Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (17-23 March 2011)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalated Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Especially in the Gaza Strip
· 10 Palestinians, including 4 children, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
- The victims include 6 civilians.
- 24 Palestinians, including 11 children, were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
- A police station and a number of civilian facilities were destroyed in the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested a Palestinian fisherman and his child.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
· IOF conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 20 Palestinian civilians and two international human rights defenders.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested one Palestinian civilian.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- Israeli settlers launched a series of violent attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.
- Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian worker inside a settlement in the north of the West Bank and stabbed another one in the south.
- Israeli settlers burnt two cars and damaged another 3 ones.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (17 – 23 March 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed 6 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, and 4 Palestinian resistance activists in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 28 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 11 children.
In the Gaza Strip, on Saturday evening, 19 March 2011, IOF killed two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. It is worth noting that on 17 March, Israeli aircrafts dropped fliers on border areas warning Palestinians from getting as close as to 300 meters from the border.
On 22 March 2011, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, and wounded 11 others, including 8 children, with artillery shells in the east of Gaza City. IOF claimed that a shell went astray and killed and wounded these civilians. PCHR's investigations refute this claim as the area was targeted by 4 successive artillery shells.
On the same day, IOF killed 4 members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in Gaza City.
During the reporting period, IOF launched a series of air strikes on a number of Palestinian civilian facilities and a police station. The targeted facilities were destroyed and a number of houses and other property were damaged. Additionally, 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were lightly injured.
On 19 March 2011, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian areas. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and a mosque was damaged.
In the West Bank, IOF and Israeli settlers wounded 9 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and two others sustained bruises by IOF that intervened to protect Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian civilians and property.
On 23 March 2011, two Palestinian civilians were wounded and arrested in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, when IOF attacked Palestinian civilians participating in the funeral procession of a dead woman.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 20 Palestinian civilians and two international human rights defenders. including 6 children. The widest incursions were into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, during which IOF wounded two Palestinian civilians and arrested 14 Palestinian civilians and two international human rights defenders. They also violently beat a number of civilians, including a pregnant woman.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursion into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
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.
During the reporting period, Israeli settlers launched a series of violent attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. They violently beat a Palestinian worker in a settlement in the northern West Bank and stabbed another one in the south. They also burnt two cars and damaged 3 ones.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (17 – 23 March 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 17 March 2011
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bedya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. 'Obaida 'Abdul Karim Bulad, 21; and
2. Yasser 'Abdul 'Azizi Hussein, 20.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They ptraolled in the streets and established a checkpoint in the center of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and summoned 4 Palestinian civilians for interrogation: Taha Najeh Sharqawi, 23; Muhanna Khaled Sharqawi, 23; Ahmed Khaled Sharqawi, 23; and Ahmed Qassem al-Sa'di, 25.
· At approximately 10:50, IOF moved into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 16:10, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched a number of shops. They withdrew at approximately 18:00, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, 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 20:30, IOF moved into 'Azzoun 'Atma village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and fired flash bombs. They withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 18 March 2011
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ameen Hashem Kmayel, 32. They held his wife in a neighboring house and arrested him. They then raided and searched a 4-storey house belonging to Kmayel's father, and arrested his brother, Ameen, 34.
· At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into 'Izbat Nasser suburb, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:20, IOF moved into al-'Ouja village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:40, IOF moved into Jeeba village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Fassayel, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into al-Am'ari refugee camp, west of al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the east of the villages of al-Qarara, 'Abassan, Khuza'a and al-Fukhari. The artillery shelling continued sporadically until 11:00. As a result of the shelling, the minaret of 'Amar Bin Yasser Mosque in 'Abassan village was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 09:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired 3 artillery shells at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces near al-Mansoura Square in the east of al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 2,000 meters away from the border. As a result, 6 Palestinians were wounded:
1. Sa'eb Maher Abu Safiya, 20, a security man, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head and the left foot;
2. 'Emad Saleh Sa'id, 35, a security man, wounded by shrapnel to the body, and sustained a facture to the right foot;
3. Midhat Saleem al-Dayah, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
4. Nasser 'Omar Abu Shanab, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the back;
5. Qussai Fadi Abu Shanab, 22, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
6. 'Abdul Mon'em Mahmoud Sa'ad, 2, wounded by shrapnel to the face.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at an agricultural area in the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The missiles targeted Palestinian resistance activists, but no casualties were reported.
· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF warplanes fired two missile at an agricultural area in Abu Tu'aima area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip fired a number of artillery shells at two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters away from the border. The two children were instantly killed. IOF continued to fire at the area over the night. On the following day morning, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the area. At approximately 11:30, an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society was able to enter the area following coordination between the ICRC and IOF. The medical crews found the bodies of the two children nearly 300 meters away from the border, and evacuated them to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The two children were identified as:
1. 'Emad Mohammed 'Eissa Farajallah, 16; and
2. Qassem Salah Abu 'Otaiwi, 16, both from al-Nussairat refugee camp.
It is worth noting that on Thursday morning, 17 March 2011, IOF aircrafts dropped fliers over border area in the Gaza Strip, warning Palestinians of getting as close as to 300 meters from the border.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
· At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Beit 'Our al-Fouqa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit Seera village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, Israeli naval troops arrested two Palestinian fishermen who were sailing on board of a fishing boat nearly two nautical miles away from the seashore of Gaza City. The two fishermen were taken to the Israeli Ashdod Harbor. IOF released the two fishermen on the following day morning at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, but kept their boat in custody. The two fishermen are: Nasser Fadel Baker, 45, and his 15-year-old child 'Allam.
· At approximately 14:15, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They ptraolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:25, IOF moved into 'Izbat al-Tabib 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 established a checkpoint at its entrance and patrolled in the streets. They withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 21 March 2011
· At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Bir al-Basha village, south of Jenin. They stormed a transmission tower of Wataniya mobile phone company and searched the area. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 09:35, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:30, 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 19:00, IOF moved into the area located between 'Azzoun and 'Izbat al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqilya. They searched the area for some time.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:45, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a site of al-Ahrar Brigades near al-Maqqoussi apartment towers in the north of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 22:20, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at 'Abdul 'Aziz al-Rantissi site of the Palestinian police near al-Twam intersection in the west of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. Police buildings and two vehicles were destroyed. A police officer, Mohammed Hussein Abu 'Amira, 43, from Jabalya town, sustained bruises. Additionally, 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children and two women, were lightly injured by fragments of glass. Dozens of nearby houses , 7 shops and two vehicles were damaged. The building of Bytona Association for Social Development, which is located nearly 100 meters away from the targeted site, was heavily damaged.
· Also at approximately 23:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a 1,200-square-meter barrack of recycling nylon waste belonging to Mamdouh Yousef Zaidan in al-Sha'af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The barrack was completely destroyed, and the building of a company of construction materials belonging to Riad Yousef Hassanain was damaged.
· At approximately 23:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a 500-square-meter smith workshop belonging to 'Abdul Salam 'Abdullah Dalloul in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The workshop was destroyed.
· At approximately 23:55, an IOF warplane fired two missiles at the building of stores and machines of Khuza'a Municipality, east of Khan Yunis. The 150-square-meter building and a subordinate yard were completely destroyed. Additionally, a 120-square-meter animal farm belonging to Shawqi Saleem al-Najjar was destroyed, and a nearby room and the fence of a nearby house were damaged.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
· At approximately 23:55 on Monday, 21 March 2011, Mahmoud Hussein al-Najjar, 61, received a phone call from an Israeli number and the caller, who introduced himself as an Israeli military officer order him to evacuate his house in Khuza'a village. At approximately 00:14 on Tuesday, an IOF drone fired a missile at a 130-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to al-Najjar's son, Hussein. The missile penetrated the ceiling and fell into the lounge, where Hussein was, but he survived the attack. The family left the house immediately. Later, IOF phoned Mahmoud al-Najjar again and ordered him to evacuate his house in five minutes. Al-Najjar and his two sons, who live in houses next to his, evacuated the three houses. Nevertheless, none of these house has been bombarded.
