PCHR_e] Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in theOccupied Palestinian Territory (28 Oct. – 03 Nov. 2010)
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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· A Palestinian activist was extra-judicially executed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
– IOF arrested 5 demonstrators, including two Israeli human rights defenders.
· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.
– 3 Palestinian workers and a mentally disabled civilian were wounded
– IOF fired at Palestinian fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 29 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
– IOF arrested 16 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.
– IOF raided houses of a number of leaders of Hamas in Jenin.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– IOF confiscated 70 donums of Palestinian land in Beit Ummar village to expand “Karmi Tsur” settlement, north of Hebron.
– IOF demolished a car washing shop, a tire change workshop and two mobile rooms in Jerusalem.
– Israeli settlers added 9 houses to “Shavot Rachel” settlement, southeast of Jenin.
– Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main roads in the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (28 October – 03 November 2010):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian activist in the Gaza Strip, and wounded 11 civilians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 03 November 2010, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the Army of Islam in Gaza City. An IOF drone fired two missiles at the car in which the activist was traveling. As a result, he was killed and two civilian bystanders were wounded. IOF admitted responsibility for the attack, claiming that the activist was involved in attacks against Israeli and US targets in Sinai Peninsula.
During the reporting period, IOF fired at Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, 3 workers were wounded.
On 02 November 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis wounded a mentally disabled Palestinian civilian near the border.
IOF also fired at Palestinian fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 29 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 16 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. IOF also raided houses of a number of leaders of Hamas in Jenin, and held discussions with them about the movement’s activities and policies.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had 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
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 29 October 2010, Palestinian civilians living in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, noticed that Israeli settlers had added 9 mobile homes to the eastern part of “Shavot Rachel” settlement. The addition of such mobile homes followed land leveling by Israeli settlers on 24 October 2010. The mobile homes were placed on Palestinian land recently confiscated by IOF, whose area is estimated at 280 donums.
On 31 October 2010, Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement gathered at Nablus-Rmallah road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. No injuries or damages were reported.
On 01 November 2010, Israeli settlers from “Karmi Tsur” settlement to the south of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, escorted by IOF, resumed leaving Palestinian land near the settlement for the 3rd consecutive week. By that time, the settlers had leveled at least 70 donums of land belonging to Palestinian families, in order to expand the settlement. These areas of land were planted with grapes and almonds.
On 02 November 2010, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers of the Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into Tal’et Hazma area in Beit Hanina village. They demolished a car washing shop, a tire change workshop and two mobile rooms belonging to Amjad Salhab and Hammoud Salhab, claiming that they were built without licenses.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (28 October – 03 November 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 28 October 2010
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Mohammed Samir Abu Maria, 21, and Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Maria, 15, and arrested the two individuals.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Majdi ‘Ali Haddad, 16, and Mohammed Yousef Ghannam, 18, and arrested the two individuals.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’id Mohammed Sha’ban, 58, and arrested him.
· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nayef Jadallah Abu Mifreh, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. They then headed towards the Palestinian Housing Suburb. There, they raided a house belonging to Wasfi ‘Izzat Qabaha, 51, a former minister and a leader of Hamas. Qabaha stated to a PCHR field worker that IOF raided his house at approximately 02:15, and ordered his family to gather in one room. An officer, who introduced himself as the commander of the area, asked Qabaha to sit and have a discussion with him in the presence of an Israeli intelligence officer. The discussion focused on the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Palestinian reconciliation and peace prospects. At the end of the discussion, Israeli officers demanded Qabaha to convey a warning message to Hamas not to carry out any activity and that the situation is under Israeli control. Qabaha was also informed that he is banned from entering his home village, East Barta’a, which has been isolated by the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin.
At approximately 04:15, IOF raided a house belonging to the family of Ghassan ‘Abdul Wahab al-Zughaibi, 37, a leader of Hamas. They informed him that they came to the house in a visit, and not to arrest him. A similar discussion took place between al-Zughaibi and Israeli officers, at the end of which the Israeli military commander warned him of carrying out any activity.
Soon after, IOF raided a house belonging to Khaled Mohammed al-Hajj, 45, the spokesman of Hamas in Jenin. They informed him that they did not come to the house to arrest him, rather to have a discussion with him. He sat with the Israeli military commander of Jenin. The discussion between him and them was focused on the relations between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, dismissal of Hamas’ members from public jobs and the financial and political ban imposed on Hamas.
