PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://www.pchrgaza.org

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in No. 37/2007 the Occupied Palestinian Territory 13 - 19 September 2007

IOF Prevent Muslim Worshippers from Reaching Al-Aqsa

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue to Perpetrate War Crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

• 5 including 2 Children killed by IOF o 1 victim killed in an extra-judicial execution.

• 19 Palestinians, including 6 children and 1 woman, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the OPT.

• IOF conducted 22 incursions into Palestinian communities in the and . o IOF arrested 26 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 3 in the Gaza Strip. o IOF raze 12 Dunums of agricultural land in the northern Gaza Strip.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, and continues to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world. o Severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the closure. o IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child. o Palestinian dies at J’bara checkpoint south of . o Child abused at Anata checkpoint. o Muslim worshippers barred from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron on the first and seventh days of Ramadan.

• Israeli settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers continue: o Palestinian child hit by settler vehicle north of Salfit. o 523 dunums confiscated in the towns of El-Khader and Artas near Bethlehem.

Summary IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (13-19 September 2007): Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 5 Palestinians including 2 children. In the Gaza Strip, 2 children were injured, one seriously. On 13 September, the child Hasan Abd El-Dayem was injured by the explosion of unexploded ordinance in Beit Lahia. And on 15 September, the child Ali El-Kafarna was seriously injured during an IOF incursion into Beit Hanoun. IOF also committed two extra-judicial execution attempts; but failed to kill or injure the targeted individuals. In the West Bank, IOF killed 5 Palestinians including 2 children. On 16 September, IOF extra-judicially executed a member Fatah’s armed wing, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, in Balata . And on the same day, IOF killed a man in Hebron and injured 4 members of his extended family after breaking up a clan clash in the city. On 17 September, IOF killed a child in Ramallah when youth threw stones at them. On 18 September, IOF killed a child in Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp. The child was initially injured; but he bled to death as IOF prevented medics from attending him. On 19 September, IOF killed a handicapped man in the second day of operations in Ein Beit El- Ma’ refugee camp. The man was on the balcony of his house when troops shot him. Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 22 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During those incursions, IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians. The largest incursion, which was still ongoing at time of publication, was into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp near . So far during this incursion, a child and a handicapped man were killed. In the Gaza Strip, IOF razed 12 dunums of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip. 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. On 15 September, a cancer patient heading to hospital for treatment died at the IOF checkpoint at J’bara Gate. And on the same day, IOF troops at Anata checkpoint near Jerusalem severely beat a child and let loose a guard dog on him. The child was taken to the hospital as he was suffering from considerable bleeding. He was later arrested from his house.

Gaza Strip IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians. IOF have closed International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians stuck in Egypt were allowed in the Gaza Strip through El-Ojah – Erez route. According to PCHR’s documentation, 19 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions. IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. If this closure continues, a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are prevented from traveling through this crossing. They prevented traders and patients from passing through. IOF allow very few patients to travel through the crossing, but following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is deigned for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, was opened for standard fuel for one day only.

West Bank IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Contrary to promises by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease restrictions on movement in the West Bank, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 6 Palestinian civilians. In addition, IOF closed checkpoints surrounding Nablus several times during the week, especially during rush hour traffic. On 15 September, a cancer patient heading to hospital for treatment died at the IOF checkpoint at J’bara Gate. And on the same day, IOF troops at Anata checkpoint near Jerusalem severely beat a child and let loose a guard dog on him. The child was taken to the hospital as he was suffering from considerable bleeding. He was later arrested from his house. Settlement Activities: Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, an Israeli vehicle hit and killed Mohammad Abu Yacoub (14) north of Salfit. Israeli police established that the vehicle driver did not attempt to avoid the child or to use the brakes. And on 18 September, the IOF commander in Bethlehem issued a military order confiscating 523 dunums of Palestinian land in the towns of El-Khader and Artas near Bethlehem.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (13- 19 September 2007)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip Thursday, 13 September 2007

• At approximately 02:00, IOF troops and armored vehicles moved into Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Mohammad Aqel Mustafa El-Qawasmi (25) and arrested him.

