Bilan des exactions et crimes de guerre de l’armée israélienne en Palestine occupée durant la période du 3 au 9 mars 2011 (7 jours)

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Source: PCHR
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03-09 Mar. 2011)

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continued Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus.

IOF launched a series of air strikes against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

A car was bombarded, and 4 offices, stores and 12 flats were damaged in Nussairat refugee camp.

Two rooms were destroyed and 6 houses were damaged in al-Zawaida village.

IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.

 Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip.

IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.

4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, and an international solidarity activist, were wounded.

Two journalists suffered from tear gas inhalation.

IOF conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman.

IOF closed al-Mentar (Karni) crossing completely.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

IOF demolished an agricultural barrack in Beit Uammar town near Hebron.

IOF delivered notices to 12 Palestinian civilians in Jenin and Hebron ordering them to stop construction of a number structures.

Israeli settlers transported large amounts of mud to Arats village near Bethlehem and damaged large areas of Palestinian agricultural land.

Israeli settlers continued to throw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles 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 (03 – 09 March 2011):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, and an international solidarity activist were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

In a joint attack by a number of Israeli settlers and IOF against Palestinian civilians in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded. Another two civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and 3 others were injured as a result of being beaten. Medical sources described the conditions of three of the wounded as serious.

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, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two child, and international solidarity activist were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation, including two journalists.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF launched a series of air strikes against the Gaza Strip. As a result, 4 a car and two rooms were destroyed and 6 houses, 12 flats, 4 offices and stores were damaged.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 42 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

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 03 March 2011, Israeli settlers from “Halmish” settlement, northwest of Ramallah, closed the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, while IOF were present in the area. A number of those settlers attempted to enter the village. They also threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. later, IOF intervened an evacuated the settlers from the area. No casualties or damages were reported.

On 04 March 2011, 5 Israeli settlers riding motorcycles broke into Raba village, southeast of Jenin. They took a round in the streets and moved southward towards the nearby Ebziq village.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrance of the settlement. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Salfit road. No casualties were reported.

From Friday, 04 March 2011, until Monday, 07 March 2011, lorries of “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, unloaded large amounts of mud, stones and solid waste onto Palestinian agricultural lands in Wad Abu Shahin area to the west of Artas village, south of Bethlehem. More than 20 donums of agricultural land planted with apricots and olives were filled up.

On 05 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers gathered near Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, stormed Palestinian agricultural lands in Yassouf village, east of Salfit. Soon, IOF intervened and evacuated them from the area.

On 06 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Kerni Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrances of the nearby Kufor Laqef village. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.

On 07 March 2011, IOF moved into Barta’a village, which has been isolated by the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin. They handed notices to a number of Palestinian civilians ordering them to stop construction works in their houses, claiming that the construction is unlicensed.

On 08 March 2011, IOF handed notices to 4 Palestinian civilians ordering demolition of a number of caves, tents and stores in Yatta twon, south of Hebron. According to information available to PCHR, the notices included order to demolished 4 caves, 4 tents and 4 barracks in Zeef area, under the pretest to their adjacency to an Israeli military post and “Bni Hefer” settlement.

On 09 March 2011, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They demolished a 500-square-meter agricultural barrack belonging to Mohammed Younis al-’Allami. IOF claimed that the barrack is close to Hebron-Bethlehem road and Israeli settlements in the southern West Bank.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 - 09 March 2011)

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

Thursday, 03 March 2011

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed and Ra’ed Kamel al-Mashni, 29 and 31 respectively. The latter is physically disabled.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Be’r al-Mahjar neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed and ’Abdul Majid al-Dab’at, 19 and 22 respectively.

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into the industrial zone in al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets. They stopped and questioned Suhaib Mahfouz Abu ’Eissa, 20, and summoned him for interrogation. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. 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 Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and took position near Palestinian Technical University (Khadouri) in the west of the town. They stopped, checked and questioned a number of students. They then moved eastwards. They stormed a shop of sweets in the center of the town and questioned its owner. They withdrew from the town later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Turmo’iya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into ’Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:10, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into Bedya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. They then moved into the nearby Masliya village. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:10, IOF moved into Far’ata village, east of Qalqilya. 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 the agricultural area located between ’Allar and Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They searched the area and fired flash bombs. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Friday, 04 March 2011

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Bitillu village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 14:20, IOF moved into al-’Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 05 March 2011

At approximately 00:30, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a civilian car parked near a building belonging to Kamel Jebril Farajallah in the market area in Nussairat refugee camp. The car were heavily damaged, and 4 offices, stress and 12 flats were damaged.

At approximately 01:50, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into ’Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:05, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at Abu Jarad training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas, south of Gaza City. Neither casualties nor damage were reported.

