Twenty-eight Palestinians killed this week in OPT

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 21 October 2006

Palestinians pray next to the bodies of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the east of Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, 14 October 2006. (MaanImages/Hatem Omar)


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
  • 28 Palestinians, 17 of whom, including two children and a woman, are civilians, were killed by IOF.
  • Each of the two children was killed together with the father of each.
  • Six of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in three separate attacks.
  • Forty-five Palestinians, including 14 children and four women, were wounded.
  • IOF have continued to launch air strikes on houses and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip; five houses were destroyed and a number of others were severely damaged.
  • IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and six others into the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF arrested 48 Palestinian civilians, including seven children, in the West Bank, and eight others in the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF arrested three Palestinian civilian at checkpoints in the West Bank
  • IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; Palestinian farmers have been denied access to their agricultural lands to cultivate olives.

    Summary

    Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (12 - 18 October 2006):

    Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 28 Palestinians, 17 of whom civilians, including two children and a woman, in the Gaza Strip. Twenty-four of the victims were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 44 Palestinians, including 14 children and four women, were wounded. This increase in the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip followed orders by the Israeli Defense Minister Amir Perets to his army to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip allegedly to stop the armament of Palestinian organizations.

    In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 24 Palestinians and wounded 29 others, including five children and four women.

    On Thursday, 12 October 2006, IOF moved into Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. During this incursion, which continued until Saturday, 14 October 2006, IOF killed seven Palestinians, including four civilians (a man, his child, a woman and a young man). The man and his child were killed when they were inside their house. Three members of the Palestinian resistance were also killed when they clashed with IOF. On Thursday evening, IOF killed three Palestinian civilians, including a man and his child, when they bombarded a room in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City. On Friday, 13 October 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed four Palestinians in two separate attacks in Beit Lahia town and Gaza City. On Saturday, 14 October 2006, IOF killed six Palestinians, including two civilians, when IOF helicopter gunships fired five missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. On Tuesday, 17 October 2006, IOF killed two Palestinians, including one civilian, during an incursion into Jabalya. On Wednesday, 18 October 2006, IOF killed two members of the Palestinian resistance during an incursion into Rafah.

    IOF also launched four air strikes on three houses and two stores of car batteries in the Gaza Strip. As a result, five houses were destroyed and a number of other ones were severely damaged. IOF often warn residents of houses of their intention to attack them a very short time prior to the attack.

    In the west Bank, IOF killed four Palestinians. On Tuesday, 17 October 2006, IOF killed two Palestinians, including one civilian, in Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. On the same day, IOF extra-judicially executed two Palestinians in ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. In addition, four Palestinians were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

    Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 30 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they raided dozens of houses and arrested 48 Palestinian civilians, including seven children, the youngest of whom is seven years old. IOF also transformed six houses in Hebron into military sites.

    In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted six military incursions into areas in the Gaza Strip. The widest of these incursions was into Rafah on 18 October 2006. This incursion has been the widest into the southern Gaza Strip town since the implementation of the Israeli Disengagement Plan in the Gaza Strip in September 2005. During these incursions, IOF killed a number of Palestinians, razed at least 120 donums [1] of agricultural land, raided and searched houses, transformed a number of houses into military sites, stole some belongings and arrested eight Palestinians. They also interrogated hundreds of Palestinian civilians.

    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 this period, the crossing has been opened for 14 separate days. 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, east of Gaza City, and Sofa and Kerem Shalom 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 prevented Palestinian fishermen from fishing for approximately four 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. They have further prevented Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from entering Jerusalem to pray in al-Aqsa Mosque in the holy month of Ramadan. IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Jerusalem imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested three Palestinian civilians.

    Annexation Wall: While they have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank, IOF have prevented Palestinian farmers in the north and south of the West Bank from reaching their agricultural lands, which are planted with olives, located behind the Wall. According to these farmers, IOF have refused to issue permits for them to be able to reach their lands. The farmers have expressed their concerns that they may lose the current olive season. IOF often fire at Palestinian farmers to drive them away from their lands.

