Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations

Palestinians checking the destruction incurred to the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister by an Israeli air strike. (PCHR)

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and Isolate the Gaza Strip from the Outside World

29 June - 5 July 2006

9 Palestinians were killed by IOF.

6 of the victims were killed by the IOF shelling in the Gaza Strip.

Two of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in the West Bank.

91 Palestinians, including 18 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire.

IOF warplanes launched a series of air strikes and mock air raids on the Gaza Strip; offices of the Palestinian Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior and a number of civilian facilities were destroyed or damaged.

IOF conducted 81 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and reoccupied areas in the Gaza Strip.

102 Palestinian civilians, including 7 ministers, 24 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, 6 children and two girls, were arrested by IOF.

5 houses and hundreds of donums[1] of agricultural land were destroyed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

6 houses in the northern Gaza Strip were transformed by IOF into military sites.

35 charitable societies in the West Bank were raided and a number of them were closed by IOF.

The electricity network in Rafah was destroyed, and the town has been living in darkness.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip; dozens of patients are stuck at Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border; and IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF started to establish a fence around “Kermi Tsur” settlement, north of Hebron; and IOF confiscated at least 25 donums of agricultural land in Beit Oula village, west of Hebron.

Summary

As the international community has remained silent, IOF have continued to wage a full scale offensive on the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip. PCHR, monitoring with utmost concern the developments of this offensive, calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and United Nations Agency, to immediately intervene to force IOF to stop this offensive and allow the passage of foodstuffs, medical supplies and fuels into the Gaza Strip. PCHR warns the international community of the policies of collective punishment and reprisals practiced by IOF against the Palestinian civilian population, especially the destruction of electricity sources and the denial of passage of foodstuffs and fuels into the Gaza Strip, which will lead to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

PCHR believe that the international conspiracy of silence and US official statements that Israel has the right to take all measures that could ensure the release of a captured Israeli soldier, constitute a green light for IOF to wage a full scale offensive and impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip.

During the reported period, IOF continued to impose strict siege on the Gaza Strip and attack civilian facilities, using their highly developed arsenal without paying any consideration to proportionality in the use of force. IOF also threatened to extra-judicially execute Palestinian political leaders in the Gaza Strip. In the west Bank, IOF arrested 7 Palestinian ministers and 24 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) representing Hamas. Thus, the number of ministers arrested by IOF has increased to 8.

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

10 Palestinians have been killed by IOF (3 have been extra-judicially executed and 6 have been killed by shelling).

79 Palestinian civilians, including 21 children, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.

82 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells have been fired at Palestinian civilians and military targets in the Gaza Strip.

Two buildings of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister and a number of educational institutions have been destroyed.

3 bridges linking Gaza City with the southern Gaza Strip and 3 roads in Khan Yunis and al-Nusairat have been destroyed.

Hundreds of donums of agricultural land and 5 houses have been destroyed, and 6 other houses have been transformed into military sites.

The electricity network of Rafah has been destroyed.

At least 180 Palestinian civilians, including 8 ministers and more than 20 PLC members have been arrested in the West Bank, and 4 Palestinian civilians have been arrested in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza International Airport in the southern Gaza Strip and parts of the northern Gaza Strip have been occupied by IOF.
Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (29 June – 5 July 2006):
Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 9 Palestinians (6 in the Gaza Strip and 3 in the West Bank). In the Gaza Strip, 4 Palestinians were killed by IOF air strikes and the remaining two were killed when IOF gunboats shelled a site of the Palestinian Naval Force in the northern Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, IOF killed one Palestinian when they attacked a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in a cemetery in Nablus. They also extra-judicially executed two Palestinian in two separate attacks in Jenin and Jericho.

In addition, 71 Palestinians, including 18 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF launched a series of air strikes on civilian targets and mock air raids using fighter jets and helicopter gunships. During the reported period, they attacked the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister Isma’il Haniya, the office of the Minister of Interior Sa’id Siam and the building of the Ministry of Interior. During the reported period, IOF fired at least 86 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells at dozens of civilian targets, including educational institutions and electricity facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Incursions: During the reported period. IOF conducted at least 81 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 7 ministers, 24 PLC members and 71 other civilians, including 6 children and two women. Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by IOF since the beginning of 2006 has increased to 1940. IOF also raided at least 35 civil institutions and closed a number of them. During the reported period, IOF invaded and reoccupied areas in the northern Gaza Strip, while they have continued to occupy Gaza International Airport in the southern Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF conducted a number of limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, during which they arrested two Palestinians, demolished 5 houses, transformed 6 other houses into military sites and used 6 Palestinian civilians as human shields. IOF also razed large areas of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. The southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah lack electricity supplies as the electricity network of the town was destroyed, an IOF have denied access of maintenance crews to areas occupied by IOF to repair the network. In these incursions, IOF employed undercover units and trained dogs.

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

Following an attack launched by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006 near the Israeli-Egyptian border, southeast of Rafah, which left two IOF soldiers and two of the attackers dead and a third IOF soldier missing, IOF have closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip.

