Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 31 August 2006

Palestinian citizens inspect their destroyed houses after an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Nablus, 27 August 2006. (MaanImages/Rami Swidan)


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
  • 30 Palestinians, including 3 children, a mentally disabled young man and a woman, were killed by IOF.
  • 20 of the victims were killed by IOF in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City.
  • 3 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in the West Bank.
  • 52 Palestinian civilians, including 18 children and a woman, 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 in Gaza City and Jabalya.
  • IOF conducted 40 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and invaded al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City.
  • IOF arrested 50 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, including 6 children.
  • IOF arrested a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah.
  • IOF arrested 7 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF demolished 4 houses in Nablus.
  • IOF destroyed civilian property in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City.
  • 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; and IOF positioned at a various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 5 Palestinian civilians.
  • IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; they razed more areas of land in Hebron for this purpose.
  • Israeli settlers have continued attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron; and a Palestinian child was wounded in Beit Fourik village near Nablus

    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 continued their attacks on Palestinian civilians and property.

    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 lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

    Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (17 - 23 August 2006):

    Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 28 Palestinians, including 3 children, a mentally disabled young man and an old man. In addition, a man and a woman died from previous wounded. In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 23 Palestinians, including 11 civilians. These civilians included 3 children and a mentally disabled young man. Twenty of the victims, including the three children, were killed by IOF during a 4-day offensive on al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Two of the victims are from the Abu al-Qumboz family, and were killed while they were inside their houses. IOF also killed 3 Palestinian civilians, including an old man and a mentally disabled young man, in Khan Yunis, Rafah and Beit Lahia. A woman from Jabalya also died from a previous wound. In addition, 35 Palestinians, including 9 children, a woman and two journalists, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

    Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip since 25 June 2006 has increased to 217, including 46 children and 12 women. In addition, 755 others, mostly civilians, including 203 children, 28 women, 4 paramedics and 6 journalists, have been wounded.

    IOF also launched 3 air strikes on two houses in the Gaza Strip belonging to Palestinian resistance activists. These houses were destroyed, and a number of neighboring houses and civilian facilities were severely damaged. IOF also shelled a house in ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis, after they had killed the owner.

    During the reported, 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 houses were damaged.

    In the West Bank, 5 Palestinians, including a child, were killed by IOF. A sixth Palestinian also died from a previous wound. On 26 August 2006, IOF shot dead a Palestinian child during an incursion into Nablus. On 27 August 2006, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian, who served as a guard of a school in Jenin. On 28 August 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Ramallah. On 29 August 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed two Palestinians in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. On 30 August 2006, medical sources at a Jordanian hospital declared that a Palestinian died from a prvious wounded he had sustained when IOF attempted to extra-judicially execute him.

    In addition, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, were wounded by IOF gunfire. One of these children was wounded, when Israeli settlers fired at him in Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus.

    Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they raided dozens of houses and arrested 50 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children. IOF also arrested a member of the PLC in Ramallah, and a number of members of local councils representing the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas. In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 4 incursions into Palestinian communities, the widest of which was into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City. IOF moved into Rafah and Khan Yunis and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, most of them were released later.

    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. 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. As a result of the continued siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, poverty has increased to 70% and unemployment has mounted to 55%. The Gaza Strip has also suffered from shortages of basic foodstuffs, fuels and raw materials.

    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. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a university professor.

    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 25 August 2006, Israeli settlers living in “Sousia” settlement, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilians, wounding two of them. IOF also arrested one of the wounded civilians. On 26 August 2006, Israeli settlers opened fire at a number of Palestinian children in Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. One of the children was seriously wounded. On 27 August 2006, Israeli settlers broke into the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

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

  • 246 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 48 children and 12 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 887 Palestinian civilians, including 256 children and 30 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 241 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 [1] of agricultural land and dozens of houses have been destroyed.
  • Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including 9 ministers and 31 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary, have been arrested. Minster of Prisoners’ Affairs, Minister of Labor and Second Deputy Speaker of the PLC were released.
  • 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.
  • 30 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 Documented during the Reporting Period (24-30 August 2006)

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

    IOF Offensive on al-Shaojaeya Neighborhood in Gaza

    On Sunday morning, 27 August 2006, IOF initiated a wide scale offensive on al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They killed, wounded and arrested a number of Palestinians and damaged houses and agricultural land.

