Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (05-11 May 2011)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· An activist of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades died of Wounds that he had sustained earlier in the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian civilians in border areas in the Gaza Strip
-IOF opened fire at a peaceful demonstration in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
· IOF continued to target Palestinian fishermen in Gaza sea.
-IOF fired at Palestinian fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- Three demonstrators, including a child, a woman and an international human rights defender, were wounded in Nabi Saleh and Bil'ein peaceful protests in Ramallah.
- IOF arrested a child in Bil'ein’s weekly protest.
· IOF conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
- IOF arrested 18 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.
- The arrested Palestinians include four leaders of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Jenin.
- IOF destroyed the furniture and the windows in 2 houses in Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
· IOF continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers continued their attacks in the West Bank.
- IOF bulldozed four brick and tin houses and 12 tents in Kherbet Um Nir, south of Hebron.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip and tightened the siege on the West Bank.
- IOF arrested at least 12 Palestinians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF imposed total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (05 – 11 May 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian activist died of wounds that he had sustained earlier. In addition, IOF wounded a Palestinian woman, a child and an international human rights defender in peaceful demonstrations against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall.
Late on Wednesday, 04 May 2011, medical sources at Naser Institute Hospital in Cairo announced the death of Shadi Mahmoud al-Zatma, 29, and activist of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades from Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. Al-Zatma sustained serious wounds when an Israeli drone fired two missiles at him as he was with another two activists of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades. The three activists were near Kamal Odwan Boys' Secondary School Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah. The bombardment which took place at approximately 00:50 on 09 April 2011 resulted in the immediate deaths of the other two activists, while al-Zatma's legs were amputated and he sustained shrapnel wounds throughout the body.
In the West Bank, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian woman, a child and an international human rights defender were wounded. The child was wounded on 06 May 2001 in Bil'ein’s peaceful protest, west of Ramallah, while the woman and the international human rights defender were wounded in Nabi Saleh’s protest, northwest of Ramallah, also on 06 May 2011.
In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank suffered from tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten by IOF. Further, on 07 May 2011, IOF intentioanllyattacked and severely beat activists from the Public Wall Against the Wall and Settlement in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. Some of these activists sustained fractures as a result.
In the Gaza Strip, on 10 and 11 May 2011, IOF gunboats positioning at sea off al-Waha resort, wet of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, intensively fired shells and bullets at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen fled the area in fear of being wounded or arrested. No casualties or damages to fishing boats were reported.
On 10 May 2011, IOF positioning on observation towers near
Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing in the north of Beit Hanountown in the northern Gaza Strip, opened intensive fire at a group of demonstrators and Palestinian and international solidarity activists who were near the landfill in the north of Beit Hanoun Agricultural School of al-Azhar University in Gaza in the north of Beit Hanoun town. This demonstration was organized in protest against the imposition of the buffer zone in Palestinians' lands.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 18 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.
Most prominent arrested persons during this week were:
Sheikh Bassam Ragheb Abdul Rahman al-Saadi, 51, who is one of the most prominent leaders of the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank and he was released from Israeli jails just less than two months ago after spending seven years and a half in jail. He was arrested from his house in Jenin;
Tareq Hussein Awad Qaadan, 40, who is a leader of the Islamic Jihad. He was arrested from his house in Arraba village;
Khaled Mohammed Amin al-Haj, 45, who is Hamas spokesman in Jenin. He was arrested at a checkpoint erected near the entrance of Arraba village, southwest of Jenin; and
Bassam Nabil Said Dyab, 28, a leader of the Islamic Jihad from Kafr Ra'ei village, southwest of Jenin. He was arrested at a checkpoint erected near the crossroads connecting Zeita and Allar villages, north of Tulkarm.
IOF have continued to use checkpoints and border crossings as traps to capture allegedly wanted Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF arrested at least 12 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, at checkpoints and border crossings.
IOF have continued to attempt to crush peaceful protests and to prevent international human rights defenders from participating in peaceful assemblies against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As part of these attempts, IOF arrested a Palestinian child in Bil'ein peaceful protest and drove him to "Ofer" investigation center, southwest of Ramallah.
Also during the reporting period, PCHR fieldworker in Qaqilya documented two incidents in which IOF destroyed the contents of two Palestinian houses in Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. On 05 May 2011, IOF raided the house of Yousef Saqr Ibrahim Salim, 15, in Azzoun village. They destroyed the furniture, beds, home tools, windows and doors. On 07 May 2011, IOF raided the house of Imran Abdullah Hussein, 17. They destroyed the windows and furniture.
