PCHR Weekly Report

PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights LTD (non-profit)

http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli No. 16/2009 Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 16 - 22 April 2009

IOF continue to deny Palestinian civilians to enter to Jerusalem City.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Commit Further War crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege on the Gaza Strip

IOF killed three civilians, including a child, in the West Bank. One of the dead was killed by Israeli settlement guards, and another was killed in the Bil’in weekly protest. 11 Palestinian civilians, including three children, were wounded in the West Bank. A civilian in the Gaza Strip was wounded while playing with a suspicious object left by IOF. IOF gunboats continue to attack fishing boats at sea. A house was bombarded and completely destroyed east of Deir al-Balah City, in the Gaza Strip. IOF conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested in the West Bank. IOF continue chasing fishermen in the Gaza Strip and arrest 2 fishermen. IOF occupied 5 Palestinian houses, and reclassified them as military sites. IOF continues to construct the Annexation Wall. IOF began to construct a section of the wall in the extreme southwest of Hebron. IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settler attacks continue in the West Bank. Ten civilian establishments in Hebron and a residential house east of Jerusalem were demolished. Bulldozing works intended to establish an electricity network for settlers continue in Hebron. Settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles on the Nablus-Jenin road. IOF have continued to completely isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world and have tightened the siege imposed on the West Bank. Restrictions were imposed on Palestinian Christians on Easter Day. 5 Palestinian children were arrested in agricultural lands near the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (16 – 22 April 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed three Palestinian civilians, including two children, in the West Bank. Two of the dead were killed by IOF in Ramallah, while Israeli settlement guards in Hebron killed the third. IOF also wounded 11 Palestinian civilians, including three children, in the West Bank. In addition, a civilian in the Gaza strip was wounded while playing with a suspicious object left by IOF.

In the morning of Friday, 17 April 2009, Israeli settlement guards shot dead a Palestinian child from Daheyat al-Zeitoon in Hebron City, in the West Bank. IOF claimed that the murdered boy had infiltrated the Hagai settlement in the southwest of Hebron, and attacked a settler with a knife. Investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) prove that the boy was killed while attempting to cross the fence of the settlement in an agriculture area far from houses. PCHR notes that IOF could have used less fatal force against the child; arresting the boy and questioning him in accordance with international law.

Also in the evening of 17 April 2009, IOF intentionally killed a Palestinian child and wounded another from the al-Halazon Refugee Camp in the North of Ramallah City. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at the two boys after they had attempted to throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli houses in Beit El settlement. PCHR investigations indicate that the two boys were trying to throw stones at Beit El settlement from long distance. IOF could have arrested the two boys and questioned them.

Also on 17 April 2009, IOF systematically used excessive and lethal force against Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists who were participating in the Bil’in weekly protest against the continued construction of the Annexation Wall. IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in the protest in Bi’lin village in the west of Ramallah City. Ten other Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded in the nearby village of Ni’lin. Eyewitnesses, who were participating in the protest, reported that the Palestinian who was killed was standing on a high location. He was addressing IOF, asking them to stop firing at protesters. A soldier fired a tear gas bomb directly at the civilian who fell to the ground covered with blood. He was shot from a distance of approximately 20 meters. Abdullah Abu Rahma, coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bi’lin, reported that tear gas bombs are heavy and rapid grenades, known locally as “missiles”.

In the Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2009, a Palestinian civilian was collecting plastic pieces near al-Waha Tourist Resort in the west of Beit Lahia Town. The civilian found a suspicious object that was connected with wires. He took one of the wires and tried to pull the object which exploded. The civilian lost consciousness. He was transferred to hospital where he woke up.

On 16 April 2009, IOF warplanes bombarded a Palestinian house in the east of Deir al-Balah, 300 meters to the west of the border. The house was completely destroyed. On 18 April 2009, IOF soldiers positioned along the border east of Deir al-Balah City fired at a Palestinian farmer working in his land. He was approximately 400 meters to the west of the border. The farmer was not hurt; however, four local houses were partially affected. Also on 18 April 2009, IOF soldiers positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing in the north of Beit Hanoun Town opened fire directly at two World Vision (WV) employee; one Palestinian and one Japanese national. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 27 military incursions into Palestinian communities across the West Bank. IOF arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including three children. IOF occupied five Palestinian houses and transformed them into military sites. One of the houses is in Western Tora Village in the southwest of Jenin City, the second is in Safa village in the north of Hebron Village, and the other three houses are in Kafel Hares Village in the north of Salfit.

