Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11-24 November 2010)
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A Palestinian activist and his brother were extra-judicially executed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
- 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a woman, and a resistance activist were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- 9 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.
- 4 Palestinian workers were wounded
· IOF conducted 50 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
- Property valuing US$ 650,000 were confiscated from al-Dadu family and company.
· Israeli warplanes attacked a number of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.
- A house and an agricultural room were destroyed, and a house was damaged.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- Israeli soldiers at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- IOF seized a house in Jabal al-Mukabber village near Jerusalem.
- Two residential barracks and 4 barnyards were demolished by IOF in al-Jiftlek village near Jericho.
- IOF ordered demolition of a number of Palestinian houses.
- Israeli settlers burnt 52 olive trees in Qalqilya and 20 donums of arable lands in Hebron.
- Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, expelled Palestinian farmers from their lands in Qaryout village, south of Nablus.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (11 – 24 November 2010):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian activist and his brother in the Gaza Strip, and wounded 17 Palestinians, including two children and a woman, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 17 November 2010, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the Army of Islam in Gaza City. An IOF warplane fired a missile at the car in which the activist and his brother were traveling. As a result, the two brothers were killed. IOF admitted responsibility for the attack, claiming that the activist was planning for kidnapping Israelis in Sinai Peninsula.
During the reporting period, IOF fired at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, 4 workers were wounded.
On 19 November 2010, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a toddler, were wounded, when Israeli warplanes bombarded a house in the central Gaza Strip. The house was destroyed and a neighboring one was damaged.
On 18 November 2010, a Palestinian resistance activist was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip when Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli fired at a number of resistance activists.
On 19 November 2010, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a training site of al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in Khan Yunis. The site was damaged.
On the same day, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a tunnel on the Egyptian border near Yibna refugee camp in the south of Rafah. As a result, the tunnel and a fuel store were destroyed.
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, 9 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 5 international human rights defenders and a Palestinian child.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 50 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
An Israeli undercover unit raided a house in Jaba' village near Jenin and arrested a Palestinian civilian. IOF also confiscated property valuing US$ 650,000 from al-Dadu family and company in Tulkarm.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursions into the central and southern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed.
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.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 11 November 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered near Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road on their way to Ramallah to participate in the commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. No injuries were reported.
On 14 November 2010, IOF moved into Jabal al-Sheikh area in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They handed 3 notices issued by the IOF Higher Council of Organization ordering the demolition of 3 houses, claiming that they were built without licenses.
On 14 November 2010, Na'el Sa'id Soufan, 30, a peddler from Qalqilya, was run down by an Israeli settlers on the bypass road linking between "Ennab" settlement, east of Tulkarm, and the Arab town of al-Taybeh inside Israel.
On 16 November 2010, Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement set fire to dozens of donums of agricultural land belonging to a Palestinian farmer from Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya.
Also on 16 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Bat 'Ain" settlement to the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, launched an arson attack on area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and almonds in Beit Ummar village and the neighboring Safa village. According to information available to PCHR, at least 20 donums of agricultural land were destroyed. It worth noting that this attack was the 4th of its kind in the same area this year.
On 22 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, south of Nablus, escorted by IOF, expelled Palestinian farmers from their lands in Silon area in the south of Qaryout village. According to eyewitnesses, Palestinian farmers from Qaryout village went to their lands in the area after they had obtained a decision by the Israeli judicial advisor allowing them to farm their land, to which they had been denied access to. However, the settlers, escorted by IOF expelled them.
On 23 November 2010, IOF moved into al-Farouq quarter in Jabal al-Mukabber village, southeast of Jerusalem. They closed the vicinity a building belonging to the Qara'in family. At approximately 07:00, they raided the building and forced its residents out. Immediately, Israeli settlers brought furniture into the building. At noon, the settlers set up observation cameras and a fence around the building. The seized building is comprised of 3 floors, and it served as a house for 15 Palestinian civilians, in including 7 children, from the Qara'in family.
On 23 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'ale Shomron" settlement, east of Qalqilya, set fire to a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to Mohammed 'Abdul Latif Kharfan, 37, from 'Azzoun village east of Qalqilya. At least 10 olive trees were burnt.
