Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations: 26 Palestinians killed, including 6 children

Relatives from Hableh town near the West Bank city of Qalqilia attend the funeral of Hussein Mradwi, who was shot by an Israeli settler, 7 August 2006. (MaanImages/Khaleel Reash)

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

25 Palestinians, including 6 children and an old man, were killed by IOF.

3 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in the West Bank.

59 Palestinian civilians, including 26 children and women, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

IOF launched a series of air strikes on a number of houses in the Gaza Strip.

3 houses were destroyed after their residents were warned that the houses would be attacked.

IOF have continued to shell the northern Gaza Strip and al-Shouka village near Rafah, and many families were forced to leave their homes.

IOF conducted 38 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and moved into several areas in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

IOF destroyed 41 houses and razed at least 557 donums [1] of agricultural land in Rafah.

IOF arrested 44 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 20 others in the Gaza Strip.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip and there have been shortages of foodstuffs and fuels; IOF positioned at a checkpoint in the West Bank arrested a Palestinian civilian.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; they confiscated areas of land in Hebron and burnt at least 100 donums of agricultural land in Tulkarm.

Israeli settlers have continued attacks Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; a Palestinian civilian was killed and his son was wounded by settlers.

Summary

As the international community has remained silent, IOF have continued to wage a full scale offensive on the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip. During the reported period, IOF have waged a media war against Palestinian civilians. They have dropped leaflets in streets and on roofs of houses, phoned civilians threatening to destroy their houses if they helped Palestinian resistance activist, and ordered a number of Palestinian resistance activists through phone calls on their mobile phones to evacuate their houses, which would be destroyed. IOF have further continued their Operation Grasshopper, under which they move in a certain area, commit crimes there and then redeploy outside it. They then move into another area and do the same.

PCHR, monitoring with utmost concern the developments of this offensive, calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and United Nations, to immediately intervene to force IOF to stop this offensive and allow the passage of foodstuffs, medical supplies and fuels into the Gaza Strip.

The outcome of crimes committed by IOF since 25 June 2006:

200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 44 children and 10 women, have been killed by IOF.

At least 779 Palestinian civilians, including 218 children and 24 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.

At least 205 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells have been fired at Palestinian civilian and military targets in the Gaza Strip.

Buildings of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National economy, the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister and a number of educational institutions have been destroyed.

The electricity generation plant, providing 45% of the electricity of the Gaza Strip, was destroyed, and electricity networks and transmitters have been repeatedly attacked.

6 bridges linking Gaza City with the central Gaza Strip and a number of roads have been destroyed.

Hundreds of donums of agricultural land and dozens of houses have been destroyed.

Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including 8 ministers and 26 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council have been arrested.

The Palestinian governmental compound in Nablus has been destroyed.

Many families in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia have been forced to leave their houses.

IOF intelligence has warned some Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by phone to evacuate their houses, which would be attacked.

15 houses belonging to activists of Palestinian factions were destroyed by IOF warplanes.

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the OPT, and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (3 - 9 August 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 20 Palestinians, including 12 civilians, in the Gaza Strip. The victims included 6 children and an old man. In addition, civilian died from a previous wound he had sustained last month. It is noted that 17 of the victims were killed during a 3-day IOF incursion into Rafah. This number includes two brothers, who were attacked by an IOF drone while they were fleeing from the area together with their mother and brother, who were also wounded. It also included a 3-day-old baby, who fell from the hands of her mother who was fleeing from the area, as IOF shelled it. Most of the victims were killed by IOF air strikes. The remaining 3 victims, other than those who were killed in Rafah, were two members of the Palestinian resistance and a 3-year-old child. The two members were killed by a missile fired by an IOF warplane, whereas the child died when she fell from the roof of her family’s house due to the heavy explosion caused by the missile.

In addition, 45 Palestinian civilians, including 18 children and a woman, were wounded by IOF shelling. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of “Operation Summer Rains” on 25 June 2006 has increased to 181, including 100 civilians. These civilians have included 42 children and 10 women. In addition, 693 others, mostly civilians, including 188 children, 24 women, 4 paramedics and 4 journalists, have been wounded.