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

  • 315 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 62 children and 14 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 1,072 Palestinian civilians, including 315 children and 45 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 286 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 percent of the electricity of the Gaza Strip, was destroyed, and electricity networks and transmitters have been repeatedly attacked.
  • Six 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 nine 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 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.
  • 53 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.

    The destroyed house of Hamdi Al Ashi after it was hit by an Israeli warplane in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, 14 October 2006. (MaanImages/Hatem Omar)


    Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12-18 October 2006)

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

    Israeli Offensive on ‘Abasan Village
    On Thursday morning, 12 October 2006, IOF moved into Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yuis. During this incursion, which continued for at least two days, IOF killed a man and his child, when they were inside their house in Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. They also killed a woman, a young man three members of the Palestinian resistance. In addition, eleven Palestinians, nine of whom including a woman are civilians, were wounded by the IOF gunfire. Investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that IOF used excessive force without taking into consideration the principles of necessity and discrimination in attacking Palestinian resistance activists. IOF also arrested four Palestinians, and razed at least 120 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, palms, fruits and vegetables.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:45 on Thursday, 12 October 2006, special units of IOF moved nearly 800 meters into Greater ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF soldiers raided and searched three houses. They transformed these houses into military sites. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance gathered to confront IOF. Soon, IOF military vehicles, reinforced by helicopters, moved into the village. They opened fire at agricultural areas. As a result, two Palestinian civilians were wounded. Soon after, an IOF helicopter gunship fired three missiles at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, who were on a field located near a number of houses. One of these missiles hit the western part of a house belonging to ‘Aadel Zer’ei Mahmoud Qudaih, 40, in which eight people live. As a result, his child, 13-year-old Suhaib, was instantly killed, where as he was seriously wounded and died at the hospital later. In addition, Qudaih’s wife, 35-year-old ‘Abeer ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Qudaih, was wounded by shrapnel to the face and the limbs. Palestinian civilians were able to evacuate the child’s body and his mother to the hospital more than two hours later. The other missiles hit the targeted resistance activists. As a result, three resistance activists were killed by shrapnel throughout their bodies:

    1. Salah al-Din Rashad Shihda Qudaih, 21;
    2. Na’el Fawzi Suleiman Qudaih, 22; and
    3. ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdullah Mohammed Qudaih, 22.

    Six Palestinians, including four civilians, were also wounded:
    1. Nabeel Ahmed Qudaih, 38, wounded by shrapnel to the face;
    2. Tha’er Ahmed Qudaih, 26, wounded by shrapnel to the side and the feet;
    3. ‘Omar Khader Qudaih, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the side and the right hand;
    4. Ibrahim ‘Abdullah Qudaih, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    5. ‘Azmi Salem Qudaih, 31, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
    6. Na’el Salem Qudaih, 23, wounded by shrapnel to the hands.

    At approximately 07:00, Mohammed Ramadan Baraka, 18, was seriously wounded by two live bullets to the chest and the left shoulder, when IOF positioned near the cemetery of the village opened fire indiscriminately. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead at 12:00.

    Later, IOF expanded their incursion into the village. They raided and searched dozens of houses and forced their male residents aged 15-40 out. IOF soldiers arrested 150 Palestinians and took them to military sites to the northeast and southeast of Rafah. They interrogated and violently beat these Palestinians. Later, IOF released these Palestinians excluding four, including two brothers:

    1. ‘Azmi Barham Abu Daqqa, 31, a member of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior;
    2. Tamer Kamal Qudaih, 28, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces;
    3. Mohammed Kamal Qudaih, 25, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces; and
    4. Ussama Ahmed Abu Daqqa, 30, an intelligence officer.

    At approximately 06:30 on Friday, 13 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned on tanks and on the roofs of a number of houses in Qudaih area opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians who gathered on a branch road in the area. As a result, Zahra Ahmed Joma’a Qudaih, 29, a mother of four children, was killed by a live bullet to the chest, and Fadi Husni Qudaih, 23, was wounded by a live bullet to the right hand.

    At approximately 16:50, Shareef Helmi Qudaih, 20, was wounded by a live bullet to the right foot, when IOF opened fire indiscriminately.

