• 8 Palestinians, including a child and a farmer, were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

• 5 of the victims, including a child and his uncle, were killed in a series of attacks launched by IOF against the east of Gaza City in less than 5 hours. 

• A Palestinian child was run down to death by an Israeli settler.

• 25 Palestinian, including 5 children, were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.   

• IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 7 ones into the Gaza Strip.

• IOF arrested 65 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a girl, in the West Bank and 10 others, including 3 children, in the Gaza Strip.

• IOF razed at least 125 donums[1] of agricultural land.

• IOF damaged a number of civilian facilities in the northeast of Gaza City.

• IOF raided a number of charities and NGOs in Ramallah and al-Bireh.

• IOF raided and searched a number of charities, mosques and shops in Qalqilya, and closed 4 charities.

• IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.

• The fuel crisis in the Gaza Strip has escalated.

• 6 Palestinian civilian were arrested by IOF at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

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

• 2 Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family near Nablus.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law seriously escalated in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip, during the reporting period (3 – 9 April 2008):

Shooting: During the reporting period, IOF killed 8 Palestinians, including a child and a farmer, and wounded 24 others, including 5 children, in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2008, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilian and an activist of the Palestinian resistance in less than 5 hours in a series of attacks against the east of Gaza City, after activists of the Palestinian resistance had killed 2 Israelis near Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City. Additionally, 11 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded. On 3 April 2008, 6 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, were wounded when IOF moved into al-Sraij area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. On 5 April 2008, 2 Palestinian children were wounded in al-Qarara village when they played with a shell left by IOF. On the same day, IOF killed a Palestinian farmer and wounded his nephew in Jabalya town. On 4 April 2008, a Palestinian child was wounded by IOF in al-Boreij refugee camp. On 8 and 9 April 2008, IOF killed 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance and wounded 2 others during incursions into al-Qarara village and Jabalya town.  

In the West Bank, on 3 April 2008, IOF wounded a Palestinian civilian in Hebron, claiming that he wanted to seize a gun from an IOF soldier. On 9 April 2008, a Palestinian child was wounded in Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah, when IOF fired at a number of children who threw stones at military vehicles. Two Palestinian children also sustained bruises and dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation when IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, and Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 30 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 65 Palestinian civilians. Thus, the number of Palestinian civilians arrested by IOF in the West Bank since the beginning of 2008 has mounted to 875.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 7 limited incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, IOF arrested 10, including 3 children, razed at least 125 donums of agricultural land and destroyed some civilian facilities.   

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 of the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. 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 nearly 1.5 million 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. 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. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians have further deteriorated. In September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as "a hostile entity," which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. Since then, IOF have sharply decreased food and fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip.  IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and subsequently many factories have stopped their industrial activities. Concerning the movement of persons, IOF allow a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to travel to the West Bank. 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 closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. 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.

West Bank

Contrary to Israeli claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem. 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 have also tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities 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 troops positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 6 Palestinian civilians.

Settlement Activities: IOF have continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. On Monday evening, 7 April 2008, an Israeli settler driving a bus ran down to death a Palestinian child to the east of Nablus. The child was on a donkey grazing animals crossing the bypass road to the east of Salam village. An Israeli bus coming from the east ran him down to death. His donkey and 8 sheep were also killed. On 9 April 2008, 2 Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian vehicle near Nablus. As a result, 2 women were injured.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (3 – 9 April 2008)

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

Thursday, 3 April 2008

·      On Wednesday night, 2 April 2008, IOF moved into al-Mraiha village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a 2-storey house belonging to Ibrahim Mustafa Abu Rmaila, and transformed its roof into a military site. At approximately 21:00 on Friday, IOF forced the family down to the first floor and transformed the second floor also into a military site.

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Ramallah and al-Bireh. They raided and searched offices of a number of NGOs and charities and a number of houses. According to eyewitnesses, IOF raided and searched offices of the Islamic Charity in al-Bireh, the Chamber of Commerce and the Municiplaity of al-Bireh and confiscated some documents. They also raided and searched a number of houses and apartment buildings and arrested Mousa Tawabsha, 42.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Mo’tassem Bajes Khatatba, 18; and

2.      Ziad al-Basha, 16.

·      At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They besieged a house belonging to Waleed Ahmed al-Sabbah. They fired at the house and forced the family out. IOF troops then searched the house and arrested the owner’s son, Khaled, 24.

