Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (22-28 April 2010)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· Two Palestinian civilians was killed in the West Bank in a new extra-judicial assassination.
· 20 Palestinian civilians, including three children, 4 women, 3 international human rights defenders and 2 cameramen, were wounded in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the Gaza Strip, and continued to harass Palestinian fishermen at sea.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
· IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 4 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF arrested 45 civilians, including 14 children, 2 women, 2 cameramen including an Israeli cameraman, 5 Israeli solidarity activists and 2 Palestinian activists, in the West Bank.
· IOF continued to harass members of popular committees against the Annexation Wall and threaten them to arrest them.
· Israeli forces have continued measures aiming at creating a Jewish majority in occupied east Jerusalem
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
· Israel has continued its settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· Families in "al-Musafer" area, south of Hebron, were delivered notices to leave the area.
· 70 dunums cultivated with grapes in Beit Ummar village were sunk with sewage water.
· 20 olive trees were uprooted in Deir Estia in Salfit.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (22 – 28 April 2010):
Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank, and wounded 20 civilians, including 17 civilians in the West Bank and 3 civilians in the Gaza Strip. The wounded included 3 children, 4 women, 3 international human rights defenders and 2 cameramen.
In the West Bank, on 26 April 2010, in a crime – which constitutes an extrajudicial execution – IOF killed Ali Isma'el Swaiti, 45, in Beit 'Awwa in the West Bank district of Hebron, claiming that he had been wanted for several years. Swaiti was killed after demolishing a house while he was inside, where other five Palestinians were wounded, including a child and a young woman. The IOF spokesperson said that Swaiti had been wanted by the Israeli Security Service for eight years, as he was held responsible for carrying out a number of shooting attacks against Israeli targets near Hebron
IOF also used excessive force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders against the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. Twelve protesters, including an Israeli and an Italian solidarity activists, 2 children and one women, were wounded as a result of the use of excessive force by IOF. Also a number of protesters suffered suffocation from gas inhalation or suffered bruises because they were beaten by IOF. Ms. Luisa Morgantini, the former Vice-President of the European Parliament, was one of the protesters who fainted.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 April 2010, three civilians, including two women, one of them is an international solidarity activist, were wounded and an old man was shocked when Israeli soldiers who were in their military jeep inside the border strip with Israel, east of Central Gaza, fired bullets at a peaceful demonstration organized by the Popular Committee against the Wall as the participants approached the border strip east of al-Maghazi refugee camp.
On 25 April 2010, IOF positioned in watchtowers near Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting stones and iron bars from the debris of the industrial zone, southwest of Beit Hanoun crossing. IOF fired sporadically for 30 minutes, forcing the workers to flee the area in fear for their lives. No casualties were reported.
On 28 April 2010, killed a Palestinian boy in the east of el-Shaja'eya neighborhood, in the eastern Gaza City. This boy was a participant in a peaceful demonstration organized in the said neighborhood moving towards the eastern strip, and condemning the security belt along the border line in the east of the city. When the demonstration reached Nahal 'Oz crossing, at 150 meters away from the borders, some participants stoned the Israeli troops stationed at the borders, as a result, they opened fire towards the participants. The said boy was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, and then his death was announced after few hours.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 45 Palestinian civilians, including two women and 14 children, one of them is 13 years old.
IOF also arrested 5 persons, including a cameraman of al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper, an Israeli cameraman and three international solidarity activists, in the weekly peaceful demonstration organized in Bal'ein village. The arrested were transported to an Israeli interrogation center in "Na'leh" settlement, west of Ramallah. They were release on Saturday morning, 24 April 2010. also IOF arrested 3 participants in a vigil organized by "Youth
Against Settlements" in protest against the continued closure of al-Shuhada street in the center of Hebron. The arrested are Issa 'Amr, 30, a member of Youth Against Settlements and two Israeli professors who are Amiel Vardi and Jonathan Pollack.
On 25 April 2010, 6 persons, including a child, from Selwan town in the southern old town of Jerusalem while they were demonstrating against a demonstration organized by the settlers to claim the demolish of 216 houses belonging to the Palestinians in the said town. Thus, during the reporting period, the number of the arrested persons reached 45, including 6 non-Palestinian ones.
PCHR notes that through its observation of human rights violations committed by IOF against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, it is clear that IOF are intentional to maltreat Palestinian civilians and terrorize them while raiding their houses. They are also intentional to damage Palestinian houses and destroy parts of them.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 4 limited incursion as follows:
On 22 April 2010, IOF moved approximately 500 meters into the east of 'Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. IOF bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands. At approximately 13:00 on the same day, IOF moved to the south along the border strip and bulldozed agricultural lands in Khza'a village. IOF then withdrew inside the border strip.
On 25 April 2010, IOF moved approximately 300 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Younis. They bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands in the area before withdrawing inside the border strip.
