Weekly Report of Human Rights Violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 10 September 2006

A woman and a boy sit amidst the rubble after the Israeli incursion into Beit Hanoun, September 2, 2006. (PCHR)


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

  • 11 Palestinians, including a child and a man and his son, were killed by IOF.
  • 5 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in Rafah and Jenin.
  • 67 Palestinian civilians, including 16 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.
  • Two houses were destroyed in the northern Gaza Strip.
  • IOF conducted 33 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 4 others into the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF arrested 36 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, and 3 others in the Gaza Strip.
  • 10 houses were destroyed by IOF in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.
  • IOF raided an Islamic charitable society in Tubas.
  • 6 houses were transformed by IOF into military sites.
  • 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 4 Palestinians, including Head of the Presidential Guard in Ramallah.
  • IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; they confiscated 152 donums of land in Bethlehem; and 467 olive trees located behind the Wall in Qalqilya were burnt.

    • 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. PCHR also warns the international community of the consequences of the policy of collective punishment and reprisals practiced by IOF against the Palestinian civilian population, especially the destruction of energy resources and the denial of the flow of fuels needed for providing basic services.

    Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (31 August - 6 September 2006):

    Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 9 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. On 2 September 2006, IOF killed a man and his son during an incursion into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. On 5 September 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed 4 Palestinians in two separate attacks in Rafah. Three other Palestinians, including a child, were killed by IOF in separate attacks, in which IOF used excessive force. In addition, 51 Palestinians, including 12 children and a woman, 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 226, including 47 children and 12 women. In addition, 726 others, mostly civilians, including 196 children, 27 women, 4 paramedics and 4 journalists, have been wounded.

    IOF also launched at least two 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 intelligence officers ordered owners of these houses by phone to evacuate their houses.

    In the West Bank, two Palestinians were killed by IOF. On 31 August 2006, killed a Palestinian during an incursion in the old town of Nablus. The victim was described as the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, in the West Bank. On 6 September 2006, IOF extra-judicially killed a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Jenin.
    In addition, 16 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and two paramedics, were wounded by IOF gunfire.

    Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 32 military incursions into Palestinian communities, during which they raided dozens of houses and arrested 36 Palestinian civilians. In addition, IOF raided a charitable society in Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 4 incursions into Palestinian communities, the widest of which were into Beit Hanoun town and Khuza’sa village. They killed a number of Palestinian civilians, arrested 3 others, razed at least 50 donums of agricultural land and destroyed 6 houses completely and a number of others partially.

    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. During the reported period, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF have prevented Palestinian fishermen from fishing.

    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 4 Palestinians, including Head of the Presidential Guard in Ramallah.

    Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF issued a military order seizing 152 donums of land in Um Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, to be used for “military purposes to establish a fence and a number of secure roads.” According to local sources, the seizures of land aims to construct a section of the Wall in the area, and establish a settler bypass road. On 2 September 2006, fire broke out on areas of agricultural land in Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya, which are isolated behind the wall. As a result, 467 trees were burnt. According to Palestinian farmers, the incident was an arson attack. IOF also used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli peace activists in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

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

  • 257 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 49 children and 12 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 954 Palestinian civilians, including 272 children and 31 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 248 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 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.
  • 40 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 (31 August - 6 September 2006)

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

    Thursday, 31 August 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Ahmed Yousef Swaiti, 18.
  • At approximately 00:50, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Ussama Majd al-Tarwa, 30.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested ‘Alaa’ Ibrahim Abu Jaber, 20.
  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including two brothers:

    1. Amjad Sharif al-Wraidat, 29;
    2. Eyad Sharif al-Wraidat, 24;
    3. Mohammed ‘Areef al-Wraidat, 24;
    4. Ra’ed Mahmoud al-Wraidat, 33;
    5. Anwar Mohammed al-Wraidat, 30.

