Weekly Reports
On the 63rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their lands in 1948), Israeli Occupation Forces attack a peaceful demonstration near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip and injure dozens
On the 63rd Anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Their Attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)
· Two Palestinian children were killed in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
-The child who was killed in the Gaza Strip was mentally disabled and was killed by a shell fired by IOF.
-A child in the West Bank sustained serious wounds by the explosion of a suspicious object left by IOF.
1 / 67 Weekly Reports
· IOF used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations commemorating the Palestinian Nakba. [1]
-144 civilians were wounded in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
-The wounded include 47 children, 5 women and 4 journalists.
· IOF continued to target Palestinian fishermen at Gaza sea.
-IOF fired at Palestinian fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
- Three demonstrators, including a child and an international human rights defender, were wounded.
- IOF arrested 10 demonstrators, including 2 Israeli solidarity activists.
2 / 67 Weekly Reports
· IOF conducted 20 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
- IOF arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.
· IOF continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers continued their attacks in the West Bank.
- Israeli settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property.
- IOF raided the Orphanage School in al-Thawri neighborhood of the occupied East Jerusalem and terrorized the students in the school.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip and tightened the siege on the West Bank.
- IOF arrested at least 4 Palestinians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF imposed a total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
3 / 67 Weekly Reports
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (12 – 18 May 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed two Palestinian children. One of the children was willfully killed in Jerusalem while the other, who is mentally diabled, was killed in the Gaza Strip due to the use of excessive lethal force.
IOF also wounded 148 civilians, including 49 children and an international solidarity activist. Of the wounded, 144 ones were wounded when IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations commemorating the 63 rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba , 3 civilians were wounded in peaceful protests against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall.
A Palestinian child was also wounded by the explosion of a suspicious object left by IOF.
4 / 67 Weekly Reports
In the West Bank, on 13 May 2011, IOF killed a Palestinian boy in cold blood in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. The child was killed when a bullet was shot at him from the direction of two houses which were occupied earlier by Israeli settlers in the center of Silwan.
They boy was walking on a dirt road and was between 10 and 15 meters from the two houses when he was shot.
It should be noted that members of a private security agency and members of the Israeli Border Guards provide protection to settlers who has seized two houses.
In the Gaza Strip, on 15 May 2011, IOF used excessive lethal force to kill a mentally disabled Palestinian child near Nahal Oz border crossing, east of Gaza City. The child was killed by a shell fired at him by IOF.
Medical crews found the child's body nearly 300 meters to the west of Nahal Oz crossing.
The body was taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
According to statements given to a PCHR fieldworker by the forensic medicine department, the boy was hit by shrapnel from a shell to the chest and the head.
On 15 May 2011, IOF used excessive force to disperse participants in peaceful demonstrations commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. As a result, 144
5 / 67 Weekly Reports
Palestinian civilians, including 47 children, 5 women and 4 children, were wounded.
In the Gaza Strip, 105 people were wounded, including 31 children, 3 women and 3 journalists.
In the West Bank, 38 civilians were wounded, including 16 children, 2 women and a journalist. PCHR strongly condemns the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations in the OPT and calls upon the international community to immediately take action to compel the Israeli government to stop its systematic crimes against Palestinian civilians.
IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, three demonstrators, including a child and an international solidarity activist, were wounded.
In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank suffered from tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten by IOF.
On 13 May 2011, a Palestinian child was seriously wounded by the explosion of a suspicious object left by IOF in the Jordan Valley in the northeast of the West Bank.
Incursions:
6 / 67 Weekly Reports
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 20 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children.
IOF have continued to attempt to crack down peaceful protests and to prevent international human rights defenders from participating in peaceful assemblies against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As part of these attempts, IOF arrested 4 protesters, including 2 Israeli solidarity activists, and took them to "Benjamin" police station in the southeast of Ramallah. The arrested persons were released latter.
IOF also arrested 6 demonstrators in a peaceful demonstration that Palestinians organized near Qalandya checkpoint to commemorate the 63 rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba .
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and has imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
7 / 67 Weekly Reports
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
It should be noted that the Israeli occupation authorities have worked over the past three years to make Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not appropriate for commercial purposes, as Gaza's major and sole crossing.