Settlement Activities and Attacks by Israeli settlers:
On Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF demolished many Palestinian houses and property in Kherbat Um Nir, east of Yatta in the south of Hebron under the pretext of the lack of licenses from the Israeli occupation authorities. Four brick and tin houses and 12 tents belonging to 8 families composed of 50 members, including a large number of children and women, were destroyed. IOF also uprooted approximately 600 olive seedlings which were cultivated in the proximity of the targeted houses and tents belong to extended families including Issa Hussein Mohammed al-Jbour, Mohammed Rateb Hussein al-Jbour and Fouad Ali al-Nawajaa.
Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of the international humanitarian law have continued to commit systematic crimes against Palestinian civilians and Palestinian property with full protection provided by IOF that ignore conducting investigations into complaints submitted by Palestinian civilians against settlers.
On Tuesday, 10 May 2011, a number of settlers gathered on the road connecting Tulkarm and Nablus near Beit Leed crossroads in Abu Martin area. Eyewitnesses told a PCHR fieldworker that the settlers obstructed the traffic. IOF vehicles deployed in the area to provide protection to the settlers who withdrew later. No further incidents were reported.
Also on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, a group of settlers gathered on the site of the ex-settlement of “Homish” which was established on Palestinians' lands in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus, and Seilet al-Zhaher village, south of Jenin. Eyewitnesses told a PCHR fieldworker that settlers arrived at the site to perform religious rituals under intensive protection provided by IOF who deployed in the area.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and has 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 been steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
It should be noted that the Israeli occupation authorities have worked over the past three years to make Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not appropriate for commercial purposes, as Gaza's major and sole crossing.
In the beginning of 2010, the Israeli occupation authorities closed Nahal Oz crossing which was dedicated for the supplies of fuel and cooking gas to Gaza, and shifted fuel supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing. these authorities totally closed Sofa crossing, southeast of Khan Younis, and shifted humanitarian aid and food items which used to be delivered via Sofa crossing to Karm Abu Salem crossing. Lately, they exceptionally opened Sofa crossing for four consecutive days in the end of March 2011 and on 17 April 2011 to allow the delivery of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
· Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
· IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. Facts on the ground refute IOF's allegation that they daily allow the export of 10 truckloads of agricultural products.
· Recently, IOF allowed the exportation of very limited quantities of Gaza's agricultural products, including flowers and tomatoes, to European markers.
· For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
· For approximately 46 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
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 in the 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, confiscating more 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 permits issued by IOF. Such 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 (05 – 11 May 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 05 May 2011
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Tubas. They provocatively patrolled in the streets and stopped in front of Yaser Restaurent, opposite to Tubas Municipality on the main street. An IOF member called Jamal Addin Fawzi Daraghma, 23, who was near the restaurant and who responded to IOF and walked to them. Five minutes later, IF chained him and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramllah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets and claxoned now and then to bother Palestinians. They raided and searched a house belonging to Najib Ahmed Mafarja, 26. They withdrew at approximately 01:40 and arrested Mafarja and drove him to "Ofer" interrogation center in the west of Ramallah.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched many houses. They arrested 5 Palestinians, including 4 children, and withdrew at approximately 06:00. The arrested Palestinians are:
1. Sinan Ahmed Mujahed Radwan, 15;
2. Lafi Mutasem Mujahed Radwan, 15;
3. Mahmoud Nedal Ibrahim Salim, 15;
4. Yousef Sqer Ibrahim Salim, 15; and
5. Mumen Farouq Abu Haneya, 18.
The father of Yousef Salim, one of the arrested children, told a PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 05 May 2011, the Israeli occupation soldiers raided my house. They entered the garden via the external gate and they then knocked at the internal door. My wife opened the door but they brutally raided the house. All of my family woke up. They then held us in the garden. My children and my grandchildren who are between one and three years old were held with us. The children kept crying out of panic till the morning. When they forced us to stay in the garden, they ordered Yousef to stay alone. We could hear them while destroying the house. I even could see them destroying the doors. I told them 'let me open the doors for you instead of destroying them,' but they refused and just said 'shut up.' As they finished, they came to us and took my son Yousef and said 'we will take him with us'. Then they let us to enter the house. We found that they destroyed all the furniture including beds, closets, tools, windows and doors. It was the second time that they raided my house within one week. They remained in the garden till the morning and withdrew then."