    Sunday, 27 August 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 700 meters into al-Mansoura areas in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They opened fire indiscriminately. Half an hour later, Fadel Subhi Shana’a, 21, a cameraman of Reuters news agency, traveled to the area in the agency’s white, armored “Land Rover” jeep report on the IOF incursion. Subhi Marwan Hmaida, 25, a journalist from the Palestinian Media Group, was accompanying Shana’a. The jeep was clearly marked with the “Press” and “TV.” In addition, it had the Reuters name and logo clearly marked on it in Arabic and English. An IOF warplane fired a missile at the jeep when it reached the schools area on Salah al-Din Street, which is nearly 2 kilometers away from the affected area. The missile penetrated the jeep’s roof and wounded the two journalists. Shana’a was wounded to the right hand and leg; and Hmaida was wounded by shrapnel to the right leg and foot. Both were evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
  • At approximately 01:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance near al-‘Abeed fuel station. One member of the resistance, 23-year-old Waleed Nasser al-Harazin, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body, and two others were wounded. Al-Harazin’s body remained in the area for half an hour, as medical crews were not able to reach the area. IOF also transformed a house belonging top Hussam al-Batal near al-‘Abeed fuel station into a military site. At approximately 06:00, IOF ordered residents of a number of houses in the area to vacate their houses.
  • At approximately 08:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the same area. One member of the resistance, 27-year-old Tariq Ahmed Helles, was killed.
  • At approximately 13:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Mansoura Street. As a result, 6 civilians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Hussam Ahmed al-Sirsawi, 6, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.
    2. Fakher Waleed al-Sarsak, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the right forearm;
    3. Suhail Salem Houthu, 30, wounded by shrapnel to the left knee; and
    4. Jihad Ziad al-Barbari, 24, wounded by shrapnel to the left hand.

  • At approximately 15:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in the area. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded:

    1. Ahmed Yasser al-Qerem, 15, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen;
    2. Wa’el Salah Zraina, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the right thigh;
    3. Ahmed Hassan Siam, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the left thigh; and
    4. Hatem Mahmoud al-Hallees, 33, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand.

  • In the evening, an IOF soldier opened fire at Sameh Muhannad Abu ‘Omar, 21, a member of the Palestinian resistance, who clashed with IOF. He was instantly killed by several live bullets throughout the body.
  • At approximately 18:00, an IOF soldiers positioned atop of a house opened fire at Fathi Maher Abu al-Qumboz, 55, when he was in the balcony of his house. He was killed by a live bullet to the chest. His body remained the house as medical crews were not able to reach the area due to the intensive IOF gunfire.

    Monday, 28 August 2006

  • At approximately 08:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Mansoura Street, killing 4 of them:

    1. Mahmoud Hamdi Jundiya, 20;
    2. Mohammed Mustafa Hassanain, 20;
    3. Khaled Kamal al-‘Ejla, 22; and
    4. Ibrahim Subeh Helles, 20.

  • At approximately 10:00, IOF shelled houses in the area. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were wounded:

    1. ‘Aiaa’ Kamel Abu al-Qumboz, 43, wounded by shrapnel to the legs;
    2. Mohammed Ahmned Abu Baid, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the limbs; and
    3. Mohammed Subhi Yassin, 12, wounded by shrapnel to the limbs.

    Tuesday, 29 August 2006

  • At approximately 10:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Mansoura Street in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood. As a result, 7 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded:

    1. Nasser Fathi al-Wadiya, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the left leg;
    2. ‘Alaa’ Hujaila, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    3. Saqer Hujaila, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    4. Mohammed Sameer Saleem, 16, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    5. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Sa’di ‘Abdul Qader, 16, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    6. Mohammed Na’im Hajjaj, 13, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
    7. Ibrahim Sharif Qudaih, 18, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

  • At approximately 12:00, IOF shelled houses in al-Manaoura Street again. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

    1. Shafiq Rafiq ‘Ayad, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the chest; and
    2. Ra’ed Fadel ‘Ayad, 29, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

  • At approximately 17:00, an IOF soldier positioned atop of a house in the area fired at Suleiman Sayed Abu al-Qumboz, 25, when he was inside his house, killing him instantly. Abu al-Qumboz’s body remained in the house until the following day morning, as medical crews were not able to reach the house until then. Three other civilians were also wounded by the IOF gunfire in the same area:

    1. Mohammed Yousef Abu ‘Ajwa, 5, wounded by a live bullet to the left forearm;
    2. Mohammed Sameer al-Kurdi, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen; and
    3. Mazen Sleem al-Sarsak, 42, wounded by shrapnel to the left forearm.