8 / 67 Weekly Reports
In the beginning of 2010, the Israeli occupation authorities closed Nahal Oz crossing which was dedicated for the supplies of fuel and cooking gas to Gaza, and shifted fuel supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing. They also totally closed Sofa crossing, southeast of Khan Yunis, and shifted humanitarian aid and food items which used to be delivered via Sofa crossing to Karm Abu Salem crossing. Lately, they exceptionally opened Sofa crossing for four consecutive days in the end of March 2011 and on 17 April 2011 to allow the delivery of construction aggregate for UNRWA.
· Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who live below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
· IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments.
Facts on the ground refute IOF's allegation that they daily allow the export of 10 truckloads of agricultural products.
· Recently, IOF allowed the exportation of very limited quantities of Gaza's agricultural products, including flowers and tomatoes, to European markers.
· For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued
9 / 67 Weekly Reports
to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF have denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
· For approximately 46 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
10 / 67 Weekly Reports
· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
· When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
11 / 67 Weekly Reports
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Israeli Settlers' Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property:
Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of the international humanitarian law have continued to commit systematic crimes against Palestinian civilians and Palestinian property with protection provided by IOF who ignore conducting investigations into complaints submitted by Palestinian civilians against settlers.
On 14 May 2011, a number of settlers from "Gilad" settlement attacked three Palestinian farmers from Jeet village, northeast of Qaqilya. The Palestinians were attacked while they were going to their work.
The attack took place before the eyes of IOF.
12 / 67 Weekly Reports
On 15 May 2011, a group of Israeli settlers from "Kirat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a house belonging to the Abu Se'ifan family in Wadi al-Hussain neighborhood which is adjacent to "Kriat Arba" settlement. The settlers tried to set the house alight and put the residents' lives at risk.
It should be noted that the attacked house and other houses belonging to the Abu Se'ifan family are only few steps from the high wall of "Kriat Arba" settlement.
These houses and their residents have been repeatedly attacked by settlers.
Some of the Abu Se'ifan family's members were wounded as a result and damages were inflicted on their property.
On 17 May 2011, a number of Israeli settlers raided the Orphanage School in occupied East Jerusalem. The settlers attacked the students in classrooms. Later, the Israeli police raided the school and arrested the headmaster, Ibrahim Shawar, and the deputy headmaster, Isam al-Tawil, for investigations.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12 – 18 May 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
13 / 67 Weekly Reports
Use of Excessive Force against Demonstrations Commemorating the Palestinian Nakba
On Sunday, 15 May 2011, IOF used excessive lethal force to disperse participants in peaceful demonstrations organized in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on the 63rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. As a result, 144 Palestinian civilians, including 47 children, 5 women and 4 children, were wounded. In the Gaza Strip, 105 people were wounded, including 31 children, 3 women and 3 journalists. In the West Bank 38 were wounded, including 16 children, 2 women and a journalist. PCHR strongly condemns the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations in the OPT and calls upon the international community to immediately take action to compel the Israeli government to stop its systematic crimes against Palestinian civilians.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the incidents occurred as follows:
The Gaza Strip:
· At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 15 May 2011, dozens of Palestinians began gathering approximately 1700 meters south of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. People had gathered to participate in activities commemorating the 63 rd anniversary of the Palestinian
14 / 67 Weekly Reports
Nakba . At approximately 11:30, dozens of Palestinians headed towards the border fence near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. Ten minutes later, Israeli forces stationed at the border fired 4 arterially shells in the area where the Palestinians were gathering. Simultaneously, Israeli soldiers on watchtowers opened fire at the demonstrators. Israeli forces continued intermittently firing until evening, while helicopters hovered over the area also firing heavily at the area surrounding the demonstrators. Additionally, dozens of tear gas canisters and bombs which released a smoke were fired, causing fainting and neurological symptoms. As a result, 103 Palestinians were wounded and dozens suffered from gas inhalation. Thirteen of them were transported to al-Awdah Hospital in Jabalya, 6 ones were transported to Balsam Hospital in Beit Hanoun, and 84 ones were transported to Martyr Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. The wounded included 27 children, 3 women and 3 media people.
The media workers who were also wounded are:
1. Hussein Abdul Jawad Karsou', 36, from al-Thalathini Street in Gaza City. He works as a freelance journalist and cameraman for al-Shoroq Media Institution and also managing a page of Gazan News Agency on Facebook. He was wounded by a bullet to the left leg; 2. Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Othman, 25, a freelance cameraman, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He was wounded in the chest; and 3. Aasem Mohammed Shihadah, 25, a cameraman of the National Media Company. He suffered from suffocation due to firing bombs which released toxic smoke.
