Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (22 - 28 February 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed four Palestinians and wounded 28 others in the West Bank.

On Monday, 26 February 2007, an IOF sniper shot dead ‘Anan Mohammed al-Teebi, 42, with a bullet to the neck, and wounded his son, 24-year-old Ashraf, with a bullet to the hand, when he attempted to offer help to his father. The victim was on the roof of his house in the old town, when the IOF sniper shot him. IOF prevented ambulances from entering the area and arrested the son. On Wednesday morning, 28 February 2007, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed 3 Palestinians in Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The victims are members of the Islamic Jihad, and one of them is the leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad) in the northern West Bank. In addition, 28 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, 4 women and two journalists, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 43 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During the reporting period, launched a wide scale military operation against Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. During this operation, which continued for two days, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded eight others, including a child and two children. IOF also arrested at least 150 civilians, transformed a number of houses and two schools into military sites, raided a number of television and radio stations and obstructed the movement of medical crews. IOF withdrew from the city without declaring an end to their operation. During other incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 55 Palestinian civilians, including six children and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has mounted to 564.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point since 25 June 2006, even though they do not directly control it. During the reporting period, IOF partially reopened the crossing point for one day only. IOF have partially reopened commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, but many goods and medical supplies have been lacked in markets in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have 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. On Friday, 16 February 2007, IOF opened the new Erez International Crossing Point under new procedures. Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have to obtain permits from the IOF Civil Administration as it was the case before. However, Palestinians living in East Jerusalem have to hand their identity cards the Israeli Ministry of Interior to get travel documents. In the past, they had to hand identity cards to IOF at Erez crossing. This includes 800-1000 women from East Jerusalem married to men in the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinians who traveled through the new crossing point, IOF imposed the same restrictions on their movement as in the past. In addition, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian fishermen from fishing for more than 8 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. Contrary to Israeli claims, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested five Palestinian civilians, including two children.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF issued demolished 6 under-constructions houses in Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm which are located near the Wall. IOF also used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, West of Ramallah. As a result, 13 Palestinian civilians, including two journalists and two children, were wounded.

Settlement Activities: During the reporting period, Israeli settlers living in the West Bank in violation of international law continued their systematic attacks on Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, IOF issued a military order seizing 199 donums of land in Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, until the end of 2014 to establish a new settler road in the area. The order gave the owners 7 days to appeal against it. According to a report published by the Israeli Peace Now on Monday 26 February 2007, 21 settlements and 10 settlement outposts expanded to incorporate at least 1900 donums of land that are classified as protected natural areas.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 - 28 February 2007)

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

Israeli Offensive on Nablus

During the reporting period, [Israeli occupation forces] launched a wide scale military operation against Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. During this operation, which continued for two days, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded eight others, including a child and two children. IOF also arrested at least 150 civilians, transformed a number of houses and two schools into military sites, raided a number of television and radio stations and obstructed the movement of medical crews.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 25 February 2006, at least 60 IOF military vehicles, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps through various directions and imposed a curfew. IOF declared that their Operation “Hot Winter” in Nablus could continue for several days. IOF withdrew from the city two days later, without declaring an end of the operation. IOF raided an a number of local television and radio stations, through which they broadcasted statements inciting against Palestinian resistance groups. They even declared names of a number of Palestinians whom they would arrest. Violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF during this operation included:

Shooting

At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 26 February 2007, an IOF sniper shot dead ‘Anan Mohammed al-Teebi, 42, with a bullet to the neck, and wounded his son, 24-year-old Ashraf, with a bullet to the hand, when he attempted to offer help to his father. The victim was on the roof of his house in the old town, when the IOF sniper shot him. IOF prevented ambulances from entering the area and arrested the son. IOF also wounded 8 civilians, including a child and two women, throughout the city:

1. ‘Alaa’ ‘Abdul Raheem Zaid, 24, seriously wounded by several gunshots to the body;
2. Jamal Jaradana, 16, hit by a sound bomb to the face;
3. Rawand ‘Aashour, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder;
4. Yusra Hasan Sadiq, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the hand and the feet;
5. ‘Odai al-Shashtari, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
6. Mohammed Hussein al-‘Emla, 20, wounded by a bullet to the right leg;
7. ‘Alaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Nasser al-Rmaihi, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and
8. Ashraf ‘Anan al-Teebi, 24, wounded by a bullet to the hand.