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. According to information gathered by PCHR, the number of Palestinians stuck in Egypt is more than 3,000. Most of them have been forced to stay in different cities including Cairo, al-Arish and Egyptian Rafah. These Palestinians had traveled to Egypt or through Egypt to other destinations for the purposes of medical treatment, education, visiting relatives or work. In addition, scores of expatriate Palestinian families living in the Gulf States, who had traveled to Rafah International Crossing Point to spend the summer in Gaza, were forced to return to the Gulf. Furthermore, more than 400 Palestinians, mostly patients, are stuck in the waiting hall at the Egyptian side of Rafah Crossing. They are enduring extremely difficult conditions due to the hot weather and lack of adequate services and facilities, especially for patients. These patients were returning to Gaza after undergoing medical treatment abroad, including surgery. Some of the patients have undergone heart, ophthalmic or orthopedic surgeries. Such patients require special facilities that are not available at the border. Travelers are deprived of services required to meet their basic needs, especially for women, children and the elderly. Furthermore, they are being forcibly separated from their families in the Gaza Strip. During the reported period, IOF refused to allow the transfer of the body of a Palestinian patient who died at an Egyptian hospital into the Gaza Strip. His family was forced to bury him in Egypt.
IOF have closed commercial crossings of the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. IOF have prevented the free flow of fuel, food and medical supplies since. The Gaza Strip was suffering from a lack gas and fuel even before the latest tightening of the closure. On Sunday, 2 July 2006, IOF reopened the crossing for 5 hours to allow the importation of some basic foodstuffs and limited amounts of fuel, which do not meet the actual needs of the Gaza Strip. IOF re-closed the crossing contrary to their claims that the crossing would be open for 4 days. According to Palestinian official sources, these amounts meet the needs of the Gaza Strip for a few days only.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to separate the north and south of the West Bank. For this purpose, they have imposed severe restrictions one movement through Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, and re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They have also erected two new checkpoints near Ramallah. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement on Palestinian civilians to and from Tulkarm. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank abused a number of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF at checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF issued a military order seizing at least 25 donums of land in the Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They also razed areas of land to establish a fence near “Kermi Tsur” settlement, north of Hebron. During the reported period, IOF used forced to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, and Halhoul and Beit Ummar villages, north of Hebron. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 demonstrators were wounded.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (29 June – 5 July 2006)

1.Israeli Offensive on the Gaza Strip

Following an armed attack launched by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006 in Kerem Shalom area on the Egyptian –Israeli border, southeast of Rafah, which left dead two Palestinian militants and two IOF soldiers killed, while a third IOF soldier was captured, IOF have launched a wide scale offensive on the Gaza Strip. They have launched dozens of air strikes mock air raids, and fired artillery shells at the civilian infrastructure. They have also attacked governmental compounds and training sites and activists of Palestinian resistance organizations.

Thursday, 29 June 2006

At approximately 01:20, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah, and at al-Nasser village, north of the town. The two missiles hit uninhabited areas and no casualties or damages were reported.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved hundreds of meters into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opening fire intensely. They demolished 5 houses belonging to the Abu Mo’ammar family, in which 30 individuals (5 families) lived. They also razed large areas of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus, mostly belonging to the al-Farra family.

At approximately 03:30, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at two shops of electrical sets belonging to Majed Ahmed Abu Daqqa, an activist of Fatah movement, in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. Contents of the two shops were destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 06:45, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired at least 30 artillery shells at Palestinian agricultural areas in Abasan and Khuza’a villages, east of Khan Yunis. A Palestinian farmer, 45-year-old Salem Salama Qudaih, from Khuza’a village, was wounded by shrapnel to the legs.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Harb Abu Snaima, 22.

At approximately 10:30, IOF warplanes fired at least one missile that fell between two training sites belonging to ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Ahmed Abu al-Reesh Briagdes, a military wing of Fatah movement, in the west of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 12:00, IOF positioned along the northern and northeastern borders of the Gaza Strip started to fire artillery shells at uninhabited areas in the northern Gaza Strip towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. The artillery shelling continued until the evening, and wounded a Palestinian civilian, Jameel Mohammed Abu Ghazal, with shrapnel to the right hand.

At approximately 21:00, IOF resumed artillery shelling targeting the northern Gaza Strip. A number of shells hit an electricity transmitter near Erez crossing, and another one located in al-Sudaniya area, west of Beit Lahia. As a result, electricity was cut off from the entire northern Gaza Strip. It is worth noting that the two transmitters are fed with electricity by the Israeli National Electricity Company, and were partially providing Gaza City with electricity following the destruction of the Gaza electricity generation plant by IOF a few days earlier.

At approximately 22:40, IOF fighter jets fired 4 missiles at a space area in the central Gaza Strip. Three missiles fell to the west of Gaza Electricity Generation Company, making craters. The fourth missile hit a training center belonging to Hamas in al-Nusairat refugee camp.

Friday, 30 June 2006

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 30 June 2006, IOF fighter jets and helicopter gunships shelled several areas in the northern Gaza Strip. By 04:00, at least 13 missiles hit several areas in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding 7 Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 01:30, IOF helicopter gunships fired 4 missiles at the central Gaza Strip. Three of these missiles hit the Gaza Valley Bridge on Salah al-Din Street, which links Gaza City with the southern Gaza Strip, destroying the remaining part of it. It is worth noting that the bridge was shelled by IOF warplanes and was largely destroyed. The fourth missile hit a training site belonging to Hamas, damaging it.

Also at approximately 01:30, an IOF helicopter gunship fired two missiles at the office of the Palestinian Minister of Interior in the Southern Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. The office was completely destroyed.

A few minutes later, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at Martyr Abu Jihad Office, a branch office of Fatah movement, in al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The office was largely destroyed.

A few minutes later, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a training site of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The site was destroyed.

At the same time, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a training site of Hamas in the north of al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. The site was destroyed.

At approximately 02:00, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at al-Sahawa Cultural Society in Jabalya refugee camp. The center of was severely damaged.

At approximately 02:10, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a group of the Palestinian resistance in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. The missile exploded and seriously wounded a resistance man, 25-year-old Mohammed Hassan ‘Abdul ‘Aal. He was evacuated to the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis. At approximately 06:40, he was pronounced dead.

At approximately 03:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 3 kilometers into al-houka village, east of Rafah. They besieged 4 houses belonging to the Abu Snaima family. IOF soldiers then broke into one of these houses, which belongs to Tayseer Sa’id Abu Snaima to arrest him, but he was not there. Soon after, IOF soldiers raided the other three houses, which belongs to Abu Snaima’s father, sister and brother (Yasser, 25). They held women and children in one of the houses and violently beat a child. They then arrested Yasser. According to his parents, IOF confiscated a number of documents and stole some jewelry and an amount of money.

At approximately 10:00, IOF gunboats opened fire at Khan Yunis beach. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:20, IOF warplanes fired a missile at ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. Ten minutes later, the IOF warplanes fired another missile at the same area. The two missiles hit an uninhabited area, and no casualties or damages were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF warplanes fired a missile at a civilian cars that was traveling near al-Wafaa’ Hospital in the east of al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Three members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, were traveling in the car. The missile missed the target, but wounded the three occupants. The wound of one of them was described by medical sources as serious.

