Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (30 June - 06 July 2011)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· Two Palestinians were killed by an Israeli air strike in the central Gaza Strip.
- A third Palestinian was wounded in the same attack.
· A Palestinian civilian died of a previous wound in the West Bank.
· Israeli warplanes attacked a number of civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip.
- A store of fodders was bombarded and a number of civilian facilities were damaged.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear Gas inhalation.
- IOF arrested 4 international human rights defenders.
· Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.
- A fishing boat was damaged.
· IOF conducted 32 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
- IOF arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- IOF cut 11 olive trees in Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit.
- IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from working on their lands near “Sousia” settlement, south of Hebron.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (30 June – 06 July 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed two Palestinians and wounded a third one in the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian civilian also died of a previous wound in the West Bank.
On 05 July 2011, , Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who were at an olive field in the east of al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip, nearly 600 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, two activists were killed by shrapnel throughout their bodies and a third one was wounded. The Israeli daily Yidiot Aharanot reported on its English website that “the Israeli Air Force targeted a Palestinian terrorist cell to the east of al-Maghazi, while its members were attempting to fire a projectile into Israel, killing two members of the cell and injuring a third one.”
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip in two separate incidents. In one of these attacks, a Palestinian fishing boat was damaged.
On 05 July 2011, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance near a 1,000-squre-meter store of fodders belonging to Isma’il Helmi al-Najjar in the east of Gaza City. The missile hit the store and damaged it. Three activists were also lightly wounded. Additionally, a nearby tire workshop belonging to the Dughmosh family and a house belonging to Hafez ‘Aashour Dughmosh were damaged.
In the West Bank, on 01 July 2011, a Palestinian civilian died of wounds he had sustained by IOF last January. According to PCHR’s documentation, on 20 January 2011, the victim, who holds an Israeli identity card, was traveling in his car at Nabi Younis intersection, northeast of Hebron. Without prior warning, Israeli soldiers stationed at a checkpoint in the area fired at him. He was wounded by a bullet to the head. His car also turned upside down. He was seriously wounded, and was evacuated to Hadassa Hospital.
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 in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 4 international human rights defenders.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 32 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
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.
· IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
· IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
· The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Soafa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
· These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.
· IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
· The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
· Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
· IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
· IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 10 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.
· For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
· For approximately 46 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
· When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
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 30 June 2011, IOF cut 11 olive trees in Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They claimed that the area is part of public land and is located near the bypass road leading to “Elli Zahav” settlement.
On 01 July 2011, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers and a number of international and Israeli solidarity activists from plowing Palestinian agricultural areas in Wad al-Sweed near “Sousia” settlement to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. IOF arrived at the area at 11:00 and forced the farmers and activists to leave it. It is worth noting that the land whose area is 60 dunums,[1] and it had been seized by Israeli settlers since 2004. However, the Israeli High Court had recently issued a decision giving the land back to its Palestinian owners.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (30 June – 06 July 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 30 June 2011
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Kazem Mofeed Radwan, 18;
