Palestinian Center for Human Rights 4 August 2005
A huge, 50-foot-high concrete wall separates the Gush Katif settlement bloc from Khan Yunis. Palestinian land between the Israeli settlement and Khan Yunis has been destroyed. (Arjan El Fassed)
Extra-Judicial Killing: On 28 July 2005, Israeli Occupation Forces extra-judicially killed a Palestinian civilian in Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm. They also mutilated his body. During the reported period, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and two women, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire.
Incursions and Shelling: IOF conducted 35 military incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and one incursion into the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 36 Palestinian civilians. IOF also seized two houses and transformed them into military sites.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip). During the reported period, IOF closed the two checkpoint several times and for several hours.
On 31 July 2005, IOF partially reopened Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing following three weeks of closure and issued permits for only 100 traders. They cancelled nearly 7000 work permits issued for Palestinian workers before this latest closure. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Labor, on 01 August 2005, IOF issued 1924 work permits for Palestinian workers, who are over 40.
For the third consecutive week, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinians aged 16-35 from traveling through Rafah International Crossing Point. In the West Bank, IOF have continued to close Za’tra checkpoint, south of Nablus, and Enab gate, east of Tulkarm, for the third consecutive week. They also erected a number of checkpoints and arrested at least 10 Palestinian civilians. In the West Bank PCHR field workers documented two cases of inhumane treatment by IOF at military checkpoints.
In the West Bank, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Since Friday evening, 24 June 2005, IOF have imposed a strict siege on Hebron district. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and severely beat five of them. IOF positioned at checkpoints arrested eight Palestinian civilians in the OPT. They also imposed a curfew on a number of Palestinian communities.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory, especially to the north of occupied East Jerusalem. For this purpose, they confiscated at least 800 donums of Palestinian land in Hebron and Qalqilya. In addition, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. Five demonstrators were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets and dozens of others 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, especially in Hebron. Ten Palestinian civilians were injured. Settlers also attacked an Italian solidarity activist, who was later arrested by IOF. In addition, IOF demolished two houses in Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
To download the full report click here.
Related Links
