Weekly Report of Human Rights Violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 2 November 2006

A house belonging to the al-Dardissi family in Bani Suhaila village near Khan Yunis following its bombardment by Israeli warplanes, 30 Oct. 2006. (PCHR)


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Threaten to Expand Military Operations in the Gaza Strip
  • 27 Palestinians, 11 of whom including 2 children and a woman are civilians, were killed by IOF.
  • 16 of the victims, including 6 members of one same family, were killed by IOF in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.
  • 104 Palestinians, including 29 children and 4 women, were wounded by IOF.
  • IOF have continued to launch air strikes on houses and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip; 4 houses were destroyed and a number of others were severely damaged.
  • IOF conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 8 others into the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF have initiated a wide scale offensive on Beit Hanoun town.
  • IOF arrested 93 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, in the West Bank, and one in the Gaza Strip.
  • IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF arrested 7 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.
  • Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and prevented them from cultivating olives.

    Summary
    IOF have escalated attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property in the OPT. Israeli political and military officials have threatened to launch a wide scale military campaign on the Gaza Strip, unconcerned about the lives and property of Palestinian civilians.

    Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (19 October -1 November 2006):

    Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 27 Palestinians, 11 of whom are civilians including two children and a woman, are civilians. Twenty three of the victims were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 104 Palestinians, including 29 children and 4 women, were wounded. This increase in the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has 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 23 Palestinians, including two children, one woman and 6 members of one same family, and wounded 72 others, including 10 children and 4 women.

    On 21 October 2006, a special unit of IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Fukhari area in Khan Yunis for no apparent reason and without warning. They also obstructed his evacuation to the hospital. On 23 October 2006, the first day of the Eid al-Futur, IOF killed 6 members 8 Palestinians, including a woman, in Beit Hanoun town. Six of the victims were from the al-Shanbari family. In addition, 29 Palestinian were wounded by IOF. On 26 October 2006, IOF killed two Palestinians, including a child, and wounded 4 others during an incursion into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis.

    On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in the northern Gaza Strip, while he was hunting birds on his agricultural land. On 31 October 2006, IOF killed 3 members of the Palestinian resistance during an incursion into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. On 1 November 2006, IOF killed 5 members of the Palestinian resistance, one member of the Palestinian National Security Forces and one civilian during a wide scale offensive on Beit Hanoun town, which is still ongoing. Another civilian died from a heart attack when IOF soldiers raided his house. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF in Beit Hanoun in less than 10 days increased to 16.

    IOF also launched 3 air strikes on 3 houses in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 4 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 4 Palestinian civilians, and wounded 32 others. On 22 October 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wound 19 others, including 8 children, in al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. On 27 October 2006, IOF killed two Palestinian civilians and wounded a third one in al-Fara’a refugee camp, southeast of Jenin. On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded two of his brothers in al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. In addition, IOF wounded two children in Jenin refugee camp, 5 ones in Tulkarm and 3 ones in Hebron.

    Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they raided dozens of houses and arrested 93 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. IOF also closed al-Huda Women Society in Ramallah, which provides social, humanitarian, educational and medical services.

    In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 8 military incursions into areas in the Gaza Strip. The widest of these incursions was into Beit Hanoun town on 1 November 2006. This incursion is still ongoing. During these incursions, IOF killed a number of Palestinians, razed at least 18 donums[1] of agricultural land, raided and searched houses, transformed a number of houses into military sites and arrested a Palestinian civilian. They also interrogated dozens 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 18 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 4 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 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 7 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.

    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, Israeli settlers repeatedly attacked Palestinian farmers cultivating olives, especially in Hebron and Qalqilya. As a result, 6 farmers were injured. Israeli settlers also attacked houses and agricultural land. All attacks took place before the eyes of IOF.

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

  • 342 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 64 children and 15 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 1186 Palestinian civilians, including 344 children and 49 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 292 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells have been fired at Palestinian civilian and military targets in the Gaza Strip.
  • Buildings of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National economy, the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister and a number of educational institutions have been destroyed.
  • The electricity generation plant, providing 45% of the electricity of the Gaza Strip, was destroyed, and electricity networks and transmitters have been repeatedly attacked.
  • 6 bridges linking Gaza City with the central Gaza Strip and a number of roads have been destroyed.
  • Hundreds of donums of agricultural land and dozens of houses have been destroyed.
  • Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including 9 ministers and 31 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary, have been arrested. Minster of Prisoners’ Affairs, 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.
  • 57 houses belonging to activists of Palestinian factions were destroyed by IOF warplanes.
  • IOF have imposed a strict siege on the OPT, and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

    Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19 October - 1 November 2006)

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

    Thursday, 19 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. Soon after, they raided and searched a number of houses and interrogated their residents. They also transformed a 5-storey apartment building into a military site. At approximately 06:00, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at the children, wounding two of them:

    1. Durgham Kamal al-Sa’di, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot; and
    2. Baker ‘Aatef Nabhan, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot.