IOF also launched at least 12 air strikes on a number of targets in the Gaza Strip, including 3 houses belonging to Palestinian resistance activists. These houses were destroyed, and a number of neighboring houses and civilian facilities were severely damaged. IOF intelligence officers ordered owners of these houses by phone to evacuate their houses. The targeted houses were not located in confrontation areas, or in areas used to fire rockets. They were distributed in different parts of the Gaza Strip. In addition, they were multi-story apartment structures. The destruction caused fear among the civilian population. The destruction of houses is based on intelligence reports, which can be inaccurate or out of date and often do not justify attacks on civilians and their property. Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the destruction of real or personal property, “except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”

In a further escalation, IOF fired dozens of artillery shells at Palestinian residential areas and agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. A number of Palestinian civilians were killed or wounded and a number of flats were damaged. Hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes due to the IOF shelling. In Rafah, IOF have repeatedly shelled the electricity network, cutting electricity off from the whole town.

In the West Bank, IOF committed two extra-judicial executions, which left dead 3 members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. On 6 August 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed one of these Palestinians in Seilat al-Harthiya village, southwest of Jenin. An IOF sniper fired at the victim who was hiding on the roof of his house. On 9 August 2006, an IOF helicopter gunship fired 3 missiles at a house in Jenin refugee camp, killing two Palestinians. IOF had used helicopter gunships in military operations for the first time since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. In addition, 12 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a girl, were wounded by IOF gunfire.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted a 3-day incursion into al-Shouka village in Rafah. During this incursion, IOF destroyed 42 houses, in which 285 people (42 families) lived. They also razed 557 of agricultural land, and damaged the civilian infrastructure of the village. IOF conducted 4 incursions into areas in the Gaza Strip. They destroyed civilian property and shelled residential areas. Dozens of families were also forced to leave their houses due to the intense IOF shelling.

In the West Bank, IOF conducted at least 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities, during which they raided dozens of house and arrested 44 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, 3 children and the Speaker and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. On 18 and 19 July 2006, IOF permitted reopening the crossing point partially, with the presence of EU observers and in agreement with the Egyptian side, for travelers wishing to come back to the Gaza Strip. IOF have closed commercial crossings of the Gaza Strip, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF have prevented Palestinian fishermen from fishing.

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to separate between the north and south of the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 4 August 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian aged below 45 from going to the al-Aqsa Mosque for the Friday prayer. Additionally, IOF established a new checkpoint at Jaba’ intersection, northeast of Jerusalem, only two kilometers way from Qalandya checkpoint, which has been transformed into an international crossing point.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. On Sunday, 6 August 2006, IOF issued a military order confiscating dozens of donums of agricultural land in the west of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. Also during the reported period, IOF burnt at lest 100 donums of agricultural land in Far’oun village, which has been isolated behind the Wall, south of Tulkarm.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. On Sunday evening, 6 August 2006, a number of Israeli settlers traveling in a civilian car opened fire at a Palestinian truck that was traveling before them near Douma village, southeast of Nablus. As a result, Hussein Fahmi ‘Ali Mardawi, 48, from Habla village southeast of Qalqilya, was killed by two live bullets to the heart, and his son, 17-year-old ‘Ameed, was wounded by shrapnel to the left hand and shoulder.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (3 - 9 August 2006)

1. Israeli Offensive on the Gaza Strip

For the fifth consecutive week, IOF continued their open-ended offensive on the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, after Palestinians had captured an IOF soldier from a military outpost on 25 June 2006. Since then, IOF have been perpetrating war crimes and serious violations in several areas in the Gaza Strip. These crimes have included willful killing, disproportionate use of lethal force; destruction of civilian infrastructure, including electricity and water networks; large scale destruction of public and private property; air strikes and mock air raids on civilian targets, including educational institutions; governmental compounds; and training sites and activists of Palestinian resistance organizations.

In addition, IOF have targeted journalists and media crews covering the events on the ground. PCHR believes that attacks against journalists aims at hindering journalists from conducting their professional duty of sending the picture of crimes perpetrated by the Israeli government to world public opinion.

The military escalation has been accompanied by the complete closure imposed on the Gaza Strip since 25 June 2006, and the subsequent severe humanitarian and economic conditions. IOF have closed border crossings, keeping thousands of Palestinians at the Egyptian side of the Rafah International Crossing Point, and preventing the flow of food, medicines and fuel through commercial crossings. As a result, the Gaza Strip is on the verge of a humanitarian and environmental disaster.

Thursday, 3 August 2006

In another crime of disproportionate use of lethal force, IOF have killed 9 Palestinians, including 6 unarmed civilians (one of them a child), and injured 20 others (5 of them children) in land and aerial bombardment. The bombardment accompanied a land attack on El-Shoka community that started during pre-dawn hours. PCHR’s fieldworker in Rafah reported that most of the victims were torn and charred. The Centre is very concerned over this Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) escalation, which is part of an open aggression on the Gaza Strip that started at the end of June. Hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties fell during this aggression. In addition, IOF have caused extensive damage and destruction to civilian property and infrastructure.