2. ‘Alaa’ Sameer Saleem, 20; and
3. Usaid Yasser Saleem, 22.
Friday, 01 July 2011
· In the morning, medical sources at Hadassa Hospital in Jerusalem declared that Jalal Khalil al-Masri, 30, from Ethna village west of Hebron and resident of Jerusalem, died of wounds he had sustained by IOF last January. According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 23:30 on Thursday, 20 January 2011, al-Masri, who holds an Israeli identity card, was traveling in his car at Nabi Younis intersection, northeast of Hebron. Without prior warning, Israeli soldiers stationed at a checkpoint in the area fired at him. He was wounded by a bullet to the head. His car also turned upside down. He was seriously wounded, and was evacuated to Hadassa Hospital. IOF claimed that he did not obey orders to stop.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:45, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 02 July 2011
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, southwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and took photographs of historical sites. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:35, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Sunday, 03 July 2011
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:20, IOF moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:45, IOF moved into al-Fundoq village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They stationed on Nablus-Tulkarm road near Ektaba intersection. Israeli soldiers stepped down from their vehicles. They stopped and searched a number of Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew from the area later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:15, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and held two Palestinian civilians, including a child, for some time: Yousef Ahmed Faisal, 17; and Mohammed Faisal Saleem, 19. They released the two civilians later and withdrew from the village. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 16:15, IOF moved into Kufor Thuluth village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF raided and searched Palestinian houses in al-Ras Street in Hebron. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:20, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Monday, 04 July 2011
· At approximately 06:40, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip fired bullets and a number of shells at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. A boat belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Raziq Baker, from Gaza City, was damaged.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Deir ‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Marka village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Misliya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Tullarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mohammed Jayousi, 20, who was not at home. When Jayousi phoned his sister, an Israeli officer took the phone and ordered him to come back home. When he arrived at home, IOF arrested him.
· Also at approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at them. IOF then raided a shop belonging to Haris ‘Ali Salama, 55, and questioned him. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:20, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, northwest of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Bidya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Brouqin village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 05 July 2011
· At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach and neither damage nor casualties were reported.
· At approximately 14:40, Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who were at an olive field in the east of al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip, nearly 600 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, two activists were killed by shrapnel throughout their bodies:
1. Mohammed Sa’id Abu Jazar, 29, from Rafah; and
2. Kamal Hamdan Abu Mo’ammar, 30, from Rafah.
A third activist was also wounded by shrapnel throughout the body. The Israeli daily Yidiot Aharanot reported on its English website that “the Israeli Air Force targeted a Palestinian terrorist cell to the east of al-Maghazi, while its members were attempting to fire a projectile into Israel, killing two members of the cell and injuring a third one.”
· At approximately 23:30, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance near a 1,000-squre-meter store of fodders belonging to Isma’il Helmi al-Najjar in the east of Gaza City. The missile hit the store and damaged it. Three activists were also lightly wounded. Additionally, a nearby tire workshop belonging to the Dughmosh family and a house belonging to Hafez ‘Aashour Dughmosh were damaged.
Wednesday, 06 July 2011
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Iraq Bourin village, southwest ofNablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Abdullah Mahmoud Abu Qadous, 24; and
2. ‘Aqel ‘Essam Faqeeh, 16.
· At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and stopped and questioned a number of Palestinian civilians. IOF withdrew from the town at approximately 17:45, and no arrests were reported.
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, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 4 international human rights defenders.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 01 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2. They raised the Palestinian, Turkish and Irish national flags. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 July 2011, 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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 July 2011, Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They moved towards the main road of the village, which has been closed by IOF for more than 10 years. They called for reopening the road, which links the village with other Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF intercepted the demonstration and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. They also beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, Murad Mahmoud Eshtaiwi, 40, was injured in the head, and Ramzi Kamel ‘Aqel, 35, sustained bruises to the body. IOF deliberately fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at both sides of the road. As a result, fire broke out in the area and at least 200 beehives belonging to ‘Adnan ‘Abdul Muhdi ‘Ali, 60, and 150 olive trees belong to ‘Ali and to ‘Ali Mohammed Sa’id were burnt.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
28 June – 05 July 2011
Imports:
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Liters
28 June 2011
Foodstuffs
755
Agricultural materials
1,678
Various goods
Boxes of clothes
Washing machines
Refrigerators
Boxes of shoes
Glass boards
959
176
92
187
840
520
Humanitarian aid
2,231
cooking gas
134.130
29 June 2011
Foodstuffs
695
Agricultural materials
2,141
Various goods
Refrigerators
Electricity generators
Boxes of shoes
Glass boards
Water tanks
851
324
16
1,021
520
60
Humanitarian aid
926
cooking gas
204.340
30 June 2011
Foodstuffs
823
|
Agricultural materials
1,361
Various goods
Boxes of clothes
Boxes of shoes
Refrigerators
Gas ovens
Biscuit machine
Water tanks
Plastic machines
Cars
911
78
2,461
371
126
1
187
10
20
Humanitarian aid
Electricity generators
1,852
11
cooking gas
158.580
03 July 2011
Foodstuffs
986
Agricultural materials
241
Various goods
Refrigerators
Boxes of clothes
Boxes of shoes
Glass boards
909
185
1,441
810
520
Humanitarian aid
1,934
cooking gas
206.190
Notes:
· On Tuesday, 28 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 300 tons of cement, 108 of iron bars and 1,260 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, and 56 tons of construction aggregate for the Palestinian Medical Relief Committees. They also allowed the entry of 1,560 tons of fodders.