  • At approximately 10:00, IOF moved nearly two kilometers into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They leveled areas of land they had already razed. IOF withdrew from the area at 14:10.
  • At approximately 17:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into the Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip. They destroyed a factory. IOF withdrew from the zone at approximately 17:00 on the following day.
  • At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and agricultural areas. A house belonging to Mousa Khalil al-Nasjjar was damaged by IOF when they raided and searched it. IOF soldiers also interrogated residents of the house. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 02:00 on the following day.
  • At approximately 23:15, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on 200-square-meter, uninhabited house belonging to Salah Salem Qeshta in Qeshta neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The house was totally destroyed. According to Qeshta, his brother Majed received a call on his mobile phone from the person who introduced himself as an Israeli intelligence officer. The officer told him that the house would be bombarded in 20 minutes. IOF claimed that there was a tunnel under the house, which was used for smuggling weapons.

    Friday, 20 October 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdullah ‘Ali Khalawi. They interrogated residents of the house. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 01:30 and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. They then raided and searched a number of houses. IOF withdrew from the village a few hours later and no casualties or arrests were reported.
  • Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. IOF withdrew from the village later, and no arrests were reported.

    Saturday, 21 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the southeast of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. They closed the main entrance to the town and sealed it off from other Palestinian communities. They then demolished a workshop belonging to the Abu ‘Elba family, a coffee shop belonging to Talla al-Masri and the fence of ‘Othman fruit company. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 04:00.
  • In the early morning, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian, demolished a house and razed areas of agricultural land in al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:00, Baraka ‘Aayesh Hamdan al-‘Omour, 48, got up and asked his wife to prepare the Sohour meal to prepare for fasting. The man and his wife heard a dog barking near the house. Al-‘Omour got out of the house to check what was going on and to go to his son’s house to awake him. Immediately, IOF soldiers who had already infiltrated into the are and hid near the house fired a live bullet at him. When the wife heard the sound of the life bullet, she and her two daughters got out to check what happened. They found al-‘Omour on the ground screaming and bleeding from the right side. They were able to take him into the house. The wife called a doctor living in the area, and he was able to reach the house despite the intense IOF gunfire. The doctor was not able to stop the hemorrhage, so he called an ambulance. The ambulance was not able to reach the area until 05:00 as IOF reinforced their presence in the area. One of al-‘Omour’s relative carried to the ambulance, which was nearly 300 meters away. He was evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. At approximately 06:00, IOF ordered residents of the house and the family of al-‘Omour’s son to get out of their houses. IOF then demolished the two houses and razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to the al-‘Omour family. A few hours later, al-‘Omour died from his wound. It is worth noting that no member of the family is wanted by IOF.

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mustafa Kamel Shawar, 48, a university lecturer and a leading figure of Hamas, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Wadi al-Hariya neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They besieged a house belonging to ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Amru, 38, claming that he is a member of the al-Aqsa Maertyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement. They called through megaphones on residents of the house to get out and ordered ‘Amru to surrender. IOF opened fire at the windows and doors of the house and arrested ‘Amru.
  • At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Jayous village, east of Qaqlilya. They opened fire at shops and houses. They then raided and searched a number of houses, and stopped and interrogated a number of young men. A number of houses and shops were damaged.

    Sunday, 22 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Sammou’ village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Musleh Hassan al-Rawashda, 22; and
    2. ‘Eissa Mahmoud al-Rawashda, 30.

  • Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Suleiman Mahmoud Hijja, 22;
    2. Mohammed Akram al-Sous, 24; and
    3. Tayseer Hassan al-Qazzaz, 26.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. A number of member of the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF. As a result of the fire exchange, two members of the resistance were wounded.
  • At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and transformed 3 of them into military sites.
  • At approximately 17:15, an IOF undercover unit moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin, traveling in two civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plates. The vehicles stopped near Tammoun Secondary School. IOF soldier then besieged a house belonging to the family of Murad Suleiman ‘Abdullah Bani ‘Ouda. Soon after, at least 13 IOF military jeeps moved into the village. IOF soldiers transformed the roofs of a number of house located near the besieged house into military sites. They called through megaphones on residents of the besieged house to get out and opened fire at the house. IOF threatened residents of the house to demolish the house over them if they did not get out. Soon, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers opened fire at them, killing Mohammed ‘Abdul Fattah Bsharat, 23, with a live bullet to the head, and wounding 19 others. Before their withdrawal from the village at approximately 21:00, IOF arrested Bani ‘Ouda, who was wounded by a live bullet to the foot; and 3 of his brothers: Ziad, 21; Tariq, 16; and Mohammed, 14.