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Eissa and Wadi al-Hariya neighborhoods in the south and west of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed ‘Abdul Majid ‘Amru, 30; and
    2. Sa’id Sa’di al-Harbawi, 21.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Qaryoun quarter in the old town of Nablus. They raided two houses belonging to ‘Awni Mansour and Hafez al-‘Awartani and transformed them into military sites. They opened fire whatever moving object. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. At approximately 04:00, IOF vehicles withdrew from the old town and the area became completely quiet. Palestinian civilians and resistance activists started to move in the area. At approximately 05:00, an IOF sniper fired at Fadi ‘Abdul Hafiz Qaffisha, 32, wounding him with a live bullet to the chest. According to eyewitnesses, the IOF sniper fired at Qaffisha from ‘Awni Mansour’s house. A number of Palestinian civilians and medical crews hurried to offer him help, but he died a few minutes later. They evacuated his body in an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society towards the hospital, but IOF soldiers positioned inside al-‘Awartani’s house opened fire at them, wounding 6, including the ambulance driver and two paramedics o the Palestinian Medical Care Committees:

    1. Jamal Mahmoud al-Sader, 23, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the pelvis;
    2. Firas Jameel al-Qaddoumi, 22, a paramedic, wounded by a live bullet to the left leg and shrapnel to the abdomen;
    3. Fursan Jameel al-Qaddoumi, 20, a paramedic, wounded by a live bullet to the right forearm;
    4. Majed Hassan Nada, 52, the ambulance driver, wounded by shrapnel to the head;
    5. Majdi Sa’id al-Wawi, 20, wounded by a live bullet to the lower jaw; and
    6. ‘Abdul Hadi ‘Abdul Rahim al-Qaddoumi, 28, wounded by shrapnel to the legs.

    Later, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a military wing of Fatah movement, mourned Qaffisha as its leader in the West Bank. It is worth noting that Qaffisha survived a number of extra-judicial execution attempts by IOF. In one of those attempts, his right forearm was cut. Before their withdrawal from the city, IOF arrested Ussama Ahmed Harazallah, 20.

    In his testimony to PCHR, Firas Jameel al-Qaddoumi, a paramedic who was wounded, stated:

    “At approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 31 August 2006, a received a call on my mobile phone, informing me that a person was wounded in al-Qaryoun yard in the old town of Nablus, and that he was in a critical condition. Immediately, my brother Fursan, who is my colleague, and I went out and moved to the area, which is only a few meters away from our house. When we arrived there, we found a person on the ground. He was bleeding as he was wounded by a live bullet to the chest. We could identify him as Fadi Qaffisha. He was still alive. We called an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society. We then carried the wounded person to a place known as al-Taweel yard. We tried to provide him first medical aid, but we were not able to stop the hemorrhage. Nearly 15 minutes later, he succumbed to his wound. As the ambulance did not come, I repeated phoned Palestine Red Crescent Society, and I was informed that the ambulance was held by IOF at the entrance of the old town. Approximately an hour later, the ambulance arrived at al-Qaryoun yard. We carried the body towards the ambulance, which was only 20 meters away from us. As soon as we got close to the ambulance, fire was opened on us. My bother, I and other people were wounded. We were all evacuated to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. There, I was informed that IOF soldiers positioned in the first floor of a house belonging to ‘Awni al-‘Awartani fired at us.”

  • At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They erected a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They them moved towards the neighboring Kufor Ra’ei village, and erected a checkpoint at its entrance. IOF withdrew from the area later, and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 14:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Tulkarm refugee camp, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near a restaurant in the center of the camp, and 4 armed persons wearing civilian clothes got out of it. One of them shouted on Tha’er ‘Omar ‘Amara, 20, who was near the restaurant and fired at him. He was not hurt. Members of the unit captured him and took him into the car. The gunfire wounded two civilians in the area:

    1. Ayman Khaled Tanja, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
    2. Mahmoud Sarhan, 19, wounded by a live bullet to the neck.

    Soon, IOF vehicles moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit.

    Friday, 1 September 2006

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Baqa al-Shaqiya village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the Jaber family, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Muhannad Mohammed Jaber, 29; and
    2. Tariq Mas’oud Jaber, 23.

  • At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew from the village later, and no casualties or arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 18:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped on the main road to the west of the suburb, and 5 armed persons wearing civilian clothes got out of it. They immediately arrested Hassan Mahmoud ‘Oufa, 22, from Tulkarm refugee camp. An IOF spokesman admitted that they arrested ‘Oufa.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Qaizoun neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and interrogated their residents. They withdrew from the area at approximately 01:00 on the following day, and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew from the area at approximately 02:00 on the following day, and no arrests were reported.