House Raids and Destruction

IOF transformed roofs of dozens of houses into military sites, from which they fired at whatever moves. They also destroyed a house in the old town belonging to the family of Bassem Abi Sirriya, the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (an armed wing of Fatah movement). A number of neighboring houses were damaged. IOF fired flash bombs into a house belonging to ‘Allam Tbaila in al-Makhfiya neighborhood. They also raided and searched a neighboring apartment building belonging to ‘Otham Suleiman Sal’ous, in which university students live. Additionally, IOF damaged a number of houses and shops when their bulldozers to open paths for military vehicles. On Monday noon, 26 February 2007, IOF demolished parts of a number of shops in the old town to allow military vehicles to move freely.

Harassment Against Families of Palestinian Intifada Activists

IOF raided and several houses belonging to families of Palestinian Intifada activists, who are allegedly wanted. They also detained their mother and wives for several hours to force them to surrender.

Attacks on Hospital and Medical Crews

On the first day of the operation, IOF besieged the National Hospital and Rafidya Hospital and denied access to medical care in the two hospitals. The two hospitals serves many patients in the northern West Bank. On the following day, IOF besieged private hospitals in the city. IOF also prevented medical crews from offering medical aid to the wounded and patients. IOF soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at medical crews when they wanted to offer medical aid to the wounded.

Attacks on Educational Institutions

IOF declared the entrance of the directorate of education in the city a closed military zone. Thousand of students were not able to go to their schools and universities. On Monday morning, 27 February 2007, IOF transformed Zafer al-Masri School and Jamal ‘Abdul Nasser School into interrogation centers, into which dozens of Palestinian civilians have been brought.

Attacks on Journalists and Media Institutions

IOF raided an a number of local television and radio stations, through which they broadcasted statements inciting against Palestinian resistance groups. On Monday morning, 26 February 2007, IOF arrested Sheikh Nabegh Nafez Braik, 43, the owner and manager of Sanabel Television. According to his wife, IOF raided the building of the television station, arrested her husband and confiscated a number of computer sets and video recorders and cassettes.

Other Incursions

Thursday, 22 February 2007

Friday, 23 February 2007

Saturday, 24 February 2007

1. Fareed Hamed al-Nawaj’a, 24;
2. Mohammed Hamed al-Nawaj’a, 22; and
3. Rassem Badawi al-Nawaj’a, 27.

Sunday, 25 February 2007

Monday, 26 February 2007

1. Bilal Shawqi ‘Ammour, 36;
2. Jamal Shawqi ‘Ammour, 27;
3. Ahmed Shawqi ‘Ammour, 20;
4. Mohammed Shawqi ‘Ammour, 19;
5. Tha’er Jalal Kamel, 25;
6. Mohammed Jalal Kamel, 22;
7. Ahmed Mohammed Bushnaq, 35;
8. Ibrahim Nazem al-Sanouri, 25;
9. Mahmoud ‘Abdullah al-Sanouri, 20; and
10. Tha’er Mousa al-Sanouri, 25.

1. Mousa Adam Slaibi, 17; and
2. Mudar Ahmed Abu Daya, 17.

1. Muntasser ‘Eissa Shadeed, 22; and
2. Khalil Ibrahim Awlad Ahmed, 20.

Tuesday, 27 February 2007

1. Muneef ‘Abdul Rahman Hamdan, 28; and
2. Salem Mohammed Hraibat, 33.

Wednesday, 28 February 2007

1. ‘Omar ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Khaled, 19; and
2. Mahmoud ‘Abdul Rahman Khaled, 19.

1. Yahia Mahmoud Taqatqa, 22;
2. Yousef Ahmed Taqatqa, 21;
3. Baker Mohammed Taqatqa, 23;
4. Nabeel Hasan Taqatqa, 21; and
5. Taher Saber Deiriya, 22.

