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Boston artist Steve Mills - realistic painting

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (16 – 22 Feb. 2012)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (16 – 22 Feb. 2012)

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)

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Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah

February 23, 2012

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

IOF have continued bombardments and shootings in the Gaza Strip.
IOF implemented 5 airstrikes and fired 9 missiles.
14 civilians, including 2 women and 3 children, sustained bruises and wounds by glass shrapnel.
A metal workshop was destroyed and several houses and civilian establishments were damaged.

IOF have continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
7 protesters, including an Israeli peace activist, were wounded.
5 of the wounded were participating in Kafr Qaddoum protest and 2 of them were participating in al-Nabi Saleh protest.

IOF have used force against protests in support of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan.
4 protesters were wounded in front of 'Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.


IOF conducted 74 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited incursion into the south of the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 21 Palestinians in the West Bank.
The arrested Palestinians include 4 Palestinians who were released from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap, and including the wife and daughter of a Palestinian who was released from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap and who was arrested again during the reporting period.
IOF undercover units implemented arrests in al-Bireh city and in 'Anabta village.
IOF raided houses of PLC members and the office of PLC members of Hamas Change and Reform Bloc.
IOF arrested 2 Palestinians in the south of the Gaza Strip while getting ready to hunt birds.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF arrested 3 Palestinians at checkpoints in the West Bank.
IOF held a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for several hours as he was on his way to al-Maqased hospital for treatment.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (16 – 22 February 2012):

Shooting:

In the West Bank, IOF wounded 11 protesters, including an Israeli peace activist. Seven of the Palestinians wounded in the West Bank were wounded in peaceful protests to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities while 4 Palestinians were wounded in peaceful demonstrations organized in support of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan. In the Gaza Strip, 14 Palestinians, including 2 women and 3 children, sustained bruises and wounds by shrapnel wounds in airstrikes implemented by IOF warplanes.

In the West Bank, during the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, 11 protesters, including an Israeli peace activist, were wounded. Seven of the wounded were wounded in peaceful demonstration organized in protest to settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall, including 2 of them wounded in the weakly protest in al-Nabi Saleh on 17 February 2012, and 5 wounded in the weakly protest in Kafr Qaddoum also on 17 February. Additionally, dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.

IOF also used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized in support of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan. As a result, 4 Palestinians sustained wounds. Additionally dozens of protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF warplanes launched 5 airstrikes at civilian targets and training sites used by groups of the Palestinian resistance. In these airstrikes, IOF fired 9 missiles. Additionally, IOF fired 2 artillery shells at a site of the Palestinian National Security Service. As a result, 14 Palestinians, including 2 women and 3 children, sustained bruises and wounds by shrapnel wounds. Additionally, the destructions and damages were caused to the targeted places and their surroundings.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 74 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 21 Palestinian civilians, including a child.

During the reporting period, IOF undercover units moved into Palestinian communities and arrested 4 Palestinians.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF implemented a limited incursion in the south of the Gaza Strip and arrested 2 Palestinians.

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 four 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.

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.

IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when, on 04 January 2012, the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the export of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to revive economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

IOF have continued to delay the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.

For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied permission to new categories of Gazan patients to have access hospitals in Israel or even in West Bank via the crossing.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.

For approximately 55 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the fundamental rules of the international humanitarian law.

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 in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

When completed, 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, confiscating more 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 permits issued by IOF. Such 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.


Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem

On Monday, 13 February 2012, IOF bulldozed Wadi Helwa playground which measures 700 meters squared; Silwan Creative Forum which is built on Wadi Helwa playground; and a barrack measuring 60 meters squared and belonging to Amin Abdul Razzaq Seyam, all in Wadi Helwa in Silawan village, south of the Occupied City of Jerusalem. They also bulldozed a tin wall of 100 meters in length and a tin room measuring 6 meters squared belonging to Zeid Zamzam Shweiki in Wadi Yasoul neighborhood in Silwan village.

Also on Monday, 13 February 2012, IOF demolished and leveled to ground a house of Ahmed Mohammed Nasser al-Baghdadi.