At approximately 23:30 on Wednesday, 2 August 2006, tens of IOF armored vehicles supported by helicopters and drones moved nearly 3 kilometers into al-Shouka, east of Rafah. IOF armored vehicles opened fire indiscriminately during their advance. This incursion continued until Sunday morning, 6 August 2006.

At approximately 00:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of civilians who gathered near the building of al-Shoka Municipality. As a result, Ziad Salman al-Sheikh ‘Eid, 22, was killed instantly, and 2 others were seriously wounded. One of the wounded, 19-year-old ‘Adnan Bassam Abu Lebda, died later from the wound he sustained in the attack.

At approximately 02:40, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists on Salah al-Din road. One of them, 24-year-old Wa’el Mohammed Younis, was killed instantly, and two others.

At approximately 03:10, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists near ‘Aamer housing project intersection on Salah al-Din road. One activist, 21-year-old Mahmoud Anwar Killab, was killed and another one was wounded.

At approximately 04:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at civilians who gathered near Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. Two civilians were seriously wounded. Less than an hour later, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at the Hospital’s prayer hall. Three civilians were wounded, including a 5-year old girl who was sleeping inside her house near the hospital.

At approximately 07:30, IOF warplanes fired 2 missiles at a group of civilians in al-Shouka village. As a result, 12-year-old Anis Salem Abu ‘Awad was killed. Eight others, including 4 children, were wounded.

At approximately 09:30, Palestinian medical crews retrieved the bodies of 2 civilians killed in al-Shouka village at the beginning of the IOF incursion:

1. Yousef ‘Abdullah Abu Mour, 22; and
2. ‘Abdul Rahman Ahmed Abu Sunaima, 42.

The two civilians were killed by a missile fired by an IOF warplane.

At approximately 09:45, three civilians who were wounded in al-Shouka village were evacuated to Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar Hospital. They were wounded by shrapnel from IOF artillery shelling.

At approximately 11:00, medical crews found the body of Suliman Mahfouz al-Rumailat, 55, from al-Shouka village, torn into pieces by IOF artillery shelling.

At approximately 21:50, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in al-Tannour neighborhood, west of al-Shouka village. A resistance activist, 22-year-old ‘Izziddin Sameer Abu Jazar, was killed, and another one, 21-year-old Ahmed Mohammed Abu Jazar, was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body. The victim’s body was found on the following day morning.

In other areas of the Gaza Strip, at approximately 13:00, IOF positioned at the border to the east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, 13-year-old ‘Aamer Salem Abu Shallouf, was wounded by shrapnel to the limbs, when he was near his house.

Friday, 4 August 2006

In the early morning, an IOF fighter jet fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Omar ‘Arafat al-Khatib, 32, in which 6 people live, in Block I in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The house was destroyed. The owner was informed by IOF intelligence by phone that his house would be attacked only 10 minutes prior to the attack.

IOF continued their offensive on al-Shouka village, east of Rafah:

At midnight, Palestinian civilians fled their homes in al-Shouka due to the intensity of IOF shelling. A baby, 3-day-old Shahed Saleh al-Sheikh ‘Eid, fell from her mothers arms. She suffered bruises and internal hemorrhage. She was pronounced dead at Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar Hospital.

At approximately 06:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists in al-Tannour neighborhood, west of al-Shouka village. One of them, 26-year-old ‘Essam Yousef al-Bashiti, was killed instantly, and another one was seriously wounded. After the strike, Ahmad Mohammad Shaheen, 21, went out of his house in the area to save the wounded. IOF troops fired at him. He was killed by two live bullets to the chest.

Saturday, 5 August 2006

At approximately 00:00, IOF widened the scope of their aggression on al-Shouka, advancing towards al-Tannour neighborhood and ‘Aamer housing project, nearly 4 kilometers away from the border with Israel. IOF completely destroyed the remaining parts of the Sa’ad Sayel Barracks of the National Security Force, which had been targeted during the al-Aqsa Intifada. IOF took position nearly 600 meters away from Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, and fired indiscriminately at the area.

