Exactions, crimes de guerre de “l’armée” israélienne du 7 au 13/04/2011

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Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07 - 13 April 2011)

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Goldstone report: Statement issued by members of UN mission on Gaza war Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07 - 13 April 2011)PCHR Organizes Panel Discussion on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Khan Yunis Karm Abu Salem Crossing, Gaza’s Sole Commercial Crossing, Closed for Sixth Consecutive DayIsraeli Forces Escalate Attacks on the Gaza Strip: Ten Civilians, Including a Woman and Her Daughter, Killed Within 48 Hours Accountability for war crimes remains the priority after Goldstone’s ‘rethink’ By Raji Sourani, Daniel MachoverPCHR Highlight Key Issues Relating to Report of UN Fact-Finding Mission on Gaza Conflict (the ‘Goldstone Report) Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (07 - 13 April 2011)
Thursday, 14 April 2011 00:00

The place where Najah Qudaih and her daughter were killed by Israeli artillery shelling in the east of Khan Yunis

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

18 Palestinians, including 9 civilians, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
The victims include a women and her daughter and two children.

IOF warplanes launched a series or air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.
A number of training sites were destroyed and dozens of houses were damaged.

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

Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, and an international human rights defender were wounded.

IOF arrested 5 Palestinian civilians.

IOF conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

IOF arrested 37 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and two women.

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

IOF closed the major commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip.

IOF positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested at least 5 Palestinian civilians.

IOF attacked Palestinian workers using dogs.

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

IOF destroyed two road, two barracks and two rooms in al-’Aqaba village in the Jordan Valley.

A Palestinian civilian was injured and a car was burnt by Israeli settlers near Nablus.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (07 – 13 April 2011):

Shooting:

IOF escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, 18 Palestinians, including 9 civilians, were killed by IOF. The victims include a woman and her daughter and two children. Additionally, 38 civilians, including 14 children, a woman and two paramedics, and 4 resistance activists were wounded. In the West Bank, IOF wounded two Palestinian civilians and an international human rights defender.

In the Gaza Strip, at approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF started to bombard several areas throughout the Gaza Strip. The Israeli shelling continued until Saturday morning, 09 April 2011, during which IOF killed 18 Palestinians, including 9 civilians. The civilian victims include a woman and her daughter and two children. IOF also wounded 38 civilians, including 14 children, a woman and two paramedics, and 4 resistance activists.

The Israeli shelling also destroyed a number of training sites of the Palestinian resistance and damaged dozens of houses.

In the West Bank, 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, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 5 Palestinian civilians.

Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 58 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 37 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and two women.

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 totally closed al-Mentar “Karni” crossing in the beginning of March 2011. Al-Mentar crossing is located in the east of Gaza city. Since its establishment in 2005, the crossing had served as Gaza’s major commercial crossing. It was Gaza’s largest border crossing in terms of its capacity to absorb imports and exports. IOF’s decision to totally close the crossing is the culmination of several previous decisions taken by IOF in the context of a plan aimed at tightening the strangulation of the Gaza Strip and making Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not suitable for commercial purposes, as Gaza’s major and sole commercial crossing.

For approximately one month, imports allowed into Gaza have decreased by less than 23.3% in comparison with daily number of truckloads which used to be allowed into Gaza before mid June 2007 when approximately 570 truckloads were daily allowed into Gaza via different border crossings.

The above numbers demonstrate that Karm Abu Salrm crossing cannot meet Gaza’s needs which used to be delivered to Gaza via four border crossings. Karm Abu Salem crossing is also unsuitable to receive Gaza’s exports because it is not technically equipped to transfer goods and its absorptive capacity is very limited making the crossing unsuitable to receive the same numbers of truckloads which used to be exported via al-Mentar crossing before tightening the siege in June 2007.