    Monday, 23 October 2006

  • In the morning of the first day of the Eid al-Futur, IOF killed 8 Palestinian civilians, including 6 ones from one same family, and wounded 29 others.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the early morning, a special unit of IOF moved into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. IOF soldiers hid in a deserted house belonging to Bassam Khalifa, nearly two kilometers away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. At approximately 09:30, Riad Kamal ‘Ali al-Shanbari, 38, and his brother ‘Adnan, 50, were on their way to their house located in the area. The two were armed afraid of revenge as one of their relatives killed a member of the al-Basyouni family two days earlier. IOF soldiers fired at the two brothers from a distance of nearly 100 meters. As a result, Riad was seriously wounded by several live bullets to the chest and the abdomen. He died from his wound on the following day. Soon after, a number of armed members of the al-Shanbari family arrived at the area, thinking that members of the al-Basyouni family fired at the two brothers. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at them, killing ‘Ata Kamal ‘Ali al-Shanbari, 32, Riad’s brother and a leader of the Salah al-Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, with several live bullets to the chest and the abdomen. When Rami Mousa Ahmed Hamdan, 23, tried to offer help to him, IOF soldiers shot him dead with a live bullet that entered the back and exited the chest. A few minutes later, at least 20 IOF military vehicles, covered by helicopters, moved into the area. IOF soldiers opened fire indiscriminately. As a result, 3 r civilians were killed, and 30 others were wounded. Two of the wounded, including a woman who was wounded while she was inside her house, died from their wounds on the following days. The civilians who were killed were identified as:

    1. Khaled Kamal ‘Ali al-Shanbari, 36;
    2. Kamal ‘Adnan Kamal al-Shanbari, 29;
    3. Mohammed Fu’ad ‘Abdul Latif al-Shanbari, 19;
    4. Ibrahim Fu’ad ‘Abdul Latif al-Shanbari, 17; and
    5. Ne’ma Hassan ‘Edwan, 52.

    Two of the wounded were in a serious condition:

    1. Nasser al-Shanbari, 35, wounded by a live bullet to the chest; and
    2. Hassan Mohammed Isma’il, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the chest.

    Tuesday, 24 October 2006

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Jaber Abu al-Houf, 19, and arrested him.
  • Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Anas Mohammed ‘Atoum, 20; and
    2. Ahmed Sh’ban, 23.

    Wednesday, 25 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Tal’at Sameeh ‘Amru, 26;
    2. Ahmed ‘Essam al-Nammoura, 19; and
    3. Jamal Mohammed ‘Awawda, 24.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians

    1. Jihad Mohammed Nazzal, 22; and
    2. Majd Mahmoud ‘Alawna, 20.

  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested ‘Omar Smeer Fuqahaa’, 19.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Din village, southwest of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. IOF military vehicles also smashed a car belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman Qa’oud. A number of houses were also damaged.

    Thursday, 26 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Sa’ad ‘Omar Manku, 17.
  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine:

    1. Daoud Mohammed Mohsen, 26;
    2. Ramzi ‘Aadel Salah, 22;
    3. Hamza Mohammed Salah, 19;
    4. Mohammed Mahmoud Salah, 22; and+
    5. ‘Omar Ibrahim Salah, 22.

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Zawata village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Bara’a Kamal Abu ‘Amsha, 23; and
    2. Nizar Mahmoud Zawatia, 22.

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians:

    1. Yousef Mohammed Zendiq, 28;
    2. Jamal Hassan al-Hafi, 26;
    3. As’ad ‘Abdul Rahman Hanoun, 23;
    4. ‘Alaa’ ‘Adnan Darwish, 21, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces; and
    5. Ashraf Fawzi Shehada, 21, a police officer.