At approximately 00:30, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of civilians trying to flee their houses in Tannour neighborhood. The missile hit al-‘Oroba Street in the neighborhood in the midst of a fleeing family. Two children were killed: ‘Ammar Rajaa’ al-Natour, 17; and Kifah Rajaa’ al-Natour, 15. Their mother, 44-year-old Huda ‘Eissa al-Nouri, and their brother, 13-year-old Na’el Rajaa’ al-Natour, were seriously wounded. The child’s right leg was amputated.

In his testimony to PCHR on this attack, an eyewitness, Eyad Hafez Abu Shabana, 39, said:

“At approximately 02:30 on Saturday, 5 August 2006, I was standing in front of my house with my brothers. We were watching the people fleeing their homes in al-Shouka village, al-Tannour neighborhood and ‘Aamer housing project. They were fleeing towards the center of Rafah and towards al-Junaina neighborhood because of the Israeli attack. They were passing through al-‘Oroba Street on their way. As I was watching the flight of the people, I heard an explosion approximately 45 meters away from where I was standing. The explosion caused panic among the people in the area. Many of them fled the area. I walked up carefully to the area of the explosion. I got up to about 5 meters away from the place of the explosion. I saw a woman and three children (two boys and a girl) lying on the street. Smoke and the smell of burns arose from amongst them. I heard the moaning of one of the children and the woman. The other two children were motionless. As I was viewing the scene of the explosion, my friend Sobhi Abu Dahi called me on my mobile phone. I asked him to call for ambulances and report the targeting of a family by a missile fired by a drone that was hovering in the air over the area. Then, I started to call for help from others around me. People were afraid to come near, out of fear that they might be targeted by a second missile. My brother Yahia answered my calls along with a neighbor from the Abu Taha family and a taxi driver from the al-Shawi family. We tried to take the woman to a car; however, we could not because of the burns she sustained. We tried to take the 13-year old boy. While carrying him, I noticed that his right leg was cut off. We went to the hospital. An ambulance arrived after we had left and took the women and the two motionless children to the hospital. At the time of the incident, I did not know the identities of the woman and her children, but after a few hours, I knew from hospital sources that they were from the al-Natour family.”

At approximately 02:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists in al-Tannour neighborhood, west of al-Shouka village. One of them, 22-year-old Mohammed Salah al-Khawaja, was killed instantly, with his head severed from his body. A few minutes later, another missile was fired at a second group of resistance activists in the area, killing another resistance activist, 23-year-old Sharif Saber ‘Ayyash. His body remained in the area for 4 hours before Palestinian medical crews were able to retrieve it.

At approximately 19:00, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the IOF gunfire in al-Shouka village:

1. ‘Ali ‘Abdullah Abu Snaida, 18, wounded by a live bullet to the left knee; and
2. ‘Abdullah Jamal Nasser, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the back.

At approximately 23:50, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Salam neighborhood to the west of al-Shouka village. As a result, Ibrahim Suleiman al-Rumailat, 13, was killed by shrapnel to the back and shoulder. Three other civilians were also wounded by shrapnel throughout their bodies:

1. Yousef Mohammed ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 17;
2. Mohammed Hamdan al-Soufi, 54; and
3. Mohammed Ejmai’an al-Soufi, 30.

The indiscriminate shelling and shooting by IOF in Rafah wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children.

IOF raided a number of houses to the east of Rafah, and arrested 7 Palestinians. IOF took over a number of houses and transformed them into military outposts to protect their troops. Electricity has been cut off Rafah since the start of the aggression. In addition, IOF have cut off transportation between Rafah and Khan Yunis on Salah al-Deen Road.

The IOF offensive resulted in a harsh humanitarian situation. Approximately 400 families of 2560 members were forced to flee their houses, and take refuge in emergency shelters provided by UNRWA in two schools.

In the central Gaza Strip, at approximately 04:00, IOF positioned at the border with Israel, east of al-Maghazi refugee camp, opened fire at Palestinian agricultural land. As a result, Bassem Mohammed ‘Aabed, 24, from Khan Yunis, was wounded by shrapnel to the neck, when he was working at a bird farm, nearly 350 meters away from the border.

In the northern Gaza Strip, at approximately 07:30, IOF fired a number of artillery shells at the east of Beit Hanoun. A shell fell near houses, wounding 14-year-old Sa’ed Khaled Musleh, seriously with shrapnel to throughout the body.

At approximately 16:25, IOF fired an artillery shell at al-Hawouz area, west of Beit Hanoun. As a result, Mohammed Akram Abu Shabab, 16, was wounded by shrapnel to the chest.