· At approximately 00:05, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They raided two houses belonging to 'Aadel 'Emad Khuffash and Na'el Ahmed Khuffash, and summoned them for interrogation.
· At approximately 00:20, IOF warplanes fired a missile at a space area in the east of Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 00:40, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to Ahmed 'Abdul Rahman Khalaf and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 00:50, an IOF warplane fired a missile at an 240-square-meter vacant store belonging to Hatem Mohammed al-Farra near Bank of Palestine in Khan Yunis. The store and a number of nearby houses were damaged.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 brothers and a man and his son:
1. Ramzi 'Abdul Hafiz Yousef, 36;
2. Ma'awia 'Abdul Hafiz Yousef, 35;
3. Mohammed 'Abdul Hafiz Yousef, 32;
4. Ahmed 'Abdul Hafiz Yousef, 30'
5. 'Abdullah 'Abdul Hafiz Yousef, 23;
6. Kamal Sa'id Shurrab, 47;
7. Fadi Kamal Shurrab, 18;
8. Hazzaa' Hamdan 'Amouri, 35; and
9. Munadel Falah Shurrab, 33.
Israeli soldiers also violently beat Raja Hamdan 'Awad, 35, claiming that he broke te curfew.
· At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 08:15, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the northeast of Gaza City. They leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed under cover of shooting. They left the area at approximately 11:30 and no casualties were reported.
· In the evening, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, and wounded 11 others, including 8 children, with artillery shells in al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The Israeli radio quoted Israeli military sources claiming that an artillery shell went astray and caused the civilian casualties. Investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim, as a residential area was targeted with 4 artillery shells, and whether one of them went astray or not, they all targeted a residential area.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:10, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 4 artillery shells successively at al-Nazzaz Street in al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 2,000 meters away from the border. The first shell hit a 150-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Samer Waleed Mushtaha. The second floor of the house was completely destroyed and the first one was heavily damaged. The second shell fell onto a nearby tract of land belonging to the al-Hilu family. The third shell landed near a number of boys who were playing football near their houses. As a result, two children were killed and their bodies were dismembered: Mohammed Saber Harara, 19; and Mohammed Jalal al-Hilu. The fourth shell fell near Yasser Hamed al-Hilu, 51, and his grandchild, 15-year-old Yasser 'Aahed al-Hilu, while they were trying to open the garage of their house to get their car out in order to evacuate the wounded to hospital. The man and his grandchild were instantly killed. Additionally, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were wounded:
1. Ahmed Talal al-Hilu, 10, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen;
2. Tariq Ziad al-Hilu, 14, his hand was cut;
3. Mo'ammar 'Aamer al-Mubayidh, 15, wounded by shrapnel to the hand and the foot;
4. Yasser 'Aamer al-Hilu, 3, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;
5. Mo'ammar 'Aadel al-Mubayidh, 15, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
6. Mohammed 'Alaa' al-Hilu, 10, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
7. Alaa' Rami Abu Sakran, 9, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
8. Tamer 'Aahed al-Hilu, 13, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
9. Jamal Mahmoud al-Hilu, 53, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
10. 'Abdullah Ziad al-Hilu, 53, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
11. 'Abdul Karim Nabeel Abu Sirriya, 19, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.
· At approximately 19:50, an IOF warplane fired two missiles at a number of activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) who were near 'Abdul 'Aziz al-Rantissi Mosque in the east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Four activists were instantly killed:
1. Sa'di Mahmoud Hilles, 22;
2. Adham Fayez al-Harazin, 28;
3. Mohammed 'Atiya al-Harazin, 27; and
4. Mohammed Akram 'Aabed, 32.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:20, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail to the seashore and no casualties were reported.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into 'Ein 'Arik village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Turmos'iya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:35, IOF moved into Deir Ghassana village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned at the main entrance and near the cemetery of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, intercepted Palestinian civilians who were participating in the funeral procession of a dead woman, and attempted to force them to resort to another road instead of the road that directly leads to the entrance of the cemetery. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at these civilians. In the meantime, a number of Israeli soldiers chased and fired at two young men from the town. The two young men were wounded, one of them was arrested on the spot and the other one was arrested a few hours later:
1. Rami Hassan Abu Hashem, 31, wounded by a bullet to the right foot; and
2. Suhail Mohammed Braighaith, 24, wounded by a bullet to the leg.
IOF also arrested 4 civilians who were participating in the funeral procession:
1. Mohammed Hussein Abu 'Ayash, 27;
2. Nabeel Hammad Abu Maria, 28;
3. Saddam Hussein Za'aqiq, 32; and
4. 'Omar Mohammed Braighaith, 33.
Additionally, IOF arrested two international human rights defenders, but released them later.
At approximately 16:10, an IOF undercover unit, escorted by military vehicles, moved into Beit Uammar town. The undercover unit raided and searched al-Shurafa fuel station in the north of the town. Israeli soldier confiscated a computer set and arrested a worker in the station, Yousef Bader Ekhlil, 30. At the same time, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Ebraighaith. They violently beat members of the family and arrested two of his sons, one of whom was wounded (see above). Additionally, Rawan Ahmed Ekhamyes, 26, the owner's daughter-in-law, who is pregnant in the ninth month, sustained bruises as she was beaten by Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 19:00, IOF closed the main entrance of the village with cement blocks and sand barriers.
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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 18 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded:
1. Eyad Mohammed Bernat, 38, hit by a tear gas canister to the head;
2. Mohammed Shawkat al-Khatib, 17, hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot;
3. Nashmi Mohammed Abu Rahma, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand; and
4. Mohammed Suleiman Bernat, 20, hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot.
Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 18 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 18 March 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 also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF arrested two international human rights defenders. IOF also turned the roof of the cultural center in the village into a military site until 16:30.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
16 – 22 March 2011
Date
Details
16 March 2011
203 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 131 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
17 March 2011
253 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 195 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
18 March 2011
Closed.
19 March 2011
Closed.
20 March 2011
214 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 248 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
21 March 2011
214 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 208 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
22 March 2011
239 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 156 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
13 – 21 March 2011
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
13 March 2011
Foodstuffs
889
Agricultural materials
857
Various goods
1,146
Cooking gas
217
14 March 2011
Foodstuffs
8,941
Agricultural materials
869
Various goods
1,315
Humanitarian aids
787
Cooking gas
208
Benzene
38,000
Diesel
151,005
15 March 2011
Foodstuffs
1,339
Agricultural materials
1,402
Various goods
1,684
Humanitarian aids
1,143
Cooking gas
191
16 March 2011
Foodstuffs
1,082
Agricultural materials
1,514
Various goods
1,702
Humanitarian aids
987
Cooking gas
210
17 March 2011
Foodstuffs
1,002
Agricultural materials
1,419
Various goods
2,108
Humanitarian aids
1,132
Cooking gas
213
20 March 2011
Foodstuffs
2,302
Agricultural materials
218
Various goods
1,336
Humanitarian aids
894
Cooking gas
207.530
21 March 2011
Foodstuffs
2,097
Agricultural materials
267
Various goods
1,119
Humanitarian aids
943
Cooking gas
207.790
Notes:
· On Tuesday, 15 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 112 tons of iron and 280 of cement for UNRWA.
· On Wednesday, 16 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 74 tons of iron, 200 tons of cement and 26 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
· On Thursday, 17 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 287 tons of cement and 25 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA and 120 tons of cement for ANERA.
· On Sunday, 20 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 300 tons of cement for UNRWA.
· On Monday, 21 March 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement for ANERA.
Exports
· On Sunday, 13 March 2011, 206 tons of tomatoes and 224,000 flowers were exported.
· On Monday, 14 March 2011, 125,000 flowers were exported.
· On Tuesday, 15 March 2011, 184,000 flowers were exported.
