Weekly report of human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 1 December 2006

Israeli Occupation Forces demolished two houses in Arbouna village, east of Jenin, for the purpose of settlement expansion. (PCHR)


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

23-29 November 2006

15 Palestinians, 7 of them are civilians (including a child and a woman), were killed by IOF.
13 of the victims were killed by IOF in the northern Gaza Strip.
3 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in Jabalya town.
49 Palestinians, including 19 children, a woman and an old man, were wounded by IOF.
IOF bombarded a money exchange shop in Gaza City.
IOF conducted 28 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 65 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, in the West Bank.
IOF destroyed 27 houses in and razed 80 donums[1] of agricultural land in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children, at checkpoints in the West Bank
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; they used force against peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall.
Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; IOF destroyed 5 houses and 7 civilian establishment in Jenin and Hebron, and Israeli settlers attacked a child and injured her.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (23 - 29 November 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 14 Palestinians, 7 of whom are civilians, including a woman and a child. An eighth civilians died from a previous wound. In addition, IOF wounded 49 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 19 children, a woman and an old man.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 7 Palestinians, including 4 civilians (one of them is a child), during military operations in the northern Gaza Strip. On 23 November 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed 3 Palestinian resistance activists in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. On the same day, a Palestinian civilians died from a previous wound he had sustained in the northern Gaza Strip. On 25 November 2006, IOF fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinian resistance activists. As a result, a resistance activist and a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, who was in a security site in the area, were killed. In addition, 37 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 13 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire. Moreover, IOF also launched an air strike on a money exchange shop in Gaza City, destroying it and severely damaging nearby houses.

In the West Bank, on 27 November 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and a woman who attempted to offer him first medical aid in Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. IOF left the two victims bleeding to death. In addition, 12 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire in various areas in the West Bank.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 28 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they raided houses and arrested 65 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. IOF employed undercover units in several incursions.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF redeployed outside the northern Gaza Strip following a series of incursions into the area. During these incursions, IOF killed 7 Palestinians, destroyed 17 houses and 10 civilian establishments and razed 80 donums of agricultural land. IOF also moved into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, and leveled areas of land they had already razed.

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 since 25 June 2006, even though they do not directly control it. During the reported period, the crossing point was reopened on Tuesday, 28 November 2006, from 10:00 to 15:00, and 776 Palestinians traveled from the Gaza Strip and 569 others traveled back to it. The crossing point was supposed to be operated also on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, but IOF informed the European observers that the crossing point would not allow its operation. On 15 November 2006, the Palestinian - Israeli agreement on border crossing, which was concluded under US and European supervision, expired. Under this agreement, IOF have maintained indirect control over of the crossing point. IOF have imposed severe restrictions at 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 Sofa and Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) crossings near Rafah. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing. With this closure, only few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. In addition, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian fishermen from fishing for 5 months.

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 in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
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. During the reported period, 4 female Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian child in Hebron and injured her. In the context of settlement activities, IOF demolished 5 houses and 7 civilian establishments in Jenin and Hebron, claiming that were built without licenses.

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

  • 468 Palestinians, 294 of whom are civilians, including 88 children and 29 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 1592 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 329 children, 109 women. In the Gaza Strip alone, 1259 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 343 children, 104 women, 4 paramedics and 7 journalist, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 328 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 10 ministers and 31 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary, have been arrested. Minster of Prisoners’ Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Labor, Minister of Public Works 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.
  • 73 houses belonging to activists of Palestinian factions have been 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 (23- 29 November 2006)

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

    Israeli Offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip

    On Sunday, 26 November 2006, IOF redeployed from the northern Gaza Strip ending a wide scale military operation that began on Tuesday, 21 November 2006. During this operation, IOF killed a number of Palestinians and destroyed some civilian facilities. During the period covered by the last report, IOF killed 5 Palestinians, including a woman and a child, and wounded 34 others, including 15 children. During the reported period, IOF killed 7 Palestinians, including 4 civilians (one of them is a child), and wounded 36 others, mostly civilians, including 13 children. Another Palestinian civilian died from a previous wound. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF during this operation increased to 13, including 6 civilians (including two children and a woman), and wounded 70 others, including 28 children. IOF also extra-judicially executed 3 members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees in Jabalya refugee camp. Additionally, IOF destroyed 27 houses and 10 civilian establishments, and razed 80 donums of agricultural land.