Additionally, three members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society's (PRCS) medical staff suffered from suffocation and fainted: Ahmed Abu Foul, 30, Director of PRCS's volunteers; 'Atiyah Morad, 25; and Ramadan Hoso, 28.
15 / 67 Weekly Reports
· At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire near dozens of Palestinians participating in a peaceful demonstration in the eastern part of 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, two Palestinians were moderately wounded and were transported to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis to receive medical treatment.
The West Bank:
· In Ramallah, at approximately 13:30 on Sunday, 15 May 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, and headed towards Qalandya checkpoint, which separates Ramallah from Jerusalem. The demonstrators threw stones and empty bottles towards Israeli soldiers, who had been heavily deployed near the checkpoint since the early morning. Israeli forces immediately fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 26 civilians, including 11 children and a woman, were wounded and were transported to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive necessary medical treatment. Medical sources stated that the majority of injuries were in the upper parts of the body. Israeli forces, using undercover units, arrested 6 Palestinians; one of whom had been wounded in the head.
· Also at approximately 13:30, dozens of Palestinian students from Bir Zeit University and dozens of Palestinians from surrounding villages gathered in the center of Bir Zeit village to organize a peaceful demonstration on the occasion of the 63 rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba . They walked in the streets, chanted national slogans and raised Palestinian flags.
16 / 67 Weekly Reports
Then they walked to Attara checkpoint, north of Bir Zeit village, where IOF were hiding behind cement cubes.
IOF closed the checkpoint and demonstrators stoned IOF that responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs.
Dozens of demonstrators suffered from gas inhalation as a result and others sustained bruises as they were beaten by IOF. They were all treated on the spot.
· In Hebron, Palestinian civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in the center and south of town, at the northern entrance of the town, and at the entrances of Beit Ummar, Bani N'eim, Zeef villages and the Fawwar refugee camp. As a result of clashes with Israeli forces, 12 civilians, including 5 children and a woman, were wounded. In addition, a number of civilians fainted from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises due to violent beating.
Also in the same context, IOF were intentional obstructed the work of many media workers, directly attacking some of them, preventing others from performing their work and driving others out of the scenes of events, while they were covering events. As a result, Najeh Diab al-Hashlamon, 48, a cameraman of APA (an American news agency), was wounded by a bullet to the left foot. Al-Hashlamon was transferred to Hebron Public Hospital for medical treatment. In addition, the glass of the car of Samih Salem Shahin, 40, a camera man of AFP, was crushed after IOF fired at the car.
Al-Hashlamon told a PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 15 May, he was in "Talaat al-Zahed" Street, north of the old city of Hebron. He was close to the wall in the street and was filming a group of soldiers while firing at Palestinian demonstrators to the east of "Talaat al-Zahed" Street. In the meanwhile, he was shot by a bullet to his
17 / 67 Weekly Reports
left foot. Al-Hashlamon said that he was clearly seen to Israeli soldiers who were just 8 meters far from him. It seems that the soldiers did not like what al-Hashlamon was doing.
Shahin told the PCHR fieldworker that after he finished his work, he headed to his Hyundai Avante car which he parked near al-Jazaer Preliminary School to the east of the end of al-Zahed Street, but he found that the windows of his car were crushed by bullets fired by IOF.
On Sunday morning, 15 May, IOF raided many roofs of houses in Hebron and Beit Ummar village and transformed them into military sites. Dozens of snipers took positions on these roofs to target Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful demonstrations. The recognized houses occupied by IOF belong to Tayseer Zahdeh, Imad Abu Shamseyeh, Hashem al-Izzeh, Mohammed Ali Abdul Haq al-Jaabari, Mohammed Abdul Muttaleb Abu Sneina, Mahmoud Saleh Abu Ayash, Khaled Ismail Sadeq Sabarna, Mohammed Hamdi Abu Maria and Badr Hussein Alqam.
· At approximately 16:45, a peaceful demonstration was organized in Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, to commemorate the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. The demonstrators walked towards the entrance of the village where IOF where intensively deployed in the area over night. There were 10 military vehicles and many infantry soldiers. As the demonstrators arrived at the entrance of the village, they clashed with IOF. Demonstrators stoned IOF that responded by firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators.
At approximately 18:00, a force from the Palestinian National Forces arrived at the scene and convinced the demonstrators to leave the area. No casualties were reported.
18 / 67 Weekly Reports
(Note: PCHR keeps names of the wounded).