· On Wednesday, 16 March 2011, 230,000 flowers were exported.
· On Thursday, 17 March 2011, 79,000 flowers were exported.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF completely closed the crossing.
Sofa Crossing: At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 09 March 2011, IOF opened Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and allowed the entry of 512 tons of construction aggregate. According to information available to PCHR, the crossing was exceptionally opened from 11:00 to 14:00, and it will be opened again to allow the entry of 70,000 tons of aggregate, which have been blocked for years, for UNRWA and the Palestinian private sector.
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
16 – 22 March 2011
Date
16 March
17 March
18 March
19 March
20 March
21 March
22 March
Patients
26
20
Nil
Nil
47
34
42
Companions
30
20
Nil
Nil
45
33
42
Arabs from Israel
10
1
5
Nil
17
9
27
Diplomats
12
16
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
3
International Journalists
2
9
1
Nil
4
Nil
1
International Workers
32
16
11
Nil
3
21
29
Travelers abroad
Nil
4
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Business People
72
70
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
61
Economic Meetings
10
4
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Security Interviews
4
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
1
4
VIP's
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
1
2
Nil
1
2
3
3
Ambulances from Israel
3
3
Nil
Nil
3
2
3
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 17 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint , north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:30 on Friday, 18 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. at approximately 12:30 on Sunday, 20 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint , north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. at approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 22 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, and banned the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qarawat Bani Zaid village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 22:45, IOF established a checkpoint on Dura al-Qare'-'Ein Yabroud road. At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 23 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint , north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 17 March 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 19 March 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around the town. On Sunday, 20 March 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around the town. On Monday, 21 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:40 on Thursday, 17 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 13:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 22 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
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, 17 March 2011, at least 8 Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian worker in "Shilo" settlement, north of Ramallah, using sharp tools. He sustained bruises throughout the body. In his testimony to PCHR, the victim, Sami 'Abdul Mo'ti Snoubar, 31, from Yatma village, stated:
"At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 17 March 2011, I was working in 'Shilo' settlement. When I was on the second floor of the building where I work, I was surprised by 8 settlers getting onto the floor. One of them hit my head with a sharp tool, so I fell onto the ground. Another one sprayed gas on my face and eyes. They then all violently beat me using sharp tools and stones. They continued to beat me for 15 minster. The guard of the building arrived then and attempted to stop them, but he could not. He phoned the guard of the settlement, and when the latter came, the settlers fled. He called the Israeli police and medical crews. No one talked to me. Paramedics provided me with first medical aid. They then transported me in an ambulance to the nearby Turmos'iya village, and a Palestinian ambulance transported me from there to Ramallah Hospital."
· On Thursday noon, 17 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement gathered at Kufor Laqef intersection, north of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. As a result, a car belonging to Bassam 'Abed Abu Khaled, from Kufor Qaddoum village, was damaged.
· At approximately 15:45 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement, northeast of Qaqlilya, burnt two cars belonging to Na'im 'Abdul Karim Tayem and Bashar 'Abdul Latif Tayem, both from al-Fundoq village east of Qalqilya, near the settlement. In his testimony to PCHR, Bashar Tayem stated:
"At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 17 March 2011, Na'im Tayem and I were working in 'Qidoumi' settlement. We stopped our cars near Jeet intersection as usual. While we were working, the guard of the settlement phoned us. He told us that our cars were set alight. We immediately went out to find that our cars had been completely burnt. The Israeli police arrived at the area. We asked the guard about the perpetrator, but he refused to answer. We submitted a complaint at an Israeli police station in 'Ariel' settlement."
· At approximately 18:00 also on Thursday, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement gathered on Nabus-Qalqilya road and threw stones at Palestinian civilians vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported. IOF intervened and closed the road until they evacuated the settlers.