    Saturday, 2 September 2006

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew from the village at approximately 04:00, and no casualties or arrests were reported.
  • In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and his son in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. In addition, two of the slain man’s daughters were seriously wounded. During this raid, IOFs also wounded 6 civilians, including two parents and their 3 children, and destroyed 9 homes. The casualties and damages were inflicted in an operation aiming to arrest two allegedly wanted Palestinians.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:30, an IOF undercover unit moved nearly two kilometers inside the Gaza Strip into the town of Beit Hanoun. The unit advanced towards al-Amal neighborhood in the northeast of the town, and besieged a number of houses in the area. Under a cover of intense gunfire, the IOF troops stormed a house belonging to Naser Subeih Abu Lfeeta, 48, to arrest one of his sons. The house’s owner was wounded in the abdomen and legs. The troops ordered the household to leave their house. Mohammad Isma’il Abu ‘Odeh, 53, went out of his nearby house to see what was going on. IOF fired at him from a range of 20 meters, killing him with live bullets to the head. A few minutes later, Abu Odeh’s son, Isma’il, 27, went out of the house to look for his father. The IOF undercover unit fired at him, killing him with live bullets to the chest and neck. He fell near his father. Abu ‘Odeh’s daughters, 17-year-old Hanan and and 16-yesr-old Azhar, went out to look for their father and brother. The troops fired at them. Both were wounded by gunshots throughout their bodies. They fell at the entrance of their house. The remaining members of the Abu ‘Odeh family pulled the girls into the house. The soldiers sent Sari Abu Lfeeta, 21, whom they were using as a human shield to check Abu Odeh’s house. He informed the troops about the wounded girls. The troops ordered him to bring them out and put them inside one of the tanks stationed in the area, and he did. Following nearly two hours of bleeding, Palestinian medical crews were allowed into the area to evacuate the girls to Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital. Both girls were in a critical condition. During the incursion, IOF destroyed 9 homes. Six of them were completely destroyed. One of the destroyed houses belongs to Mohammed ‘Abu ‘Oudeh, who was killed by IOF and mentioned above. At approximately 10:00, during the withdrawal of IOF from the area, a helicopter fired a missile at a house belonging to Eyad Taha ‘Abed Rabbu al-Kafarna. The house was severely damaged. In addition, al-Kafarna’s wife, and their 3 children were lightly injured: Ahmed, 2; Mohammed, 1, and Dina, 6. PCHR’s fieldworker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that IOF arrested 3 allegedly wanted Palestinians: Younis Naser Subeih Abu Lfeeta, 22; and Mahmoud Mohammad al-Tarabin, 22.

  • At approximately 06:00, IOF positioned along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Qarara village north of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a person who was nearly 600 meters to the west of the border. He was hit by several gunshots. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at two persons who attempted to get close to the border. Nearly 3 hours later, a Palestinian ambulance arrived at the area following coordination with IOF. The medical crew found the body of an unarmed civilian, who apparently bled to death. The body was evacuated to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. He was identified in the evening as ‘Izziddin ‘Abdul Khaliq al-Astal, 22, from Khan Yunis. It is not clear why he was in the area. According to victim’s father, his son went out for the Dawn Prayer and did not come back home for a long time. When he was informed that the body of unknown person was at the hospital, he went to the hospital and discovered that the victim was his son.
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Ektaba suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Diab Jabarin, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces. They held the family in one room, and transformed the roof into a military site. IOF left the house two hours later.
  • At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into al-Jabal neighborhood in the southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched al-Fineeq Restaurant. They checked and interrogated families, including children, allegedly to arrest wanted Palestinians. IOF withdrew an hour later, and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 20:30, IOF positioned along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of Beit Lahia, fired a number of artillery shells at the town. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilian were wounded by shrapnel throughout their bodies when they were near Balsam Hospital:

    1. Sa’id Mahmoud ‘Ajour, 30;
    2. Ibrahim Diab Mousa, 20; and
    3. ‘Abed Mohammed ‘Aashour, 26.

  • At approximately 22:05, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 180-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 13 people (two families) live, belonging to Mousa ‘Eissa al-Seelawi in al-Tawam neighborhood in the west of Jabalaya. The house and two neighboring houses belonging to the families of Sabbah and Abu Haya were destroyed. Another house was also severely damaged. Additionally, Jamal Mahdi al-‘Arabeed, 48, was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body. According to al-Seelawi, his son Ashraf, a member of Hamas, received a call on his mobile phone, 20 minutes prior to the attack, from a person who introduced himself as a member of the Israel Defense Force. The called informed the son that the house would be attacked in 20 minutes and ordered him to vacate it. The family and neighbors left their house without having been able to vacate any of their belongings.

