Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 Aug. 2011)

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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Gaza Strip

IOF killed 17 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
5 of the victims are civilians, including two children and a physician.
3 workers we missing when Israeli warplanes bombarded a tunnel in Rafah.

A Palestinian resistance activist died of a previous wound in Gaza City.

14 Palestinians, including 5 children and two women, were wounded by IOF the Gaza Strip.

Israeli warplanes launched 41 air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.
A number of civilian buildings and 6 training sites of Palestinian resistance groups were destroyed or damaged.

IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
A Palestinian civilian was wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Two Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF in Hebron and Bethlehem.
IOF arrested 77 Palestinians, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, two journalists, academics and social figures. .

Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on access of Palestinians to Jerusalem during Ramadan Month.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli settlers set fire to two cars and bear two children near Ramallah.
Israeli settlers uprooted 52 fruitful trees in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.

Summary

During the reporting period, IOF launched a new military offensive on the Gaza Strip, which continued for 3 days. They bombarded civilian facilities and training sites of Palestinian resistance groups, and targeted a number of activists of resistance groups. A number of Palestinian civilians, including children and women, were killed were wounded, and a number of civilian facilities were damaged. This offensive came a few hours following armed attacks in the southern Israeli city of Eilat near the Egyptian border, which left 8 Israelis and 7 attackers killed, and injured a number of other Israelis, according to Israeli media reports.

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (18 – 24 August 2011) :

Shooting :

During the reporting period, IOF killed 17 Palestinians, including 5 civilians (two children, a physician, a worker and a farmers), in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 20 Palestinians, including 6 children and two women in the Gaza Strip, and 3 others in the West Bank. Additionally, an activist of the Palestinian resistance died of a previous wound in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, a few hours following the armed attack in Eilat, on Thursday evening, IOF extra-judicially executed 5 members of the Popular Resistance Committees and the child of one of them in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

On Friday, 19 August, IOF launched a series of air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. As a result of these attacks, 5 activists of the Palestinian resistance, a physician and a child were killed and 5 Palestinians, including two children and two women, were wounded.

On Saturday, 20 August 2011, 7 Palestinians, including a woman and a child, were wounded by Israeli attacks.

On Sunday, 21 August 2011, a Palestinian child was wounded and a number of civilians sustained bruises.

On Wednesday, 24 August 2011, IOF extra-judicially executed a leader of the Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in Rafah. A passing child was wounded. On the same day, IOF killed a farmer in al-Boreij refugee camp. They also killed a resistance activist in Gaza City. On the same day, a worker was killed and 4 others were wounded when IOF bombarded a tunnel in Rafah.

In the context of such escalation against the Gaza Strip, IOF launched at least 41 air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. They destroyed or damaged a number of civilian buildings and 6 training sites of Palestinian resistance groups.

Additionally, on 19 August 2011, a resistance activist died from a previous wound he sustained by IOF in Gaza City.

In the West Bank, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF during incursions into Hebron and Bethlehem.

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 in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Incursions :

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 77 Palestinian civilians. Most of the detainees were arrested in Hebron.

In conjunction with the current escalation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched in the early morning of Sunday, 21 August 2011, a large-scale military campaign against many neighbors and streets and dozens of houses in Hebron. During this campaign, IOF arrested at least 53 Palestinians, mostly members and activists of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, two journalists, some academics and members of charitable associations.

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.

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Soafa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.

IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza’s needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments.

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza’s products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.

For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.

For approximately 48 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

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 in the 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, confiscating more 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 permits issued by IOF. Such 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 19 August 2011, many armed Israeli settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of Ramallah, stormed al-Banabee’ area in Dawar Al-Qare’ village to the north of the settlement. They set fire to two cars belonging. Palestinian civilians were able to extinguish fire in one of the cars, but the other one was completely burnt.

On 20 August 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ramat Magron” settlement, which stands on the lands of Mikhmas village, southeast of Ramallah, violently beat a Palestinian child, while he was grazing animals with another child. He was injured in the head.