Also at approximately 22:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a space area in the southeast of al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a bird farm belonging to Hani Kamel al-Hayek in the southwest of al-Zawaida village in the central Gaza Strip. The farm was destroyed and a number of bords were killed. Six nearby houses were damaged:

A 115-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Hani Kamel al-Hayek, in which 12 people live; A 200-square-meter house belonging to Muneer Hammad Abu Sitta, in which 9 people live; A 140-square-meter house belonging to ’Aadel Hammad Abu Sitta, in which 10 people live; A 145-square-meter house belonging to Hammad Ahmed Abu Sitta, in which two people live; A 100-square-meter house belonging to ’Adli Hammad Abu Sitta, in which 9 people live; andA 120-square-meter uninhabited house belonging to Hatem Mohammed Mikki.
Sunday, 06 March 2011

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Naji Mohammed Tamimi, 52, Member of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in the village.

At approximately 08:35, IOF moved into Bedya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint in the center of the village. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 07 March 2011

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

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into al-Taybeh village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:45, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.

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

Tuesday, 08 March 2011

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided, searched and damaged a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

’Omar Mohammed ’Awadh, 20; Khalil Mohammed ’Awadh, 18; Eihab Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mohammed Da’ma, 27, in the north of the town and arrested him.

At approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 09 March 2011

At approximately 07:30, IOF moved into Ta’nak village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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, 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises, including two journalists.

Following the Friday Prayer on 04 March 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. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, ’Aassem Basman Yassin, 17, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 March 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 Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, who has not been identified, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Reema 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, two Palestinian civilians were wounded:

Helmi Muneer Tamimi, 30, hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot; andMustafa ’Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 28, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot.
A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF turned a house belonging to a Helmi Tamimi into a military site until 16:50.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians, female activists, international solidarity activists and public and social figures organized a peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities organized by the Palestinian Union of Women’s Work Committees for International Women’s Day and on the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The demonstrators gathered near offices of Qalandya Association in Qalandya refugee camp, south of Ramallah, and moved towards Qalandya checkpoint. IOF closed the checkpoints and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, Sinda, 24, an international solidarity activist, was hit by a tear gas canister to the face. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear inhalation or sustained bruises.

At approximately 12:45 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Uammar town, north of Hebron, in protest to Israeli settlement activities. They moved towards closed Palestinian areas located neat “Karmi Tsur” settlement, south of the town. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators and journalists. Israeli settlers also threw stones at the demonstrators. As a result, Hamza Ahmed Abu Hashem, 12, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right arm, and shrapnel from a sound bomb to the back. Four Palestinian civilians, including two journalists suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises:

Mohammed ’Ayad ’Awadh, 48, sustained bruises throughout the body and a fracture to the nose;Yousef ’Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 37, sustained bruises and a cut to the left leg;Tha’er Yousef Faqqousa, 30, a cameraman of Palestine Television, sustained bruises to the legs and the sides and a cut to the right leg, and suffered from tear gas inhalation; and’Abdul Hafiz Diab al-Hashlamoun, 46, a cameraman of Reuters News Agency, suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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.

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.

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.

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 16:20 on Thursday, 03 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 05 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 14:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 08 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bitillo village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00, they established a checkpoint the entrance of Beit Reema village, northwest of the city. At approximately 09:45, the established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of the city. At approximately 19:00, IOF re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:40 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ’Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and another one at Jeet intersection, northeast of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 05 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On the same day morning, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm.

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 02 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Ta’nak intersection, northwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 05 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of bypass road #35 and the northwestern entrance of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 06 March 2011, IOF established a number of checkpoints at the entrances of Sa’ir and Shyoukh villages, northeast of Hebron, and al-Zahiriya and al-Hajri villages, southwest of the town. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

On Friday afternoon, 04 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Kfar Etzion checkpoint on Hebron-Bethlehem, arrested Amal Jamal Taqatqa, 19, from Beit Fajjar village southwest of Bethlehem, claiming that she attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.

At approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 06 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at the annexation wall in Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin, arrested Mohammed ’Ali Saleem, 22, claiming that he got close to the wall and crossed one of its gates. It is worth noting that detainee suffers from psychological disturbances.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF arrested Nidal Mohammed Isma’il, 24, and Ahmed Fat’hi ’Abdul Dayem, 24, when they were in their private car on Tulkarm-Nablus road near Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. IOF claimed that the two young men attempted to remove Israeli flags from a monument of an Israeli settler. IOF released the two young men at approximately 21:00 on the same day on bail of 1,100 NIS for each one of them, pending their trial on 05 April 2011.

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 20:30 on Thursday, 03 March 2011, Israeli settlers from “Halmish” settlement, northwest of Ramallah, closed the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, while IOF were present in the area. A number of those settlers attempted to enter the village. They also threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. later, IOF intervened an evacuated the settlers from the area. No casualties or damages were reported.