·      At approximately 06:00, IOF moved nearly 700 meters into al-Sraij area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They held at least 15 Palestinian farmers who were working in the area, including a man and his pregnant wife, and a woman and her two sisters. IOF troops used those farmers as human shields during the exchange of fire with activists of the Palestinian resistance. They then took the farmers to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Later, they released the four women, who were endangered by the exchange fire while on their way back homes. IOF troops again held one of the women, 32-year-old 'Etaf Ahmed al-Najjar, and used her together with a child and a man as human shields. At approximately 10:30, IOF troops fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who searching for their relatives thinking that IOF withdrew from the area. Two civilians were wounded:

1.      Yousef Suleiman Khashan, 28, seriously wounded by 3 gunshots to the pelvis; and

2.      'Arafat Suleiman Khashan, 25, wounded by a gunshot to the right foot.

During this incursion, IOF also wounded another 4 Palestinians, including 3 civilians:

1.      'Aatef 'Aatef Fayad, 19, seriously wounded by to side;

2.      Mahmoud Lutfi Fayad, 21, wounded by a gunshot to the abdomen;

3.      Hammoud Salah Fayad, 20, wounded by a gunshot to the right leg; and

4.      Suhaib Jameel Mtawe’, 20, wounded by a gunshot to the left foot.

Also during this incursion, which continued until 13:00, IOF razed 58 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, wheat, parleys, lentils and vegetables. At approximately 21:00, IOF released the aforementioned detainees after having interrogated them, excluding Yousef Mohammed Fayad, 20.

·      In the evening, Safwat Hassan al-'Ajlouni, 18, was wounded by a gunshot to the knee, when IOF troops fired at him in Jabal Jouhar area in Hebron. IOF claimed that al-'Ajlouni attempted to seize a gun from and IOF soldier.

Friday, 4 April 2008

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. They opened fire at houses and civilian property causing some damages. They also demolished a monument that had been set up to commemorate the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

·      At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Sa’id Mo’ayad al-Habash, 26;

2.      Eihab Wassef Staitiya, 23;

3.      Fadi 'Omar Kalbouna, 20; and

4.      Firas Kalbouna, 19.

·      At approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 02:20, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 14:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 700 meters into the northeast of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. A number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF troops. An activist was wounded. Later, a number of IOF military vehicles moved into the area to support the infantry unit. They fired a shell at a 3-storey house belonging to Hussein Hassan Abu Sa’id. The shell hit the second floor of the house causing extensive damage, but no casualties were reported. IOF also opened fire at the area, wounding 15-year-old Sa’eda Mohammed al-'Awawda with shrapnel to the right shoulder while she was inside her house. Before their withdrawal from the area, IOF troops arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children: Saddam Hussein al-'Owaidat, 17; Yousef Maher al-'Owaidat, 12; and Fadi Mohammed al-Nabahin, 21. IOF released the two children in the evening, but kept al-Nabahin in custody.

·      At approximately 15:00, IOF moved nearly 500 meters into al-Ahmar area in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. Soon, they started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land. By the following day evening, IOF had razed at least 40 donums of agricultural land planted with citrus.  

Saturday, 5 April 2008

·      At approximately 10:30, a number of Palestinian children went to al-Sraij area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, which was invaded by IOF on 3 April, to watch the outcome of that invasion. Two of them found a shell left by IOF troops, and one of those children threw it. The shell exploded and its shrapnel wounded the two children:

1.      Ibrahim Younis Mahanna, 14, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head; and

2.      'Emad Hussein al-Najjar, 17, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg.

·      At approximately 12:30, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalya, fired an artillery shell and some gunshots at a number of Palestinian civilians in the town. As a result, Ra’fat 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed Mansour, 40, was killed by shrapnel and gunshots throughout the body, and his nephew, 19-year-old 'Omar Mohammed Mansour, was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body, while they were working on their land, nearly 3,000 meters awat from the border. According to eyewitnesses, at approximately 10:00, IOF troops opened fire at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance who fired mortar shells at the border. Soon after, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 1,500 meters into the area. When the area became quiet and farmers went back to their lands, IOF troops fired an artillery shell and some gunshots at the area.

Sunday, 6 April 2008  

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Rashaida village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Met’eb Mohammed al-Rashaida, 32, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 11:00, an IOF infantry unit moved nearly 300 meters into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the area. They fired 6 shells at a house belonging Hussein Hassan Abu Sa’id, the same house which was shelled 2 days earlier. The shells hit and destroyed the second floor, but no casualties were reported.