    Sunday, 3 September 2006

  • At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Mohammed Hudaib. At approximately 03:00, IOF detonated a bomb near the house, claiming that they found it there. The house was damaged. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested Hudaib’s three sons: Ziad, 36; Ashraf, 24; and Ishaq, 22.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire at houses. They withdrew a few hours later, and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers, moved nearly 2500 meters into Jabalya. They opened fire indiscriminately, and immediately started to raze areas of agricultural land. By 17:00, they had razed 50 donums of agricultural land planted with citrus belonging to the families of Mas’oud, al-Batash, Junaid, al-Najjar, Drdouna, al-Zain, al-‘Ajrami, Nabhan, al-Shannat and Hammouda.
  • At approximately 08:00, IOF positioned along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian houses located to the west of the border. As a result, Saber Khaled Farajallah, 23, was wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh, when he was inside his house.
  • At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched al-Mo’raj apartment building in the west of the town, and then transformed the roof into a military site.

    Monday, 4 September 2006

  • At approximately 00:10, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, northwest of Hebron. They raided offices of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service. They searched the offices and violently beat on-duty officers. IOF then raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Salem al-Muraqtan, 25; and
    2. Mahmoud Mohammed Shahrour, 23.

  • At approximately 00:45, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a 140-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 12 people live, belonging to Khalil Dib Abu Fool in Jabalya refugee camp. The house was destroyed. According to Abu Fool, he received a call on his wife’s mobile phone from a person who identified himself as an Israeli intelligence officer. The officer ordered Abu Fool to vacate his house because it would be bombarded. It is worth noting that IOF destroyed a house belonging to Abu Fool’s brother the same way a few weeks ago.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian brothers, including a child:

    1. Anas Hisham Kmail, 16;
    2. Mo’men Hisham Kmail, 18; and
    3. Yousef Hisham Kmail, 21.

    At approximately 08:00, IOF withdrew from the village towards the main road leading to it. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the stone throwers, wounding 3 of them, including two children:

    1. Hamada Mohammed Kmail, 15, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen;
    2. Rabee’ Rida Turkman, 26, wounded by a live bullet to the side; and
    3. Mohammed Yasser Nazzal, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the head.

  • At approximately 02:20, 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. Ameer Muneer Abu Khalifa, 22;
    2. Majdi ‘Aadel ‘Olaiwi, 26;
    3. Lu’ai Ahmed Barakat, 21; and
    4. Jaber Kalbouna, 26.

  • Also at approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Til village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Yousef Taleb al-Silwadi, 24; and
    2. Haitham ‘Ezzat Ramadan, 23.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They opened fire at houses. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. As a result, a member of the resistance was wounded.
  • At approximately 04:00, an IOF special unit moved nearly 800 meters into Um al-Wad area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF soldiers searched greenhouses in the area and arrested a farmer, 60-year-old ‘Eid Hamad Qudaih. They took him to a military site at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, where they interrogated him. He was released several hours later. At approximately 06:00, IOF vehicles moved into the area to reinforce the encroaching unit. IOF damaged areas of agricultural land and greenhouses. They withdrew from the area at 12:30. the withdrawal was covered by indiscriminate gunfire.
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Abu Katila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. They then transformed two houses belonging to Falah Mustafa Nasser al-Din and Akram Mohammed Misk into military sites. They also violently beat Maisoun Misk, 38. She sustained bruises throughout the body and fainted. IOF soldiers beat her when she asked them to get out of the house. Additionally, IOF soldiers violently beat 3 journalists who were covering the incidents in the area:

    1. Hussam Abu ‘Allan, a photographer of Palestine News Agency (Wafa);
    2. Nayef al-Hashlamoun, a cameraman of Reuters news agency; and
    3. Najeh al-Hashlamoun, a cameraman.

    IOF soldiers threatened the journalists and attempted to prevent him from covering the incidents in the area. IOF left the aforementioned houses two hours later.

  • At approximately 17:10, IOF moved into al-Duha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nidal Mohammed Malash, who is allegedly wanted for being a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement. They also raided a number of neighboring houses. IOF soldiers prevented journalists from entering the area. Later, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at those boys, wounding two of them:

    1. Riad As’ad al-‘Azza, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the forehead; and
    2. Mohammed Jamal Ghanayem, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot.

    Tuesday, 5 September 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Anwar Hassan Salah, 28;
    2. Isma’il Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim, 41; and
    3. Nader No’man Subaih, 29.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. They also raided and searched offices of the Islamic Society for the Relief of Orphans. The damaged the contents of offices and confiscated two computer sets and all documents in the offices.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Bassam al-Zeer, 23, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at the village. As a result, Bilal Swailem Abu Zaher, 15, was wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh, when he was grazing animals nearly 400 meters away from the border.

