Israeli human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/24/2005

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported on the Israeli violations against the Palestinians during the period of December 15 to December 22. Here is what the report said:

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

• Two Palestinians were killed by IOF.
• One of the victims was extra-judicially executed by IOF in Jenin.
• 30 Palestinian civilians, including 15 children, were wounded by IOF.
• IOF waged at least 25 air strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip and a number of roads were destroyed.
• IOF conducted 37 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
• Houses were raided and 70 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a girl, were arrested by IOF.
• An IOF dog attacked a child in Balata refugee camp.
• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; an old man died at a checkpoint in the West Bank; border crossing of the Gaza Strip were partially reopened; IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank; and IOF arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
• IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall; 3 demonstrators sustained bruises and IOF arrested 4 international solidarity activists.
• Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; 150 olive trees were cut and at least 120 donums of agricultural land were razed in the West Bank.



Summary

Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (15 – 21 December 2005):



Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed two Palestinians. On Saturday, 17 December 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip as he attempted together with another civilian to enter Israel to search for jobs. On Wednesday, 21 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Jenin.



Shelling: During the reported period, IOF waged at least 25 air strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip. A number of civilian facilities were destroyed or damaged, and 7 Palestinian civilians, including an infant, were injured.



Incursions: IOF conducted 37 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, 23 Palestinian civilians, including 13 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire. IOF also raided houses and arrested 70 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a girl. IOF used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions. An IOF dog attacked a Palestinian child in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.



Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big jail. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 8 hours a day only. On 16 December 2005, IOF closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and on fishing in the Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing through chasing and firing at Palestinian fishing boats.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF closed a number of roads in Hebron, and tightened the siege imposed on occupied Jerusalem. On Thursday, 8 December 2005, IOF closed Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through checkpoints. They have prevented Palestinians aged 16-35 from crossing checkpoints. On 18 December 2005, an old man died from a heart attack at an IOF checkpoint near Tulkarm. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.



Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF razed at least 345 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Beit Jala. They also used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. Three demonstrators sustained bruises and IOF arrested 4 international solidarity activists.



Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers cut at least 150 olives trees in Bourin village, south of Nablus. They also plowed at least 110 donums of agricultural land in Kufor Thuluth village near Qalqilya, and razed 15 donums of agricultural land in Yatta village, south of Hebron. Moreover, IOF razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land in Hebron for the purpose of settlement expansion.


Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (15 – 21 December 2005)


1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property



Thursday, 15 December 2005
· At approximately 00:10, an IOF warplane launched a missile at the Agricultural School in Beit Hanoun. As a result, Sami Jarada, 26, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force from Gaza City, was injured by shrapnel, as he was on-duty in the area.

· At approximately 00:45, IOF warplanes launched 4 missiles at uninhabited areas in the northern Gaza Strip. No Casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed Saleh 'Atiya, 20;
2. Ziad Bader, 20;
3. Mohammed Bader, 19;
4. Hussein Mahmoud al-Badri, 47;
5. Shaker Musleh, 45;
6. Mohammed Shaker Musleh, 18;
7. 'Omar Raja, 18;
8. Rami Ahmed Musleh, 18;
9. Rebhi 'Abed Yousef, 19; and
10. Mohammed Mousa al-Habal, 17.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Ali Musallam Shuraitah, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Suleiman Daoud Radaida, 32, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the eastern part of Tulkarm. They surrounded a number of houses and forced their residents out. Then, they searched the houses. Before their withdrawal, IOF arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. Jawdat Munther al-Madani, 21;
2. Mahmoud Kamal al-Tahel, 27; and
3. Mohammed Rashad al-Hamshari, 24.

· At approximately 02:45, an IOF warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to 'Aamer 'Abdul Rahman Qarmout, a leader of the Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, in the densely populated Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The missile hit the 140-square-meter, two-storey house and severely damaged it. A number of neighboring houses were also damaged. According to eyewitnesses, Qarmout, his wife and their children had left the house earlier. This attack was the second of its kind on the same house during the current Intifada.

· Also at approximately 02:45, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Kareem Na'im al-Reemawi, 19, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Northern 'Assira village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shouq Mohammed Beerwai, 29, and arrested her.

