Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

• 12 Palestinians including 6 Children killed by IOF and a 13^th Dies of previous Wounds.
• 3 children killed in 2 extra-judicial executions.
• 5 children killed by excessive force in the Gaza Strip.
• 33 Palestinians, including 11 children and a mentally ill person, were wounded by IOF gunfire in the OPT.
• Mother and brother of a killed child among the injured.
• IOF conducted 21 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• IOF arrested 30 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and 13 in the Gaza Strip.
• IOF raze 12 Dunums of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip.
• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT, and continues to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
• Severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the closure.
• IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child.
• 1 Gaza resident detained at Erez on his way to Gaza from Ramallah.
• Israeli settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers continue:

Summary

IOF escalated violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (23 – 29 August 2007):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 12 Palestinians including 6 children. Five children were killed in the Gaza Strip in 2 extra-judicial executions. A 13^th Palestinian died of wounds sustained two weeks ago during an incursion into the town of New Abasan in the southern Gaza Strip. 33 Palestinians, including 11 children were injured.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 8 Palestinians, including 5 children, and a 9^th died of wounds sustained two weeks ago during an incursion into the town of New Abasan in the southern Gaza Strip. On 29 August, 3 children were killed in Beit Hanoun by an Israel surface-to-surface missile fired near launchers of locally produced rockets. There were no launching cells in the area at the time, and the children were at a considerable distance from the launching ladders. And on 23 August, IOF killed 2 members of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions (the armed wing of Hamas) by a surface-to-surface missile fired near the Palestine Car Market east of Gaza City. On 4 August, IOF used excessive force to kill 2 children east of Jabalia. The children were carrying hand grenades and were shot at a distance of 400 meters away from the border. On 27 August, IOF killed a sheep herder in the village of Wadi Gaza in the center of the Gaza Strip as he was herding his sheep near the border.

A Palestinian civilian was injured on 25 August by shelling of El-Shoka town in the southern Gaza Strip. And on 23 August, 6 Palestinians were injured during an incursion into the town of Khuza’a in the southern Gaza Strip. A mentally-ill civilian was injured by IOF gunfire north of Beit Lahia.

In the West Bank, IOF killed 4 Palestinians and injured 25 others. On 24 August, IOF killed an activist in Al-Quds Battalions (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and a child in the town of Saida near Tulkarm. The child’s mother and brother were injured in the attack. And on 25 August, IOF conducted an extra-judicial execution of 2 Islamic Jihad activists, killing both and injuring 3 others, in Jenin. Four civilians were injured in Jerusalem when IOF fired sound charges at a dinner in a house in the city. And on 29 August, 14 Palestinians were injured during an incursion into Qalqilya. Finally, 2 demonstrators were injured in the weekly demonstration against the Annexation Wall in the village of Bal’in near Ramallah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 21 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During those incursions, IOF arrested 46 Palestinian civilians. And in the Gaza Strip, IOF razed 12 dunums of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip.  

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

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. IOF had already closed Rafah International Crossing Point following an armed attack against an IOF military post in Kerem Shalom area, southeast of Rafah, on 25 June 2006. The crossing point had been partially reopened for short, sporadic periods to allow few numbers of Palestinian to travel through it. The crossing point has been completely closed since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Palestinian security forces from the crossing point. At least 6,000 Palestinians stuck in Egypt were allowed in the Gaza Strip through El-Ojah – Erez route. According to PCHR’s documentation, 19 Palestinians of those who are stuck in Egypt have died due to the deterioration in their health conditions. This week, IOF allowed 70 Palestinians residing in other countries or studying abroad to travel outside the Strip through Erez – El-Ojeh.