The closure of al-Mentar crossing and the dependence on Karm Abu Salem crossing resulted in the aggravation of the suffering of industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors in the Gaza Strip, created more obstacles in the face of the movement of the limited goods allowed into Gaza and resulted in the increase of the transportation costs which in turn will result in the increase of prices of Gaza’s imports and in the infliction of additional costs on Gaza exporters (who export agricultural crops allowed by IOF).

The cooking gas crisis which renewed four months ago has continued to exist as IOF closed Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel to Gaza and shifted fuel supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza’s needs of fuel. IOF banned the delivery of cooking gas to Gaza for 15 days and allowed the delivery of limited quantities of cooking gas for 24 days only. During the reporting period, IOF allowed the delivery of approximately 4,530 tons of cooking gas to Gaza (less than 116 tons per day in average). This average represents 39% of Gaza’s actual daily needs. During winter, Gaza daily needs 300 tons of cooking gas.

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. Facts on the ground refute IOF’s allegation that they daily allow the exportation of 10 truckloads of agricultural products.

Recently, IOF allowed the exportation of very limited quantities of Gaza’s agricultural products, including flowers and tomatoes, to European markers.

IOF allowed the weekly delivery of 20 small cars to the Gaza Strip. In July 2010, IOF declared that they would allow the delivery of 60 cars to Gaza every week.

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 to international organizations. As part of what IOF call the easing of the siege which was declared in July 2010, IOF allowed the delivery of approximately 70,000 tons of construction aggregate, 3,250 tons of cement and 1,315 tons of iron bars for UNRWA, UNDP, ANERA and Coastal Municipalities Water Utility.

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 45 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 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, 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. 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 07 April 2011, IOF, accompanied by 3 bulldozers, moved into al-’Aqaba village, southeast of Tubas. They bulldozed al-Salam road at the eastern entrance of the village. They also bulldozed the road of al-Salam suburb and 10 electricity pillars. Later, IOF demolished two walls, a 140-square-meter barrack and a room belonging to Bassem Mohammed Sbaih, and an 80square-meter barrack and a room belonging to ’Abdul Nasser Ahmed Sbaih.

On 09 April 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked Palestinian houses in Southern ’Assira village. When a number of Palestinian civilians attempted to stop the attack, Israeli settlers threw stones at them. As a result, ’Abdullah ’Abdul Salem Ahmed, 44, was hit by a stone to the chest.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked 3 Palestinian workers at the northwestern entrance of ’Ourif village. They threw stones at the works. One of the settlers then broke windows of the car of one of the workers, and then burnt it completely.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (07 – 13 April 2011)

Escalated Israeli Attacks on the Gaza Strip

At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF started to bombard several areas throughout the Gaza Strip. The Israeli shelling continued until Saturday morning, 09 April 2011, during which IOF killed 18 Palestinians, including 9 civilians. The civilian victims include a woman and her daughter and two children. IOF also wounded 38 civilians, including 14 children, a woman and two paramedics, and 4 resistance activists.

The Israeli shelling also destroyed a number of training sites of the Palestinian resistance and damaged dozens of houses.

Northern Gaza Strip

At approximately 16:05 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 6 artillery shells at the northern Gaza Strip. Four of these shells landed in the vicinity of al-Shuhada Cemetery in the east of Jabalya town. As a result, Ra’fat Tayseer Jnaid, 21, sustained bruises to the left hand. The remaining two sells hit Abu Safiya area in the northeast of Jabalya town, but no casualties were reported. IOF also fired a surface-to-surface missile at an open area to the east of al-Amal neighborhood in the northeast of Beit Hanoun town. No casualties were reported.

At approximately the same time, IOF helicopter gunships opened fire at open areas in the east of Jabalya town. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:45 on the same day, an IOF warplane fired a missile at an evacuated security site near al-Twan intersection in the west of Jabalya. As a result, 6 rooms in the site were destroyed, and a civilian bystander, Mohammed Khalil al-Madhoun, 35, was wounded by shrapnel to the forehead and the face, when he was near his house, approximately 1,500 meters away from the targeted site. Dozens pf nearby houses were also damaged.