    Thursday, 23 November 2006

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF military vehicles moved from Qulaibu Hill towards Sheikh Zayed housing project in Beit Lahia to the west and controlled its entrances. They also opened fire intensively.
  • At approximately 05:15, 6 IOF tanks moved from Quliabu Hill towards the education intersection and opened fire. At approximately 06:05, IOF soldiers positioned on those tanks shot dead Mohammed Mahmoud al-Jerjawi with a live bullet to the abdomen, and wounded 16-year-old Mohammed Hasan al-Barri with a live bullet to the right foot. At approximately 07:00, those IOF tanks moved back to Qulaibu Hill.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned on al-Rayes Hill, southeast of Jabalya, opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians and resistance activists, who were near al-Salam Mosque in al-Qerem Street. A resistance activist, 22-year-old Nasser Jamal Ahmed al-Nudor, from Jabalya, was killed by a live bullet to the head. A civilian, 19-year-old Yousef al-Kurd, was also wounded by a live bullet to the back.
  • At approximately 14:15, IOF positioned in al-Kashef Hill fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinian civilians who were in She’sha’a area in the east of Jabalya refugee camp. Four civilians, including two children, were seriously wounded by shrapnel:

    1. Khader ‘Emad Abu Jebba, 18;
    2. Yousef Sa’ad al-Kahlout, 15;
    3. Eihab ‘Abdul Hamid al-‘Eila, 15; and
    4. Mohammed Sa’id Hasanain, 22.

  • At approximately 14:30, IOF positioned at the southern entrance of Beit Hanoun opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were near the building of the Municipality of Beit Hanoun. Three civilians were wounded:

    1. ‘Abdul Nasser Ahmed al-Basiouni, 32, wounded by two live bullets to the abdomen and the right arm;
    2. ‘Alaa’ Suhail al-Za’anin, 24, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot; and
    3. ‘Ali Abu Harbid, 24, wounded by a live bullet to the right leg.

  • At approximately 15:15, IOF positioned at al-Kashef Hill to the east of Jabalya refugee camp opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians, wounding two:

    1. Mohammed Jihad Salman, 29, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
    2. Ussama Mohammed Abu Rashed, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the right thigh.

  • At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill in Beit Lahia fired an artillery shell at a gathering of Palestinian civilians to the northeast of Sheikh Zayed housing project. ‘Alaa’ ‘Omar Khalil, 22, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body.
  • At approximately 16:40, IOF positioned in Qulaibu Hill opened fire at a gathering of Palestinian civilians to the northeast of Sheikh Zayed housing project. Four civilians, including two children, were wounded:

    1. Mohammed Ahmed ‘Oqailan, 21, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot;
    2. Zhaher Mohammed ‘Awadh, 20, wounded by a live bullet to the buttock;
    3. ‘Emad Mohammed Shaheen, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the right hand; and
    4. Nader ‘Eid al-Far, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot.

  • At approximately 17:10, Waleed Mohammed Abu Warda, 12, was wounded by a live bullet to the right thigh near Zimmu Square in the east of Jabalya town.
  • At approximately 17:30, IOF fired a surface-to-surface missile at Sheikh Zayed housing project. The missile fell near tower building no. 12, killing 23-year-old Anees Yousef Mousa.
  • At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned in Qulaibu Hill opened fire at a gathering of Palestinian civilians in Sheikh Zayed housing project. Two civilians were wounded:

    1. Khamis Nemer Zaghra, 19, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot; and
    2. Dahman Ahmed Samsoum, 19, from Sheikh Zayed housing project, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot.

    Friday, 24 November 2006

  • At approximately 08:20, IOF positioned to the east of ‘Izbat ‘Abed Rabbu area in the east of Jabalya opened fired at a group of the Palestinian resistance who were near al-Je’el fuel station. A resistance activist, Ayman Mohammed Salem Jouda, 25, from Jabalay, was wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He bled to death.
  • At approximately 11:20, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill, east of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who were playing near al-Zawia Mosque. Two children were wounded:

    1. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Salman Mohammed Salman, 10, seriously wounded by two live bullets to the abdomen and the right, and died at the hospital half an hour later; and
    2. Mohye al-Din Hasan al-Mabhouh, 8, wounded by a live bullet to the thighs.