    During this incursion, which continued until 00:00 on Saturday, 14 October 2006, IOF razed at least 120 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, palms, fruits and vegetables. They also destroyed irrigation networks and two agricultural pools and damaged a house. Palestinian civilians accused IOF soldiers of stealing jewelry and money from their houses during house raids.

    Thursday, 12 October 2006

  • At approximately 00:25, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 140-square-meter, two-storey house, in which seven people live, belonging to Suleiman ‘Abdul Hamid Salah, 54, in the densely populated Jabalya refugee camp. The house and two neighboring houses were destroyed. Additionally, a number of neighboring houses were severely damaged. According to residents of the area, they received phone calls from persons who introduced themselves as Israeli intelligence officers. Those persons informed them that their houses would be destroyed. Salah was not officially informed that his house would be destroyed.
  • At approximately 00:50, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinians, including a child:

    1. ‘Abdullah Mohammed al-Zohour, 25, a police officer; and
    2. Mohammed Faisal ‘Atawna, 15.

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hani Hussein al-‘Arouj, 33, and arrested him.
  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Za’tara village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aahed Ahmed al-Wahesh, 25, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mahmoud Mustafa Ghunaim, 24;
    2. Maher Saber Salah, 26; and
    3. Ramzi Mustafa Salah, 32.

  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, north of Qalqilya. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mustafa Bilal ‘Omran, 19; and
    2. Qusai Hisham Hannoun, 17.

  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Ahmed Abu Khairan, 18, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Kamal ‘Othman ‘Amru, 50, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and arrested him.
  • Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Deir Razeh village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Kamel Mohammed Nassar, 21, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 20:00, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 36-square-meter room, which is a subordinate of a 120-square-meter, three-storey house belonging to Iftikhar Sa’id Farawana in al-Tawabin Street in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The room and parts of the house were destroyed and two neighboring houses were severely damaged. As a result, Ayman Mohammed Saleh Farawana, 40, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body, when he was sitting near the room. In addition, five members of the family (three women and two children) were wounded. Shrapnel from the bombs moved up to 80 meters away and killed Ussama Fadel al-Harazin, 30, and his two-year-old child Iman, when they were walking in the area. It is worth noting that a member of the Farawana family, Ashraf, is a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. The wounded in this attack are:

    1. Safiya Sa’id Farawana, 54, wounded by shrapnel to the head;
    2. Wissam Hassan Farawana, 26, wounded by shrapnel to the head;
    3. Mohammed Ashraf Farawana, 50, wounded by shrapnel to the face;
    4. Iftikhar Sa’id Farawana, 50, wounded by shrapnel to the left hand; and
    5. Wafaa’ Hani Eqtaifan, 13, wounded by shrapnel to the eye.

    Friday, 13 October 2006

  • At approximately 00:30, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a two stores of car batteries belonging to Ameen Saleh al-Riashi, 34m which are located under his three-storey house, in which 35 people live, near Bahloul fuel station in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The two stores were severely damaged and two doors of two other stores in the same building were destroyed. This attack was the second of its kind against the family’s property after a member of the family, Reem al-Riashi, had carried out a bombing against IOF at Erez crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm refugee camp. They opened fire indiscriminately and raided and searched a number of houses. No casualties or arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses and shops. A number of shops and houses were damaged.
  • At approximately 17:00, a special unit of IOF moved nearly 300 meters in Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip. The unit arrested two Palestinian farmers: Tayseer Saleh Abu Muhareb, 20; and Yasser Salem Abu Muhareb. IOF interrogated the two farmers and released them two hours later.
  • At approximately 20:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron, raided and searched a house belonging to Humaidan Farid al-‘Owaiwi. They held the ten residents of the house on the first floor and transformed the second floor into a military site allegedly to secure the celebrations organized by Israeli settlers for the Jewish feasts. According to the owner, IOF soldiers damaged the house.

  • Also at approximately 20:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to Sameeh No’man Da’na in Biar neighborhood near “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron. They held the seven residents of the house on the first floor and transformed the second floor and the roof into a military site.
  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian civilians, wounding two of them:

    1. Yousef Hamad Nasasra, 26, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the right eye; and
    2. Tayseer ‘Aaref al-Haj Mohammed, 50, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen and the feet.