IOF withdrew from the area later and no arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to ‘Adnan Mohammed Mousa. Following a debate between them and Mousa, IOF broke into the house and interrogated Mousa’s son, 33-yeaar-old Khader, a leader of Islamic Jihad. They threatened to arrest the son, and warned him that he was under observation.
· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into ‘Aanin village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Rebhi Yassin, 21, and arrested him.
· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 29 October 2010
· At approximately 09:45, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of the Bedouin village in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials in Erez industrial zone. As a result, Mohammed Kamal ‘Olaiwa, 20, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg, when he was about 450 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 10:50, IOF moved into Tulkarm and into Shwaika suburb, north of the town. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
· At approximately 09:30, IOF stormed an oil press plant in Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. They attempted to attack the owner, Anwar Ma’zouz al-Sidda, 28, and a human rights defender, Zakaria al-Sidda, 32, Coordinator of Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel. Following a debate between the two sides, and communications made by the human rights defender, the Israeli police came and confiscated a bulldozer that was parked near the oil press. They also arrested the owner, but released him later on a bail of 1,000 NIS (approximately US$ 280).
In his testimony to PCHR, Zakria al-Sidda, stated:
“At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 30 October 2010, I received a phone call on my mobile phone from my cousin, Anwar Ma’zouz al-Sidda, 28, the owner of Jeet Modern Oil Press in Jeet village, east of Qalqilya. He informed me that IOF came to the press and asked for the documents of a bulldozer parked near it. When Anwar told them that the bulldozer is old, that there were no documents for it and that the Israeli police confiscated and checked it last year, IOF insisted to confiscate it and ordered him to drive it. He refused and told them that the bulldoze was not eligible to be driven on the main road. However, they ordered him to drive the bulldozer behind them. He again refused. I arrived the scene. I saw 6 Israeli soldiers attempting to attack Anwar and his brother. I immediately stood between the two sides and told Israeli soldier that I am the Coordinator of Rabbis for Human Rights and that their action was illegal. An officer listened to me and prevented the attack. A debate erupted between me and other Israeli soldiers who threatened to attack me. Ten minutes later, I contacted the governor of Nablus, the Israeli military liaison department in Qalqilya and the Palestinian civil liaison to stop the attack. Another 10 minutes later, the Israeli officer left the area threatening to take action against me if I did not leave the area. Later, the Israeli police and an Israeli military liaison officer arrived at the area. The Israeli officer came back to the area and a debate erupted between us. Later, the Israeli police demanded Anwar to sign documents related to the confiscation of the bulldozer for checking. They also arrested him.”
Sunday, 31 October 2010
· In the early morning, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Sarhan, 38, in al-Bustan quarter in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem. They arrested him and his son Mohammed.
· At approximately 08:15, Israeli soldiers stationed on a hill at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of “Elli Sinai” used to stand. As a result, Nazmi Salim Tanboura, 50, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the thighs, when he was nearly 500 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into al-Jalama village, north of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 09:50, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:20, IOF moved into Southern Mazra’a village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. At approximately 23:15, they raided a 3-storey apartment building belonging to ‘Izziddin Ahmd ‘Amarna, 39, a leader of Hamas. Two Israeli intelligence officer introduced themselves to ‘Amarna, and asked him for talking. They discussed with him Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and peace prospects. During the discussion, an Israeli officer was photographing the house. At approximately 01:00 on the following day, they left the house and moved to a house belonging to ‘Adnan Yassin Hamarsha, 45, a leader of Hamas. They gathered the family in one room, and asked to talk with Hamarsha. During their talk, an Israeli intelligence officer threatened Hamarsha of detention. In the meantime, an Israeli soldier was photographing the house. At approximately 03:45, IOF withdrew from the village, and no arrests were reported.
Monday, 01 November 2010
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Abu Ktaila area in the center of Hebron. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Tha’er Bassam Ayoub, 25, and Bahaa’ Ibrahim Bassal, 18, and summoned the two individuals for interrogation.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus, and the nearby ‘Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim Jamal Sa’ad, 22.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Majdi Rateb al-Dik, 26, and arrested him.
