29 April - 06 May 2009
Solidarity activists demonstrating against Israeli settlement activities in Hebron
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege on the Gaza Strip
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege on the Gaza Strip
* Two Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of the collapse of a tunnel bombarded by IOF.
* IOF killed a mentally disabled Palestinian civilian at the entrance to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
* 13 Palestinian civilians, including four children and one woman, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
* IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and one into the Gaza Strip.
* IOF arrested 25 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and four in the Gaza Strip.
* IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the oPt and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
* IOF troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested four Palestinian civilians, including one child.
* IOF have continued measures aimed at establishing a Jewish majority in east Jerusalem.
* IOF ordered the demolition of a number of Palestinian houses.
* IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
* Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in the north of the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (29 April – 06 May 2009):
Shooting: During the reporting period, three Palestinians were killed and 13 others, including four children and a woman, were wounded in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
On 1 May 2009, two Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip when IOF warplanes bombarded a tunnel at the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. On the same day, IOF troops positioned east of Jabalya – along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel – fired at a Palestinian woman who was grazing animals, wounding her.
On 2 May 2009, a Palestinian farmer was wounded when IOF troops positioned east of Khan Yunis – along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel – fired at a number of Palestinian farmers.
On 3 May 2009, three Palestinian civilians, including a child, were lightly wounded when a missile left by IOF during the latest military offensive on the Gaza Strip exploded near them. On the same day, the ICRC informed the family of missing 12-year-old Ayman Mohammed Shamiya, from Jabalya refugee camp, that he was detained by IOF. The family was informed that the child was arrested near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Hanoun town, after he had been wounded in the feet.
In the West Bank, on 6 May 2009, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian at the entrance of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. They claimed that he attempted to take over the gun of an IOF soldier, so the soldier shot him. According to the victim's family, he was suffering from mental disorders.
During the reporting period, seven Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 30 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 25 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
In the Gaza Strip, on 2 May 2009, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 400 meters into the east of Jabalya town in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF troops opened fire at houses and agricultural areas. On 3 May 2009, IOF troops arrested three Palestinian civilians attempting to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs. The three were arrested east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the oPt and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
• 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
• The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
• IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.
• IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.
• The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
• IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israel for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
• In the Gaza Strip poverty levels are at approximately 80%, while unemployment has reached approximately 60%.
• IOF have continued to prevent the entry of spare parts intended for water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$6 million.
• IOF have imposed additional access restrictions international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers attempting to reach 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 sharply mounted.
• At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation for more than 17 months.
• IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishers along the Gaza Strip coast.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
• IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60-80 ‘flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
• When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
• At least 65% of the main roads leading to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).
• There are around 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.
• During the reporting period, IOF troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested four Palestinian civilians, including a child.
Attempts to Establish a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem: IOF have escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem, in an attempt to force them to leave the city. During the reporting period, IOF handed a copy of a decision issued by the Local Affairs Court of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem to Nabeel Is'haq al-Daissi. The decision ordered al-Daissi to demolish a structure he had added to his house in the Old Town allegedly without a license. During the reporting period, the Local Affairs Court of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered the demolition of a house belonging to Darwish Khalil al-Daissi, 27, in the Old Town, claming that it was built without a license. On 05 May 2009, the time limit given by IOF to 'Abdul Nasser 'Aadel Hamdallah to demolish his house in al-Sal'a quarter in al-Mukabber village expired. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem had already ordered Hamdallah to demolish his 55-square-meter house, claiming that it was built without a license.
Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities in violation of international humanitarian law. Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On 29 April 2009, armed Israeli settlers attacked with stones Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main road between Kufor Qaddoum and al-Fundoq villages, northeast of Qalqilya. On 1 May 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement, escorted by IOF troops, attacked Palestinian farmers in Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They ordered the farmers to leave their lands claiming that that they belong to them. An Israeli settler beat and sprayed gas onto the face of Mohammed Ahmed Abu Baker, 20.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (29 April – 6 May 2009)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
. At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Artas village, south of Bethlehem. They patrolled in the streets and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians. No arrests were reported.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Murad Fu'ad al-Bustanji, 16.