· Also at approximately 03:00, an IOF helicopter gunship launched a missile at the headquarters of al-Ihsan Charitable Society in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. The second floor, which serves as a cultural center, was severely damaged. This attack was the second of its kind following the IOF redeployment around the Gaza Strip in September 2005.

· At approximately 21:20, IOF moved into 'Ein Sara Street in the north of Hebron. They surrounded al-Esraa' building. Then, they raided and searched the office of Future for Studies and Media. They confiscated a computer set and damaged the office.



Friday, 16 December 2005
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including two brothers:

1. Ra'ed 'Abdul Hamid Qaisiya, 30;
2. Wa'el 'Abdul Hamid Qaisiya, 36;
3. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Sharekh, 30; and
4. Eyad Nayef al-Battat, 27.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ashraf Mustafa al-Darabee', 27.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets. A few hours later, IOF took position at the entrance of the village. They stopped and checked Palestinian civilians and arrested Na'el Ahmed Bani 'Ouda, 23.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ra'ed Ahmed Taha, 37, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They surrounded a house belonging to Mahmoud Hassan 'Ouda and forced its residents out. They searched the houses and opened fire inside. Then, they arrested 3 of the owner's sons: Sa'di, 26, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force; Safwat, 25, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement; and Hikmat, 22, a member of the Islamic Jihad. It is worth noting the IOF arrested the owner's fourth son, 30-year-old Siddiq, a few days earlier, and his daughter 'Abeer 6 months ago.

· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the stone throwers. Jamal 'Omar Qubbaj, 24, was wounded by a live bullet to the left foot.

· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Wadi al-Hariya neighborhood in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hani Khairi al-Sikafi, 29.


Saturday, 17 December 2005
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Arafat Isma'il Faraj, 21; and
2. 'Ouda Sabri 'Aassi, 23.

· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labd village, east of Tulkarm. They opened fire indiscriminately. A Palestinian civilian, 25-year-old Zuhair Ahmed Fuqaha, was wounded by a live bullet to the right hand. IOF arrested him and evacuated him to an Israeli hospital. According to eyewitnesses, Fuqaha was wounded when he was near his house. Fuqaha is a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, and it not clear whether he was deliberately targeted by IOF.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beiot Lahia, opened fire at two Palestinian civilians who got close to the border. Four hours later, IOF allowed a Palestinian ambulance to reach the area. The medical crew found the body of one of these civilians. They evacuated the body to Kamal 'Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. The victim was identified as Luqman Mohammed Hammad Abu Zakari, 22, from Nusairat refugee camp. According to medical sources, he was hit by several live bullets to the head, the chest and the abdomen. Later, IOF informed the Palestinian side that another young man was still in the area. Immediately, an ambulance went to the area and found Isma'il Suleiman al-Rumailat, 18, from Beit Lahia. He was seriously wounded to the feet. The two civilians apparently attempted to enter Israel to search for jobs.



Sunday, 18 December 2005
· At approximately 00:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired at Wa'el Khamis al-Qahwaji, 31, from Khan Yunis. He was wounded by a live bullet to the left foot. He suffers from a mental disability.

· At approximately 00:40, IOF warplanes launched 3 missiles at agricultural areas to the east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Omar Mohammed Bani 'Ouda, 20;
2. Mahmoud Darwish Bani 'Ouda, 18; and
3. Mansour Mustafa Bani 'Ouda, 18.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Waleed Mohammed 'Amru, 29, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ghaleb Mahmoud 'Awad, 21, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, an IOF warplane launched a missile on the main road that links between Rafah and Khan Yunis. The missile damaged the road and made a large crater.

· At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into al-'Eisawiya village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Na'im Muhaisen, 17, and arrested him.

· In the early morning, IOF warplanes waged a number of air strikes on a number of roads in the towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Al-Sikka Bridge in Beit Hanoun, which links between the south and north of the Gaza Strip and leads to Erez crossing, the main road leading to the Bedouin Village and a number of branch roads were severely damaged. A number of houses were also damaged. In addition, 3-month-old Maria Fikri Ekhrout, was injured by shrapnel to the right eye and the skull when she was at home. Two members of the Palestinian National Security Force sustained bruises as they attempted to escape these attacks.

