Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (21 - 27 April 2011)

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Et tout cela en 7 jours

Civilian establishments bulldozed by IOF in the east of Gaza city on 21 April 2011

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

A Palestinian worker from Hebron was wounded and arrested by IOF while trying to have access to Israel for work.

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

A IOF fired at Palestinian fishermen at sea and no casualties were reported.

IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank
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Six protesters, including a child and a Spanish human rights defender, were wounded.

IOF arrested 5 protesters, including a child and three international human rights defenders.

IOF conducted 25 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip.

IOF raided Tareq Ben Zeyad Secondary School in Hebron.

IOF bulldozed eight tin-made stores owned by PADICO.

Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip and tightened the siege on the West Bank.

IOF have totally closed off the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for Passover for the second week.

IOF arrested at least four Palestinians, including two children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

IOF maltreated a Palestinian worker and sniffer dogs bit him.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (21 – 27 April 2011):

Shooting

During the reporting period, IOF wounded eight civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Five of the wounded, including a child and a Spanish human rights defender, were wounded in peaceful protests in the West Bank and a Palestinian worker was wounded in the far southwest of Hebron while trying to have access to Israel for work. In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian farmer was wounded when IOF fired at Palestinian farmers in the northern Gaza Strip.

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, six civilians, including a child and a Spanish human rights defender, were wounded. Five of them were wounded in Bil’ein ‘sweekly protest in the west of Ramallah, while the child was wounded in Nabi Saleh’s protest in the northwest of Ramallah. In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank suffered from tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten by IOF.

On 24 April 2011, a Palestinian worker was wounded when IOF stationed in “al-Kharouba” border area in the southwest of al-Ramadin village, southwest of Hebron, opened fire at him. IOF opened fire before and after intentionally letting sniffer dogs attack the Palestinian worker and eat his flesh. They then arrested him and transferred him later to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. The arrested Palestinian was transferred later to an Israeli detention center. It should be noted that this crime is the fourth of its kind documented by PCHR within two weeks in Hebron.

In the Gaza Strip, on 21 April 2011, a Palestinian farmer was wounded when IOF positioned on the border opened fire at Palestinian farmers and shepherds who were in their farms or in the jungle in al-Qutbania area in the southeast of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. The wounded Palestinian was on his land which is approximately 900 meters far from the border.

On 23 April 2011, IOF gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort in the west of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip, fired shells and opened intensive fire at Palestinian fishing boats. They also fired many flash bombs. Palestinian fishermen escaped as a result in fear of being wounded or arrested. No casualties or damages in property were reported.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 25 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children.

On 21 April 2011, IOF positioned and deployed in the south of Hebron raided “Tareq Ben Zeyad Secondary School” which is located to the south of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron. IOF claimed that an IOF patrol was stoned while passing by the school. IOF arrested a student from the school and transferred him to an IOF police station near “Kiryat Arba’a” settlement, southeast of Hebron. The student was placed under investigation and was released in the afternoon on the same day.

IOF have continued to attempt to prevent international human rights defenders from participating in peaceful assemblies against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. AS part of these attempts, IOF arrested five participants in peaceful protests, including a child, Amed Nafez Abdul Al, 17, three international human rights defenders and a Palestinian civilian, Fadel Tamim Hussein Tamimi, 51. The child, Abdul Al, was released six hours later.

In the Gaza strip, during the reporting period, IOF conducted two limited incursions. On 21 April 2011, IOF moved approximately 200 meters into the southeast of the area adjacent to al-Mentar (Karni) crossing in the east of Shajaeya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. IOF bulldozed eight tin-made stores belonging to Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) which is owned by Palestinian businessman Munib al-Masri and managed by Wadi’ Mohammed Shaaban al-Masri, 48. The bulldozed stores were built on an area of approximately 4,200 square meters.

On 27 April 2011, amid intensive firing, IOF moved approximately 70 meters into the east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. IOF bulldozed and leveled lands along the border and no casualties were reported.