IOF have also closed commercial crossings, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. During the reporting period, IOF reopened the crossing for some hours to allow the entry of some goods into the Gaza Strip. If this closure continues, a humanitarian crisis is likely to emerge in the Gaza Strip. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are prevented from traveling through this crossing. They prevented traders and patients from passing through. IOF allow very few patients to travel through the crossing, but following coordination through the ICRC. During the reporting period, IOF reopened Kerem Shalom crossing, southeast of Rafah, and Sofa crossing, northeast of the town. During the reporting period, Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City, which is deigned for the entry of fuels into the Gaza Strip, witnessed active movement.  

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Contrary to promises by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to ease restrictions on movement in the West Bank, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also erected more checkpoints on the main roads and intersections in the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF soldiers positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least 2 Palestinian civilians. In addition, IOF closed checkpoints surrounding Nablus several times during the week, especially during rush hour traffic.

Settlement Activities: Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. During the reporting period, Israeli settlers from the settlement of Kiryat Arba near Hebron attacked Palestinian houses near the settlement, damaging the windows of 4 houses.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (23 – 29 August 2007)

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

Thursday, 23 August 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF troops and armored vehicles moved into the city of Jenin and its refugee camp, and patrolled the streets. No arrests or injuries were reported.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses; but no arrests were reported.  

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Beit Awwa southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Khaled Ismail El-Suweiti (33) and arrested him.  

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into El-Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 7 civilians, including 2 brothers and a handicapped person:

1. Ghandi Nehro Issa (20).

2. Tha’er Mohammad El-Tieti (20).

3. Rasmi Jihad Odeh El-Khatib (18), handicapped suffering from paralysis in his right hand.

4. Rostum Jihad Odeh El-Khatib (19), released from Israel jail only 4 months ago.

5. Ala Ahmad Hasan El-Izza (23).

6. Omar Hashem El-Tieti (29).

7. Tha’er Salah El-Tieti (24).

At approximately 02:00, IOF infantry moved 700 meters into the town of Khuza’a to the east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. They stormed several houses and transformed them into military outposts after holding their residents in one room in each house. After half an hour, the IOF troops fired at truck transporting poultry and wounded the driver and a passenger: Akram Mordi Mohammad Abu Jamous (22) and Awni Suliman Abu Sha’ar (43) from Rafah. The two men were injured by gunshot shrapnel in the legs. At approximately 3:00, and IOF plane fired a rocket at a group of resistance activists attempting to resist the Israel incursion. Two activists were wounded by shrapnel in different parts of their bodies. They were taken to Naser Hospital for treatment where their injuries were listed as moderate to serious. In the early morning hours, IOF armored vehicles moved into the area and set up earth barriers. IOF took over the Khuza’a Martyrs School and transformed it into a military outpost. IOF troops then raided and searched 10 houses in the area. Subsequently 2 resistance activists were moderately injured by gunshot shrapnel during clashes with IOF. During the incursion, IOF bulldozers razed 6 dunums of agricultural land belonging to the inheriters of the late Mohammad Suliman Ibrahim El-Qarra. IOF redeployed from the area at approximately 11:30, taking with them 5 civilians, including a father and 2 of his sons. Four were released in the evening, and the 5^th, Issa Ali Ibrahim Abu Rok (38), remains imprisoned.

At approximately 02:40, IOF moved into the Ein Sara Street in Hebron. They raided the photography shop belonging to Zeyad Abu Ramouz, and arrested his son Amjad (30).  

At approximately 09:00, IOF raided the house of Ali El-Halwani in Wadi El-Joz area in Jerusalem. An officer and 2 soldiers went up to the roof of the house and demanded that 25 persons from the Islamic movement inside Israel and Muslim religious figures from Jerusalem who were eating dinner to disband because they are holding an illegal meeting. Sheikh Ra’ed Salah informed the officer that they were eating dinner and not holding a meeting. The officer and soldiers went down, and shortly afterwards IOF fired sound charges at the roof. Four people, including a child were injured. They were taken to Al-Maqased Hospital where their injuries were listed as light to moderate. The injured are:

1. "Sheikh" Ra’ed Salah Suliman Mahajba (49), injured by a sound bomb in the right hand.