· At approximately 02:15, IOF undercover unit arrived at Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They were using a white Mercedes 412 truck. They stopped the truck near a house belonging to Tareq Hussein Awad Dar Hussein "Qaadan", 40. Fifteen soldiers stepped down from the truck and raided the Dar Hussein's house. They left shortly later with Dar Hussein who was handcuffed and blindfolded. It should be noted that Dar Hussein is a leader of the Islamic Jihad.
· Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Siris village, south of Jenin. They stationed near the entrance of the village and infantry soldiers moved to the center of the village. They surrounded the house of Tareq Nazih Sadeq Faqha, 22. They fired several sound bombs in the vicinity of the house and called the men in the house to get out to the street. They checked the ID cards of these men and arrested Faqha. They withdrew and no further incidents were reported.
· At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Beit Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, West of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Friday, 06 May 2011
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town refugee camp. They drove in the streets. They stationed in al-Zahraa Street near the entrance of Jenin refugee camp. Soldiers stepped down from the vehicles and surrounded the house of Bassam Ragheb Abdul Rahman al-Saadi, 51. They infiltrated onto the roof and raided the house. They arrested al-Saadi and drove him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that al-Saadi is one of the most prominent leaders of the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. He was released from Israeli jails just less than two months ago after spending more than seven years and a half in jail.
Izziddin, al-Saadi's son, told the PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 02:30 on 06 May 2011, I was in our two-storey house in al-Zahraa Street in Jenin refugee camp. I was awake and my family were sleeping. I could hear steps on the roof and on the stairs. I opened the internal door of the second floor and was surprised to find soldiers coming down on stairs from the roof. They entered the house and arrested my father. They held me and my brothers in one room and held my mother and sisters in another room. They searched the house. In the meanwhile, soldiers were forcing us to remain standing, hold our hands up and keep our faces against the wall. Nearly fifteen minutes later, the search was concluded and an officer who said his name is 'Shlomo' called me and my brothers. He questioned us separately and warned us of what he called 'implementing any activities.' They withdrew nearly one hour after the raid. They took my father to an unknown destination."
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Silat al-Hartheyeh village, northwest of Jenin. They drove in the streets and stationed in al-Jaradat neighborhood in the northern part of Silat al-Hartheyeh village. They raided the house of Hussein Rafiq Anis Jaradat, 37, and the house of Muntaser Ahmed Yasin Jaradat, 23, and arrested both of them. They then raided the house of Hussein Ahmed Hussein Jaradat, 24, after destroying the main door, and forced Hussein's family to leave to the house courtyard. They kept Hussein inside because he has fractures in his right leg and cannot move without help. Nearly half an hour later, IOF ordered Hussein's family to enter the house and held them in one room. They pointed their guns at them and then conducted thorough search in the house. Iman Mustafa Asaad Jaradat, 43, who is the housewife, told a PCHR fieldworker that IOF inflicted heavy damages to her house while searching it. They also damaged the walls of the house as they were using a wall screening device. IOF withdrew later taking Hussein with them.
After withdrawing from Hussein's house, IOF surrounded the house of Mustafa Hassan Jaradat, 52, and fired two sound bombs at the house. The first bomb hit the garden while the second penetrated the window of the kitchen. Residents of the house woke up and IOF called on the men in the house to get out to the street. They checked their ID cards and arrested the house owner's son, Hassan Mustafa Hassan Jaradat, 28. They handcuffed and blindfolded Hassan and forced him to stand aside. They then handcuffed his father and his brothers: Hussein, 25; Samer, 23; and Ibrahim, 15. IOF led Samer into the house. Samer told the PCHR fieldworker that IOF asked them to give them all the mobile phones in the house. They confiscated the eight mobile phones which Samer gave them. IOF then took Hassan to an adjacent house belonging to his brother Hussein. They also asked him to give them all the mobile phones in the house. He gave them three mobile phones. They then took Hussein to his own house and asked him to give them more mobile phones. Hussein told the PCHR fieldworker that when he told them that he does not have any more mobile phones, they beat him severely using their hands and gun butts and fractured a rib of his chest. IOF withdrew after searching and damaging the two houses and after threatening the Jaradat family of executing their son Hassan whom they arrested and led to an unknown destination.