Restrictions on Movement:

Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and has 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 been steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

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

It should be noted that the Israeli occupation authorities have worked over the past three years to make Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not appropriate for commercial purposes, as Gaza’s major and sole crossing. For this purpose, on 02 March 2011, the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing which is the major and largest commercial crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its absorptive capacity to receive Gaza’s imports and exports. In the beginning of 2010, the Israeli occupation authorities closed Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the supplies of fuel and cooking gas to Gaza, and shifted fuel supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing. Three years ago, these authorities totally closed Sofa crossing, southeast of Khan Younis, and shifted humanitarian aid and food items which used to be delivered via Sofa crossing to Karm Abu Salem crossing.

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 export 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.

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

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

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

For approximately 46 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, confiscating more Palestinian land.

At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (21 – 27 April 2011)

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

Thursday, 21 April 2011

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Antarish neighborhood in al-Bireh. They raided and searched the house of Dr. Ahmed Suleiman Qatamesh, 61. Before their withdrawal at approximately 01:40, they arrested Qatamesh and transferred him to “Ofer” interrogation center, southwest of Ramallah.

A lawyer from Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association managed to visit Qatamesh one day after his arrest. The lawyer said that Qatemesh had not been placed under investigations yet. He also said that IOF officers told Qatamesh that they would ask the court to issue a decision to place him under administrative detention. This proves that Qatamesh was arrested for his intellectual and political activities, not for “security” reasons as alleged by IOF.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and took position in the Western neighborhood. They then raided an apartment in an apartment building near al-Rawda mosque. They arrested three Palestinians, including a child, from the Gaza Strip:

Mohammed Fayez Ghazi Afana, 17, from al-Burej refugee camp;

Adnan Ali Suleiman al-Tawil, 31, from al-Nussairat refugee camp; and

Mohammed Ahmed Salim Abu Amra, 29, from Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved approximately 200 meters into the southeast of the area adjacent to al-Mentar (Karni) crossing in the east of Shajaeya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. IOF bulldozed eight tin-made stores belonging to Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) which is owned by Palestinian businessman Munib al-Masri and managed by Wadi’ Mohammed Shaaban al-Masri, 48.

The bulldozed stores were built on an area of approximately 4,200 square meters. Four of the stores contained materials, including construction materials, tin and water pumps, for Palestine Industrial Estates Development and Management Company, Gaza (PIEDCO).

Two of the stores were leased by Mohammed Alaa Subhi al-Shurafa, 44, who is the owner of WINPAL, two of them contained diapers, tissue paper and cleaning supplies, while the remaining two stores were leased by Khader Erqayeq and contained iron scrap. IOF withdrew at approximately 12:00 and deployed beyond the border after totally destroying the stores.

At approximately 10:15, IOF positioned and deployed in the south of Hebron raided “Tareq Ben Zeyad Secondary School” which is located to the south of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron. IOF claimed that an IOF patrol was stoned while passing by the school.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:15, approximately 20 IOF soldiers destroyed the door of Tareq Ben Zeyad Secondary School and stormed into the yard. They pointed their guns at the students and chased them amid a barrage of sound bombs. IOF arrested Yaaqoub Husam al-Rajabi, 18, and transferred him to IOF police station near “Kriat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron. Al-Rajabi was placed under investigation and was released later.

At approximately 10:40, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets. They withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned on the border opened fire at Palestinian farmers and shepherds who were in their farms or in the jungle in al-Qutbania area in the southeast of Beit Hanounin the northern Gaza Strip. Kamel Hassan Abdullah al-Hessi, 46, fron al-Nazleh was wounded by a bullet that entered from beneath the left shoulder and exited from the center of the chest. Al-Hessi was in a farm owned by him and by Jamal Mohammed Halawa. Immediately, Halawa transferred al-Hessi on a motorcycle to Kamal Odwan Martyr Hospital. They arrived at the hospital at approximately 18:55. It was found out the bullet did not hit any of the internal organs, especially the heart, and al-Hessi’s wounds were described to be between light and moderate.