· At approximately 07:40, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen fled from the area and no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 08:45, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction materials from the evacuated Israeli settlements of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit.” The workers fled from the area and no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm and into Ektaba suburb, east of the town. They established a checkpoint, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 13:50, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They raided a carpentry workshop and arrested Suhaib Ahmed Mar’ei, 30.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Madama village, south of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They ordered closure of shops. They then raided and searched a number of houses. They withdrew from the village at approximately 22:00. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 02 November 2010
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Ayham Khalil Sabarna, 117; and
2. Nidal Husni Za’aqiq, 20.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and took position in front of the main entrance of Palestine Technical College (Khadouri). Israeli soldiers stepped down from military vehicles. They photographed the campus and stopped, checked and interrogated a number of young men. Later, they patrolled in the streets of the town. They stopped and interrogated Mohammed ‘Eissa alp-Ashqar, 37, correspondent of Ma’an news agency and al-Salam Television, claiming that he photographed the Israeli incursion into the town. Shortly after releasing him, an Israeli soldier called him and took his identity card. IOF ordered al-Ashqar to follow them towards the District Liaison Office. While IOF were withdrawing from the town, they threw the identity card on the ground.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast of Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who were collecting plastics, iron and aluminum from a garbage plant, nearly 300 meters away from the border. As a result, Hussam ‘Abdul Hafez al-Khaldi, 34, was wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder.
· At approximately 16:00, Palestinian ambulances were able to evacuate Mahmoud Mohammed Shirrir, 34, from ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, to the European Gaza Hospital, as he was wounded by a bullet to the left ankle. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of ‘Abassan village fired at Shirrir, who is mentally disabled, when he was a few meters away from the border.
03 November 2010
· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Kour village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bilal Hussein Jayoussi, and arrested two of his sons: Fadi, 22; and Shadi, 20. Soon after, they raided and searched two houses belonging to another two sons of Jayoussi and arrested them: Hassib, 27; and Ahmed, 23.
· At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved nearly 200 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. During the incursion, an Israeli tank fired a shell at a space area, but no casualties were reported. .
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians were wounded. Dozens of civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 29 October 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, including Westen Rinneth, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, and Thoron Hovick, Member of the Norwegian Labor Party, organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Samir Suleiman Bernat, 34, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right shoulder, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 October 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, several demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 October 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near “Halmish” settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 6 demonstrators were wounded:
1. Helmi Muneer Tamimi, 26, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;
2. Mohammed ‘Atiya Tamimi, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg;
3. ‘Atallah Tamim Tamimi, 60, hit by a tear gas canister to the left leg;
4. Eyas Mohammed Tamimi, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;
5. Arsulan Saleh Tamimi,22, hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg; and
6. ‘Odai ‘Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg.
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3. Extra-Judicial Execution
During the reporting period, IOF extra-judicially executed an activist of the Army of Islam in the Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:35 on Wednesday, 03 November 2010, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car (a silver Daewoo) that was traveling near the western gate of Arafat police town in the west of Gaza City. As a result, Mohammed Jamal Fares al-Nemnem, 29, an activist of the Army of Islam, from al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, who was traveling in the car, was killed as the car was completely destroyed. Two civilian bystanders were also wounded:
1. Yahia Fayez al-Yazji, 25, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, sustained bruises throughout the body as he was traveling in his car behind the targeted car; and
2. Suha al-Shoubaki, 18, from al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, lightly injured by glass fragments throughout the body.
In the evening, IOF admitted responsibility for the attack, claiming that “al-Nemnem was a senior leader of the Army of Islam, who was involved in attack against Israeli and US targets in Sinai Peninsula.”
4. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of 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
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 June 2010, the Egyptian authorities decided to open Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border in both directions without specifying a date for its closure. The Egyptian decisions came following the Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla in international water. On the following morning, the crossing point was effectively opened and restricted categories of Palestinian civilians were allowed to travel through it.