It should be noted that in line with the arrests implemented by IOF in Silat al-Hartheyeh village, IOF arrested, in Jerusalem, Mohammed Mustafa Hassan Jaradat, 24, and Mutaz Ahmed Hussein Jaradat, who are the brothers of Hassan and Hussein who were arrested in Silat al-Hartheyeh village.
· Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm, and patrolled in the streets. In the meanwhile, Palestinian boys gathered and stoned IOF. IOF immediately responded by firing bullets and smoke bombs to disperse the boys. IOF withdrew later and no house raids, arrests or casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23: 40, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Saturday, 07 May 2011
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas. They drove in the streets amidst intensive firing of sound bombs. They raided and searched many houses. They withdrew at approximately 05:00 after arresting Mutasem Zeyad Qusah.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They drove in the streets and raided, searched and damaged two houses. Before withdrawing at approximately 05:30, they arrested two civilians, including a child:
Louay Hamza Abdul Halim Hussein, 19; and
Imran Abdullah Hussein,17.
Abdullah Hussein, who is the father of Imran, told a PCHR fieldworker the following:
"At approximately 04:00 on Saturday, 07 May 2011, we heard stones being thrown from all the directions at our house’s windows which were broken as a result. Stones were even thrown at the doors. One of my children was sleeping near a window. We did not know it was the Israeli occupation army who were throwing stones until they used megaphones to call us to get to the courtyard. We were eight people, including two children. We left the house and walked towards the courtyard. They immediately blindfolded us and held us. They then raided the house and damaged the furniture, doors and windows. They damaged everything. They then arrested my son Abdullah who was previously held in detention by the Israeli occupation army. They said they would take him with them. They took him to an unknown destination and withdrew at approximately 05:30."
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and withdrew later. Two hours later, they moved into the town again. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Kafr al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets and fired bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in the streets. They occupied the local council in the village and transformed it into military barracks. They withdrew at approximately 23:30 and no arrests were reported.
Sunday, 08 May 2011
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Muthallath al-Shuhada village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:25, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qaqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and searched a number of barracks in al-Safha area in the north of the village. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 09 May 2011
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 02:30. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Izbat al-Jarad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Kafa village, southeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Toulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and erected a checkpoint near the northern entrance of the village. They stopped vehicles moving from and to the village and checked passengers' ID cards. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved again into Izbat al-Jarad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. In the meanwhile, they held two members of the Palestinian police; Mohammed Reyad Shteiwi, 35, and Awni Abdul Qader Shteiwi, 29, who were released later after intervention from the Palestinian Military Liaison Office. IOF withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
· At approximately 07:30, IOF gunboats positioning at sea off al-Waha resort, wet of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, intensively fired shells and bullets at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen fled the area in fear of being wounded or arrested. No casualties or damages to fishing boats were reported.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Jefna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:40, IOF positioned on observation towers near
Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, opened intensive fire at a group of demonstrators and Palestinian and international solidarity activists who were near the landfill in the north of Beit Hanoun Agricultural School of al-Azhar University in Gaza in the north of Beit Hanoun town. There were approximately 80 demonstrators including 4 international solidarity activists. IOF opened fire as the demonstrators who were approximately 80 meters far from the border fence. No casualties were reported.
Saber al-Zaanin, coordinator for the Local Initiative in Beit Hanoun and coordinator of such demonstrations in border areas in protest against the imposition of a buffer zone in Palestinians' lands, said that at approximately 11:10 on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, the demonstration started near Beit Hanoun Agricultural School and demonstrators walked northwards to the border area. As demonstrators were approximately 80 meters far from the border fence and as they were trying to put the Palestinian flag on sand dunes, a number of soldiers positioning on observation towers called the demonstrators via megaphones to go away, but the demonstrators did not respond. At approximately 11:40, IOF soldiers sporadically fired in the air in an attempt to cause panic to the demonstrators and then fired intensively. The demonstrators were panicked and fled the area especially as IOF soldiers began to fire directly at them. IOF continuingly fired for 10 minutes. After IOF stopped firing, the demonstrators left the area and no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Faroun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They provocatively patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:30, IOF gunboats positioning at sea off al-Waha resort, wet of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, intensively fired shells and bullets at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen fled the area in fear of being wounded or arrested. No casualties or damages to fishing boats were reported.