Also on 25 April 2010, IOF moved into al-Farahin neighborhood in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. IOF bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands. IOF moved to the south along the border strip and bulldozed agricultural lands in Khza'a village. IOF then withdrew inside the border strip.
On 27 April 2010, Israeli ground forces, including 30 soldiers, moved approximately 200 meters into the north of the industrial zone, which is in the west of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, in the northwest of Beit Hanoun town, in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli troops fired at a group of Palestinian workers who were collecting stones and iron bars from the debris in the area to force them to flee the area.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have 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 had continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years. The Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
· The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. 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.
· At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
· IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
The 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 630 permanent roadblocks, manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 - 80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).
· There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by 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.
· During the reporting period, Israeli troop stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman.
Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem:
* During the reporting period, on 22 April 2010, IOF forced the family of Ali Ibtahim Salah to evacuate his house in Beit Safafa village, in the south Jerusalem to give it the Israeli settlers. Israeli policemen informed the said person of the importance of the execution of the decision issued by the Israeli supreme Court on 15 December 2010. The decision stated evacuating the house within 120 days. The 50-member family of Salah have lived in the 200-meter² house since 1967. the settler named Herkovch claimed that he had bought the said house from the heirs of the original owner of the house in 1991.
* In the same context, IOF municipality notified Hussein 'Ezzat el-Keswani of demolishing his house located in Beit Hanina village, near Tal'at Hazma, in the north of Jerusalem. The house is 400 m² and include two buildings; there are five rooms in each one. El-Keswani family built the first building in 2006 and the second one in 2008. They repeatedly tried to obtain a building license, but it was in vain.
* On 25 April 2010, about 50 settlers organized a demonstration claiming the demolition of 216 houses belonging to Palestinian families in Selwan, in the south of the old town in Jerusalem. The demonstration was inder the protection of more than 200 Israeli policemen. It started in Wadi el-Helwa in a provocative way. Many Palestinians clashed with members of the Border Security, who fired at them sound bombs, tear gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, tens of Palestinians suffocation from gas inhalation or suffered bruises because they were beaten by IOF. IOF detained 6 Palestinians from Selwan, including a child.
* At approximately 10:00, on Sunday morning, 25 April 2010, about 50 settlers headed by Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben Gaer organized a provocative demonstration claiming the demolition of 216 houses belonging to Palestinian families in Selwan village, in the south of the old town in Jerusalem. The demonstration was under the protection of more than 200 Israeli policemen, who were heavily armed and supported with a helicopter, hot air balloon, and observation cameras installed at all passages. The Israeli policemen stationed at hills and topped the houses surrounding the Bab el-Maghareba, el-Rahma cemetery, Wadi el-Helwa and R'as el-Bostan. They stood along Wadi el-Helwa road at both sides and established many checkpoints at the entrance of Selwan village and the surrounding neighborhood. The demonstration licensed by IOF moved from Wadi el-Helwa raising the Israeli flag and repeating shouts against the Arabs. Dozens of Palestinians faced the Israeli demonstration, where the Israeli troops fired at them sound bombs, tear gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets. Tens of them suffered suffocation from gas inhalation or suffered bruises because they were beaten by IOF. The Israeli troops continued attacking the Palestinians until late night.
They detained 6 men from Selwan village. They are as follows:
1. Mosa el-'Abbasi, 25.
2. Nafez Zaitoun, 23.
3. Montaser Badran, 19.
4. Sohaib el-Rajabi, 17.
El-Rajabi was released on Monday, 26 April 2010, while the others are still under detention until preparing this report.
Forcing Salah's family to evacuate its home
* On Thursday, 22 April 2010, IOF forced the family of Ali Ibrahim Salah to evacuate its home located in the eastern of Beit Safafa village,in the south of Jerusalem to give it to the settlers. Israeli policemen informed Salah of the decision taken by the Israeli Supreme Court issued on 15 December on evacuating the house within 120 days. The Israeli Court decided that the house belong to a group of settlers headed by Hrkovic from Kiryat Arba, in the southeast of Hebron. Policemen threatened that they would expel the family to Jordan in case they refused to evacuate the house. The family consisting of the father, his wife and other three families of their sons was forced to evacuate the house in fear for paying expensive fines.
The 50-member family of Salah have lived in the 200-meter² house since 1967. the settler named Herkovch claimed that he had bought the said house from the heirs of the original owner of the house in 1991. IOF aim at occupying the house of Salah as it is included an Israeli settlement scheme to build Givat Hamtos settlement on Beit Jala and Beit Safafa. Salah's family had been struggling long time ago against the settlers, who occupied the house in the 90s with the help of IOF. In addition, the family was attacked by settlers on 20 October 2010 and their cattle consisting of 120 sheep was confiscated last year.