At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Those shells fell near houses and wounded two Palestinian children:
1. Mahmoud Kamel Wahdan, 12, wounded by shrapnel to the jaw; and
2. As’ad As’ad Salah, 8, wounded by shrapnel to the head.

At approximately 22:00, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. The site was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 22:00, IOF helicopter gunships fired 3 missiles at a training site of the Ahmed Abu al-Reesh, a military wing of Fatah movement, in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. The site was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

Saturday, 1 July 2006

At approximately 00:10, IOF fighter jets fired 4 successive missiles at targets in the north of al-Nusairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The first missile hit Salah al-Din Street leading to the electricity generation plan, and made a large crater. The second and third missiles hit a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, making large craters. The fourth missile hit an uninhabited area. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF fighter jets fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in ‘Oraiba areas in the northwest of Rafah. No casualties were reported. Nearly 20 minutes later, IOF fighter jets fired a missile at an agricultural area in al-Zohour neighborhood in the north of Rafah. Two greenhouses belonging to Sameeh Ibrahim Duhair were destroyed, and a number of neighboring houses and offices of al-Amal Handicapped Rehabilitation Society were damaged.

At approximately 12:45, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and helicopters, moved nearly 700 meters into ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. They raided 3 houses and forced their residents out. They used a woman and her 4 children as human shields while searching houses. They allowed the woman and her children to leave the area 4 hours later. IOF helicopter gunships opened fire at the area. At approximately 16:00, a number of resistance men arrived at the area and attempted to clash with IOF. Soon, IOF used Wajed Shihda Abu ‘Awad, 42, as a human shield. An Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile as a space area, and no casualties were reported. During this incursion, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by the IOF gunfire:
1. Fua’d Mohammed al-Daghma, 48, wounded by a live bullet to the right shoulder; and
2. ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Shaheen, 19, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

IOF also razed at least 110 donums of agricultural land planted with olives and vegetables, belonging to the families of al-Shami, ‘Asfour and al-Madani.

At approximately 18:35, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, 44-year-old Kamal Mohammed Swailem, was wounded by shrapnel to the right foot.

Sunday, 2 July 2006

At approximately 01:40, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister Isma’il Haniya in the densely populated Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the southwest of Gaza City. The office was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

A few minutes later, IOF helicopter gunships fired two missiles at two sites of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Shiekh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City, and al-Tuffah neighborhood in the northeast of the city. The two sites were severely damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 02:05, IOF helicopter gunships fired two missiles at a store located near a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman Shihab, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. The store was destroyed. A member of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, 33-year-old Sha’ban ‘Abdul Mon’em Manoun, 33, was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head, when he was 10 meters away from the store. He died on the way to the hospital. In addition, 3 houses, including Shihab’s house, were damaged.

At approximately 16:20, IOF gunboats positioned opposite to Khan Yunis and Rafah fired a number of shells at the coats in the two towns. The shells hit space areas, without causing casualties or damages, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified. It is worth noting that the number of Palestinian civilians going to beaches in the Gaza Strip has sharply decreased due to the IOF shelling from the sea.

At approximately 23:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. One of those shells hit a houses belonging to As’ad Fahmi Abu Salah, nearly 800 meters away from the border. Fired broke out inside the house and its residents were extremely terrified. Palestinian ambulances were not able to reach the house for nearly 90 minutes because of the intense IOF shelling. Residents of the house, including women and children, who were shocked, were evacuated to hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip.

Monday, 3 July 2006

At approximately 01:15, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 1000 meters into al-Qattaa’, al-Hamra and al-Furata areas in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. IOF elite units accompanied the heavy military vehicles. They seized control over 4 houses, two of which were inhabited. They held the residents in one room and transformed the houses into military sites. IOF left the houses on Tuesday morning, as IOF moved forward into the area.

At approximately 01:20, IOF warplanes fired a missile at an uninhabited flat in building (22) in al-Nada housing project in the northern Gaza Strip, which serves as an office for the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement. The flat was partially destroyed and a number of other flats were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 01:30, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at offices a charity belonging to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, which is located on the second floor of an apartment building in al-Wihda Street in the center of Gaza City. The offices were severely damaged.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved nearly 500 meters into the north of Beit Lahia. They leveled areas of land, searching for tunnels.

At approximately 11:20, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Furata areas in the east of Beit Hanoun, at least 2 kilometers away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. One of these members was instantly killed by shrapnel to the chest and the neck. He was identified as ‘Abdul Rahim Jaber Duroj, 30, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.

At approximately 23:50, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance in al-Masriyeen Street in Beit Hanoun. One of these members was instantly killed by shrapnel throughout the body, when he was near his house. He was identified as Isma’il Rateb al-Masri, 30, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. When he was first wounded, he was evacuated in a Reuters jeep, which was hit by shrapnel, but none of its crew was hurt.

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF expanded their incursion into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. IOF heavy military vehicles moved towards the town from the east and stationed near a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces in al-Masriyeen Street in the east of Beit Hanoun. Other IOF vehicles moved towards al-Furata area. They then started to raze areas of agricultural land belonging to the al-Masri family, nearly 2000 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

At approximately 01:20, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile at offices of the student council of the Islamic University in the center of Gaza City. The offices were destroyed, but no casualties were reported. It is worth noting that IOF warplanes shelled the playground of the university a few days earlier.

At approximately 02:30, IOF that moved into the northeast of Beit Hanoun opened fire at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces near the College of Agriculture. A security man, 28-year-old Mazen Khalil ‘Afana, was wounded by shrapnel to the right eye.

At approximately 12:00, at least 30 IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 500 meters into the north of Beit Lahia. They seized control over the area known in the past as “Nissanit” settlement and the northern edges of Erez industrial zone. At approximately 14:00, IOF opened fire at Palestinian civilians in the area, wounding 9-year-old Isma’il Eqtaifan, from the Bedouin village, with shrapnel to the left hand.

At approximately 13:30, IOF bulldozed a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces in Beit Hanoun. They also razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the east of the town.