Thursday, 12 May 2011
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kafr Addiq village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and took positions in different areas.
They withdrew at approximately 14:00 and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Amin Hourani, 22.
Before withdrawing, they arrested Hourani and took him to Jalama prison. Hourani is a student of medicine at a university in Yemen and he returned from Yemen because of the situation there.
· At approximately 10:45, IOF moved al-Fonduq village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time.
They withdrew at approximately 11:00 and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
19 / 67 Weekly Reports
· At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Kafr Thulth village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets till 14:00. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 13 May 2011
· At approximately 14:00, a suspicious object left by IOF exploded near a Palestinian boy in the northern Jordan Valley in the northeast of the West Bank. The boy sustained serious wounds as a result and lost consciousness for a short time.
According to PCHR investigations, at approximately 14:00 on Friday, 13 May 2011, Hussein Ikab Hassan Daraghmeh, 13, from Tayasir village east of Tubas, was walking with four of his friends in the Jordan Valley area. When the children were approximately 4 km far from the east of Tayasir checkpoint, east of Tayasir village, Daraghmeh saw an object with an egg-shaped front and a concave back. The aluminum plated object was rusted. Daraghmeh picked the object and then threw it to the earth. He then kicked the object with his right foot. The object exploded and Daraghmeh lost his consciousness. He woke up in an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society which transferred him to Rafidya Public Hospital in Nablus. Daraghmeh was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and doctors said that he sustained shrapnel wounds near the main artery in the left leg, and in the chest as shrapnel penetrated the lung and in the neck. Doctors said his condition was stable.
20 / 67 Weekly Reports
· In a new crime, IOF killed a Palestinian boy in the evening in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.
PCHR conducted an investigation and took a statement from the father of the deceased, Said Ali Issa Ayash, 57, who lives in Ras al-Amud where he works as a translator and an editor. According to the statement, at approximately 15:00 on Friday, 13 May 2011, Milad, 17, was walking on a dirt road in the center of Silwan, which is located just south of the Old City in Jerusalem. When he was approximately 10 to 15 meters away from two houses occupied by Israeli settlers, he was shot. The shot came from the direction of the houses occupied by the Israeli settlers. The bullet entered Milad's abdomen and exited from his back. Mr. Ayash said that the area where Milad was walking was calm. At the time of the shooting there were clashes between Palestinian boys and Israeli forces in the Beer Ayoub area of the al-Bustan area in Silwan, which is approximately 1,500 meters from where Milad was walking.
It should be noted that members of a private security agency and members of the Israeli Border Guards provide protection to the settlers in the two houses.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
21 / 67 Weekly Reports
· At approximately 11:20, IOF moved into Hableh village, south of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqeya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and intermittently fired into the air.
They withdrew later and neither arrests nor further events were reported.
· At approximately 15:45, IOF moved into al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qaqilya. They patrolled in the streets. In the meanwhile, they approached a number of boys who were sitting on the sidewalk. An IOF officer asked Ahmed Imad Salem Shbeita, 18, to walk to him. They then took Shbeita to a nearby shop and asked the shop’s owner to translate from Hebrew into Arabic because the boy did not understand what they were saying. After they finished the dialogue, they arrested Shbeita. Boys who were with Shbeita said that IOF claimed that Shbeita threw stones at the main street. Shbeita was taken to Hawara detention camp, south of Nablus.
· In another attack using excessive force, IOF killed a mentally disabled child near Nahal Oz crossing at the borders with Israel, east of Gaza City, by an artillery shell.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:30, Shifa Hospital received the body of Khamis Salah Mesleh Habeeb, 17, from al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. In a statement to a PCHR field worker, Adham Abu Selmiyah, Spokesperson
22 / 67 Weekly Reports
of the Emergency Department, said that they had received a phone call from residents of Nahal Oz area, who stated there was a body near the border fence. Coordination was made through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and an ambulance headed to the area where the medical crew recovered the body of Habeeb at a distance of 300 meters to the west of Nahal Oz crossing. The body was transported to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. According to forensic sources at Shifa Hospital, Habeeb was wounded by shrapnel in the chest and the head from an artillery shell fired at him. He was killed immediately as a result of these wounds. It should be noted that Habeeb suffered from a mental disability.
· At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched many houses.
Before withdrawing, they arrested 3 civilians, including a child:
1. Mohammed Suleiman al-Titi, 25; 2. Laith, 18; and 3. Nedal Hassan Abu Shamaa, 17.
Monday, 16 May 2011
· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched many houses in the northeast of the village.