At approximately 17:10 on the same day, IOF helicopter gunships fired 5 missiles at a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the northeast of Beit Lahia town, but no casualties were reported. They also fired a 6th missile at al-Masri agricultural nursery , which is located near a house belonging to Jameel Mohammed Abu Shadaq, in Tal al-Dahab area in Beit Lahia town. The house and 3 neighboring ones were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:15 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile at Muhannad Ahmed al-Jerjawi, 18, a farmer from al-Sidra area in al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, once he left an agricultural land belonging to the Abu Halima family, where he works. As a result, his left leg was cut and he was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

At approximately 05:00 on Friday, 08 April 2011, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) who had just fired hom-made rockets into Israeli town from an agricultural land located to the west of al-Karama housing project in the west of Jabalya town. As a result, one of the activists, Ra’ed Mahmoud Mohammed Shihada, 25, from al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, was killed. Another activist, Ahmed Mohammed ’Ali Ghirab, also from al-Shati refugee camp, was seriously wounded. He was pronounced dead at approximately 19:00.

At approximately 16:35 on the same day, Israeli soldiers station on observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north and northwest of Beit Lahia town opened fire at Palestinian farmers in al-Sayafa area. The farmers fled from the area and no casualties were reported.

Approximately 21:30 on the same day, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile to the west of al-Karama housing project, west of Jabalya. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:05 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile on an open area to the north of ’Assaliya area in Jabalya. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 22:35 on the same day, IOF fired an artillery shell at an agricultural land belonging to Mohammed Mas’oud in Jabalya. A number of nearby houses were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 23:35 on the same day, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Jabalya. A number of nearby houses were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 02:35 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, an IOF drone fired a missile at an agricultural land belonging to Sa’id Rabi’ Hamdiya in Jabalya. Two Palestinian civilians living in nearby houses were lightly injured by fragments of glass:

Mustafa Sa’id Hamdiya, 37, injured in the head; and
’Alaa’ Saber Abu ’Aqel, 30, injured throughout the body.

At approximately 06:00 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile at a training site of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Jabalya. No casualties were reported.

Gaza City

At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF shelled various areas in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. An artillery shell hit a house belonging to Mahmoud Mansour al-Manasra, 58, near al-Kourba intersection. As a result, his child, Fawaz, 15, was wounded by shrapnel to the right hand. Soon after, IOF fired 3 shells at the same house, which is located nearly 1,200 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, killing the owner. IOF continued to shell the area sporadically. As a result, Subhi ’Abdul Rahman Abu Shanab, 60, was wounded by shrapnel to the right foot.

At approximately 00:30 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF fired an artillery shell at a house belonging to Rami Jawad Hilles in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 1,200 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The house was heavily damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:15 on the same day, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a person who was riding a motorcycle near al-Sawafiri intersection in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The person survived the attack, by a nearby company belonging to Hassan al-Wakeel and a number of nearby houses were damaged.

At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired an artillery shell at a house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed al-’Arqan in al-Mansoura Street in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 2,500 meters away from the border. Fourth floor of the house was damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:00 on the same day, IOF fired an artillery shell at al-Sourani Mount in al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:10 on the same day, IOF positioned at border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired two artillery shells at a gathering of Palestinian civilians near the cemetery of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were killed:

Mahmoud Wa’el al-Jaru, 10; and
Bilal Mohammed al-’Ar’ir,. 24.

Another 10 civilians, including 4 children and a paramedic, were wounded.

At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of artillery shells at open areas in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 01:40 on the same day, IOF gunboats opened fire at the beach in Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:50 on the same day, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a motorcycle that was being ridden by two activists of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the east of al-Taffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. One of the activists, Ahmed Nabeel ’Olayan al-Zaytouniya, 22, was killed, and the other one was seriously wounded.

