Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11– 17 Aug. 2011)

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Thursday, 18 August 2011 00:00

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

IOF killed two Palestinians, including a mentally disabled child in the Gaza Strip.
4 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian child was injured by the explosion of a suspicious object in the West Bank.

Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of targets in the Gaza Strip.

IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishermen and fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian fisherman was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians.

Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF arrested 7 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and her baby, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli settler guards fired at Palestinian farmers north of Hebron.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (11 – 17 August 2011):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, two Palestinians, including a disabled child, were killed and 5 others, including a child, were wounded in the Gaza Strip. A child was also wounded in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 16 August 2011, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at a number of activists of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), who were preparing a home-made rocket for launch in the east of Gaza City. As a result of the missile attack, 3 activists were seriously wounded. One of them died of his wound a few hours later.

On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian child from al-Nussairat refugee camp, who was 400 meters from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The victim’s family told a PCHR field worker that their child had a mental disability. The victim was in an area that had not been explicitly declared as prohibited.

On 15 August 2011, a Palestinian fisherman was wounded when IOF fired at a number of fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip.

On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.

On 16 August 2011, a Palestinian child was wounded when Israeli warplanes bombarded a tunnel at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.

During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of targets in the Gaza Strip. They bombarded a number of training sites of Palestinian resistance groups and a border tunnel.

In the West Bank, on 12 August 2011, a Palestinian child was injured by the explosion of a suspicious object left by IOF in the northern West Bank. The child was grazing sheep in al-Maleh area in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. He found a suspicious object, and as he mishandled it, it exploded and cut his hand fingers. It should be noted that the area is often used by IOF for military training.

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

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 10 Palestinian civilians.

Restrictions on Movement:

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

Gaza Strip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For approximately 49 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

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

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

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

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

Settlement Activities:

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 17 August 2011, a guard of “Beit ‘Ain” settlement, north of Hebron, fired from a distance of 300 meters at a number of Palestinian farmers in ‘Ein al-Baida area in the north of Bein Ummar town. Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area.

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

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

Thursday, 11 August 2011

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nouba village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-‘Awada, 41, and arrested him.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah. They searched agricultural areas located between the village and “Elli” settlement. They arrested two Palestinian after two Molotov cocktail bottles were thrown towards an Israeli settler’s car on Allon road near the village.

At approximately 21:20, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 12 August 2011

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1- Ahmed Khaled Bani ‘Ouda, 22; and
2- ‘Abdullah Jihad Bani ‘Ouda, 22.

In the morning, a Palestinian child was injured by the explosion of a suspicious object left by IOF in the northern West Bank. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:00, Ahmed ‘Aned Sarai’a, 17, was grazing sheep in al-Maleh area in the northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. He found a suspicious object, and as he mishandled it, it exploded and cut his hand fingers. It should be noted that the area is often used by IOF for military training.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

Saturday, 13 August 2011

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into BEIT Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 14 August 2011

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Balata village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1- Saber Khalil Dwaikat, 25;
2- Jaber Fayez Ji’an, 26; and
3- Tha’er Na’im Dwaikat, 25.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the Jabarin family and arrested two members of the family: Ahmed Kayed Jabarin, 32; and Murad Sami Jabarin, 23.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 15 August 2011

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

At approximately 10:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishermen who were fishing at the beach. As a result, a fisherman, Yassin ‘Ali Zayed, 41, from al-Salatin area in Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg. Zayed was nearly 300 meters away from the border.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at two Palestinian civilians who were on an agricultural plot in the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis., nearly 300 meters away from the border. One of these civilians, Hammouda Sami al-Najjar, 25, was wounded by a bullet to the left thigh.

At approximately 18:00, 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.

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

At approximately 00:45, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at a number of activists of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), who were preparing a home-made rocket for launch near al-Istijaba Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result of the missile attack, 3 activists were seriously wounded. One of them, Mousa Younis Mousa Eshtaiwi, 30, died of his wound at approximately 07:00. He was hit by shrapnel to the head, the right thigh and the left leg.

At approximately 01:45, Israeli warplanes fired 4 missiles at a site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in Bani Suhaila village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The site was damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 01:50, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The site was damaged, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 02:30, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades in al-Hashash neighborhood in the northwest of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Ten minutes later, the site was bombarded again. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 03:05, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Saladin Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The missile targeted a tunnel in the area. As a result, ‘Abdul Rahman Qishta, 7, wounded by shrapnel to the head, when he was near his family’s house in the area.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kufor ‘Abboush village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. 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 Kufor Zeibad village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

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

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Rantis village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

In the evening, IOF killed a Palestinian child from al-Nussairat refugee camp, who was 400 meters from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The victim’s family told a PCHR field worker that their child had a mental disability. The victim was in an area that had not been explicitly declared as prohibited.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at the border northeast of Deir al-Balah opened fire at a Palestinian, who was nearly 400 meters from the border. As a result, he was wounded by 10 bullets in his head and chest. He was left wounded without being offered any first aid. After coordination was made with IOF, at approximately 19:20, medical crews were able to retrieve the body, which was then transferred to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. After four hours later, the child was identified as Sa’d Abdul Rahim Mahmoud al-Majdalwai, 17, from al-Nussairat refugee camp. He was hit by 10 live bullets mostly to the head. In his testimony to PCHR, the victim’s father said that his son had been suffering from a mental disability and speech impairment.