  • At approximately 18:30, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians near al-Qubba Park in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood. As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were killed:

    1. Mohammed ‘Abdullah al-Ziq, 14;
    2. Yusri Mohammed Nassim Jaber, 26; and
    3. Ahmed ‘Abdul Rahman al-Kwaisi, 19.

    Wednesday, 30 August 2006

  • At approximately 08:00, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF soldiers positioned inside a number of houses in al-Mansoura Street in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood. These armed clashes left dead 4 members of the Palestinian resistance:

    1. Yasser Mohammed al-Gharabli, 25;
    2. Ra’ed Eyad Staita, 27;
    3. Rami Jameel al-Gharabli, 27; and
    4. Fahed Hamed Jundiya, 23.

  • At approximately 10:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Manoura Street in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood. One of these civilians, 42-year-old Hussam Tawfiq Jundiya, was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.
  • At approximately 17:00, an IOF soldier positioned atop of a house in al-Mansoura Street opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were killed:

    1. Nidal ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Dahdouh, 14;
    2. Eyad Khalil al-Sarsak, 30.

    Two other civilians were wounded:

    1. Fareed Ahmed ‘Obaid, 35, wounded by shrapnel to the neck; and
    2. Luna Fayez Qandil, 25, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen.

  • At approximately 20:00, an IOF tank fired a shell at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the area, killing one of them, 32-year-old Hamdi Salah al-Banna.

    Incursions into Other Areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

    Thursday, 24 August 2006

  • At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Farhan Mousa ‘Alqam, 42, chairman of the local council of the village;
    2. Isma’il Ahmed ‘Ammour, 25; and
    3. ‘Essam Ibrahim ‘Ammour, 19.

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Jilda, ‘Ein Deir Bahha and Abu Sunaina neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Ma’moun Ghaleb al-‘Owaiwi, 27;
    2. ‘Abdullah Mohammed Shawar, 43; and
    3. Nidal ‘Abdul Mo’ti Abu Sunaina, 33.

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud al-Darabee’, 19, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets, and raided and searched a number of houses. They withdrew from the city a few hours later, and no arrests were reported.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. They withdrew from the village a few hours later, and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:50, an IOF special unit, supported by drones and helicopters, moved nearly 800 meters into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. The unit besieged two houses belonging to Younis and Yousef Mohammed Abu Daqqa. IOF soldiers then raided and searched the first house and arrested Younis, 40, who is a lab technician at the Islamic University in Gaza City and an activist of Hamas. In the meantime, the other brother, 55-year-old Yousef, opened a window to check what was going on. Immediately, an IOF fired at him from a close range. He was instantly killed by a live bullet to the head. While IOF soldiers were leaving the area, one of the victim’s sons fired at them. Soon after IOF soldiers had withdrawn from the area, IOF helicopter gunships fired 5 missiles at the victim’s two-storey house. The missiles hit the second floor. The 17 residents of the house survived the attack as they were on the first floor.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They besieged dozens of houses and forced their residents out. They raided and searched a number of those houses. They then verified the identities of the residents, and arrested 10 of them:

    1. Mohammed Sameh ‘Afana, 32, a member of the municipal council;
    2. ‘Aaref Mohammed Daoud, 26;
    3. Eyad Mohammed Daoud, 33;
    4. Mohammed Farah Samhan, 26;
    5. Tariq Mahmoud Noufal, 27;
    6. Mohammed ‘Aadel Abu Ragheeb, 29;
    7. Ghassan Mohammed Shuraim, 31;
    8. Mohammed Hassan Daoud, 32;
    9. Wafa Yousef Houtari, 27; and
    10. Mohammed Yousef Zaid, 28.

  • Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Hamdan, and arrested his two sons: Ahmed, 29; and Mohammed, 27.
  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bilal Mohammed Jawarish, 24, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 11:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers, who were on their agricultural land nearly 400 meters to the west of the border. As a result, 11-year-old Hafez Mahmoud Dalloul was wounded by a live bullet to the left foot, while he was on his father’s land.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron raided and searched a house and a clinic belonging to Dr. Mohammed Tayseer Zahda. They held the eight residents of the house in one room and transformed the roof into a military site, allegedly to secure the movement of Israeli settlers. IOF left the house at midnight.

    Friday, 25 August 2006

  • At approximately 00:05, an IOF fighter jet dropped two bombs on a 220-square-meter, 4-storey house, in which 12 people (3 families) live, belonging to ‘Abdul Rahman Salem Thabet, 65, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. The house was destroyed and 3 neighboring houses were severely damaged. According to the owner’s wife, they received a phone call less than half an hour earlier from a person who identified himself as an Israeli intelligence officer. He ordered the family to vacate the house as soon as possible as it would be bombarded. The wife informed her family and neighbors about the phone call, and they vacated the houses. The owner’s son, Isma’il, is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a military wing of Fatah movement.
  • At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Hashem Hamed al-Mutawar, 33;
    2. Ayoub ‘Abdul Fattah Jaradat, 25; and
    3. Ayman ‘Abdul Fattah al-Lahaliya, 28.

  • At approximately 02:50, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Mahmoud ‘Ata Abu Sabiha, 22, from Balata refugee camp, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:50, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They then raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Muhannad Hatem ‘Amarna, 30;
    2. Firas Hatem ‘Amarna, 28;
    3. Kamel Ahmed Harazallah, 20;
    4. Ahmed Tayseer ‘Omar, 21; and
    5. ‘Alaa’ Wajeeh ‘Amarna, 20.

  • At approximately 11:30, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron. They again raided a house and a clinic belonging to Dr. Mohammed Tayseer Zahda in Jabal al-Rahma neighborhood. As soon as they entered the house, IOF soldiers violently beat Dr. Zahda, claiming that he was late in opening the door for them. They then transformed the roof into a military site. According to Dr. Zahda, he sustained bruises throughout the body, and his daughter, 14-year-old Rawan, fainted when IOF soldiers were beating him. IOF soldiers stayed on the roof of the house until the following day evening.
  • At approximately 23:10, an IOF fighter jet dropped two bombs onto a 240-square-meter, 3-storey house, in which 7 people live, belonging to Ziad Mohammed Tamboura, 35, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. Tamoboura is a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. The house was destroyed and 3 neighboring houses were severely damaged. According to the owner, he received a phone call on his mobile phone from a person who introduced himself and an officer of “Israel Defense Forces.” The officer ordered him to vacate the house in a few minutes as it would be bombarded, and he did.
  • At approximately 23:45, IOF gunboats positioned opposite to Gaza beach opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to Fadel Yousef Salah. The fishing boat burnt and drowned in the sea, but Salah survived the attack. It is worth noting that IOF have prevented fishing in the Gaza Strip since 25 June 2006, in the context of the total siege imposed on the Strip.

    Saturday, 26 August 2006

  • At approximately 02:20, an IOF infantry unit moved into the Northern Mount area in Nablus. IOF soldiers besieged a 450-square-meter, 5-storey apartment building belonging to Shawkat Fares Libbada and his brothers, and 3 neighboring houses. Soon, IOF military vehicles, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into the area to reinforce the infantry unit. They ordered residents of the building and houses through megaphones to get out. The 105 residents (20 families), including 40 children, got out. IOF soldiers interrogated men, claiming that a number of Palestinian resistance activists were hiding in the buildings. The residents denied such claims and asked IOF soldiers to search the building in their presence, but they refused. IOF soldiers even opened fire at the building. At approximately 04:30, IOF started to demolish the northern part of the building and continued to fire at it. By 19:30, the building had become uninhabitable. IOF also demolished the three neighboring houses:

    1. A 100-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 6 people lived, rented by Mohammed Rushdi al-Sayeh;
    2. A 140-square-meter house, in which 5 people lived, belonging to Bashar Waleed Libbada; and
    3. A 110-square-meter house, in which two people lived, belonging to ‘Emad Shawkat Libbada.