· At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Beit Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Activist from the Izz Addin al-Qaasam Died of Wounds He Sustained Earlier:
· At approximately 11:30 on Wednesday, 04 May 2011, medical sources at Naser Institute Hospital in Cairo announced the death of Shadi Mahmoud al-Zatma, 29, and activist of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades from Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. Al-Zatma sustained serious wounds when an Israeli drone fired two missile at him as he was with Tayseer Said Abu Sneima, 27, and Mohammed Ali Awaja, 28, who are also activists of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades from Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. The three activists were near Kamal Odwan Boys' Secondary School Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah. The bombardment which was implemented at approximately 00:50 on 09 April 2011 resulted in the immediate deaths of Abu Sneima and Awaja, while al-Zatma's legs were amputated and he sustained shrapnel wounds throughout the body.
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, 3 demonstrators, including a woman and an international human rights defender, were wounded, while dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 06 May 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in 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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises, in addition, Mohammed Nabeel Ahmed Abu Rahma, 18, was hit by a tear gas canister in the right leg. Besides, Iyad Ra'ed Fadel al-Khateeb, 15, was arrested and transported to "Ofer" detention center, southeast of Ramallah.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on the same day, 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 number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At the same time, 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. 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, 2 Palestinians were wounded, in addition, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF occupied the cultural center in the center of the village and turned it into a military position, however, they withdrew at approximately 16:00 and no arrests were reported. The wounded are:
1. Wafa' Wajeeh Mohammed Tamimi, 23. She was hit by a gas canister in the right leg; and
2. Yaniv Vinic, 24, an international activist. He was hit by a gas canister in the left leg.
· On Saturday, 14 May 2011, IOF used force against dozens of Palestinians, international solidarity activists and human rights defenders in Beit Ummar TOWN, north of Hebron, who were participating in the weekly demonstration against settlement activities and confiscation of lands. As a result, 4 demonstrators sustained fractures and bruises.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:00, on 07 May 2011, a weekly demonstration was organized in central Beit Ummar town, heading to the lands closed around "Karmi Tsur" settlement, south of the village. Before the demonstrators reached the area, IOF started firing sound bombs at them, chased and beat some of them. as As a result, 4 demonstrators sustained bruises and fractures throughout the body; 2 of whom were transported to Hebron Public Hospital for their serious conditions, while the 2 others received the necessary medical treatment on the spot:
1. Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 44;
2. His son Hamza, 12;
3. Mosa Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 33; and
4. Yusef Abdul Hamid Abu Maria,38, who sustained 2 fractures in the left arm and hand. As a result, he was transported to the hospital, where he stayed for 2 days. Yusef Abu Maria is the head of the committee against settlement in the village.
In his testimony to PCHR, Abu Hashem said that once the demonstration reached the northern gate of the settlement at approximately 13:30, IOF started attacking the demonstrators and pushing them at gun point, as they are activists against settlement. IOF chased the rest of the demonstrators and dispersed them. Abu Hashem pointed out that the Israeli soldiers pushed Abu Maria onto the ground before he was handcuffed and severely beaten.
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:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
04-10 May 2011
Date
Details
04 May 2011
267 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 352 others and the body of a dead Palestinian were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 116 Palestinians were returned.
05 May 2011
324 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 999 others and two bodies were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 26 Palestinians were returned.
06 May 2011
7 Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
07 May 2011
Closed.
08 May 2011
307 Palestinian were allowed to travel to Egypt, 369 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 30 Palestinians were returned.
09 May 2011
232 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 221 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 30 Palestinians were returned.
10 May 2011
213 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 262 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 44 Palestinians were returned.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
04-10 May 2011
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
04 May 2011
Foodstuffs
953
Agricultural materials
513
Various goods
1,351
Humanitarian aids
991
Cooking gas
44.740
05 May 2011
Foodstuffs
915
Agricultural materials
2,030
Various goods
1,323
Humanitarian aids
769
Cooking gas
66.330
08 May 2011
Foodstuffs
1,270
Agricultural materials
2,066
Various goods
1,084
Humanitarian aids
744
Cooking gas
66.330
Notes:
· On Wednesday, 04 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 104 tons of cement for UNRWA and 236 tons of cement for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 624 tons of fodders.
· On Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 384 tons of cement and 13 tons of iron for UNRWA, while they entered 18 tons of cement and 28 tons of iron for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 1,833 tons of fodders.