Monday, 7 April 2008

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Othman Shukri Barham, 24, and arrested him.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Mo’men Hisham 'Edwan, 26; and

2.      Mohammed 'Emad Radwan, 22.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-'Ebayat village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mousa Khaled Hamdan, 19, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 07:00, IOF moved nearly 600 meters into al-Qubtaniya area in the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land. By the evening, they had razed 17 donums of agricultural land planted with almonds and citrus.

·      At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Waleed Ahmed Sabbah, looking for his son, Ahmed. This house raid was the second of its kind in 3 days.

Tuesday, 8 April 2008

·      At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinians:

1.      Nawaf 'Abdul Latif Jawabra, 45, a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Services; and

2.      Samer Na’im Jawabra, 22.

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Yousef Hamed Shalalda, 21;

2.      Faheem Mohammed Shalalda, 23;

3.      Mohammed Yassin Shalalda, 20; and

4.      Yasser Hamdi Shalalda, 22.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kharas village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Zaidat Ahmed, 29.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian children:

1.      Ahmed Faisal 'Obaid, 17;

2.      Ahmed Hani al-'Aamoudi, 17;

3.      Mohammed Hani al-Masri, 17;

4.      Nassim Saleh al-Masri, 17; and

5.      Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Aqshqar, 17.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Mustafa Abu Sorour, 19.

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved nearly 700 meters into the northeast of Gaza City. They raided a guardroom in a bird farm belonging to Ahmed al-Jadba and arrested 3 workers:

1.      Mustafa Mohammed Halawa, 45;

2.      Mahmoud Mohammed Halawa, 48; and

3.      Suhail al-Batran, 45.

IOF interrogated the detainees and released them in the afternoon. At approximately 11:00, IOF expanded their incursion into the area. They fired at an artillery shell at a civilian vehicle, in which a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance were traveling. Two activists were wounded. When a Palestinian ambulance attempted to reach the vehicle, IOF opened fire at it and forced it back. Three IOF tanks then moved towards the vehicles and opened fire at it. About 20 minutes later, the tanks moved back and medical crews were able to reach the vehicle. They found that one of the activists, 'Awadh Mahmoud al-Tahrawi, 30, had died from his wound. He was hit by shrapnel and gunshots throughout the body. The other activist who was wounded was evacuated to the hospital. During their incursion into the area, IOF caused heavy damage to agricultural areas and a number of civilian facilities:

1.      Al-Sakhra Establishment:

v           A well.

v           10 donums of agricultural land planted with olives.

v           3 rabbit farms.

v           A 2000-square-meter animal farm.

v           A 70-square-meter store.

v           A 60-square-meter store.

v           85 beehives.

2.      A 3500-square-meter store of Abu 'Olba Bus Company.

3.      An 850-square-meter bird farm belonging to Sameer Sa’id al-Jadba, and 1500 birds were killed.

4.      A mosque.

5.      A transmission tower belonging to Jawal Mobile Phone Company.

·      At approximately 02:40, IOF moved into Burqa village, northwest of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. They raided and searched a number of houses. IOF withdrew from the village at approximately 07:30 and no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 07:00, IOF troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fire at agricultural area located 400 meters away from the border. IOF troops then called on 'Othman Ibrahim Abu Rouk, a farmer who was on his land, to move towards them, and they arrested him.

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved nearly 900 meters into al-Sraij area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They raided a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. At approximately 02:30, more IOF military vehicles, supported by military aircrafts, moved into the area. IOF aircrafts fired 2 missiles at agricultural areas. A number of activists of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with IOF. During the exchange of fire, an activist, 24-year-old Mohammed Fayez Hussein Shamiya, was killed by a gunshot to the head and shrapnel to the limbs, and another one was wounded by 3 gunshots to the legs. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 06:30 after having arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1.      'Eid Hassan Mahanna, 60;

2.      Mohammed 'Eid Mahanna, 16;

3.      Na’el Flaih Mahanna, 25;

4.      Mohammed Flaih Mahanna, 20; and

5.      Rami Flaih Mahanna, 30.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided, searched and ordered closure of the Islamic Club, the Municipal Library, al-Nour Press and al-Houtari Supermarket. They also raided and searched the campus of al-Quds Open University, Khalil Khader Paving Stones Factory and Abu Baker and Ibn Taimiya mosques. Additionally, they raided and searched a number of houses and offices of Qalqilya Religious Affairs Department and confiscated a number of computer sets and some documents.  