At approximately 18:30 on the same day, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of activists of the Saladin Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) when they were on an agricultural area in the southeast of al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. An activist, Ra’ed Zuhair Ahmed al-Bur, 30, was killed, and another two ones were wounded.

Central Gaza Strip

At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF fired a number of artillery shells at Juhor al-Dik area, southeast of Gaza City. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 15:40 on the same day, IOF fired 4 artillery shells the east of al-Salqa Valley village, east of Deir al-Balah. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at an open area in Deir al-Balah. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:30 on Friday, 08 April 2011, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance activists in the center of al-Mughraqa village in the central Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF gunboats opened flash bombs at Palestinian fishermen in Nussairat refugee camp and al-Zahraa’ town. No casualties were reported.

Khan Yunis

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired a number of shells at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, Yousef Ahmed al-Smairi, 10, was wounded by shrapnel to the hands.

At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF warplanes bombarded an agricultural room belonging to the Abu Shab family in al-Zanna area in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF shelled Palestinian areas located along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF fired 3 artillery shells at a house belonging to Ra’ed Ibrahim Qudaih in the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. The house which had been repeatedly shelled by IOF was damaged.

At approximately 09:15 on Friday, 08 April 2011, an IOF drone attacked a number of activists of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) at the entrance of Khaza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. Two activists were killed by shrapnel throughout their bodies:

’Abdullah Mahmoud Mohammed al-Farra, 20, from Khuza’a village; and
Mo’taz Jamal Mohammed Abu Jame’, 22, from Bani Suhaila village.

At approximately 12:20 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile at the yard of a house belonging to Ibrahim Hamdan Qudaih in ’Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Qudaih’s wife and daughter were killed:

Najah Harb Salem Qudaih, 41; and
Nidal Ibrahim Hamdan Qudaih, 19.

Qudaih’s two other daughters were also wounded:

Nidaa’,Fidaa;, 15, wounded by shrapnel to the feet.

At approximately 12:30 on the same day, IOF drones fired two missile at al-Manara neighborhood in the southeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, Talal Rabi’ ’Eissa Abu Taha, 56, was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, and he died once evacuated to the hospital. His cousin, Hamada Salama ’Eissa Abu Taha, 25, was wounded by shrapnel to the feet.

At approximately 23:15 on the same day, IOF tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, fired a number of shells at al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. Two shells hit the roof of a house belonging to ’Amru Sa’id al-’Omour, damaging it.

At approximately 21:05 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, an IOF warplane fired a missile at an open land in al-Zanna rea in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

Rafah

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at least 10 artillery shells and IOF helicopter gunships opened fire in the vicinity of Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah. A number of shells landed near 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, who were in the airport. Two of these civilians were killed and the third one died of his wound later:

Mohammed ’Aayada al-Mahmoum, 25;
Khaled Isma’il Hamdan al-Dbari, 17; and
Saleh Jermi ’Atiya al-Tarabin, 38.

When a number of civilians attempted to offer help to the wounded, Mos’ab Mohammed ’Obaid al-Soufi, 20, was killed and 14 others, including 5 children and a paramedic, were wounded. Later, Faten Subhi al-Liddawi, 44, was wounded when she was near her house in al-Salam neighborhood, as IOF warplanes bombarded tunnels along the Egyptian border.

At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF fired two artillery shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, two of whom were in a serious condition.

At approximately 14:00 on the same day, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a tunnel near Yibna refugee camp near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The tunnel was burnt and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 00:50, an IOF drone fired two missile at 3 activists of the ’Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) who were walking on al-Nuzha road in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. Two activists were instantly killed:

Tayseer Sa’id Abu Snaima, 27; and
Mohammed ’Ali ’Awaja, 28.

The third activist was seriously wounded.

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

Thursday, 07 April 2011

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Hussein Janazra, 39, and arrested him.

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into ’Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested at least 70 women and men. They took them to Hawara military post and took samples of blood and saliva from them and then released them.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bahaa’ Mohammed Za’oul, 20, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

Hamza ’Omar Daoud, 21;
Tariq Isma’il Shahin, 19;
Mahmoud Khaled Abu Hadid, 19; and
Mohammed Mahmoud al-Afandi, 18.