Sunday, 6 August 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF redeployed in Rafah. They moved out of various areas they had encroached into in the preceding days, towards Gaza International Airport, southeast of al-Shouka village. The outcome of the IOF offensive on al-Shouka village was:

- 17 Palestinians, including 5 children, one of whom was a 3-day-old baby, were killed.
- 37 Palestinians, including 16 women and children, were wounded.
- 20 Palestinians were arrested.
- Large areas of agricultural land, a number of houses and the civilian infrastructure were destroyed.
- At least 100 shells were fired by IOF following their redeployment from the area.

At approximately 01:30, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Mohammed Ahmed Abu ‘Amra, 65, from Gaza City, died from a wound he had sustained on 17 July 2006. He was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, when IOF warplanes attacked the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in al-Remal neighborhood in the west of Gaza City.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved again into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They besieged a 350-square-meter house belonging to Yasser Mahmoud ‘Abdul ‘Aal near Rafah International Crossing Point. They forced the family out. They then planted explosives and destroyed the house. IOF also razed 20 donums of agricultural land near the house.

Monday, 7 August 2006

At approximately 01:00, an IOF fighter jet fired a missile at a 500-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Khaled Mohammed al-Shurafa, in which 34 people (4 families) live, in al-‘Atatra area, west of Beit Lahia. The house was destroyed and two neighboring houses were severely damaged. Al-Shurafa told PCHR that he received a phone call on his mobile phone from the IOF intelligence, informing him that his house would be shelled. He immediately vacated the house. When he came back to the house to take some documents, he received another phone call, ordering him to leave the house immediately and he did. IOF attacked the house a few seconds later.

Tuesday, 8 August 2006

At approximately 12:10, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children in the Bedouin village, nearly 300 meters away from the border. One of the children, 14-year-old Ibrahim Shihda Abu Jarad, was wounded by a live bullet to the right knee.

Rajaa Abu Shaiban, 4, killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza City, 9 August 2006. (MaanImages/Wesam Saleh)

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

At approximately 20:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a tract of agricultural land in the est of Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. Four members of Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, who were unarmed, were on the land. Two of them were instantly killed: Ahmed Hussein al-Mis’hal, 18; and Ramadan Majdalawi, 30. The two others were seriously wounded. As a result of the heavy explosion, 3-year-old Rajaa’ Salam Abu Sha’ban, fell from the roof of her family’s house, nearly 100 meters way. She instantly died because of a fracture to the skull. In addition, one civilian was wounded.

2. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank

Thursday, 3 August 2006

At approximately 00:30, IOF positioned at the eastern entrance of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron, raided a house belonging to ‘Awad ‘Abdul Mahdi Maslama. They forced the family out and searched it. A number of IOF soldiers also violently beat the owner’s son, 16-year-old Mexher, and his daughter, 19-year-old Hala. The two sustained serious bruises and the daughter lost conscious for a few minutes. This raid on the house had been the fifth in less than one month.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ussama ‘Abdullah ‘Asafra, 30, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdullah Mohammed Shuraitah, 22, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF positioned in the south of Hebron raided and searched two houses near the Ibrahimi Mosque, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. ‘Omran Mohammed al-Muhtasseb, 19; and
2. Saqer Mohammed ‘Obaidu, 19.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire. No casualties or arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ziad Abu Daya, 41, member of the Municipal Council of the al-Bireh, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:40, IOF moved into Qalqilya through its eastern entrance. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yasser Isma’il Badra, 27, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, in al-Naffar neighborhood, and arrested him.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into the southwest and west of Hebron. They raided and searched a shop belonging to the family of Zaidan Na’im al-Natsha, 29, and violently beat him. They then handcuffed and blindfolded him and out him in a military jeep. An hour later, they pushed him out of the jeep. He sustained bruises throughout the body. IOF claimed that al-Natsha did not obey their order to open a coffer in the shop.

Friday, 4 August 2006

At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Bahaa’ Smeeh Hashash, 20; and
2. Fathi al-Qaddoumi, 27.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho. They besieged a house belonging to Ibrahim Abu Sharar. They ordered residents through megaphones to get out, and they did, excluding the owner’s son, 29-year-old Yasser. Immediately, IOF fired sound bombs inside the house. As a result, the son sustained burns to the left leg. He got out of the house at 04:30, and IOF arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Fundoq village, east of Qalqilya, and imposed a curfew. According to eyewitnesses, IOF soldiers stopped and checked Palestinian civilians who were on their way to mosque for the Dawn Prayer.