On 24 November 2010, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into Abu al-'Ajaj area in the south of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They demolished 4 barnyards, killing 15 sheep, and two tin-made houses, claiming that these facilities were established without licenses. A number of Palestinian civilians attempted to stop the demolition. IOF attacked these civilians. As a result, 4 civilians sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 3 civilians.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (11 – 24 November 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 11 November 2010
· At approximately 07:40, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They surrounded Jeet Secondary School, as students began to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers closed the gates of the school and requested its administration to evacuate the students. The students were evacuated at approximately 08:15.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at al-Farrahin area in the east of 'Abassan village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The shelling targeted space areas and a deserted home, located nearly 700 meters away from the border, where a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance were harboring. The activists withdrew from the area and no casualties were reported. Israeli helicopter gunships also opened fire at the area, but no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the boys, but no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Fareed Ragheb 'Alawna, and arrested one of his sons. One of 'Alawna's sons, Najeh, 36, stated to a PCHR field worker that a civilian vehicle that has an Israeli registration plate stopped near the family's house. Immediately, 8 persons wearing civilian clothes and armed with small machine guns broke into the front yard of the house, shouting: "We are from the army." They forced his brother, 33-year-old Mazen, who was in the yard to sit on the ground. When his other brother, 30-year-old Ragheb heard the noise, he jumped through the window onto the backyard and hid in a barnyard under the house. Israeli soldiers broke into the house and forced the family out. They forced members of the family into the front yard and forced them to sit on the ground. They then asked the father whether anyone was still inside the house and he denied the presence of anyone there. They threatened to blow up the house if they discovered the opposite. Soon, 3 Israeli military vehicles arrived at the area. Israeli soldiers stepped down. Some of them moved towards the front yard. An Israeli intelligence officer entered the yard. He questioned the father and ordered him to accompany soldiers to search the house. Soon after, the intelligence officer came back and took Mazen with him to search the upper floor. When Israeli soldiers did not find anyone, they brought the owner's grandchild, 4-year-old Bahaa', and the intelligence officer asked him about his uncle Ragheb. A number of young men gathered outside the house and threw stone at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Israeli soldiers searched the house again and discovered a door leading to the barnyard and captured Ragheb. They handcuffed and blindfolded him and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Bil'in village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashraf Mohammed al-Khatib, 30, looking for him, but he was not at home. They handed a notice to his family ordering him to appear before Israeli intelligence officers in Oufar interrogation center.
· At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 12 November 2010
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Abdul 'Azim Fayad al-Qaissi, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Arafat 'Abdul Hakim al-Rajabi, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:15, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers near Beir Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired at number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the debris of buildings in Erez industrial zone. As a result, Bashir Sami 'Aashour, 2o, from Beit Hanoun town, was wounded by a bullet to the right foot, when he was nearly 50 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
· At approximately 00:10, IOF moved into Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Omar 'Abdul Raziq, 20, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Yassouf village, east of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Ibrahim Nizam 'Abdul Raziq, 20, and 'Obaida Shareef 'Azzam, 19, and summoned them for interrogation.
· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Safi Ahmed, 24, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Ahmed Na'im 'Aamer and Mahmoud Saif al-Din 'Aamer and summoned them for interrogation.
· At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the debris of destroyed buildings in Erez industrial zone. As a result, 'Ammar Khalil Hamdan, 22, from Beit Hanoun town, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when he was nearly 400 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Baqat al-Hatab village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma'il Khalil al-Shazli, 22, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hussein Mahmoud Batta, 22.
· At approximately 10:00, an Israeli military infantry unit moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin. Israeli soldiers stopped and questioned a number of passing Palestinian civilians. They then summoned 4 civilians, including two children, for interrogation: Ra'ed Nahidh Yahia, 20; Yousef Waleed Yahia, 16; Na'el Mohammed Hammad, 17; and Suhaib Hassan Yahia, 24.
· Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday, 15 November 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF, accompanied by a winch and 5 trucks, moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Ali Mohammed al-Dadu, 55, who has been detained by IOF, after holding members of the family in one room. They informed members of the family that they did not come to the house to arrest anone rather to confiscate US$ 650,000, an amount that al-Dadu confessed of receiving from Hamas in compensation for his company that was burnt on 15 June 2007. They claimed that an Israeli court issued a ruling ordering confiscation of property equal to this amount. IOF confiscated some property from the house: 2 computer sets; 3 laptops; a 48-inch television; an empty safe; some accounting documents; jewels whose value is estimated at about 5,000 Jordanian dinars; a Volks Wagen Golf car; and a Volks Wagen Crafter truck. They then took al-Dadu's son, 26-year-old Diaa', to the company's builing, nearly 500 meters away from the house. There, he saw Israeli soldiers and police officers deployed inside the building. They confiscated $ 8,930 in cash; $ 167,500 in checks; two laptops; 3 hard disks; carpets whose value is estimated at $ 225,316; a checkbook; filled checks that had not been handed to customers; and some work documents. They then took the son to the company's stores. They confiscated goods whose value is estimated at US $ 100,000. IOF photographed the whole operation. They withdrew from the town at approximately 05:00.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal al-Rahma neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Suhaib 'Abdul Mon'em Dwaik, 21.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Mreesh village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
· At approximately 23:20, IOF moved into Ematin village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
· At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Madama village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ameer Ameen Nassar, 24.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Southern 'Assira village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of Beit Lahia town opened fire at a number of activists of al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), who were nearly 700 meters away from the border. An activist was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 19 November 2010
· At approximately 08:20, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers to the northwest of the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" in the northern Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials in the area. As a result, Mohammed Isma'il al-Ghandour, 34, from Beit Lahia town, was wounded by a bullet to the right foot, when he was nearly 70 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
· At approximately 15:00, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mohammed 'Alaa' al-Sharaf, 43, in the east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah. The house was totally destroyed. A nearby house belonging to Ruqaya Abu Mustafa was damaged, and 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a toddler, were wounded:
1. Ruqaya Sha'ban Abu Mustafa, 54, wounded in the left side;
2. 'Abdul 'Aziz Ibrahim Abu Mustafa, 20, wounded in the head; and
3. Ibrahim Salman Abu Mustafa, 2, wounded in the nose.
· At approximately 15:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an agricultural room in al-Zanna area in the northeast of Bani Suhaila village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The room was destroyed, and Halima 'Ouda Abu Khashan, 14, was wounded by shrapnel to the back.
· At approximately 15:50, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a training site of al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the southwest of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The site was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 1,500 meters into al-Shouka village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Israeli soldiers fired at a Palestinian civilian who was near his house, but he was not hurt. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers set up ambushes in the area. They withdrew from the area at approximately 04:00 on the following day.
· At approximately 23:30, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a tunnel on the Egyptian border near Yibna refugee camp in the south of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. The tunnel and a fuel store were destroyed, but no casualties were reported.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
· At approximately 00:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers and military sites along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah opened fire at Gaza International Airport and its vicinity, southeast of Rafah. The shooting continued sporadically until 03:00, but no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Madama village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mahmoud 'Abdullah Qit, 24;
2. Mousa Nizar Ziada, 23;
3. Bassem 'Omran Nassar, 25; and
4. Asadallah Wajeeh Qit, 20.
· At approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at them. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at them, but no casualties were reported.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and summoned 3 Palestinian civilians for interrogation: Mohammed Mutlaq al-Jiyawi; Malek Khaled al-Jiyawi; and 'Awadh Mohammed al-Batran.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into 'Aanin, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. They then established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Monday, 22 November 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians:
1. Sami Fayez al-Srahin;
2. 'Abdul Hadi Fayez al-Sarahin;
3. 'Abdul Fattah Mohammed al-Sarahin;
4. Tariq Ibrahim al-Sarahin;
5. Ra'fat Jaber al-'Adarba;
6. Muhannad al-Najjar;
7. Mohammed Jebril al-'Ajarma;
8. Bassam al-Sarahin;
9. Khader Tayi' al-Sharif;
10. Jameel Hassan al-'Adam;
11. Maher al-'Adam; and
12. Maher Ahmed al-'Amla.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-'Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mousa Yousef Hussein, 58, and arrested him together with his son, 27-year-old Mos'ab.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 12:00, IOF moved nearly 150 meters into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They opened fire and leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Ameed Tawfiq 'Omour, 24, and arrested him.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sabri Mousa Jabarin, 25, and arrested him.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hamza Msallam Shraitah, 22, and arrested him.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal Jouhar area in the old town of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Samer Raid Ghaith, 23, and arrested him.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Adeeb Abu Rahma, who is imprisoned in Oufar Prison, and arrested his child, 16-year-old Mohammed.