On 23 August 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat Ain” settlement in the north of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted dozens of fruitful trees belonging to the Slaibi family in Wadi Abu al-Reesh area. They uprooted 5 olive trees, 25 grape trees and 22 plum trees.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (11 – 17 August 2011)

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

1) Israeli Offensive on the Gaza Strip

On Thursday evening, 18 August 2011, IOF launched a new military offensive on the Gaza Strip, which continued for 3 days. They bombarded civilian facilities and training sites of Palestinian resistance groups, and targeted a number of activists of resistance groups. A number of Palestinian civilians, including children and women, were killed were wounded, and a number of civilian facilities were damaged. This offensive came a few hours following armed attacks in the southern Israeli city of Eilat near the Egyptian border, which left 8 Israelis and 7 attackers killed, and injured a number of other Israelis, according to Israeli media reports.

Thursday, 18 August 2011

At approximately 16:50, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles targeting a number of leaders of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and its armed wing, Nasser Saladin Brigades, who were in the garden of a house belonging to Khaled Hamad Sha’at opposite to Ali Ben Abi Taleb Mosque in Block J (al-Sho’ut) area in Rafah refugee camp. As a result of the attack, 5 PRC leaders and a child of one of them were killed :

1- Kamal ’Awadh Mohammed al-Nairab (Abu ’Awadh), 43, PRC Secretary General ;
2- ’Emad ’Abdul Karim ’Abdul Khaliq Hammad, 40, the leader of Nasser Saladin Brigades ;
3- ’Emad al-Din Na’im Sayed Nasser, 46, a member of Nasser Saladin Brigades ;
4- Khaled Ibrahim Salman al-Masri, 26, a member of Nasser Saladin Brigades ;
5- Khaled Hamad Sha’at, 32, the leader of manufacturing unit of Nasser Saladin Brigades ; and
6- Malek Khaled Hamad Sha’at, 2.

This attack came a few hours following armed attacks in the southern Israeli city of Eilat near the Egyptian border, which left 8 Israelis and 7 attackers killed, and injured a number of other Israelis, according to Israeli media reports. IOF admitted responsibility of the extra-judicial execution ; Avichai Adraee, IOF spokesman, stated the IOF targeted senior PRC leaders "as a first step in response to the attack in Eilat." The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated in a press conference he held to comment on Eilat attack that "the leaders of the organization responsible for the attack are no longer alive." He appreciated Israeli military commanders and the Internal Security Services (ISS) who "liquidated senior leaders of the organization responsible for the attack in Eilat," as he claimed.

Friday, 19 August 2011

At approximately 01:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an 800-square-meter, 6-storey vacant governmental building to the west of al-Katiba Yard in the west of Gaza City. As a result, the western part of the building was destroyed and at least 23 Palestinians, including 7 children, 6 women and 3 police officers were lightly injured. A number of nearby apartment buildings were also damaged. Additionally, buildings of 4 governmental institutions were damaged : Ministry of Justice ; General Personnel Council ; Police Command of Gaza City ; and the Governmental Media Office. Offices of seven civil organizations were damaged as well : Coastal Municipalities Water Utility ; Jawaharlal Nehru Library of al-Azhar University ; Future Palestine for Children ; Arts Village of the Municipality of Gaza ; al-Dameer Association for Human Rights ; Palestinian Center for Human Communication ; and Applied Future Polytechnic. Moreover, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, 8 shops and Tarazi Fuel Company were damaged.

At approximately 01:30, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired two missiles at a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the northeast of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. Fire broke out in the site, but no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli warplanes bombarded a space area in al-Najjar quarter in Khuza’a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The bombardment me a large crater in the area and damaged two tin-made rooms belonging to the al-Najjar family. Additionally, glass of a mosque and a number of houses was broken, and a number of water tanks were damaged.

At approximately 02:05, Israeli warplanes fired at least ones missile at a tunnel in al-Salam neighborhood at the Palestinian-Egyptian border, south of Rafah. Nearly 10 minutes later, they fired a missile at another tunnel in Yibna refugee camp in the south of Rafah. No casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 02:05, Israeli warplanes bombarded al-Qadisiya site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the west of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:00, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at al-Zaytoun Clinic road in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. One of the missiles hit the southeastern fence of the roof of a 250-square-meter, 5-storey house belonging to sons of the late Hussein Nemes Sbaih. Thirty five individuals, including 25 children, live in the house. As a result of the attack, the fence was partially destroyed and Bilal Hassan Sbaih, 35 ; Anas Khaled Sbaih, 4 ; and Ramez Bilal Sbaih, 5, were shocked. The other missile hit the roof of a 200-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to Zuhair Khalil al-Ayoubi, 67, in which 25 individuals, including 10 children, live. Two water boilers, 3 water tanks and the roof of the house were damaged.