On 19 April 2009, IOF military vehicles moved into Kafel Hares Village in the north of Salfit, in order to protect local settlers. In the evening, large numbers of settlers began to arrive to the village. Eyewitnesses estimated the number of settlers at approximately 6,000. IOF imposed a curfew on the village and prevented Palestinian civilians from leaving their houses, while settlers performed religious rituals in local shrines. The settlers attacked vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians in the village, and destroyed windows and doors in many Palestinian houses. IOF protected the settlers as they committed attacks and did not intervene.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF continued to attack Palestinian fishers and impose restrictions on their movement. During the reporting period, IOF gunboats stopped a Palestinian fishing boat off Rafah shore in the south of the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian fishers were arrested and taken to an unknown destination.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have 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

IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education. · The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs, including food, medicines, water and electricity supplies. · IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years. · IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip – excluding limited amounts of cooking gas – since 10 December 2008. · The Rafah International Crossing Point was opened for a few days for a number of international delegations, patients and holders of foreign residency permits and visas. · IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israel for medical treatment, trade or social visits. · IOF have imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers attempting to enter the Gaza Strip. Dozens of internationals were forced to travel to Egypt in order enter to Gaza via Rafah crossing. · The Palestinian civilian population’s living conditions have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply increased. · At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation for more than 17 months.

West Bank

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

· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. · There are approximately 630 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, approximately 60-80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints are erected across the West Bank by IOF every week. · When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land. · IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall. · At least 65% of the main roads leading to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads). · There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. Access to these roads is restricted to those vehicles with Israeli license plates. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain. · Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank. This harassment includes regular spot checks and searches by IOF; these are often carried out in the street. · During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested nine Palestinian civilians.

Annexation Wall: on 19 April 2009, IOF began to conduct construction works intended to establish a new section of the Annexation Wall on the lands of ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village, in the extreme southwest of Hebron. According to data available at PCHR, IOF began conducting bulldozing work on civilian land, east of Ashklot settlement. IOF installed cement blocks and barbed wire fences. Local eyewitnesses reported that sections of the Annexation Wall were constructed only 20 meters from civilians’ houses in the west and in the south of the village. Local sources said that the new section extends 20 kilometers into the land of ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village, and the nearby al-Thaheria Village to the northeast. The same sources reported that the wall annexes large areas of civilian land, denying civilians access.

On 22 April 2009, IOF blocked approximately 4,000 donums of Palestinian lands in the south of Hebron. Sources from the General Committee for the Defense of Lands in Hebron reported that IOF prevented farmers from Dora Village, al-Thaheria Village and al-Ramadin village from accessing their lands in the south of Hebron and in the vicinity of Ashklot settlement. IOF had classified these lands as closed military zones.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law. Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 19 April 2009, IOF have continued bulldozing and leveling works in Palestinian lands in Beit ‘Ummar Vilalge in the north of Hebron, in order to continue the installation of new parts of the electricity network that connects Kiryat Arba Settlement in the east of Hebron City and Hadar Beta Settlement in the west of Husan Village in Bethlehem. At the time of publication, approximately six donums of agriculture lands had been bulldozed and vineyards trees were uprooted.

On 22 April 2009, IOF demolished ten houses and bulldozed stockyards in al-Fajm District, east of ‘akraba Village, in the southeast of Nablus City. IOF had confiscated the contents of the destroyed houses and stockyards. Eight extended Palestinian families of 50 members, mostly children, used to live in the demolished houses. Al-Fajm District is located 1,000 meters southwest of Jetit Settlement. Some current Palestinians inhabitants have resided the area for 80 years. Also on 22 April 2009, IOF demolished a one-storey house belonging to Sami Hdaydoun in al-Mukaber neighborhood in the east of Jerusalem City. The house occupies an area of 90 m2, where a family of nine, including five children, lives. In 2005, the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem issued an administrative order to demolish the house under the pretext that the house was built without license from the municipality.

In violation of International Humanitarian Law, Israeli settlers have continued to commit systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and against property. On 18 April 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers arrived at the evacuated settlement of Homesh, in the northwest of Nablus City. They attacked a number of Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Jenin-Nablus road. The attacked vehicles sustained damages as a result, while Palestinian passengers were frightened. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli settlers were hiding among olive trees and attacked Palestinian civilians who were forced to leave their vehicles and hide among trees to protect themselves and their children. Israeli settlers usually have arms, and never hesitate to use them against Palestinian civilians.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (16 – 22 April 2009)

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

Thursday, 16 April 2009 · At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Muhannad Mohammed Salem. Before leaving, IOF served Salem a summons to appear before the Israeli intelligence in Kfar Etzion Settlement Complex in the south of Bethlehem City. · At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Shawawra Village, east of Bethlehem City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal Salem Nawawra. Before leaving, IOF served Nawawra a summons to appear before the Israeli intelligence in Kfar Etzion Settlement Complex in the south of Bethlehem City.

· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Safa Village, northwest of Beit ‘Ummar town in the north of Hebron. They raided a kindergarten and removed a Palestinian flag flying on the surface of the kindergarten. Later, IOF withdrew and no arrests were reported. · At approximately 18:00, an IOF F-16 warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to Usama Husein Hassan Abu Safia in the east of Deir al-Balah City, 300 meters to the west of the border strip with Israel. The two-storey, 250 m2, house was completely destroyed. A family of nine members used to live in the house, but they had left during the recent military Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. · At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Tora al-Gharbiya village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a two-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Khader Qabha. They detained Qabha and his wife in the second floor, and transformed the first floor into a military site. At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 17 April 2009, IOF withdrew from the house. Tora al-Gharbiya village is surrounded on all sides by the Annexation Wall. The raided house is in the center of the village.

Friday, 17 April 2009

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilians’ houses, and raided and searched a number of houses. Later, before their withdrawal, IOF arrested Yousif Taher Yousif Lahlouh, 20, who is a student at Birzeit University. · In the morning, a force from the Israeli settlement guard shot dead a Palestinian child from Hebron City. IOF claimed that the murdered boy infiltrated the Hagai settlement in the southwest of Hebron, and attacked a settler with a knife. PCHR investigations prove that the boy was killed while attempting to cross the fence of the settlement in an agriculture area far from Israeli settlers’ houses. PCHR investigations indicate that at approximately 06:30 on the reported day, Rabah Hejazi Mohammed Rabah Seder, 17, from Hebron, was killed by a force from the Israeli settlement guard while the boy was trying to cross the fence of the Hagai settlement in the southwest of Hebron. The settlement is opposite the house of the Seder family in Daheyat al-Zaytoon. IOF rushed to the scene of the incident and detained the body for several hours. At approximately 10:00, the body was delivered to the Palestinian side and was transferred by an ambulance from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to Hebron Governmental Hospital. Later on the same day, the Seder family identified the body and took it for burial. A PCHR field worker interviewed eyewitnesses who said that there were traces of six bullets on the upper part of the body. Eyewitnesses reported that IOF could have used less lethal force and attempted to arrest the child instead. At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Daheyat al-Zaytoon and fired bullets and sound grenades into the air. They raided and searched the house of the Seder family. They arrested the father of the murdered child and his brother, Mohammed. Later, the father and brother of the murdered chilled were served summons to appear before the Israeli intelligence, and were released.

In the evening, IOF deliberately killed a Palestinian child and wounded another. The two children are from al-Jalzon Refugee Camp, north of Ramallah city. Israeli military sources claimed that IOF fired at the two boys after they had attempted to throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli houses in Beit El settlement.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 19:00, a number of boys crowded on Nablus-Ramallah Road to participate in activities on the occasion of the Palestinian prisoners’ day. The participants in the crowd walked to Beit El settlement that is close to al-Jalzon Refugee Camp. They threw stones at Israeli houses in the settlement, from a long-distance. Israeli soldiers positioned in control towers around the settlement immediately fired at the crowd of the boys. Mohammed Ali Abdul Fattah Nawwara, 16, was wounded by a bullet into the chest. He was transferred to Ramallah Governmental Hospital; however, he died of his wounds shortly after his arrival to the hospital. In addition, Mohammed ‘Adnan al-Kenesh, 17, was wounded by a bullet into the thigh. He was transferred to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Ramallah for treatment. Medical sources described his wounds as moderate.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Sabasteya village, northwest of Nablus city. They established a military checkpoint at the western entrance of the village. They stopped Palestinian vehicles driving to and from the village, and checked passengers’ ID cards. Late in the night, IOF withdrew from the village. No arrested were reported.

Saturday, 18 April 2009

· At approximately 09:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Deir al-Balah City fired at farmer Tawfiq Abdul ‘Aziz Abu Mgheisib, 44, who was working his land, 400 meters to the west of the border with Israel. Abu Mgheisib was not hurt; however, four residential houses in the area were partially affected. All the affected houses belong to the Abu Mgheisib family.