At approximately 18:30, IOF positioned inside Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at maintenance crew of the Palestinian Energy Authority near Erez crossing, even though the presence of the crew was coordinated in advance with IOF to repair the electricity network, which was damaged by IOF shelling. Members of the crew were forced to leave the area as their car was hit by live bullets. They sustained bruises.

At approximately 23:00, 8 IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 1500 meters into Shurrab area in the northeast of Beit Hanoun, and 10 other IOF vehicles moved towards al-Masriyeen Street. They raided two houses belonging to Mahmoud Majdi al-Masri and Mazen Mohammed Shabat. They transformed the two houses into military sites.

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

At approximately 00:30, IOF helicopter gunships fired 6 missiles at a training site belonging to ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in ‘Oraiba area in the northwest of Rafah. The site was totally destroyed.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved towards Zimmu Street in the east of Beit Hanoun. They raided a house belonging to ‘Omar Qassem. They held its residents in one room and transformed the house into a military site.

At approximately 01:45, IOF fighter jets fired a missile at the main office building of the Ministry of Interior and National Security in the densely-populated Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the southwest of Gaza City. The bomb hit three floors of the 5-storey building and fire broke out in the whole building. The structure was heavily damaged and may collapse completely as a result. Extensive damage was also caused to surrounding homes. Two civilians were wounded in the attack. It is worth noting that this was the second air strike against the Ministry over the past few days. IOF warplanes bombarded the same building on Thursday, 29 June 2006, and hit the office of the Minister of Interior, Said Siam, located on the fifth story of the building. The office was destroyed.

Shortly after targeting the Ministry of Interior, IOF warplanes fired a missile at Dar al-Arqam School in the densely-populated al-Tuffah neighborhood in the northeast of Gaza City. A number of structures and classrooms were destroyed. No casualties were reported. It is noted that the school provides free education to thousands of children from the families of those wounded, killed or arrested during the al-Aqsa Intifada. This air strike had been the third of its kind carried out against the school since the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada. In each of these attacks, large parts of the school were destroyed.

At approximately 08:40, IOF opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians near Erez industrial zone, wounding 12-year-old Anwar Isma’il ‘Atallah seriously with a live bullet to the head.

At approximately 23:50, IOF gunboats fired 3 shells at a site of the Palestinian Naval Force in al-Sudaniya area, west of Beit Lahia. As a result, two Palestinians were killed:

1. Hussam Mahmoud Hijazi, 24, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, who was near the site; and
2. Rami Abu Hashem, 27, a member of the Naval Force, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City.

In addition, 10 members of the Naval Force were wounded. Medical sources described the wounds of 3 of them as critical.

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

Thursday, 29 June 2006

In the early morning, IOF moved into Ramallah and al-Bireh. They besieged Jimzu apartment building in al-Bireh, where a number of Palestinian ministers. IOF ordered the ministers to get out and they did. Immediately, IOF arrested 5 ministers:
1. Dr. ‘Omar ‘Abdul Raziq, Minister of Finance;
2. Dr. Sameer Abu ‘Eisha, Minister of Planning;
3. Wasfi Qabaha, Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs;
4. ‘Eissa al-Ja’bari, Minister of Local Government; and
5. Fakhri Turkman, Minister of Social Affairs.

IOF also arrested ‘Abdul Jaber Mustafa al-Fuqahaa’, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), from his house.

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. Nemer Yousef Abrayoush, 40;
2. Badran Yousef Abrayoush, 27; and
3. Nader Mohammed Abu Ehlayel, 33.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Emad Mohammed Jaradat, 33; and
2. ‘Eissa ‘Ayash al-Shalalda, 25.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dahiat al-Barid area, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a houses belonging to Wa’el Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman (al-Husseini), a PLC member, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Sour Baher village, south of occupied Jerusalem. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Tair, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Um Touba, south of occupied Jerusalem. They raided a house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed ‘Atwan, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 01:15, IOF mobbed into Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem. They raided a house belonging to Khaled Abu ‘Arafa, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem and neighboring refugee camps. They raided a house belonging to Mahmoud Daoud al-Khatib, a PLC member, in Hindaza neighborhood; a house belonging to Anwar Mohammed al-Zaboun, a PLC member, in ‘Aaida refugee camp; and a house belonging to Sheikh ‘Abdul Majeed ‘Ata, the Mufti of Bethlehem, in al-Duhaisha refugee camp, and arrested the three.

At approximately 01:50, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians:
1. Mohammed Mhamoud al-Swaiti, 50;
2. Isma’il Ahmed al-Swaiti, 47;
3. Bilal Mahmoud al-Swaiti, 19;
4. Eyad ‘Eissa al-Swaiti, 19;
5. Bassem Hashem ‘Abdul Rasoul, 23;
6. Subhi Mohammed al-Masalma, 48;
7. Mustafa ‘Abdul Majeed al-Masalma, 40;
8. Muntasser ‘Abdul Karim al-Masalma, 20;
9. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Masalma, 22; and
10. Bilal ‘Abdul qader al-Masalma, 22.

Also at approximately 01:50, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Abdul Mon’em Ibrahim Mujahed, 36; and
2. Yahia Hashem al-Tamimi, 18.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Maher Bader, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Sameer Saleh al-Qadi, a PLC member, and arrested him. .

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou’ village, southwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of Bassem Ahmed Za’areer, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to Fathi Mohammed Qara’awi, 48, a PLC member. Qara’awi had been released from Israeli jails 7 days earlier.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to Riad Mahmoud Raddad, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They besieged two houses belonging to Wajeeh ‘Abdul Rahim Nazzal, 40, the Mayor of Qalqilya, and Mohammed Hashem al-Masri, 45, his deputy. They forced the two families to get out and arrested Nazzal and al-Masri. Nazal’s wife told PCHR that IOF soldiers did not allow him to take all of his medicines as he suffers from a heart disease. Nazzal and al-Masri were taken to Hawara detention facility. Nazzal’s health condition deteriorated, so he was transferred to an Israeli hospital. In the meantime, an IOF unit raided a house belonging to ‘Emad Mahmoud Noufal, 37, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Salfit village, southwest of Nablus. They raided a house belonging to Nasser ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Jawad, 45, a PLC members, and a house belonging to Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Madi, 38, his secretary, and arrested the two.