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Saida village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Lu’ai Sati Ashqar, 31, who is paralyzed;

2.      Ibrahim Naji 'Ouda, 35;

3.      Majdi Fayez Ashqar, 32;

4.      Mohammed Fayez Ashqar, 28;

5.      Marwan Yousef 'Ajaj, 32;

6.      Malek Yousef 'Ajaj, 19;

7.      Hamza Yousef 'Ajaj, 18;

8.      Ahmed Jihad Ashqar, 19; and

9.      Amjad Jihad Ashqar, 18.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Sourif village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Qassem 'Ali al-Qadhi, 20; and

2.      'Omar Hamdan al-Barad’iya, 22.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Abdullah Ma’moun al-Halaiqa, 23.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taffouh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Su’ad 'Abdul Karim Erzaiqat, 21.

·      At approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring 'Askar refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 23 Palestinian civilians:

1.      Sa’ada Jihad Maqboul, 20;

2.      Waleed Zakariya al-Na’aji, 19;

3.      Mohammed 'Abdul Qader al-Jad, 32;

4.      'Aamer 'Abdul Qader al-Jad, 28;

5.      Ahmed Hussam Mrayesh, 22;

6.      Mohammed 'Ali Hbaisha, 32;

7.      Ma’ath Mohammed al-Meenawi, 20;

8.      Zaid Mohammed al-Meenawi, 19;

9.      Mo’taz Tahseen al-Danbak, 34;

10.  Fat’hallahBassem Yassin, 38;

11.  'Izziddin Mofeed al-Bustami, 18;

12.  Ghazi Mofeed al-Bustami, 28;

13.  Hamza Mofeed al-Bustami, 34;

14.  Bassam Sami Yassin, 32;

15.  Hani Sami Yassin, 29;

16.  Nidal Sami Yassin, 27;

17.  Hakam Tayseer al-Kouni, 20;

18.  Hassan Tayseer al-Kouni, 23;

19.  Shadi Bassam Shraim, 29;

20.  Hussam Firas Za’tar, 29;

21.  Shadi 'Ali al-Khuffash, 30; and

22.  Ashraf Yassin al-Saqqa, 18.

·      Also at approximately 01:45, IOF moved into Jenin town and refugee camp. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Muntasser Mustafa al-Maghalsa, 17.

·      Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kharas village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Zaidan al-Kassar, 28.

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Talab al-Masri, 24.

·      At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF troops fired at the children wounding 17-year-old Jamal Sameeh al-Reemawi with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the abdomen.

·      In the evening, IOF launched a series of attacks against the Gaza Strip after activists of the Palestinian resistance killed 2 Israelis and injured 2 others near Nahal Ouz crossing, east of Gaza City. Two activists were also killed during the attack, and the dismembered body of one of them, 22-year-old Hassan Sameeh 'Awadh, from Rafah, was brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Five Palestinians were killed and 11 others were wounded as a result of retaliatory attacks by IOF:

v     At approximately 15:40, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at a civilian car, in which a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance, were traveling in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. Two activists were seriously wounded.

v     At approximately 16:00, IOF moved some meters into al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They then fired an artillery shell at the house of 'Aatef Musbah al-Gharabli, 25. The shell hit the house and killed al-Gharabli and his nephew, 16-year-old Ahmed Nasser al-Gharabli. Additionally, 4 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. At the same time, IOF fired another artillery shell at a number of civilians in al-Mansoura Street in the east of al-Shoja’eya neighborhood. Mazen Kamel Abu al-Qumboz, 40, was killed by shrapnel to the head. at approximately 16:40, IOF fired a third artillery shell at a number of civilians near Abu Jibba fuel station in the east of al-Shoja’eya neighborhood. The owner’s son, Mohammed 'Ali Abu Jibba, 28, was killed by shrapnel to the head.

v     At approximately 17:45, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance who were walking in the east of al-Shoja’eya neighborhood. One of them, 22-year-old Isma’il Ahmed Abu al-Nasser, was killed.

v     At approximately 20:50, an IOF aircraft fired a missile at an activist of the Palestinian resistance who was riding a motorcycle in al-Shoja’eya neighborhood. He was seriously wounded. Two civilian bystanders were also wounded by shrapnel throughout their bodies: Rushdi Abu Ras, 25; and Ahmed Riadh al-Shareef, 21.

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 of the Gaza Strip for more than one year and a half. 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 nearly 1.5 million 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. 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. IOF have further tightened the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the living and economic conditions of Palestinian civilians have further deteriorated. In September 2007, the Israeli government declared the Gaza Strip as "a hostile entity," which implies imposing more restrictions and measures of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. Since then, IOF have sharply decreased food and fuel supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip.  IOF have continued to prevent the entry of raw materials into the Gaza Strip, and subsequently many factories have stopped their industrial activities. Concerning the movement of persons, IOF allow a few Palestinian civilians to pass through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to travel to the West Bank. 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. 