    Wednesday, 6 September 2006

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Maher Subhi Thouqan, 23, a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service.
  • At approximately 02:30, an IOF special unit moved nearly 800 meters into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Nearly an hour later, at least 15 IOF vehicles moved into the area, opening fire indiscriminately. At approximately 04:00, IOF drones fired two missiles at 4 Palestinian civilians who were on the roof of their house, which is nearly 200 meters away from the affected area. As a result, one of these civilians, 22-year-old Mohammed Fawzi Salem Abu Raida, 22, was killed. The other three civilians were wounded:

    1. ‘Ammar Mohammed Abu Raida, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the face;
    2. Mohammed Suleiman Abu Raida, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand; and
    3. ‘Omar Ahmed Abu Raida, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg.

    IOF drones fired a third missile, but it went astray.

    IOF bulldozers razed areas of agricultural land, and IOF aircrafts and tanks opened fire at the area.

    At approximately 10:00, IOF raided a number of houses and transformed their roof into military sites.

    At approximately 11:00, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the IOF gunfire:

    1. ‘Eissa Waleed Shnainu, 19, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
    2. Salah Ibrahim Abu Tu’aima, 21, wounded by shrapnel to the thighs.

    At approximately 11:30, Isma’il Majed Abu Rouk, 16, was wounded by a live bullet the entered the back and exited the chest, when IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians.

    At approximately 20:00, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians and resistance activists. As a result, 5 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Mohammed Talal Abu Raida, 16;
    2. Mohammed Ibrahim Musabbeh, 20;
    3. Mohammed Mohammed Musabbeh;
    4. Khaled ‘Ali al-Shawaf, 22; and
    5. Nasser Mohammed Musabbeh, 22, whose leg was amputated.

  • At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They besieged a number of houses and ordered their residents to get out. IOF soldiers also fired at these houses, wounding Khaled Saleh ‘Aashour, 19, with shrapnel to the abdomen. An IOF bulldozer also demolished the fence of a house belonging to Mufeed al-‘Ammouri.
  • At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Hani Mohammed Saif, 21;
    2. Tha’er Mansour Shehada, 15;
    3. Mahmoud Mansour Shehada, 18; and
    4. Mohammed ‘Abdul ‘Aal Shehada, 25.

    The last three civilians were released later, but the first one remained in custody.

    2. Extra-Judicial Executions

    During the reported period, IOF committed 3 extra-judicial execution. On Tuesday evening, 5 September 2006, IOF committed two extra-judicial executions in Rafah in two hours, which killed 4 members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and wounded 27 civilian bystanders, including 5 children. On Wednesday evening, 6 September 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Jenin
    According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR:

  • At approximately 21:20, an IOF droned fired a missile at a civilian car (a grey Mitsubishi) that was traveling near al-Istiqama Mosque in Saddam Street in the densely populated al-Junaina neighborhood. Two members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, were traveling in the car. One of them, 28-year-old Ahmed ‘Abdul Karim ‘Aashour, was instantly killed, and the other one, 34-year-old Ahmed ‘Abdul Katim al-‘Arqan, was seriously wounded. Al-‘Arqan was evacuated to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis, but he died from his wound two hours later. In addition, 26 civilian bystanders, including 5 children, were wounded.
  • Two hours later, an IOF drone fired a missile at a civilian car (a white Daewoo) that was traveling near al-Jawazat Square in Sadam Street in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. Two members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, who were traveling in the car, were instantly killed:

    1. ‘Aa’ed ‘Abdul Qader al-Bashiti, 33; and
    2. ‘Ali ‘Eissa al-Nashar, 26.

    In addition, a civilian bystander was wounded.

  • At approximately 16:40 on Wednesday, 6 September 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near al-Seelawi building in Jenin - Nazareth Street in the northeast of the town. IOF soldiers got out of the car and divide themselves into two groups. The first group raided a factory of plastics belonging to Fayez the Seelawi, which is located behind the building, whereas the other group raided the building itself, opening fire. Mujahed Akram al-Sabe’, 22, who was targeted by this attack, jumped out of the window of his family’s flat, which is located on the second floor of the building, onto the roof of the factory of plastics. IOF soldiers noticed that and waited until he jumped downs towards the street, and opened fire at him. He was wounded to the feet. He ran two meters and them fell onto the ground. Immediately, IOF soldiers shot him dead with several live bullets to the head, the abdomen and the back. Al-Sabe’ was allegedly wanted by IOF for being a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. Soon, at least 20 IOF vehicles moved into the town to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. IOF soldiers arrested the victim’s brother, 17-year-old Munadel. Later, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding Murad Khaled Abu Zaid, 22, with a live bullet to the right hand.

