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

· IOF killed two Palestinian workers in an air strike against a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.

· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

- Dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises.   

- IOF arrested a Palestinian boy and 12 human rights defenders.

· IOF continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in the Gaza Strip’s border areas.

- Two Palestinian workers were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

· IOF conducted 47 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the southern Gaza Strip.  

- IOF arrested 23 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank.

- IOF transformed 3 Palestinian houses into military sites in Hebron.

· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

- IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jerusalem and other communities in the West Bank during the Ramadan Month.

- Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested at least one Palestinian civilian.

- Israeli troops harassed and humiliated a Palestinian family in Jerusalem.

· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

- Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and their cars on the main roads.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (02 – 07 September 2010):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, IOF killed two Palestinian civilians and wounded 4 others in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded a 5^th civilian in the West Bank. 

In the Gaza Strip, on 04 September 2010, Israeli warplanes bombarded a tunnel at the Egyptian border to the south of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. As a result, two workers were killed and two others were wounded. 

During the reporting period, two Palestinian workers were wounded when IOF fired at a number of workers who were collecting raw construction materials in the northern Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF in Hebron on 02 September 2010.  

Additionally, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall.  As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises. IOF also arrested a Palestinian boy and 12 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 23 Palestinian civilians, including a child. During these incursions, IOF transformed 3 houses in Hebron into military sites.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They searched the area for some time.

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. During the reporting period, Israeli settlers launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, especially in the northern West Bank.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (02 – 07 September 2010)

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

Thursday, 02 September 2010

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Abu Ktaila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 brothers:

1. Elias 'Eid al-Haimouni, 25;

2. Mahmoud 'Eid al-Haimouni, 28;

3. Bashar 'Eid al-Haimouni, 30; and

4. Eyad Musbah al-Haimouni, 30.

· Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into agricultural areas located between 'Allar and Saida villages, north of Tulkarm. They searched the area and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village. At approximately 01:30, they withdrew from the village, and no arrests were reported.

· Also at approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Brouqin village, southwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 00:45, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. They searched the area along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They fired flash bombs at the area, while Israeli drones and helicopters were seen hovering over the area. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 06:00.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Hadb area in the southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1. Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Turki, 26; and

2. Hamdan Ahmed Abu Snaina, 45. 

IOF also violently beat 3 civilians: 'Abdul Majid Mohammed Abu Turki, 48; Zuhair 'Asfour Abu Snaina, 35; and Ramzi 'Abdul Majid Abu Turki, 35.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into 'Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:40, IOF moved into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 03 September 2010

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-'ASrroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sameer 'Abdul Fattah Khairan, 20, and arrested him.

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring 'Ein Beit al-Maa' village. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Be'r al-Mahjar and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods in the northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians: Mohammed Hashem al-Haimouni, 29; and his brother 'Odai, 21.

· At approximately 01:20, IOF moved into Jabal Jouhar neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets. While Mohammed Fares Rajabi, 20, was walking in an alley, Israeli soldiers fired at him from a distance of less than 3 meters. He was wounded by a bullet to the right leg. Soon after, Israeli soldiers unleashed two dogs towards him. They then took him into an armored personnel carrier. Later, they handed him to an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society. 

· In the morning, IOF raided a two-storey house belonging to Ma'ath No'man al-Tamimi near bypass road #60, east of Hebron. They transformed the first floor and the roof into a military site. 

· At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· In the evening, IOF raided a two-storey house belonging to Salem Hmaid al-Salaima in al-Jalajel area near bypass road #60, east of Hebron. They transformed the second floor and the roof into a military site. 

· At approximately 17:50, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into 'Ourif village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They stopped and searched passing Palestinian civilians. They withdrew from the village later, and no arrests were reported.

· At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into agricultural areas located to the north of al-Jaroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. They searched those area and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 04 September 2010

· At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburba, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the center and north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Tariq Anwar Ed'eis, 25;

2. Mohammed 'Ali Doufash, 26;

3. Anas 'Abdul Ghani al-Harbawi, 22; and

4. Majdi Mohammed al-'Assali, 24.

· At approximately 08:10, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 16:30, IOF raided a two-storey house belonging to Ahmed Yousef Ghannam at the main road between Dura and Kharsa villages, southwest of Hebron. They transformed the second floor and the roof into a military site.

· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into al-Nassariya village, northeast of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 19:45, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets. Soon, a number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli troops. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the children, but no casualties were reported. 

· At approximately 20:10, IOF moved into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately 22:30, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural area in the east of 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. The missile made a large crater, but no casualties were reported.

· At approximately 22:40, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a tunnel in al-Salam neighborhood at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The tunnel was destroyed and two workers were killed:

1. Khaled 'Abdul Karim al-Khatib, 35, from al-Boreij refugee camp; and

2. Saleem Mohammed al-Harrab, 19, from al-Boreij refugee camp.

Another two workers were moderately to seriously injured:

1. 'Alaa' Zuahir al-Khudari, 22, from Khan Yunis, sustained burns throughout the body; and

2. Husni 'Ali Abu 'Armana, 44, from al-Boreij refugee camp, sustained burns throughout the body.

· At appr