IOF threaten el-Keswani family for the second time
* IOF's municipality in Jerusalem informed Hussein 'Ezzat el-Keswani of demolishing his house located in Beit Hanina, near Tal'at Hezma, in the northern Jerusalem. The house is 400 m² and include two buildings; there are five rooms in each one. El-Keswani family built the first building in 2006 and the second one in 2008. They repeatedly tried to obtain a building license, but it was in vain. During the reporting period, the family received a demolition notice issued on 12 April 2010 claiming that the house was built without building license. It should be noted that el-Keswani house was destroyed twice few years ago.
Settlement Activities: Israel has continued its settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Thursday morning, 22 April 2010, IOF delivered notices to 6 Palestinian families in the al-Musafer area in the south of Yatta village, southern Hebron, notifying them that their houses would be destroyed and requiring them to leave their property under the pretext that their houses were not licensed by the Israeli "civil administration". The houses, which are tents and plastic huts which were provided by the civilians in the area by Joint Council for Services, the Palestinian Hydrology Group and the Italian Voluntary Group. They are located in "Sha'ab al-Butum" and "Ma'in" areas which are surrounded by "Iva Hal", "Metza Ya'er, and "Sosya" settlements from the east and the southeast.
On 22 April 2010, Israeli settlers who run a sewage water collection plant belonging to "Gush Etzion", north of Hebron, pumped sewage water to dozens of agricultural dunums belonging to Palestinian civilians from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Approximately 70 dunums cultivated with grapes were sunk. Besides, between 250 and 300 meters of walls constructed to protect farms were destroyed.
It should be noted that the settlers running the mentioned plant normally pump sewage water to the Mediterranean Sea through water networks and treat a part of this water to irrigate plants in Israeli settlements in the area.
On 23 April 2010, a group of settlers uprooted 20 olive trees from Wadi Qana area in the west of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. The trees were planted in a peace of land belonging to Qasem Naser Mansour in Kafat al-'Amoud area.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 – 28 April 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 22 April 2010
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin city and Jenin refugee camp. They fired into the air and raided and searched many. They arrested Ghassan Ahmed Jamal Tahayna, 26, from al-Marah neighborhood, east of Jenin. They then withdrew at approximately 05:00.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Muthalath al-Shuhada village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses. They arrested Mohammed Jihad Mohammed Wishahi, 22.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. They fired into the air and raided and searched many houses. They arrested two Palestinian civilians: Majed Faisal Mohammed Nazzal, 21, and Jihad Abdullah Suleiman Nazzal, 23.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Taqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. IOF soldiers who had tracker dongs raided and searched many houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, two of them are brothers:
1. Amin Ahmed Hajajleh, 17;
2. Louay Ahmed Hmeida, 18;
3. Musa'b Suleiman Sabbah, 22;
4. Izz Sabbah, 16;
5. Mohammed Salim Sabbah, 17; and
6. Ahmed Salim Sabbah, 13.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir Ghazal village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses. They arrested Abdul Qader Adnan Abdul Qader Jalamneh, 23.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jalboun village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses and arrested Walid Ibrahim Said Abu al-Rub, 23.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ya'bud village, southwest of Jenin. They fired into the air and raided and searched many houses. They arrested Nidal Jamal Sharif Abu Baker, 25.
· In the early morning, IOF supported with many military vehicles broke into "el-Menya" village in the east of Bethlehem. They broke into the house of Basem Abdul Majeed 'Awwad Kawazba, 38, and arrested his two sons; Jihad, 15, and Nadeem, 15. they were taken to Kfar Etzion detention center, in the southwest of the city.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 2:40 of the said day, the Israeli troops broke into the house of Kawazba, where they forced him to waken his sons up. The Israeli officer was shocked to see that the two sons were young. He checked their names in their father's ID. The Israeli officer informed the father of the arrest warrant against his sons claiming that they stoned IOF. Then he ordered the Israeli soldiers to put them in the military vehicle; however, their father insisted on accompanying them. Thus, he was handcuffed, blindfolded and taken with his sons, who were also blindfolded.
The father said:
(In the middle of the main street leading to Kfar Etzion, the military vehicles stopped, and then I was dropped at the intersection of Taqou'-el-Baq'a, in the southeast of Bethlehem. I was forced to go back home after an intelligence service's officer told me that my sons are detained and that I can see them in the morning in Kfar Etzion. At approximately 8:00 I headed to the said detention center, after waiting for an hour, I was able to see them; however, they were interrogated previously. An Israeli officer told me that my sons were detained as they are charged of throwing stones. Thus, they would be transferred to Ofer detention center, in the west of Ramallah, and their trial would be held on 25 April 2010. In fact, they were really transferred to Ofer at 13:00. At approximately 15:30,they were brought to trial, where the judge decided to extend their detention until preparing an indictment against them. On Monday, 26 April 2010, the two sons were brought before the court and their indictment were presented stating that they stoned IOF in the area they live in. The military prosecution requested the judge to sentence Jihad to imprisonment for four months and a half and a fine amounting to 2000 NIS; Nadim was sentenced to imprisonment for three months and a half and a fine amounting to 1000 NIS. However, their lawyers rejected the military prosecution's request and called for postponement of the trial, which was appointed on Thursday, 29 April 2010).