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taqqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed 'Eissa Kawazba, 35, and summoned him for interrogation.
Friday, 01 May 2009
• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Ibrahim al-Mutawar, 55, and his son 'Imad, 33.
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested three Palestinian civilians:
1. Mahdi Najeh al-Sharqawi, 22;
2. 'Eissa Sameeh Abu Zaina, 20; and
3. Ahmed Khalil al-Far, 22.
• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Eyad Diab Qbaita. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 12:45, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya town fired at Muna Selmi al-Hamadin, 30, while she was grazing animals near the border. She was wounded by a gunshot to the chest.
• At approximately 13:00, IOF warplanes bombarded the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt near Yebna refugee camp in the south of Rafah. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were traumatized by the intensity of the bombardment.
Saturday, 02 May 2009
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring Balata refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 04:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 400 meters into the east of Jabalya town, in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF troops opened fire at houses and agricultural areas. At the same time, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Jabalya town fired artillery shells at the area. IOF troops withdrew from the area at approximately 08:30 and no casualties were reported.
• At approximately 08:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers who were cultivating wheat and barley in the southeast of Khuza'a village, approximately 350 meters from the border. As a result, Nafez Zaki Abu Tu'aima, 40, was lightly wounded by shrapnel from a gunshot wound to the head.
• At approximately 12:00, IOF warplanes bombarded the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt near Salah al-Din Gate and the al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah. The bombardment targeted a tunnel near Ibn Taimiya Mosque in al-Brazil neighborhood. Two Palestinians working in the tunnel were killed: Jihad Khalil Ibrahim Abu Jarada, 21; and Hamdan Fayiq Mohammed al-Astal, 20, both from Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 21:15, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun town, opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural land in al-Boura area in the northeast of Beit Hanoun. No casualties were reported.
Sunday, 03 May 2009
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Sahour town. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nidal Bannoura, 29.
• At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Battir village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested As'ad 'Aayesh al-Sheikh, 19.
• At approximately 15:00, IOF troops arrested three Palestinian civilians attempting to infiltrate into Israel to search for jobs. The three were arrested east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip:
1. Yousef Ahmed 'Abdul 'Aati, 19;
2. Yousef Ahmed Mubarak, 19; and
3. Ahmed As'ad Hammouda, 19.
• At approximately 20:00, three Palestinian civilians, including a child, were lightly wounded when a missile left by IOF during the latest military offensive on the Gaza Strip exploded near them. Nasser al-Ghandour, 40, told a PCHR field worker that when he was on his way home in Beit Lahia town following the Sunset Prayer, he saw a mysterious object amongst the debris of a neighboring house belonging to Zakaria al-'Aaloul, which was destroyed by IOF. He got close to the object and started to check it. Soon after, his child, 14-year-old Na'el, and a neighbor, 26-year-old Fahed Hassouna, came to him. They advised him to throw the object onto the ground. As soon as he dropped the object, it exploded and its shrapnel lightly injured the three persons.
• At approximately 20:30, the ICRC informed the family of missing 12-year-old Ayman Mohammed Shamiya, from Jabalya refugee camp, that he was detained by IOF. The family were informed that the child was arrested by IOF near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Beit Hanoun town, after that he had been wounded in the feet. The child's father told a PCHR field worker that he did not know why his child was in that area. On the following day, the ICRC informed the father that his child was receiving medical treatment at an Israeli hospital.
Monday, 04 May 2009
• At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ussama Sameer Abu 'Arram, 20.
• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Hawouz neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamed Waleed al-Jo'ba, 27.
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mo'ayad Mohammed Ebryoush, 23.
• Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ibrahim Mahmoud Bazai'a, 19.