2. Osama Hashem Abu Nejma (43), injured by a sound bomb in the chest.

3. Nader El-Alami (24), injured by a sound bomb in the head.

4. Mohammad Ali El-Halwani (10), injured by a sound bomb in the chest.

At approximately 23:00, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border to the east of Gaza City fired a surface-to-surface rocket at a group of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions near Palestine Car Market about 600 meters away from the border. One of them was killed instantly: Ahed Sa’id Abu Jabal (20). A second member was seriously injured and died on 29 August 2007: Sameh Naser El-Sawafiri (21).

Friday, 24 August 2007

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into nearly 1 kilometer in the town of El-Shoka southeast of Rafah near Gaza International Airport. They redeployed at 14:00 after razing 6 dunums of agricultural land belonging to Mustafa Ayesh El-R’melat.

At approximately 15:45, two undercover IOF units moved into the town of Saida north of Tulkarm. The first unit raided the house of Siddiq Mahmoud Hasan Odeh (23); and the second unit raided the house of Mofid El-Shallakh. Siddiq asked the troops as to why they were in his house. They opened fire at  him and hit him with several bullets in the abdomen. His half-brother Mahmoud Ibrahim Mahmoud Qernawi (11) from Rahat inside Israel was picking figs from a tree. When his half-brother was shot, he climbed down the tree and screamed. The troops fired at him and killed him with 2 bullets to the head and pelvis. Their mother, Najah Amin Abd El-Qadir El-Attili (43) rushed to her sons. She was injured by shrapnel in the left shoulder. A gunman inside the house fired at the troops and fled. The second undercover unit fired at the fleeing gunman. He was left bleeding in the street for 2 hours before he died. The gunman is Tariq Zeyad Melhem (24) from the town of Kufr Ra’e southwest of Jenin. He was a commander in Al-Quds Battalions, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad. The troops arrested Siddiq Odeh and Safwat Mahmoud Hasan Odeh (26) before withdrawing from the area.

At approximately 19:00, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border to the east of Jabalia fired machine guns at 2 youth at a distance of 300-400 meters away from the border. The youth were carrying hand grenades, and were hit by several bullets that killed them instantly. IOF armored vehicles moved in and combed the area. At approximately 21:00, the IOF liaison office informed its Palestinian counterpart about the two bodies. An ambulance crew headed to the area to search for the bodies, but did not find them. The next day, another crew headed to the area of the Eastern Cemetery to search for the bodies. At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 25 August 2007, the bodies were found covered by sand in the area. They were taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital and identified as Hammam Ahmad Naser (16) and Mustafa Adnan Naser (17) from Jabalia.

Saturday, 25 August 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ein Beit El-Ma’ refugee camp west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses; but no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 13:00, IOF tanks stationed near Karm Abu Salem crossing southeast of Rafah fired their machine guns at Palestinian houses in the town of El-Shoka. IOF planes participated in the sporadic bombardment that continued till the evening. Suliman J’bara Naser J’bara (21) was seriously injured by a bullet in the right shoulder as he was sitting in front of his house.  

At approximately 6:10, an IOF undercover unit moved into Jenin traveling in two civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plates. The two vehicles entered the town through Jenin – Nazareth road, northeast of the town. They stopped in front of Jordan Bank in the center of the town. In the meantime, a car (a grey Mazda), in which 5 members of the al-Quds Brigades, was heading towards the center of the town. The car stopped near a man who sells coffee. Immediately, members of the IOF undercover unit opened fire at the car. 'Alaa’ Saleh Mohammed Sorour, 30, was instantly killed by several gunshots throughout the body. Mustafa Nader 'Ateeq, 21, seriously wounded by a gunshot to the head and was pronounced dead at noon. The other three Palestinians were wounded:

1. Ali Hasan Abu Rmaila, 42, seriously wounded by a number of gunshots to the abdomen, the shoulder and the legs.

2. Ammar Fayez Abu Hatab, 20, wounded by a gunshot to the thigh.

3. Fu’ad Mustafa 'Ateeq, 19, wounded by a gunshot to the thigh.

Sunday, 26 August 2007

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Khirbit Sousya southeast of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Fadi Yusef El-J’bour (18), and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the town of Qabatia southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.  