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved approximately 500 meters into the east of 'Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. IOF bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands for four hours and fired indiscriminately. At approximately 13:00, IOF moved to the south along the border strip and bulldozed agricultural lands for two hours in Khza'a village. IOF then withdrew inside the border strip.
Friday, 23 April 2010
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They fired many tear gas canisters and sound bombs and raided and searched many houses in the north and center of the village. They arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, from the village:
1. Ahmed Khalil Abed Abu Hashem, 42, who is the secretary of the Popular Committee against the Wall in the village;
2. Khaled Khalil Abdul Fattah Sabarna, 24;
3. Yousef Fathi Khader Sabarna; 20;
4. Hatem Ahmed Rashid Sabarna, 17; and
5. Yousef Mohammed Yousef 'Awad, 17.
Mohammed 'Ayad 'Awad, an activist in the "Palestinian Solidarity Project" in the village, stated to the PCHR fieldworker that IOF soldiers were intentional to use sound bombs and tear gas canisters to terrorize civilians in their houses. He said that they crushed windows of houses belonging to the persons who were arrested, including the house of Hatem Ahmed Sabarna. In the afternoon of Sunday, 25 April 2010, four of the arrested civilians were released. Yousef Fathi Khader Sabarna remained under detention.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ramzi Hassan al-Tamimi, 33. Before withdrawing, they arrested al-Tamimi.
· At approximately 3:00, IOF moved into 'Anin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
· At approximately 2:00, IOF, supported by approximately 12 military vehicles and approximately 100 foot soldiers, moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They raided and searched many houses and arrested 5 children from the village:
1. Said Farouq Said Abu Haneyeh, 17;
2. Said Zeyad Abu Haneyeh, 17;
3. Sa'ad Ahmed Mohammed Masha'al, 17;
4. Yehya 'Ali Abdul Hafez 'Odwan, 17; and
5. Ahmed Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Salama, 17.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF soldiers who were in their military jeeps in a military site inside the border strip with Israel, east of Central Gaza, fired bullets at participants in a peaceful demonstration organized by the Popular Committee against the Wall as the participants approached the border strip in the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, three people, including two women, one of them is an international solidarity activists, were wounded while an old man was shocked. The wounded were transferred to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for medical treatment.
The wounded are:
1. Bianica Zamit, 28, a solidarity activist from Malta and a member of the International Soliderity Movement, who was wounded by a bullet in the left thigh;
2. Hend Mohammed Ahmed al-Aqra'a, 23, from al-Zawayda village, who was wounded by a bullet in the abdomen;
3. Nedal Fayez al-Naqleh, 18, who was wounded by a bullet in the right thigh.
4. Suleiman Salem al-Bheiri, 70, who was shocked.
Hend al-Aqra', who was wounded in the incident, stated to the PCHR fieldworker that she participated with dozens of civilians in the peaceful demonstration that walked to the border strip with Israel in the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp. Participants were carrying slogans and flags and there were not any armed actions in the demonstration. The demonstrators became approximately 200 meters far from the border strip. Some of them walked closer to the border to raise the Palestinian flag but the Israeli soldiers who were in their military jeeps fired heavily at the peaceful demonstration. She said she was wounded and transferred by a civilian car to an ambulance and then to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. It was found out that she was wounded by a bullet in the abdomen.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched many houses and delivered Jihad Khaled Deireyeh requiring him to appear before the Israeli intelligence in "Gush Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Ajjah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Anza village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Sannour village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Mithlon village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Dora village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Salama, near the intersection of al-Tabaqa area. IOF held the residents of the house in one room inside the house and transformed the house into a military barracks.
· At approximately 09:30, IOF moved approximately 300 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Younis. For 3 hours, IOF bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands in the area. They fired indiscriminately and withdrew later inside the border strip.
· At approximately 011:00, IOF moved into the east of al-Farahin neighborhood in Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. They bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands in the area for approximately 2.5 hours. Then they moved to the south along the border strip and bulldozed and leveled agricultural lands in Khza'a village for four hours. They indiscriminately bombarded the area before their withdrawal inside the border strip.
· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF positioned in watchtowers near Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing fired at a group of Palestinian workers who were collecting stones and iron bars from the debris in the industrial zone, southwest of Beit Hanoun crossing. They sporadically fired for 30 minutes forcing the Palestinian workers to flee the area in fear for their lives. No casualties were reported in this incident.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF, supported by a number of military vehicles, police forces and foot soldiers, moved into Baroqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched many houses. The foot soldiers stopped a number of Palestinian civilians who were in the main street and beat Helmi Rabah Helmi Samara, 19. they then handcuffed him and led him to an unknown area.
