Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07-14 July 2010)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
- A Palestinian was killed and three civilians, including two women, were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
- IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
- Four civilians, including a child, were injured West Bank.
- Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation in the West.
- IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian and three human rights defenders.
- IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the Gaza Strip.
- Six Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded.
- IOF conducted twenty-one incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and three limited incursions into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested nine Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
- Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested six Palestinian civilians, including a child.
- Israel has continued to take measures aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem.
- IOF demolished six houses in Jerusalem, rendering fifty-two individuals homeless.
- IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- IOF ordered the demolition of a number of houses.
- IOF destroyed an agricultural well in Hebron.
- Israeli settlers attacked an old Palestinian man in Hebron.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (07 – 14 July 2010):
Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian woman and wounded thirteen civilians, including two women and three children, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 13 July 2010, a Palestinian woman was killed and three of her relatives, including two women, were wounded when IOF fired three artillery shells at their home in the Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip.
During the reporting period, six Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials near the border.
In the West Bank, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities. As a result, four civilians, including a child, were injured. IOF also violently beat a number of demonstrators.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least twenty-one military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested nine Palestinian civilians. IOF also arrested a Palestinian civilian and three Israeli human rights defenders during the dispersion of peaceful protests.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted three limited incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they searched these area.
Restrictions on Movement: Israel had 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 occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, Israeli forces decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently and to divert the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, citing security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The principle concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain basic necessities: food, medicine, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip since 10 December 2008, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened on only a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. Israel has prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated as levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
Israel has continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· Israeli forces have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 630 permanent roadblocks, manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 - 80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by Israeli forces every week.
· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to eighteen Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by Israeli forces (47 out of 72 roads).
· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by Israeli forces; these permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· Israeli forces continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by Israeli forces in Jerusalem and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by Israeli forces.
Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem: IOF have continued to take measures at creating a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. During the reporting period, IOF demolished six houses in Jerusalem, claiming that they were built without licenses.
Settlement Activities: Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 11 July 2010, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho, where they distributed notices to three Palestinian civilians ordering demolition of their houses, claiming that they were built without licenses.
On 12 July 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, broke into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and conducted Jewish rituals. They left the village at approximately a few hours later.
On the same day, Jadallah Mahmoud al-Ja'bari, 65, from Hebron, was injured when he was beaten by a number of Israeli settlers. The settlers hit him with stones, and he sustained injuries to the head and bruises to the body. It should be noted that Mr. al-Ja'bari suffers from a physical disability in his left leg when he was wounded by an explosive bullet fired at him by Israeli troops in the old city of Hebron in the early months of most recent Palestinian Intifada.
On 14 July 2010, IOF moved into al-Baq'a area, east of Hebron, near bypass road #60. They destroyed an agricultural well belonging to 'Abdul Hadi Tawfiq Jaber and confiscated irrigation equipment. The aforementioned area is close to the Israeli settlements of "Kiryat Arba" and "Kharsina."
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (07 – 14 July 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 08 July 2010
· At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off the coast of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats. Soon afterwards two gunboats besieged a small fishing boat; on board were 'Ammar As'ad al-Sultan, 17, and Tamer Mohammed Zayed, 27. Israeli troops ordered the two fishermen to sail towards a moorage known as "al-Rafsouda," nearly 1,500 meters to the northwest. When the two fishermen arrived at the moorage, Israeli troops ordered them to tie the boat to it, take their clothes off and jump into the water, which they did. The two fishermen were then taken into custody by the Israeli forces and transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they were detained and interrogated. The two fishermen were released at approximately 17:00 at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
· At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian workers who were collecting construction aggregates from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" once stood. As a result, Nidal Sha'ban al-Hsoumi, 25, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the left foot and shrapnel to the right foot; he was approximately 500 meters away from the border when he was injured.
Friday, 09 July 2010
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-Jarousah village, north of Tulkarm, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 06:30, Israeli troops positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the Erez industrial zone. As a result, 'Arafat 'Abdul Karim Sha'ban, 16, from Jabalya town, was wounded by a bullet to the left ankle.
· Also at approximately 06:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting construction aggregates from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" once stood. As a result, two workers, including a child, were wounded:
1. No'man Hassan al-Sous, 14, from Beit Lahia, wounded by a bullet to the right foot; and
2. Maher Fayez Ghanem, 20, wounded by a bullet to the right thigh.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Awa village, southwest of Hebron where they raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Yasser Masalma, 28.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron where they raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muhannad 'Abdul Hamid al-Froukh, 24, and arrested Mr. al-Froukh.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. There they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had previously been razed. They pulled back towards the border four hours later.