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-’Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fa’eq Khader Noufal, 23, and arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Beit ’Awa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Yousef Mohammed al-Swaiti, 22, and arrested him.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kufor Jammal village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF arrested Ibrahim Khalil Dairiya, 43, from Beit Fajjar village south of Bethlehem, after summoning him for interrogation in “Kfar Etzion” military post, southwest of Bethlehem.

At approximately 10:40, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:30, IOF arrested Nader Mohammed Jubran, 34, from Hindaza Mount neighborhood in the south of Bethkehem, after summoning him for interrogation in “Kfar Etzion” military post, southwest of Bethlehem.

At approximately 14:10, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Akram Mustafa ’Arman, 17, and arrested him.

Approximately 16:30, 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 19:30, IOF moved into Jayous village, north of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:40, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the children. A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inalations.

At approximately 23:40, 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.

Friday, 08 April 2011

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-’Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to the Ma’ali family and arrested Tayseer and Nader ’Abdul ’Aziz Ma’ali, 33 and 30 respectively.

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the children. A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Saturday, 09 April 2011

At approximately 20:30, 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 22:00, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:15, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Sunday, 10 April 2011

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest 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 Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

Mohammed Yasser Za’oul, 19; and
Mansour Fayez Sabatin, 20.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. IOF immediately stormed a cyber café and arrested 4 Palestinian children, but released them at night after interrogating them: Mahmoud Riadh Zaghal, 17; Mohammed Riadh Zaghal, 11; Ahmed Mohammed ’Amara, 14; and Ibrahim Khaled Jammal, 14.

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

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests .At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into ’Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Beit ’Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 11 April 2011

At approximately 01:00, 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 01:00, 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 01:00, IOF moved into Burham village, northwest of Ramallah. 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 an open area near Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They searched the area and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Beit ’Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 16:00, 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 16:30, IOF moved into the agricultural area known as Ras al-Masjed near al-Hafassi village, east of Tulkram. They arrested Mo’men Musleh Barhoush, 40, and Muhannad Ahmed Rajab, 18, both from Kufor al-Labad village, while they were reclaiming land. IOF confiscated their equipment. IOF interrogated the two farmers for an hour and then released them.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, 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 23:40, IOF moved into ’Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayman Khaled Abu Haniya, 42, but no arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in the west of al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house and arrested Mahmoud Mohammed Saleh, 25.

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

In the early morning, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

Sufian Fat’hi ’Awadh, 21;
Hisham Khader Sabarna, 17;
Ahmed ’Abdullah Abu ’Ayash, 17;
Murshed Khader Sabarna, 40; and
’Odai Mahmoud ’Olayan, 21.

At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:40, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:50, IOF moved into Qira village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into ’Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:20, IOF moved into Jayous village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 21:20, IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:50, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 23:35, IOF moved into ’Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

At approximately 06:40, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. 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, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, and an international human rights defender were wounded. Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Additionally, IOF arrested 5 Palestinian civilians.

Following the Friday Prayer on 08 April 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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 08 April 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 number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 08 April 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, Aws ’Omar ’Assaf, 17, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand; and Fadi Hamza Qar’n, 23, was wounded by a number of rubber-coated metal bullets to the body. An international human rights defender, who has not been identified, was also wounded. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, but released 3 of them on the same day evening and the other two ones on Sunday, 10 April 2011: ’Esmat Wajeeh Tamimi, 20; Sfwat Wajeeh Tamimi, 22; Sameeh Mohammed Tamimi, 45; Bashar Shihada ’Abdullah, 23; and Hamza Na’el ’Obaid, 22.

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.
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 09:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Silwad-al-Mazra’a road, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Deir Jareer village, northeast of the town. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 21:30 on the same day, IOF re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 22:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at ’Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramallah-Nablus road. At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 10 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:20 on the same day, IOF re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under ’Ein Ybroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 22:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near ’Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 12 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 13 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ’Our al-Fouqa intersection, west of Ramallah.