At approximately 20:40, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Kharbtha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer on 12 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. They moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. The placed chairs to make it a park for Palestinians. The demonstrators also used megaphones to call on Israeli settlers living in “Mitityaho Mizrach” settlement to leave it. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and fire broke out in some olive fields.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 3 international human rights defenders.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to Israeli settlement activities the continued closure of the entrance of the village by IOF. Israeli soldiers prevented the demonstrators from getting close to the entrance and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. Because of the tear gas canisters and sound bombs, 58 olive trees belonging to the heirs of Hassan Shihada Eshtaiwi near the entrance of the village were burnt.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 12 August 2011, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Ma’sara area, south of Bethlehem, in protest to Israeli settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards the western entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and violently beat the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian children sustained bruises: Ussama Eyad Braijiya, 9; Hareth Hassan Braijiya, 10; and ‘Abada ‘Ali Braijiya, 11.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 13 August 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and some international human rights defenders organize a peaceful demonstration in Khillat al-Kutla area in the south of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They moved towards Palestinian land closed by IOF near “Karmi Tsur” settlement. When the demonstrators got close to the area, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs and violently beat a number of them. As a result, two Palestinian civilians sustained bruises and one of them was arrested by Israeli soldiers: Mousa ‘Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 33; and Saqer ‘Abdul Karim Abu Maria, 45, who was arrested.

3. Continued Closure of the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

Notes:

On Wednesday, 10 August 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 3,290 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 936 tons of wheat and 518 tons of straws.

On Thursday, 11 August 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 3,010 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of wheat.

On Sunday, 14 August 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 3,920 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders.

On Monday, 15 August 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 105 tons of construction steel and 3,850 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders.

On Tuesday, 09 August 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 96 tons of construction steel and 3,780 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of fodders.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
10 – 16 August 2011

The West Bank

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. On the eve of the second Friday of the Holy Ramadan, IOF imposed severe restrictions on access to the city. They only allowed male Palestinians aged over 50 and female ones aged over 30 from the West Bank to pray in the al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday.

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 11 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Beit Siera – Kharabtha al-Misbah road, southwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 12 August 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 ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ghassana village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 13 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 19:30 on Sunday, 14 August 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 22:00, IOF established a checkpoint near ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 15 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near al-Taybeh intersection, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday and Tuesday, 13 and 16 August 2011, IOF established a number of checkpoints at the entrances of a number of villages and intersections near Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and summoned a number of civilians for interrogation. On Wednesday morning, 17 August 2011, IOF placed an observation tower and 3 mobile rooms near al-Rajabi building, which they seized 3 years ago, in the southeast of Hebron.

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:40 on Sunday, 14 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 17:40 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:50, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 12:45 on Monday, 15 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 15:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:45, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fundoq village, east of Qalqilya.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 03:00 on Friday, 12 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Bazaria intersection and another one at Beit Leed intersection on Tulkarm-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 13 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection on Tulkarm-Nablus road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 15 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Jabara gate on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road. At approximately 10:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Ramin intersection, northeast of Tulkarm. At approximately 22:00, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit Leed intersection, east 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 00:15 on Thursday, 11 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Fahma-Kufor Rae’I village, south of Jenin. An hour later, they established another checkpoint at ‘Anza intersection, south of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:10 on Thursday, 11 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Eskaka Bridge, east of Salafit. They stopped, held and questioned a number of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:20 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehiclesOn Friday, 12 August 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Salfit. At approximately 20:45 on Monday, 15 August 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 12 August 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron arrested Mo’tassem Ahmed Zaidat, 23, from Bani Na’im village southeast of Hebron, claiming that he was carrying a small knife.

At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli soldiers stationed near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron arrested Najeeb and ‘Abdul Rahim ‘Abdul Hamid Taha, 31 and 17 respectively.

At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 13 August 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, stopped Fat’hi al-Qar’awi, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from Hamas, when he was traveling in his car towards Tulkarm, and arrested his son, 25-year-old Hamza.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 14 August 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at al-Karama International Crossing Point on the Jordanian border arrested ‘Adnan Mohammed al-Zaru, 33, from Hebron, when he was on his way back to the West Bank.

On Sunday noon, 14 August 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at a checkpoint near Ofar detention center, west of Ramallah, arrested Suha Salah Abu Munshar, 24, from Hebron, together with her baby. They claimed that she attempted to enter a mobile phone to her husband, Tariq Anwar Ed’eis, 29, who is held in the detention center. Two days later, she appeared before an Israeli military court, which extended its detention for another two days.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 17 August 2011, a guard of “Beit ‘Ain” settlement, north of Hebron, fired from a distance of 300 meters at a number of Palestinian farmers in ‘Ein al-Baida area in the north of Bein Ummar town. Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area.

Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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