    Saturday, 14 October 2006

  • At approximately 00:50, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 400-square-meter, two-storey house, in which 31 people (five families) live, belonging to Tawfiq Hashem al-‘Aschi in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. The house was destroyed and five neighboring houses, in which 78 people (12 families) live, were severely damaged. In addition, electricity was cut off from large areas in the towns. According to al-‘Aschi, one of his neighbors, Mahmoud Abu Mutair, received a phone call from a person who introduced himself as an Israeli intelligence officer. The officer ordered Mutair to inform al-‘Aschi that his house would be bombarded. IOF claimed that al-‘Aschi’s son, Hamdi, trade and store weapons in the house.
  • At approximately 01:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 2500 meters into the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They opened fire and took position in ‘Abed Rabbu farm in the east of the town. An hour later, IOF helicopters fired five missiles at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, killing four of them in addition to two civilians living in the area:

    1. Ahmed Hassan Abu al-‘Eish, 19;
    2. Rami Abu Rashed, 23;
    3. Sakher Fayez Abu Jabal, 21;
    4. Mohammed Fayez Shaqqura, 20;
    5. Salman Hassan al-‘Er, 29, a resident of the area; and
    6. Fayez ‘Ali al-‘Er, 33, a resident of the area.

    In addition, eight Palestinians were wounded:

    1. Mohammed Nabil al-Na’ouq, 21, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen;
    2. Salam Hashem ‘Asaliya, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the back;
    3. ‘Aadel Salman al-‘Er, 38, wounded by shrapnel to the chest;
    4. Su’ad ‘Abed Rabbu, 50, wounded by shrapnel to the head;
    5. Ra’ed Shalayel, 31, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen;
    6. Hani Siam, 31, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    7. Haitham Lu’ai Saleh, 19, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
    8. Mohammed Hashem ‘Asaliya, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

    IOF withdrew from the town at approximately 04:00, leaving large destruction to agricultural land and civilian facilities.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They took position in the Cafes area and opened fire indiscriminately. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashes with IOF. As a result of these clashes, one member of the resistance was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen. IOF then raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 06:00 and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 05:00, IOF raided and searched ‘Adnan Rasheed Abu Hamdiya’s house in Qaitoun quarter in the old town of Hebron. They detained the eight residents of the house on the first floor and transformed the second floor into a military site.
  • At approximately 10:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron raided and searched a house belonging to Na’el and Hazem ‘Adnan Zaitoun in Qantarat al-Hamam quarter. They detained the ten residents of the house in one room and transformed the house into a military site.
  • Also at approximately 10:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Essam Mohammed al-Harbawi in Bani Dar quarter in the old town of Hebron. They detained the six residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.
  • At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. An IOF vehicles accidentally dropped into a sewage pipe near the building of the municipality. Immediately, IOF soldiers got out of their vehicles and opened fire indiscriminately. As a result 3 Palestinian children were wounded:

    1. Mohammed Sati Daraghma, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right thigh;
    2. Mohammed Kamal Sawafta, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot; and
    3. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Salah, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot.

    A number of live bullets also hit the building of the municipality, when a meeting of the municipal council was being held, but no casualties were reported.

  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein Sara neighborhood. They erected a checkpoint at the main intersection in the neighborhood, and stopped, checked and interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians who had watched a football match in al-Hussein Stadium.

    Sunday, 15 October 2006

  • At approximately 12:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ataya Hassan al-Jabrini, 55, in the old town of Hebron. They ordered al-Jabrini and his family to get out of the house, which would be transformed into a military site. Al-Jabrini refused, and 5 IOF soldiers violently beat him before the eyes of his wife and children. He fainted and was injured to the head and the chest. IOF prevented medical crews for an hour from evacuating him to the hospital. IOF soldiers stayed in the house for four hours.
  • At approximately 13:40, IOF moved into Nablus through its western entrance. They besieged a 4-storey apartment building in Tunisia Street. They ordered residents of the building through megaphones to get out and they did. IOF soldiers checked the identity cards of the residents. They then arrested Mohammed Mahmoud Rabai’a, 28, from Maithaloun village southeast of Jenin, who had been allegedly wanted for three years from being a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement.