At approximately 11:20, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at the sewage treatment plant of the Municipality of al-Nussairat near Gaza Power Plant in the north of al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The plant was destroyed, two civilian bystanders, included a pregnant woman, were wounded and electricity supplies were cut from al-Nasser Street, al-Mughraqa village and al-Nussairat refugee camp. The wounded are :

1- Asmaa’ Waleed al-Tatar, 25, wounded by shrapnel to the right foot ; and
2- Tawfiq Khalil Farajallah, 41, wounded by shrapnel to the head and the right foot.

At approximated 11:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a deserted house in the northeast of al-Zawaida village in the central Gaza Strip. The house was destroyed and dozens of nearby houses, but no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 11:30, Israeli warplanes bombarded a site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Ermadia area in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 12:35, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired two missiles at a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), known as Bader site, in the northwest of Gaza City. No casualties were reported. It fired a third missile at the beach. It then fired a fourth missile at a car in al-Shamali area in al-Shati refugee camp in the west of Gaza City, but it went astray and the passengers were able to flee out of the car. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 15:50, an Israeli drone attacked two activists of Nasser Saladin Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee), who were traveling on a 3-wheel motorcycle near Malaka intersection in the east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. One of the activists, Mohammed Fayez Mahmoud ’Enaya, 22, from Gaza City, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body, while the other one was seriously wounded.

At approximately 17:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance near al-Wafa Hospital in the east of Gaza City. As a result, two children living in the area were seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout their bodies : Ibrahim ’Adnan al-Zaza, 14 ; and Mohammed ’Aatef al- Zaza.

Also at approximately 17:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a space area near Hassanain brick factory in al-Sourani Mount area in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an activist of the Palestinian resistance who was riding a motorcycle in Quliabo Hill area to the east of Sheikh Zayed town in the northern Gaza Strip. The activist was instantly killed by shrapnel throughout the body. He was identified as Samed ’Abdul Mo’ti ’Aabed, 25, from the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya.

At approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone attacked a number of Palestinians near Dr. ’Abdul ’Aziz al-Rantissi Hospital in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:10, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Gaza City fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinians in al-Mansoura Street in al-Shoja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 20:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance in the east of ’Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 20:45, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two activists of the Palestinian resistance who were traveling on a motorcycle on the road linking between al-Boreij and al-Maghazi refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip. The two activists were instantly killed. They were identified as :

1- Anwar Hassan Saleem, 23 ; and
2- ’Emad Fareed Abu ’Aabda, 23, both from al-Boreij refugee camp.

At approximately 21:55, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired 4 shells at ’Abassan village. The shells landed on agricultural areas, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:45, an Israeli warplane bombarded a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:50, an Israeli drone attacked 3 Palestinians, including a child, who were traveling on a motorcycle in Jamal Abdul Nasser Street in the west of Gaza City. The three Palestinians were killed : Munther Bassem Hamdan Quraiqe’, 32, a physician ; Mo’taz Bassem Quraiqe’, 29, a leader of al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) ; and Islam, 2, the latter’s child. The victims are all from al-Shoja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They were on their way back home when they were attacked. Additionally, 5 bystanders, including a woman, were wounded, and a car was damaged.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli warplanes bombarded a 150-square-meter barrack belonging to Najia Mohammed Abu Zarifa at ’Abassan road in the east of Khan Yunis. The barrack was destroyed and a nearby carwash shop belonging to ’Ammar ’Ali Abu Daqqa and a house were damaged.

Saturday, 20 August 2011

At approximately 00:00, Hussein Mahmoud al-Najjar received a phone call from the Israeli intelligence, in which he was ordered to vacate his 130-square-meter, two-storey house in the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Al-Najjar and his family immediately vacated the house. Five minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the house. The missile hit the western part of the basement, but did not explode. Ten minutes later, Israeli warplanes fired another missile, which hit a nearby sheep farm belonging to Suleiman Mohammed Shnainu and damaged a nearby house. It is worth noting that al-Najjar’s house was attacked by an Israeli drone on 24 March 2011.