  • In the morning, IOF killed a Palestinian farmer in the northern Gaza Strip, when he was hunting birds on his land.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, in the morning, Suhail ‘Abdul Raziq al-Majdalawi, 35, from Jabalya refugee camp, went to a tract of agricultural land belonging to his family to the north of Beit hanoun, nearly 300 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. At approximately 07:30, while he was setting up a net to hunt birds, IOF soldiers positioned on an observation towers to the north of Beit Hanoun fired at him. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the back. He was evacuated to a hospital in Beit Hanoun, but medical efforts to save his life failed. It is worth noting that IOF razed that tract belonging to the victim’s family during the Intifada, and the family was forced to leave a house in the area due to attacks launched by IOF.

  • At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, southeast of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural areas located nearly 400 meters to the west of the border. As a result, Ashraf Rajab Fattouh, 37, from Gaza City, was wounded by a live bullet to the left foot, while he was working in a bird farm in the area.
  • At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They took position near the cemetery of the village and opened fire indiscriminately. No casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into al-Rama neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Fahmi Sami al-Ja’bari, 19;
    2. Mash’hour Sami al-Ja’bari, 20;
    3. Hatem Sami al-Ja’bari, 26;
    4. Jouda Sabah al-Ja’bari, 22; and
    5. Rami Sabah al-Ja’bari, 27.

    Friday, 27 October 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Abu Njaim village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of No’man ‘Aayesh Salahat, 19, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into the northwestern edges of al-Fara’a refugee camp, southeast of Jenin. Half an hour later, they moved to the southwestern entrance of the camp, and IOF soldier got out of their vehicles. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. At approximately 01:30, a number of IOF soldier infiltrated into the camp using a civilian car. They stopped near Zaidan Supermarket in the center of the camp. IOF soldiers were searching for a member of the Islamic Jihad. He as in the area and was able to escape together with other resistance activists. They hid on a hill overlooking the camp. At approximately 02:30, most of the IOF vehicles withdrew from the camp. Some IOF soldiers stayed neat an UNRWA school in the northeast of the camp. Members of the Palestinian resistance started to the move back to the camp. IOF soldiers opened fire at them, killing two:

    1. Fadi ‘Abed Subeh, 27, hit by a live bullet to the heart; and
    2. Mustafa Jaber Abu Zalat, 18, hit by 5 live bullets to the abdomen, the back, the hand and the shoulder.

    In addition, Hazem Mahmoud ‘Awadh, 20, was wounded by two live bullets to the hand and the foot. He hid behind a rocket until an ambulance arrived at the area and evacuated him. However, IOF soldiers intercepted the ambulance at Tammoun intersection and arrested ‘Awadh.

  • Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Fujjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Jom’a Thawabta, 66;
    2. Ameen ‘Abed Shamarkha, 56;
    3. Ashraf Ahmed Taqatqa, 32;
    4. Jamal Khalil Thawabta, 65;
    5. Jaber Ibrahim Dairiya, 45; and
    6. Mousa Ahmed Thawabta, 30.

  • Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-Duha village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud ‘Ali ‘Aayesh, 24, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 brothers:

    1. Khaldoun Mohammed Shanaita, 21;
    2. ‘Adnan Mohammed Shanaita, 20;
    3. ‘Ata Mohammed Shanaita, 16;
    4. Nemer ‘Ali Rabai’a, 18; and
    5. Nayef Mohammed Rabai’a, 21.

  • At approximately 01:25, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 190-square-meter house belonging to Shadi Ahmed al-‘Arini, in which 10 people live, in the densely-populated Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The house and a neighboring house were destroyed. according to al-‘Arini, who is a member of Hamas, he received a call on his mobile phone from a person who introduced himself as an Israeli military officer. He informed al-‘Arini that his house would be bombarded by IOF in 10 minutes.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Tha’er ‘Eissa Wishahi, 23;
    2. ‘Alaa’ ‘Eissa Wishahi, 21; and
    3. ‘Abdullah ‘Eissa Wishahi, 19.

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They besieged a house belonging to Yousef ‘Ali Qashmar in the west of the town. They opened fire into the air and ordered residents of the house through megaphones to get out. When the residents got out of the house, IOF soldier broke into the house and held all residents in one room. Before leaving the house, IOF soldiers arrested ‘Ali Yousef Qashmar, 27. They also took his brother, 25-year-old ‘Abdullah, to a car maintanenace workshop near the house and searched it. Before their withdrawal from the town, IOF released the two brothers.
  • At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They took position in the east of the village and opened fire at houses. Mohammed Hassan Mahmoud Abu Hassan, 39, mounted to the roof of his house to see what was going one. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at him. He was wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He called for help. His brother, 18-year-old Ra’ef, hurried to help him. When he was trying to call an ambulance, IOF soldiers fired at him. He was wounded by a live bullet to the hand. Mohammed’s wife attempted to get out of the house to get help, but his brother Ahmed Stopped her. He got out instead of her to bring a car to evacuate his brothers to the hospital. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at him. He was instantly killed by a live bullet to the chest.

