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Friday, 18 March 2011 HOME ABOUT US PUBLICATIONS NEWS FACTS / STATS IN FOCUS LINKS Home PUBLICATIONS Reports Weekly Reports Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (10-16 March 2011)

New Dr. Reyad al-Zaanoun New Chairman of PCHR Board of Directors, PCHR Elects New Board of Directors

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (10-16 March 2011) Thursday, 17 March 2011 00:00

Israeli settlers running wild, car set alight in Dowar al-Qara' village, northeast Ramallah

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

· Two Palestinians were killed by an IOF air strike in the Gaza Strip. - Two Palestinian workers were wounded in the same attack. - Three buildings on the targeted site were destroyed.

· Israeli settlers escalated attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.

- PCHR documented 40 attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. - The settlers burnt 4 cars and a tractor, and damaged 7 cars. - A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation fired by IOF that escorted Israeli settlers. - IOF uprooted 400 olives trees in Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus.

· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip. - A Palestinian fisherman was wounded.

· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. - A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. - IOF arrested two international human rights defenders.

· IOF conducted 47 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. - IOF arrested 66 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children. - 52 of the detainees are from 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus.

· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. - Israeli soldiers positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested one Palestinian civilian.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (10 – 16 March 2011):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, IOF killed two Palestinians and wounded 3 others in the Gaza Strip.

On 16 March 2011, IOF warplanes fired 3 missiles at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces south of Gaza City. As a result, a guard of the site and a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) were killed. Two workers of the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works, who were working nearly 20 meters away from the site, were wounded. Additionally, three buildings on the site were also destroyed.

On the same day, IOF wounded a Palestinian fisherman in the northern Gaza Strip.

During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested two international human rights defenders.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 47 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 66 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children. The widest incursion was into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, during which IOF arrested 52 Palestinian civilians.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp, during which they leaved areas of Palestinian land.

Restrictions on Movement:

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

Gaza Strip

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

· 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.

· Expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza does not change the illegality of this policy, which is inconsistent with Israel’s legal obligations both as an Occupying Power and under international human rights treaties to which it is party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

· 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.

· 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.

· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

· Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply. West Bank

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

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

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

· When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating 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 a permit issued by the IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

· IOF continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the Annexation Wall.

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

Settlement Activities:

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

On 16 March 2011, IOF moved ingto al-Tyour are in the east of Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They uprooted 400 olives trees from an areas of agricultural land belonging to Jamal Mohammed Can'an. They transported the uprooted trees outside the area.

Following the deaths of 5 Israeli settlers in "Eitamar" settlement, southeast of Nablus, Israeli settlers launched a series of attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property throughout the West Bank.

Hebron: PCHR documented 6 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and property. Windows of a Palestinian fire engine was broken, a car was burnt, a flower nursery was damaged, and 10 Palestinian civilians sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation used by IOF that escorted the settlers. Nablus: PCHR documented 6 attacks, during which 4 houses, a citrus nursery and a car were damaged, and a Palestinian civilian was injured.

Qalqilya: PCHR documented 20 attacks, during which a car and a tractor were burnt, 4 cars were damaged, and 5 Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation used by IOF that escorted the settlers.

Salfit: PCHR documented 3 attacks, during which a Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation used by IOF that escorted the settlers.

Ramallah: PCHR documented 5 attacks, during which two cars were burnt and a house was damaged.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 16 March 2011)

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

Thursday, 10 March 2011

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

Hamza Ya'coub 'Aassi, 16; 'Omar 'Abdul 'Aziz Mar'ei, 22; Tamer Fat'hi 'Aassi, 16; 'Odai Rashed Rayan, 19; and Yusri Bassem Rayan, 19.

· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit 'Our al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into the area located between 'Azzoun and 'Izbat al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqilya. The searched the area and arrested two Palestinian children working in a construction workshop, claiming that the two children threw stones at Israeli vehicles. The two children are:

As'ad Mahanna Mash'al, 17; and Adam Bassem Salim, 17.