Al-Hessi said that at approximately 15:30, he headed with his sons, Tamer, 22, and Hazem, 18, and with his partner Jamal Halawa to irrigate their land which is located approximately 900 meters far from the border in the east of al-Qutbania area in the southeast of Beit Hanoun. They arrived at their land at approximately 16:00 and started to work in their farm. At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned on observation towers on the border opened intensive fire from their machine guns at Palestinian shepherds who approached the border. Shepherds and Palestinian farmers who were in their farms fled the area. At approximately 18:20, IOF sporadically fired at the area and al-Hessi, his family and his partner lay down on the ground especially as bullets were flying above them. At approximately 18:30, al-Hessi felt he was wounded and told his partner who transferred him to Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia on a motorcycle. After medical examination, it was found out that the bullet was just few millimeters far from the heart.

Friday,22 April 2011

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Funduq village, east of Qaqilya, and they patrolled in the streets. One of the owners of shops located in the main street said that IOF forced them to close their shops till 13:00 because Israeli settlers were organizing for a demonstration in the area. The shops which were forced to close are owned by Azmi Mahmoud Hafez Tayem who sells construction materials; Umar Ahmed Mohammed Mheisen who owns a supermarket and a butchery; and Adel Hanatsh who owns a supermarket.

Saturday, 23 April 2011

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 03:00, IOF gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort in the west of Beit Lahiatown in the northern Gaza Strip, fired shells and opened intensive fire at Palestinian fishing boats. They also fired flash bombs. Palestinian fishermen escaped as a result in fear of being wounded or arrested. No casualties or damages to property were reported.

At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Kafr Ra’i village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:25, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, west of Ramallah. They provocatively drove in the streets. They claxoned now and then to bother Palestinians. Some boys gathered and stoned IOF who immediately responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Many civilians suffered gas inhalation as a result. IOF withdrew later and no arrests or casualties were reported.

Sunday, 24 April 2011

At approximately 01:35, IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew at approximately 02:45 and no house raids or arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:35, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:05, IOF moved into the area located in the east of Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. IOF drove in the area, scanned it and withdrew later.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Jayous village, north of Qalqilya. They raided the village starting from three main points: three military vehicles entered from the gate established in the annexation wall, another three vehicles entered from the east and an IOF force of soldiers positioned inside gate no. 943 entered from al-Mentar area in the west of Jayous village. IOF arrested Mohammed Wasfi Mahmoud Khaled, 15, and Ahmed Mohmmed Kamel al-Khatib, 16, claiming that the two children were trying to cut the wire surrounding the gate, which was closed for three consecutive days and which is the local farmers’ only way to their farms. In view of the closure of the gate, farmers in the village are forced to walk approximately 2.5 kilometers to have access to their lands. After the arrests, at approximately 21:40, IOF raided a coffee shop in the village and threatened the people in the coffee shop telling them that they would arrest them if the fence is damaged. As IOF left, Palestinians stoned IOF vehicles and IOF responded by firing flash bombs, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. IOF withdrew at approximately 22:30 with the two arrested children.

At approximately 23:20, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Imatin village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 25 April 2011

At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. They searched Palestinian lands surrounding the village. They withdrew later and no incidents were reported.

At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Jinsafout, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets. A member of Azzoun Municipality stated that IOF raided the village from the western entrance and drove to al-Safha area in the village. They stopped all the locals they met and checked their ID cards. They raided an internet coffee owned by Murad Mahmoud Rudwan, 27. They surrounded the internet coffee for approximately one hour. They took the ID cards of the people who were in the internet coffee and questioned them about the persons who throw stones at the main street. At approximately 15:00, IOF released the held persons and withdrew. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Adib Maslamani, 37. Before withdrawing, they arrested Maslamani who spent 18 years in Israeli jails and who was released just six months ago. Maslamani is suffering from bad health conditions and he is in press need for medications.

Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. Amid intensive firing of sound bombs aimed at annoying and terrifying locals, IOF drove in the streets. They raided a house belonging to Amjad Fawzi Awwad, who is one of the persons accused of the implementation of the attack in “Itamar” settlement in which five settlers were killed. IOF forced the Awwad family to leave the house. They searched the house and destroyed its content. IOF withdrew at approximately 04:00 and no arrests or casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:30, amid intensive firing, IOF moved approximately 70 meters into the east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. IOF bulldozed and leveled lands along the border and no casualties 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, 6 civilians, including a child and a Spanish activist, were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer on 22 April 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, including Luisa Morgantini, former Vice President of the European Parliament, Australian parliamentarians and Belgian singers, organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. This weekly demonstration coincided with the annual anniversary of the late activist, Basem Abu Rahma, who was killed in a similar demonstration in the said village. The demonstrators raised posters of MP Marwan al-Barghouthi and the Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni. 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 and sustained bruises, and 5 others were wounded:

Mohammed Nabil Ahmed Abu Rahmah, 18, wounded by a bullet to the right leg;

Nacho, 36, a Spanish activist, wounded by a bullet to the left leg;

Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Rahma, 35, hit by a tear gas canister to the left leg;

Mohammed Ahmed Hamad, 20, wounded by a tear gas canister to the right leg; and

Mohammed Ahmed Isa Yassin, 22, wounded by a tear gas canister to the right leg.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 22 April 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli 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.
At the same time, 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. 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, Mohammed Belal Abdul Salam Tamimi, 12, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right side. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF arrested 5 civilians, including a child and 3 international human rights defeners:

Ahmed Nafez Abdul ’Al, 17; and

Fadel Tamim Hassan Tamimi, 51;

The 3 other international activists were transported to an unknown destination, and they remain anonymous.

Continued Closure of the OPT

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.

Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.

IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.

IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.

Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
20-26 April 2011

Date
Details

20 April 2011
258 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 204 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

21 April 2011
297 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 282 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 24 Palestinians were returned.

22 April 2011
Closed.

23 April 2011
One Palestinian was allowed to travel to Egypt.

24 April 2011
239 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 372 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 155 Palestinians were returned.

25 April 2011
Closed.

26 April 2011
301 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 206 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 156 Palestinians were returned.

Note: The majority of Palestinians allowed to travel to Egypt on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 24, 25 and 26 April, were heading to Saudi Arabia to perform the small pilgrimage.

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. IOF imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinians during the Christian feasts.
In this context, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday corresponding to 22,23and 24 April 2011, the Israeli troops stationed at the checkpoint (130) in northern Bethlehem and leading to Jerusalem imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, they prevented hundreds of Christians from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and other holy places in Jerusalem to celebrate Good Friday “the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ”, after Holy Saturday and Easter day.

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah, particularly, “Jaba’ – Qalandia” checkpoint that was established in the southeast of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 21 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Silwad village and al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 06:00, IOF established a similar checkpoint near the entrance of Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 22 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Silwadvillage, northeast of Ramallah. No arrests were reported. At approximately 16:30 on the same day, IOF established a similar checkpoint near the entrance of Beit ’Our al-Foqa village, west of Ramallah, while they re-established their presence at ’Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 24 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah.

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 24 April 2011, following killing an Israeli settler and wounding 3 others in Joseph Tomb, east of Nablus, IOF imposed severe restrictions, while they re-established their presence at other checkpoints, including Beit Foreek, Nablus and al-Bathan checkpoints and other.

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 21 April 2011, IOF established 11 checkpoints around the town. On Monday, 25 April 2011, IOF established 6 checkpoints around the town.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 21 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. Additionally, they established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road near the entrance of Bazarya village, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilia road near the intersection of al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 22 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 23 April 2011, IOF stationed at Ennab checkpoint stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:15 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm, while they established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, near the intersection of Bazarya village, east of Tulkarm. At the same time, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road, at Jbarah area, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 12:15, IOF established a checkpoint at Tulkarm – Qalqilya road, at Jbarah area, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 14:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Qiffin – eastern Baqa road, north of Tulkarm.