Also at 02:00, IOF moved into the western part of Tulkarm. They besieged an apartment building belonging to Miriam Mahmoud Sal’ous. They forced residents of the 6 flats in the building to get out and verified their identity cards. They then arrested ‘Aamer Mohammed Zaidan, 29. In the meantime, another IOF unit raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rami Mohammed Shelbaya, 28, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Sheikh Nayef Mahmoud al-Rajoub, Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Ethna village, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Mutlaq Abu Juhaisha, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Khalil Mousa Reb’ei, a PLC member, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:25, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed Isma’il al-Tal, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:25, IOF moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including a PLC member and the spokesman of Gamas in Nablus:
1. Yasser Suleiman Mansour, 38, a PLC member;
2. ‘Adnan Sa’id ‘Asfour, the spokesman of Hamas;
3. Ziad Sa’id ‘Asfour, 25;
4. Mahmoud ‘Abdul Rahim Abu Khait, 24;
5. Jihad Shaker Hashash, 19;
6. Ahmed Khader Zuhod, 19;
7. Bahaa’ Mahmoud Marshoud, 18;
8. Khaled Muraweh Salman, 40; and
9. Talha ‘Abdul Fattah Mashayekh, 20.
IOF also raided a house belonging to Ahmed ‘Ali Ahmed, a PLC member, in ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus, to arrest him, but he was not there. In addition, an IOF bulldozer partially demolished a store belonging to Jamal Darwish Abu Jarada at the entrance of the refugee camp.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Northern ‘Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Husni Mohammed al-Bourini, 48, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabalan village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Riad ‘Ali ‘Amali, 46, a PLC member, and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including two PLC member, the mayor of Jenin and a member of the municipal council:
1. Khaled Suleiman Abu Hassan, a PLC member;
2. Khaled Sa’id Yahia, a PLC member;
3. Hatem Rida Jarrar, 60, the mayor;
4. Attorney Fadel Murshed Bushnaq, 42;
5. Majdi Raja Abu al-Haija, 26;
6. Ahmed Ragheb ‘Abbas, 50, a member of the municipal council; and
7. ‘Abdul Jabbar Mohammed Jarrar, 38.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed Salah Dahbour, a PLC member, and a house belonging to Jihad Mohammed Nawahda, 44, and arrested the two.

At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Saleem Romanin, a PLC member, and arrested him.

Friday, 30 June 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the office of the Islamic Charitable Society for Orphan Rehabilitation, al-Zahirya Youth Club and a medical center of Palestine Red Crescent Society. They confiscated two computer sets and a number of files, and damaged the future and doors.

At approximately 01:30, IOf moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched offices of Rahma Charitable Society. They confiscated some documents and a computer set.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Haebron. They raided offices of the charitable society and its kindergartens. They broke doors and confiscated a computer set and a number of files. They also damaged the furniture.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched Iqra’ center and kindergarten in Wadi Ma’ali Street in the south of the town. They confiscated 3 computer sets and some files, and damaged the furniture and doors.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Hamad Abu Tous, a PLC member, to arrest him, but he was not there.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched offices of the Quraan Center near the old mosque in the center of the town. They damaged its contents.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched the Charitable Medical Society. They held an on-duty doctor and a guard. They confiscated two computer sets and a number of financial files. At approximately 05:30, IOF raided and searched offices of the Zakat (almsgiving) Committee in the village.

At approximately 05:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Nablus. Members of the unit besieged the eastern cemetery in Faisal Street. Soon, a number of IOF vehicles, reinforced by a helicopter, moved into the city. IOF soldiers took position atop of a number of houses overlooking the cemetery and opened fire at it. At approximately 07:00, IOF brought the mother of 17-year-old Waleed al-Shahrouri and forced her to call on him through a megaphone to surrender. At approximately 08:00, an IOF officer declared that a Palestinian was killed in the cemetery, but did not allow medical crews to enter the cemetery to search for the body. The IOF gunfire continued until 10:15, when two Palestinians got out of the cemetery and surrendered to IOF: Ya’qoub Shaqwara, 22; and Khaled Jaber, 20. Half an hour later, IOF permitted a Palestinian medical crew to enter the cemetery, and medical personnel were able to find the body. IOF attempted to took the body, but medical personnel were able to take the body to Rafidya Hospital. The victim was identified as Mahmoud Yousef al-Zakari, 20. According to medical sources, he was hit by a live bullet that entered his right shoulder and exploded in the chest. IOF continued to besiege the cemetery until night, opening fire at its sporadically. At approximately 23:10, a person was heard inside the cemetery asking for help. At approximately 23:35, IOF allowed Dr. Ghassan Hamdan, an ambulance driver and the besieged child’s mother to enter the cemetery. They called him and told him their names and he responded to them. As soon as they all got out of the cemetery, IOF held Dr. Hamdan and the ambulance driver in a jeep, and arrested al-Shahrouri, who was wounded by shrapnel to the legs and the chest. In the morning, dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. IOF fired at the stone throwers, wounding 31, including 12 children.

During this incursion, at approximately 06:10, IOF raided the office of the Islamic Union. They confiscated a computer set and some documents. They also destroyed a historical cemetery of the ‘Abdul Hadi family in al-Qaryoun quarter in the old town. In addition, IOF raided and searched a number of houses in Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp, and arrested 4 Palestinian children:
1. Mohammed Salam al-Demiati, 17;
2. Mohammed Nawaf Hassouna, 17;
3. Sameh ‘Omar Subeh, 17; and
4. ‘Allam ‘Ali Humaidan, 17.

Saturday, 1 July 2006

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They besieged a house belonging to the family of Yousef Samer al-Qebtawi. They forced residents of the house out and interrogated them. IOF then broke into the house, searching for Yousef, but did not find him. They threatened to kill him if he did not surrender to them.

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Zuhair ‘Ennab, 22.