At approximately 00:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a space area in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. As a result, Anwas Younis al-Sheikh ’Eid, 26, was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 03:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an activist of Saladin Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) who was riding a motorcycle near Hammouda fuel station to the east of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. The activist was moderately wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, especially to the back.

At approximately 12:50, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Gaza Harbor opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 13:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinians who were on a space area in al-Tawahin Street in the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, a woman, a child and an activist of al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jiahd) were wounded. The activist was in a serious condition and was admitted into the intensive care unit at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The woman and the child were identified as :

1- Fatima Salem Abu al-Ata, 50, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body ;
2- Mo’ayad Rami Jundiya, 7, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 17:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a Palestinian resistance activist who was riding a motorcycle at the entrance of a fuel station in Yaffa Street in Gaza City. The activist and a worker in the station were wounded. The worker was identified as Adham ‘Abdul Hadi al-Hassanat, 21, who was wounded by shrapnel to the left foot. Additionally, the fuel station was damaged.

At approximately 20:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee and no casualties were reported.

Sunday, 21 August 2011

At approximately 04:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 04:50, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishermen who were on their lands in Zummu Street in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 05:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 7 artillery shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:50, an Israeli drone attacked a number of Palestinian resistance activists, who launched a home-made rocket into Israeli towns, near al-Shaimaa’ School in the north of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, Haitham Ahmed Ma’rouf, 13, who was on his father’s land, was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 14:35, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a Palestinian police station near al-Twan intersection to the west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. As a result, the building of the riot control police was destroyed. Three police officers sustained bruises throughout their bodies :

1- ‘Alaa’ Yasser al-Herbawi, 37 ;
2- Hassan Waleed al-‘Arini, 23 ; and
3- Mahmoud Sami Zaqqout, 22.

Additionally, 8 civilian bystanders, including 4 children, also sustained bruises :

1- Mohammed Shawqi Salem, 31 ;
2- Hadi Mohammed Nabhan, 14 ;
3- ‘Emad Mustafa Sahwil, 30 ;
4- Hamdallah Saber Khalil, 10 ;
5- ‘Emad Bassam Nabhan, 12 ;
6- ‘Ola Bassam Sheikh Khalil, 6 ;
7- Mohammed Ziad al-Swaissi, 20 ; and
8- Ibrahim Yasser al-Sultan, 21.

Dozens of nearby houses, a number of shops and a company were damaged.

At approximately 14:50, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a training site of the Saladin Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) on the west of Khan Yunis. The site was damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 15:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 4 activists of the Palestinian resistance who were on an olive field in the west of al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The activists survived the attack, while a number of olive trees were damaged.

At approximately 21:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who were on an olive field in the west of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, but the missile did not explode.

Monday, 22 August 2011

At approximately 04:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired two artillery shells at a space area in the southeast of Juhor al-Dik village, southeast of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

At approximately 00:30, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at Isma’il Zudhi Isma’il al-Asmar, 37, a leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), when he was driving a car in Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Street in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. Al-Asmar was instantly killed. A passing child, Salama Radwan ‘Awadallah, 14, was moderately wounded.

At approximately 04:50, an Israeli drone fired two missiles at two activists of the Palestinian resistance who were traveling on a motorcycle in the south of Deir al-Balah. The two activists were wounded, the motorcycle was destroyed and electricity wires in the area were cut.

At approximately 05:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural plot belonging to Eyad al-Khaldi in the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, nearly 1,500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, Isma’il Nemer Ammoum, 62, a farmer working on the plot, was instantly killed. Palestinian medical crews were able to find his body at approximately 15:00 on the same day.

At approximately 19:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), who were launching home-made rockets into Israeli towns from an agricultural plot in the south of al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City. As a result, one of the activists, ‘Atiya Mahmoud ‘Atiya Maqat, 20, was killed, and another activist was seriously wounded.

At approximately 21:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), who were launching home-made rockets into Israeli towns from an agricultural plot in al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. An activist was wounded.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at a tunnel on the Egyptian border near al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a result, Hisham ‘Adnan Abu Harab, 20, a worker in the tunnel, was killed, and another 3 workers were missing. Additionally, 4 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded :

1- Khalil Ibrahim ‘Aabed, 24, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces ;
2- ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Riadh Abu Shbaika, 17, a worker ;
3- ‘Abdullah Khaled Tafesh, 21, a worker ; and
4- ‘Ali Jaber al-Gharra, 22, a worker.