· At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya, where they patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya, where they patrolled the streets and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah, where they patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Monday, 12 July 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, where they raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinian civilians:
1. Fadi Riad Zakarna, 18;
2. Mustafa Ahmed Nazzal, 20; and
3. Mahmoud Khaled Abu Sanjar, 20.
· At approximately 07:50, Mohammed 'Othman al-Kafarna, 23, from Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, was admitted into Kamal 'Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia after he was wounded by a bullet to the left foot. Al-Kafarna was wounded when Israeli troops stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing opened fire at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials in the Erez industrial zone.
·At approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, where they opened fire and leveled areas of land. As a result, 'Ammar 'Abdul Mon'em 'Ammar, 26, was wounded by a bullet to the left foot when he was farming his land nearly 700 meters away from the border.
·At approximately 14:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the Bourat Abu Samara areas in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. There they searched the area and opened fire. In the evening, IOF pulled back towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 14:20, IOF moved into Bidya village, northwest of Salafit, where they patrolled the streets and raided a number of shops. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya, where they raided and photographed a number of deserted houses. They withdrew from the village at approximately 19:00.
· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah, where they patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm, where they patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Soon after, IOF moved into the nearby Bal'a village, where they patrolled the streets for and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit, where they patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah, where they raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal Sameeh Yassin, 19, and arrested Mr. Yassin.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. There they raided a three-storey house belonging to 'Abdul Latif Yousef Jua'idi. IOF blew up the door of the house and the doors of two nearby houses belonging to 'Adnan Mohammed Ju'aidi and Fayez Mohammed Noufal. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:10, Israeli gunboats stationed off the coast of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
· In the evening, IOF killed a Palestinian woman and wounded another three civilians (an elderly man and two women) of the same family, when their house was bombarded by artillery shells.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements given by a member of the victims' family, at approximately 20:45 on Tuesday, 13 July 2010, a number of women from the Abu Sa'id family from Gaza Valley village, in the central Gaza Strip, were sitting near their home, which is approximately 400 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. At this time, Israeli troops stationed at the border fired two artillery shells at the house; the attack was unprovoked and the witness could think of no reason for the attack. As a result, Amira Jaber Abu Sa'id, 30, was wounded by shrapnel to the shoulder and her sister-in-law, Sana'a Ahmed Abu Sa'id, 26, was wounded by shrapnel to the feet. Members of the Abu Sa'id family phoned the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to send ambulances to the area. Ambulances arrived at the area fifteen minutes later, but were not able to reach the targeted house because IOF continued to fire on the area. The ambulances were forced to drive back to Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, Ne'ma Yousef Abu Sa'id, 33, remembered that her three-year-old child was still outside the house. She went to find her child, and IOF fired a third shell at her. She was instantly killed by shrapnel to the head and the abdomen. Her father-in-law, Jaber Abu Sa'id, 65, was also wounded by shrapnel wounds to the right thigh. The family continued to call the PRCS. Approximately one and a half hours later a PRCS ambulance arrived at the scene after coordination with the Israeli authorities through the Palestinian Liaison Office. The ambulance transferred the victims to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al- Balah. Medical sources at the hospital affirmed that Ne'ma Abu Sa'id died of shrapnel wounds from an artillery shell. The wounds of the other persons were described as moderate.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, where they raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinian civilians:
1. Ahmed Nafe' Abu al-Rub, 23;
2. Mohammed Ahmed Kmayel, 27; and
3. Ayman 'Abdul Rahman Abu al-Rub, 22.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Marda village, southeast of Salfit, where they raided and searched a house belonging to Jad 'Abdul Mon'em al-Khuffash and Firas Bassem al-Khuffash and summonsed them for interrogation.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin, where they patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:00, Israeli troops stationed on observation towers at Bei Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the debris of destroyed buildings in Erez industrial zone. As a result, 14-year-old Hmaid Ahmed 'Obaid, from Beit Hanoun, was wounded by a bullet to the left elbow.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child, were injured, and others suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 09 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest against the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. Upon marching towards the annexation wall, Israeli troops stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, two demonstrators were injured:
1. Tha'er Mohammed Bernat, 25, hit by a tear gas canister to the left hand; and
2. Mohammed Zaher, 20, hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg.
Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. IOF also arrested Naji Mohammed al-Tamimi, 51, but released him four hours later. They also arrested two Israeli human rights defenders: Ayal, 22; and Ben, 23.
