Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03 - 09 February 2011)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continued Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of targets in the Gaza Strip.
- A medicine warehouse of the Palestinian Ministry of Health was heavily damaged.
- 11 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were lightly injured.
· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.
- 4 Palestinian workers, including a child, were wounded.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- A Palestinian civilian was wounded.
- IOF arrested 4 human rights defenders.
· IOF conducted 46 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 27 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children.
- IOF harassed a Palestinian family in al-Khader village near Betlehem.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (03 – 09 February 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Additionally, 11 Palestinian civilians were lightly injured by glass fragments or shocked when Israeli warplanes bombarded a civilian facility in Gaza City.
During the reporting period, 4 Palestinian workers, including a child, were wounded when Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials.
On 09 February 2011, Israeli warplanes bombarded the building of a plastics company in Gaza City, destroying it. A warehouse of medicines of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, a school and a furniture store located near the building were also damaged. Additionally, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were lightly injured by glass fragments or shocked. Israeli warplanes also bombarded a training site of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in Khan Yunis. Two members of the site sustained bruises when they attempted to flee.
In the West Bank, on 09 February 2011, a Palestinian child was wounded when IOF moved into 'Ourif village, south of Nablus, took position in front of its secondary school and fired at a number of children who threw stones at them.
During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, who is the photographer of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, was wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested 4 human rights defenders.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 46 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 27 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children.
IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided a two-storey house belonging to the family of Jameel Salem Balboul, 68, an extended family comprised of 5 small families. They harassed members of the family, especially a 7-year-old child, who was evacuated to the hospital. He is now facing difficulties in speaking. When IOF left the house, the family found the they Israeli soldiers extensively damaged the house. Israeli soldiers further arrested two of the owner's sons. The family discovered also that Israeli soldiers had stolen two kilograms of gold and US$ 29,000.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
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 closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from 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 access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
West Bank
IOF have 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.
· IOF 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 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
. 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 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 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 the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 February 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 03 February 2011
· At approximately 22:30 on Wednesday, 03 February 2011, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided a two-storey house belonging to the family of Jameel Salem Balboul, 68, an extended family comprised of 5 small families. Israeli soldiers broke the door of the first floor. They broke into the house pointing their guns into the faces of its residents, claiming that they were searching for a 12-year-old child who threw stones at their vehicles. They searched the house and damaged some of its furniture. An Israeli officer entered the room of the owner's son, Saher. He moved towards Saher's son, who was sleeping. He pulled the child from his leg off the bed and pushed him onto the ground. Residents of the house screamed because of the scene. The child fainted as he was extremely terrified. The officer did not allow members of the family to offer the child first medical aid for 10 minutes. A debate erupted between the officer and two of the child's uncles. Members of the family were eventually able to offer the child first medical aid and to awake him. He was not able to speak and suffered from pains in the head, the abdomen, the back and the left hand. Israeli soldiers did not allow members of the family to evacuate him to hospital. So, they called Palestine Red Crescent Society, which sent an ambulance that transported him to Beit Jala Hospital, where he was placed under medical observation. The child is still receiving medical treatment at the hospital, and he is facing difficulties in speaking. According to Saher Balboul, Israeli soldiers gathered the 16 residents of the first floor in the owner's room. They then resumed searching the house, damaging some of its furniture. About half an hour later, they left the house. The family found the they Israeli soldiers extensively damaged the house. Israeli soldiers further arrested two of the owner's sons: Salem, 37; and Samer, 35. The family discovered also that Israeli soldiers had stolen two kilograms of gold and US$ 29,000. At noon, members of the family went to an Israeli police station in "Kfar Tezion" settlement to submit a complaint, but the officer of the station refused to receive their complaint. So, they went to an Israeli police station near "Kiryat Arba" settlement.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Azzam Lutfi Hamed, 22; and
2. Sa'id 'Omar Kharraz, 19.
· At approximately 10:40, IOF moved into Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:45, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and arrested Ma'awia 'Abdul Latif Radwan, 13.
· At approximately 15:15, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a tractor maintenance workshop. They withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:20, IOF moved into Ras 'Atiya village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Kufor Malek village, east of Qalqilya, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
Friday, 04 February 2011
· At approximately 15:15, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They arrested two Palestinian farmers while they working on their lands:
1. Mohammed Mahmoud Sultan, 42; and
2. Mahmoud Mohammed Sultan, 18.
· At approximately 22:40, IOF moved into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
Saturday, 05 February 2011
· In the morning, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of constructions materials in the east of al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 500 meters away from the border. Two workers were wounded:
1. Bilal 'Abdullah al-Da'our, 19, wounded by two bullets to the right hand and foot; and
2. Ibrahim al-Nabahin, 22, wounded by two bullets to the right side and foot.
· At approximately 10:40, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beir Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" used to stand. As a result, 'Abdullah Rabee' 'Olwan, 46, from Jabalya town, was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when he was nearly 150 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 12:00, an Israeli infantry unit moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to 'Adnan As'ad Jaradat. They forced the owner's son to stand with his hands up and photographed him. They withdrew from the village later, and no arrests were reported.