    Monday, 16 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mo’taz Ma’zooz al-‘Affouri, 21; and
    2. Eyad Kamal al-Teerawi, 22.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Wadi Ma’ali neighborhood in the southwest of Bethlehem. Theyt raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Khader Masalma, 17, and arrested him.

    Israeli soldiers check a Palestinian youth during an arrest operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, 17 October 2006. (MaanImages/Mamoun Wazwaz)


    Tuesday, 17 October 2006
  • In the early morning, IOF killed two Palestinians, including a civilian, and wounded ten others, including seven civilians, in Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. IOF also arrested 15 Palestinians, including 3 militants who were wounded in clashes with IOF.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:00 on Monday, 16 October 2006, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They took position in al-Zakarna area in the southwest of the village and opened fire at houses. In the early morning of Tuesday, a number of Palestinian militants clashed with IOF. One of the militants, 18-year-old ‘Omar ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Mahmoud Zakarna, was killed by several live bullets to the head, the chest, the neck and the limbs. Three militants were also wounded and arrested by IOF:

    1. Salah Daraghma, 22;
    2. Mohammed Yousef Zakarna, 27; and
    3. Ahmed Mohammed Abu al-Rub, 20.

    IOF also raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mahmoud ‘Ali Hifnawi, 19; and
    2. Ahmed Khalil Abu al-Rub, 19.

    At approximately 08:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children and at houses. As a result, Hani Mahmoud Mahmoud Ahmed Smadi, 24, was killed by a live bullet to the heart. According to eyewitnesses, an IOF soldier positioned inside a house in the village shot Smadi dead when he was standing in front of his house. In addition, seven Palestinian civilians, including six children, were wounded:

    1. ‘Izziddin Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahim, 16, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest;
    2. Mahmoud Ahmed Hanaisha, 20, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen and the chest;
    3. ‘Alaa’ Hantawi, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder;
    4. Mahmoud Hassan Abu al-Rub, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullets to the foot;
    5. Mahmoud Hassan Abu al-Rub, 12, wounded by shrapnel to the body;
    6. Mohammed Mahmoud Abu ‘Obaid, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the foot; and
    7. Mohammed Yousef Zakarna, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the foot.

  • At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into Hebron. They closed all entrances to ‘Ein Sara neighborhood and imposed a curfew on a one-square-kilometer area. They then raided offices of members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing the Change and Reform Bloc. They took all persons who were in the offices out and held them in a neighboring shop. They searched the offices and interrogated their staff members. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 13:30 after having arrested Mahmoud Hamdi Shabana, 40, the director of the offices. Shabana had been placed under administrative detention in Israeli jails for long periods.
  • At approximately 12:30, IOF moved raided the campus of the College of Religious Studies in al-Quds University in Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem. They arrested two students:

    1. Hassan Mahmoud Shakarna, 22, from Nahalin village west of Bethlehem; and
    2. Muhannad ‘Olayan, 23, from ‘Anata village northeast of Jerusalem.

  • At approximately 22:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 2000 meters into ‘Abed Rabbu farm in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya until they reached Salah al-Din Streets. They opened fire at houses. A number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. As a result of these clashes, a member of the resistance, 21-year-old Zaher Isma’il al-Tanani, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body. At approximately 23:00, IOF positioned near the Customs Department at Salah al-Din Street opened fire at Palestinian houses in Sha’sha’a area in the east of Jabalya. As a result, Ghazi Ghassan Abu Dahrouj, 25, was killed by a live bullet to the neck, and Mohammed Mohammed ‘Abed Rabbu, 20, was wounded by shrapnel from a tank shell fired at a gathering of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2006, IOF withdrew from the area.