Before withdrawing, they arrested two civilians:
23 / 67 Weekly Reports
1. Mousa Ahmed Abu Maria, 26; and
2. Ahmed Mohammed Yousef Badi', 22.
· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Karawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. The y patrolled in the streets.
They raided two houses and delivered notices to two Palestinians; Arqam Mustafa Mari, 19; and Said Hamad Jbara Mari, 22, requesting them to appear before the Israeli Intelligence Service.
They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Sheikh neighborhood in the center of Hebron. The y raided and searched many houses.
Before withdrawing, they arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children and 2 brothers:
1. Amjad Majdi Hussein al-Haddad, 18;
2. Ahmed Majdi Hussein al-Haddad, 17;
24 / 67 Weekly Reports
3. Ali Basem Husni al-Haddad, 16; and
4. Yaser Tayseer Hussein al-Haddad, 19.
· At approximately 02:00, an IOF undercover unit stealthily moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm, using a Mercedes truck. They surrounded a building in al-Mahjar neighborhood. The building is owned by the family of Deyaa Ahmed Mohammed Abu Qseido, 22.
They raided the building using ladders to get onto the roof.
They searched the house of Abu Qseido and maltreated his family and him.
They then arrested him.
Deyaa' brother told the PCHR fieldworker that:
"At approximately 02:00 on 16 May 2011, I was sleeping with my family. In the meanwhile, an undercover unit of the Israeli army used a Mercedes lorry to move into al-Mahjar neighborhood.
They surrounded our 3-storey house which is located in al-Mahjar neighborhood.
They used ladders to get onto the roof.
They raided the house and destroyed the internal door.
25 / 67 Weekly Reports
They deployed in the house while shouting at us and they awoke us.
When I woke up, I saw nearly seven soldiers in military uniform.
They were masked.
One of them was beating my brother Deyaa using his foot and asking his to get up.
Another soldier was beating my brother Ibrahim and asking him to get up.
They forced us to stand against the wall and they thoroughly searched the house. Nearly half an hour later, they led us separately to a bedroom where an officer, who introduced himself as Roni (Abu Rami), was sitting.
He questioned us and told us that he wanted to arrest my brother Deyaa.
He asked him to see us off and to change his clothes.
They then took him to an unknown destination."
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into "Shaaba" neighborhood in the northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched many houses in the northeast of the neighborhood. Before withdrawing, they arrested two Palestinians:
26 / 67 Weekly Reports
1. Ramzi Foud al-Tabakhi; and
2. Mohammed Ali Abdul Haq al-Jaabari, 40.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Faroun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time.
In the meanwhile, a number of boys gathered and stoned IOF who responded by firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
IOF withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
· At approximately 02:15, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Faroun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in
27 / 67 Weekly Reports
the streets for some time.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 04 May 2011
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sarraa Munir Radad, 20.
Before withdrawing, they arrested Radad.
· Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They drove in the streets and raided and searched several houses. They delivered notices to five Palestinians requesting them to appear before the Israeli Intelligence Service in the District Coordination Office (DCO) which is established on Palestinian lands in the southwest of Tulkarm. The Palestinians who receiv ed notices are:
1. Mohammed Asaad Hassan Zahran, 26; 2. Khaldon Mahmoud Ahmed Jaari, 26;
28 / 67 Weekly Reports
3. Fawwaz Hafez Ibrahim Zahran, 26; 4. Ihab Mohammed Abdul Aziz Younis, 26; and 5. Anas Nayef Jamal Amer, 26.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, three demonstrators, including a child and an international activist, were wounded.
Dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Additionally, IOF arrested four demonstrators, including two Israeli activists, and transported them to "Benjamin" police station, southeast of Ramallah.
They were released at approximately 22:00.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 13 May 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall. This demonstration coincided with the 63 rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba .
29 / 67 Weekly Reports
The demonstrators were raising the portraits of martyrs Jawaher and Basem Abu Rahma and carrying a big key with number 63 on it pointing to the years of Nakba .
Besides, there was a cart carrying old people and children, who were wearing the Palestinian traditional clothes, showing that they were returning to their homeland.
The demonstrators then walked towards the annexation wall.
IOF made a barrier of barbwire approximately 100 meters far from the wall.
Before the demonstrators' arrival at the barrier, IOF closed the barrier and fired bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.