    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. On 3 September 2006, IOF reopened the crossing partially. They allowed the importation of dairy products, fruits, vegetables and stationary. 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, 2 September 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on the main roads leading to Ramallah and al-Bireh. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

    On Tuesday morning, 5 September 2006, IOF positioned at Halmish checkpoint, northwest of Ramallah, arrested ‘Eid Ramadan al-Dik, from Kufor al-Dik village west of Salfit.

    At approximately 18:00 also on Tuesday, IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, arrested Colonel Mahmoud Damra, 45, from Mazare’ al-Noubai village northwest of the town, Head of the Palestinian Presidential Guard in Ramallah.

  • 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. On Saturday morning, 2 September 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the camp. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and interrogated a number of civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 3 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the southwest of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and interrogated a number of civilians.

    On Monday evening, 4 September 2006, IOF positioned at al-Ramadin intersection, southwest of Hebron, stopped and held 5 Palestinian workers who were on their way back home. IOF soldiers violently beat the workers. The workers sustained bruises throughout the body:

    1. Muneer ‘Ali al-Ka’ka, 21;
    2. ‘Emad ‘Ali al-Ka’ka, 25;
    3. Mohammed Haneen al-Ka’ka, 25;
    4. Muhannad Malek al-Ka’ka, 19; and
    5. Mohammed Faisal Ed’ais, 27.

  • Bethlehem: IOF have imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 1 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the south of the town. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 2 September 2006, IOF erected two checkpoints to the west of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 4 September 2006, IOF erected two checkpoint in Beit Jala town, west of Bethlehem. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
  • Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from moving out of the city. On Thursday morning, 31 August 2006, IOF positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the center and south of the West Bank. They conducted prolomged checking for Palestinian civilians. IOF positioned at Jeet checkpoint, southwest of the city, also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the center and south of the West Bank. On Friday, 1 September 2006, IOF positioned at Jeet checkpoint, southwest of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced Palestinian civilians to wait for long hours before allowing them to cross the checkpoint. On Saturday morning, 2 September 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected more checkpoints on the main roads. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 3 September 2006, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced hundreds of civilians to wait for long periods before allowing them to cross the checkpoints.

    At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 6 September 2006, IOF positioned at the 17 checkpoint at the northern entrance of Nablus arrested Reem ‘Abdul Fattah Beerawi, 20, a university student from Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus.

  • Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 31 August 2006, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town, continued to prevent Palestinians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint. They also conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 1 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bala’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also held dozens of civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads for long hours. On Saturday, 2 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and prevented civilians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint. IOF soldiers also held dozens of young men who resorted to alternative dirt roads for several hours. On Sunday, 3 September 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian civilians aged below 35, including medical crews, from crossing Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town. On Monday, 4 September 2006, IOF closed all dirt roads near Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of the town.

    On Saturday morning, 2 September 2006, IOF positioned at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm, arrested Lu’ai As’ad Nassar, 20.

  • Jenin: IOF have continued to severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 2 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on Jenin - Nablus road near ‘Arraba village. They prevented Palestinians from other Palestinian communities from entering Jenin. At approximately 03:30 on Sunday, 3 September 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

    4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

  • At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 1 September 2006, at least 250 Palestinian civilians and dozens of international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF told the demonstrators that the vicinity of the wall was a closed military zone. When the demonstrators moved forwards, an IOF vehicle sprinkled colored water on the demonstrators. Additionally, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombes and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 8 demonstrators were injured.
  • At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 2 September 2006, fire broke out on areas of agricultural land in Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya, which are isolated behind the wall. As a result, 467 trees were burnt. According to Palestinian farmers, the incident was an arson attack.
  • On Sunday, 3 September 2006, IOF issued a military order seizing 152 donums of land in Um Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, to be used for “military purposes to establish a fence and a number of secure roads.” According to local sources, the seizures of land aims to construct a section of the Wall in the area, and establish a settler bypass road.

    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.

    The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is an independent legal body based in Gaza City dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists, the FÚdÚration Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network. PCHR is a recipient of the 1996 French Republic Award for Human Rights.