At approximately 13:15, IOF moved into the north of Hebron. Following the Noon Prayer, IOF stopped 5 prayers and summoned them to the IOF intelligence. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 5 August 2006

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets. They then moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of the town. There, they raided and searched a house belonging to Shadi Fu’ad Qara’en, 21, and arrested him.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and checked passing Palestinian civilians. A number of civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at these civilians, wounding two of them:

1. Ahmed Sa’id Salem, 17, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest; and
2. ‘Atallah Zahran, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and checked a number of Palestinian civilians, and arrested 16-year-old Sa’ad Ibrahim ‘Abdul Raziq.

Sunday, 6 August 2006

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Ramallah, and besieged a house belonging to Dr. ‘Aziz al-Dweik, 58, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), in al-Masayef neighborhood. IOF ordered the al-Dweik through megaphones to get out and surrender. He got out of the house and IOF arrested him. IOF had earlier tried to arrest him during a detention campaign against PLC members and cabinet ministers. It is noted that Dr. Dweik was elected as the PLC Speaker on 18 March 2006. He was arrested by IOF 5 times in the past, and spent 4 years in IOF prisons. He was also deported to Marj El-Zohur for a year at the end of 1992 with other Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists.

On 29 June 2006, IOF arrested 8 Cabinet Ministers and 21 PLC members from Hamas. In addition, IOF arrested Hamas political activists during the same campaign. On 6 July 2006, IOF arrested the second deputy speaker of the PLC, Dr. Hasan Khuraisha at al-Karama International Border Crossing. He was released on 30 July 2006 after posting a 10,000 New Israeli Shekel bail. It is noted that IOF released the Minister for Prisoners’ Affairs, Mr. Wasfi Qabha, last weekend, but most cabinet ministers and PLC members have remained in custody.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Nidal Habiba, 26; and
2. Mujahed al-Ma’lawani, 29.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 20-year-old Mohammed al-Tubasi.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. Before their withdrawal at approximately 11:00, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Mahmoud Hussam al-Tubasi, 17;
2. Ra’ed Mahmoud al-Noubani, 20; and
3. Mohammed Hisham Tabeekh, 19.

IOF moved into various areas in the north of Hebron. They erected a number of checkpoints at the main intersections. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. A number of IOF soldiers raided an internet cafe belonging to Eyad Fathi Jamjoum near Hebron University. They checked and interrogated a number of young men who were in there. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched a houses belonging to Fadel Saleh Hamdan, 52, a PLC member representing Hamas, in the center of the town, and arrested him.

Monday, 7 August 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, firing live bullets and sound bombs. They also forced Palestinian civilians out of houses and damaged the houses. IOF soldiers violently beat Reema Ameen ‘Ayaida, 24, when she protested against their behavior. She sustained bruises throughout the body. At approximately 03:30, IOF arrested ‘Abdul Nasser Mar’ei Ziadat, 27, claiming that he is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement.

At approximately 13:50, an IOF undercover unit moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near a house belonging to Shaker Mahmoud Radwan, 32, a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, and the unit besieged. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the village to reinforce the undercover unit. They ordered Radwan through megaphones to get out of the house and surrender, and he did. Immediately, IOF arrested him.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They opened fire at houses. They erected a number of checkpoints, and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. No casualties or arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 8 August 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Er’er, 20; and
2. Anas Mohammed Khdair, 19.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nader Mohammed ‘Abed Rabbu, 27, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They opened fire at houses and patrolled in the streets. No casualties or arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, including a two-storey house belonging to Younis Khalil Zain. IOF soldiers severely damaged the house and its furniture.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sami Ibrahim Ghawadra, 20.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1. Islam ‘Aadel Jaddou’, 21;
2. Murad Sami Jebril, 19;
3. ‘Awad Dakhlallah Jddou’, 19;
4. Samer Salim Jebril, 18; and
5. Rabee’ Yousef Abu Mefreh, 17.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata and ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman whose husband has been detained by IOF:

1. Rowaida ‘Owaijan, 25, Samer ‘Owaijan’s wife;
2. ‘Azzam Marwan Barakat, 21; and
3. Maher Ameen Sallam, 18.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Roujib village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ma’rouf Sadiq Dwaikat, 24.