· At approximately 07:00, residents of 'Allar village, north of Tulkarm, discovered the presence of an IOF undercover unit inside an under-construction house belonging to Sa'id Mustafa Barakat. According to Barakat, he went to the house together with a worker, 25-year-old Nihad Zuhair Hafaiza. The two were surprised by the presence of the undercover unit inside the house. Immediately, Israeli soldiers handcuffed them and violently beat Barakat. When their families noticed their delay, they went to the house. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the families. Soon after, 6 IOF jeeps moved into the village to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit, which apparently made an ambush.

· At approximately 12:30, an IOF jeep ran down 10-year-old Hazem Nabeeh Yameen, from Jeet village east of Qalqilya. According to eyewitnesses, the child was trying to cross the main road between Nablus and Qalqilya opposite to the village, when he was on his way back home from school. IOF prevented an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society from attending him, claiming that as he was run down by a military jeep, he must be treated by an Israeli medical crew. The child sustained bruises. On Monday, 20 December 2005, the Israeli daily Maariv reported on its web page that a number of Israeli soldiers submitted a complaint against an Israeli officer because he drove his jeep in the streets of the West Bank when he was drunk. PCHR is concerned that such behaviors endanger the lives of Palestinian civilians.

· At approximately 17:40, an IOF undercover unit moved into Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers raided a house belonging to 'Abdul Rahman Suraidi in the south of the town. As he was not at home, Israeli soldiers held his wife and children in one room. A few minutes later, 20 IOF jeeps arrived at the area to secure the withdrawal of the undercover unit. IOF claim that Suraidi is wanted for his activities in the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement.



Monday, 19 December 2005
· In the early morning, IOF war planes launched at least 13 air strikes on a number of roads in the northern Gaza Strip towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. They attacked the following targets:

1. A number of missiles hit al-Sikka Bridge in the south of Beit Hanoun, destroying it and making a large crater into the main road that links the south with the north of the Gaza Strip and leads to Erez crossing.
2. Three missiles hit Salah al-Din Street, making craters and destroying it partially.
3. A missile hit the road leading to a site of the Palestinian Naval Police in al-Sudaniya area in the west of Beit Lahia.
4. Three missiles hit the main road in Sheikh Zayed town in Beit Lahia, partially destroying it and damaging a number of houses.
5. A missile destroyed the road leading to Um al-Nasser village, nearly 100 meters away from Balsam Hospital, whose windows were also destroyed.

Two members of the Palestinian National Security Force were injured when they were inside their post:

1. Adam al-Buraim, 23, from Khan Yunis, injured by shrapnel to the left leg; and
2. Yasser al-Akhras, 27, from Rafah, injured by shrapnel to the left hand.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They, accompanied by trained dogs, raided a house belonging to Waleed Rasheed Abu Dahoud. According to eyewitnesses, one of the dogs bit the owner's child, 12-year-old Bassel, in the abdomen, the left leg and the right hand. In her testimony to PCHR, Abu Dahoud's wife said:

"At approximately 03:00, during an IOF incursion into Balata refugee camp, we heard knocking on our door. My husband opened the door. It was our neighbor, Fidaa' Hannoun, who told him that IOF wanted all residents of the house out. My husband went out. When my daughter, 19-year-old Asmaa', went to close the door a big dog attacked her. She escaped to her room. The dog entered the house and attacked my child, 12-year-old Bassel. The dog bit his left leg and right hand and pulled him towards the stairs. Then, my son Mohammed threw a box on the dog forcing it to let Bassel. Soon, at least 20 Israeli soldiers broke into the house and held the dog. An IOF doctor offered the child first medical aid and decided his transfer to the hospital."

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Ali Qara'an, 24, a university students, and arrested him.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ra'ed 'Ezzat 'Awad, 25, and arrested him.

· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They stopped and interrogated a number of students of the secondary school when they were on their way back homes. Then, they arrested 3 students:

1. Hamdi Taha Salah, 17;
2. Rami 'Emad Mousa, 17; and
3. Mohammed 'Abdul Karim Salah, 16.

· At approximately 22:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Bourqin village, southwest of Jenin, using a civilian car that had a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near Tha'er 'Abed 'Obaidi, 31, who was near his house. A person wearing civilian clothes got out of the car, pointed a gun at his back and forced him to get into the car. Immediately, 5 Israeli soldiers who were in the car violently beat him. The car then moved towards the west and stopped near a fuel station, nearly 500 meters away from Salem detention facility. There, Israeli soldiers interrogated and beat 'Obaidi. Soon after, Israeli soldiers handcuffed him and left him in the car for more than two hours. At approximately 03:00 on the following day, the car moved towards the western entrance of Jenin. There, they stopped, opened the door of the car and pulled 'Obaidi out.



Tuesday, 20 December 2005
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Kumayel, 17, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Qebia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 11 Palestinian civilians:

1. Edrees Hussein Qutna, 36;
2. 'Omar Hussein Qutna, 32;
3. Rawhi Mahmoud Taha, 25;
4. Majed al-Halhouli, 27;
5. Yousef Yasser Zukail, 24;
6. Mohammed Yasser Zukail, 22;
7. Mohammed Waleed Ghaizan, 22;
8. Jebril Ahmed Ghaizan, 21;
9. Shadi Mohammed Nasser, 22;
10. Baher Jamal Nasser, 19; and
11. Nasser Fawzi Nasser, 20.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the old town of Nablus. A number of Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire with IOF. Two gunmen were wounded:

1. Ra'ed al-Ratrout, 22, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen; and
2. Nazmi Mohammed Rabai'a, 24, wounded by a live bullet to the buttocks.

· At approximately 08:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of Deir al-Balah, fired at 15-year-old Mohammed Khader Sa'doun, from al-Boreij refugee camp. He was wounded by a live bullet to the right foot. The child attempted to cross the border to search for a job in Israel.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. A number of IOF vehicles took positions near schools. Dozens of Palestinian school children gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets at the children. As a result, 5 children were wounded:

1. 'Abdullah Mohammed Abu al-Haija, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right thigh;
2. Nidal Farhan Furaihat, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot;
3. Mo'tasem Mohammed Abu Salah, 12, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face;
4. Mohammed Mousa Abu Toul, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the foot; and
5. Hazem 'Aaref Sammour, 14, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face.


Before their withdrawal from the village at approximately 14:00, IOF arrested 8 Palestinian civilians:

1. Nash'at Mohammed Abu al-Haija, 27;
2. Hussam Mohammed Abu al-Haija, 25;
3. Ashraf Mohammed Khamaisa, 27;
4. Jihad Mohammed Nawahda, 24;
5. Salama Mohammed Sha'ban, 24;
6. Khaled 'omar Sammar, 23;
7. Mohammed Fawaz Nawahda, 27; and
8. Nidal Fawaz Nawahda, 25.



Wednesday, 21 December 2005
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Shaher Hisham 'Edwan, 35;
2. Rezeq Mohammed Tabeeb, 33;
3. Marwan Mustafa Hawari, 39; and
4. Nidal 'Abdul Ghafer Swaidan, 34.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qebia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Tha'er Fawzi Nasser, 22; and
2. Jebril Ahmed Ghaizan, 21.

It is worth noting that IOF arrested Ghaizan on Tuesday morning and released him a few hours later.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Bahaa' 'Ali Buhais, 20; and
2. Mahmoud Jaber al-Horoush, 40.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Rebhi 'Awad, 23, and arrested him.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and opened fire indiscriminately. They also seized an apartment building in Ras al-'Ein neighborhood and transformed it into a military site. Dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the stone throwers. As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded:

1. 'Abdul Nasser Mohammed Abu Keshek, 25, wounded by shrapnel to the back and the left thigh;
2. Basem 'Atallah al-Dughaini, 21, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot;
3. Salem Ahmed Salim, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;
4. Mo'taz Ziad Suleiman, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand;
5. Ibrahim 'Ammar al-Qutob, 20, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head;
6. 'Ammar Nizar Shabaru, 16, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left thigh; and
7. Ahmed Ziad Suleiman, 14, wounded by two rubber-coated metal bullets to the chest and the left foot.