    At approximately 08:30, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered in the area and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets at these civilian. One civilian, 15-year-old Muntasser Suleiman Mohammed ‘Akka, was instantly killed by a live bullet the entered the back and exited the abdomen. In addition, 12 civilians, including 7 children and an old man, were wounded:

    1. Ahmed Ziad Suleiman, 15, wounded by a live bullet the entered the back and exited the abdomen;
    2. ‘Essam Fathi Jom’a, 27, wounded by shrapnel to the right shoulder;
    3. ‘Ammar Nizar Shabaru, 16, wounded by two live bullets to the feet;
    4. Jaber Nasser ‘Abdul Rahman, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the body;
    5. Rani Mohammed al-Aghbar, 18, wounded by two live bullet to the feet;
    6. Mahdi ‘Aatef al-Shourati, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the side;
    7. ‘Abdul Latif Tahseen Agha, 9, wounded by shrapnel to the neck;
    8. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Khalil Jebril, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;
    9. Fathi Mohammed ‘Ameera, 80, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot;
    10. Ramadn Hussam al-‘Ajjouri, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot; and
    11. Fadi Ahmed al-Khushashi, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF, reinforced by helicopters and drones, moved into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Hamdan Abu Shammala, 50, nearly two kilometers away from the border. They ordered the 13 residents of the house through megaphones to get out. Nearly 20 minutes later, IOF soldiers arrested 4 of the owner’s sons: Khaled, 23; Rani, 20; Nour al-Din, 15; and Mohammed, 14. The two children were released later after IOF soldiers had beaten and interrogated them, while their brothers remained in custody.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Ras ‘Atiya village, southeast of Qalqilya. They opened fire at houses. A number of houses were damaged. IOF soldiers then held and verified the identity cards of a number of young men, who were sitting near a house belonging to Yousef Mohammed Mara’ba, 28. They arrested Mara’ba.
  • At approximately 23:20, IOF gunboats positioned opposite to Gaza beach opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to ‘Ammar Najeeb Baker, 25. Baker fell from the boat. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

    Sunday, 27 August 2006

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They besieged a house belonging to Mahmoud Ibrahim Musleh, 60, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) representing the Change and Reform Bloc, which is affiliated to Hamas. They demanded him through megaphones to get out. When he got out, they arrested him. Thus, the number of PLC members arrested by IOF since 26 June 2006 has increased to 31, including the Speaker and the Secretary of the PLC.
  • At approximately 20:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron raided a house belonging to Rasheed Mahmoud Abu Hamdiya in Abu Sunaina neighborhood in the south of the town. They pointed their guns at the residents and searched the house, claiming that they were looking for children who threw stones at their vehicles. IOF held the residents in one room and transformed the roof of the house into a military site until 23:30. IOF also violently beat 3 of the residents:

    1. ‘Alamiya Abu Hamdiya, 70;
    2. Siham Abu Hamdiya, 48; and
    3. ‘Othman Rasheed Abu Hamdiya, 35.

  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Jabriyat area in the south of Jenin. They opened fire at an under-construction school at the edges of Bourqin village. As a result, the guard of the school, Sabri ‘Abdul Ghani Ahmed Khalil, 60, from Jenin refugee camp, was killed by a live bullet that entered the back and exited the abdomen. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF soldiers noticed a Palestinian, who was carrying a lamp, on the roof of a building in Bourqin village, and shot him dead.

    Monday, 28 August 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Waleed Mohammed ‘Amru, who died 3 years ago in an Israeli jail. They arrested his son, 17-year-old Khaled.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Ra’ed Ahmed Salah, 26;
    2. Mahmoud Ahmed Salah, 32; and
    3. Amjad Darwish Salah, 26.

  • Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew from the city a few hours later. No casualties or arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mufeed Saleh Turkman, 35, and arrested him.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. They withdrew a few hours later, an no casualties or arrests were reported.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian children:

    1. ‘Alaa’ Nour al-Din Rayan, 17;
    2. Ayoub Ahmed ‘Enaya, 16;
    3. Ja’far Ahmed ‘Enaya, 15;
    4. Laith Ghaleb Badwan, 15; and
    5. Anas Mohammed Majeeda, 15.

