area. The area of targeted land is 5 dunums belonging to the al-'Abbasi family.

· On Tuesday, 6 December 2005, IOF issued a new military order confiscating 85 dunums of land in the villages of al-Khader and Battir, and Beit Jala town. The order, numbered (5-210-t) was issued by the IOF commander in the West Bank, Ya’ir Naveh Alof. It confiscates the land in area 2 in al-Batma area and al-Deir plain in Battir village; area 12 in Khirbet Abu Harth in Al-Khader village; and area 2 in Khalit al-Shouk and area 13 in al-Hummar area in Beit Jala. The aim of confiscating the land is to establish a crossing point to separate the western rural areas of Bethlehem from the rest of the governorate.


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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of 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. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but compounding the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
9. 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.
10. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.
12. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

NOTE 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.