Monday, 26 April 2010
· In the early morning, in a crime – which constitutes an extrajudicial execution – IOF killed Ali Isma'el Swaiti, 45, in Beit 'Awwa in the West Bank district of Hebron, claiming that he had been wanted for several years. Swaiti was killed after demolishing a house while he was inside, where other five Palestinians were wounded, including a child and a young woman. The IOF spokesperson said that Swaiti had been wanted by the Israeli Security Service for eight years, as he was held responsible for carrying out a number of shooting attacks against Israeli targets near Hebron, including opening fire near the Ethna-Tarqumiya intersection on 26 April 2004, i.e. exactly six years prior to yesterday's killing of Swaiti. The said attack resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier and the injury of two others.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and eyewitness testimony, Israeli occupation forces entered Beit 'Awwa town in the far south of Hebron at approximately 3:00 on Monday 26 April 2010, supported by military armored vehicles, a bulldozer and a Caterpillar digging vehicle. Israeli forces surrounded the house in which Ali Swaiti was located, using sound bombs. The home belongs to Mahmoud Abdul Aziz Swaiti and is located in Khellet el-Foulah, in the north of the town. During the operation, Israeli soldiers broke into numerous other houses in the area and turned them into observation points and firing posts. After some minutes, Israeli occupation forces evacuated at gunpoint the family living in the targeted one-storey house as well as a family living in another two-storey house, which belongs to the family of Ahmed Abdul Aziz Swaiti. The two families were detained outdoors for some time before they were taken to an adjacent house belonging to Abdul Jalil Swaiti. They were detained there with other families, all of whom were interrogated regarding the whereabouts of the targeted person.
At approximately 5:40, an Israeli bulldozer began to destroy the fences surrounding the targeted house. It progressed towards the house and started to demolish it, but it retreated as it was fired at from inside the house. Israeli forces stationed in the neighboring houses opened fire at the house for 15 minutes from all sides before an explosion took place inside the house. Residents of the area reported that the explosion resulted from the shelling of the house.
At approximately 6:00, the Caterpillar vehicle began to drive into and destroy the fences of the targeted house. After that, a digging vehicle continued demolishing the house, and then retreated to allow the renewed advance of the bulldozer and the search for the body of Swaiti.
At approximately 7:00, the bulldozer lifted the body of Swaiti out of the rubble and dropped it onto a road close to the demolished house before moving it another 10 m away. At approximately 7:30, an Israeli soldier fired at least two shots at the body of Swaiti from a distance of three meters. At approximately 8:00, Israeli occupation forces left the homes in which they had taken position.
In the meantime, Palestinian civilians had left their homes and many of them hurried towards the area of the attack. They carried Swaiti's body to take it indoors. However, some people clashed with Israeli forces as they withdrew. Israeli occupation forces fired at those people using rubber-coated metal bullets, wounding five Palestinians including a boy and a young woman. The wounded are as follows:
1. Mohammed Mahmoud Masalmah, 23, wounded by a bullet to the head;
2. Baha' Mohammed 'Akimi el-'Amareen, 20, wounded by two bullets to the legs;
3. Hussein Yusuf Swaiti, 18, wounded by a bullet to the leg;
4. Hammam Isma'el Masalmah, 17, wounded by two bullets to the legs; and
5. Asma' Murshed Swaiti, 19, wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder.
Before their withdrawal, IOF detained three civilian Palestinians:
1. Maysoon Abdul Jalil el-Rjoob, 33, the wife of the detainee whose house was targeted.
2. His brother, Ahmed Abdul Aziz Swaiti, 40.
3. His oldest son, Abdul Aziz, 19.
At approximately 24:00, IOF stationed at a military jeep and site inside the border strip, in the east of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, fire at dozens of participants in a peaceful demonstration organized by the Popular Campaign Against the Security Belt in the east of 'Abasan town. The participants were holding the Palestinian flag and posters condemning the security belt; when they were few meters away from the from the said border strip, the Israeli troops fired indiscriminately at them so as to be dispersed. The demonstration was dispersed without injuries.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
· At approximately 1:00, IOF supported with military vehicles moved into el-'Obaideya area in the east of Bethlehem. They moved in the streets and broke into many houses, where they searched them. Before their withdrawal, IOF delivered Shadi Mohammed Kayed Khalifa, 25, a notice to go to the Israeli Intelligence Service office in "Etzion", in the southern Bethlehem.
· At approximately 11:45, Israeli ground forces, including 30 soldiers, moved approximately 200 meters into the north of the industrial zone, which is in the west of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, in the northwest of Beit Hanoun town, in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli troops fired at a group of Palestinian workers who were collecting stones and iron bars from the debris in the area to force them to flee the area in fear for their lives. At approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces withdrew and no casualties were reported in this incident.