  • At approximately 12:20, IOF moved into ‘Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Burhan al-Qub, 31, the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, and arrested him. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at these civilians, wounding ‘Aamer Saleh Shakkoun, 25, with two rubber-coated metal bullets to the feet.
  • At approximately 14:00, IOF positioned in Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah, opened fire at Salama Thabet Abu ‘Edwan, 20, when he was walking near al-Shouka School. He was instantly killed by a live bullet to the heart. The area was completely quiet when IOF shot Abu ‘Edwan.
  • At approximately 20:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Miriam Mohammed Farhouda, 55, from Jabalya, died from a wound she had sustained on 9 July 2006. The woman was seriously wounded to the head, when IOF attempted to extra-judicially execute a number of members of the Palestinian resistance near her house in Jaffa Street in the south of Jabalya.

    Tuesday, 29 August 2006

  • At approximately 04:00, IOF expanded their incursion into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 brothers from the Abu Mo’ammar family:

    1. ‘Othman ‘Abdullah Abu Mo’ammar, 33;
    2. Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu Mo’ammar, 31; and
    3. Mousa ‘Abdullah Abu Mo’ammar, 27.

    IOF continue to raze agricultural land in Halhoul and Beit Omar to build sections of the Annexation Wall (PCHR)


    IOF also razed areas of agricultural land.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at Hussam Nafez ‘Abed Rabbu Abu Rukba, 24, from Jabalya refugee camp, when he got close to the border. He was killed by at least 20 live bullets throughout the body. Two hours later, IOF informed the Palestinian side about the incident, and immediately, a Palestinian ambulance moved towards the area and evacuated the body to Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. According to the victim’s family, he was mentally disabled.

    Wednesday, 30 August 2006

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tammoun and Tubas villages, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Khaled ‘Othman Qatanani, 32.
  • At approximately 02:30, 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 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Fathi Ftayer, 47;
    2. Amjad Fathi Fatayer, 37;
    3. ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Jaber, 23; and
    4. Mohammed Ahmed Abu Namous, 21.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Aziz ‘Abed Rabbu Radaida, 27;
    2. Ahmed Jamal Shanaita, 27; and
    3. ‘Ali Salman Shanaita, 31.

  • At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians traveling on Tulkarm - Far’oun road. No arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched the office of Ibrahim Dahbour, a PLC member from Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, who has been detained by IOF since 26 June 2006.

    2. Extra-Judicial Execution

    During the reported period, IOF committed two extra-judicial executions in the West Bank, which killed 3 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement.

    According to investigation conducted by PCHR:

  • At approximately 22:55 on Monday, 28 August 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into Ramallah, traveling in a civilian car with a registration plate. The car stopped near Ramallah Post Office, and 4 gunmen wearing civilian clothes got out of it and moved towards Rukab Street in the center of the town. One of them shouted and fired at ‘Alaa’ Farouq al-Rabi, 25, from Deir Ghassana village north of Ramallah. Al-Rabi was wounded by several live bullets. He ran towards al-Ma’rad Street, parallel to Rukab Street, and fell onto the ground when he collided with an electricity tower. The undercover unit then withdrew from the area in the civilian car, and IOF moved into Ramallah to secure the withdrawal. Al-Rabi was evacuated to Ramallah Hospital dead. According to medical sources, he was hit by several live bullets to the back and the shoulders. IOF claimed that al-Rabi was responsible for killing an Israeli truck driver in Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah, two years ago.
  • At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 29 August 2006, an IOF helicopter gunship fired 6 incendiary bombs at the third floor of a house belonging to Ibrahim Nemer Abu Nassif in the south of Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The bombs did not cause any casualties or serious damages, but smoke spread over the area. Soon, an IOF infantry unit that had already moved into the camp broke into the house after blowing up the door. They moved up to the second floor and opened fire from a close range at two Palestinians who were there. The two Palestinians were instantly killed by gunshots to the head. They were identified as:

    1. Ibrahim Nemer Abu Munif, 25; and
    2. Hani ‘Abdullah Hashash, 30.

    Soon, IOF moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of the infantry unit. IOF claimed that they noticed two militants on the roof of the building, so they raided the building and exchanged fire with the militants, killing them.

  • At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 30 August 2006, medical sources at a Jordanian hospital declared that Hussam Lutfi Jaradat, 42, from Seilat al-Harthiya village west of Jenin, died from a wound he had sustained on 23 August 2006. According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 23 August 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin refugee camp, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped in al-Hawashin area. IOF soldiers opened fire from inside the car at Hussam Lutfi Jaradat, 42, who was sitting on a chair near a house belonging to al-Sabbagh family. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head. Soon, IOF vehicles moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. Jaradat is a senior leader of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. Jaradat was firs evacuated to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. On 29 August 2006, he was transferred to a Jordanian hospital, but he died there.