    Wednesday, 18 October 2006

  • In the early morning, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 15 Palestinians, including four children, before thew withdrew from the village at 14:30:

    1. Bassem Yasser Hanaisha, 7;
    2. Ahmed ‘Ali Abu al-Rub, 10;
    3. Haitham Yasser Hanaisha, 12;
    4. Anwar Faleh Abu al-Rub, 15;
    5. Bilal Mohammed Abu al-Rub, 35;
    6. Fadi Khalil Abu al-Rub, 24;
    7. Ahmed Khalil Abu al-Rub, 22;
    8. Mahmoud Khalil Abu al-Rub, 18;
    9. ‘Ali Yassin Abu al-Rub, 38;
    10. Khaled ‘Abdul Rahim Abu al-Rub, 25;
    11. Faleh Abu al-Rub, 50;
    12. Mohammed Faleh Abu al-Rub, 24;
    13. ‘Azmi Faleh Abu al-Rub, 19;
    14. Mahmoud Ahmed Hanaisha, 20; and
    15. ‘Abdullah Ahmed Hanaisha, 19.

  • At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ra’ed Hussam Ermailat, 30, and arrested him.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Khellat al-Iman neighborhood in the north of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinian civilians:

    1. Fu’ad Soufan, 25;
    2. Eihab Qarqash, 22; and
    3. Ihsan ‘Awadi, 26.

  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Eiba village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians: Khaled Ramadan Isma’il, 37; and his brother Mohammed, 22.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF expanded their incursion into Rafah. IOF had been positioned in al-Shouka village near Gaza International Airport since last Sunday. According to residents of the area, IOF moved from Kerem Shalom crossing on the Palestinian-Israeli-Egyptian border nearly three kilometers into Rafah reaching al-Salam neighborhood near the Egyptian border south of Rafah. They also took position near Rafah International Crossing Point and besieged members of the Palestinian Presidential Guard working at the crossing point. IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. During this incursion, a number of members of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. IOF soldiers positioned atop of a number of houses opened fire at them. As a result, two members of the resistance were killed:

    1. Ashraf Motee’ al-M’ashar, 27, hit by a live bullet to the head; and
    2. Mohammed Mohammed Abu ‘Arar, 23, hit by a live bullet to the abdomen.

    This operation has been the first of it kind, in which IOF reach Salah al-Din Street and the Egyptian border since the implantation of the Israeli Disengagement Plan in the Gaza Strip in September 2005. As the operation continued, at approximately 06:00, IOF called through megaphones on male Palestinian civilians to get out of their houses. When these civilians got out, IOF handcuffed and blindfolded them.

    Also at approximately 03:00, a special unit of IOF moved hundreds of meters into al-Shouka village to the south of Sofa crossing on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 08:30, IOF heavy military vehicles moved into the area to reinforce the special unit. IOF arrested a number of Palestinian civilians. Four of the detainees were identified as:

    1. ‘Eissa Shihda Mo’ammar, 47;
    2. ‘Abdul Karim ‘Eissa Mo’ammar, 20;
    3. Ahmed Marzouq Mo’ammar, 24; and
    4. Mohammed Salem Mo’ammar, 49.

    2. Extra-Judicial Executions
    During the reported period, IOF committed three extra-judicial executions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which left seven Palestinians dead.

  • According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 09:20 on Friday, 13 October 2006, an IOF drone fired a missile at a civilian car that was traveling in the center of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. Three members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. The missile hit the car and killed the three passengers:

    1. Mohammed Jameel al-Talouli, 39;
    2. ‘Aadel Rashad al-Maqousi, 30; and
    3. Rasem Fathi Zhaher, 35.

    In addition, a civilian bystander, 14-year-old Sa’ad ‘Aadel Abu ‘Olba, was wounded by shrapnel to the feet.

  • At approximately 15:30 also on Saturday, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a civilian car that was traveling in Ahmed Yassin Street in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. Two members of the Mujahideen Brigade, an armed wing of Fatah movement, were traveling in the car. The two missiles hit the car and killed one of the passengers, 24-year-old Raja’ei Ahmed al-Labban, and wounded the other passenger. In addition, two civilian bystanders were wounded by shrapnel.
  • At approximately 16:40 on Tuesday, 17 October 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus, traveling in a civilian vehicles with a Palestinian registration plate. The unit took position at the southern entrance of the camp. Soon, IOF soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian taxi in which two Palestinians were traveling. The two Palestinians were killed:

    1. ‘Aadel Yousef Abu al-Rish, 22, hit by a live bullet to the head; and
    2. Firas Bassam Abu al-Rish, 22, his cousin, hit by two live bullets to the chest.