· At approximately 11:20, IOF soldiers positioned at Beit Hanoon (Erez) Crossing, in the north of Beit Hanoun town, directly fired at two World Vision (WV) employees. One of the two persons is Palestinian, Kamal Mohammed Moheisen, 32, and the other is Japanese, Kanjero. According to statements given by Kamal Mohammed Moheisen, the two persons drove to Beit Hanoun Crossing because Kanjero was informed that he had coordination to depart from Gaza via the crossing. While the two men were stepping down from the WV vehicle they used, they came directly under IOF fire. They were forced to flee and hide behind a cement block in the area. IOF continued firing for 15 minutes at the vehicle and at its vicinity. Front and back windows of the targeted vehicle smashed. The two men phoned the WV director who told them to withdraw from the area. Kanjero was forced to hold his hands up, with his shirt with WV logo on it, till they could leave the area.

· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Kafer Kadoum village, east of Qalqilia. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village that are adjacent to Kedumim settlement. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Adnan Abdul Mahdi Ali, 50. IOF later withdrew from the village, no arrests were reported.

Sunday, 19 April 2009

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Hebron city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the city and fired indiscriminately at civilians houses. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Anas Thiab al-Qudsi, 24. · At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Thaheriya village, southwest of Hebron. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilians houses. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Mahmoud Hassan ‘Ammar Samamra, 35. · At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Waljeh village, northwest of Bethlehem city. They blocked bystreets in the village, and deployed in al-‘Araj neighborhood. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses, before withdrawing in the morning. No arrests were reported. · At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Kafel Hares village in Salfit. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village. They raided three houses, and took up positions on the roofs, transformed them into military sites. These houses belong to: the successors of the late Abdul Hamid Shaqqour, Isma’il Mohammed Abdul ‘Aziz Saleh, 80, and Abdullah Husni Shaqqour, 55.

At approximately 16:00, large numbers of Israeli settlers began to arrive in the village. Eyewitnesses estimated that there were approximately 6,000 settlers. IOF imposed curfew on the village and prevented Palestinian civilians from leaving their houses, while settlers performed religious rituals in local shrines, including Zulkifli Prophet shrine in the east of the village, Dhu’l Nun shrine in the west of the village, and Joshua Bin Nun shrine in the center of the village. Meanwhile, settlers attacked vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians in the village, and destroyed windows and doors of many Palestinian houses. They insulted Palestinian civilians, wrote slogans and left waste in the area. Settlers continued their actions in the village till 07:00 on Monday, 20 April 2009.

Eyewitnesses reported that during their presence in the village, IOF raided the Boys’ Secondary School. They removed a Palestinian flag from the school. They prevented the muezzin from calling to prayer until 05:00. They also prevented civilians from performing prayers at the mosque. IOF withdrew from the village in the morning of Monday, 20 April 2009.

· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village, and imposed a curfew. IOF established a military checkpoint on the main entrance of the village, and stopped all Palestinian vehicles moving to and from the village. They checked passengers’ ID cards. Late in the night, IOF withdrew from the village and no arrests were reported.

Monday, 20 April 2009

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Arroub Refugee camp, north of Hebron city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the camp and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested one child: ‘Amer Jamal Mahmoud al-Khatib, 15. · At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Mohammed Sa’id Abdul Fattah al-Shalalda, 18, who is a Tawjihi student. · At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Mithlon village, northeast of Jenin city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. No arrests were reported. · Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Seireis village, southeast of Jenin city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. No arrests were reported. · Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jdeideh village, southeast of Jenin city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. No arrests were reported. · At approximately 13:00, Jamil Mohammed al-Seksek, 42, arrived at the Kamal ‘Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia town. He had sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his body. A finger of his left hand was amputated. According to statements given to the PCHR field worker by al-Seksek, the man was collecting plastic pieces with his sixteen year old, Hassan, near the al-Waha Tourist Resort in the west of Beit Lahia town, the man saw a strange object with wires. The man walked to the object and tried to pull one of the wires. The object blew up causing Jamil to lose consciousness. Hassan, the son, informed his relatives who came and took the man to the hospital. The Palestinian police said that the object was left by IOF during their recent offensive on the Gaza Strip. · At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Safa village, north of Hebron. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village amidst intensive firing of bullets and sound grenades into the air. They surrounded and raided a three-storey house belonging to Anis Mousa Abu Mareya in the northeast of the village. They transferred their military equipment to the upper floor and to the roof, transforming the house into a military site and a control point. They detained the residents of the house for many hours.