• At approximately 15:30, the child Hasan Khaled Mohammad Abd El-Dayem (14) was injured by the explosion of unexploded ordinance near his house in Hamdoush area north of Beit Lahia as he was returning home with his father from their farm. The explosion cut off his right hand fingers and caused shrapnel injuries in the abdomen and right leg. He was taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital, where his injuries were listed as moderate. It is noted that IOF conducted an incursion in the area a month and half ago, making it likely that the object was a leftover of the incursion.

• At approximately 13:45, an IOF plane fired a rocket at a Palestinian car heading west towards the sea near the civil defense compound in Jabalia. Four members of Al-Quds Brigades (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) were in the vehicle. The rocket missed its target, and the four jumped out of the car and fled. A second rocket destroyed the car after one minute. After about 5 minutes of burning, explosions rocked the car, apparently from ammunition inside it.

Friday, 14 September 2007

• At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into El-Hadab village southwest of Hebron. They raided the house belonging to Omran Abd El-Fattah Asfour (62), and arrested him and 3 of his sons: Ayman (27), Amjad (30), and Ala (32).

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the city of and its refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 2 civilians: 1. Majdi Mustafa Qoreini (28). 2. Mustafa Sa’ayda (40).

• At approximately 17:00, an IOF plane fired a rocket at a car carrying members of Al- Quds Brigades (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in Jala Street in Gaza City. The rocket missed the vehicle, and the targeted person fled unharmed. A bystander, Zakaria Mohammad Khalil El-Batsh (35) from Gaza City, suffered bruises. Nearby houses sustained damages from the attack.

Saturday, 15 September 2007

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved approximately 1.5 kilometers into El-Nazaz area east of Beit Hanoun. They raided and searched a number of houses in the area. In addition, they razed 12 dunums of agricultural land belonging to members of Swelem and Kafarna clans. Furthermore, IOF demolished a house and caused serious damage to 7 other houses. IOF detained 7 members of El-Kafarna clan and released them in the evening after questioning them. The child Ali Mesbah El-Kafarna (17) was injured in the left shoulder by indiscriminate IOF gunfire.

• At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Ayman Na’im El-Qwasmi (37), and arrested him. The detainee is a Captain in the Palestinian Police Force.

• At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into El-Hadab village southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Husam Khalil Abu Turki (26), who was not at home at the time. IOF delivered a notice to Abu Turki for an interview with Israeli intelligence. Abu Turki is a member of the Preventive Security Service.

• At approximately 22:30, IOF moved about 1.5 kilometers into El-Fokhari village in the southern Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses in El-Awaysha area in the village. IOF redeployed from the area next morning after detaining 7 civilians. Four were released within a few hours, and 3 remain imprisoned: 1. Ayman Hamdan Ayesh El-Omour (32), a farmer. 2. Mohammad Hasan Mohammad El-Omour (23). 3. Ahmad Hasan Ayesh El-Omour (23), a university student.

• At approximately 23:00, IOF fired a surface-to-surface missile at the area near Gaza International Airport southeast of Rafah. A second rocket was fired 40 minutes later. Both exploded in open areas and did not cause any injuries. IOF claimed that the rockets were fired at resistance activists who fired mortars at Karm Abu Salem crossing.

Sunday, 16 September 2007

• At approximately 00:55, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp to the west of the city. Palestinian resistance activists exchanged fire with the troops. One activist was injured and detained by IOF. He was identified as Ayman Ali Mabrouk (27).

• At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Khillit El-Maya area west of Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Mohammad Issam Jibril El-Najjar (27), and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, IOF infantry moved into Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. They set up an ambush near the house of Yusef Shaker El-Asi (22) in the old mosque area in the refugee camp. After a few minutes, Yusef returned home; and the troops fired at him immediately. He was killed instantly by several bullets. El-Asi was a member of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (armed wing of Fatah) had been wanted for 4 years and was not part of the amnesty announced last August.

• At approximately 09:00, a clash erupted between members of El-Ajlouni and El-Rigbi clans in Jabal Johar area southeast of Hebron. Both sides exchanged fire; and a large IOF force moved in to break up the clash and impose a curfew in the area. At approximately 11:00, IOF fired at several members of El-Ajlouni clan near their houses in the area. Baha Ahmad Fahd Ashour El-Ajlouni (24) was instantly killed by two bullets to the chest and abdomen. Four others were injured including the dead victim’s brother and two other brothers. The injuries were listed as moderate to serious: 1. Bilal Ahmad Fahd Ashour El-Ajlouni (25), injured by 2 bullets in the abdomen and left shoulder. 2. Haroun Sharif El-Ajlouni (18), seriously injured by a bullet in the chest. 3. Mohammad Ayyad Fadel El-Ajlouni (42), injured by a bullet in the abdomen. 4. Mohammad Wa’el Fadel El-Ajlouni (42), injured by a bullet in the buttocks.