· On Sunday, 08 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement and 74 tons of iron for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,755 tons of wheat.
Exports
· On Thursday, 05 May 2011, 52,000 flowers were exported.
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
04-10 May 2011
Date
04 May
05 May
06 May
07 May
08 May
09 May
10 May
Patients
35
18
1
Nil
54
4
Nil
Companions
31
19
1
Nil
47
4
Nil
Arabs from Israel
2
1
Nil
Nil
5
Nil
Nil
Diplomats
12
Nil
2
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
International Journalists
5
6
9
Nil
6
Nil
Nil
International Workers
22
20
21
Nil
13
Nil
Nil
Travelers abroad
Nil
Nil
15
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
Business People
64
61
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Economic Meetings
4
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Security Interviews
3
5
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
VIP's
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
2
4
Nil
Nil
3
2
1
Ambulances from Israel
1
4
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
IOF completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing on Monday, 09 May 2011, for the movement of persons, excluding 4 patients, 4 companions of them and ambulances. Besides, on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, it was completely closed, excluding for an ambulance that was allowed to pass, under the pretext of the Jewish feasts (Independence Day). However, it was reopened on Wednesday, 11 May 2011.
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.
On Friday morning, 06 May 2011, IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. Eyewitnesses said that IOF, including hundreds of police officers and special units, patrolled in the area, particularly, in the main road adjacent to the Old City's walls. They established checkpoints around the city, as a result, they hindered the movement of persons, while a large number of persons were returned and others' IDs were held until the prayer finished.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah, particularly, "Jaba' – Qalandia" checkpoint that was established in the southeast of Ramallah. At approximately 18:30 on Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, east of Ramallah. However, no arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, IOF re-established their presence at 'Atarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 06 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. No arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00 on the same day, IOF established a similar checkpoint at Nabi Saleh village – Kafr Ein road. At approximately 09:40 on Monday, 09 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint on Beit Reema – Deir Ghassana road, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Kafr Ne'ma village, west of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Ein Qanina village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, IOF re-established their presence at Attarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village, north of Ramallah.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement on Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of the bypass road (35) with the northeastern entrance of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 06 May 2011, IOF stationed in north of Beit Ummar town and Safa village, north of Hebron, forced the farmers in the two areas to leave their farms located in "Wadi Abu Rish", northwest of the village. They were obliged to leave at gun point under the pretext of denial of access unless by military permits.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF accompanied by Israeli settlers, who were singing and clapping, forced a number of Palestinian farmers to stop their work and leave their farms forcibly. The farmers included: Hamad Isma'il 'Adi, Hussein Mohammed 'Adi, Hammad Jaber al-Salibi, Abdullah al-Salibi. It should be noted that these targeted farms are part of a 1000-dunum area of land that was announced by IOF as "State Property" and are not allowed to be entered. The same incident repeatedly took place on Saturday 07 May 2011.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 07 May 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around the town. At approximately 10:15 on Monday, 09 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Iainsafout village on Qalqilya – Nablus road. At approximately 21:10, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF stationed at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 23:50 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road in "Mothallath Jbarah" area, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 06 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 07 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road in "Mothallath Jbarah" area, south of Tulkarm. No arrests were reported. At approximately 11:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:30 on the same day, IOF stationed at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. At approximately 14:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 23:30, IOF re-established the same checkpoint in the same area.
At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 09 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road in "Mothallath Jbarah" area, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, IOF stationed at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of persons. However, no arrests were reported. At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Tulkarm – Qalqilya road near the entrance of Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 15:00, IOF established a similar checkpoint on 'Etil – Deir al-Ghsoun road, north of Tulkarm.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 29 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafrit village, southwest of Jenin.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 07 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
At approximately 17:30 on Monday, 09 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Jiftlik, north of Jericho.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· During the reporting period, IOF arrested 10 Palestinians at least, including 2 children. Two of the persons arrested is Khaled Mohammed Ameen al-Hajj, 45, the spokesperson of Hamas movement in Jenin, who was arrested at a military checkpoint established at the entrance of 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin; and Bassam Nabil Sa'id Diab, 28, a leader in Islamic Jihad movement, from Kafr Ra'ei village, who was arrested at a checkpoint established at the intersection of Zita – 'Alar road, north of Tulkarm.