Sunday, 2 July 2006

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tha’er Salama al-Swaiti, 24, a member of the Palestinian presidential guard.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided offices of 4 societies and confiscated computer sets and documents: al-Ihsan Charitable Society; the Zakat Committee; the Islamic Club; and Jenin Waqf.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched offices of Manbar al-Islah newspaper on the fourth floor of al-Ramouni building. They confiscated 6 computer sets and all documents and files in the offices.

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They raided and searched offices of the Orphan and Needy Charitable Society in the center of the town. They confiscated a number of computer sets, documents and financial files.

At approximately 12:55, IOF moved into Nablus. They besieged Nablus Specialized Hospital in Rafidya neighborhood, opening fire. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, Munjed Yahia ‘Alawna, 32, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen, when he was sitting in front of a shop, where he works as a guard. IOF then raided Nablus Specialized Hospital allegedly to search for a wounded wanted Palestinian. In the meantime, a number of students of the nearby an-Najah National University gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the students, wounding 6 of them:

1. Ayoub Mas’oud Habiba, 19, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand and foot;
2. Yousef Mustafa Qabaha, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;
3. ‘Alaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Nasser al-Ramahi, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;
4. Tayseer ‘Abdul Karim Qadri, 20, wounded by two rubber-coated metal bullets to the feet;
5. Mohammed ‘Ezzat Rawajba, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot; and
6. Salah Hamed, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand.

IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 15:00 without finding the person they claimed to be in the hospital.

In her testimony to PCHR on the IOF raid on the hospital, Rasmiya Najeeb ‘Anabtawi, 38, chief nurse, said:

“At approximately 12:55 on Sunday, 2 July 2006, when I was on-duty at the reception department in Nablus Specialized Hospital in an-Najah National University Street in Rafidya neighborhood in the southwest of Nablus, I was surprised by 3 IOF jeeps stopping at the main entrance of the hospital. One of the jeeps hit a civilian car that stopped at the main entrance after having brought a patient to the hospital. A number of masked IOF soldiers brutally got out of the jeeps and broke into the reception department. They pointed their guns at all those who were in the department, and ordered us to leave the department and gather in the cafeteria, the emergency department and the accounting department. They warned us not to move. IOF soldiers were deployed throughout the first floor and on stairs leading to other floors. Soon, doctors and nurses appealed to IOF soldiers to allow them to bring Munjed ‘Alawna, who was seriously wounded by the IOF gunfire, into the hospital, and they accepted. The phone in the accounting department rang, and I answered. It was Nour al-Saramati, the executive secretary. She told me that IOF soldiers were on the second floor, searching for the director of the hospital, Dr. Ameer al-Masri. I got out of the room and discussed the matter with IOF soldiers. Later, they allowed me to go up to the second floor. I told IOF soldiers that the director was not there, and that I act on behalf of him when he is not at the hospital. An IOF soldier asked me about a wounded person, and I told him that we did not have any wounded person. He then talked to me in English and told me that he was the officer in charge. He told me that he was certain that the concerned wounded person is at the hospital and asked me for the record of patients. I brought the files and read names of the patients, but he insisted that the wounded person was at the hospital. I told him that we received 3 of the wounded in the incidents of Friday, 30 June 2006, and that they left the hospital. He asked me about their wounds, and I told him that they were wounded to the limbs. He said that the wounded person whom they were searching for was wounded to the hand. While I was discussing with the IOF soldiers, a number of other soldiers were interrogating my colleague, ‘Azam Shiqqu, director of the anesthesia department. He told them that there was a wounded person at the hospital, who was treated and the left the hospital a short while earlier. IOF soldiers asked him about the doctor who treated the wounded person, and he told them that it was Dr. Mahmoud al-Husseini, who was not the hospital. They ordered him to phone Dr. al-Husseini and ask him to come to the hospital. Soon, IOF soldiers searched the surgery department, although there were 3 patients undergoing surgeries. They also searched the administration offices. They then went down to the first floor. There, a number of IOF soldiers were interrogating Dr. al-Husseini. They asked him about the wounded persons, whom he treated. Dr. al-Husseini told them that he left the hospital. An IOF soldiers said to him: ‘How could you treat a terrorist?’ He replied that he, as a doctor, should treat every human being who needs treatment, including even Israeli soldiers. IOF soldiers then searched the hospital thoroughly. They left the hospital at approximately 15:00.”

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp and Yatta and al-Hadab villages, south of Hebron. They fired flash and sound bombs and patrolled in the streets. They raided and searched a number of houses. Later, IOF withdrew and no arrests were reported.

Monday, 3 July 2006

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus and neighboring refugee camps. They patrolled in the streets and their bulldozers destroyed a number of Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF then raided the building of Nablus Television in the center of the city. They ordered staff members to stop broadcasting and leave the building. IOF soldiers then went up to the roof of the building, and remained there until 05:45. Also during this incursion, IOF raided al-Safa Dairy and offices of the Zakat Committee in ‘Askar refugee camp. They confiscated 3 computers sets and some documents from the offices. They also closed the offices. IOF also raided offices of the Zakat Committee in Nablus, and al-Aqsa Medical Center, Muslim Women Society and the Quraan and Sunna Society in ‘Askra refugee camp. They confiscated a number of computer sets and documents, damaged the furniture and closed all offices.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Maslakh Street in the south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tawfiq Muntasser Abu Zaid, 21, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched offices of the Islamic Charitable Society. They confiscated a computer set and some documents. The furniture of the society, which also includes a clinic and a kindergarten, was damaged.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ayman Talab Jerbril, 23.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Ayman Mohammed al-Dara’awi, 31; and
2. Yasser Mohammed al-Dara’awi, 31.

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Zaid Mousa al-‘Asa, 24.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Murad Khader Abu al-Falayeh, 25.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They raided a 3-storey building that includes a kindergarten, a sport club and offices of the Quaan and Sunna Society. They searched the building and confiscated 4 computer sets and documents from offices of the Quraan and Sunna Society.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched offices of the Orphan Society in al-Saf Street in the south of the town. They confiscated two computer sets and some documents, and damaged the furniture. They also closed the society.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched offices of al-Hanan Orphan Society. They confiscated 3 computer sets and some files.

At approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Eskaka village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdullah Khaled ‘Ali, 21, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Salfit village. They besieged a house belonging to the Shaheen family. They ordered residents of the house through megaphones to get out. They then arrested two members of the family: Bilal, 31; and ‘Abdul Rahman, 27. Two hours later, Bilal was released, while ‘Abdul Rahman remained in custody.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Sahour town. They raided and searched offices of the Islamic Charitable Society. They confiscated a computer set and a number of files, and damaged the furniture.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched the Islamic Charitable Society. They damaged its contents.

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Abu Snaina neighborhood in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Aaref Abu Hadeed, 38, and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Adli Mohammed Zablah, 21.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched offices of the Zakat Committee. They confiscated a computer set, a printer and fax machine. They also raided a kindergarten belonging to the committee and damaged its furniture. Before their withdrawal, IOF left a copy of a military order closing offices of the committee.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jabal Hindaza neighborhood in the southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Hassan Nawawra, 48, and arrested him.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tarama village, southwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to Nemer Hussein Ghannam. They forced the family out and searched the house. They also violently beat the owner’s two sons: Islam, 20; and Ussama, 16. They photographed members of the family and summoned the owner and his eldest son to the IOF intelligence. The house was also damaged.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Kuraisa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Isma’il ‘Abdullah al-Rjoub and Mohammed Ibrahim al-Rajoub. They violently beat the latter as he protested their actions.

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into al-Teera neighborhood in the west of Ramallah. An They intercepted the car of Sheikh Farahat As’ad, 43, a spokesman and a member of the political leadership of Hamas in the West Bank, and arrested him.

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Fara’a refugee camp, southeast of Jenin. They stationed at the entrance of the camp and opened fire at houses. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:

1. Jamal Mohammed Salah, 26, wounded by a live bullet to the foot; and
2. Mohammed Salah ‘Olayan, 17, wounded by a live bullet to the foot.

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ramallah and al-Bireh. They besieged a house belonging to Dr. ‘Aziz Dwaik, Speaker of the PLC, in al-Masayaef neighborhood, and a house belonging to Dr. Mahmoud al-Ramahi, Secretary of the PLC, in Um al-Shrayet neighborhood. They ordered the two to get out and surrender, but they were not there.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Sahour town. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nivin Khalil Daqqa, 25, and arrested her.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF al-Sammou’ village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Ibn Baz Charitable Society and al-Reef Orphan Society. They damaged the furniture and confiscated 8 computer sets, a digital camera from the first society, and a number of files and a computer set from the second one.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Fadi Bassam Zaid, 22;
2. ‘Alaa’ Bassam Zaid, 18; and
3. Tamer Sha’ban Zaid, 17.

At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mousa Mashour Hamed, 23;
2. ‘Alaa’ ‘Alyoun Hamed, 22; and
3. Jad Mohammed Hammad, 20.

At approximately 03:15, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Saher Sabri Abu ‘Asab, 31;
2. Yassin Hassan Yassin, 27;
3. Talal Hassan Yassin, 26; and
4. Mahmoud Ahmed Khodroj, 28.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Zaid village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched offices of the Orphan Relief Society.

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided a number of flats in Abu ‘Obaida housing project in al-Kurkeffa neighborhood in the east of the town, and arrested Shirine Hassan Abu Kamel, 24.

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched offices of the Islamic Compound in the east of the village. They confiscated 4 computer sets and documents, and damaged the furniture.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They besieged a Palestinian police station and opened fire at it, claiming that they were searching for an Arab Israel from Nazareth, who disappeared in Halhoul village, and was though to be detained in the station. Following negotiations with the Palestinian side, IOF were allowed to enter the station to make certain that the person whom they were searching for was not in the station.

3. Extra-Judicial Executions

During the reported period, IOF committed two extra-judicial executions in the West Bank, which left two members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, dead. According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

On Tuesday morning, 4 July 2006, an IOF infantry unit moved into the northwest of Jenin. IOF soldiers made an ambush behind the fence of a site of Palestinian Special Forces near al-Quds Open University. At approximately 04:45, IOF soldiers opened fire at a civilian car, in which two Palestinian were traveling. One of these Palestinians, Fidaa’ Nemer Qandil, 22, was instantly killed by several live bullets to the chest and the left hand. The other Palestinian was wounded by a live bullet to the right hand and was able to escape. Soon, IOF vehicles moved into Jenin to secure the withdrawal of the infantry unit.

At approximately 09:15 on Wednesday, 5 July 2006, an IOF infantry unit moved into Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho. IOF soldiers besieged an uninhabited house belonging to Younis Jaber Haimour. Soon, a number of IOF vehicles arrived at the area. IOF ordered Mhamoud Shaheen Mahmoud Jaber, 41, who was inside the house, through megaphones to get out of the house, and threatened to demolish the house over him. At approximately 10:00, Jaber gout out of the house and surrendered. IOF soldiers ordered him to take off his clothes and he did. An IOF soldier then fired at Jaber’s head from a zero distance, killing him. IOF admitted responsibility for this crime, and claimed that Jaber attempted to escape. They further claimed that they found a bomb inside the house.

4.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

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. PCHR has always warned following the agreement reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, which was brokered by the United States and the European Union, that IOF have complete, even though indirect, control over the crossing point. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing, and hundreds of others have been deprived of their right to receive medical treatment abroad.

According to information gathered by PCHR, the number of Palestinians stuck in Egypt is more than 3,000. Most of them have been forced to stay in different cities including Cairo, al-Arish and Egyptian Rafah. These Palestinians had traveled to Egypt or through Egypt to other destinations for the purposes of medical treatment, education, visiting relatives or work. In addition, scores of expatriate Palestinian families living in the Gulf States, who had traveled to Rafah International Crossing Point to spend the summer in Gaza, were forced to return to the Gulf.
Furthermore, more than 400 Palestinians, mostly patients, are stuck in the waiting hall at the Egyptian side of Rafah Crossing. They are enduring extremely difficult conditions due to the hot weather and lack of adequate services and facilities, especially for patients. These patients were returning to Gaza after undergoing medical treatment abroad, including surgery. Some of the patients have undergone heart, ophthalmic or orthopedic surgeries. Such patients require special facilities that are not available at the border.