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Arroub Refugee camp, north of Hebron city. They surrounded and raided a house belonging to Majed Wajih al-Ra’i, in the north of the camp. They forced the residents of the house to leave the house, and then searched it. Before their withdrawal, they arrested a child Najm aAddin, 17, who is the son of Majed Wajih al-Ra’i. · At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They surrounded and raided a house belonging to the family of Sa’ed Mohammed Mousa ‘Awad, 25, in the east of the village. They forced the residents of the house to leave the house and searched it. Before their withdrawal, they arrested ‘Awad. · At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin city and Jenin Refugee Camp in the south of Jenin City. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the city and its refugee camp and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided a house belonging to ‘Amer Helmi Amin Hamdan, 40, in al-Basatin neighborhood in Jenin city. They forced the residents of the house to leave the house and searched it. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Hamdan. · At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ashraf Marzouq Mohammed Sa’id, 23. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Sa’id. · At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabateya village, southeast of Jenin city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Hassan Abu al-Rab, 23. Before their withdrawal, they arrested al-Rab. · At approximately 09:00, IOF gunboats stopped a Palestinian fishing boat off the shore of the fishing seaport in Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip. IOF arrest the two fishermen who were on the boat. These civilians are: Ra’ed Ali ‘Uthman, 40, and Mohammed Samir ‘Uweida, 21.

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the city and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested two civilians; Isma’il Khader Masalmeh, 27, and Haytham Majed al-Agha, 23. · At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Menia village, southeast of Bethlehem city. They raided and searched many Palestinian houses. Before their withdrawal, they arrested child ‘Udai Sayel Abu Nour, 17. · At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Markabeh village, southeast of Jenin city. They drove their military vehicles in the streets of the village and fired indiscriminately at civilian houses. They raided and searched the house of the family of Muntaser Ahmed Mousa, 30. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Mousa.

2. Continued Siege on the OPT

IOF have 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

· 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education. · The main concern of the 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies. · IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years. · IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip – excluding limited amounts of cooking gas – since 10 December 2008. · The Rafah International Crossing Point was opened for a few days for a number of international delegations, patients and holders of foreign residency permits and visas. · IOF have 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. In the past two months, five patients, including two children, died due to the denial of their access to medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip. · IOF have imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers attempting to enter the Gaza Strip. Dozens of internationals were forced to travel to Egypt in order to enter Gaza via Rafah crossing. · Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply increased. · At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation for more than 17 months. · Gaza population is still suffering shortage of electricity supplies.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

01 – 07 April 2009

Date Details 15 April 2009 Closed. 16 April 2009 127 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 17 April 2009 81 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 18 April 2009 Closed. 19 April 2009 101 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 20 April 2009 107 containers of food aid for international humanitarian organizations and local traders were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

01 – 07 April 2009

Date Details 15 April 2009 Two persons, an Egyptian citizen and a Norwegian citizen, were allowed to Egypt and 8 patients stuck in the Egyptian side were allowed into the Gaz 16 April 2009 Only one civilian was allowed to travel to Egypt and 19 patients were allo Gaza Strip. 17 April 2009 21 patients were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 18 April 2009 304 civilians, including patients; holders of foreign residency permits and and students enrolled in international universities, were allowed to travel t civilians, including patients, were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 318 civili allowed to travel via the crossing. Seven truckloads of humanitarian aid w into the Gaza Strip. 19 April 2009 532 civilians, including patients; holders of foreign residency permits and and students enrolled in international universities, were allowed to travel t civilians, including patients, were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 177 civili allowed to travel via the crossing. 20 April 2009 543 civilians, including patients; holders of foreign residency p nationalities and students enrolled in international universities, were allow to Egypt. 23 civilians, including patients, were allowed into the Gaza civilians were not allowed to travel via the crossing. A truckload of huma was allowed into the Gaza Strip.

For more information on the siege and restriction of movement, please visit PCHR website to view PCHR reports and releases on the state of Gaza crossings and on the siege imposed by IOF on the Strip.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege 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 on the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. On Thursday morning, 16 April 2009, IOF blocked many streets and roads in occupied Jerusalem, especially streets and roads in the old city and those leading to the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF had earlier issued an order to prevent Palestinian civilians from accessing the old city and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian civilians were planning to gather in the squares of the al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent raiding the Mosque by Israeli settlers who wanted to perform their religious rituals for Easter. The PCHR fieldworker reported that members of the Israeli cavalrymen and special IOF forces attacked Palestinian civilians who were gathering near al-Asbat Gate after being prevented from accessing the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF beat the crowded civilians to disperse them. Some civilians sustained injuries as a result.