Qalqilya:

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town. On Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 09 April, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town. At approximately 10:45 on Sunday, 10 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between ’Azzoun and Kufor Thuluth villages, southeast of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles. At approximately 14:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. On Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town.

Tulkarem:

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF established two checkpoints around the town. On Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. They also established 3 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town. On Sunday, 10 April 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. They also established a checkpoint at Ramin intersection, east of the town. At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablu road. At approximately 08:30 on the same day, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

Jenin:

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at ’Aanin intersection, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint near Jaba’ intersection, south of Jenin. At approximately 01:45 on Sunday, 10 April 2011, IOF positioned at Barta’a checkpoint at the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin, obstructed the passage of a Palestinian fire engine for 25 minutes, which was on its way to extinguish fire that broke in Barta’a village. Twelve Palestinian shops were burnt. At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kfairet village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 16:30 on the same day, they established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fahma village, southwest of the town.

Salfit:

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 23:15 on Friday, 08 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yassouf village, east of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:45 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawt Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Jericho:

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 10 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ’Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 12 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of ’Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 23:30 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF positioned in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron arrested ’Abdul Razzaq Hussein al-Shrouf, 23, claiming that he attacked a soldier.

At approximately 14:45 on Monday, 11 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Ta’nak-’Aanin road, northwest of Jenin. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, and arrested ’Odwan Ahmed al-Muhor, 45, from Ta’nak village. They also confiscated his motorcycle.

At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF arrested ’Abdul Jabbar Mahmoud al-Sadda, 22, from Jeet village northeast of Qalqilya, when he was on his way back home from his family’s land near Qalqilya-Nablus road.

At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF positioned at a checkpoint in the south of Hebron arrested ’Alaa’ al-Qasrawi, 16.

Harassment at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 06:30 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, IOF set an ambush in al-Kharrouba area near the annexation wall, southwest of Hebron. They detained two Palestinian workers: Yousef Hussein al-Zagharna, 20; and Mohammed Majed Abu Qa’oud, 20. They unleashed a dog that attacked and bit Abu Qa’oud, while they handcuffed al-Zagharna. Abu Qa’oud was injured in the right forearm. IOF then handcuffed him and took him together with al-Zagharna to an unknown destination. When Abu Qa’oud’s health condition deteriorated, they handed him to a Palestinian ambulance at Tarqoumia crossing, northwest of Hebron. According to medical sources, he suffers from a shock.

On Sunday morning, 10 April 2011, IOF set an ambush in the same area. They unleashed dogs at Palestinian workers wishing to cross the annexation wall towards their work places inside Israel. A dog violently attacked ’Alaa’ ’Aadel Hawarin, 23, from al-Zahiriya village. He was bitten in the right buttock and the left hand. He could barely escape and travel with other workers leaving the area.

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 07:00 on Thursday, 07 April 2011, IOF, accompanied by 3 bulldozers, moved into al-’Aqaba village, southeast of Tubas. They bulldozed al-Salam road at the eastern entrance of the village. They also bulldozed the road of al-Salam suburb and 10 electricity pillars. Later, IOF demolished two walls, a 140-square-meter barrack and a room belonging to Bassem Mohammed Sbaih, and an 80square-meter barrack and a room belonging to ’Abdul Nasser Ahmed Sbaih.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 09 April 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked Palestinian houses in Southern ’Assira village. When a number of Palestinian civilians attempted to stop the attack, Israeli settlers threw stones at them. As a result, ’Abdullah ’Abdul Salem Ahmed, 44, was hit by a stone to the chest.

At approximately 09:30 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked 3 Palestinian workers at the northwestern entrance of ’Ourif village. They threw stones at the works. One of the settlers then broke windows of the car of one of the workers, ’Ali ’Eissa Makhlouf, and then burnt it completely.

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