Summary

IOF have started to implement threats made by the Israeli prime minister, Knesset ministers and the chief of staff to launch a wide scale offensive on the Gaza Strip. The offensive, named “Operation Summer Rain”, has included incursions, air strikes and artillery shelling on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip. These attacks followed a military operation by Palestinian resistance members on 25 June 2006 in the Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, in which two IOF soldiers and two members of the Palestinian resistance were killed, and a third IOF soldier was captured by the Palestinian resistance. Hundreds of IOF vehicles have been deployed along the border of the Gaza Strip, waiting to move into Palestinian areas. The incursions are expected to cause many casualties among Palestinian civilians. IOF have also imposed a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip.

PCHR strongly condemns acts of retaliation and collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of civilian facilities. PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, to force IOF to comply with the Convention, including the prohibition of reprisals against protected persons and their property (article 33). PCHR calls also upon the High Contracting Parties to apply article 1 of the Convention, which calls for respecting the Convention and ensuring respect the Convention in all circumstances.

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (22–28 June 2006):

Killing: On Thursday evening, 22 June 2006, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement in Ramallah. During the reported period, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF launched a series of air strikes using fighter jets and helicopter gunships on civilian facilities. The air strikes completely destroyed two bridges in the Gaza Valley, one on Salah El-Deen Road and the other on the coastal road. These two bridges connect the northern part of the Strip with the center and southern parts. A secondary bridge was also destroyed. Transportation to and from the north of the Strip has been completely cut off as a result, threatening people’s lives and security by depriving them of access to health and educational institutions. The aerial bombardment also destroyed the main water pipe feeding Nusairat and al-Boreij refugee camps. Furthermore, panic was caused among civilians, especially children and patients by bombardment, mock air raids and sonic booms over the Strip.

In addition, IOF warplanes bombarded the Gaza Strip’s only electricity generation plant, located to the north of Nusairat refugee camp. Key sections of the plant were completely destroyed and fire broke out throughout the plant. The bombardment has cut electricity off for nearly half the population of the Gaza Strip. The bombardment destroyed the six main generators that provide 45% of the electricity needs of the Strip. Restoring the plant and resuming its operations could take up to 6 months and at a cost of approximately US$15 million.

Incursions: During the reported period. IOF also conducted at least 48 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 63 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and a woman. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF since the beginning of 2006 has increased to 1843. IOF also transformed 5 houses into military sites. In these incursions, IOF employed undercover units and trained dogs. On 24 June 2006, IOF moved into al-Shouka neighborhood in the southeast of Rafah, and arrested two Palestinian brothers. This was the first incursion into Rafah since the IOF redeployment in September 2005. On 28 June 2006, IOF moved into the eastern part of Rafah and seized control over Gaza International Airport after shelling it.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

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.

According to field information, Rafah International Crossing Point has been completely closed since Sunday, 25 June 2006, following the military attack at Kerem Shalom. Hundreds of Palestinian travelers are now stuck on the Egyptian side of the border. Among these travelers are women, children, elderly and ill persons returning after medical treatment in Egypt. They are enduring inadequate living and health conditions while waiting to enter Gaza.

Furthermore, IOF have closed the other crossings into the Gaza Strip: al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing; Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing – designated for workers, humanitarian cases and international workers; Sofa Crossing – designated for construction material; and Kerem Shalom Crossing – used for food and medical humanitarian assistance.