At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 04 March 2011, 5 Israeli settlers riding motorcycles broke into Raba village, southeast of Jenin. They took a round in the streets and moved southward towards the nearby Ebziq village.

At approximately 18:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrance of the settlement. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Salfit road. No casualties were reported.

From Friday, 04 March 2011, lorries of “Gush Etzion” settlement bloc, southwest of Bethlehem, unloaded large amounts of mud, stones and solid waste onto Palestinian agricultural lands in Wad Abu Shahin area to the west of Artas village, south of Bethlehem. More than 20 donums of agricultural land planted with apricots and olives were filled up. According to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Swai, from Arats village, who is a victim of Israeli settlement activities, IOF facilitated access of lorries to the area. He stated that the area and neighboring areas have been closed by IOF under security claims. This attack on Palestinian land came a few days after Israeli construction crews had established a network of huge pipelines from “Efrat” settlement through Sha’ab Sultan area and then to agricultural areas of Arats village. There serious concerns that Israeli settlers may pump residuals of the settlement onto Palestinian agricultural lands.

At approximately 08:05 on Saturday, 05 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers gathered near Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:20 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, stormed Palestinian agricultural lands in Yassouf village, east of Salfit. Soon, IOF intervened and evacuated them from the area.

At approximately 09:10 on Sunday, 06 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Kerni Shomron” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered at the entrances of the nearby Kufor Laqef village. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 07 March 2011, 10 Israeli settlers from “Yish Ad” settlement outpost, which stands on the lands of Qasra village, east of Nablus, attacked Thiba Salama and her son, 23-year-old ’Omar ’Abed Salama, while they were plowing their land in the area. Three of the settlers were armed with M16 rifles, a fourth one was carrying a pistol and the others were carrying shovels and sticks. The settlers threw stones at the woman and her son and then beat them. The two were forced to flee towards the village. They told villagers that the settlers were uprooting olives trees in the area, nearly 500 meters away from the village. Loudspeakers of mosques called on villagers to defend their lands. Dozens of Palestinian civilians went to the area. Immediately, the settlers and Israeli soldiers who arrived at the area to protect them fired at Palestinian civilians. As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded:

Ibrahim Yousef Darwish, 16, seriously wounded by a gunshot which entered the left side and exited the right one;

Qaher ’Awadallah ’Ouda, 25, wounded by two gunshots to the feet;

Ayman Yousef ’Ouda, 34, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the pelvis;

’Omar Ayman Farah, 18, wounded by a gunshot to the right hand;

Khalil Ahmed Wadi, 43, wounded by a gunshot to the right leg;

’Anan ’Abdul Rahim Hassan, 19, hit by a tear gas canister to the back; and
Yahia ’Azmi Massamir, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen.

Two Palestinian civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation: Lu’ai Mahmoud Hassan, 20; and Anwar ’Abdul Jabbar Hassan, 36. Additionally, 3 civilians were injured or sustained bruises as a result of being beaten:

Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud, 50, injured in the chest;

Waheed Mohammed Darwish, 38, injured in the head and the chest; and
Mansour Yahia al-Sa’di, 32, sustained bruises throughout the body.

At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 07 March 2011, IOF moved into Barta’a village, which has been isolated by the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin. They handed notices to a number of Palestinian civilians ordering them to stop construction works in their houses, claiming that the construction is unlicensed:

An under-construction house belonging to Shadi Mustafa Qundos;
An under-construction house belonging to Mohammed Mustafa Qundos; An under-construction house belonging to Mohammed Tal’at Qabaha;
An under-construction house belonging to Jawad Ahmed Qabaha; Caravans and an animal barrack belonging to Farouq Mohammed Qabaha;
An under-construction barrack belonging to Mohammed Tawfiq Qabaha; An under-construction barrack belonging to Kamal Hussein Qabaha; and
An under-construction barrack belonging to Mohammed Hassan Qabaha.
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On Tuesday morning, 08 March 2011, IOF handed notices to 4 Palestinian civilians ordering demolition of a number of caves, tents and stores in Yatta twon, south of Hebron. According to information available to PCHR, the notices included order to demolished 4 caves, 4 tents and 4 barracks in Zeef area, under the pretest to their adjacency to an Israeli military post and “Bni Hefer” settlement. These civilian facilities belong to Mohammed Shihada Abu Taha, Mahmoud Shihada Abu Taha, Shihada Mohammed Abu Taha and Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Taha. The demolition of these facilities apparently constitutes an attempt to evacuate the area as a prelude to annex it to the aforementioned settlement.

At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 09 March 2011, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They demolished a 500-square-meter agricultural barrack belonging to Mohammed Younis al-’Allami. IOF claimed that the barrack is close to Hebron-Bethlehem road and Israeli settlements in the southern West Bank.

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Recommendations to the International Community

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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