Israeli Occupation Forces Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Continue to Impose a Total Siege on the Gaza Strip

• A Palestinian civilian was killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

• 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces conducted 16 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and one into the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank and two children in the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces arrested an old Palestinian woman to pressurize her five sons who are detained in Israeli jails.

• Israeli naval troops have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces detained 5 Palestinian fishermen for several hours. 

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

• Israeli troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a university professor.

• Israeli forces have continued measures aimed at creating a Jewish majority in Jerusalem.

• Israeli forces conducted excavations to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque.

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

• Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in Yasouf village near Salfit.

• Israeli settlers attacked two Palestinian children in Salfit and Hebron.  

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (10 – 15 December 2009):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip and wounded 3 others in the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, on 12 December 2009, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian houses located almost 700 meters away from the border.  As a result, Sami Shihda Abu Khousa, 48, was seriously wounded by several gunshots to the thighs.  He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead two hours later. 

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.  

Incursions: During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 16 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  Israeli forces arrested 17, including 3 children and one woman.  The detainees included 'Abdullah Abu Rahma, 39, Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bal'ein village.  During these incursions, Israeli forces confiscated 4 tractors in Kherbat Tana area, southeast of Nablus.

In the Gaza Strip, on 10 December 2009, Israeli forces moved into al-Sikka Street in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip.  They arrested two Palestinian children, when they were collecting stones and iron from destroyed buildings, nearly 500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  Israeli forces violently beat and interrogated the two children, then released them at approximately 21:30 on the same day.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF Israeli forces 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

Israeli forces have continued to close all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for more than two 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.

·      1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

·      The main concern of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

·      Israel has prevented the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

·      Israel has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of cooking gas, since 10 December 2008.

·      The Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to the Gaza Strip.

·      Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the face of Palestinian civilians wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or social visits.

·      Poverty and unemployment rates in the Gaza Strip stand at approximately 80% and 60% respectively.

·      Israel has continued to prevent the entry of spare parts form water networks and sewage systems. Losses incurred to this sector are estimated at US$ 6 million.

·      Israel has imposed 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 are amongst the highest in the world.

·      At least 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been denied family visitation rights for more than two years. 

·      Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip coast.

West Bank

Israeli forces 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.

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

·      There are approximately permanent 630 roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60-80 'flying’ or temporary checkpoints erected across the West Bank by Israeli forces every week.

·      When complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the Wall has 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 leads to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by Israeli forces (47 out of 72 roads).

·      There are around 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the Israeli forces. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

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

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

Measures Aimed at Creating a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem: During the reporting period, Israeli forces carried out more excavations in Wadi Hilwa area in Silwan village to the south of the al-Aqsa Mosque.  Many Israeli workers and archaeologists were seen in the area conducting excavations using hand tool and heavy machines.  According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the establishment of a Jewish center for education and archaeology in the area. 

On 13 December 2009, two Israeli policemen stationed on the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem violated the sanctity of the site and entered it with their shoes on.  When a guard, Samer Siam, attempted to stop them, they insulted and violently beat him.  He sustained bruises throughout the body.

On 15 December 2009, extremist Jewish groups organized celebrations throughout East Jerusalem for the Jewish Hanukah.  According to eyewitnesses, at least 70 Israeli settlers carrying a candlestick, which is a symbol of the Jewish Hanukah, broke into the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque and attempted to conduct Jewish rituals.  The administration of the al-Aqsa Mosque intervened and requested the Israeli police to take the settlers out.  During their celebrations, the settlers attacked a number of Palestinian civilians and shops in the old town. 

Settlement Activities: in the area 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 10 December 2009, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian child from Qarawat Bani Hassan village northwest of Salfit.  The child sustained bruises and cuts and he was evacuated to an Israeli hospital.

On 11 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers launched an arson attack against a mosque in Yasouf village, east of Salfit.  As a result, the walls and some contents of the mosque were burnt.  While dozens of worshippers were performing the Dawn Prayer in Hassan Khader Mosque in the center of Yasouf village, they smelled fire.  When they finished the Prayer, they searched for the source of fire, and they found that it was in the mosque's library.  A large part of the library, walls and some carpets of the mosque were burnt.  The library included at least 100 copies of the Holy Qur'an and books on Prophet Mohammed. 