    3. 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. On Thursday morning, 10 August 2006, Ms. Maria Teleria, Press and Public Information Officer of the EU observers at Rafah International Crossing Point, issued a press release, declaring that the crossing point would be opened from 08:30 to 20:00. However, the crossing point was opened at 10:00 and was re-closed at 12:45 as the EU observers withdrew from it. Approximately 1596 Palestinians were able to travel to Egypt and other countries through the crossing point. On Friday, 11 August 2006, the crossing was opened at 10:00, but it was re-closed at 14:00. Approximately 2800 Palestinian were able to travel from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and other countries. On 25 August 2006, the crossing point was opened on both directions from 08:00 until 18:00. On that day, 3104 Palestinians were able to travel abroad and 3204 others were able to travel back to the Gaza Strip. On 26 August 2006, the crossing point was operated from 08:00 until 14:00. On that day, 2500 Palestinians were able to travel abroad, and 1070 others were able to come back to the Gaza Strip. The suffering of thousands of Palestinians as a result of the closure of the crossing has continued since 25 June 2006.
  • 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, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel 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. Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is designed for the importation of fuel, has been operated at a low capacity, which has created a crisis of fuel in the Gaza Strip, especially following the destruction of the electricity generation plant, which has led many people to use generators that are operated with fuels. The crisis of fuels and electricity has impacted the services provided by local councils in 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.

  • Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF reinforced their presence at various checkpoints around the town, especially ‘Attara checkpoint, north of the town, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of the town. On Saturday morning, 26 August 2006, IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint imposed additional restrictions movement, as Palestinian employees from the northern West Bank were on their way to their work places in Ramallah at the beginning of the week. At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 27 August 2006, IOF closed ‘Attara checkpoint, claiming that they found a suspicious object. This closure continued until 23:00. On Monday morning, 28 August 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through ‘Attara checkpoint.
  • Hebron: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have closed a number of roads and entrances of some neighborhoods and erected some checkpoints inside and around the town. IOF have also patrolled in streets. Additionally, they have imposed additional restrictions at permanent checkpoints. On Thursday evening, 24 August 2006, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron damaged a number of shops in the center of the town, while they were erecting cement blocks and iron bridges in the town allegedly to secure the movement of Israeli settlers. On Friday, 25 August 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the old town. As a result, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach mosque for the Friday Prayer.
  • Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 24 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Deir Sharaf intersection, west of Nablus, only two kilometers to the west of Beit Eiba checkpoint. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF also erected a number of checkpoints on roads linking al-Batahn area with Nablus and the villages of Tallouza, al-Nassariya, Tubas and al-Fara’a. On Friday, 25 August 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints on the roads leading to the city, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 26 August 2006, IOF positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, and prevented civilians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint. Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 17 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection on Tulkarm - Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads, and held them for several hours. On Friday, 18 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and prevented Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative branch roads and held dozens of them for several hours. On Saturday, 19 August 2006, IOF closed an iron gate established on Tulkarm - Nablus road, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians on the road. On Sunday, 20 August 2006, IOF closed all dirt roads located near Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and ‘Ennab checkpoint, east of the town. They also continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing these checkpoints.

    At approximately 14:50 on Thursday, 24 August 2006, an IOF infantry unit opened fire at a Palestinian civilian vehicle, which was traveling on an alternative branch road, as IOF prevented Palestinians aged below 35 from passing through military checkpoint. The vehicle was transporting a number of Palestinian civilians to Til village, south of Nablus. The driver, 34-year-old Waleed ‘Aaref Zaidan, was wounded by a live bullet to the right leg. In addition, Khaled ‘Abdul Fattah Ramadan, 14, was wounded by shrapnel to the back.

    On Saturday noon, 24 August 2006, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohammed Fareed ‘Abdullah, 21, from Beeta village south of the city.