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They besieged a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Adeeb Hanaisha, 24. They fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the house, and ordered its residents through megaphones to get out, and they did. IOF then arrested Hanaisha and his brother, 22-year-old Waleed. They also arrested Mahran Mousa Hanaisha, 20. Hanaisha’s mother suffered from tear gas inhalation, and his sister was hit by a sound bombs. Soon, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired the these civilians, wounding 5, including 3 children:

1. Eyad Mahmoud Nazzal, 26, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the eye;
2. Ahmed Bassam Zakarna, 22, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head;
3. Ameen Mohammed Zakarna, 14, wounded by shrapnel to the body;
4. Mohammed Subhi Hanaisha, 12, wounded by a live bullet to the thigh; and
5. Mohammed ‘Emad Abu al-Rub, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the foot.

Also at approximately 07:00, IOF moved into the south and southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Shareef Salah Mahfouz, 23;
2. Ra’ed Akram Abu Sunaina, 26.

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding 3:

1. Mahmoud ‘Aaref Abu al-Huda, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the right leg;
2. Nayef Nidal al-Kharraz, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot; and
3. ‘Ammar Nidal al-Kilani, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the right thigh.

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian brothers:

1. Hani Shaker Abu ‘Ayash, 18;
2. Mohammed Shaker Abu ‘Ayash, 20;
3. Hussein Shaker Abu ‘Ayash, 22; and
4. Jihad Shaker Abu ‘Ayash, 35.

At approximately 02:30, IOF permanently positioned ion the center and south of Hebron arrested Fadel Amjad Dandis, 33, who is disabled.

The demolished house were Saraya Al-Quds militants were extra-judicially executed by Israeli in the West Bank city Jenin, 9 August 2006. (MaanImages/Raed Abu Baker)

3. Extra-Judicial Execution

On Sunday evening, 6 August 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Seilat al-Harthiya village, southwest of Jenin.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, southwest of Jenin. They took position in al-Tahaina area in the northwest of the village. A number of IOF soldiers took position atop of a number of houses. IOF besieged a 3-storey house belonging to Sami Najeeb al-‘Emari. They ordered the residents to get out of the house, and demanded the owner’s son, 24-year-old Rashed, to surrender. At approximately 19:00, an IOF sniper opened fire at Rashed who was hiding on the roof, killing him. An IOF soldier then fired at his body from a pistol. IOF soldiers then took the body into the house and left the area. The victim was hit by 4 live bullets to the head and the chest. IOF claimed that he was wanted for being a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad.

On Wednesday morning, 9 August 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed two members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Jenin refugee camp.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 09:00, an IOF helicopter gunship fired 3 missiles at an uninhabited house belonging to Mazen Farid Hawashin in al-Samran quarter in Jenin refugee camp. One of the missiles went astray, while the other two hit the house. As a result, two Palestinians, who were hiding inside, were killed:

1. Mohammed Majed Ahmed ‘Ateeq, 26, from Bouqin village southwest of Jenin; and
2. Amjad Sa’id Ahmed al-‘Ajami, 22, from ‘Attel village north of Tulkarm.

IOF had not used helicopter gunships in military operations in the West Bank since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.

4. Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Following an attack launched by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006 near the Israeli-Egyptian border, southeast of Rafah, which left two IOF soldiers and two of the attackers dead and a third IOF soldier missing, IOF have closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip:

Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. PCHR has always warned following the agreement reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, which was brokered by the United States and the European Union, that IOF have complete, even though indirect, control over the crossing point. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing, and hundreds of others have been deprived of their right to receive medical treatment abroad. During the reported period, the crossing point was completely closed. The crossing point was partially reopened on 18 and 19 July 2006 to allow thousands of Palestinians stuck at the Egyptian side to cross towards the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Palestinians visiting the Gaza Strip from other Arab countries have been stuck inside the Gaza Strip.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank. Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing since 12 March 2006. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF had allowed international workers and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. With this closure, Palestinian patients have been prevented from traveling to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have closed the crossing, which is the main commercial crossing for the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. On 16 August 2006, IOF partially reopened the crossing and allowed the importation of some goods from the Gaza Strip, for the first time in 3 months. During the reported period, the crossing was partially reopened for a few hours to allow the flow of foodstuffs into the Gaza Strip, whereas Nahal Ouz crossing was opened for a few hours to bring fuel into the Gaza Strip.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions, IOF has opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on the city. During the reported period, IOF established a permanent checkpoint at Jaba’ intersection, northeast of Jerusalem, nearly two kilometers away from Qalandya crossing that links between the west and south of the West Bank. PCHR had always warned of establishing a new checkpoint in the area after IOF had transformed Qalandya checkpoint into an international crossing point. On Friday, 4 August 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, especially in the old town. According to eyewitnesses, IOF prevented Palestinians aged below 45 from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF reinforced their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, and at Qalandya checkpoint, south of the town. IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