    The former was a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement, and the latter, who died shortly after having been evacuated to the hospital, was not wanted by IOF. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of IOF.

    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, which has been closed since 25 June 2006, was partially reopened for a few days in past weeks to allow thousands of Palestinians stuck at the Egyptian side to cross towards the Gaza Strip.
  • 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.
  • 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 several goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. About 250 trucks loaded with goods entered the Gaza Strip daily, whereas only 14 trucks were allowed to export goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. IOF also partially reopened Sofa and Kerem Shalom crossings near Rafah, and allowed the entry of humanitarian aids provided by Arab countries into 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 30 September 2006, IOF gunboats opened fire at a fishing boat belonging to ‘Abdul Ra’ouf al-‘Aamoudi in Khan Yunis. The boat was severely damaged, but the fishermen who were on board were able to jump into water and swim towards the beach. On Sunday, 1 October 2006, IOF gunboats opened fire at a number of fishing boats in Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported, but a number of boats were damaged. On Monday, 2 October 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian fisherman (see above).

    An Israeli border police officer scuffles with a Palestinian boy at the main checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem to prevent him from entering Jerusalem to say prayers for ‘Leilat Al-Qadr’, the night when Muslims celebrate the prophet Muhammad receiving the Qur’an from God, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. 18 October 2006. (MaanImages/Magnus Johansson)

    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.
  • Jerusalem: In the holy Ramadan Month, IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on occupied East Jerusalem, isolating it from the rest of the West Bank. On Friday morning, 13 October 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around Jerusalem. They reinforced their presence at the entrance of the old town and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Hundreds of IOF soldiers were deployed on the main and branch roads. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. Additionally, IOF erected more checkpoints on the roads leading to the city. They prevented thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank from entering the city for the Friday Prayer. They pursued and fired at these Palestinians.
  • Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at various checkpoints around the town, especially Attara checkpoint, north of the town, and Qalandya checkpoint, south of the town. During the reported period, IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint conducted prolonged checking for Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 16 October 2006, IOF positioned at the checkpoint imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and held dozens of young men for several hours.
  • Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF prevented Palestinian civilians from passing through some roads in the town allegedly to secure the movement of Israeli settlers celebrating Jewish occasions. Palestinian civilians were not able to reach the Ibrahimi Mosque. At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 12 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Ibn Rushod. Square in the center of the town, and another one at al-Tahreer Square in the southwest of the town. They stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:30 on the same day, IOF positioned at the northern entrance of al-Dawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, closed the iron gate established at the entrance and prevented Palestinian civilians from crossing it.

    On Thursday morning, 12 October 2006, IOF positioned in Beit ‘Einoun area in the east of Hebron arrested Yousef Mahmoud Ya’qoub, 25, as he passed through a checkpoint in the area.

  • Bethlehem: On Saturday morning, 14 October 2006, IOF closed the entrances of the villages of al-Menia, Jourat al-Sham’a, Um Salamouna and al-Rashaida, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from these villages. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads. On Sunday morning, 15 October 2006, IOF reinforced their presence to the south and east of Bethlehem, and erected a number of checkpoints. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
  • Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday noon, 12 October 2006, IOF closed Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and prevented Palestinian civilians from crossing it. On Saturday morning, 14 October 2006, IOF closed Beit Eiba checkpoint on both directions. At approximately 08:45, IOF soldiers allowed Palestinians aged over 45 to cross the checkpoint. Later, they allowed young men to cross it, but following prolonged checking. Also on Saturday morning, IOF closed the 17 checkpoint, north of Nablus, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 15 October 2006, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They held young men under the rain and conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

    On Saturday morning, 14 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, violently beat ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Shahrour, 20, a university student from Bala’a village east of Tulkarm, when he was on his way to Nablus. He sustained a cut to the head and bruises to the hand.