It is noted that the closure of Gaza Strip border crossings, since the Border Crossings Agreement between the Palestinian National Authority and Israel on 15 November 2005, has created a disastrous economic and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Since the signing of the agreement, al-Mentar Crossing has been completely closed for 96 days and partially closed for 162 days. As a result, the import and export of medicine and other commodities had been kept at a standstill for the majority of this time, causing further economic strangulation of the Gaza Strip and a lack of essential goods such as milk and fruits in the local market. In addition, agricultural and industrial exports from the Strip have been barred.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in 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 the north and south of the West Bank. For this purpose, they have imposed severe restrictions one movement through Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They have also erected two new checkpoints near Ramallah. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement on Palestinian civilians to and from Tulkarm. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank abused a number of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including the Palestinian Minister of Labor.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF razed areas of Palestinian land near “Ariel” settlement in the north of the West Bank, and completed land leveling near “Shavi Shomron” settlement to construct a section of the Wall in the area. IOF also uprooted at least 200 olive trees in the Kuraimzan area in Beit Jala for the purpose of the construction of a section of the Wall near Bethlehem. In addition, IOF also started to establish a fence around “Teena” settlement, south of Hebron. This fence will seize at least 100 dunums[1] of Palestinian agricultural land. On 23 June 2006, IOF used forced to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also violently beat the demonstrators and arrested one of them.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, especially in Hebron. During the reported period, 3 Palestinian civilian were injured and 5 houses were damaged in attacks by settlers.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22–28 June 2006)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

Thursday, 22 June 2006

Saturday, 24 June 2006

Sunday, 25 June 2006

Monday, 26 June 2006

At approximately 06:30, as IOF were leaving the city through Granada Street, they fired a live bullet at the car of Hassan al-Teeti, a cameraman from al-Jazeera Satellite Channel, without warning. The bullet hit the left window of the car.

Tuesday, 27 June 2006

Wednesday, 28 June 2006

2. Extra-Judicial Execution

On Thursday, 22 June 2006, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement, in Ramallah.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 20:30 on Thursday, 22 June 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into Ramallah, traveling in a civilian car with an Israeli registration plate. The car stopped in the Lower Ramallah area and a number of masked armed soldiers got out of it. They immediately opened fire at Ayman Rateb Jabarin, 26, hitting him with several live bullets. Soon after, at least 30 IOF vehicles moved into Ramallah and surrounded the area. They prevented Palestinian medical crews from attending the victim. When IOF withdrew from the area, the victim’s body was transported to Ramallah Hospital. According to medical sources, the victim had been hit by at least 10 live bullets to throughout the body. Jabarin was an allegedly wanted member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement.

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 military operation carried out 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 from 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, although indirect, control over the crossing point. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stuck on the Egyptian side of the crossing, and hundreds of others have been deprived of their right to receive medical treatment abroad.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have closed the crossing, which is the sole commercial crossing for the Gaza Strip as Kerem Shalom crossing on the Egyptian border has not been operated. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods are missing in the market.

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 and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. With this closure, Palestinian patients have been prevented from traveling to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.

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 have 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 the Israeli military 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 continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in 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 imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They reinforced their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at the checkpoint abuse Palestinian civilians.

On Tuesday morning, 27 June 2006, IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, arrested Eyad ‘Abdul Majid Shibbak, 31, from Farkha village west of Nablus.

On Wednesday night, 28 June 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint to the north of Birzeit University, north of Ramallah, arrested the Palestinian Minister of Labor, Mohammed Ibrahim al-Barghouthi, while he was traveling from Ramallah back home to Koubar village, northwest of the town.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 22 June 2006, IOF positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Dozens of Palestinian civilians were seen waiting on both sides of the checkpoint to travel to and from Nablus. On Saturday morning, 24 June 2006, IOF positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. At the same time, IOF positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles that were traveling from the north of the West Bank to Ramallah. On Sunday morning, 25 June 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads.