  • At approximately 12:10, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill fired an artillery shell near Sheikh Zayed Mosque, when Palestinian civilians were attending the Friday Prayer. Fadi Subhi Abu Shanab, 27, was wounded by shrapnel to the right shoulder.
  • At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill fired at a number of Palestinian civilians near Sheikh Zayed housing project. Two civilians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Mohammed Maher Abu ‘Ameera, 18, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot; and
    2. Ahmed Ibrahim Shaheen, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot.

  • At approximately 15:30, IOF opened fire at Palestinian civilians in Sheikh Zayed and Tal al-Za’tar streets. Four civilians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Baker Sha’ban ‘Owaida, 27, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot;
    2. Mohammed Subhi Ghareeb, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the thighs;
    3. Mohammed ‘Azzam ‘Ouda, 20, wounded by a live bullet to the chest; and
    4. Yahia Hijju, 20, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet to the chest.

  • At approximately 16:30, medical sources declared that ‘Alaa’ al-‘Emari, 25, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, died at an Israeli hospital from a wound he has sustained on 13 November 2006, during the IOF incursion into Beit Hanoun town.

    Saturday, 25 November 2006
  • At approximately 09:55, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill shot dead a member of the Palestinian resistance, Ahmed Hasan Mohammed Lubbad, 19, from Beit Lahia, with several live bullets to the chest and the abdomen.
  • At approximately 11:30, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill opened fire at al-Basheer Mosque in Tal al-Za’tar area, when Palestinian civilians were preparing for the Noon Prayer. Palestinian civilians were terrified and did not attend the prayer.
  • At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill opened fire at a gathering of Palestinian civilians in the area. Two civilians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Ayman Jamal al-Tahrawi, 16, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the neck and the back; and
    2. Eyad Fu’ad al-Radee’, 27, wounded by a live bullet to the left leg.

  • At approximately 15:10, IOF that had moved into She’sha’a area fired two artillery shells that fell near a house belonging to ‘Ata Abu Jarad in Tal al-Za’tar area. The house and the civilian vehicle parking near it were severely damaged, and 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

    1. Saleem al-Wehaidi, 80;
    2. Nidal Jamal Wishah, 24; and
    3. Hani Ibrahim al-Toum, 35.

  • At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned near al-Kashef Hill opened fire at Palestinian houses in Jabalya refugee camp. Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

    1. Hani Manah al-Dghal, 25, wounded by a live bullet to the shoulder; and
    2. Ayman ‘Abdul Qader Abu Mhadi, 12, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head.

  • Also at approximately 15:30, IOF ordered Ra’ed Siam, Hussein Abu Namous and Muneeb ‘Abed Rabbu to vacate their home in ‘Izbat ‘Abed Rabbu area in the east of Jabalya to be demolished in two hours. However, Palestinian civilians gathered inside their home, and IOF did not demolish them.
  • At approximately 15:40, IOF positioned on Qulaibu Hill opened fire at Palestinian houses in Sheikh Zayed housing project and Tal al-Za’tar area. Two Palestinian children were wounded:

    1. ‘Abdul Rahman Kamel Abu Raiya, 14, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
    2. Mahmoud Abu Sharekh, 12, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen.

  • At approximately 23:10, IOF tanks positioned on Qulaibu Hill fired two shells at the offices of the Ministry of Education to the north of Sheikh Zayed housing project. The offices were damaged, but no casualties were reported. At approximately 23:30, IOF tanks opened fire the housing project. Amjad Ahmed al-‘Aawor, 21, was wounded by a live bullet to the left hand.
    At approximately 02:30 on Sunday, 26 November 2006, IOF started to redeploy out of the northern Gaza Strip. The redeployment was completed by 04:30.

    Incursions into Other Areas

    Thursday, 23 November 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Masharqa and al-Ras neighborhoods in the south and southeast of Hebron respectively. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Bajes al-Ja’bari, 27;
    2. Mohammed Hasan al-Ja’bari, 19; and
    3. Mahran Yaqin al-Ja’bari, 21.