  • 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 Thursday, 12 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from crossing the checkpoint and forced Palestinian civilians to cross it on foot. On Saturday, 14 October 2006, IOF closed all checkpoints around Tulkarm from 06:00 to 12:00. Palestinian civilians were forced to resort to alternative dirt roads, but IOF chased them and detained young men for several hours. On Sunday, 15 October 2006, IOF erected more checkpoints around Tulkarm. They erected a checkpoints at al-Jaroushiya intersection, north of the town; another one at al-Ras intersection, south of the town; and to the east of Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the town. They conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.
  • Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jenin. On Saturday morning, 14 October 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints to the south of Jenin. They obstructed the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 15 October 2006, IOF erected two checkpoints on Jenin - Nablus road. They forced Palestinian civilians out of vehicles. They forced them to stay under the rain and checked them. In the evening, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. In the meantime, IOF soldiers positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint at the entrance of the northern Jordan Valley conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.

    On Friday noon, 13 October 2006, IOF positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint at the entrance of the northern Jordan Valley arrested a Palestinian civilians who was on his way to the area. He had not bee identified.

  • Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Thursday morning, 12 October 2006, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested Sayel Mousa Shadeed, 25, from Hebron, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

    4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

    IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands located behind the Annexation Wall to cultivate olives, which constitute the only source of income for hundreds of Palestinian families. According to a number of Palestinian farmers, IOF soldiers positioned at iron gates established on the Wall have continued to prevent them from reaching their lands even though they have valid permits that allow them to cross those gates.

  • In the northern part of Tulkarm, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers from getting close to Nazlat ‘Eissa and Qiffin iron gates. They have continued to open fire at whoever get less than 500 meters away from the Wall. On 6 October 2006, Mustafa Fraiz As’ad, 18, was wounded by a live bullet to the back and the hand. Tayseer Harsha, the mayor of Qiffin told PCHR that IOF soldiers positioned at gate #436, north of Tulkarm, have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers although they have permits issued by the IOF Civil Administration, claiming that the names and numbers of permits are not registered on their lists. At least 1200 farmers, including 400 ones who have permits to cross the gate, have been deprived of their source of income. It is worth noting that the village produces at least 700 tons of olive oil from lands located behind the Wall. The length of the section of the Wall constructed on the lands of Qiffin village is nearly six kilometers. The construction of the Wall in the village has destroyed 600 donums of agricultural land and 1200 trees. It has also isolated at least 5000 donums of agricultural land planted with at least 1200 olives trees, which constitute nearly half of the total areas of the agricultural land of the village.
  • In the south of Tulkarm, Palestinian farmers are worried that they may lose the olive season, as IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands located behind the Wall. IOF claim that farmers do not have documents proving their ownership of these land. According to farmers, IOF demanded them to bring typographic maps of their lands, which are not accessible to them. According to ‘Emad al-Zibda, the mayor of Kufor Sour village, IOF have approved only 67 out of 300 applications to get permits presented by Palestinian farmers. According to Ghazi ‘Ouda, the mayor of al-Ras village, IOF have issued permits for only 30 percent of farmers from the village allowing them to reach their agricultural lands located behind the Wall. According to ‘Abdul Ghani Fares, the mayor of Kufor Jammal village, IOF have issued permits for only 20% of framers from the village to reach their agricultural lands located behind the Wall. In Far’oun village, IOF have closed the gate designed for Palestinian farmers to reach their agricultural land behind the Wall. It is worth noting that the Israeli High Court issued a decision in 2003 allowing Palestinian farmers to reach their agricultural land located behind the Wall, but IOF have not been committed to this decision.
  • In Salfit district in the north of the West Bank, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian farmers in the villages of al-Zawia, Mas’ha and Rafat from reaching their agricultural lands located behind the Wall. The ICRC has made efforts to open the gates established on the Wall, but IOF have not opened the gates. IOF have refused to issue permits to Palestinian farmers to reach their agricultural land. IOF have issued permits to only 30% of farmers from al-Zawia village.
  • In the south of the West Bank, IOF have prevented Palestinian farmers from al-Burj village, southwest of Hebron, from reaching their agricultural lands located behind the Wall. IOF military vehicles closed the outlets of the village and roads leading to agricultural lands with sand barriers and cement blocks.

    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.

    Endnotes:
    [1] 1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters.

    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.