· At approximately 19:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 20:50, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 11 March 2011

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Saturday, 12 March 2011

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the agricultural areas located between al-Zababda village and Sanour and Masliya villages, southeast of Jenin. They searched the area and fired flash bombs. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 07:00, following the deaths of 5 Israeli settlers in "Eitamar" settlement, which stands of lands of 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, IOF moved into the village and imposed a curfew. They, raided, searched and damaged a number of houses and beat a number of Palestinian civilians. They also arrested 20 Palestinian civilians:

Shadi Mohammed 'Awad, 26; Ayman Faisal Qawariq, 23; Amjad Faisal Qawariq, 22; Majdi Faisal Qawariq, 19; Mahmoud Faisal Qawariq, 18; Fadi Fawaz Qawariq, 28; Shadi Fawaz Qawariq, 30; Shadi Salim Shurrab, 28; Majdi Salim Shurrab, 24; Amjad Salim Shurrab, 25; Mo'ayda Jameel Shurrab, 27; Muhannad Mohammed Qawariq, 22; Ahmed Mohammed Qawariq, 20; Amjad Mohammed Qawariq, 15; 'Ali As'ad Ghazzawi, 22; Yasser As'ad Ghazzawi, 36; Sa'ada 'Ali Darawsha, 25; Hazzaa' Mohammed 'Ammouri, 21; Waleed Jarrah Zakah, 22; and 'Abdullah Jarrah Zakah, 20.

· At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 21:40, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Sunday, 13 March 2011

· At approximately 00:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Baqat al-Hatab village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses and turned them into military sites.

· At approximately 07:20, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. They also photographed a number of old buildings. They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, northwest of Jenin. They took position in the center of the village, and raided a cafeteria belonging to Khaled Mahmoud Yassin. They held at least 13 customers and searched the cafeteria. An Israeli intelligence officer came and questioned the customers. Two hours later, IOF moved to the east of the village. They raided a number of shops and questioned their owners. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Far'ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:50, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 14 March 2011

· At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:10, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched houses belonging to families of Mohammed Hassan Mansour, 23, and Bassel Mustafa al-Khatib, 25, and summoned them for interrogation.

· Also at approximately 02:10, IOF moved into Eskaka village, east of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bilal 'Abdul Rahim Harb, 23, and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bittin village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· In the morning, IOF moved into 'Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They called on male civilians aged 15-40 to gather in the eastern part of the village. They took at least 300 civilians into a house and detained them there. They violently beat a number of these civilians. At approximately 15:30, IOF started to release these civilian in stages, but arrested 32 of them. Thus, the number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF from the village during the reporting period increased to 53.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghazala village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Beit Qad village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Surda village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Shabtin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Helmi 'Abdul Hafiz Dib, 40, and arrested him together with his three sons: 'Ammar, 21; Mohammed, 16; and 'Aayed, 14. IOF released them all on the following day.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They moved back to the border at approximately 16:00 on the same day.

· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Jabal al-Sharif neighborhood in the west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and delivered a summon to Firas Murad Abu 'Omar.

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Abu Esnaina neighborhood and Tariq Bin Ziad Street in the south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

Mos'ab Rushdi al-Atrash, 19; 'Ata Sa'id Abu Rmouz, 24; and Tha'er Sa'id Abu Rmouz, 20.

· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 10:40, IOF warplanes fired 3 missiles at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces south of Gaza City. As a result, a guard of the site and a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) were killed:

'Adnan Yousef Eshtaiwi, 23, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, hit by shrapnel throughout the body; and Ghassan Fat'hi Khader Abu 'Amru, 25, from al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, hit by shrapnel throughout the body.

Two workers of the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works, who were working nearly 20 meters away from the site, were wounded:

Mohammed Hisham al-Louh, 24, from al-Mughraqa village, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg; and Ayman Riad Kishku, 24, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, wounded by shrapnel to the right hand and the left foot.

Three buildings on the site were also destroyed.

· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Bir al-Basha village, south of Jenin. They stormed a mobile transition tower of Wataniya Mobile Company. They checked and held the guard, Ameer Nidal Bani Sa'idan, 23. They searched the area for two hours. They then released Bani Sa'idan. No arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 11:15, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, Yasser Nasser Baker, 19, was wounded by a bullet to the right side.

· At approximately 15:10, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 17:20, IOF moved into 'Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, southwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into 'Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

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

· Following the Friday Prayer on 11 March 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. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber- coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 11 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

· Also following the Friday Prayer on 11 March 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, IOF arrested two international human rights defenders. IOF also turned a house belonging to a Helmi Tamimi into a military site, and held Mustafa Mahmoud Tamimi, 12, for an hour.