  • At approximately 00:15, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a money exchange shop belonging to Falah Kamel Harazallah in al-Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. The shop was destroyed and a number of neighboring houses were damaged.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Wajdi Jameel Barakat, 19; and
    2. Mustafa Fu’ad Abu al-Ruz, 22.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched houses belonging to Sami Is’haq al-Ja’bari and his sons in al-Sheikh, Namera and Haram al-Rama neighborhoods. They arrested two of al-Ja’bari’s sons: Mohammed, 28; and ‘Emad, 38. They also violently beat al-Ja’bari’s mother, 75-year-old Najiya al-Ja’bari. During these house raids, IOF soldiers damaged the targeted houses. It is worth noting that IOF had arrested 5 other sons of al-Ja’bari this month and in the past months.
  • At approximately 04:00, an IOF infantry unit moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. IOF soldiers besieged a house belonging to Mohammed Ameen Hanaisha, known as “al-Zar’eini”, in the west of the village. Soon, at least 20 IOF military vehicles, accompanied by two bulldozers and two helicopters, moved into the village. IOF soldiers opened fire at the house and neighboring greenhouses. They called through megaphones on those who were hiding in greenhouses to surrender, and continued to fire at the greenhouses. At approximately 08:00, 4 members of the Palestinian resistance who were hiding in the greenhouses surrendered and IOF arrested them:

    1. Yasser Ahmed Hanaisha, 38;
    2. Ahmed Tal’at Tazaz’a, 22;
    3. Ahmed Naji Abu Zalat, 20; and
    4. Sa’id al-Hathnawi, 27.

  • At approximately 18:00, IOF soldiers in a military vehicle positioned on bypass road no. 60 passing through the east and north of Hebron fired at a number of Palestinian children in Wadi al-Nais area near the road, west of Sa’ir village, claiming that stones were thrown at their vehicles. As a result, 16-year-old Jihad Nemer ‘Ajaj al-Froukh, was seriously wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

    1. Marwan Mohammed Ghareeb, 32;
    2. ‘Alaa’ Shareef Khalil, 22;
    3. ‘Ali Hussein Abu al-Nada, 22;
    4. Mohammed ‘Ersan, 50;
    5. Fares Mohammed ‘Ersan, 23;
    6. ‘Ersan Mohammed ‘Ersan, 14; and
    7. Mustafa Ibrahim al-Natour, 35.

    Friday, 24 November 2006

  • At approximately 07:00, IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 500 meters into Um al-Wad area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of land they had already razed. They redeployed from the area 5 hours later.
  • At approximately 15:00, 5 IOF military vehicles moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at those vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding two of them:

    1. Mousa Naji Nawaje’, 15, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest; and
    2. Murad Ayman Hudaib, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the right side.

  • At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Salfit town in the north of West Bank. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding 16-year-old Jamal Mohammed al-Sarafandi, 16, with a live bullet to the left leg.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses in the south of the village. They withdrew from the area two hours later and no arrests were reported.

    Saturday, 25 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Alaa’ Mahdi al-Batya, 23;
    2. Tamer Hussein Kalbouna, 21;
    3. Sa’ed al-Khashashi, 19; and
    4. Noah Jamal al-Khuffash, 23.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to Faze’ Hasan al-Shaf’ei, and forced its residents out. They searched the house and then photographed it and tha family. No arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Abu Ghannam neighborhood in the north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ja’far Mustafa Abu ‘Eisha, 23, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 11:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at agricultural areas ion al-Qarara village to the west of the border. Fawziya Hasan al-Malalha, 41, was wounded by a live bullet to the left leg, when she was collecting grass.
  • At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Jamal ‘Awni al-‘Adam, 34; and
    2. Salama Mohammed ‘Okal, 35.

  • At approximately 23:00, IOF positioned near al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, east of Gaza City, fired an artillery shell at a number of members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, who were walking near a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces, nearly one kilometer away. A member of the Palestinian National Security Forces and a members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades were killed by shrapnel:

    1. Waleed Hasan Abu al-Qumboz, 24; and
    2. Ayman ‘Awani Muhaisen, 22.

    Sunday, 26 November 2006

  • At approximately 00:30, IOF permanently positioned in Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem, pursued a number of Palestinian school children, claiming that stones were thrown from inside a school at their vehicles. They also fired live bullets into the air and detonated sound bombs. IOF soldiers arrested 4 children, but released them later on bail:

    1. Mahmoud Khalil Jaffal, 13;
    2. Muhannad Sameer al-Bastani, 12;
    3. Ibrahim ‘Ali ‘Eaikat, 11; and
    4. Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Eraikat, 12.

  • At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding 15-year-old Yasser Faisal Saleem with a live bullet to the left leg.