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shaher al-Shoubaki, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 09:45, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip opened fire at dozens of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the debris of destroyed buildings in Erez industrial zone. As a result, Rami 'Aayesh al-Shandaghli, 28, from Jabalya town, was wounded by a bullet to the left foot, when he was nearly 400 meters away.
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, 9 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 5 international and Israeli human rights defenders and a Palestinian child.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 12 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards 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 others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, and 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, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, and 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, two Palestinian civilians were hit by tear gas canisters:
1. 'Omar Saleh Tamimi, 22, hit on the right foot;
2. Nidal Hussein Tamimi, 20, hit on the left hand.
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 13 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of 'Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus. They moved towards areas of land, which were seized by IOF to expand "Brakha" settlement. The demonstrators were surprised by an ambush set up by IOF on olive fields. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 11:30 on the same day, dozens of Palestinians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration against settlement activities and confiscation and closure of Palestinian land in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. The demonstrators moved towards the affected areas of land. Immediately, Israeli soldiers chased the demonstrators and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· On Thursday morning, 18 November 2010, Israeli soldiers deployed in the south of Hebron attacked a children scout group while presenting a show for the Eid al-Adha, claiming that the Palestinian flag was raised in the show.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:00, a scout group comprised of 17 boys , led by Majed Abu Hussein and escorted by families, walked in a show towards al-Sadaqa Park in the old town of Hebron to participate in a festival organized for the Eid al-Adha. When the boys were close to an Israeli military checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque, Israeli soldiers stopped the children and ordered them to stop drumming and to lay down the Palestinian flag as a condition to be allowed to pass towards the old town. When the boys refused to lay the flag down, at least 30 Israeli soldiers attacked the participants in the show. As a result, the leader of the scout group, Majed Abu Hussein, 22, sustained bruises to the back, and Mos'ab 'Ali Abu Snaina, 14, was wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb to the right foot, and sustained bruises to the face and the back.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 19 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Abdullah Abu Rahma, an activist against the annexation wall, whose release from Israeli jails was rejected by an Israeli military court, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards 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 others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, and 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, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Majd Daifallah Tamimi, 20, hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot;
2. Mustafa Fakhri Tamimi, 23, hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;
3. Mustafa 'Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 27, hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot; and
4. Naji 'Abdul Latif Tamimi, 46, hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot.
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 20 November 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which are threatened to be confiscated by IOF, near "Karmi Tsur" settlement. Israeli soldiers attacked the demonstrators and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. At least 6 demonstrators, including Fidaa' Nasser, 22, correspondent of Palestine Television, and Hussam Abu 'Allan, 49, a photographer of Palestine News Agency, suffered from tear gas inhalation. Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 44, Secretary of the National Committee against Settlement in the village, was wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb to the left arm, and his child, 8-year-old Shaza, was wounded by shrapnel to the legs. Additionally, IOF arrested 5 international human rights defenders, and a Palestinian child, 14-year-old Mohammed Fakhri Ekhlil.
3. Extra-Judicial Execution
During the reporting period, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the Army of Islam and his brother in the Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:20 on Wednesday, 17 November 2010, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a civilian car, in which an activist of the Army of Islam, both from the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. The car was traveling near al-Sha'biya intersection in the center of Gaza City. As a result of the attack, the two brothers were killed:
1. Islam Saleh 'Abdul Hamid Yassin, 55, an activist of the Army of Islam; and
2. Mohammed Saleh 'Abdul Hamid Yassin, 19.
A few hours later, IOF admitted responsibility for the attack, stressing that the target was Islam Yassin, a leader of the Army of Islam. They further claimed that Yassin "was planning to kidnap Israelis in Sinai Peninsula."
It is worth noting that IOF carried out a similar attack in the Gaza Strip on 03 November 2010, in which they extra-judicially executed Mohammed Jamal al-Nemnem, 29, another activist of the Army of Islam.
4. 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.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
10 – 23 November 2010
Date
Details
10 November 2010
176 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 355 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
11 November 2010
941 Palestinians, including 972 pilgrims, were allowed to travel to Egypt and 631 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
12 November 2010
191 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 357 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
13 November 2010
464 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 383 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
14 November 2010
236 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 497 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
15 November 2010
Closed.