IOF also sprayed wastewater at the demonstrators and chased them in olive fields.
As a result, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded, while dozens suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
The wounded:
1. Ashraf Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Rahma, 30, hit by a tear gas canister in the right leg; and
2. Ahmed Rebhi Abu Rahma, 16, hit by a tear gas canister in the right hand.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 May 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They then walked towards the wall.
30 / 67 Weekly Reports
IOF closed the gate established on the wall with barbwire.
When the demonstrators tried to cross the wall to the land located behind it, IOF prevented them.
The demonstrators responded by stoning IOF that responded by firing bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.
IOF also chased demonstrators in olive fields.
Many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation as a result.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators walked in the streets of the village and chanted national slogans, expressing their refusal to the occupation and its arbitrary actions. They also raised the Palestinian flags.
They then walked towards the lands that settlers from "Halmish" settlement try to seize.
IOF closed off the southern entrance of the village to prevent Palestinian and international demonstrators from having access to the mentioned lands.
As the demonstrators attempted to access the land, IOF prevented them.
IOF fired bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.
IOF also sprayed wastewater at the demonstrators and chased them.
As a result, the American activist, Christian, 23, was hit by a tear gas canister in the head, due to which he was transported to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah for medical treatment.
Besides, many demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises in this incident, including Hala Ayoub al-Tamimi, 45, who sustained bruises in the back, and Helmi al-Tamimi, 29, a cameraman of the Public Committee against the Wall.
31 / 67 Weekly Reports
In addition, IOF arrested 4 demonstrators, including 2 Israeli solidarity activists, and transported them to "Benjamin" police station, southeast of Ramallah.
They were released on 22:00.
The arrested demonstrators:
1. Nida' Abdul 'Elah Tamimi, 22;
2. Iqbal Mahmoud Tamimi, 40;
3. The Israeli activist, Eyal, 22; and
4. The Israeli activist, Eyal, 24.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
32 / 67 Weekly Reports
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
· Facts on the ground refute Israeli claims with respect to the easing of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the reduction of restrictions imposed on the entry of goods.
33 / 67 Weekly Reports
· Israeli declaration of allowing new goods to be entered into the Gaza Strip constitutes an attempt to delude the international community, as such goods do not meet the minimal needs of the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have continued to ban the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF have imposed a ban on all exports from the Gaza Strip.
· Israel had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
34 / 67 Weekly Reports
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
11-17 May 2011
Date
Details
11 May 2011
398 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 339 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 20 Palestinians were returned by the Egyptian Authorities.
12 May 2011
364 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 563 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 45 Palestinians were returned.
35 / 67 Weekly Reports
13 May 2011
A Palestinian was allowed into the Gaza Strip
14 May 2011
Closed
15 May 2011
368 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 177 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 35 Palestinians were returned.
16 May 2011
398 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 414 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 36 Palestinians were returned.
17 May 2011
396 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt, 244 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip and 130 Palestinians were returned.
36 / 67 Weekly Reports
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
11-17 May 2011
Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Liters
11 May 2011
37 / 67 Weekly Reports
Foodstuffs
1,122
Agricultural materials
1,918
Various goods
1,307
Humanitarian aids
1,535
38 / 67 Weekly Reports
Cooking gas
158.280
12 May 2011
Foodstuffs
1,352
Agricultural materials
2,123
39 / 67 Weekly Reports
Various goods
1,126
Humanitarian aids
797
Cooking gas
207.140
Benzene
40 / 67 Weekly Reports
38.000 for UNRWA
Diesel
118.000 for UNRWA
15 May 2011
Foodstuffs
1,197
Agricultural materials
1,846
41 / 67 Weekly Reports
Various goods
795
Humanitarian aids
1,835
Cooking gas
206.760
16 May 2011
42 / 67 Weekly Reports
Foodstuffs
998
Agricultural materials
1,784
Various goods
1,342
Humanitarian aids
3,060
43 / 67 Weekly Reports
Cooking gas
185.800
Notes:
· On Wednesday, 11 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 118 tons of iron and 980 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,755 tons of fodders.
· On Thursday, 12 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 40 tons of aggregate for UNRWA and 120 tons of cement for UNDP. Besides, they allowed the entry of 1,911 tons of fodders.
· On Sunday, 15 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 180 tons of cement, 85 tons of iron and 840 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 20 tons of cement and 9 tons of iron for ANERA. 1,677 tons of wheat was allowed into the Gaza Strip.