    Monday, 27 November 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jihad Mohammed ‘Asafra, 23, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 03:00, IOF soldiers positioned inside a deserted house in the village fired at ‘Abdul Raziq Baker Nazzal, 25, when he was on his way to his work at an olive mill, nearly 50 meters away from his house. He was wounded and fell onto the ground, screaming. Fatima Ahmed Shuraim Nazzal, 50, a resident of the area, moved towards them in an attempt to offer him help. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at her. She was wounded. The two victims bled to death, as IOF soldiers prevented anyone from attending them. According to medical sources, the two victims were hit by live bullets to their heads and abdomens.

    In his testimony to PCHR, Ahmed Hussein Nazzal, 40, an eyewitness, stated:

    “At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 27 November 2006, I woke up hearing knocking at doors. IOF soldiers transformed a number of houses into military sites to pursue Palestinian resistance activists. My family and I were waiting our turn. At approximately 03:00, we heard sounds of shooting and a man shouting that he was wounded. We got out of our house. I saw my uncle, Mahmoud Hafez Nazzal, 70, and his wife, Fatima Ahmed Shuraim Nazzal, 50. My uncle’s wife was running towards ‘Abdul Raziq Baker Nazzal, 25, who was bleeding. He was only 5 meters away from my house. When the woman reached the wounded man, she was fired at. She fell near the wounded man. We went back home. Soon, IOF military vehicles arrived at the area. I saw IOF soldiers getting from an old deserted house belonging to Ahmed al-Haj Sadiq Nazzal. The house was only 5-7 meters away from the victims. My uncle tried to explain to soldiers that his wife was wounded, but they shouted on him and fired into the air. Soon after, I saw two dogs smelling the two victims. Nearly 45 minutes later, an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society arrived at the area. IOF soldiers searched it for nearly 15 minutes. The ambulance evacuated the two victims, who were apparently dead, to the hospital.”

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Wad Shaheen neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mustafa Jameel Abu Dayya, and arrested his two sons: Ashraf, 24; and Tamer, 22.
  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Shadi Hasan Shakarna, 19;
    2. Saleh Hasan Shakarna, 20;
    3. Nassif Mohammed Shakarna, 20; and
    4. Maher ‘Eissa Ghayaza, 18.

  • At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Lu’ai Subhi Fraij, 32;
    2. Nemer ‘Abdul Karim Hindi, 39; and
    3. Ahmed Mustafa Kharouf, 23.

  • At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Hashem Suhail Abu Zant, 19;
    2. Mohammed Mahmoud Hashem, 18; and
    3. Rami Abu Ja’sa, 19.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Masharqa neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Hussein al-Ja’bari, 36, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Hawara village, southeast of Nablus, and imposed a curfew.
  • At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into al-Sammou’ village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a two-storey house belonging to Mohammed Hasan al-Rawashda. They held the 10 residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

    Tuesday, 28 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp and ‘Iraq al-Tayeh village. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hazem Jom’a Salah, 28, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF soldiers, who had been positioned on the roof of a house belonging to Mohammed Hasan al-Rawashda (see above) in al-Sammou’ village, southwest of Hebron, opened fire at the electricity network of the village, severely damaging it. Electricity was cut off in several areas in the village. At approximately 09:00, IOF soldiers positioned near the aforementioned house stopped and violently beat 19-year-old Salem ‘Ali al-Badarin for no apparent reason.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Duha village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Muneeb Hasan al-Khatib, 25; and
    2. Bilal Mohammed al-Barmeel, 22.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Ali Khalil Jubran, 31; and
    2. Rabee’ ‘Ata Jebril, 21.

  • Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Salim Zayoud, 45;
    2. Yasser Salim Zayoud, 42;
    3. ‘Adnan Salim Zayoud, 40;
    4. Mustafa Salim Zayoud, 38;
    5. Khaled Salim Zayoud, 25;
    6. Ahmed Shareef Zayoud, 22;
    7. ‘Abdullah Shareef Zayoud, 19;
    8. Mohammed Shareef Zayoud, 25;
    9. Tha’er Qassem Zayoud, 22;
    10. Fadi Qassem Zayoud, 19; and
    11. ‘Ammar Mohammed Zayoud, 33.

  • At approximately 10:10, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. IOF soldiers raided a carpentry workshop belonging to Amjad ‘Aamer Hanaisha, 25, and kidnapped him. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the village to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. IOF claimed that Hanaisha was wanted.

    Wednesday, 29 November 2006
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Sahel neighborhood in the east of Beit Jala town, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Munther Mohammed al-‘Aa’raj, 42, and arrested him.