16 November 2010
Closed.
17 November 2010
Closed.
18 November 2010
Closed.
19 November 2010
Closed.
20 November 2010
Closed.
21 November 2010
515 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 372 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
22 November 2010
459 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 187 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
23 November 2010
488 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 566 others, including 450 pilgrims, were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
10 – 23 November 2010
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
10 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,073
Agricultural materials
267
Various goods
1,613
Humanitarian aids
387
Cooking gas
90.720
Industrial fuel
272,000
11 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,249
Agricultural materials
327
Various goods
1,722
Humanitarian aids
454
Cooking gas
136
Industrial fuel
360,004
14 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,325
Agricultural materials
403
Various goods
818
Humanitarian aids
238
Cooking gas
159.310
Industrial fuel
396,547
15 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,211
Agricultural materials
128
Various goods
883
Benzene
43,000
Cooking gas
157.690
Industrial fuel
522,447
18 November 2010
Cooking gas
135.520
Industrial fuel
318,000
21 November 2010
Foodstuffs
934
Agricultural materials
296
Various goods
745
Humanitarian aids
240
Cooking gas
157.720
Industrial fuel
316,098
22 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,051
Agricultural materials
188
Various goods
557
Humanitarian aids
391
Cooking gas
113.920
Industrial fuel
179,985
23 November 2010
Foodstuffs
1,621
Agricultural materials
194
Various goods
979
Humanitarian aids
182
Cooking gas
92
Note: The crossing was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, 16 and 17 November 2010 for the Eid al-Adha.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 11 November 2010, and allowed the entry of 3,150 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, 2,380 tons for Mas'oud 'Ali Company. They opened it again on Sunday, 14 November 2010, and allowed the entry of 5,180 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA and 940 tons for Mas'oud 'Ali Company. They also opened it on Thursday, 18 November 2010, and allowed the entry of 1,755 tons of wheat, and 2,964 tons of fodders. They further opened it on Monday, 22 November 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,145 of wheat, and 2,964 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious 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
10- 16 November 2010
Date
10 November
11 November
12 November
13 November
14 November
15 November
16 November
Patients
26
25
2
Nil
37
24
16
Companions
24
30
2
Nil
34
24
5
Palestinians from Israel
9
5
3
Nil
17
2
1
Diplomats
16
7
1
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
International Journalists
5
3
1
Nil
1
3
Nil
International Workers
35
93
17
Nil
25
40
8
Travelers abroad
Nil
4
1
Nil
3
1
Nil
Business People
32
25
Nil
Nil
31
1
Nil
Meetings
Nil
7
Nil
Nil
4
Nil
2
Ambulances to Israel
1
4
Nil
Nil
2
1
Nil
Ambulances from Israel
1
5
Nil
Nil
2
2
Nil
movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
17 – 23 November 2010
Date
17 November
18 November
19 November
20 November
21 November
22 November
23 November
Patients
9
17
Nil
Nil
22
29
35
Companions
8
14
Nil
Nil
21
27
40
Palestinians from Israel
10
13
34
Nil
53
31
14
Diplomats
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
9
International Journalists
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
5
1
International Workers
2
12
9
Nil
23
15
36
Travelers abroad
Nil
7
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business People
1
11
Nil
Nil
54
45
45
Meetings
1
3
Nil
Nil
2
2
14
Ambulances to Israel
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
4
1
2
Ambulances from Israel
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
2
2
1
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.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF continued to close a number of roads in the center and southeast of Hebron. They also established a number of checkpoints, stopping and checking Palestinian civilians. On Monday afternoon, 15 November 2010, IOF moved into areas in the north and west of Hebron and established a number of checkpoints. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and held and questioned a number of Palestinian civilians.
· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained their presence at 41 checkpoints around the town. The town has been also impacted by the construction of the annexation wall to the north and west, and large areas of Palestinian land have been isolated by the wall. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed at the 300 checkpoint (Rachel Toms), north of Bethlehem, continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians are forced to wait in queues on two routes outside the checkpoint. They are then checked by Israeli soldiers using electronic checking machines. Such checking is often prolonged and humiliating. During the reporting period, only Palestinians who have permits were allowed to travel to Jerusalem. On Wednesday morning, 17 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday morning, 20 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Taqqou' village, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· 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 11:20 on Thursday, 11 November 2010, and at approximately 10:15 on Friday, 12 November 2010, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:00 on Friday, IOF established a checkpoint on Silwad-Yabroud road, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 13 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 14 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit 'Our intersection, west 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, 11 November 2010, IOF established 8 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 12 November 2010, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 13 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Kufor Laqef village and another one near al-Fundoq village. Israeli soldiers positioned at the two checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 14 November 2010, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 15 November 2010, IOF established 6 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:30 on Tuesday, 16 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Wednesday, 17 November 2010, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. Israeli soldiers stationed at those checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Thursday, 18 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hijja village and another one on al-Fundoq-Jainsafout road. Israeli soldiers stationed at the two checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 19 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Izbat al-Tabib village, and another one at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. Israeli soldiers stationed at the two checkpoints stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 20 November 2010, IOF established 6 checkpoints around the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 21 November 2010, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday, 22 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Hijja village and another one near 'Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday, 23 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on bypass road #55 between Qalqilya and Nablus, and another one on 'Azzoun – Izbat al-Tabib road, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday, 16 November 2010, Israeli soldiers stationed at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, stopped an Israeli lorry that was carrying a forklift for al-Dadu company of carpets and confiscated the forklift. Such confiscation came one day following the confiscation of property values US$ 650,000 from the company in Tulkarm. At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 18 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit Leed intersection on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 21:30 on Friday, 19 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Far'oun intersection on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 17 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at "Yits'har" intersection on Ramallah-Nablus road, south of Nablus. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:40 on Saturday, 13 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on Jenin-Nablus road near Seilat al-Zaher village, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 21 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at 'Anza intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 22 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on 'Arraba-Fahma road, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the northern entrance of Salfit with cement blocks and sand barriers since 2000. They have also continued to close two roads linking Marda village with agricultural land belonging to it.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 12 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 19:30 on Friday, 19 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 13 November 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at the entrances of the Ibrahimi Mosque arrested 'Abdul Rahman Ziad al-Rajabi, 19.
· At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 14 November 2010, Israeli soldiers deployed in the old town of Hebron arrested Fadel Shihdi Daoud, 16, claiming that he attempted to attack an Israeli settler. The child was released at night on bail.
· At approximately 14:00 also on Sunday, Israeli soldiers positioned at the entrances of the Ibrahimi Mosque arrested Hadeel Talal Abu Turki, 16, claiming that she was carrying a knife.
· At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 15 November 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at al-Zahiriya crossing, south of Hebron, arrested Anas Mohammed al-Jabarin, 24, from al-Zahiriya village, when he was back from his work inside Israel.
· At approximately 00:00 on Wednesday, 17 November 2010, Israeli soldiers deployed in the north of Safa village, north of Hebron, to prevent Palestinian civilians from reaching areas of agricultural land which were burnt by Israeli settlers, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children: 'Aziz Mahmoud Khalil, 16; Anwar 'Emad Khalil, 15; and Sufian Sa'id 'Aadi, 20.
· On Friday noon, 19 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on the main road of Taqqou' village, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and arrested Sami 'Aziz al-Badan, 32.
· At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 20 November 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint established at the western entrance of Marda village, north of Salfit, arrested Samer Fahim Khuffash, 28, but released him 6 hours later.
· On Sunday morning, 21 November 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint in the south of Hebron arrested 14-year-old Hamza Bouti Jaber, when he was on his way to his school near the Ibrahimi Mosque. They claimed that he attacked an Israeli settler. The child was released on bail on the following day.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 11 November 2010, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered near Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road on their way to Ramallah to participate in the commemoration of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. No injuries were reported.