44 / 67 Weekly Reports
· On Monday, 16 May 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 320 tons of cement, 7 tons of iron and 1,960 tons of aggregate for UNRWA. 224 tons of cement was allowed for Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU). In addition, 1,677 tons of wheat and 15 tons of fodders were allowed into the Gaza Strip
Exports
· On Thursday, 12 May 2011, 58,000 flowers were exported.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
11-17 April 2011
45 / 67 Weekly Reports
Date
11 May
12 May
13 May
14 May
15 May
16 May
18 May
Patients
44
34
46 / 67 Weekly Reports
3
Nil
34
49
52
Companions
39
34
4
Nil
32
47 / 67 Weekly Reports
46
55
Arabs from Israel
5
4
1
Nil
1
14
Nil
Diplomats
48 / 67 Weekly Reports
15
10
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
International Journalists
3
1
4
Nil
49 / 67 Weekly Reports
1
1
Nil
International Workers
41
63
29
Nil
4
22
22
50 / 67 Weekly Reports
Travelers abroad
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business People
64
63
51 / 67 Weekly Reports
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
55
Economic Meetings
4
6
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
52 / 67 Weekly Reports
Nil
Security Interviews
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
VIP's
Nil
53 / 67 Weekly Reports
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Ambulances to Israel
Nil
5
1
Nil
54 / 67 Weekly Reports
1
2
4
Ambulances from Israel
Nil
3
1
Nil
Nil
4
2
55 / 67 Weekly Reports
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city.
On Friday morning, 13 May 2011, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in Jerusalem, particularly in the center of the city and in the Old Town. Eyewitness es said that the Israeli measures included deployment of police officers, special units and the Border Guard members in the streets and intersections, especially at the main street adjacent to the walls of the Old Town.
IOF also established checkpoints in different streets, while the police checkpoints established at al-Aqsa mosque gates hindered the movement of Palestinians, so a large number of them were returned and others' IDs were held until they finished praying.
56 / 67 Weekly Reports
On Sunday morning, 15 May 2011, IOF imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in Jerusalem at the entrances of neighborhoods in the city and hindered the movement of students. Police officers, special units and the Border Guard members were deployed in the streets and inside the walls of the Old Town.
· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 12 May 2011, IOF completely closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, after some Israeli settlers had carried out harassments at the said checkpoint.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 12 May 2011, IOF established 8 checkpoints around the town. On Friday, 13 May 2011, IOF established 2 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 14 May 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around the town. On Saturday, 14 May 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around the town, while on Monday, 16, May 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around the town.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 14 May 2011, IOF stationed at 'Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm, imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They called for the so-called Border Guard’s support and started spreading "iron barriers."
They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
57 / 67 Weekly Reports
When a civilian vehicle crossed the iron barrier, its wheels were damaged.
As a result, the way to Tulkarm was completely closed.
At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF carried out the same measures, however, no arrests were reported.
At the same time, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road approximately 500 meters far from the gate of Jbarah checkpoint in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm.
·
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 15 May 2011, IOF stationed at 'Ennab checkpoint imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00, IOF completely closed that checkpoint claiming that some Palestinians threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers on the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba .
At approximately 09:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.
At approximately 14:30 on Monday, 16 May 2011, IOF stationed at 'Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, completely closed the checkpoint. Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR field worker that a number of the Border Guard members had been deployed at the checkpoint and prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles from passing for a while. The checkpoint was reopened later, however, no arrest were reported.
58 / 67 Weekly Reports
At approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 17 May 2011, IOF stationed at 'Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed severe restrictions at the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched the civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.
· Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF extended the period of closure imposed on the West Bank to another 24 hours since Monday 16 May 2011 upon a decision of the military leadership.
They continued to close many major and secondary entrances in the center and southeast of Hebron, the Old Town, east of Bani N'eim and Beit Ommar, the northern entrances of al-'Arroub and al-Fawwar villages, intersections of Tarqoumya and al-Samou', and Qaboun valley – Halhoul – road #35.
In addition, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians at permanent checkpoints.
Arrests at Checkpoints
59 / 67 Weekly Reports
- At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 16 May 2011, a military jeep chased a Volkswagen truck belonging to Silet al-Dhahr Complex Company near "Shafi Shomron" settlement, opposite to al-Tanib Bricks Factory, which is located on Nablus – Tulkarm road, west of Nablus. After the jeep stopped the truck, the Israeli soldiers got out of the jeep and searched the truck.