    2. Extra-Judicial Execution

    During the reported period, IOF extra-judicially executed 3 members of the Salah al-Din Brigades (the armed wing of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees) in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:20 on Thursday, 23 November 2006, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a civilian car (a white Subaru), which was traveling near al-‘Awda tower buildings in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. The car was destroyed, and 3 members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, who was traveling in it, were killed:
    1. Fa’eq Ahmed Abu al-Qumsan, 42, from Jabalya refugee camp;
    2. Ahmed Darwish Abu al-Qumsan, 35; and
    3. Mahmoud Jom’a al-Basiouni, 32, from Beit Hanoun.

    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. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. During the reported period, the crossing point was reopened on Tuesday, 28 November 2006, from 10:00 to 15:00, and 776 Palestinians traveled from the Gaza Strip and 569 others traveled back to it. The crossing point was supposed to be operated also on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, but IOF informed the European observers that the crossing point would not allow its operation.

    On 15 November 2006, the Palestinian - Israeli agreement on border crossing, which was concluded under US and European supervision, expired. Under this agreement, IOF have maintained indirect control over of the crossing point. The European observation team working at the crossing point extended their task for additional 6 months. On 15 November 2005, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel reached an agreement over the border crossings of the Gaza Strip. Under the agreement, on 25 November 2005, the Rafah International Crossing Point, on the Egyptian border in the south of the Gaza Strip, was opened for civilian travel to Egypt and the rest of the world. The Palestinians and European Union (EU) observers would run the Palestinian side of the crossing point. In addition, the EU observers would transmit live images to a joint control room several kilometers away. The EU observers repeated withdrew from the crossing following receiving warnings from IOF that there were threats to them. However, all warnings proved to be void, and the observers resumed their work.

  • 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 have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing. With this closure, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. Palestinian female patients aged under 40 from passing through the crossing, even though most of these patients are in serious conditions and suffer from serious diseases.
  • 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. During the reported period, IOF partially reopened the crossing. They allowed the importation of foodstuffs and medicines into the Gaza Strip, and the exportation of some goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. The number of trucks allowed into the Gaza Strip daily is 250, whereas only 50 trucks loaded with exported goods from the Gaza Strip are allowed to pass through the crossing.
    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. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

    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.

  • Nablus: On Saturday morning, IOF prevented Palestinians aged 15-40 from passing through Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints, south of Nablus. IOF also reinforced their presence at checkpoints erected on al-Bathan road, northeast of Nablus.
  • Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from crossing checkpoints around the town. On Tuesday, 28 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Anabta intersection, east of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinians civilians. In the afternoon, IOF erected a checkpoint on Tulkarm - al-Sha’rawiya road, and prevented Palestinian civilians from northern villages from reaching the town.
  • Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jenin. At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 27 November 2006, IOF closed al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians through it. On Wednesday morning, 29 November 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from farming their agricultural land in the east of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. IOF also closed Bardala checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley, and prevented Palestinian trucks from passing through the checkpoint.
  • Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at various checkpoints around the town. On Tuesday and Wednesday, 28 and 29 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on the branch road leading to the town, nearly 300 meters away from Qalandya crossing south of the town. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. IOF also reinforced their presence at a checkpoint at Jaba’ intersection, south of Ramallah.
  • Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and outside Hebron. On Thursday afternoon, 23 November 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints inside the town and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, allegedly to search for banned objects. IOF soldiers positioned at one of those checkpoints intentionally broke windows and lights of a number of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday and Saturday, 24 and 25 November 2006, hundreds of Palestinian civilians were not able to attend prayers in the Ibrahimi Mosque, and they were not neither able to reach their work places in the area, due to the restrictions on movement imposed by IOF.

    On Thursday evening, 25 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint erected at Wadi al-Quf intersection, north of Hebron, arrested ‘Abdul Rahman Ibrahim al-‘Adam, 33, from Beit Oula village northwest of the town.

    At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 28 November 2006, IOF closed the northern and western entrances of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the camp, claiming that stones were thrown at them. IOF soldiers pursued and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters a number of Palestinian boys who attempted to get out of the camp. Mohammed ‘Abdul Baset Abu Dayya, 17, sustained a fracture to the right leg and knee, as a sound bomb fired by IOF soldiers hit him. IOF soldiers also arrested Isma’il ‘Abdul Rahman al-Badawi, 16. The closure of the entrances of the camp continued until 10:00.