3. Continued Closure of the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

· 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.

· 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. Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 09 – 15 March 2011

Date Details 09 March 2011 227 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 78 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 10 March 2011 210 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 105 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 11 March 2011 Closed. 12 March 2011 Closed. 13 March 2011 220 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 140 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 14 March 2011 210 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 81 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip. 15 March 2011 222 Palestinians were allowed to travel to Egypt and 80 others were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

PCHR apologizes for not providing details of the movement at the crossing due to technical problems facing officials at the crossing. Details of movement during the reporting period will be included in the next report.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF completely closed the crossing.

Sofa Crossing: At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 09 March 2011, IOF opened Sofa crossing, northeast of Rafah, and allowed the entry of 512 tons of construction aggregate. According to information available to PCHR, the crossing was exceptionally opened from 11:00 to 14:00, and it will be opened again to allow the entry of 70,000 tons of aggregate, which have been blocked for years, for UNRWA and the Palestinian private sector.

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 09 – 15 March 2011

Date 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 March March March March March March March Patients 20 24 1 Nil 48 58 39 Companions 21 22 1 Nil 49 58 42 Arabs from Nil 9 2 Nil 40 16 7 Israel Diplomats 20 18 Nil Nil 5 Nil 5 International Nil 3 1 Nil 1 Nil 3 Journalists International 40 20 10 Nil 29 10 29 Workers Travelers Nil 2 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil abroad Business 64 65 Nil Nil 60 66 56 People Economic Nil 4 Nil Nil Nil 2 1 Meetings Security 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Interviews VIP's Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 2 Ambulances to 3 Nil Nil Nil 5 2 Nil Israel Ambulances 2 2 1 Nil 1 1 2 from Israel

The West Bank

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

· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.

· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 10 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:45 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of Ramallah. At approximately 21:10 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 12 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 14:20 on Monday, 14 March 2011, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 14:30, they established a checkpoint near al-Mazra'a village, northwest of the town. At approximately 15:00, IOF established a checkpoint near 'Aaboud village, northwest of the town. At approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near ''Oufra" settlement, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:20, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of the town. At approximately 06:20 on Wednesday, 16 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Abu Shkhaidem village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:30, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint under 'Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah.

· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 10 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 23:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint under 'Azzoun Bridge between Qalqilya and Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday, 13 March 2011, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:30 on Thursday, 10 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 11 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Saturday morning, 12 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 09:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 19:20 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Far'oun intersection on Tulkarm- Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 14 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at Far'oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 14 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jalama village, north of Jenin. At approximately 18:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Kfiret intersection, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

· Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 12 March 2011, IOF closed Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus; Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of the city; and al-Bathan checkpoint, north of the city, and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. They also imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through other checkpoints around the city.

· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 10 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 11 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 15:00 also on Friday, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. At approximately 20:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 15:30 on Monday, 14 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-'Ouja village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 17:30 on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

· At approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, Israeli soldiers positioned at a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah, arrested Ahmed Sameh al-Khatib, 21, but released him at approximately 21:00.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

· At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 16 March 2011, IOF moved ingto al-Tyour are in the east of Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They uprooted 400 olives trees from an areas of agricultural land belonging to Jamal Mohammed Can'an. They transported the uprooted trees outside the area.

Hebron:

· At approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 12 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers threw stones at a Palestinian Civil Defense vehicle that was traveling on bypass road #60, south of Hebron. The front window of the car was broken, and Captain Ibrahim Abu Sabha was lightly injured in the head and the shoulders.

· At approximately 15:30 also on Saturday, a number of Israeli settlers, some of whom were armed with rifles and pistols, attacked Palestinian houses in Tal Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron, near "Ramat Yishai" settlement, using stones and empty bottles. In the meantime, at 50 Israeli settlers made a tour in the streets. They insulted and threatened Palestinian civilians. A number of houses in the area were damaged.

· At approximately 18:00 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kiryat Arba" and "Kharsina" settlements, southeast of Hebron, attacked a number of Palestinian houses near the two settlements with stones, damaging them. Other Israeli settlers carrying firearms, knives and sticks attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on roads, south, east and north of Hebron. A number of Palestinian civilians were injured and a number of cars were damaged.