At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 24 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Eastern Baqa village, north of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 21 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Zabboubah village, northwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:50 on Thursday, 21 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:45 on Monday, 25 April 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Hares village, north of Salfit. At approximately 12:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 21 April 2011, Israeli troops stationed at a checkpoint, northwest of Hebron, arrested Hussein Tayseer Hussein Tnaina, 16, and Jamal Nasser Hassan Shalalfah, 17 from Tarqoumia village.According to investigating conducted by PCHR, Israeli troops stationed a checkpoint near al-Liyah intersection with bypass road (35), leading to villages north and west of Hebron, arrested Tnaina and Shalalfah while they were going home in Tarqoumia. They beat, handcuffed and detained them for a few hours before they were transported to a police station near “Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron. The two children were questioned regarding “stoning the Israeli troops”. Later, they were detained, handcuffed and blindfolded in the open air of the Israeli police station from 18:00 to 04:00 on Friday, 22 April 2011, and then transported to “Kfar Etzion” detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.

According to information collected by PCHR, Tnaina is a 10-grade student suffering from a mental disorder, while Shalalfa is a student in the 11th grade.

At approximately 05:00 on Sunday, 24 April 2011, Israeli troops arrested ’Ammar Saber Hamad Suleiman, 23, from ’Asalah village, east of Qalqilya while he was passing via ’Asalah gate established in the village from the western side. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 05:00, Suleiman was heading to his farm located behind the annexation wall. He was mistakenly carrying his brother’s permit and ID. Once the Israeli troops saw him, he was directly arrested and transported to an unknown destination so far.

Harassments at Military Checkpoints

On Sunday morning, 24 April 2011, Israeli troops stationed at al-Kharrouba area, southwest of al-Ramadeen village neighboring the annexation wall, deliberately fired at Hatem Abdul Razeq Ahmed Talahma, 45, from al-Burj village in the west of Doura town, southwest of Hebron. He was fired at before and after letting sniffer dogs attack him. Later, he was detained and transported to Soroka hospital in Beersheba. After that, he was transported to another detention center. He sustained moderate to serious wounds due to firing at him in the right hand and to being mauled by the sniffer dogs.According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimony of the victim’s son, Isma’il Hatem Talahma, 19, at approximately 08:00 on the abovementioned day, Talahma and other workers were crossing the border via a hole in the annexation wall at Kharrouba area to the inside of the “Green Line” areas. During which, they felt the existence of Israeli troops, as a result, they ran away immediately. However, Talahma was not able to run away because he was ill. Suddenly, 4 Israeli soldiers appeared and surrounded him. One of them let a sniffer dog attack him, but Talahma struggled to survive. After the soldiers intervened, another soldier fired deliberately at Talahma from a distance of less than 5 meters. As a result, he was wounded by a bullet to the right hand. Later, the Israeli soldiers let the sniffer dog attack him again, while he was lying on the ground. The dog had mauled him for more than 10 minutes, concentrating on the wounded hand.

In his testimony to PCHR’s field workers, the son said:

"After that, the Israeli soldiers had left my father bleeding and lying on the ground for more than 2 hours without offering any medication or help. During which, my father was able to call me through his mobile phone to inform me of what had happened, asking me to bring a car to transport him to a hospital. It seems that this happened before an Israeli ambulance called by the soldiers arrived. He was transported by the Israeli ambulance to Soroka hospital in Beersheba … it was difficult for me to reach the hospital and visit my father. I listened to his story in detail after receiving medical treatment and 2 units of blood. While I was at hospital and before completing the necessary treatment, an Israeli force came at approximately 17:00 on the said day. They detained my father and transported him to a police station near “Kiryat Arba” settlement under the pretext of questioning him regarding his wounds and “entering Israel without a permit”. The following day, on Monday 25 April 2011, I knew via a phone call with an officer in the mentioned police station that my father was detained and transported to “Kfar Etzion” detention center. Later, he was transported to Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah, where he is under detention, waiting for bringing him to a military trial as far as I know."

It should be noted that the victim Talahma is a father of 6 children. He suffers from serious health problems in the heart and kidney, and needs regular medical care. Therefore, detaining him constitutes a threat on his life.

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