Sunday, 06 February 2011
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Tabaqa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ra'ed Badawi Abu Za'nouna, 29, and arrested him.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled I the streets flyers warning villagers of throwing stones at them or attacking the annexation wall. They withdrew from the village later and no house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Ouja village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sharaf Fadel Tamimi, 19.
· At approximately 09:45, IOF moved into Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:40, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They took position in front of the campus of Palestinian Technical College. A number of Israeli soldiers stepped down and deployed near the gate of the campus. They stopped, checked and interrogated a number of students. Later, IOF moved towards al-'Alimi area and established a checkpoint. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.. They withdrew from the town later, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Heborn. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:
1. Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Maria, 17;
2. Mohammed Jameel Abu Maria, 16; and
3. Khaled Ibrahim Sabarna, 14.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
Monday, 07 February 2011
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:
1. Rasheed Mohammed 'Awadh, 16;
2. 'Aayesh Khaled 'Awadh, 16; and
3. Qassam Ahmed Abu Maria, 16.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a two-storey house belonging to the 'Omar family, and arrested Ibrahim Khalil 'Omar, 21.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Burham village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saleh Sa'id Saleem, 23, and arrested him.
· At approximately 07:55, Israeli soldiers positioned the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their lands in the area. The farmers were forced to flee, and no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into 'Attil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Zibda village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials in the east of al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, Nash'at Sa'id Hous, 17, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg, when he was nearly 500 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 17:50, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:50, IOF moved into Kufor Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 08 February 2011
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a house and arrested Muntasser Qassim Mansour, 20.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ayman Mohammed Hannoun, 18;
2. Mohammed Ibrahim Bani Ghurra, 20; and
3. Ahmed Khaled Abu Khalifa, 20.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef Mousa Tahaina, 30, and arrested him.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into al-Shouka village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. They opened fire and leveled areas of Palestinian land. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Ahmed Isma'il al-Khatib, 15;
2. Murad 'Abdul Qader Ekhlil, 22; and
3. Ibrahim Isma'il al-Za'aqiq, 18.
Wednesday, 09 February 2011
· At approximately 00:05, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the 1,200-square-meter building of Hashem al-Hatu's Sons Company for Plastics, which belonging to Mohammed Hashem al-Hatu, 23, in the east of al-Taffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The building, a car and a lever were destroyed. A nearby medicine warehouse of the Ministry of Health was also damaged, which caused further shortages in some medicines in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, a factory of textiles belonging to Jawad Mohammed 'Ouda, 4 stores of wood belonging to Mujahed Mahmoud al-Sousi and a private school sustained partial damages. Eleven residents of the area, including 4 children, were lightly injured.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Adam 'Abdul 'Aziz Bani Matar, 30.
· At approximately 01:15, Israeli warplanes bombarded a training site of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the west of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Five minutes later, they bombarded the site again. Two members of the al-Quds Brigades sustained bruises while they were attempting to flee. It is worth noting that the site was also bombarded on 12 January 2011.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No house raids or arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 07:30, IOF moved nearly 250 meters into Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. They moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel two hours later.
· Also at approximately 07:30, IOF moved into 'Ourif village, south of Nablus. They stopped in front of 'Ourif Secondary School in the east of the village. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the children. As a result, Ahmed Mohammed Shihada, 17, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg.
· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Ali Mohammed al-Zubaidat, 44, and arrested him.
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 Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested 4 human rights defenders.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 04 February 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Haitham Mohammed al-Khatib, 34, a photographer of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, was hit by a tear gas canister to the back, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 January 2011, 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 Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, who has not been identified, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 February 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Reema 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. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 4 human rights defenders, who have not been identified.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of 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 closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from 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 access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities decided to open Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border in both directions without specifying a date for its closure. The Egyptian decisions came following the Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the crossing point was effectively opened and restricted categories of Palestinian civilians were allowed to travel through it.
Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border has been closed since 29 January 2011 due to the ongoing political crisis in Egypt. Palestinian sources in the crossing point stated that 56 Palestinians have been stuck in Cairo International Airport since the beginning of the crisis, as the crossing point has been closed.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
26 January – 08 February 2011
Date
Import
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
25 January 2011
Foodstuffs
931
Agricultural materials
168
Various goods
1,193
Humanitarian aids
359
Cooking gas
185
26 January 2011
Foodstuffs
701
Agricultural materials
118
Various goods
1,072
Humanitarian aids
447
Cooking gas
160
27 January 2011
Foodstuffs
1,094
Agricultural materials
200
Various goods
1,204
Humanitarian aids
436
Cooking gas
185
Diesel
38,000
Benzene
93,800
30 January 2011
Foodstuffs
818
Agricultural materials
214
Various goods
946
Humanitarian aids
434
Cooking gas
158.390
31 January 2011
Foodstuffs
704
Agricultural materials
129
Various goods
1,110
Humanitarian aids
134
Cooking gas
133
01 February 2011
Foodstuffs
730
Agricultural materials
122
Various goods
1,123
Humanitarian aids
393
Cooking gas
166.090
02 February 2011
Foodstuffs
608
Agricultural materials
89
Various goods
1,162
Humanitarian aids
353
Cooking gas
114.340
03 February 2011
Foodstuffs
805
Agricultural materials
149
Various goods
1,456
Humanitarian aids
522
Cooking gas
70.210
Diesel
45,000
Benzene
35,000
06 February 2011
Foodstuff
798
Agricultural materials
193
Various goods
959
Humanitarian aids
237
07 February 2011
Foodstuffs
666
Agricultural materials
158
Various goods
1,150
Humanitarian aids
440
Cooking gas
24.600
08 February 2011
Foodstuffs
665
Agricultural materials
182
Various goods
1,139
Humanitarian aids
275
Cooking gas
68.390
Note:
On Tuesday, 25 January, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement for UNRWA.
On Wednesday, 26 January, IOF allowed the entry of 12 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
On Tuesday, 01 February, IOF allowed the entry of 105 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
On Thursday, 03 February, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement for UNDP.
Exports:
On Tuesday, 25 January, 270,000 flowers and 5 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Wednesday, 26 January, 4.5 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Thursday, 27 January, 290,000 flowers and 4.4 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Sunday, 30 January, 241,000 flowers and 11.5 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Monday, 31 January, 170 tons of sweet pepper and 4.6 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Tuesday, 01 February, 317,000 flowers and 5.2 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Wednesday, 02 February, 40,000 flowers and 4.2 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Thursday, 03 February, 239,000 flowers and 7.4 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Sunday, 06 February, 311,000 flowers and 9.3 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Monday, 07 February, 60,000 flowers and 2.9 tons of strawberries were exported.
On Tuesday, 08 February, 241,000 flowers and 4.2 tons of strawberries were exported.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially reopened the crossing on Tuesday, 25 January, and allowed 2,691 tons of wheat and 1,911 tons of fodders. They also opened it on Monday, 31 January, and allowed the entry of 2,535 tons of wheat and 2,301 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Tuesday, 01 February, an allowed the entry of 2,301 tons of wheat, and 1,638 tons of fodders. They further opened its on Wednesday, 02 February, and allowed the entry of 9,660 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They opened it again on Monday, 07 February, and allowed the entry of 6,020 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP.
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 diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
02 – 08 February 2011
Date
02 February
03 February
04 February
05 February
06 February
07 February
08 February
Patients
13
25
1
Nil
44
36
37
Companions
14
26
1
Nil
40
31
34
Arabs from Israel
7
10
Nil
Nil
16
Nil
9
Diplomats
Nil
8
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
International Journalists
Nil
1
3
Nil
2
3
7
International Workers
26
69
13
Nil
10
34
24
Travelers abroad
1
7
Nil
Nil
Nil
5
Nil
Business People
63
49
59
Nil
54
61
55
Economic Meetings
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
6
Nil
4
Security Interviews
1
2
Nil
Nil
3
5
6
VIP's
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
Nil
5
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
1
Ambulances from Israel
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
2
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure 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 the city. 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 checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF established a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 03 February 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:50, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 04 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Kufor Malek-Khirbat Abu Falah road, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 05 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 12:15 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Nabi Saleh-Kufor 'Ein road, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 06 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mazra'a-Silwad road, east of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:50, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 07 February 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 23:00 on the same day, IOF heckpoint at Silwad intersection, east of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 09 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 03 February 2011, IOF established 8 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Friday, 04 February 2011, IOF established 3 checkpoint around the town. On Sunday, 06 February 2011, IOF established 6 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Monday, 07 February 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers stationed at these checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:20 on Friday, 04 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Jaroushiya intersection, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 05 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 07 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Bethlehm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 09 February 2011, IOF closed 4 entrances of Taqqou' village, south of Bethlehem, with sand barriers.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 03 February 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers positioned at these checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 07:55 on Sunday, 06 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yassouf village, east of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 06 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:50 on Monday, 07 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:45 on Monday, 09 February 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marj Na'ja village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
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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 their 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 that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators 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 demand Israel 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 process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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