• At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 08:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village in the central Gaza Strip detonated a number of incendiary bombs on Palestinian agricultural areas. As a result, at least 200 donums of land planted with wheat and barley were burnt.
Tuesday, 05 May 2009
• At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Hamza Yousef Za'oul, 31; and
2. Isma'il Ahmed Za'oul, 26.
• Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Jourat al-Sham'a village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mustafa 'Aaref Fawaghra, 26, and arrested him.
• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa'ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tal'at Zaidan Jaradat, 21.
• Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Ein Beit al-Maa' refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and summoned four Palestinian civilians for interrogation.
• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hammad Hussein, 32, in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not at home.
Wednesday, 06 May 2009
• At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses in Wadi Shaheen neighborhood in the center of the town and arrested Safwan Mazen Sa'ada, 27.
• Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Murad Sami Jebril, 22.
• Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-'Ebayat village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Ouda 'Atiya, 22.
• At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Nasser Mohammed Zakarna, 22; and
2. Firas 'Ali Abu al-Rub, 25.
• Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fundoq village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Nassim Jameel Jab'eiti, 25.
• At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou' village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Is'haq Mohammed Abu 'Oqail, 21.
• Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.
• At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Saleh Mohammed Qouqas, 25.
• Also at approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Safa village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mo'taz 'Aayed Qouqas, 23.
• During the period 16:00 – 16:45, IOF warplanes bombarded the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt near al-Brazil neighborhood, Salah al-Din Gate and Yebna refugee camp in the south of Rafah, under the pretext of targeting smuggling tunnels. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified.
• In the evening, IOF shot dead a Palestinian civilian at the entrance to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. IOF claimed that he attempted to take over the gun of an IOF soldier, so the soldier shot him. According to the victim's family, he was suffering from mental disorders.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:00, Hammam Mohammed Nasser al-Din, 22, went to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron. When he attempted to enter the mosque, IOF troops positioned in the area noticed that he was carrying a solid object. A debate erupted between Nasser al-Din and an IOF soldier, which peaked when another IOF soldier fired at him. Nasser al-Din was instantly killed and the other soldier was moderately wounded by shrapnel. Soon after, IOF declared the area a closed military zone.
2. Continued Siege on the OPT
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
IOF have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two years. The IOF siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
• 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
• The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
• IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.
• IOF have not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.
• The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.
• IOF have continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.
• Poverty had mounted to approximately 80% and unemployment has mounted to 60% in the Gaza Strip.
• IOF have continued to prevent the entry of spare parts intended for water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.
• IOF have imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.
• The Palestinian civilian population’s living conditions continue to deteriorate; levels of poverty and unemployment have sharply mounted.
• At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than 17 months.
• IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishers along the Gaza Strip coast.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing: IOF partially opened the crossing on Tuesday, 05 May 2009, and allowed the entry of 2,000 tons of seeds and fodder.
The West Bank
IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
• Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays to prevent them from praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque. IOF often violently beat Palestinian civilians who attempt to bypass checkpoints and enter the city. IOF impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians on Fridays to restrict their access to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. Although IOF dismantled Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, IOF troops positioned at an iron gate established on Nablus-Tulkarm road, west of Nablus, often stop and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles especially at times of heavy traffic. In the same context, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, often conduct prolonged and complicated security checks on Palestinian civilians. Additionally, IOF have continued to erect checkpoints on roads leading to the city. On Sunday morning, 03 May 2009, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jeet intersection on Nablus-Qalqilya road, another on the road leading to "Yits'har" settlement and a third at Beita intersection, south of Nablus. On Wednesday, IOF erected a checkpoint at Jeet intersection on Nablus-Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On the same day, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians.
On Tuesday morning, 05 May 2009, IOF troops positioned at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested a Palestinian civilian who has not been identified.
• Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Wednesday, 29 April 2009, IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin, from reaching Jenin-Tulkarm road. For this purpose, IOF reinforced their presence on the road allegedly to secure celebration of Israeli settlers of the establishment of Israel.
