Palestinian Center for Human Rights 28 July 2005
Israel closed the Abu Holi checkpoint this week. Palestinian civilians were prevented from moving from one zone to another. Thousands of Palestinian civilians were not able to travel back to their homes, including those coming back from Egypt and wishing to travel to the north of the Gaza Strip. (Arjan El Fassed)
Killings and shootings: On 22 July 2004, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in the old town of Hebron as they opened fire indiscriminately after a Palestinian gunman fired at an Israeli military post in the area. IOF left the victim to bleed to death. On the same day, a Palestinian civilian died from an injury he had sustained last week when IOF extra-judicially killed four members of Hamas in Gaza City. On 27 July 2005, IOF killed another Palestinian civilian in Jenin city who was throwing stones against IOF soldiers who had incurred into the city, surrounded a house and were demolishing the external wall of the house. Also during the reported period, 16 Palestinian civilians, including a mother and her child and six other children, were injured in the West Bank. Three others civilians, including a child, were injured in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip after IOF shelling in the area.
Incursions: IOF conducted 35 military incursions into Palestinian areas (34 in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip). During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 33 Palestinian civilians.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT, including Jerusalem. IOF have continued to close Erez crossing for the third consecutive week. IOF have also continued to prevent Palestinian civilians aged 16-35 from traveling through Rafah International Crossing Point. On 22 July 2005, IOF resumed using a controversial checking machine. In the West Bank, IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Tulkarm and closed Za’tra checkpoint, south of Nablus. They also erected a number of checkpoints and arrested at least 12 Palestinian civilians, including two women and a child. In the West Bank PCHR field workers documented five case of inhumane treatment at military checkpoints.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. IOF have continued to construct a section of the Wall to the northeast of East Jerusalem. They have also continued to establish a military post near Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. The Israeli government decided to intensify the construction of the Wall around occupied Jerusalem. On Friday, 22 July 2005, IOF informed residents of Wad Rahhal and Jourat al-Sama’a areas, south of Bethlehem, that 603 donums of their agricultural land would be seized for the purpose of the construction of the Wall. On Wednesday, 27 July 2005, IOF started razing dozens of donums of agricultural land near Tarqumea, west of Hebron city. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. Seven Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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. A Palestinian child was killed after he was run down by an Israeli settler in Hebron. A Palestinian civilian was also injured in another attack by settlers. IOF also razed areas of Palestinian land in Kufor Qaddoum village near Qalqilya. They also demolished seven houses and shop of furniture in other areas of the West Bank.
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