    Saturday, 28 October 2006

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. A few hours later, they moved towards the neighboring ‘Arraba village and erected a checkpoint on the road that links between the two villages. They stopped and searched a number of Palestinian civilian vehicles.

    Sunday, 29 October 2006

  • At approximately 19:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. IOF soldiers besieged a coffee shop in the center of the camp. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the camp to support the undercover unit. IOF soldiers stopped and verified the identity cards of at least 20 Palestinian civilians. IOF withdrew from the camp later, and no arrests were reported.

    Monday, 30 October 2006

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Husni Mohammed Harazallah, 23, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hazem Rubin al-Shwaiki, 37, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF military vehicles, supported by two helicopters, moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They took position near the old mosque in the center of the camp. They besieged a two-storey house belonging to the family of Ma’ath ‘Adanan al-Musaimi, 20. They opened fire at the house. They then ordered residents of the house to get out, and the residents dead. IOF arrested al-Musaimi and his brother, 23-year-old Mahmoud, but they continued to shot at the house. As a result, fire broke out in the first floor of the house.
  • At approximately 18:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Rad al-‘Ein neighborhood in Nablus, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. When the car got close to a taxi, two IOF soldiers got out of the car and stopped the taxi. They got into the taxi and arrested the driver, 25-year-old Jaber Sameh al-Aghbar.
  • At approximately 20:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jericho. IOF soldiers besieged the parks area. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the area, and IOF soldiers arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Alaa’ al-Damanhouri, 24; and
    2. Nasser Mohammed Rezeq, 23.

  • At approximately 22:55, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a 200-square-meter house belonging to the heirs of Salem ‘Abdul Mawla al-Dardasi, which is rented by Mohammed Isma’il Abu Haya, in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. The house, in which 6 people live, and two subordinate rooms were destroyed. Two neighboring houses were also damaged. According to Abu Haya, who is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement, he received a phone call from a person who claimed to be an Israeli intelligence officer. That person informed Abu Haya that the house would be bombarded by IOF.

    Tuesday, 31 October 2006

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Abu Khalifa, 35.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Salfit village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Muhannad Zuhd ‘Arram, 27; and
    2. Ahmed Fakhri al-Masri, 25.

  • At approximately 01:30, special units of IOF moved nearly 700 meters into al-Snati area in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF soldiers raided two houses belonging to Fayez Ahmed Qudaih, 51, and ‘Azmi Shihda Qudaih, 30. They held residents of the two houses in one room in each and transformed the two houses into sniping sites. At approximately 04:15, IOF military vehicles, covered by warplanes, moved into the area. They took position on agricultural lands. At approximately 06:00, IOF soldiers positioned in the aforementioned two houses opened fire at 4 members of the Palestinian resistance discovered the presence were on a nearby field clashing with IOF. As a result, two members of the resistance were killed:

    1. Mohammed Waheed al-Najjar, 22, hit by a live bullet to the head; and
    2. Shadi Khaled al-Najjar, 21, hit by several live bullets to the chest and the left leg.

    Another members of the resistance, 25-year-old ‘Ammar Ibrahim al-Najjar, was wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He was able to withdrew from the area and go to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The fourth member of the resistance, 18-year-old Zaki Hamdan al-Najjar, was seriously wounded by several live bullets to the upper part of the body. Ambulances were not able to attend him, and he bled to death. His body remained in the area until 15:00, when IOF allowed an ambulance to reach him. In addition, a Palestinian child, 12-year-old Khaled Khalil al-Najjar, was wounded by a live bullet to the left leg.

    At approximately 13:30, Mehiar Mahmoud al-Najjar, 19, a member of the resistance, was seriously wounded by several live bullets to the abdomen and the legs during clashes with IOF.

    At approximately 15:00, as a result of indiscriminate shooting at houses by IOF, Reem Mousa al-Najjar, 21, was wounded by a live bullet to the back, when she was inside her house. During their incursion into the area, which continued until 17:00, IOF damaged the two houses they stationed in, razed areas of agricultural land and destroyed the electricity,. Water and telephone networks of the area.