On Saturday, 18 April 2009, IOF prevented hundreds of Christian civilians from accessing the Church of the Resurrection in the Old City of Jerusalem to commemorate Holy Saturday. Eyewitnesses reported that IOF transferred foreign tourists by Israeli buses and allowed them to enter the Church of the Resurrection. IOF denied Palestinian Christians their right to freedom of worship. A PCHR fieldworker reported that large numbers of IOF soldiers deployed in the old city of Jerusalem. They installed military checkpoints around the Church of the Resurrection, and prevented hundreds of Palestinian civilians and pilgrims from accessing the Church to perform their religious rituals. IOF imposed further restrictions on the movement of Christian clergymen in the vicinity of the Church of the Resurrection. This is a part of IOF policy to establish a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. · Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Although IOF dismantled Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, IOF troops positioned at an iron gate established on Nablus-Tulkarm road, west of Nablus, often stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles especially at times of heavy traffic. In the same context, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, often conduct prolonged and complicated checking on Palestinian civilians. Additionally, IOF have continued to erect checkpoints on roads leading to the city.

· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 16 April 2009, IOF positioned near Beit al-Roush village southwest of Hebron, along and in the vicinity of the Annexation Wall, arrested four children from Beit al-Roush village. The four children were in a field near the Annexation Wall. IOF handcuffed the children and took them to three Israeli police stations in Beit Jebrin, Kiryat Jatt and Kiryat Arba. The children were questioned and severely beaten and insulted for many hours. They remained in detention for 12 hours until 02:00 on the following day, 17 April 2009. They were then released. The four children are: Nadim Mousa al-Darawish, 17, Mu’ath Saher Kashour, 16, Musa’ab ‘Umar Kashour, 17, and Mohammed ‘Umar Kashour, 15. ‘Umar Kashour, the father of Musa’ab and Mohammed, said that IOF arrested the children whilst they were in an almond field near the Annexation Wall in Beit al-Roush village. At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 19 April 2009, IOF positioned in the northern and eastern vicinity of Safa village, north of Hebron, arrested child Majdi Jamal Mohammed ‘Adi, 15. The child was walking near the barbed wire wall in the northeast of the village, few meters far from civilians’ houses. Eyewitnesses said that IOF took the child to Kfar Etzion detention center in the north of Hebron.

In the early morning of 20 April 2009, IOF positioned in the vicinity of the Annexation Wall in the southwest of al-Burj village, west of Dora in the southwest of Hebron, arrested Mousa Mahmoud Husein Hamdan, 29, from al-Surra village in the south of Dora. Hamdan was stopped by IOF while he was with a number of workers near the Annexation Wall in al-Burj village. IOF detained Hamdan for long hours and then released them.

Hamdan stated to the PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 04:00 on 20 April 2009, he was with Yaser Masharqa. Their were driving a Reno 9 private car to deliver diesel to a tractor for the Masharqa family who wanted to plow their land, which lies adjacent to the Annexation Wall. They were stopped by IOF while driving on a dust street, 500 meters to the east of the Annexation Wall. IOF searched the two men and questioned them. They were detained for an hour with other workers who were stopped shortly later. IOF released the detained civilians and the car. They only kept Hamdan who was handcuffed, blindfolded, severely beaten and then taken by a military vehicle to an Israeli control site west of al-Burj village. Hamdan remained in detention until 15:30 on 20 April 2009.

3. Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. 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.

· On Sunday morning, 19 April 2009, IOF began to conduct construction works to establish a new section of the annexation wall into the lands of ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village, in the extreme southwest of Hebron.

According to data available at PCHR and according to statements given by locals from ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village, IOF began to conduct bulldozing works in civilian lands east of Ashklot settlement. IOF installed cement blocks and barbed wire fences in order to construct a new section of the Annexation Wall. In addition, IOF installed barbed wire on the Wall itself. Local eyewitnesses reported that sections of the Annexation Wall were constructed approximately 20 meters from civilians’ houses in the west and in the south of the village. Local sources said that the new section extends 20 kilometers into the lands of ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village, and the nearby al-Thaheria Village to the northeast. The same sources reported that the wall annexes large areas of civilian land, denying civilians access to these areas. Last year, IOF issued a military order to block approximately 4,000 donums of Palestinian lands in the vicinity of Ashklot settlement. Later, a new settlement, “Sansana B”, was established on the confiscated lands, west of ‘Arab al-Ramadin Village.

