Palestinian Center for Human Rights 23 September 2004
APC enforcing curfew in Nablus. (Photo by Giampiero)
Israeli occupying troops have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This week, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a girl, were killed and a number of other civilians were injured by Israeli troops. Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli troops included willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and land leveling. Israeli troops have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. In addition, they have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank, in violation of international law and humanitarian law.
In the Gaza Strip, 5 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli troops. Three of the victims were killed in two extra-judicial executions committed by Israeli troops in Gaza City on 19 and 20 September 2004. A fourth civilian, who was suffering from a psychological disorder, was killed by Israeli troops on 19 September 2004. On 22 September 2004, a schoolchild died from a wound she had sustained by Israeli troops when she was sitting on her desk in an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis.
In the West Bank, on 17 September 2004, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian girl in Nablus, when she was standing atop of her house. In addition, Israeli troops launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties. They moved into various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian civilians, mostly children, and arrested dozens of others. Israeli settlers, who live in the OPTs in violation of international humanitarian law, also continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their properties.
Israeli troops have continued to construct the annexation wall inside the West Bank territory. This week, this construction took place mainly in East Jerusalem, Rammalh and Hebron. In Jerusalem, at least 70000 Palestinians are threatened with being isolated from the city when the construction of a section of the wall around the city is completed. Israeli troops also used excessive force against demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international solidarity groups in protest to the construction of the wall. A number of the demonstrators were injured.
Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. On 20 September 2004, Israeli troops divided the Gaza Strip into 3 separate zones and fired at Palestinian civilians who attempted to cross Israeli military checkpoints.
On 19 September 2004, Israeli troops decreased the hours of opening al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, to be from 06:00 to 19:00 instead of 03:00 to 20:00. Israeli troops have continued to close Erez crossing for Palestinian workers for the 4 th consecutive week.
Since 19 September 2004, Israeli troops have also closed the crossing in the face of patients, even those who have valid permits. In the West Bank, Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and arrested some of them while crossing military checkpoints. Israeli troops also imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.
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