On Tuesday, 3 April 2008, the Egyptian authorities reopened Rafah International Crossing Point from  to allow 348 Palestinians, including 94 patients, and 43 trucks and cars to travel back to the Gaza Strip.  Those had been stuck in Egypt since January 2008, when the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt was breached.

IOF have maintained the effective closure of the commercial crossings of al-Mentar (Karni), Sofa, and Nahal Ouz. IOF have sporadically opened these crossings in order to facilitate the passage of some humanitarian aids into Gaza.

Concerning fuels, IOF have allowed too limited amounts of fuels into the Gaza Strip. Transportation and other services in the Gaza Strip have been largely disrupted.

The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health. 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. 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. On Thursday, 3 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. On Saturday morning, 5 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, and Za’tara checkpoint, south of the city, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 6 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, conducted prolonged checking on Palestinian civilians. On Monday morning, 7 April March 2008, IOF troops positioned at various checkpoints around Nablus imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.  

At approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 8 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Rami Yousef Thalja, 19, from 'Awarta village southeast of Nablus.

·      Tulkarm: The Israeli government anticipated the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region with claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and removing a number of checkpoints, but facts on the ground go against such claims. IOF officer brought correspondents of global news agencies to checkpoints and requested them to photograph IOF bulldozers while removing some sand barriers and cement blocks. When the photographing ended, IOF brought things back to how they had been. IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians aged below 35 from passing through checkpoints. They have also continued to prevent Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural lands, which are isolated by the Annexation Wall.

·      Bethlehem: On Thursday morning, 3 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at a checkpoint erected at the entrance of al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem, arrested Ahmed Ma’rouf al-Atrash, 29.

On Tuesday, 8 April 2008, Israeli sources claimed that the Israeli police arrested 2 Palestinians to the south of "Etzion" settlement, southwest of Bethlehem, who were on their way to carry out an attack inside Israel.

·      Qalqilya: On Friday morning, 4 April 2008, IOF troops positioned at a checkpoint near Qalqilya arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, claiming that they were carrying 2 knives.

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 a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah.

·      Following the Friday Prayer on 4 April 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF troops had placed barbwires in the area to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the Wall. The demonstrators attempted to move forward. Immediately, IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

·      Also following the Friday Prayer on 4 April 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators moved towards Palestinian land which IOF intend to confiscate. IOF troops placed barbwire near the land to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 2 children sustained bruises throughout their bodies: Khattab 'Ali, 6; and 'Ali Abu Shaqra, 7.    

4.      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.

·      On Monday evening, 7 April 2008, an Israeli settler driving a bus ran down to death a Palestinian child to the east of Nablus. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:00, Shareef Bajjas Fareed Eshtayeh, 15, from Salem village east of Nablus, was on a donkey grazing animals crossing the bypass road to the east of the village. An Israeli bus coming from the east ran him down to death. His donkey and 8 sheep were also killed.

In his testimony to PCHR, an eyewitness, Rami Rushdi Eshtayeh, 29, stated:

"At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 7 April 2008, I and other shepherds were gazing animals on Beit Dajan Plain on the bypass road leading to 'Allon Moreh’ settlement, approximately 3 kilometers away from Salem village. We intended to cross the road to go back to our village. Before crossing the road, we looked at both sides of the road to make sure that it was empty. When Shareef Bajjas Fareed Eshtayeh, 15, was crossing the road, I saw an Israeli bus coming from the east and traveling so fast. I cried on the child to hurry up crossing the road. The bus driver did not slow down. The bus hit the child and the donkey. I am sure that the driver made it deliberately. He stopped for one minute and then left the area towards Beit Fourik checkpoint. I and other shepherds moved towards the child to check him. We noticed that he was dead."

·      At approximately 15:30 on Wednesday, 9 April 2008, 2 Israeli settlers attacked the family of 'Abdul Qader Mohammed Abu Fasha, 63, from Bir Zeit village north of Ramallah, with stones. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Abu Fasha and his family were traveling back to their village from Tulkarm in their private vehicle. When they arrived at Jeet intersection, southwest of Nablus, they were surprised by 2 Israeli settlers. One of the settlers threw a big stone at the right window of the car breaking it. As a result, Abu Fasha’s wife, 54-year-old Muntaha Mahmoud Abu Fasha, and his daughter, 30-year-old Wissam, were injured.

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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 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.

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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).