· At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 14 November 2010, IOF moved into Jabal al-Sheikh area in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They handed 3 notices issued by the IOF Higher Council of Organization ordering the demolition of 3 houses, claiming that they were built without licenses. The targeted houses, in which 16 individuals live, were built in 1975. They are located about 150 meters away from "Halmish" settlement. IOF threatened to demolish the three houses in a week. The following are details of the affected houses:
1. A 160-square-meter house belonging to 'Abdul Latif Rushdi al-Tamimi;
2. A 320-square-meter house belonging to Mahmoud Sameer Tamimi; and
3. A 120-square-meter house belonging to Sha'ban al-Reemawi.
· At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 14 November 2010, Na'el Sa'id Soufan, 30, a peddler from Qalqilya, was run down by an Israeli settlers on the bypass road linking between "Ennab" settlement, east of Tulkarm, and the Arab town of al-Taybeh inside Israel. Soufan stated to PCHR that while he was selling copies of the Holy Quran to vehicles traveling to Tulkarm, nearly 250 meters away from Jbara checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, he was surprised by a Chevrolet car that has an Israeli registration number plate (3768772) traveling fast and running him down. The car then fled towards to the checkpoint. Israeli soldier stationed at the checkpoint stopped the settler. Soufan was offered first medical aid by an Israeli ambulance crew, and was then evacuated in a Palestinian ambulance to Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm. Soufan left the hospital on his own responsibility before the completion of his medical treatment, as he was not able to pay the expenses of treatment.
· At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 16 November 2010, Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement set fire to dozens of donums of agricultural land belonging to a Palestinian farmer from Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya.
The owner of the land, Adeeb Yamin, stated to a PCHR field worker that:
At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 16 November 2010, I received a phone call from my neighbors who told me that fire broke out on my land, which is located opposite to their house. I immediately went there. I found that fire had broken out on my land and extended to a neighboring tract of land. I stood helpless until fire fighters arrived, but they were not able to extinguish fire as it extended to large areas. Israeli settlers arrived at the area and attempted to attack Palestinian civilians who wanted to extinguish fire. The settlers were escorted by Israeli soldiers who attempted to attack a journalist and attempted to prevent him from photographing the scene. Zakaria al-Sidda, from Rabbis for Human Rights, intervened and called the Israeli military liaison, which stopped the attack. Palestinian civilians attempted to extinguish fire, but in vain. Fire destroyed 42 olives trees."
· On Tuesday evening, 16 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Bat 'Ain" settlement to the north of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, launched an arson attack on area of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives and almonds in Beit Ummar village and the neighboring Safa village. Palestinian farmers, other locals and fire engines rushed to extinguish fire, but IOF prevented them from reaching the affected area for more than 3 hours. They only called Israeli fire fighters to prevent fire from extending to the fence of the aforementioned settlement. When Palestinians were allowed to reach the affected areas, they were hardly able to extinguish fire. According to information available to PCHR, at least 20 donums of agricultural land were destroyed. It worth noting that this attack was the 4th of its kind in the same area this year.
· At approximately 09:15 on Monday, 22 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Shilo" settlement, south of Nablus, escorted by IOF, expelled Palestinian farmers from their lands in Silon area in the south of Qaryout village. According to eyewitnesses, Palestinian farmers from Qaryout village went to their lands in the area after they had obtained a decision by the Israeli judicial advisor allowing them to farm their land, to which they had been denied access to. However, the settlers, escorted by IOF expelled them.
· At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 23 November 2010, IOF moved into al-Farouq quarter in Jabal al-Mukabber village, southeast of Jerusalem. They closed the vicinity a building belonging to the Qara'in family. At approximately 07:00, they raided the building and forced its residents out. Immediately, Israeli settlers brought furniture into the building. At noon, the settlers set up observation cameras and a fence around the building. The seized building is comprised of 3 floors, and it served as a house for 15 Palestinian civilians, in including 7 children, from the Qara'in family.
· At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 23 November 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'ale Shomron" settlement, east of Qalqilya, set fire to a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to Mohammed 'Abdul Latif Kharfan, 37, from 'Azzoun village east of Qalqilya. At least 10 olive trees were burnt.
· At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 24 November 2010, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into Abu al-'Ajaj area in the south of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They demolished 4 barnyards, killing 15 sheep, and two tin-made houses, claiming that these facilities were established without licenses. A number of Palestinian civilians attempted to stop the demolition. IOF attacked these civilians. As a result, 4 civilians sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 3 civilians: Ussama 'Omar Ed'ais, 23; 'Ali Shihda Ed'ais; and 'Adnan Shihda Ed'ais, 24. The demolished facilities belong to:
1. An 80-square-meter house and a 250-square-meter barnyard belonging to 'Omar Shihda Ed'ais; and
2. A 100-square-meter house and a 300-square-meter barnyard belonging to Shihad Ed'ais.
………………………………………………………
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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