· In the afternoon, as IOF extra-judicially executed Zayed Mousa (see below), dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered near the governmental compound in Jenin. They threw stones at IOF vehicles. Immediately, IOF fired at the stone throwers. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded:

1. Jihad Mahmoud Sayes, 24, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest;
2. Ra'ed 'Abdul Qader Abu al-Hassan, 24, wounded by shrapnel to the hands;
3. Mohammed Nabil Farahati, 13, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left foot;
4. Khaled Waleed 'Ammouri, 15, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the knee; and
5. Aysar Ahmed 'Omar, 18, wounded by shrapnel to the hand.


2. Extra-Judicial Execution

On Wednesday afternoon, 21 December 2005, an IOF undercover unit extra-judicially executed Zayed Suleiman Khalil Mousa, 24, from Jenin. The victim was a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:30 on Wednesday, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin using two civilian cars that have Palestinian registration plates. The unit surrounded a 5-storey apartment building near the governmental compound in al-Basateen neighborhood in the northwest of the town. Soon, at least 25 IOF vehicles, including a bulldozer, arrived at the area to support the undercover unit. A number of Israeli soldiers took position on the roofs a number of neighboring houses and buildings. IOF ordered residents of the apartment building to get out and they did. Soon after, IOF opened fire at the building. Nearly half an hour later, IOF declared that they killed a wanted Palestinian in the building. IOF prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching the area until 14:30. Then, Palestinian medical crews entered the building and found a body. They transported the body to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital. There, the victim was identifies as Zayed Suleiman Khalil Mousa.


3. Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have continued to impose tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.



Gaza Strip

Even though IOF were redeployed around the Gaza Strip, they have maintained the occupation of the Gaza Strip though controlling or outlets and crossings.
· Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. On Monday, 19 December 2005, work hours at the crossing were increased to 8 hours a day. The crossing point had been working for 5 hours daily since it was reopened 3 weeks ago. The declared reason for the short work day was that the European monitoring team was not ready. It is noted that, contrary to media reports, the commercial crossing in Rafah has not been opened. The commercial crossing still requires some technical preparations parallel to those being conducted at the Kerem Shalom crossing to the southeast of Rafah, which is designated for imports under joint Israeli-Palestinian control. For more information on the border crossings agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, please refer to previous PCHR's reports.

The agreement allows IOF to monitor the border crossings, which are the main artery to the economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian civilian population. The absence of actual Israeli military presence inside the Gaza Strip does not mean that the Israeli military occupation has come to an end. The field conditions in the Gaza Strip prove that IOF have continued to control movement to and from the Gaza Strip. This agreement reinforces the IOF control over, and occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has not come to an end with the implementation of the Disengagement Plan.

· Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: It is the only crossing point for Gaza Strip workers, patients, traders or ordinary citizens into Israel and to the West Bank. IOF closed the crossing on 16 December 2005 after reopening it on 12 December 2005. PCHR's fieldworker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that some patients, special cases, VIP's and employees in international organizations are allowed to enter Israel and travel to the West Bank. It is noted that the crossing has been closed repeatedly for varying durations since the implementation of the disengagement plan. These closures have compounded the problems of poverty and unemployment in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of workers are prevented from their daily sustenance when the crossing is closed. In addition, Palestinians are deprived of social and economic continuity with the West Bank.

· Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: Since the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing. According to field information, 40-50 trucks transport exported goods from the Gaza Strip and 250 trucks transport goods imported from Israel and the West Bank. The capacity of the crossing before the current Intifada was the passage of 800 trucks daily, including 150 ones that transported exported goods from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the Intifada, IOF have repeatedly closed the crossing to pressure Palestinian civilians.

· Sofa crossing: IOF also control Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, which is designated for the transportation of construction raw materials. On 15 December 2005, IOF closed the crossing, but reopened it on 20 December 2005.


The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza's coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2500 fishermen, 2500 support staff and their families.

Since the Fishermen have been allowed back into the sea, they have been subjected to intensive monitoring by the Israeli military. The military have used helicopter gunships, and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. On a number of occasions the Israeli military opened fire against the civilian fishermen in order to enforce the 9 nautical mile limit imposed on them. The Oslo Accords make provision for Gaza's sea to be fished to 20 nautical miles.