  • Jenin: IOF have continued to severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday morning, 24 August 2006, IOF closed Tayaseer and al-Hamra checkpoints at the entrances of the northern and central Jordan Valley. At noon, IOF closed the main entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They also held dozens of Palestinian civilians for long hours. On Friday morning, 25 August 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints to the south of Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. On Saturday morning, 26 August 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on Jenin - Nablus road and on Jenin - al-Zababda road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. Additionally, IOF positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint at the entrance of the central Jordan Valley prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land. On Monday morning, 28 August 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.

    At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 24 August 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at Tammoun intersection, southeast of Jenin, arrested Ma’moun Hussein Shihada, 22, from Tammoun village.

    On Thursday noon, IOF positioned at the Hamra checkpoint at the entrance of the central Jordan Valley arrested an unknown Palestinian.

  • Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have prevented Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 26 August 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from crossing Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and forced Palestinian civilians to cross it on foot. On Sunday, 27 August 2006, IOF closed all checkpoints around Tulkarm from 06:00 until 12:00. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads and held some of them for several hours. On Monday, 28 August 2006, IOF erected more checkpoints around Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians passing through these checkpoints.
  • Jerusalem: On Thursday afternoon, 24 August 2006, IOF positioned at the Container checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, arrested Dr. Fareed ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Duhair, 42, from Nablus. Abu Duhair is a professor at an-Najah National University in Nablus and was on his way to Hebron to participate in a media conference.
  • Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Tuesday noon, 29 August 2006, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Mahdi al-‘Amaira, 22, from Dura village southwest of Hebron, when he was on his way back to the West Bank from Jordan.

    4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

  • On Thursday, 24 August 2006, IOF resumed lane leveling near “Kermi Tsur” settlement, northwest of Hebron, to establish a fence around the settlement. IOF closed the area and prevented Palestinian civilians from reaching it. At least 6 donums of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to Mahmoud Noah ‘Aqel were razed. The establishment of the fence is expected to annex at least 70 donums of agricultural land to the aforementioned settlement.
  • On Sunday morning, 27 August 2006, IOF started to survey and place signs on areas of Palestinian land in al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm, which are located between the Wall and the Tunnel checkpoint, south of Tulkarm.
  • On Monday, 28 August 2006, IOF threw maps and copies of military orders on the land of Harmala and al-‘Asakra villages, east of Bethlehem. According to those maps and order, IOF would confiscate 6 donums of land to establish a fence near a settler bypass road in the area.

    5. 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:

  • At approximately 17:00 on Friday, 25 August 2006, 5 armed Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the southeast of Yatta village, south of Hebron, attacked a sackcloth tent belonging to the Shanaran family in Wad al-Rakhim area in the south pf Yatta village. They attempted to tear the tent down and damage a well. Members of the family moved to defend their properties, but the settlers threatened to fire at them. Soon, IOF soldiers arrived at the area and joint the settlers in attacking members of the family. IOF soldiers violently beat two members of the family and arrested one of them: Hassan Hussein Shanaran, 30; and Ayman Mohammed Shanaran, 16. IOF claimed that the former attacked one of the settlers.
  • At approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 26 August 2006, a number of Israeli settlers from “Eitamar” settlement, southeast of Nablus, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children in Beit Fourik village, east of the city. One of the children, 12-year-old Hakim ‘Ersan Mahmoud Hanani, was seriously wounded by a live bullet that entered the buttock and exited the abdomen.
  • At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 27 August 2006, 11 Israeli settlers broke into the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron through its western gate. The Imam of the mosque attempted to prevent them from entering the mosque and informed the Palestinian police, but his attempts went in vain. There are specific days on which settlers are allowed to enter the mosque to pray, but not that day. Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, broke into the mosque on Wednesday evening, 22 August 2006 and took a historical window.
  • At approximately 14:30 on Wednesday, 30 August 2006, an Israeli truck intentionally deviated and hit a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling on Nablus-Ramllah road. Four Palestinian civilians, from Kufor al-Labad village east of Tulkarm, were traveling in the vehicle, and they were all injured: Zaid Mousa Jab’eiti, 42, the Mayor of Kufor al-Labad village; Mohammed ‘Atiya Nazzal, 80; Mohammed ‘Aaboudi, 40; and Ghassan Saleem, 45. The Israeli driver attempted to escape, but an Israeli military jeep that was patrolling in the area stopped him.

    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 Center for Human Rights
  • BY TOPIC: Israel invades Gaza (27 June 2006)