· In the afternoon, IOF supported with military vehicles broke into the house of Ra'ed Abdul Qader Hassan el-Shheitat located at the intersection of el-Tabaqa village, in the west of Dora city, in the southwest of Hebron. IOF turned the house into military position.
The Municipal sources stated that IOF broke into the two-storey house of el-Shheitat and used it as an observation point and firing post. After the 20 persons living in the house were detained in one room, IOF broke into the house and held a checkpoint at the same intersection.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
· At approximately 1:00, IOF moved into Deir el-'Asal el-Foqa village, in the far southwest of Hebron. They started surrounding the house of Kamel Mohammed Hussein Shawamrah at 30 meters away from the Annexation Wall in the village. They also arrested the house owner, Halima Abed Rabu Mohammed Shawamrah, 60.
According to the testimony of her husband, after IOF broke into the house, they asked about his wife, Halima, and his son, Nader, 20, who were not at home at that moment. Before their withdrawal, IOF detained his wife. It should be noted that Halima suffer from many diseases, including blood pressure and a fracture in the right leg.
· At approximately 2:00, IOF moved into Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. In the morning, they withdrew and there were no casualties.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sannour village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched many houses, but no arrests were reported.
· According to investigations of PCHR, at approximately 24:00, a peaceful demonstration organized in el-Shaja'eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, moving towards the eastern strip, and condemning the security belt along the border line in the east of the city. When the demonstration of 100 persons, including 4 international solidarity activists, reached Nahal 'Oz crossing, at 150 meters away from the borders, some participants stoned the Israeli troops stationed at the borders, as a result, they opened fire towards the participants. The said boy was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh. He was taken to el-Shifa hospital in Gaza City ; however, his death was announced at 16:15 due to his wounds.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall and inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest of the construction of the Wall and settlement activities.
* On Friday, 23 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah. The demonstration included Luisa Morgantini, the former Vice-President of the European Parliament, Marc Otte, the EU's Special Representative to the Middle East peace process, Thierry Vallat, an EU observer, and more than 20 other Arab and international diplomats. Following the Fifth International Conference of Bil'ein Popular Resistance, the demonstrators walked in the streets of the village challenging the Israeli decision stating that the said village is a closed area on Fridays for six coming months; in addition to condemning the Annexation Wall. Then they moved towards the Wall and attempted to access annexed lands behind it. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, seven demonstrators, including an Israeli activist, an Italian activist, two cameramen and a woman, sustained injuries. Many others suffered from tear gas inhalation, including Morgantini and some of them sustained bruises. The Israeli troops detained five participants, including the cameraman in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper, an Israeli cameraman and three other activists. They were taken to investigation center in the settlement of "Ni'liya" in the west of Ramallah. They were released on Saturday, 24 April 2010.
The detainees are as follows:
1. Moheeb Mohammed el-Barghouthi, 46.
2. The American activist, Arc, 26.
3. The Israeli activist, Tal Shapira, 26.
4. The Israeli activist, Ghal Luo Gasi, 27.
5. The Israeli cameraman, Uri Goff.
The wounded are as follows:
1. Emad Rezqa, 43, from Jaffa, wounded by a tear gas in his head.
2. The Italian activist, Simone, 30, wounded by a bullet to the right hand.
3. Najah Hassan Abu Rahma,48, wounded by a tear gas in her back.
4. the Israeli activist, Dur, 27, wounded by a bullet to the left leg.
5. Haytham Kamal el-Khateeb, 35, wounded by a bullet to the right leg. He works as a cameraman for the popular committee in Bil'ein.
6. 'Abbas Abdul Wahab el-Momani, 34, wounded by a bullet to the right leg. He works as a cameraman for the AFD.
7. Majd el-Blaj, 22, wounded by a bullet to the right leg.
* Also following the Friday Prayer, on 23 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and human rights defenders and number of PLC members representing Islamic movements organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, others sustained bruises and four civilians were wounded, including a child.
The wounded are as follows:
1. Khamis Abdullah 'Amera, 22, wounded by a bullet to the left leg.
2. Mohammed Hatem Nafi', 17, wounded by a bullet to the left hand.
3. Sa'eed Ibrahim Mostafa 'Amera, 19, wounded by a bullet to the right thigh.
4. Ra'ed Khalil 'Amera, 30, wounded by a bullet to the back.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 April 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabil Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. When the demonstrators attempted to reach land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters and (Skunk Gas) at them. As a result, Mohammed Mahmoud, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the head; dozens of demonstrators suffered also from tear gas inhalation, and other sustained bruises.