Later, they arrested the driver, Samed Mohammed Abdul Rahman Abu Ali, 27; and a worker, Yasser Imad Nemr Zbeidi, 19, from Silet al-Dhahr, south of Jenin, under the pretext that a suspicious object in the form of a "pipe" was found inside the tuck.
They were transported to Hawwara military camp, south of Nablus.
Zeid Abu Ali, Samed's brother, said that an Israeli officer had called the company's owner and submitted the truck to him.
It should be noted that Abu Ali and Zbeidi work in the company's distribution department and they were heading to Hebron to distribute the truckload.
- At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 18 May 2011, Israeli troops and police officers established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road in "Mothallath Jbarah" area in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm. Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR field worker that two Palestinians had been arrested at the checkpoint, and Palestinian security sources confirmed it, pointing that the Israeli Liaison Office did not inform the Palestinian side with the names of detainees. The same sources stated that this arrest had been likely carried out under the pretext that the vehicle the detainees were driving was a stolen one.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
60 / 67 Weekly Reports
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 14 May 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement attacked 3 farmers from Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya, while they were going to their lands. The farmers:
1. Morad Mofeed Hussein Yamin, 19;
2. Firas Sayel Mohammed Yamin, 25; and
3. His brother Ayoub Yamin, 19.
In his testimony to PCHR field worker, Ayoub Yamin said:
61 / 67 Weekly Reports
"At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 14 May 2011, my brother Firas, my cousin Morad and I went to our land named "Khelet al-Shaqfan" located in the west of the village, to cut the thyme saplings. Once we arrived, we were shocked when seeing 3 Israeli soldiers standing on the highest area of the land. They took our IDs and told us that it was so difficult to work that day without obtaining coordination although we go there every day without any coordination.
While we were talking to them, 3 Israeli settlers attacked us and said that we don't have any land there.
When they asked us if this land is ours or not, we replied saying yes.
As a result, they took our tools and started cutting an almond tree near us.
They then chased us using stones until we got out of the land.
We did not return there and decided not go there anymore."
- On Sunday 15 May 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" settlement, southeast of Hebron, attacked a house belonging to Abu S'ifan family, who lives in al-Hsein valley adjacent to the wall of the said settlement. They tried to set fire to the house, which threatened the lives of the house’s residents.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:00, while some children of the family of Hosni Abdul Hai Matariya (Abu S'ifan) were playing in the yard of their house, in which 11 individuals live, a group of Israeli settlers living in the said settlement threw 4 fire bottles towards the house. One of the bottles hit the roof, the second fell a meter away from the house, while the third and fourth ones fell into the yard. As a result, the children were terrified and ran into the house.
Besides, some rugs in the yard were burnt.
62 / 67 Weekly Reports
When the house’s residents noticed the fire, they extinguished it with the help of their neighbors and called a patrol of the Observer Mission of the "Temporary International Presence in Hebron," which arrived 40 minutes later.
Abu S'ifan stressed that 4-5 Israeli settlers were on the wall adjacent to his house directly. The y carried out their attack, which could have caused a disaster.
He pointed that although two observers of the Temporary International Presence came to his house to know what had happened and prepare a report about it, 15 minutes later, the same settlers attacked the house again by stones and empty bottles. All of this happened despite the presence of military observation points adjacent to and surrounding the settlement.
It should be noted that the said house and other houses belonging to many families of (Abu S'ifan) are few steps away from the settlement's wall. Besides, the houses had been attacked by settlers several times throughout the past years, as a result, many members of the family were wounded and damages were caused to the houses.
- On Tuesday afternoon, 17 May 2011, a number of Israeli settlers broke into the Orphanage School at al-Thawri neighborhood in East Jerusalem. They beat the students in their classrooms. Later, the Israeli police officers broke into the School and arrested its headmaster, Ibrahim Shower, and deputy headmaster, Isam al-Taweel, to question them.
It should be noted that the School had been attacked by settlers previously through burning wastes near it.
63 / 67 Weekly Reports
As a result, dozens of students suffered from suffocation and fainted due to smoke inhalation.
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.
64 / 67 Weekly Reports
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
65 / 67 Weekly Reports
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question.
Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region.
66 / 67 Weekly Reports
Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
…………………………………………………………
Public Document
For further information please visit our website ( www.pchrgaza.org ) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( [email protected] ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
[1] The uprooting of the Palestinian people from their lands in 1948.
67 / 67