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
27 October- 02 November 2010
Date Details
27 October 2010 217 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 171 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
28 October 2010 321 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 265 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
29 October 2010 170 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 219 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
30 October 2010 250 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 181 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
31 October 2010 256 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 183 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
01 November 2010 256 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 194 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
02 November 2010 396 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 253 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
27 October – 02 November 2010
Date Imports
Category Amount
Tons Liters
27 October 2010 Foodstuffs 933
Agricultural materials 169
Various goods 1,767
Humanitarian aids 129
Cooking gas 111
Industrial fuel 500,000
28 October 2010 Foodstuffs 983
Agricultural materials 258
Various goods 1,140
Humanitarian aids 186
Cooking gas 111
Industrial fuel 501,020
31 October 2010 Foodstuffs 879
Agricultural materials 290
Various goods 849
Humanitarian aids 163
Cooking gas 173
Industrial fuel 184,014
01 November 2010 Foodstuffs 890
Agricultural materials 141
Various goods 1,637
Humanitarian aids 135
Cooking gas 89.350
Industrial fuel 137,009
02 November 2010 Foodstuffs 1,060
Agricultural materials 383
Various goods 1,289
Humanitarian aids 365
Industrial fuel 137,009
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: During the reporting period, IOF partially opened the crossing on Thursday, 28 October 2010, and allowed the entry of 780 tons of wheat, 2,590 tons of construction aggregate and 1,820 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 01 November 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,106 tons of wheat, and 2,691 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
27 October – 02 November 2010
Date 27 October 28 October 29 October 30 October 31 October 01 November 02 November
Patients 21 25 Nil Nil 29 28 26
Companions 21 28 Nil Nil 34 24 26
Palestinians from Israel 2 7 3 Nil 12 10 4
Diplomats 6 2 4 Nil Nil 4 2
International Journalists 3 2 5 Nil Nil 2 3
International Workers 29 69 24 Nil 11 22 29
Travelers abroad 3 Nil Nil Nil Nil 16 1
Traders 22 28 Nil Nil 15 9 17
Business People 13 Nil Nil Nil 8 7 16
Meetings 9 6 Nil Nil Nil 6 Nil
Ambulances to Israel 3 3 Nil Nil 6 3 2
Ambulances from Israel 4 Nil Nil Nil 6 6 Nil
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. On Friday morning, 01 October 2010, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They reinforced their presence throughout the city. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers stationed at the entrances of Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They held some civilians at military checkpoints established at the entrances of the neighborhood. On Saturday afternoon, 30 October 2010, IOF established several checkpoints inside the town, on roads leading to the town and at the entrances of neighboring villages and refugee camps. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Bethlehem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have maintained their presence at 41 checkpoints around the town. The town has been also impacted by the construction of the annexation wall to the north and west, and large areas of Palestinian land have been isolated by the wall. During the reporting period, Israeli troops stationed at the 300 checkpoint (Rachel Toms), north of Bethlehem, continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to Jerusalem. Palestinian civilians are forced to wait in queues on two routes outside the checkpoint. They are then checked by Israeli soldiers using electronic checking machines. Such checking is often prolonged and humiliating. During the reporting period, only Palestinians who have permits were allowed to travel to Jerusalem.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned at the Jaba’ and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 15 October 2010, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 28 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 29 October 2010, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 28 October 2010, IOF established 7 checkpoints around the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 29 October 2010, IOF established two checkpoints at the entrances of Ematin and Jainsafout villages, east of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. On Saturday, 30 October 2010, IOF established 9 checkpoints around Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 31 October 2010, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 28 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:10 on Sunday, 31 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling to and from the village. At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 01 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint on ‘Allar-Kufor Ra’ei road, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday evening, 29 October 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint established on the main road linking Jenin with the northern villages of Tulkarm imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00, they stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 31 October 2010, Israeli soldiers positioned at the same checkpoint stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:10, they held a Palestinian civilian vehicle for some time. At approximately 20:30 on Monday, 01 November 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at Sanour intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles.
· Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to close the northern entrance of Salfit with cement blocks and sand barriers since 2000. They have also continued to close two roads linking Marda village with agricultural land belonging to it. At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 19 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 28 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 29 October 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· On Friday morning, 29 October 2010, Palestinian civilians living in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, noticed that Israeli settlers had added 9 mobile homes to the eastern part of “Shavot Rachel” settlement. The addition of such mobile homes followed land leveling by Israeli settlers on 24 October 2010. The mobile homes were placed on Palestinian land recently confiscated by IOF, whose area is estimated at 280 donums. The settlement stands on a 1,026-donum area of land in the villages of Qaryout and Jaloud. It is worth noting that the settlement is less than 150 meters away from Palestinian houses.
· At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 31 October 2010, Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement gathered at Nablus-Rmallah road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. No injuries or damages were reported.
· On Monday noon, 01 November 2010, Israeli settlers from “Karmi Tsur” settlement to the south of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, escorted by IOF, resumed leaving Palestinian land near the settlement for the 3rd consecutive week. By that time, the settlers had leveled at least 70 donums of land belonging to Palestinian families, in order to expand the settlement. These areas of land were planted with grapes and almonds.
· At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 02 November 2010, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers of the Municipality of Jerusalem, moved into Tal’et Hazma area in Beit Hanina village. They demolished a car washing shop, a tire change workshop and two mobile rooms belonging to Amjad Salhab and Hammoud Salhab, claiming that they were built without licenses.
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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 their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. 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.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. 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.
9. 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 demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. 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 process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