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and its refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested Mustafa Saleh Mohammad S’rour, the brother of Ala’ S’rour who was killed by IOF the previous day.  

Monday, 27 August 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Askar refugee camp northeast of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses; but no arrests were reported.  

At approximately 08:00, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border east of Juhr El-Deek area in the central Gaza Strip fired at Farid Ayesh Abu Thaher (41) as he was herding his sheep approximately 200 meters from the border. He was killed by a bullet to the chest. IOF demanded that the ambulance crew that came to retrieve the body to strip the dead man’s clothes, put them in a sack, and throw them over the fence to the Israeli side of the border. After that, they were allowed to take the body.  

At approximately 13:00, Naser Hospital in Khan Yunis announced the death of Samir Mohammad Asfour (27) who was injured during the IOF incursion in New Abasan on 14 August 2007. Asfour was tending wounded resistance activists hit by a rocket from an IOF plane during the incursion.

At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Wadi Ameera area south of Bethlehem. They arrested Awad Abdallah Abu Soway (36) and his 65-year old father. It is noted that Awad is the coordinator of the Public Committee for the Defence of Land and Confronting the Wall in the southern area of Bethlehem. 

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into El-Saheb area southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 3 civilians:

1. Wasim Zeidan Mustafa El-Jamal (25).

2. Atef Yaqin Abu Hadid Abu Esneina (24).

3. Tariq Darwish Taha Abu Esneina (23).

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into the city of Jenin and the refugee camp to the west of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into the city of Nablus and Balata refugee camp to the east of the city. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 4 civilians including a child:

1. Mohammad Najwan El-Sheikh Khalil (17).

2. Ibrahim Hussein Abu Mustafa (32).

3. Ramadan Mahmoud Kalbouna (19).

4. Ra’ed Samir Kan’an (20).

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into the town of Deir Abu Da’if northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and arrested 9 civilians:

1. Obaida Basem Fayez Yassin (20).

2. Mohammad Zuhdi Yassin (22).

3. Khalil Ali Odeh (28).

4. Nabil Hosni Hejazi (45).

5. Mohammad Ahmad Eleyat (24).

6. Farhan Zeyad Yassin (26).

7. Hamza Zeyad Yassin (23).

8. Ja’far Zeyad Yassin (22).

9. Mohammad Zeyad Yassin (18).

IOF released the first 8 detainees and imprisoned Mohammad Zeyad Yassin who works in the town’s mosque.

At approximately 11:00, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border north of Beit Lahia fired at Ra’ed El-Rafati (43) from Jabalia. El-Rafati, who is mentally-ill, was lost near the border. He was injured and fell to the ground. IOF refused to allow medics to tend to him. They dragged his body inside Israel.

At approximately 17:00, about 50 IOF soldiers moved nearly 2 kilometers into Abu Safeya area to the southwest of Beit Hanoun. They raided and searched a number of Palestinian houses and arrested 12 civilians. The Centre keeps a list of the detainees.  

Wednesday, 29 August 2007

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved in the city of Qalqilya and surrounded tens of houses in El-Naqqar and Shreim quarters in the city. They raided and searched a number of houses alleging to search for members of Izzedeem El-Qassam Battalions (the armed wing of Hamas). Dozens of youth and children threw rocks at the troops, who responded by firing rubber-coated metallic bullets. Fourteen people were injured, including 9 children:

1. Ibrahim Hasam Mohammad El-Naqla (17), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the head requiring transfer to Rafidya hospital in Nablus.