  • At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into al-Rama neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul Samee’ al-Ja’bari, and arrested his two children: Frias, 14; and ‘Arafa, 11.
  • At approximately 17:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Bourqin Valley, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped to the northwest of Jenin refugee camp. IOF soldiers soon intercepted a Palestinian taxi and arrested Ghassan Ragheb al-Sa’di, 45. al-Sa’di is a member of the Islamic Jihad and had been wanted by IOF for two years.
  • At approximately 20:30, IOF positioned near Kerem Shalom crossing, southeast of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Shouka village near Gaza International Airport. As a result, Hammam Younis al-Sheikh ‘Eid, 16, was wounded by a live bullet to the right hand, when he was near his house.

    Wednesday, 1 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Tha’er Nasser Jouda, 19;
    2. Nidal ‘Atallah Abu ‘Eissa, 19;
    3. Ramzi Na’el al-Saqqa, 20; and
    4. Jihad ‘Abdul Nasser al-Sayeh, 20.

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Zawata village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians (two brothers and a child):

    1. Taimour Mohammed al-Khandaqji, 18;
    2. ‘Abdul Majid Mohammed al-Khandaqj, 23; and
    3. Hussein Makhlouf, 17.

  • At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Buraiki, 28; and
    2. Rami Rebhi al-Shalabi, 26.

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Ahmed Mustafa Bilal, 25;
    2. Yousef Ahmed Masharqa, 23;
    3. Mansour Ahmed Masharqa, 20;
    4. Habeeb Ahmed Masharqa, 18;
    5. Samer Mahmoud Masharqa, 22;
    6. Ahmed Mahmoud Masharqa, 20;
    7. Mahmoud ‘Essam Eskander, 19; and
    8. Ahmed Saber Turkman, 20.

  • At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They opened fire indiscriminately. They then raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Yousef Mahmoud Abu Tahoun, 26;
    2. ‘Abdul Fattah ‘Awadh Ibrahim, 24;
    3. Mohammed Mahmoud Baraka, 32;
    4. Jasser Nader Abu Zughaib, 23; and
    5. Hashem Nader Abu Zughaib.

    The last two civilians were released later. During this incursion, dozens of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the children, wounding 5 of them:

    1. Mohammed Khaled Zahran, 13, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot;
    2. ‘Abdul Nasser ‘Awadh Doush, 15, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot;
    3. Wa’el Khalil Habali, 14, wounded by a live bullet to the right shoulder;
    4. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mahmoud al-Jab’ei, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head; and
    5. ‘Omar Badee’ Ramadan, 16, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot.

  • At approximately 17:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Abasan village. As a result, Ibrahim Tawfiq Abu Ltifa, 18, was wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet to the face.

    Israeli Offensive on Beit Hanoun

    In the early morning of Wednesday, 1 November 2006, IOF initiated a wide scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The offensive is still on ongoing. IOF have killed 5 members of the Palestinian resistance, one member of the Palestinian National Security Forces and two civilians, and have wounded 41 others, including 8 children and two women.
    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:30, at least 70 IOF military vehicles, covered by warplanes, moved into Beit Hanoun from various directions. They seized control over the town and sealed it off from the rest of the Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 01:40, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in the center of the town. As a result, 5 members of the resistance were wounded. Five minutes later, an IOF aircraft fired another missile at the same area, wounding 6 Palestinian civilians from the Abu ‘Amsha family, including two women and a child. At approximately 02:00, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian National Security Forces, who had vacated their sites and gathered in the center of the town. As a result, one of the, 17-year-old Fayez Mohammed Zwaidi, was killed. IOF continued to fire at houses and at members of the Palestinian resistance. Five members of the resistance were killed:

    1. Ahmed Yousef Sa’adat, 23, hit by several live bullets throughout the body;
    2. Hussam Mohammed Abu Harbeed, 25, hit by several live bullets throughout the body;
    3. Tariq Mustafa Nasser, 23, hit by shrapnel from a missile throughout the body;
    4. Mohammed Saleh al-Masri, 22, hit by a live bullet to the back; and
    5. Ahmed Zuhair ‘Edwan, 20, hit by several live bullets throughout the body.

    At approximately 15:00, IOF soldiers positioned inside a house in the center of the town opened fire at house. A Palestinian civilians, 22-year-old Khalil Nasser Hamad, was killed by a live bullet to the head.

    At approximately 20:30, IOF started to storm houses in the town. They moved from one house to another after destroying wall separating between them. During these house raids, Mohammed Mahmoud Fayadh, 49, suffered from a heart attack, when IOF soldiers raided his house. An ambulance was able to evacuate him to the hospital half an hour later, but he died there. As a result of IOF gunfire, additional 25 Palestinians, including 7 children, were wounded. Furthermore, IOF have razed areas of agricultural land and have demolished a number of houses and civilian facilities.