Palestinian Resistance Activist Dies of Previous Wound

At approximately 12:30 of Friday, 19 August 2011, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Ashraf Isma’il Diab ‘Azzam, 30, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, died of wound he had sustained on Tuesday morning, 16 August 2011. ‘Azzam was a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas). He was wounded when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of resistance activists, who were preparing to launch a home-made rocket into Israeli towns, near al-Istijaba Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Another activist, Mousa Younis Mousa Eshtaiwi, 30, died of his wounds a few hours following the attack.

2) Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank

Thursday, 18 August 2011

At approximately 18:10, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 19 August 2011

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Saturday, 20 August 2011

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Msaliya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Jabriyat area in the northern of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:50, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Sunday, 21 August 2011

In conjunction with the current escalation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched in the early morning of Sunday, 21 August 2011, a large-scale military campaign against many neighbors and streets and dozens of houses in Hebron. During this campaign, IOF arrested at least 53 Palestinians, mostly members and activists of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), a journalist, some academics and members of charitable associations.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:30 on Sunday, a large Israeli military force, backed by at least 100 military vehicles, 2 armored personnel carriers, trucks and 2 ambulances stormed into Hebron through many of its main entrances. They closed all the entrances leading to Hebron and divided themselves into separate units. They drove in the streets and stormed the areas of Ras al-Jora, Ber al-Mahjar, al-Jame’a, Abu Ktaila, al-Salam Street, Ein Sara, al-Mahawer, al-Sheikh, Nemra, al-Hawouz al-Thani, Wad al-Hariyah and Um al-Dalia in the north, northwest, center and southwest of Hebron. They raided dozens of houses amidst intensive firing of sound bombs and bullets in the air. They evacuated these houses and forced residents to stay in the open air. They searched the evacuated houses. They checked the ID cards of residents and checked some of them at gunpoint. Some relatives of Palestinians who were arrested reported that IOF used sniffer dogs. The detainees and their families were subjected to degrading and humiliating treatment.

This military operation had been the widest in Hebron since 2004.

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians :

1- Majdi Mohammed Abu Fara, 21 ;
2- ‘Ali Ahmed al-Hour, 19 ;
3- Ma’ath Sameh ‘Ar’ar, 31 ; and
4- Mohammed ‘Abdul Ghani ‘Ar’ar, 24.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Yatta town, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians :

1- Zaid Isma’il Abu Fanar, 26 ; and
2- ‘Azzam Ahmed Abu ‘Arram, 32.

At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Bidya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians :

1- Mohammed Na’im Daoud, 33 ;
2- Mahmoud ‘Eissa Abu al-Ghalassi, 51 ;
3- Anwar ‘Abdul Rahim Hroub, 50 ; and
4- Mousa Taha ‘Awawda, 44.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura town, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians :

1- Nabeel Hussein Dar Mohammed, 41 ;
2- ‘Ali Mahmoud al-‘Amaira, 36 ;
3- Mofeed Mohammed al-‘Amaira, 39 ;
4- Ibrahim Yousef Talahma, 43 ; and
5- Hassan Ibrahim ‘Amru, 47.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Heborn. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians :

1- Isma’il Ahmed al-Swaiti, 51 ; and
2- Ibrahim Mohammed Swaiti, 33.

At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Ethna village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mutlaq Abu Juhaisha, 57, PLC Member from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:50, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They violently raided a house belonging to Sheikh ‘Abdul Majid ‘Ata al-‘Amarna, the Mufti of Bethlehem, and a neighboring house belonging to his son, Usaid, 26, a journalist working for the Gaza-based al-Aqsa Television. They held the families and fired indiscriminately inside the house. As a result, Bak Is’haq Badarin, 25, Usaid’s brother-in-law, was seriously wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when an Israeli soldier fired at him from a very close range. They left him bleeding for some time without allowing anyone to offer him help. IOF then arrested Usaid. They also took Badarin with them, and told the family that they would transport him to Hadassa Hospital in Jerusalem.