Monday, 17 September 2007

• At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ramallah from the southern side. A group of youth were in the area, and some of them threw rocks at the troops. Immediately, IOF responded by gunfire. Mohammad Ali Mesbah Jabarin (16) was hit by a bullet in the pelvis. The soldiers surrounded him and prevented ambulances from saving him. He bled to death.

• At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Al-Aroub refugee camp north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children,: 1. Amir Emad Abd El-Ghaffar El-Hamouz (16). 2. Oday Ahmad Ali Salem El-Jawabra (16). 3. Nasim Ribhi El-Jawabra (18). 4. Baha Sobhi Muhana (18).

• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses in Wadi Shaheen area and Saf Street. They arrested 2 civilians: 1. Saleh Issa Qasim Kawazba (50). 2. Mohammad Yusef Breijeya (45).

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and its refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammad Fayez Hussein (24).

Tuesday, 18 September 2007 • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Halhoul north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Khader Thieb Hasan Mubarak (43).

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the town of Shayoukh, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Ibrahim Ahmad Abd El- Jawad El-Halayqa (35).

• At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the town of Azzoun east of Qalqilya. They surrounded the mosque in the center of the town and arrested 2 civilians: 1. Meshal Anwar Meshal Hussein (23). 2. Luay Mamoun Dawoud Rabi (25).

• At approximately 03:00, a large IOF contingent of more than 40 armored vehicles raided Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp west of Nablus. IOF surrounded houses and fired indiscriminately at them under the pretext of harboring wanted persons. IOF took over several houses and converted them into military outposts. At about 7:00, in Nablus called on people to head to the refugee camp to lift the siege imposed by IOF. Several children and youth headed to the refugee camp and threw rocks at the troops, which responded immediately by gunfire and rubber-coated metallic bullets. Mohammad Rida Mahmoud Khaled (17) was injured by a bullet in the back. Ambulances could not reach him, and he bled to death in front of his parents. At 14:30, an ambulance took the body to Rafedia Hospital. Four others, including 2 children, were injured: 1. Mahmoud Nabil Ahmad El-Samhan (19), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the head. 2. Ala Tahsin Hafith Yassin (17), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the hand. 3. Ibrahim Hussein El-Ashqar (22), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the back. 4. Wafa Ahmad Eleiwi (17), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the hand.

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

• IOF continued its military operation in Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp for the second consecutive day. The entrances of the camp were sealed with earth and rock barriers; and a curfew was imposed on the camp. Troops continue to raid and search houses, causing damage to furniture and property, including the removal of floor tiles. IOF also killed a Palestinian standing on the balcony of his house. At approximately 07:30, Adeeb Salim Ibrahim Ahmad El-Damouni (39) was standing in the balcony on his house in the middle of the refugee camp. IOF fired at him from below and killed him instantly. The body was retrieved one hour later. The victim was handicapped. He is the brother of Jamal Salim, a Hamas leader killed in an extra-judicial execution on 31 July 2001. After this incident, several youth gathered and threw rocks at IOF troops, who responded by bullets and rubber-coated metallic bullets. Eight people, including 2 children, were injured: 1. Wa’el Qasim Jarar’a (47), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the hand. 2. As’ad Thieb El-Haj (14), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the hip. 3. Ra’ed Kamal Ibrahim (22), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the left leg. 4. Nabila Mohammad Hussein Qassas (40), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the chest. 5. Fadi Walid Kamel Issa (18), injured by 2 rubber-coated metallic bullets in the jaw and right eye. 6. Sameh Hielan (22), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the abdomen. 7. Rami Abd El-Wahhab Abdallah (19), injured by 2 rubber-coated metallic bullets in the back and right foot. 8. Sana Mohammad Ghandour (9), injured by shrapnel in the head.

• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the village of Nahalin west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house of Ghassan Mahmoud Ali Najajra (24), and arrested him.

• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into El-Fawwar refugee camp southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Shadi Jamil Amer Abu Tu’ema (26), and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched the house of Samir Mohammad Salem Hijazi (28), and arrested him.