• Hebron: On Thursday, 30 April 2009, IOF troops positioned near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested 'Odai al-Halaiqa, 17, from al-Shyoukh village northeast of Heron, claiming that he was carrying a knife.
On Friday evening, 01 May 2009, IOF troops positioned at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Mohammed Ahmed Abu Maria, 18.
On Sunday, 03 May 2009, IOF troops positioned near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron arrested Adeeb Shafiq al-Qawasma, 22.
3. Construction of the Annexation Wall
IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders to protest the construction of the Wall.
• Following the Friday Prayer on 01 May 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the Wall and threw stones at IOF troops positioned in the area. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the demonstrators. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:
1. 'Abdullah Mahmoud Abu Rahma, 38, hit by a tear gas canister to the head; and
2. Mahmoud 'Alaa' Samara, 13, hit by a tear gas canister to the hand.
• Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 May 2009, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. They moved towards the area where IOF were razing land to construct a section of the Wall in the village. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the demonstrators. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Anwar Mahmoud Rshaida, 26, hit by a tear gas canister to the chest;
2. Mohammed Mustafa 'Aamira, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the foot;
3. Ahmed 'Ouda Nafe', 21, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the back;
4. Hassan Yousef Mousa, 32, hit by a tear gas canister to the hand; and
5. Mo'men 'Abdul Rahman Shihada, 19, hit by a tear gas canister to the eye.
• Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 May 2009, scores of Palestinian civilians and a number of international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration against the construction of the Wall in al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators moved towards the Wall, but IOF troops intercepted them at the entrance to the village. IOF troops fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF troops detained 4 demonstrators for a few hours: Mohammed Braijiya; Mahmoud Zawahra; Hassab Braijiya; and 'Azmi al-Shyoukhi.
4. Attempts to Establish a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem
IOF has recently escalated arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem to force them to leave the city. PCHR has devoted this section in the Weekly Report to highlight violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem.
• During the reporting period, IOF handed a copy of a decision issued by the Local Affairs Court of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem to Nabeel Is'haq al-Daissi. The decision orders al-Daissi to demolish a structure he had added to his house in the Old Town allegedly without a license. The decision instructed him to demolish that structure by 30 June 2009. Seven Palestinian civilians, including two children, live in the house.
• During the reporting period, the Local Affairs Court of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem ordered the demolition of a house belonging to Darwish Khalil al-Daissi, 27, in the Old Town, claming that it was built without a license.
• On Tuesday, 05 May 2009, the time limit given by IOF to 'Abdul Nasser 'Aadel Hamdallah to demolish his house in al-Sal'a quarter in al-Mukabber village expired. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem had already order Hamdallah to demolish his 55-square-meter house, claiming that it was built without a license. Hamdallah appealed to an Israeli court against that order, but the court issued a decision on 05 February 2009 ordering him to demolish his house by 05 May 2009, otherwise, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem would demolish it and a impose an excessive fine on him.
5. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
IOF have continued settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
• At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 29 April 2009, armed Israeli settlers attacked with stones Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on the main road between Kufor Qaddoum and al-Fundoq villages, northeast of Qalqilya. As a result, a vehicle belonging to Khalil Nayef Jom'a, 68, was damaged.
• At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 01 May 2009, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement, escorted by IOF troops, attacked Palestinian farmers in Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They ordered the farmers to leave their lands claiming that that they belong to them. An Israeli settler beat and sprayed gas onto the face of Mohammed Ahmed Abu Baker, 20. IOF troops then confiscated the farmers' agricultural tools and handed them over to the settlers who cut the tires of a tractor. According to Palestinian farmers, these areas of land had been planted four times, but each time, Israeli settlers uprooted trees.
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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. CHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented 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 end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
Public Document
For further information please visit our website (http://www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8 2824776 – 2825893).
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