1. Tawfiq Nash’t Khuffash, 22;
2. Mohammed Ahmed Khuffash, 21;
3. Na’el Ahmed Khuffash, 19;
4. ‘Ezzat Sa’di Khuffash, 18;
5. Tamer Mohammed Suleiman, 18;
6. Bassem Mohammed Suleiman, 20;
7. Ameer Nasfat Hjair, 19;
8. Mohammed ‘Abdullah Hjair, 15; and
9. ‘Abdul Qader Salem Samari, 18.

2. Extra-Judicial Execution

On Wednesday morning, 28 February 2007, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed 3 Palestinians in Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The victims are members of the Islamic Jihad, and one of them is the leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad) in the northern West Bank.

According to initial investigations conducted by PCHR, 08:00 on Wednesday, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin town, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car followed a civilian vehicle, in which 3 Palestinians were traveling. When the car got close to the Palestinian civilian vehicle, IOF soldiers opened fire at it. The three Palestinian escaped in their vehicle towards Jenin refugee camp. When they reached the northern entrance of the camp, their vehicle collided with a wall and stopped. IOF soldiers continued to fire at them. The three Palestinians were killed by gunshots to the upper part of the body:

1. Ashraf Mahmoud Nafe’ al-Sa’di, 25, the leader of the al-Quds Brigades in the northern West Bank;
2. Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Naa’sa, 34, a member of the Islamic Jihad; and
3. ‘Alaa’ Braiki, 24, a member of the Islamic Jihad.

Al-Sa’di was first wounded and IOF soldiers could have arrested him, but they shot him dead from a zero range.

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

IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, these crossings were partially reopened to allow the entry of basic foodstuffs, medical supplies and other necessities into the Gaza Strip. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

On Tuesday morning, 27 February 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at al-Za’im checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, arrested Ra’ed Younis Rabai’a, 24, from al-‘Obaidiya village near Bethlehem.

At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 27 February 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a gate established on the Annexation Wall to the east of Jayous village, north of Qalqilya, arrested two Palestinian civilians: ‘Abada Mohammed Shamasna, 25; and Muhab Mohammed Saleem, 18.

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 23 February 2007, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint erected at the northern entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, arrested Ishaq Khalil Hdaib, 17, claiming that he threw stones at IOF military vehicles.

At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF soldiers positioned at the northern entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, arrested ‘Alaa’ Hammad Abu Hashash, 16.

4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

1. ‘Aadel Bardalu, 35, a cameraman of CNN, hit by a sound bomb to the face;
2. Muheed al-Barghouthi, 45, a journalist in the daily local al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;
3. ‘Abdullah Mahmoud Abu Rahma, 36, hit by a sound bomb to the thigh;
4. Eyad Mohammed Bernat, 33, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen;
5. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Bernat, 24, hit by a tear gas canister to the chest;
6. Wajdi Shawkat al-Khateeb, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;
7. Nemer Mustafa Abu Rahma, 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;
8. Bassel Mansour Mansour, 29, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the mouth;
9. Yousef ‘Eissa Abu Rahma, 37, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh;
10. Yassin Mohammed Yassin, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen;
11. Mohammed Khalil Abu Rahma, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen;
12. Mohammed Ahmed Hamad, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh; and
13. Mohammed Farouq Khwaira, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

1. A 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mufeed Kamel Bdair;
2. A 140-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Riad ‘Abdul Karim ‘Omar;
3. A 150-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to ‘Otham Zaki ‘Arafat;
4. A 180-square-meter house belonging to Fareed ‘Abdul Jabbar Farekh;
5. A 180-square-meter house belonging top Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Farekh; and
6. A 140-square-mter house belonging to Shaker Mahmoud Bdair.

During this incursion, a number of Palestinian children threw stones at IOF military vehicles. IOF soldiers fired at them and arrested two children: Mohammed Ahmed al-Rushdi, 14; and Mahmoud ‘Ali Abu Shaqra, 17.

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

Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
5. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.
7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.
8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, 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.

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

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