On 13 December 2009, a number of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian child in the center of Hebron.  He was injured in the left eye, the nose and the right knee, and he was evacuated to Hebron Hospital.  Israeli troops were present in the area, but did not intervene to stop the attack.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (10 – 15 December 2009)

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

Thursday, 10 December 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They patrolled in the streets and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Teera neighborhood in Ramallah.  They raided and searched a house belonging to 'Abdullah Mohammed Abu Rahma, 39, Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bal'ein vllahe, and arrested him.  Thus, the number of Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces in Bal'ein village since June 2009 has mounted to 34.

·      At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved into Kherbat Tana village, southeast of Nablus.  They raided a number of houses and confiscated 4 tractors, claming that the area is a closed military zone and no Palestinian is allowed to be present there.

·      At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Sikka Street in the north of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip.  They arrested Mohammed Hatem al-Kafarna, 16, and Mahmoud Jameel al-Yazji, 16, when they were collecting stones and iron from destroyed buildings, nearly 500 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  Israeli forces violently beat and interrogated the two children, then released them at approximately 21:30 on the same day. 

Saturday, 12 December 2009

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp.  They patrolled in the streets and fired sound bombs.  They withdrew as few hours later and no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 06:20, Israeli troops positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian houses located almost 700 meters away from the border.  As a result, Sami Shihda Abu Khousa, 48, was seriously wounded by several gunshots to the thighs.  He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead two hours later. 

In his testimony to PCHR, Maher Hassan Abu Khousa, 36, a victim's cousin, stated:

"At approximately 06:20 on Saturday, 12 December 2009, I was at home, nearly 700 meters away from the border with Israel, east of al-Boreij refugee camp.  Suddenly, I heard explosions.  Soon after, IOF troops opened fire at our houses.  I learnt that resistance activists fired some projectiles at the border, and IOF troops repeated fire.  I stepped up on the stairs to see what was going one.  I then heard someone screaming: 'Save me Maher.'  I looked towards the direction of the voice and saw my cousin Sami Shihda 'Abdullah Abu Khousa, 48, on the ground under an awning between my house and his. I realized that he was wounded.  I rushed down and informed my brothers.  I turned on my car and my cousin's son carried his father who was bleeding from the thighs.  We put him into the car and traveled towards al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, but as he was in a serious condition, he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  Two hours later, we were informed the he died of his wound."

Sunday, 13 December 2009

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Namera neighborhood in Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Eyad Akram Haddad, 23, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Rab'a Fayez Fayez Sa'id, 67, the mother of 5 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.  She was released on the following day.

·      At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Zaher al-'Abed village, south of Jenin.  They searched areas located near the Annexation Wall.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 21:15, two Israeli policemen stationed on the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old town of East Jerusalem violated the sanctity of the site and entered it with their shoes on.  When a guard, Samer Siam, attempted to stop them, they insulted and violently beat him.  He sustained bruises throughout the body.

Monday, 14 December 2009

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mike Nicola Qanawati, 36, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces moved into Beita village, south of Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jihad Hilal Bani Shamsa, 37, who was not at home at the time.  They ordered the family to tell him to turn himself in.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Radwan Daraghma, 27, and arrested him.

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

·      At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1.    Tha'er Mohammed al-'Eissawi, 24; and

2.    Ahmed 'Ali 'Asaswa, 23.

·      At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jyous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

1.    Maher 'Aaref Jasser, 25;

2.    Saif 'Abdul Qader, 13;

3.    Qais 'Abdul Qader, 19;

4.    Laith 'Abdul Qader, 20;

5.    Mohammed 'Ali Noufal, 12;

6.    Ahmed Yousef Qaddoumi, 21;

7.    Yazan Mahmoud Qaddoumi, 18;

8.    'Abdul Rahman Khatib Mahmoud, 35; and

9.    Faraj 'Abdul Mon'em Hussein, 16.

·      At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets and opened fire.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-'Araqa village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets and opened fire.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Salah Nazzal, 22.

·      Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Arraba village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets and opened fire.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 14:30, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat.  They then besieged the boats.  They forced 5 Palestinian fishermen who were on the boat to jump into water and arrested them:

1.    Mohammed Sa'id Abu Riala, 23;

2.    'Aatef Sa'id Abu Riala, 23;

3.    Mahmoud Sa'id Abu Riala, 18;

4.    Fakher 'Emad Abu Riala, 23; and

5.    Ramadan al-'Aklouk, 22.

The boat was also damaged.  Israeli naval troops took the fishermen and the boat to the Israeli Ashdod Harbor.  The fishermen were interrogated there and were released at approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 16 December 2009.

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