Weekly report on human rights violations

Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing following Israeli claims that Palestinian movement had been facilitated. (Photo: PCHR)

10 February-16 February 2005

NOT COMMITTING TO THE CEASEFIRE, ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES (IOF) LAUNCH MORE ATTACKS IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY (OPT)

Despite the ceasefire declared by the Israeli and Palestinian sides in Sharm al-Sheik on 8 February 2005 and the Palestinian commitment to this declaration, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have launched more attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This week, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed by IOF. Human rights violations perpetrated by IOF included incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and total closure imposed on Palestinian communities contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing closure measures. IOF have also continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory and confiscated more areas of Palestinian land for this purpose.

In the West Bank, IOF killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 children. On 14 February 2005, IOF severely beat a Palestinian child in Hebron for no apparent reason and then fired at him twice from a close range after they had ordered him to leave the area, killing him. On 15 February 2005, IOF killed a child and seriously injured another one for no apparent reason near the annexation wall to the southwest of Bitounia town, south of Ramallah. Also on 15 February 2005, IOF killed 2 Palestinians, claiming that the two were on their way to launch an attack on “Har Barakha” settlement, south of Nablus, but eyewitnesses asserted that the two victims used to be in the area at night to prevent Israeli settlers from attacking Kufor Qalllil village.

IOF conducted 11 incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank, during which they arrested at least 10 Palestinian civilians. Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. IOF have continued to confiscate areas of Palestinian land for settlement activities, especially in Hebron. In the Gaza Strip, IOF and settlers fired live ammunition and sound bombs at Palestinian communities near settlements. A Palestinian child was injured when he was sleeping at home.

IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank Territory. On 14 February 2005, IOF started to construct huge cement sections of the wall in the villages of Hazma and ‘Anata, northeast of Jerusalem. On 10 February 2005, IOF handed military orders to a number of Palestinian civilians from Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, confiscating at least 50 donums of land. At the same time, IOF handed a military order to a number of Palestinian civilians from Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem, confiscating approximately 150 donums of land in the village for the purpose of the construction of the wall. On 13 February 2005, IOF handed a military order to residents of Toura al-Gharbiya village, west of Jenin, confiscating 301 donums of agricultural land in the village. Also on 12 February 2005, the Israeli High Court issued a temporary injunction stopping the construction of the wall on the land of the villages of Salfit and Eskaka, south of Nablus, for 21 days. This latest decision was one of a series of decisions taken by the court and they were then cancelled.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, contrary to Israeli official claims regarding easing measures of closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, IOF have continued to completely or partially close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip, and impose severe restrictions on the internal movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to close a number of roads and crossings in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current Intifada. IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities near Israeli settlements, causing more suffering to Palestinian civilians.

In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. This week, they erected a number of military checkpoints and arrested a number of Palestinian civilians.

To access the full report click here.

Related Links

  • BY TOPIC: Israeli-Palestinian Cease-fire (8 February 2005)
  • BY TOPIC: Human Rights
  • Palestinian Center for Human Rights