· On Saturday afternoon, 10 July 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in the center of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They moved towards Zaher al-Brahish area, where IOF plan to confiscate areas of Palestinian land to the north of the Israeli settlement of "Karmi Tsur." Israeli troops attacked the demonstrators and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, two demonstrators were injured:
1. Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Maria, 19, injured by shrapnel to the back; and
2. Mohammed Jawad 'Awadh, 9, injured by shrapnel to the limbs.
Nasser Hussein Shyoukhi, 43, a cameraman of Associated Press, also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3. Continued Siege on the OPT
Israel has 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 occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, Israeli forces decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently and to divert the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, citing security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The principle concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain basic necessities: food, medicine, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip since 10 December 2008, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened on only a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. Israel has prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated as levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
· Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities declared that Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border would be open indefinitely for travelers from both directions. The Egyptian decision came following the Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the Rafah Crossing Point was exceptionally opened and Palestinian civilians were allowed to travel through it.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
30 June – 13 July 2010
Date
Details
30 June 2010
294 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 443 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
01 July 2010
436 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 550 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
02 July 2010
248 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 369 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
03 July 2010
294 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 377 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
04 July 2010
248 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 368 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
05 July 2010
355 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 466 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
06 July 2010
341 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 527 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 July 2010
355 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 593 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
08 July 2010
393 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 600 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
09 July 2010
195 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 454 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
10 July 2010
264 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 474 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
11 July 2010
206 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 463 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 July 2010
382 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 443 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 July 2010
305 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 501 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
According to sources of the Palestinian Crossings and Borders Commission, between 02 and 15 June 2010, 5,910 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 3,536 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip. The number of people who were denied traveling via the crossing during this period was 1,759.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
30 June – 13 July 2010
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
30 June 2010
Foodstuffs
162
Agricultural materials
682
Various goods
906
01 July 2010
Foodstuffs
167
Agricultural materials
133
Industrial fuel
93,979
Diesel for World Bank
84,400
04 July 2010
Foodstuffs
179
Agricultural materials
1,087
Various goods
1,226
05 July 2010
Foodstuffs
150
Agricultural materials
739
Various goods
1,489
Cooking gas
138
Industrial fuel
179,190
Humanitarian aids
499
06 July 2010
Foodstuffs
125
Agricultural materials
697
Various goods
1,446
Cooking gas
174.400
Industrial fuel
138,000
Humanitarian aids
685
07 July 2010
Foodstuffs
178
Agricultural materials
704
Various goods
906
Cooking gas
178.940
Industrial fuel
137,999
Humanitarian aids
599
08 July 2010
Foodstuffs
190
Agricultural materials
882
Various goods
1,309
Cooking gas
202.560
Industrial fuel
138,061
Humanitarian aids
349
11 July 2010
Foodstuffs
272
Agricultural materials
743
Various goods
796
Cooking gas
177.070
Industrial fuel
500,402
Humanitarian aids
66
12 July 2010
Foodstuffs
306
Agricultural materials
1,055
Various goods
990
Cooking gas
196.050
Industrial fuel
498,528
Humanitarian aids
449
13 July 2010
Foodstuffs
221
Agricultural materials
595
Various goods
1,571
Cooking gas
198.720
Industrial fuel
138,070
humanitarian aids
494
Diesel
36,450
Benzene
36,440
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 30 June 2001, and allowed the entry of 1,911 of wheat and 2,613 tons of fodders. IOF also opened the crossing on Tuesday, 6 July 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,950 tons of wheat and 2,652 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Thursday, 08 July 2010, and allowed the entry of 3,180 tons of base course, and on Monday, 12 July 2010, to allow the entry of 1,443 tons of wheat and 2,262 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious medical conditions to pass through the crossing. IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of persons permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged security checks.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
30 June – 13 July 2010
Date
Patients
Companions
Arabs from Israel
Diplomats
International Journalists
International Workers
Travelers abroad
Business-people
30 June 2010
21
22
9
Nil
3
23
Nil
14
01 July 2010
20
19
4
Nil
4
23
Nil
4
02 July 2010
4
2
19
Nil
2
13
Nil
Nil
03 July 2010
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
04 July 2010
39
36
12
Nil
4
12
6
9
05 July 2010
32
40
6
3
2
18
3
12
06 July 2010
48
46
1
12
4
31
4
10
07 July 2010
22
25
3
5
15
25
6
20
08 July 2010
36
33
16
5
4
70
Nil
8
09 July 2010
Nil
Nil
20
Nil
3
10
2
Nil
10 July 2010
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
11 July 2010
44
42
24
3
Nil
20
3
13
12 July 2010
39
35
25
Nil
2
22
3
6
13 July 2010
38
36
2
Nil
7
12
2
15
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged security checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 09 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Attara village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 10 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Luqia village, west of Ramallah, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Nablus. On Sunday and Wednesday, 27 and 30 June 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Tulkarm. On Friday evening, 09 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Kafriyat road, south of Tulkarm, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Qalqilya. On Friday morning, 09 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On the evening of 09 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Qalqilya-Nablus road, near "Qidoumim" settlement, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 10 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection on Qalqilya-Nablus road where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 13:00, IOF removed the checkpoint. At approximately 08:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hijja village, east of Qalqilya, where they stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. The checkpoint was removed four hours later. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint between Nabi Elias and 'Izbat al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:15, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. at approximately 09:00 on Monday, 12 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qaqlilya. They also established a checkpoint on Qalqilya-Nablus road, and another one at Nabli Elias intersection.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jenin. On Thursday at 12:00, 08 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at 'Arraba intersection, southwest of Jenin, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jericho. At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 10 July 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho, where they stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 19:00 on the same day, IOF cut off Jericho from the rest of the West Bank through establishing a number of checkpoints at it entrances.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 10 July 2010, IOF moved into agricultural areas in the southwest of Rafat village, west of Salfit. There they arrested Majd 'Ouda Abu Zraiq, 16, while he was watching over his animals, claiming that he was not in possession of an ID card. They took him to "Ariel" settlement where he was released an hour later.