Hebron: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have closed a number of roads and entrances of some neighborhoods. IOF have also patrolled in streets. Additionally, they have imposed additional restrictions at permanent checkpoints.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 3 August 2006, IOF positioned at ‘Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town, continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from passing through the two checkpoints. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. on Friday, 4 August 2006, IOF followed the same procedures of the preceding day at ‘Ennab and Wad al-Teen checkpoints. They also erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection on Tulkarm - Nablus road. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. They chases Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads, and held them for several hours under the sun. on Saturday, 5 August 2006, IOF prevented Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing all checkpoints around Tulkarm. They also erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. IOF soldiers chased young men who resorted to alternative branch roads, and held dozens of them for several hours under the sun. On Sunday, 6 August 2006, IOF continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing checkpoints, and expanded this age category to include medical crews. On Monday, 7 August 2006, IOF closed all alternative dirt roads near Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and near ‘Ennab checkpoint, east of the town. They continued also to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing checkpoints.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:00 On Saturday, 5 August 2006, IOF closed all checkpoint erected at the entrance of Nablus, and erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of villages near Nablus. At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 7 August 2006, IOF closed Beit Eiba crossing, west of Nablus, for no apparent reason. On Wednesday morning, 9 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at a bypass road to the southwest of Nablus, and closed the road. They also erected another checkpoint at “Yitshat” intersection on Nablus - Ramallah road.

On Thursday morning, 3 August 2006, IOF positioned t al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Mohammed Fattash al-Fattash, 17, from Salfit villag southwest of Nablus, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

Jenin: IOF have continued to severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 3 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Shuhada intersection on Jenin - Nablus road. They also erected another checkpoint at the southern entrance of ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin, and prevented Palestinians aged below 45 from crossing it.

5. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory.

On Saturday noon, 5 August 2006, IOF burnt at least 30 donums of agricultural land in Far’oun village, which has been isolated behind the Wall, south of Tulkarm. IOF did not allow fire engines to reach the area for a long time. On Monday morning, 7 August 2006, IOF burnt 70 donums of agricultural land located in the same village.

On Sunday, 6 August 2006, IOF issued a military order confiscating dozens of donums of agricultural land in the west of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron, on both sides of a settler bypass road that links “Ngahot” settlement with the Green Line, for the purpose of the construction of the Wall.

6. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:

On Sunday evening, 6 August 2006, a number of Israeli settlers traveling in a civilian car opened fire at a Palestinian truck that was traveling before them near Douma village, southeast of Nablus. As a result, Hussein Fahmi ‘Ali Mardawi, 48, from Habla village southeast of Qalqilya, was killed by two live bullets to the heart, and his son, 17-year-old ‘Ameed, was wounded by shrapnel to the left hand and shoulder. The victim’s nephew, 15-year-old Ahmed Khaled Mardawi, who is dumb and was accompanying his uncle, survived the attack.

In his testimony to PCHR on the attack, ‘Ameed Hussein Fahmi Mardawi, the victim’s son who was wounded in the attack, said:

“At approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 6 August 2006, I was traveling with my father from Jericho back to our village, in a truck. My father was driving the truck. My cousin, 15-year-old Ahmed Khaled Mardawi, who is dumb, was sitting near me. When we were near Douma village, the driver of a car that was traveling behind us turned the lights on, as a sign that he wanted to bypass us. My father opened way for him. As the car was traveling parallel to us, two persons took their heads out of the windows and opened fire at our truck. I was able to discover that the car was black and has an Israeli registration plate. My father stopped. I was wounded, and I thought that my cousin was also wounded. Soon, my father made a strange sound. I turned the internal light on. I found my father bleeding. I phoned my relatives and Palestinian security services in Qalqilya. Nearly an hour later, an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society arrived at the area, and evacuated us to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. On the following day, I asked about my father, and I was told that he was dead.”

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 its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

5. 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.

6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.

7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.

8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented last year, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

9. 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.

10. 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 end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal with Israeli citizens in a similar manner.

12. 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 agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

Footnotes
[1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

Related Links

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

BY TOPIC: Israel invades Gaza (27 June 2006)

The Electronic Intifada

Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations: 26 Palestinians killed, including 6 children

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