Travelers stuck at the border are also suffering from depleted financial resources and the inability to cope with the expenses of being stuck outside longer than expected. They rely on assistance provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent. They are deprived of services required to meet their basic needs, especially for women, children and the elderly. Furthermore, they are being forcibly separated from their families in 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 had allowed international workers and Palestinian National Authority officials who have VIP cards to pass through the crossing, but without their private cars. With this closure, Palestinian patients have been prevented from traveling to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.

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. IOF have prevented the free flow of fuel, food and medical supplies since. The Gaza Strip was suffering from a lack gas and fuel even before the latest tightening of the closure. On Sunday, 2 July 2006, IOF reopened the crossing for 5 hours to allow the importation of some basic foodstuffs and limited amounts of fuel, which do not meet the actual needs of the Gaza Strip. IOF re-closed the crossing contrary to their claims that the crossing would be open for 4 days. On Sunday, 2 July 2006, 2 tons o gas, 60000 liters of kerosene and 900000 liters of fuel were entered into the Gaza Strip. On the following day, 150 tons of gas, 20000 liters of fuel and 10000 liters of kerosene were entered into the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian official sources, these amounts meet the needs of the Gaza Strip for a few days only.
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 a number of occasions the Israeli military has opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza’s sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

The West Bank

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

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in occupied Jerusalem. They reinforced their presence at checkpoints erected at the entrances of the city and stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. They also patrolled in the streets and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 30 June 2006, IOF prevented Palestinians aged below 45 from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. They also imposed severe restrictions on checkpoints erected at the entrances of the city.

Ramallah: IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They reinforced their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. According to eyewitnesses, IOF positioned at the checkpoint abuse Palestinian civilians.

On Friday morning, 30 May 2006, IOF positioned at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah, arrested ‘Alaa’ Hassan al-Reemawi, 35, the deputy mayors of Bani Zaid village. On Wednesday, 5 July 2006, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from Ramallah. They closed some checkpoints and erected a number of others on the roads leading to the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to close Nablus-Jenin road for 10 months, and al-Bathan road, northeast of the city, for 11 weeks. On Saturday, 1 July 2006, IOF positioned at Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, especially those wishing to travel to Ramallah. On Wednesday morning, 5 July 2006, IOF declared the area located between Nablus and Tulkarm a closed military zone. They closed Nablus-Tulkram road and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads.

On Tuesday afternoon, 4 July 2006, IOF positioned at a checkpoint to the northwest of Nablus arrested Sami Sayed al-Zaher, 30, from Yassid village north of the city.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 29 June 2006, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of the town, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads and held them for several hours. IOF positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On the same day, IOF positioned at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border prevented a number of Palestinian children who study the Quaan from traveling to Saudi Arabia and forced them to travel back to Tulkarm. On Friday, 30 June 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Atteel intersections, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday, 1 July 2006, IOF closed Wal al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, and Ennab checkpoint, east of the town, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also chased Palestinian civilians who resorted to alternative dirt roads.

Jenin: On Sturday morning, 1 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint near ‘Ein al-Baida village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 2 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint on Ya’bad-Jenin roads. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At noon, IOF erected a checkpoint between Maithaloun and Sanour villages, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Monday morning, 3 July 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint to the south of Qabatya village, southeast of Jein. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Salfit: On Thursday, 29 June 2006, IOF positioned at Deir Ballout checkpoint, southwest of Salfit, arrested Mohammed Hamed al-Reemawi, 21, from Beit Reema village northwest of Ramallah, when he was on his way to al-Zawia village to visit his fiancée.

Construction of the Annexation Wall

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

At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 30 June 2006, about 400 Palestinian civilians and dozens of international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded:

1. Adeeb Ahmed Abu Rahma, 32, wounded by shrapnel to the eye;
2. ‘Omar Hisham Abu Rahma, 24, wounded by two rubber-coated metal bullets to the back and the thigh; and
3. Ahmed Mohammed Hassan, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back.

They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, Mohammed Khalil Abu Rahma, 32, sustained bruises. IOF also arrested ‘Aayed ‘Abdul Rahman Sa’id, 34.

On Thursday, 29 June 2006, IOF issued a military order confiscating at least 25 donums of agricultural land belonging to Suleiman Mahmoud al-‘Adam in the west of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. The confiscated land is located nearly 500 meters to the east of the Wall. It is worthy noting that the constructions of a section of the Wall in the area seized at least 200 donums of Palestinian agricultural land.

On Sunday morning, 2 July 2006, IOF started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land, uproot trees and lay foundations for the construction of the section of the Wall near “Kermi Tsur” settlement, which stands between the villages of Beit Ummar and Halhoul, northof Hebron. According to eyewitnesses, at approximately 07:00, IOF imposed a strict siege on the targeted areas. They prevented Palestinian farmers from going to their lands. They then started to raze areas of agricultural land and uproot grape and almond trees. They also laid foundations for a section of the Wall. At least 90 donums of agricultural land would be seized for the construction of the Wall in the area. The owners of the land submitted a petition to the Israeli High Court 3 months ago against the construction of the Wall in the area. IOF had already confiscated 400 donums of land in the two villages to expand the aforementioned settlement.

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 4 July 2006, dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration on Palestinian land located 150 meters away from “Kermi Tsur”s ettlement, north of Halhoul, in protest to the construction of the Wall in the area. The demonstrators attempted to stop IOF bulldozers from razing their land. Immediately, IOF soldiers attacked the demonstrators fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 5 demonstrators were wounded. Three of the wounded were identified as:
1. Emilino Andro, 29, an American solidarity activist;
2. Mohammed ‘Eissa al-Sulaibi, 33; and
3. Mousa ‘Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 26, who was detained by IOF for several hours.

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 proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

9. In recognition of 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 Fédération 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.

Donate Now

The Electronic Intifada

Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations

Search form