· At approximately 16:00, on Saturday, 24 April 2010, "Youth Against Settlements" gathering organized a peaceful demonstration in Hebron, due to the continued closure of el-Shohada' Street in the center of the city. The demonstration included number of Israeli and international supporters and ended up with a sit-in at the entrance of settlement of "Beit Romano" established on the rubble of Osama Ben Monqeth School in the north of the old town. During the sit-in, groups of settlers from the said settlement intentionally hampered the activities of the sit-in and the weekly round organized after every Saturday. These groups attempted to breakthrough the sit-in area under the protection of IOF. The demonstrators foiled it before the Israeli troops attacked them and detained four demonstrators.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:10, the Israeli troops stationed in the area attacked the participants in the sit-in in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators by force. In the meanwhile, IOF detained three participants, including the human right activist, Issa Isma'el 'Amr, 30, who is an activist in the "Youth Against Settlements", and two Israeli activists, Professor Amiel Vardi and Jonathan Pollack. The three detainees were taken to the Israeli police station before the settlement of Kiryat Arba in the southeast of the city. After few hours, the two Israeli activists were released, but 'Amr was kept in detention, where he was charged of attacking an Israeli soldier. It should be noted that 'Amr did not show any violent behavior in the demonstration according to eyewitnesses and photographs taken. At night of the same day, 'Amr was transferred to Ofer Israeli prison in the west of Ramallah.
3. Continued Siege on the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip over two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
* On Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently, and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
* 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
* The main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
* Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years.
* Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
* The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
* Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
* Israel has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. 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.
* At least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years.
* IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
21 – 27 April 2010
Date
Details
21 April 2010
40 Palestinians, including 20 members of a delegation from human rights organizations and 16 members of a delegation from the UNRWA, were allowed to travel to Egypt and 123 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
22 April 2010
Two Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 161 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
23 April 2010
Closed.
24 April 2010
One Palestinian was allowed into the Gaza Strip.
25 April 2010
One Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt.
26 April 2010
Closed.
27 April 2010
Three Palestinians were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
21 – 27 April 2010
Date
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
21 April 2010
Foodstuffs
802
Agricultural materials
352
Various goods
451
Cooking gas
195,710
Industrial fuel
367,400
Benzene
1995
Humanitarian aids
269
22 April 2010
Foodstuffs
671
Agricultural materials
597
Various goods
410
Cooking gas
196,210
Industrial fuel
455,377
Humanitarian aids
243
25 April 2010
Foodstuffs
793
Agricultural materials
320
Various goods
316
Cooking gas
195
Industrial fuel
478.000
Humanitarian aids
89
26 April 2010
Foodstuffs
297
283
Various goods
538
Cooking gas
199
Industrial fuel
94000
Industrial fuel (UNRWA)
294000
Benzene (UNRWA)
45000
Humanitarian aids
191
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: Israel partially opened the crossing on Wednesday, 21 April 2010, and allowed the entry of 975 tons of wheat and 2,379 tons of fodders.
It was also opened on Thursday, 22 April 2010, and allowed the entry of 633 tons of wheat and 1,716 tons of fodders. On Monday, 26 April 2010, IOF allowed the entry of 546 tons of wheat and 1,872 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
21 – 27 April 2010
Date
Patients
Companions
Arabs from Israel
Diplomats
International Journalists
International Workers
Travelers abroad
Traders
21 April 2010
52
52
26
10
2
44
2
4
22 April 2010
32
31
8
9
2
47
5
3
23 April 2010
4
9
Nil
1
10
5
Nil
24 April 2010
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
25 April 2010
45
43
17
Nil
2
27
2
6
26 April 2010
54
51
11
7
Nil
22
Nil
6
27 April 2010
37
37
2
7
6
35
Nil
8
During the reporting period, at approximately 9:00, on Sunday, 25 April 2010, IOF detained 'A'ed Rafeeq Abdul Jawad Zeyada, 26, from Beit Lahya Project in the northern Gaza Strip after he was summoned by the Israeli Intelligence Service at Beit Hanoun crossing. Zeyada was heading to Israel for medical treatment for he was wounded.
On Saturday evening, 24 April 2010, Zeyada received a phone call from the of the medical coordination office of the Ministry of Health asking him to head to go to Beit Hanoun crossing on Sunday morning, 25 April 2010, to have an interview with IOF. After he went there, he never came back home. At approximately 20:00 of the same day, Zeyada's father received a phone call from IOF informing him that his son was detained in el-Majdal (Ashkelon) prison in Israel.
"For more details, see the reports and press releases published by PCHR on the state of the Gaza Strip's crossings at the website."