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 IOF have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for nearly one year. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. As a consequence of the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, at least 73% of the families in the Gaza Strip live below the poverty line, and unemployment has been estimated at 55%. In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non- payment of salaries for the public sector for nearly a year as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors.

• Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. After the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, more than 6,000 Palestinian travelers, including patients, were held in Egypt due to the full closure of the crossing. Nineteen travelers and patients died in Egypt. However, these travelers were allowed to enter Gaza via El-Ojah crossing between Egypt and and then to Gaza through Erez checkpoint. The return journey took nearly 10 hours due to complicated search and security procedures at Erez. In a subsequent arrangement with the government in Ramallah, IOF have permitted 3 groups to leave the Gaza Strip via Erez – El-Ojeh. These persons are residents of other countries or students studying abroad. But it is noted that tens were turned back to Gaza for security reasons.

• Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank. Two weeks after the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, IOF allowed critical case patients to leave Gaza via the crossing for treatment in Israel. Coordination for these cases is done through the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the ICRC. As to visitation rights of Gaza prisoners inside Israel, these prisoners have been deprived of this right for the third consecutive month. IOF have also continued to prevent members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Hamas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem. On 16 September 2007, IOF sealed the crossing completely with the exception of allowing 20 patients and traders entry. On 17 September 2007, IOF allowed the placement of a caravan for the Palestinian Civil Affairs office near the crossing to coordinate entry of Palestinians with the Israeli side. On 18 September, IOF prevented the fourth group of Palestinians coordinated with the Ramallah government to leave Gaza. The group consisted of 186 students with residence permits in other countries. It is noted that the first 3 groups of travelers totaled 500 (out of 4000) Palestinians in need of traveling abroad.

• Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have continued to close the crossing. It was completely closed during the reporting period.

• Nahal Ouz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the entry of fuels. The crossing was closed during the reporting period with the exception of Friday, 14 September, allowing the transport of approximately 350 tons of kerosene, 50 tons of benzene, and 192 tons of natural gas. Aside from standard fuel, the crossing was opened daily to allow the transport of 500 tons of fuel daily for the Gaza Power Plant. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. 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 impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through a system of checkpoints at the entrances of the city. Troops at these checkpoints prevent thousands of Palestinians from reaching occupied Jerusalem, especially since the Start of Ramadan and on Fridays to prevent Muslim worshippers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. IOF have deployed thousands of police and border guard units around the city to prevent access to Al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition, people heading to Al-Aqsa are subjected to repeated searches at various points. And for the 7th consecutive year, Gaza Strip residents are totally denied access to Al- Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. On Friday, 14 September, IOF troops at Anata checkpoint east of Jerusalem abused a child from Shufat refugee camp. At approximately 8:00, the child Taha Amjad Mesheh Jaber (15) was heading to Jerusalem through Anata checkpoint. Three soldiers verbally abused the child and cursed his mother. The child punched a soldier, who in turn with other soldiers severely beat the child. In addition, the let loose a guard dog on the child, causing extensive bruising and deep cuts. The beating continued for 30 minutes, and the dog was let loose on the boy for 15 minutes. The boy was taken to El-Maskoubeya detention center. The Police at the detention center called Taha’s father to come and take his son to the hospital as he was suffering from considerable bleeding. At 3:00 on Saturday, 15 September, Israeli police raided Taha’s house and arrested him. Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 13 September, IOF closed the Bathan checkpoint from 13:00 – 17:00. The checkpoint was opened 1 hour before breakfast in the first day of Ramadan. It is noted that IOF closed this checkpoint in a similar manner during previous months of Ramadan. On Sunday, 16 September, IOF closed checkpoint and Owerta crossing for 2 hours. IOF renewed its presence at Jeet checkpoint west of Nablus, causing restrictions on movement between the northern West Bank and the other parts of the territory. On Sunday, 16 September, IOF erected a checkpoint in Al-Quds Street near the entrance of Kufr Qalil village. They detained two travelers in a vehicle that passed the checkpoint. The detainees are:

1. Khaled Ibrahim Amer (46). 2. Fadi Mohammad Yusef Qani (28). Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 13 September, IOF erected a checkpoint east of Nour Shams refugee camp. They detained dozens of vehicles and subjected passengers to slow and humiliating search procedures. On the same day, IOF troops at Ennab and Wadi El- Teen checkpoints prevented people under 35 years of age from passing through. People who attempted to bypass the checkpoints were detained and beaten, then made to stand in the sun for several hours before being turned back. On 15 September, Mohammad Ahmad Mohammad Yunis (35) from Nour Shams refugee camp died at the J’bara Gate Checkpoint. The victim suffered from cancer and was heading with his Israeli-Palestinian wife to Al-Maqasid Hospital for follow up treatment. At the checkpoint, troops refused to allow them to pass, citing that people with special permits are allowed to enter only through the Taiba checkpoint, which is far away. An argument broke out with the troops, who called their commanding officer. The victim remained in the sun for an hour, and he started to show signs of fatigue. An ambulance was called; but the victim was dead by the time it arrived 20 minutes later. On 15 September, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of Far’oun village and another on the entrance of Beit Lid, and checked vehicles and passengers. On 16 September, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of El-Ras and stopped all vehicles and pedestrians traveling from or heading to the Kufriyat area. They used police dogs in searches, which were very slow and humiliating. At 6:00 on 17 September, IOF closed Wadi El-Teen checkpoint and prevented passage both ways. On 18 September, IOF erected a checkpoint on the Deir El-Ghosoun intersection and prevented passage in and out of the village. The checkpoint was opened in the afternoon, but under slow search procedures. On 19 September IOF detained dozens of travelers at the Wadi El-Teen checkpoint for several hours under the pretext of checking their ID’s. Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 13 September, IOF prevented Muslim worshippers from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque, as the day coincided with the Jewish New Year. At the same time, Jewish settlers were allowed entry into the Mosque. On Wednesday, 19 September, IOF closed the Mosque for Muslims and allowed Jews to enter. Throughout the reporting period, IOF increased its presence in Hebron and subjected civilians to lengthy searches, occasionally holding them for hours. In addition, IOF erected dozens of temporary outposts on rooftops in the old city and in the areas near Kharsina and Kiryat Arba settlements. On Thursday, 13 September, IOF detained Ayoub Adnan Abu Turki (28), a Palestinian policeman, in the market in Hebron’s old city. And at 12:00 on the same day, IOF patrols in Shalala street in the city detained Ibrahim Naji Amr (15), and claimed that he was carrying a knife. Qalqilya: On Monday, 17 September, IOF troops at the checkpoint on the eastern entrance of the city detained Hashem Salim Shaheen (19). Jericho: On Monday, 17 September, IOF troops stationed at El-Deyouk checkpoint on the northern entrance of Jericho detained Shaker Emara (46), a prominent Hamas leader, who was returning home from an extended meeting with Fatah and Palestinian security officials in Ramallah.

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 a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

• Following the Friday Prayer on 14 September 2007, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the gate at the Wall established in the village and attempted to cross it. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, several demonstrators were injured.

• At the same time, dozens of Palestinian, international, Israeli demonstrators participated in a peaceful demonstration against the Wall near El-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem. The demonstration headed towards the Wall construction site near Deir Kremzan east of the village. IOF fired sound charges, tear gas grenades, and bullets. Five demonstrators fainted due to inhalation of tear gas.

4. 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 to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

• At approximately 16:45 on Monday, 17 September 2007, Mohammad Nasim Salim Abu Yacoub (14 from Kufl Haris north of Salfit) and 4 other children were returning from their farms south of the settler road in the area. They were traveling on 3 donkeys. An Israeli vehicle hit Mohammad before he crossed the road. He was hit on the head and died instantly. The Israeli police arrived at the scene and examined the accident. The Police investigation indicated that the driver did not attempt to avoid the boy or use the brakes.

• On Tuesday, 18 September 2007, the IOF commander in Bethlehem issued Military Order 92/7n ordering the confiscation of 523 dunums of land in the towns of El- Khader and Artas near Bethlehem. The land belongs to members of Issa and Salah clans in El-Khader and Ayesh and Sa’ad clans in Artas. The land is to be used for the expansion of Efrat settlement.

• On Wednesday, 19 September 2007, settlers from Karmel settlement south of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked the herding grounds of the Hathalin Bedouin clan. The grounds are a project administered by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. The settlers cut the wire fence surrounding the land, broke the gate locks, and ravaged the land planted with 7,500 herding plants.

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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 that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

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

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with 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 Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented last year, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

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

9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to 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.

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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).