    2. 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 on 24 and 25 October 20006, and 5653 Palestinians were able to travel through it. The crossing point was reopened again on 31 October and 1 November 2006, and 2500 Palestinians were able to travel through it. The crossing point, which has been closed since 25 June 2006, has been opened for only 18 separate days.
  • 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 several goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. About 400 trucks loaded with goods entered the Gaza Strip daily, whereas only 40 trucks were allowed to export goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. On Sunday, 22 October 2006, IOF closed the crossing for no apparent reason. 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 and construction raw materials.
    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 Monday, 30 October 2006, IOF gunboats opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah. They them moved towards the boats and arrested 4 fishermen:
    1. Ziad ‘Abdul Karim Miqdad, 22;
    2. ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Karim Miqdad, 22;
    3. Wadee’ Kamel Shallouf, 18; and
    4. Ahmed ‘Omar al-Bardawil, 18.
    IOF released the four fishermen after having destroyed their fishing boats.

    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: IOF have continued to isolate occupied East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. On the third Friday of Ramadan, 20 October 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and around Jerusalem. They reinforced their presence at the entrances 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. IOF also closed the checkpoint erected at the southern entrance of the city. The opened it later for Palestinians aged over 45. During the Eid al-Futur, IOF prevented Palestinians from the West Bank from visiting their relatives in the city.
  • Hebron: At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 19 October 2006, an IOF infantry unit opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians who were walking near the Ibrahimi Mosque. As a result, 3 children were wounded:

    1. Shadi Sa’di Eshti, 16, wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb to the head;
    2. Hussam ‘Abdul Raziq Abu Hussein, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right ear; and
    3. ‘Ammar Nafez Abu Snaina, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand.

  • 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 Saturday morning, 28 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Rami al-Barghouthi, 34, director of the office of the Minister of Interior in Ramallah;
    2. ‘Alaa’ al-Reemawi, 35, advisor for administrative affairs at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs; and
    3. Mazen al-Reemawi, director of the office of Change and Reform Bloc in Ramallah.

  • Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday evening, 20 October 2006, IOF positioned at Jeet - Surra intersection, southwest of Nablus, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. According to eyewitnesses, IOF soldiers obstructed the passage of dozens of busses which were transporting Palestinian civilians coming back from the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to Tulkarm, Jenin, Qaqlilya and Nablus. On Saturday morning, 28 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Jeet - Surra intersection, southwest of Nablus, and at Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 29 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians and obstructed their passage through the checkpoint.
  • 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. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around the town obstructed the passage of Palestinian civilians, especially in the evenings. On Thursday, 26 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the east of Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also conducted humiliating checking on Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 27 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from passing through the checkpoints. IOF soldiers also pursued young men who resorted to alternative dirt roads and held them from several hours. On Saturday, 28 October 2006, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints around Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, 29 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Ras intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 30 October 2006, IOF closed Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Tuesday, 31 October 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from crossing Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, and forced Palestinian civilians to pass through it on foot. On Wednesday, 1 November 2006, IOF prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from crossing Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and forced Palestinian civilians to pass through it on foot.

    At approximately 05:30 on Tuesday, 31 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Mohammed Nabeel Bani ‘Ouda, 25, a security officer from Tammoun village southeast of Jenin.

  • Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jenin. On Saturday morning, 21 October 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints on Jenin - Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Thursday morning, 26 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the north of al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 28 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint at the entrance to the northern Jordan Valley forced dozens of Palestinian civilians out of their vehicles and held them under the rain.

    At approximately 19:30 on Friday, 20 October 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on Tubas - ‘Aqqaba village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, and arrested two Palestinians:

    1. Mohammed Nayef al-Shaf’ei, 37; and
    2. Nash’at Ahmed Maiha, 35, boith from the al-Fara’a refugee camp southeast of Jenin.

    At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 30 October 2006, IOF soldiers positioned near Salem military court arrested Ayman Nemer Qandil, 34, from Jenin refugee camp, when he was on his way to the court to attend the trial of his brother who has been detained by IOF.

    At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 31 October 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jenin arrested ‘Abdul Wahab ‘Abdul Wali Bani ‘Ouda, 23, a security officer from Tammoun village southeast of Jenin.