Salfit: IOF have continued to close the entrances of Bouqin and Kufor al-Dik villages, west of Salfit, with sand barriers. On Thursday, 22 June 2006, IOF held dozens of Palestinian civilians who had attempted to bypass the sand barriers on foot. On Friday, 23 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Jma’in village, north of Salfit. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 24 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Salfit. They prevented young men from crossing the checkpoint, and held those who had resorted to using alternative branch roads. IOF also closed the entrances of Bedia, Qarawat Bani Hassan and Brouqin villages, west of Salfit, with cement blocks. On Sunday, 25 June 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and chased and held civilians who had resorted to alternative dirt roads. On Monday, 26 June 2006, IOF continued to close the entrances of Brouqin and Bedia villages with sand barriers.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 22 June 2006, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. They prevented Palestinian civilians from crossing the checkpoint and chased young men who had resorted to alternative dirt roads. IOF also closed Ennab checkpoint, east of the town until 11:00. On Friday evening, 23 June 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints around Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 24 June 2006, IOF closed all checkpoints around Tulkarm. They also chased Palestinian civilians, who had resorted to alternative dirt roads, and held dozens of them for several hours. On Sunday, 25 June 2006, IOF tightened the siege imposed on Tulkarm. They prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the town. On Monday, 26 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm, and obstructed the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. IOF positioned at various checkpoints near Tulkarm imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Wednesday morning, 28 June 2006, IOF imposed a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, and chased and held those who had resorted to alternative dirt roads. At the same time, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, prevented Palestinian civilians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint. IOF positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, forced dozens of young men to get out of cars and checked them.

On Tuesday morning, 27 June 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint erected at the entrance of Ektaba village, east of Tulkarm, arrested Mahmoud ‘Azzam Sanyoura, 21.

Also on Thursday morning, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint, southeast of Jenin, violently beat an unidentified Palestinian civilian. They then handcuffed, blindfolded and arrested him.

Qalqilya: On Thursday, 22 June 2006, IOF closed the northern entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. At the same time, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, using trained dogs. On Friday, 23 June 2006, IOF continued to close the northern entrance of ‘Azzoun village, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the village. They also erected a checkpoint at Kufor Qaddoum intersection, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 24 June 2006, IOF maintained their presence at a checkpoint erected at Kufor Qaddoum intersection. They prevented Palestinian civilians aged below 35 from crossing the checkpoint.

At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 26 June 2006, IOF positioned at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya arrested Mohammed Isma’il al-Haj Hamad, 23.

Jenin: On Thursday morning, 22 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. In the evening, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Sanour–Meselia road, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday morning, 23 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the western entrance of Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 24 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday afternoon, 25 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin; and another one at the Sanour–Meselia road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Wednesday morning, 28 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Arraba intersection, and another one at Jaba’ intersection on the Jenin–Nablus road. They also erected a number of checkpoints on the road that links Qabatya village with villages located east of Jenin. In the afternoon, IOF positioned at Tayaseer and al-Hamra checkpoints imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the Jordan Valley.

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Hebron. On Friday, 23 June 2006, thousands of Palestinian civilians were not able to reach mosques, especially the Ibrahimi Mosque, for the Friday Prayer. IOF positioned at checkpoints and electronic gates imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 24 June 2006, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in various areas in the town. On Wednesday noon, 28 June 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and outside the Hebron. They also erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of the town. IOF also erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of villages located neat the town.

On Wednesday evening, 28 June 2006, IOF positioned at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Obaida Hashem al-Hadami, 26;
2. ‘Aaref Hashem al-Hadami, 24; and
3. Nidal Mohammed al-Krunz, 26.

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 22 June 2006, IOF permanently positioned in the old town of Hebron, stopped and checked Refa’ei ‘Arif al-Atrash, 36. They then violently beat him for no apparent reason. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 24 June 2006, IOF permanently positioned in the old town of Hebron stopped and violently beat Munther Rabah Misk, 32, from no apparent reason. He sustained bruises throughout the body.

On Tuesday morning, 27 June 2006, IOF positioned at the eastern entrance of Beit ‘Awa village, south of Hebron, stopped and violently beat Jawadat ‘Abdul Fattah Ghaith, 50, after holding him for along time. IOF also prevented an ambulance from evacuating him to the hospital for more than one hour.

4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

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

Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property

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 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 the 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.