IOF have continued establish military post and observation towers along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to maintain control over the Gaza Strip.



The West Bank

IOF have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities in the West Bank Territory. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to implement measures to increase the isolation of east Jerusalem, and to restrict the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the city. After imposing a comprehensive closure on the OPT on Friday, 16 December 2005, IOF implemented more stringent measures at checkpoints at the entrances to the city. Very slow and humiliating search procedures were carried out against Palestinians attempting to pass through these checkpoints. IOF deployed hundreds of troops in the vicinity of checkpoints to apprehend Palestinians attempting to enter the city via side roads. In this context, IOF detained scores of civilians for several hours, and forced them to sign written commitments in Arabic before their release. All entry permits into the city were canceled. On Sunday, 18 December 2005, IOF closed the entrance of al-'Eisawiya village with large cement blocks.

On Sunday, 18 December 2005, IOF troops stationed at Daheyat al-Bareed checkpoint, to the north of east Jerusalem, detained a number of Palestinian civilians. One was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location. His identity has remained unknown.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. Qalandya checkpoint, linking Ramallah and al-Bireh with Jerusalem and the southern West Bank, has remained closed. PCHR's fieldworker in Ramallah reported that IOF arbitrary measures have compounded the suffering of thousands of civilians forced to move in and out of Ramallah, especially employees, workers and students. They have been forced to take a one-hour journey on the Birzeit road, whereas normal travel would take 7 minutes only. Thus, workers, employees and students are burdened with high financial costs. The taxi fare from Ramallah to the outskirts of al-Ram increased from 2.5 NIS to 15 NIS. Furthermore, IOF re-established their presence on the 'Attara Bridge checkpoint, at the northern entrance of Birzeit village. This entrance is the sole link between Ramallah and the rest of the West Bank. Also during the reported period, IOF erected checkpoints along the Nablus-Ramallah road and the bypass road leading to al-Ram village.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose stringent measures and restrictions against Palestinians in Hebron, including a comprehensive closure on the whole town, closing all entrances to the town and abusing its residents. Furthermore, IOF imposed a curfew on the old town of Hebron as well as Qalqees and al-Harayeq suburbs, southwest of the town. These measures were enforced following the death of an Israeli settler and the injury of 2 others. The settlers' car came under fire as it was traveling along settler road (60) to the east of "Beit Hagai" settlement, southwest of Hebron. PCHR's fieldworker in Hebron reported that IOF detained a number of journalists in the area of the incident, and beat them for no apparent reason. Among them were: Hazem Bader, a cameraman of France Press; Yosri al-Jamal, a cameraman of Reuters; and Naser al-Shoyoukhi, a cameraman of Associated Press. Furthermore, IOF conducted search operations in Qalqees, al-Harayeq, al-Hawouz al-Thani and Abu Sunaina areas in the town, as well as the villages of Yatta and Zeef to the south of the town. During these operations, IOF stopped scores of vehicles, and detained passengers for long periods of time under the pretext of searching and ID verification. In addition, IOF closed 50 roads in Hebron with sand barriers. On Saturday evening, 17 December 2005, IOF closed the northern and southern entrances of Hebron with cement blocks. They detained scores of civilians and drivers, searched vehicles and checked the ID's of passengers.

At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 17 December 2005, IOF deployed near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested Amani Mohammed Radwan Abu Shukhaidem, 14. The child's family indicated that their daughter was arrested when she was on her way back home from the market.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Nablus. PCHR's fieldworker in Nablus reported that IOF closed the Bathan road, northeast of Nablus, with sand barriers, preventing vehicles from reaching the city through the road. As a result, civilians were forced to take the al-Naqoura road, northwest of Nablus, then walk two kilometers to Deir Sharaf village before continuing to Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus. The rainy weather complicated the journey of civilians, especially on 17 December 2005, when the roads were muddy. With the reinforcement of the closure, IOF stopped applying a special status to teachers and physicians, and cancelled the special checkpoint permits for those under 35. IOF stationed at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, prevented all residents of Tulkarm, Jenin and Nablus aged under 35 from passing through the checkpoint.