· On Wednesday, 29 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry 240 408 tons of cement for UNRWA, and 20 tons of construction aggregate and 6 tons of iron bars for the Palestinian Medical Relief Committees. They also allowed the entry of 1,560 tons of fodders, 476 tons of straws and 28 tons of flower seedlings.
· On Thursday, 30 June 2011, IOF allowed the entry of cement for UNRWA, and 1,610 tons of aggregate for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 1,287 tons of wheat.
· On Sunday, 03 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 440 tons of cement and 1,400 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 234 tons of wheat.
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
29 June – 05 July 2011
Date
29 June
30 June
01 July
02 July
03 July
04 July
05 July
Patients
24
34
2
Nil
50
46
44
Companions
22
41
3
Nil
42
45
43
Arabs from Israel
7
4
1
Nil
6
10
8
Diplomats
8
16
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
12
International Journalists
6
4
5
Nil
3
2
3
International Workers
30
34
27
Nil
15
5
19
Travelers abroad
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
4
Business People
62
67
Nil
Nil
63
55
63
Economic Meetings
2
9
Nil
Nil
11
Nil
Nil
Security Interviews
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
3
1
VIP's
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
2
3
2
Nil
4
Nil
3
Ambulances from Israel
3
2
Nil
Nil
2
1
2
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. On Friday, 01 July 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at the entrance of the old town and the al-Aqsa Mosque. They banned Palestinians aged below 45 from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque. They also prevented Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem. IOF established checkpoints at the entrances of the old town and the al-Aqsa Mosque, and reinforced their presence throughout the city.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 01 July 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint on Bitillo – Deir Ammar road, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 19:30, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 17:40 on Saturday, 02 July 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 18:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. At approximately 14:50 on Sunday, 03 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 15:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 19:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Turmos’iya village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 17:40 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 30 June 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Friday, 01 July 011, IOF established two checkpoints around Qalqilya. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 02 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 03 July 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around the town. On Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around Qalqilya.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Kufor Qoud – Kufor Dan road, west of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 01:30 on Friday, 01 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of “Yataf” settlement, east of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 30 June 2011, Israeli soldiers patrolling in the old town of Hebron arrested Mohammed ‘Aadel Abu ‘Ayash, 15, claiming that he was carrying a knife.
· At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 03 July 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Murad Ahmed Shadid, 21, a university student from ‘Allar village north of Tulkarm.
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 approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 30 June 2011, IOF cut 11 olive trees belonging to Tawfiq Ahmed ‘Ali in Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They claimed that the area is part of public land and is located near the bypass road leading to “Elli Zahav” settlement.
· On Friday morning, 01 July 2011, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers and a number of international and Israeli solidarity activists from plowing Palestinian agricultural areas in Wad al-Sweed near “Sousia” settlement to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron. IOF arrived at the area at 11:00 and forced the farmers and activists to leave it. It is worth noting that the land whose area is 60 dunums belongs to the Houshiya family, and it had been seized by Israeli settlers since 2004. However, the Israeli High Court had recently issued a decision giving the land back to the Houshiya family.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that an political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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