2. Hamza Aysar Ibrahim (19), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the left shoulder

3. Mohammad Taysir Ju’eidi (18), injured by 2 rubber-coated metallic bullets in the abdomen and thigh.

4. Khalil Fayez Musallam (16), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the left shoulder

5. Qosai Salman Abu Shehab (17), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the abdomen

6. Mohammad Abd El-Raouf Ahmad Odeh (18), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the back

7. Yusef Ibrahim Omar Shousha (16), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the left leg

8. Rami Ibrahim Borhom (14), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the left leg

9. Hamza Ali Dawoud (15), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the chest

10. Osama Mahmoud Qashmar (17), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the thigh

11. Mahmoud Ali Ju’eidi (16), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the back

12. Rafiq Mohammad Ali Hajjar (12), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the right thigh

13. Mohammad Basem Odeh (18), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the right hand

14. Abd El-Karim Mazen Labat (19), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the mouth

At approximately 17:00, IOF troops stationed on the Gaza Strip border to the southeast of Beit Hanoun fired a surface-to-surface missile at 3 children from the same clan in Beit Hanoun who were herding sheep near Afana Cow farm approximately 2 kilometers away from the border. The children were 40 meters away from the launching ladders of locally produced rockets fired at Israel. The Israeli missile exploded in the middle of the children. Two were killed instantly and the third died of her wounds several hours later. The children are:

1. Yehya Ramadan Ateyya Abu Ghazal (12).

2. Mahmoud Mousa Hassan Abu Ghazal (8).

3. Sara Suliman Abdallah Abu Ghazal (9).

It is noted that there were no rocket launching cells in the area at the time; and that this is the second incident of its kind in one week, where 2 children were killed in similar circumstances on 21 August 2007.

Continued Siege on the OPT

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

Gaza Strip

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

Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. The crossing point has been closed since 25 June 2006. After the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, more than 6,000 Palestinian travelers, including patients, were held in Egypt due to the full closure of the crossing. Nineteen travelers and patients died in Egypt. However, these travelers were allowed to enter Gaza via El-Ojah crossing between Egypt and Israel and then to Gaza through Erez checkpoint. The return journey took nearly 10 hours due to complicated search and security procedures at Erez. In a subsequent arrangement with the government in Ramallah, IOF have permitted 70 Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip via Erez – El-Ojeh. These persons are residents of other countries or students studying abroad.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank.  Two weeks after the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, IOF allowed critical case patients to leave Gaza via the crossing for treatment in Israel. Coordination for these cases is done through the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the ICRC. As to visitation rights of Gaza prisoners inside Israel, these prisoners have been deprived of this right for the 10^th consecutive week. IOF have also continued to prevent members of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Hamas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem. And On 25 August 2007, IOF arrested Maher Yunis Abu Jari (28) from Nuseirat refugee camp. He is a member of the Palestinian Naval Police who has been stationed in Ramallah since 2000.

Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have continued to close the crossing. Howeve,r it was partially opened on Monday, 27 August 2007, from 09:00 till 18:00 to allow the passage of 70 trucks carrying approximately 3,000 tons of flour, food and animal fodder.

Nahal Ouz Crossing: This crossing is designed for the entry of fuels. The crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday. Approximately 300 tons of kerosene, 50 tons of benzene, and 220 tons of natural gas were allowed enter daily.

Sofa & Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossings: The Sofa crossing was opened except for Friday and Saturday, allowing the entry of some food and medical products. However, there has been a complete ban on construction materials to Gaza, stopping work in all construction projects in the Strip. And for the first time on 2.5 months, potato produce from Gaza was exported through Karm Abu Salem.

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip.  Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families.  Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen. The Oslo Accords allow Palestinian fishermen to go fishing up to 20 nautical miles away from the Gaza seashore.

The West Bank

IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through a system of checkpoints at the entrances of the city. Troops at these checkpoints prevent thousands of Palestinians from reaching occupied Jerusalem, especially on Friday to prevent Muslim worshippers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. During this week, IOF imposed additional movement restrictions alleging the nearing of a Jewish holiday, while allowing Jewish settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque and to pray near it.  

Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 23 August, IOF imposed additional restrictions on movement in and out of the city. In addition, they erected earth barriers on the roads leading to the town Sabsateya northwest of Nablus. And on Friday, 24 August, IOF troops at checkpoints around Nablus employed very slow search procedures that delayed travelers from reaching their destinations. And on Saturday, 25 August, IOF troops on Za’tara checkpoint were extremely slow in checking the ID’s and baggage of travelers, causing long queues. And on Sunday, 26 August, IOF troops on Za’tara checkpoint were extremely slow in checking the ID’s and baggage of travelers. In addition, they closed Beit Ebba checkpoint for 2 hours. And on Monday, 27 August, IOF troops hindered movement through Huwara and Beit Ebba checkpoints.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 23 August, IOF troops closed Wadi El-Teen checkpoint till 10:00, and prevented passage through. On Friday, 24 August, IOF erected a checkpoint near the entrance of the town of Ateel, and detained dozens of youth to check their ID’s. In addition, the troops used very slow search procedures, causing travelers to stand for hours under the sun. On Saturday, 25 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the entrance of El-Ras village on the Tulkarm – Qalqilya road. They detained scores of vehicles and checked the ID’s of travelers. On Sunday, 26 August, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint for several hours. And on Monday, 27 August, troops on the checkpoint at the entrance of the town of Quffin prevented passage in and out of the town. They detained dozens of youth to check their ID’s. Also on Monday, IOF troops at El-Tayba checkpoing arrested a Palestinian woman, Nadia Yusef Abd El-Qadir Tabbal (38) from Nour Shams refugee camp east of Tulkarm. The woman was on her way to visit her brother imprisoned in Hadarim prison inside Israel.

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 23 August, IOF erected 2 checkpoints on bypass entry points to the city, specifically on the eastern and northern areas of Jabal Johar and El-Kassara quarters. They subjected pedestrians and vehicles and subjected them to slow searches. And at approximately 17:00 on the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint in the main street in the town of Durra, and arresteds Ayyash Shadid Masharqa (20) from the village of El-Burj southwest of Hebron. And on Monday, 27 August, IOF troops erected a checkpoint at the entrance of El-Fawwar refugee camp, and arrested the child Omar Basem Sarahna (15) from the refugee camp.

Bethlehem: On Thursday, 23 August, IOF erected a checkpoint at the Azzun village intersection. They detained travelers and vehicles, and checked ID’s. And on Saturday, 25 August, IOF erected a checkpoint on the main entrance of the village of Merah Rabah south of Bethlehem. The detained dozens of travelers and subjected persons under 35 years of age to field interrogations.

Construction of the Annexation Wall

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory. During the reporting period, IOF used force against a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilian in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

Following the Friday Prayer on 24 August 2007, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah in protest to the construction of the Wall. The demonstrators moved towards the gate at the Wall established in the village and attempted to cross it. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and violently beat them. As a result, 2 demonstrators were injured:

1. Adeeb Ahmad Hasan Abu Rahma (36), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the hand.

2. Haitham El-Khatib (27), injured by a rubber-coated metallic bullet in the leg.

Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 

At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 23 August 2007, settlers occupying El-Rigbi building near Kiryat Arba’, southeast of Hebron, attacked Palestinian houses by rocks and empty glass bottles. As a result, several windows were damaged in the houses belonging to Mohammad Rab’e El-Jabari, Ghalib Mansour El-Jabari, Munthir El-Jabari and Bassam Fahd El-Jabari. And in the evening, the same group of settlers attacked the house of Issam Mohammad Jaber to prevent the completion of construction of the house.

In the evening of Saturday, 25 August 2007, settlers from Kiryat Arba southeast of  Hebron attacked the house of Kamel El-Bouti Jaber, located near an area targeted by settlers for confiscation.

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Recommendations to the International Community

1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

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

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

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

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

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

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

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