· At approximately 19:50 also on Saturday, a number of Israeli settlers broke windows of a car belonging to Ashraf 'Abdul Khaliq al-Sa'id, and set fire to it before the eyes of Israeli soldiers. According to al-Sa'id's brother, 7 Israeli settlers completely burnt his brother's brown Mitsubishi car, which was parked nearly 200 meters away from his house.

· At approximately 21:00, at least 200 Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, threw stones and fired at Palestinian houses between the entrance of al-'Arroub refugee camp and the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. Israeli soldiers also fired tear gas canisters. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation: Mo'ayad Bahjat al-'Allami, 13; Sabha Mohammed Abu 'Ayash, 72; and Bahjat Shihda al-'Allami, 60.

· At approximately 22:00 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a rose nursery belonging to Shihda Mohammed al-'Allami at the entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. The nursery was heavily damaged.

Nablus

· At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 12 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Brakha" settlement, south of Nablus, threw stones at Palestinian houses in Bourin village. Two houses belonging to Yousef al-Zain and Khaled Hassan were damaged. The settlers also attempted to kidnap two children from Hassan's house, but Palestinian villagers foiled the attempt.

· At approximately 15:00 on the same day, Israeli settlers from "Yits'har" settlement, south of Nablus, got close to Palestinian houses in the south of Southern 'Assira village. IOF arrived the area and drove them away. When IOF left the area, more Israeli settlers came and attacked a house belonging to Qassem Hassan Saleh, but Palestinian civilians stopped them. Soon, IOF arrived and fired tear gas canisters and sounds bombs at Palestinian civilians.

· At approximately 18:00 on the same day, hundreds of Israeli settlers gathered near the intersection of Nablus-Ramannal road and the road of "Yits'har" settlement, and at Za'tara intersection, south of Nablus. Palestinian traders in Hawara village were forced to close their shops to avoid being attacked by the settlers.

· At approximately 21:00 also on Saturday, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian house in the north of Hawara village, south of Nablus.

· At approximately 23:00 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Brakha" and "Yits'har" settlements attacked the entrance of Bourin village and destroyed a citrus nursery belonging to the Eshtayeh family. They also attacked a school and a mosque and attempted to set fire to it, but Palestinian civilians stopped them. The settlers also attacked two houses belonging to Qassem and Ghaleb al-Najjar, damaging them.

· At approximately 07:45 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road. They also attacked a Palestinian civilian and injured him. In his statement to PCHR, Bassam Rafiq 'Abdul Fattah, 43, Director of Palestinian Petrol Agency in Qalqilya, said:

"At approximately 07:45 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, I was traveling to Ramallah to submit the weekly worksheets. When I got close to al-Lubban al-Sharqi village, I noticed that an Israeli settler car was chasing me. The car got close to me and Israeli settlers started to swear on me. They then bypassed me. They threw empty bottles in front of my car. When I was near a fuel station, the car moved away from me. I decided to phone one of my colleagues who was traveling back on the same road to warn him. When I put the mobile phone on my ear, Israeli settlers threw a big stone on my car. The stones broke the window, broke the phone and hit my. I sustained a fracture to my finger. Another person who was traveling near me drove the car and transported me to Ramallah Hospital."

Qalqilya

· At approximately 20:15 on Saturday, 12 March 2011, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement gathered at Kufor Laqef intersection, east of Qalqilya, and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. They also attempted to break into the village.

· At approximately 22:00, Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement gathered on Nablus-Qalqilya road and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. They attacked a car belonging to Bilal Nasser Barham, from Kufor Qaddoum village, and damaged it. IOF intervened and took him out of the settlers' hands.

· At approximately 22:15, dozens of Israeli settlers from "Emanuel" settlement gathered at Jainsafout intersection, east of Qalqilya, and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. A car belonging to Mahmoud 'Abdul Karim Bashir was damaged.