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
* Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
* Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba' and Qalandya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks on Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 22 April 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 25 April 2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
* Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 25 April 2010, many military checkpoints were established suddenly at the entrances and intersections of Hebron. Other entrances were completely closed for hours. PCHR's researcher said that IOF had established three checkpoints at the entrances of Doora – al-Tabaqa intersection, al-Rayhiya – al-Fawwar intersection, and Deir Samet town-Beit 'Awwa intersection in the south and southwest of Hebron. A fourth checkpoint was held at Tarqumiya, al-Leiya-Ethna intersection in the northwest of the city. Besides, IOF closed the intersection between the northern entrance of Hebron and Halhoul town, al-Fahes intersection, and the entrance of Bani N'eim town in the south and southeast of Hebron.
On Monday, 26 April 2010, IOF some areas in Hebron and held three sudden military checkpoints at the intersections of (el-Saheb – el-Tahrir – Nemra – el-Mhawwel) in the south, southwest and east of the city.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
On Wednesday, 28 April 2010, Israeli troops stationed a checkpoint near the eastern Barta'a village, in the southwest of Jenin, arrested Mohammed Fo'ad Abu 'Abed, 22, from Ya'bed town, in the southwest of the city.
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.
* At noon on Thursday, 22 April 2010, IOF delivered notices to six Palestinian families in the "el-Musafer" area in the south of Yatta town, announcing the demolition of their houses. IOF claimed that these houses were built without obtaining prior permits from the (Civil Administration) of the IOF.
Head of the Joint Services Council of Yatta, Saber Hussein el-Hareeni, said to PCHR's researcher that the houses targeted of demolition are located in "Sha'b el-Butum" and "Ma'in" areas, which are surrounded by the settlements of " Eva Hal", "Metza Ya'er, and "Sosya" from the eastern and the southeastern sides. These houses include "tents" and plastic "arbors distributed previously by the Joint Council for Services, the Palestinian Hydrology Group and the " Italian Voluntary Group".
These houses belong to the families of: Yusuf Isma'el el-Najjar, Talab Mosa Abdul Fatah el-Najjar, 'Ezzat Gebra'il Abdul Rahman el-Najjar, Mahmoud Mosa el-Najjar, Hatem Mosa Jabareen and Ishaq Mahmoud Ibrahim Jabareen.
* On Thursday, 22 April 2010, some settlers operating a "station for collecting wastewater" used for the settlements of "Gush Etzion" in the far north of Hebron pumped the wastewater to the farms, which belong to tens of Palestinians from Beit Ummar town in the north of Hebron. As a result, approximately 70 dunums of grapes were sunk and damaged.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimony of one of the farmers, 'Oda Ahmed 'Oda Sabarnah, who works as an agricultural engineer, the settlers operating "the station for collecting wastewater" used for the settlements of "Gush Etzion" had intentionally pumped the wastewater to tens of dunums of grape farms located in the northeast of Beit Ummar town. As a result, approximately 70 dunums of grape farms were sunk and damaged. Besides, tens of "stone" fences separating between farms were destroyed. These fences reach 250-300 meters.
Sabarnah said that one of the farmers, whose farm was damaged, had called him to inform him of what had happened, due to which, he went with one of his colleagues working in the Ministry of Agriculture to the targeted area in " Shkhid Valley", where he observed tens of dunums sunken with the wastewater. In addition, at approximately 11:00 he saw that two settlers were still pumping the wastewater to the said farms. Sabarna confirmed that grapes in the targeted farms had become unfit for human consumption. It needs human intervention to treat the soil to be arable after two years at least.
Sabarnah added that settlers usually pump part of the wastewater in the said station to the sea, while the other part is treated in t he station to be sued in watering farms in the settlements in that area. He said that the first farm, which was sunken in the wastewater, is two meters away from the station. Most of the farms belong to: Ahmed 'Oda Msallam Sabarnah, Ibrahim 'Oda Msallam Sabarnah, Mahmoud 'Oda Msallam Sabarbah, Mohammed 'Oda Msallam Sabarnah, Ahmed Abdul Qader Mohammed Sabarnah, Shhadah Abdul Fatah Sabarnah, Shehdah Abdul Fatah Sabarnah, Ali Sa'eed Hassan Sabarnah, Mohammed Hussein Mansour Sabarnah, Khalil Saber Mostafa Sabarnah, Mostafa Saber Mostafa Sabarnah, Mohammed Saber Mostafa Sabarnah, and Isma'el Saber Mostafa Sabarnah.
At approximately 10:00, on Friday 23 April 2010, a group of settlers uprooted 20 olive trees in Qana Valley in the west of Deir Estiya town in the northwest of Selfeet. These trees belong to Qasem Naser Mansour and they are located in Kafet el-'Amoud area.
Eyewitnesses said that a group of settlers had polluted the pool of 'Ein el-Basah through throwing bottles inside it. In the meanwhile, four settlers tried to attack the sons of Jihad Khaled Mansour: Fatema, 16, and Waheeb, 14, when they were helping their father in gathering the orange and lemon in the said area. The settlers expelled them; however, the father defended them and throw stones on the settlers until they got out of the area. It should be noted that the two children were not harmed.
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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