At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 15 December 2005, IOF positioned on the Bathan road stopped a Palestinian taxi and arrested the driver, taking him to an unknown destination. The driver was later identified as Murshed Mohammed Bani 'Odeh, 35, from Tammoun village southeast of Jenin.

· Tulkarm: On Thursday, 15 December 2005, IOF informed the Palestinian Liaison Office that Tulkarm would be placed under complete closure indefinitely starting from 20:00 that evening. IOF indicated after 20:00 that Tulkarm residents would be allowed to enter the town, but would not be allowed to leave it. Further, the IOF order indicated that starting at 00:00 on Friday, 16 December 2005, no one would be allowed to enter or leave the town, excluding humanitarian cases. The Israeli side did not explain the reasons for this decision against Tulkarm. The decision was implemented by IOF literally on the ground. At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 15 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Khirbit Jebara - al-Ras intersection, south of Tulkarm. Thus, they closed the Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, and prevented civilian movement through the checkpoint. The soldiers at the checkpoint detained scores of young men after checking their ID's. They beat, kicked and cursed those that moved. It is noted that the young men were held no less than one hour under the rain. On Friday morning, 16 December 2005, IOF reinforced the closure of Tulkarm, completely isolating it from surrounding villages, towns and governorates. No one was allowed to leave or enter the city, even on foot. Later, IOF allowed civilians to enter the city, but not to leave. In addition, IOF reinforced their presence on the Tulkarm-Nablus road, and erected a checkpoint at the Bala'a village intersection, east of Tulkarm. Other checkpoints were erected on the unpaved road linking Tulkarm with Qalqilya, on the Tulkarm - al-Sha'rawiya road, at Zieta village intersection, at the entrance of Qiffeen village, and at Far'oun intersection. In addition, IOF closed the dirt roads between the villages of Bala'a and Deir al-Ghosoun and between the villages of Bala'a and 'Anabta. On Saturday, 17 December 2005, IOF maintained the closure imposed on Tulkarm and reinforced their presence at checkpoints erected at intersections and entry points. IOF positioned at al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm, prevented Palestinian civilians from passing through. In addition, they detained scores of young men and forced them to sit on the ground under the rain for hours. The young men were not allowed to move at all. In addition, IOF reinforced their presence on the checkpoints erected at al-Ras intersection, al-Jarousha, 'Ateel and Bala'a intersections. The residents of 'Anabta village were not allowed to leave their village. Young men who tried to pass through the Bala'a checkpoint were detained under the rain for hours, without being allowed to return or enter Tulkarm. On Sunday, 18 December 2005, IOF erected a number of checkpoints at the entrances of Tulkarm. Civilians were prevented from entering or leaving the town. IOF reinforced their presence at Far'oun intersection, and prevented the residents of the villages of Far'oun and 'Ezbat Shoufa from leaving their villages. In addition, IOF detained scores of vehicles heading towards al-Kafriyat checkpoint. A long queue of vehicle was formed, and a traffic jam resulted. In addition, passengers could not leave the vehicles for hours due to rainy weather.

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 18 December 2005, IOF positioned at a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffeen village, north of Tulkarm, arrested two children: Ashraf Ibrahim 'Ali Sabbah, 17; and Ahmad Ibrahim Yousef Hamad, 17. The two were detained for two hours at the checkpoint before being arrested and taken to an unknown destination.

On Sunday, 18 December 2005, Talal Mansour Saleh Shuraim, 65, from Tulkarm, died at the al-Taibeh checkpoint, west of Tulkarm. He had previously suffered from a heart attack, and informed soldiers of his condition. Nonetheless, IOF positioned at the checkpoint forced him out of the vehicle he was in, and forced him to walk. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at 18:00 on the day in question, Shuraim was among a group of relatives of Palestinian prisoners returning from Gilbou' Prison in Israel. They reached al-Taibeh checkpoint, west of Tulkarm, in a bus. IOF stopped the bus and prevented its passage for more than an hour. Then, they ordered the passengers to get out of the bus. Shuraim told the soldiers that he had a heart attack, and that he cannot walk the distance. However, Israeli soldiers forced him off the bus. After taking a few steps, Shuraim suffered from an acute heart attack. He was transported to Martyr Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarm, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. It is noted that Shuraim was returning from visiting his son, Mohannad, who is sentenced to life imprisonment. That was the first visit to his son in 3 years.