· On 22 April 2009, IOF blocked approximately 4,000 donums of Palestinian lands in the south of Hebron. Sources from the General Committee for the Defense of Lands in Hebron reported that IOF prevented farmers from Dora Village, al-Thaheria Village and al-Ramadin village from accessing their lands in the extreme south of Hebron and in the vicinity of Ashklot settlement. IOF had classified these lands as closed military zones. Local eyewitnesses, who are owners of the confiscated land, reported that large numbers of IOF soldiers deployed in the area and prevented dozens of local farmers from accessing their lands. IOF forced farmers to leave their lands and forced shepherds and drivers of tractors out of the area. IOF threatened local farmers on the basis that they were “noncompliant with military orders”. The confiscated lands belong to many families from Dora Village, al-Thaheria Village and al-Ramadin village; including the ‘Amr family, the Hejjeh family, the al-Tal family, the Rabba’a family and the al-Zagharna family.

· IOF have continued to use force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall. During the reporting period, a local protester was killed and ten civilians, including two children, were injured when IOF attacked a peaceful demonstration against the Wall. In addition, other dozens of civilians suffered confiscation due to gas tear bombs firing, and others sustained bruises due to being beaten by IOF.

· According to data obtained by PCHR from Abdullah Abu Rahma, coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bili’n, following the Friday Prayer on 17 April 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Bil’in village to the west of Ramallah city. A group of Israeli solidarity activists from the Israeli organization of Anarchists Against the Wall and international solidarity activists, including a big Belgian delegation, participated in the protest. The protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners calling for the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners and the release of the bodies of dead Palestinians detained by IOF. Participants handcuffed themselves, to express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. IOF fired rubber bullets, tear gas and sound bombs at protestors. Basem Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Rahma, 31, sustained wounds in the chest when he was struck by a tear gas canister. Abu Rahma was transferred by a private car to an ambulance, and then was transferred to Ramallah Governmental Hospital. Sources at Ramallah Governmental Hospital reported that Abu Rahma died on arrival at the hospital. Eyewitnesses said that Abu Rahma was standing on a high location. He was calling upon IOF to stop firing at protesters. A soldier fired a gas tear bomb from approximately a 20 meter distance directly at the civilian who fell to the ground covered with blood. Basem Abu Rahma, is the first martyr from Bil’in village that continues, for the fifth year, its peaceful struggle against the construction of the annexation wall on its lands. He is the brother of Ashraf Abu Rahma, who was fired upon near the entrance to N’ilin village on 7 July 2008, consequent to an order given by an IOF officer.

On 19 April 2009, Haaretz newspaper reported military sources who stated: “the primary investigations conducted by the army shows that the soldiers were not compliant with instructions that have been given by their command”. An Israeli officer stated to Haaretz newspaper that: “the conduct of the soldiers in Ni’lin and Bil’in villages on 17 April 2009 are not in compliance with the instructions that had been given to them. Soldiers were instructed to fire without risking the lives of protestors. They were also instructed to fire gas tears bombs, but not directly at protestors”.

· According to data that the PCHR fieldworker got from Salah al-Khawaja, media spokesman of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Ni’lin, Following the Friday Prayer on 17 April 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Ni’lin village to the west of Ramallah city, to protest against the annexation wall. Also dozens of Israeli and international solidarity activists and peace defenders participated in the protest. The protestors walked to the location where IOF bulldozers conduct bulldozing works to construct a section of the annexation wall on the lands of Ni’lin village. IOF attacked the protest and chased participants. Ten civilians, including two children, sustained wounds by rubber bullets and live bullets. In addition, dozens of civilians suffered suffocation because of inhaling gas dispersing from gas tears bombs fired by IOF.

The civilians who were wounded in the protest are: 1. Mu’men Abdul Rahman al-Khawaja, 17, wounded by a live bullet into the back. 2. Mohammed Ahmed Younis ‘Amira, 17, sustained injuries caused by a tear gas bomb to the left foot. 3. Ahmed Abdullah ‘Amira, 30, sustained injuries caused by a tear gas bomb to the back. 4. Mohammed Maher ‘Amira, 21, wounded by a live bullet into the abdomen. 5. ‘Akel Sadeq Radwan, 28, wounded by a live bullet into the right foot. 6. Mohammed ‘Ayed Srour, 22, wounded by a live bullet into the left hand. 7. Husein Mohammed al-Khawaja, 24, wounded by a live bullet into the back. 8. Ibrahim Khalil Srour, 18, wounded by a live bullet into the head. 9. Ra’ed Khalil ‘Amira, 32, sustained injuries caused by a tear gas bomb to the left foot. 10. Sebti Mahmoud al-Khawaja, 22, wounded by a live bullet into the right hand.