· On Friday morning, 18 March 2011, Ayman Talal Dmaidi, 36, from Hawara village south of Nablus, survived a running-down attempt by an Israeli settler. Dmaidi stated to PCHR that at approximately 04:45, following the dawn prayer, he got out of 'Ali Bin Abi Taleb Mosque on his way to his house. When he was as close as to 150 meters from his house, an Israeli car hit him from the back, so he fell onto the ground. The settlers attempted to run over him. The settler then fled.
· At approximately 14:40 on the same day, Israeli settlers from "Taffouh" settlement stormed agricultural areas in the east of Yassouf village, east of Salfit. IOF intervened and evacuated the settlers.
· At approximately 18:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers gathered at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. They set fire to tires and close Nablus-Qalqilya.
· At approximately 18:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement gathered on Nablus-Qalqilya road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. No injuries or damages were reported.
· At approximately 18:35 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement gathered at Kufor Laqef intersection, north of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. No injuries or damages were reported.
· At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 19 March 2011, Mahmoud Rashad 'Atallah, 30, from Beit Leed village east of Tulkarm, was subjected stone throwing by Israeli settlers, when he was driving his car on the bypass road linking between Hawara intersection, south of Nablus, and Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.
· At approximately 08:30 also on Saturday, dozens of Israeli settlers, some of whom were armed, stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Twana village, east of Hebron, and attempted to prevent Palestinian farmers and international solidarity activists from planting olive seedlings. IOF intervened and attacked farmers and solidarity activists. As a result, Fadel Ahmed Reb'ei, 32, was injured in the head. IOF also detained Jaber Saber al-Harini, 16, for several hours. The targeted area had been razed by IOF one week earlier, and Israeli settlers established a settlement outpost on the area 7 years ago.
· At approximately 14:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Sousia" settlement, south of Hebron, freed hundreds of sheep onto Palestinian agricultural lands planted with wheat and parleys belonging to the al-Nawaj'a family in Sousia areas, nearly 500 meters away from the settlement. This attack came in the context of Israeli attempts to prevent Palestinian farmers from reaching their lands. IOF were present in the area and did not intervene to stop the attack. It is worth noting that Israeli settlers had already seized a two-donum area of agricultural land belonging to 'Adnan Shihda al-Nawaj'a.
· At approximately 16:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kharsina" settlement, northeast of Hebron, intercepted Musbah Ghaleb al-Za'tari, 40, while he was traveling in his car, accompanied by his two children – Mahmoud, 5; and Ahmed, 12 – in al-Bwaira area. They threw stones at the car from all directions. Al-Za'tari and his children were forced to open the doors and escape. He sustained bruises to the left leg. The settlers continued to attack the car for nearly 15 minutes. Later, IOF arrived at the area and evacuated them. Al-Za'tari's car was heavily damaged.
· At approximately 18:30 on the same day, several armed Israeli settlers from "Douleb" settlement, west of Ramallah, set up a tent in the east of 'Ein Qinya village, and conducted religious rituals for the Jewish Purim. IOF were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop them. The settlers left the area on the following day morning.
· At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 21 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Ma'oun" settlement intercepted Mahmoud Ibrahim Zain, 31, from Khirbat Tana area, south of Hebron, when he was riding his donkey and selling milk. One of the settlers stabbed him. He was seriously injured in the chest and right arm.
· At approximately 12:45 on the same day, an Israeli settler traveling on Hebron-Bethlehem road fired from his pistol at dozens of Palestinian civilians who were participating in the funeral procession of a dead civilian in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. Two civilians were wounded and the settler then fled towards "Kfar Etzion" settlement. The two civilians who were wounded are:
1. Ahmed 'Ali Abu Safiya, 60, seriously wounded by a bullet to the chest; and
2. Eyad Bassam al-Za'aqiq, 35, wounded by a bullet to the right thigh.
· At approximately 15:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kharsina" settlement, northeast of Hebron, threw stones at a number of houses belonging to the al-Za'tari family in al-Bwaira area. As a result, Sabrin 'Abdul Karim al-Za'tari, 17, sustained acute bruises to the right leg. A house belonging to Ghaleb 'Abdul Karim al-Za'tari and a taxi were also damaged.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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