· Qalqilya: On Sunday, 18 December 2005, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in Qalqilya. They closed the roads linking Qalqilya with other West Bank governorates. IOF closed the road leading to Tulkarm. In addition, they erected a checkpoint on the road leading to Nablus, allowing only patients to pass through. In addition, procedures were more stringent on the border crossing north of Qalqilya. On Tuesday, 20 December 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Qalqilya-Habla road, south of Qaliqilya. The checkpoint was erected at the entrance of the Habla Tunnel. IOF stopped Palestinian vehicles, searched them and checked the ID's of passengers. As a result, students and employees were not able to reach their destinations on time. In addition, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya, and another checkpoint at the Jeet village intersection. They checked Palestinians at both checkpoints.

· Jenin: At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 18 December 2005, an IOF patrol near al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin, arrested Yousef and Mohammed 'Abdullah Sa'aidah, 22 and 24 respectively, from al-Yamoun village. The two brothers were arrested as they were on their land in Marj Ibn 'Aamer, northwest of the village.

On Monday morning, 19 December 2005, IOF positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, arrested a Palestinian civilian. His identity remains unknown.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 19 December 2005, an IOF patrol in al-Buqai'a plain, northeast of Tammoun village, arrested Khader Khader Bani 'Odeh, 27, and Ra'fat Mahmoud Saleh Bani 'Odeh, 22, both from Tammoun village. Both were working on their land at the time of their arrest.

· Al-Karama International Crossing Point: On Friday, 16 December 2005, IOF operating al-Karama International Crossing Point arrested Islam Hassan al-Woreedan, 28, from Bethlehem. His relatives stated that he was on his way back to the West Bank after completing his engineering studies in Ukraine.



4. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory.
· On Friday morning, 16 December 2005, IOF started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Ras Beit Jala opposite to "Gilo" area near Bethlehem to construct a new section of the Wall. According to local sources, at least 345 donums of agricultural land belonging to the families of Mukarkar, Salman and Khalila would be razed. When constructed, this new section of the Wall will isolate at least 3040 donums of Palestinian agricultural land to be later annexed to "Har Gilo" settlement in Beit Jala.

· At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 16 December 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. They also beat a number of demonstrators. Three demonstrators sustained bruises and IOF arrested 4 international solidarity activists.


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

Israeli settlers (living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law) have continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property:
· On Thursday morning, 15 December 2005, IOF bulldozed a 500-square-meter area of land in the Wad al-Basateen area, east of Hebron. The bulldozed area, which is to the east "Kiryat Arba" settlement, belongs to Zeid Rubin al-Ja'bari. It includes an agricultural room and a sanitation unit.

· On Saturday evening, 17 December 2005, a number of Israeli settlers cut and damaged more than 150 olive trees in Bourin village, south of Nablus. The settlers came from "Yitzhar" settlement, which lies to the south of the village. They used electric saws to cut the trees. IOF escorted the settlers and did not intervene to stop this attack.

· On Sunday morning, 18 December 2005, a number of Israeli settlers from "Matan" settlement post on the land of Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya, plowed 110 donums of agricultural planted with winter crops. The settlers used a tractor to plow the land, which is adjacent to the settlement post. The land belongs to Mofeed 'Othman 'Odeh, Hamed D'ib 'Odeh, and Daoud 'Ali Hussein.

· On Tuesday, 20 December 2005, a group of settlers from the settlement of Ma'oun, to the east of Yatta (south of Hebron) bulldozed land owned by Palestinians to the south of the settlement, with the aim of expanding the settlement. The targeted area was 200 meters away from the settlement's border, and was 15 donums in area. It belongs to Palestinians from Moghanim and Abu Q'beita families.

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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 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 its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of searching for Israeli those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
5. 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.
6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.
7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.
8. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the proposed Gaza disengagement plan for what it is - not an end to occupation but compounding the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
9. 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 for facilitating family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
10. 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 end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.
12. 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 agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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