· At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 11 July 2010, Israeli troops positioned at a checkpoint at the entrance of Hebron arrested Tayseer Hassan Jaber, 47, and his nephew Qutaiba Ibrahim Jaber, 19, both from Jenin refugee camp. According to Fatema 'Abdullah Jaber, the sister-in-law of the former and the mother of the latter, IOF confiscated 5,000 NIS from the two detainees. Tayseer has suffered from a heart clot recently and he lost one of his kidneys during the first Palestinian Intifada when he was hit by a bullet.
4. Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Demographic Majority in Jerusalem
Israel has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem in order to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlighting violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
· At approximately 08:30 IOF and officials of the Israeli Municiplaity of Jerusalem moved into al-'Eissawiya village, northeast of Jerusalem. There they demolished a 40-square-meter house belonging to Khalil 'Abdullah Dari, in which ten individuals used to live. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered the demolition of the house on 28 December 2009, claiming that it was built without a license.
· Also around 8:30 on the same d, IOF demolished a 100-square-meter house belonging to Bassem Mahmoud al-'Eissawi, in which eight individuals used to live, claiming that it was built without a license.
· Soon after 8:30, IOF demolished a 140-square-meter house belonging to Yaqout Mohammed Abu Ermaila, in which eight individuals used to live.
· At approximately 12:00 IOF moved into al-'Aqaba area in Beit Hanina village. There they demolished a house belonging to Dalal Ibrahim al-Rajabi, in which six individuals used to live. None of the family members were at home at the time of the demolition. It is worth noting that IOF had demolished a house belonging to Mr. al-Rajabi in 2008.
· IOF also demolished a 48-square-meter house belonging to Mousa Suleiman Mashahra, in which six individuals used to live, in Jabal al-Mukabber village, southeast of Jerusalem. An Israeli court ordered the demolition of the house on 01 March 2009.
· At approximately 16:00 IOF demolished a 120-square-meter house belonging to 'Aamer Mohammed al-Tawil, in which fourteen individuals once lived. The family had received a demolition order issued by the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem on 18 June 2010.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 11 July 2010, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho. There they handed notices to three Palestinian civilians ordering demolition of their houses, claiming that they were built without licenses. The following are details of these houses:
1. An 80-square-meter house belonging to Ibrahim Salem 'Ebayat, in which six individuals live;
2. A 30-square-meter house belonging to 'Issam Ibrahim 'Ebayat, in which two individuals live; and
3. A house belonging to Mousa Judai' Rashaida currently under construction.
· At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 12 July 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, broke into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and conducted Jewish rituals. They left the village at approximately 04:30.
· At approximately 11:00 also on Monday, Jadallah Mahmoud al-Ja'bari, 65, from Hebron, was injured when he was beaten by a number of Israeli settlers. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Mr. al-Ja'bari, who lives in al-Ras area near the "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, was walking near the Islamic cemetery near his house, when a number of Israeli settlers intercepted him, striking him with stones. He sustained injuries to the head and bruises to the body. It should be noted that Mr. al-Ja'bari suffers from a physical disability in his left leg when he was wounded by an explosive bullet fired at him by Israeli troops in the old city of Hebron in the early months of most recent Palestinian Intifada.
· On Wednesday morning, 14 July 2010, IOF moved into al-Baq'a area, east of Hebron, near bypass road #60. There they destroyed an agricultural well belonging to 'Abdul Hadi Tawfiq Jaber and confiscated irrigation equipment. The aforementioned area is close to the Israeli settlements of "Kiryat Arba" and "Kharsina."
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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 that 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 calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
6. 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.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is—not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
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 the facilitation of 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. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
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.
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Public Document
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