· At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement threw stones at a number of Palestinian farmers who were on their lands in the south of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 16:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling near "Kufor Laqef" intersection, east of Qalqilya. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 17:00 also on Sunday, many Israeli settlers gathered on Qalqilya-Nablus road near the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, and used megaphones to insult Palestinians. They also cut a number of olive trees. They then threw stones at Palestinian civilians and their vehicles. Palestinian civilians attempted to stop these attacks. Immediately, IOF intervened and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at these civilians. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, suffered from tear gas inhalation:

1. Mo'tassem Tayseer Radwan, 20; 2. Mohammed Ahmed Radwan, 20; 3. Hamed Ibrahim Radi, 26; 4. 'Amru Mohammed Abu Haniya, 17; abd 5. Ahmed Ghazi Swaidan, 20.

· At approximately 01:30 on Monday, 13 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They set fire to a car belonging to Najeh Mohammed Ayoub. According to Ayoub, who works as a marketing officer, there was an amount of 10,000 NIS inside the car. The settlers also burnt a tractor belonging to Hamdallah 'Abdul Karim Ayoub.

· At approximately 08:10 on the same day, Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement stormed Palestinian agricultural lands located between Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, and the settlement. They set up a tent and raised the Israeli flags.

· At approximately 08:55 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers gathered in the west of Nabi Elias village near "Tsufim" settlement, in an attempt to attack Palestinian civilians. IOF intervened and evacuated the settlers from the area.

· At approximately 17:15, a number of Israeli settlers gathered at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, in an attempt to attack Palestinian civilians. IOF intervened and evacuated the settlers from the area.

· At approximately 17:40, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement gathered on Qalqilya-Nablus road, east of Qalqilya, and closed it. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 18:00 also on Monday, at least 500 Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement stormed Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They threw stones at a number of Palestinian civilians who were sitting near their houses close to the settlement. They also attempted to break into a number of houses.

· At approximately 18:15 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" gathered on Qalqilya-Nablus road. They threw stones at Palestinian civilians vehicles. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 18:20 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers gathered near Kufor Laqef intersection on Qalqilya-Nablus road, east of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicle. A car belonging to 'Emad 'Abdullah Hamdan was damaged.

· At approximately 20:10 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement outpost launched fireworks onto Palestinian houses in Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They also threw stones at a number of houses. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 20:15, a number of Israeli settlers from "Emanuel" settlement attempted to break into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They fired at Palestinian houses. IOF intervened and evacuated them from the area.

· At approximately 16:35 on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Karni Shomron" settlement threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. No injuries were reported.

· At approximately 17:35 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Qidoumim" settlement threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Qalqilya-Nablus road. A car belonging to 'Essam Masalha was damaged. IOF intervened and closed the road. They reopened the road when they drove the settlers away.

· At approximately 18:00 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers attempted to break into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya, but IOF prevented them. At approximately 19:30, the settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses in the village. No casualties were reported.

Salfit

· At approximately 11:35 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, a number of armed Israeli settlers gathered at the entrance of Hares village, north of Salfit. They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF evacuated them from the area.

· At approximately 20:50 on the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from "Kfar Taffouh" settlement threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main road near the settlement, east of Salfit. No injuries or damages were reported.

· At approximately 22:15, a number of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, gathered at the entrance of Yassouf village, east of Salfit. Palestinian civilians rushed to area in an attempt to prevent the settlers from breaking into the village. Immediately, IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, Ahmed Nabeel 'Abdul Raziq, 21, suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Ramallah

· At approximately 20:30 on Saturday, 12 March 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from "Halmish" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, closed the entrance of Nabi Saleh village and attempted to enter the village. They also threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF then intervened and evacuated the settlers from the area.

· At approximately 22:00 on the same day, many armed Israeli settlers from "Beit Eil" settlement, north of Ramallah, gathered at the western entrance of Bitin village. They attempted to break into a house belonging to Bashar 'Ezzat al-Tawil. They damaged al-Tawil's car and broke windows of the house.

· At approximately 02:30 on Sunday, 13 March 2011, many armed Israeli settlers from "Beit Eil" settlement, north of Ramallah, stormed Dawar al-Qare' village to the north of the aforementioned settlement. They attempted to enter a house belonging to 'Ammar Jihad Nassif. They threw stones and empty bottles at the house. They burnt two cars belonging to the al-Zinati and al-'Orabi families. They then fled to the settlement.

· At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 14 March 2011, many Israeli settlers closed the entrance of Nabi Saleh village and attempted to enter the village. They also threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. IOF were present in the area and did not intervene to stop the settlers.

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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 their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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).

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