    3. 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 ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, east of Qalilya, IOF soldiers positioned at iron gates at the entrances of the village have prevented Palestinian farmers from the villages of Beit Ameen, Sneeria and ‘Ezbat Suleiman to the southeast of Qalqilya from reaching their lands due to the lack of an IOF patrol that can escort them to their lands, which are located near “Sha’ari Teikva” and “Uranit” settlements.
  • In Salfit, IOF soldiers have obstructed access of Palestinian farmers to their agricultural lands. According to a number of farmers, iron gates established on the Wall are only 80 centimeters high, which force farmers to cross them creeping and not take them any animal or other transportation mean to carry their crops to their villages. IOF soldiers also force farmers to wait for long periods before allowing them to cross the gates, even in emergency times. It is worth noting that at least 3000 donums planted with olives belonging to farmers from Salfit have been sealed off by the Wall, and farmers need at least one month to cultivate olives. Additionally, IOF soldiers have prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands through the gate established at the northern entrance of the village, claiming that the permits issued fro them allow them to reach their land through ‘Azzoun gate only, which is at least 20 kilometers away. Israeli settlers also make attempts to prevent Palestinian farmers from cultivating olives. According to a Palestinian farmer, a guard of “Alkanah” settlement expelled his wife and sons from their land and prevented them from cultivating olives, claiming that the land does not belong to them.
  • On Sunday morning, 29 October 2006, IOF prevented dozens of Palestinian farmers from the villages of Deir al-‘Asal, al-Majd, al-Koum and Beit ‘Awa, west of Hebron, and a number of international solidarity activists from reaching agricultural land located neat or behind the Wall to cultivate olives. IOF claimed that the farmers did not have permits to reach their lands. According to local sources, at least 1200 donums of agricultural land have been isolated behind the Wall, and hundreds of donums of land have been inaccessible to farmers as they are located near the Wall and Israeli settlements.

    4. 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:

  • On Thursday morning, 19 October 2006, Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron, razed areas of land in Kherbat Sousia area near the settlement to establish a new settlement outpost. They razed 5 donums of land belonging to Mahmoud Hassan al-Haddar. IOF were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the settlers. The settlers had already seized the land under full protection by IOF. According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed the area at approximately 09:00 to allow the settlers to set up 3 tents and a mobile home on the land, which is located nearly 1500 meters to the south of the settlement.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 22 October 2006, dozens of Israeli settlers moved into Brouqin village, southwest of Nablus. They broke windows of a number of houses located neat Trans-Samaria settlers road. They also threatened to shoot anyone who might attempt to stop them. Several houses were damaged.
  • On Tuesday afternoon, 24 October 2006, 3 Israeli settlers armed with pistols and sharp tools attacked Ahmed ‘Okasha Makhamra, 60, and a number of his family members, when they were cultivating olives on their land in al-Tawani village to the east of “Avigail” settlement, south of Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers beat members of the family and threatened to kiss them if they did not stop cultivating olives. When members of the family refused and tried to defend themselves, IOF police intervened and arrested Makhamra and two members of his family, claiming that they threatened the settlers. The police released Makhamra and the other two members of the family, but prevented them from cultivating olives until a further notice.
  • At approximately 10:30 on Wednesday, 25 October 2006, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Gil’ad” settlement, which stands on the land of Far’ata village, east of Qaqlilya, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers who were cultivating olives in the west of the village. The settlers used sharp tools and cudgels in attacking the farmers. As a result, 5 farmers, including two women and a child, were injured:

    1. Bassel Ibrahim Salah, 31, seriously injured to the head and the right shoulder;
    2. Wa’el Ibrahim Salah, 32, sustained bruises and cuts;
    3. Nada ‘Abdul Rahman al-Salman, 53, sustained bruises and cuts;
    4. Bilal ‘Abdullah Shana’na, 14, sustained bruises and cuts; and
    5. Najah Fayeq Tawil, 33, sustained bruises and cuts.

  • On Friday and Saturday, 27 and 28 October 2006, Israeli settlers living in settlement posts in the center of Hebron attacked Palestinian civilians and their property. According to eyewitnesses, the settlers organized marches in Tal Rumaida neighborhood and al-Shuhada and al-Sahla streets. They attacked a number of houses with stones and empty bottles and attempted to damage the water supplies.
  • On Saturday morning, 28 October 2006, many Israeli settlers from “Asfar” settlement to the south of Sa’id and al-Shyoukh villages, southeast of Hebron, armed with firearms and sharp tools, stormed olive fields in the south and the east of the two villages. They stole large amounts of olives. IOF were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop this attack. The settlers also damaged dozens of olive trees. It is worth noting that at least 60,000 donums of agricultural land in Hebron are planted with olives, and some of them are not accessible to Palestinian farmers due to the construction of the Wall and the building of settlements.

    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 Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)