· At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 05 May 2011, Israeli troops patrolled near the annexation wall, south of Yatta in southern Hebron, arrested 3 workers from Burin village, south of Nablus. The workers were arrested while they were trying to cross the borders inside the "Green Line" areas, looking for work at Beersheba. They were tortured for several hours during detaining them in the open air. The arrested workers: Maqsoud Ahmed Mohammed 'Awwad, 22, 'Adnan Bassam Ghaleb Najjar, 20, Abdul Hakim Omar Yusef Najjar, 26.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, IOF chased the three workers. As a result, the workers were arrested and detained in the open air after handcuffing them. No food or any other humanitarian services were offered to them until late night on the same day before transporting them to the Israeli police station near "Kyriat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron. The following morning, they were transported to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 14:00, on the same day, IOF stationed near "Halmish" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, arrested 2 children from Deir Nezam village while they were near the main road adjacent to the mentioned settlement. They were arrested under the pretext that they were throwing stones and were transported to an interrogation center inside "Halmish" settlement. IOF released them at approximately 20:30. The children: Ahmed Saleh Mostafa Mezher, 17; and Rateb Marzouq Rateb 'Assaf, 17.
· At approximately 24:25 on Friday, 06 May 2011, IOF arrested 4 Palestinians while they were in their farms near the annexation wall in the south of Sniria village, southeast of Qalqilya. The village council of Masha and village council of Sniria confirmed the arrest of the 4 Palestinians: Khaled Sa'd Khaled Judy, 26; Belal Sami Isma'il Amer, 22, from Masha village, northwest of Salfit; Sohaib Sedqi As'ad, 22; and his brother Nezam As'ad, 22, from Sniria village, without knowing the reasons and conditions of their arrest.
· At approximately 20:00 on the same Friday, IOF established a checkpoint on Zita – 'Alar road, north of Tulkarm. They stopped the car of Bassam Nabil Sa'id Diab, 28, a leader in the Islamic Jihad movement, from Kafr Ra'I village, southwest of Jenin, and arrested him. Diab's brother said that his brother was arrested while he was going home from a visit to a friend of him in the eastern Baqa village, north of Tulkarm.
· At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 07 May 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. Eyewitnesses said that IOF deployed many vehicles surrounding the village. Before they retreat, IOF arrested Khaled Mohamed Ameen al-Hajj, 45, the spokesperson of Hamas movement in Jenin, at the checkpoint. Al-Hajj was transported to an unknown destination.
· On Tuesday, 10 May 2011, IOF stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Moti' Odah Melhem, 38, from 'Anin village, west of Jenin. His relatives said that he was arrested while passing via the crossing, and transported to an unknown destination.
4. 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.
· On Thursday, 05 May 2011, IOF demolished a big number of houses and property at Kherbet "Um Nir" in the far east of Yatta, south of Hebron under the pretext that "they are not licensed" by the Israeli authorities. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:00 on the same day, a large force of the Israeli Border Guard Police supported by 2 military bulldozers broke into Kherbet "Um Nir". The Israeli force immediately evacuated the targeted houses and property by force before demolishing them. The demolition process lasted for 6 hours and targeted 4 houses of made of bricks and tin and 10 tents. Eight families consisting of 50 members, including a lot of women and children, were living in these houses. Besides, the Israeli soldiers uprooted approximately 600 olive saplings planted around the targeted houses.
Most of the houses demolished belong to extended families, including Isa Hussein Mohammed al-Jbour, Mohammed Rateb Hassan al-Jbour and Fo'ad Ali al-Nawaj'a.
· At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, a number of settlers gathered on Tulkarm – Nablus road near the intersection of Beit Leed village, in the area named "Abu Martein". Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR field workers that the settlers' gathering resulted in hindering the traffic on the road. It should be noted that an Israeli settler from "Shavei Shomron" settlement, west of Nablus, was shot dead in the same area because of heavy fire in December 2009. Since then, the settlers have been establishing a memorial for him and breaking into the area now and then to perform heir rituals near the memorial.
· At approximately 16:00 on the same day, a number of settlers gathered in the evacuated settlement of "Homesh", which was established on the lands of Barqa village, northwest of Nablus, and Seilat al-Zhaher village, south of Jenin. Eyewitnesses said that a large number of settlers arrived at the area to perform their rituals under the protection of IOF. Later, the settlers and Israeli soldiers withdrew, however, no other incidents were reported.
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 ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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