  • Bethlehem: On Tuesday and Wednesday, 28 and 29 November 2006, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They erected an additional checkpoint on Beit Jala - al-Walaja road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Tuesday evening, 28 November 2006, reinforced their presence on bypass road (60), south and west of the town. On Wednesday morning, 29 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Fraidees intersection, south of Bethlehem. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.

    At approximately 16:00, on Sunday evening, 26 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at a permanent checkpoint on Wad al-Nar road, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Khaled Jamal Farraj, 18, from al-Duhaisha refugee camp south of Bethlehem. Farraj is a university student and was on his way back home when IOF soldiers arrested him.

  • Qalqilya: At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 27 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Jeet checkpoint, east of Qalqilya, arrested Nasser Majed ‘Edwan, 19.

    4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

  • On Friday, 24 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned near the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, suppressed the weekly demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in protest to the construction of the Wall in their village. IOF soldiers prevented the demonstrators from reaching their agricultural lands isolated by the Wall to cultivate olives. They fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombes and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, wounding two:

    1. Mohammed Ahmed Yassin, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right thigh; and
    2. Kayed Khalil Abu Rahma, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left shoulder.

    In addition, 8 demonstrators sustained bruises: a photographer of the Israeli daily Haaretz; a Swedish solidarity activist; Amjad ‘Aayed Khalil; Ashraf Mohammed; Khaled al-Khatib; Eyad Bernat; ‘Ali Hussein Abu Rahma; and Hussein Hussein Abu Rahma.

    5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

  • At approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 23 November 2006, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, south of Salfit. They besieged a 150-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mustafa Ahmed Musleh in the south of the village. They forced the 9 residents of the house, including 7 children, out without allowing them to vacate any of their belongings. They then demolished the house. IOF claimed that the house was built without a license, although they repeated rejected applications submitted by the owner to obtain a license, and other houses located near this house are licensed.

    Later, IOF demolished a 1000-square-meter animal farm belonging to Nabeel Yassin Mar’ei, claiming that it was established without a license. IOF also informed 19 Palestinian civilians that their houses and civilian facilities would be demolished.

  • At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 25 November 2006, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They demolished 4 asbestos-made shops in the south of the village over their contents. Those shops belong to Fat’hallah Mustafa Shaqqour and his brothers, and used to provide subsistence for 4 families. IOF claimed that those shops were built without licenses, although asbestos made shops do no need licenses to be established.
  • At approximately 13:30 on Monday, 27 November 2006, 4 female Israeli settlers from “Ramat Yishai” settlement in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron pursued and attacked a number of female Palestinian school children in Jabal al-Rahma neighborhood. They violently beat 9-year-old Woroud Mohammed Shabana. She sustained acute bruises throughout the body.
  • At approximately 05:30 on Tuesday, 28 November 2006, IOF moved into ‘Arbouna village, northeast of Nablus. They demolished two under-construction houses belonging to Majed Mohammed Abu Hasan and Ahmed As’ad Abu Hasan. IOF also informed Ameen Abu Hasan, Ayman As’ad Abu Hasan and Jameel Jihad Abu Hasan that their houses would be demolished, claiming that they were built without licenses. While IOF were demolishing one of the two houses, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered and attempted to stop IOF from demolishing the house. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at these civilians, wounding two:

    1. Nemer Mohammed Abu Hasan, 32, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg; and
    2. Ahmed ‘Abdullah Abu Hasan, 30, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg.

  • At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Samen neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They demolished a 170-square-meter, uninhabited house belonging to Is’haq Mohammed al-Madani, claiming that it was built without a license. According to al-Madani, the Israeli High Court issued a decision preventing the demolition of the house, but IOF violated it and demolished the house. IOF also destroyed a well belonging to al-Madani.
  • At approximately 11:00 also on Wednesday, IOF moved into al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron. They demolished an 80-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Faraj Ibrahim Jaber, which is located nearly 250 meters away from “Kharsina” settlement. IOF also destroyed a well belonging to Jaber. IOF also informed ‘Aani Salem Jaber, ‘Emad Mohammed Jaber and Fahmi Bader Jaber that their houses would be demolished.
  • At approximately 13:40 also on Wednesday, IOF demolished two offices belonging to the Palestinian General Petrol Corporation in Jamroura area near Tarqoumia crossing, northwest of Hebron. The two offices were among 4 offices established in 1999 to supervise the importation of fuel from Israeli companies, in accordance with Palestinian - Israeli accords.

    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 Federation 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.

    Related Links

  • Palestinian Center for Human Rights