· Following the Friday Prayer on 17 April 2009, scores of Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activist and members of international peace and human rights organizations organized a peaceful demonstration against the Annexation Wall in al-Ma’asara village, south of Bethlehem. IOF, who were positioned at the main entrance of the village near Efrat settlement, blocked the way to the Wall and stopped the demonstration. They positioned barbed wire at the entrance to the village, chased demonstrators and fired tear gas bombs directly at them. As a result, three civilians sustained wounds and bruises, while other civilians sustained suffocation because of tear gas bombs fired by IOF. The three wounded persons are:

1. Ra’afat Mousa Zawahra, 22; 2. Eyad Mohammed Ali Zawahra, 24; and 3. Ahmed Mohammed Breijeyeh, 16.

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

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

· On Thursday morning, 16 April 2009, large number of Israelis tried to raid the al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. This was the most significant of a number of attempted raids on the mosque, conducted in the past month. The raid was carried out consequent to plans developed by Jewish organizations seeking to establish a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. Jewish organizations had planned to raid the al-Aqsa Mosque. Hundreds of Jews gathered near the gates of the al-Aqsa Mosque, especially near the Dung Gate that is adjacent to the Western Wall (the “Wailing Wall”). Their attempts to raid the Mosque failed because Palestinians gathered and prevented this attempt.

· At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 18 April 2009, dozens of Israeli settlers arrived at the evacuated settlement of Homesh, in the northwest of Nablus City. They attacked a number of Palestinian vehicles while traveling on the Jenin-Nablus road. The attacked vehicles sustained damages as a result, while Palestinian passengers were frightened. Eyewitnesses from Barqa village and from Seilat al-Thaher village, where the Homesh settlement was established, reported that dozens of Israeli settlers began to arrive at the evacuated settlement in the morning of the reported day. They gathered to the east of the Jenin-Nablus road. In the afternoon, they began to throw stones at Palestinian vehicles travelling on the road. A number of the targeted vehicles sustained damages. Eyewitnesses also reported that the Israeli settlers deployed among olive trees and attacked Palestinians who left their vehicles and hid among trees to protect themselves and their children. Israeli settlers usually have arms, and never hesitate to use them against Palestinian civilians.

· On Sunday morning, 19 April 2009, IOF have continued bulldozing and leveling works in Palestinian lands in Beit ‘Ummar village in the north of Hebron, in order to continue the installation of new parts of the electricity network connecting Kiryat Arba Settlement in the east of Hebron City and Hadar Beta Settlement in the west of Husan Village in Bethlehem.

According to PCHR investigations, on the reported day and on the following day, 20 April, approximately six donums of agriculture lands have been bulldozed and vineyards trees were uprooted in Wardan area in the southeast of ‘Ummar Village. IOF destroyed retaining walls that surrounded targeted fields. Amongst the owners of the razed lands, PCHR have identified Shehada Abdul Fattah Sabarna and Husein Hassan Sabarna.

· At approximately 05:00 on 22 April 2009, IOF raided al-Fajm district east of ‘akraba village, in the southeast of Nablus city. IOF forced eight Palestinian extended families to evacuate their tin houses and evacuate their stockyards in the area. IOF confiscated the contents of the evacuated houses and stockyards, and then demolished them. Eight extended Palestinian families of 50 members, mostly children, used to live in the demolished houses. Al-Fajm district is 1,000 meters southwest of Jetit Settlement. The current Palestinian inhabitants have lived in the area for 80 years. Two days prior to the demolition of the houses, IOF served the residents with evacuation notices, under the pretext that the area is a military closed zone. The demolished establishments belong to: 1. Khalil Rabi’a Bani Jaber, who owned three of the demolished establishments. 2. Jamil Mohammed Abdulla Bani Jaber, who owned two of the demolished establishments. 3. Abdullah Abdul Ghani Abu Shehada Bani Jaber, who owned two of the demolished establishments. 4. Zeid Mahmoud Zayed Bani Manna, who owned three of the demolished establishments.

At approximately 09:00 on 22 April 2009, IOF demolished a house belonging to Sami Abdul Majid Hdeidun in al-Mukaber neighborhood, east of Jerusalem. Large numbers of IOF soldiers raided Khellat Abed area in al-Mukaber neighborhood and surrounded the house. They used a bulldozer of the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem to demolish the one-storey house that occupied 90 m2. A family of seven members, including five children, used to live in the house. In 2005, the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem issued an administrative order to demolish the house under pretext that the house was built without license from the municipality.

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 to 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 calls for the immediately 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 international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people 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 reality of the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005. Disengagement resulted, not in an end to occupation but rather in a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 8. In recognition of the ICRC’s role 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 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 agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

…………………………………………………………

Public Document For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).