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into ‘Anza village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They blocked the entrance to Abu Ktaila neighborhood in the northwest of the twon. The besieged at least 15 houses. They then raided a house belonging to Hussam ‘Ali al-Qawasmi, 39, who has been detained by IOF, and was brought handcuffed to the house. They searched the house and prevented medical crews from offering medical aid to al-Qawasmi’s mother, 59, who fainted. Israeli soldiers then blew up what they claimed to be a suspicious object in the garden of the house. As a result, the house was damaged. Israeli soldiers also harassed members of the family. In the meantime, Palestinian civilians gathered in the streets in protest to Israeli practices. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, Ahmed Hassan Abu Shkhaidem, 22, was injured by shrapnel from a sound bomb to the head. A number of other civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya. The chased a number of Palestinian workers who attempted to cross the annexation wall to go into Israel to search for jobs.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and established a checkpoint. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians :

1- ‘Alaa’ Mujahed, 24 ;
2- Yousef Ahmed al-Qawasmi, 25 ;
3- Bashir Ahmed al-Qawasmi, 28 ;
4- Mohammed Rajab Abu Shkhaidem, 26 ; and
5- ‘Abdul ‘Azim Mohammed al-Natsha, 30.

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, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer on 19 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. The placed chairs to make it a park for Palestinians. The demonstrators also used megaphones to call on Israeli settlers living in “Mitityaho Mizrach” settlement to leave it. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, ‘Abdul Basset Mohammed Abu Rahma, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right leg. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and fire broke out in some agricultural plots.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 August 2011, 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 annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 August 2011, 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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to Israeli settlement activities the continued closure of the entrance of the village by IOF. Israeli soldiers prevented the demonstrators from getting close to the entrance and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. Because of the tear gas canisters and sound bombs, 750 birds in a bird farm belonging to Mohammed Nemer Eshtaiwi near the entrance of the village were killed.

3. 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.

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.

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 the eve of the third Friday of the Holy Ramadan, IOF imposed severe restrictions on access to the city. They only allowed male Palestinians aged over 50 and female ones aged over 30 from the West Bank to pray in the al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday.

Ramallah : IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 18 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, they established a checkpoint near Rantis village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 19:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 19 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 20 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Bitounia – Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa road, west of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jania village, north of Ramallah.

Qalqilya : IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Friday, 19 August 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 21 August 2011, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya. At approximately 15:30 on Monday, 22 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, southeast of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Tulkarm : IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 18 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint in Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 20 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint in the same area. At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 21 August 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bazaria village, northeast of Tulkarm. At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 23 August 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:45 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 24 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Jericho : IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:50 on Thursday, 18 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 20 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Nabi Mousa intersection on Jericho-Jerusalem road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Salfit : IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:50 on Friday, 19 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 16:30 on Saturday, 20 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Deir Ballout and Rafat settlements, west of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:35 on Sunday, 21 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ballout village, west of Salfit. At approximately 18:30 on Monday, 22 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:10 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint between Kufor al-Dik and Deir Ballout villages, west of Salfit.

4. 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.

At approximately 01:45 on Friday, 19 August 2011, many armed Israeli settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of Ramallah, stormed al-Banabee’ area in Dawar Al-Qare’ village to the north of the settlement. They set fire to two cars belonging to ‘Abdul Ghani ‘Abdullah Yassin. Palestinian civilians were able to extinguish fire in one of the cars, but the other one was completely burnt.

At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 20 August 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ramat Magron” settlement, which stands on the lands of Mikhmas village, southeast of Ramallah, violently beat Bassam Daoud al-Hathalin, 12, while he was grazing animals with another child. He was injured in the head. The two children fled towards the main street near the settlement, and the guard of the settlement offered al-Hathalin first medical aid. Ten minutes later, a Palestinian ambulance was evacuated to Ramallah Hospital. In the evening, the child was taken to an Israeli police station north of Ramallah, where he was requested to identify the settlers who attacked him. He was able to identify 3 of them.

On Tuesday noon, 23 August 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat Ain” settlement in the north of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted dozens of fruitful trees belonging to the Slaibi family in Wadi Abu al-Reesh area. They uprooted 5 olive trees, 25 grape trees and 22 plum trees.

…………………………………………………………

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.