The Israeli Municipality's District Committee for Planning and Building in Jerusalem approved a plan to construct a large building in the yard of the al-Buraq Wall (the Western Wall) opposite to the western wall of the al-Aqsa Mosque and near the Mughrabi Gate Bridge. The building will be called "Beit Halibah". According to the plan, the building area is estimated at approximately 3,700 meters squared, consists of three floors and two underground floors. The building was prepared for use for the Jewish settlers and foreign tourists, as well as an information center and exhibition grounds.


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.

On 13 February 2012 on Monday, IOF demolished a number of tents, stockyards for sheep and stores for fodders in Kherbet al-Rahwa in the south of al-Dahirya village, southwest of Hebron. Besides, IOF confiscated a number of agricultural tools and equipment under the pretext of not obtaining a "prior license" from the Israeli authorities. The attack resulted in the demolition of six tents, eights stockyards and stores, an old well and ten cells for beekeeping.

On the same day, IOF bulldozed five barracks and four tents in al-Ja'wana area, east of Kherbet Tana, east of Nablus. They belong to Shaher Fa'eq Taher Hanani, 'Atef Ahmed Hanani and As'ad Mohammed As'ad.

On Wednesday, 15 February 2012, IOF, using three bulldozers, uprooted 250 olive trees and 30 fig trees in Beer al-Hour area, northeast of Ramallah. The area is adjacent to "Shilo" settlement from the northern side. The uprooted trees have been planted for over 15 years in lands belonging to Rabee' Mohammed As'ad Dar Jbara with an area of approximately 300 dunums. This attack is a part of a series of attacks paving the way to annex the lands of the village to "Shilo" settlement.

On the same context, on 09 February 2012, the Israeli settlers planted forest trees in a land with an area of approximately 15 dunums in al-Dawali area. The land belong to Hassan Abdullah Ishtiwi, north of Kafr Qaddoum.

In Salfit, a group of settlers seized dozens of dunums of land belonging to Yasouf village. The targeted land is adjacent to the eastern and southern sides of the settlement. The settlers established iron bars using cement to be surrounded by a fence.

In Nablus, on 09 February 2012, the Israeli settlers moved from "Bracha" settlement, south of Nablus, to houses of Palestinians in al-Batin area, northeast of Burin.

In Hebron, on 10 February 2012, dozens of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, south of Hebron, moved into 40 dunums of lands belonging to al-Hatheleen family.  The settlers planted a number of seedlings in front of the Israeli soldiers.  In 11 February 2012, another group of settlers attacked a number of farmers and solidarity activists while, on voluntary basis, they were planting trees in Susia area, east of "Susia" settlement, south of Hebron.


Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (16- 22 February 2012)

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

Thursday, 16 February 2012

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and then stationed in the southern neighborhood. They raided and searched the house of Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh Dahbour, 44, a PLC member for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc. They confiscated a computer, a laptop, ID documents, a number of video tapes and 3 mobiles. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Jabriat neighborhood, north of Jenin. They raided and searched the house of Khaled Suleiman Fayez Abu Hassan, 44, a PLC member for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc. They confiscated 2 computers, documents and 2 mobile phones from the house. Before withdrawing from the house, they asked Abu Hassan to go with them to the office of PLC members for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc. In the same time, another IOF force raided and searched the house of Khaled Abdullah Yahya, 53, PLC member for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc.  They also asked Yahya to go with them to the office of PLC members for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc. As the two PLC members arrived at their office in al-Samoudi building in the east of Jenin, IOF raided and searched the office. Then they asked Abu Ha and Yahya to leave the place. IOF remained in the office for some time. Before withdrawing, they confiscated some documents from the office of PLC members for Hamas Change and Reform Bloc.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Rajabi neighborhood, south of Hebron. They raided and searched the house of Zeid Zidan Mohammed Zayed al-Rajabi, 35. Before withdrawing, IOF arrested al-Rajabi and transferred him to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Barqin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and then stationed in the southern neighborhood. They raided and searched the house of Hanaa Yehya Saber Shalabi, 30, who was recently released from Israeli jails. Before withdrawing, they arrested Shalabi. It should be noted that Shalabi served 25 months in administrative detention and was released in the recent prisoner swap.

At approximately 02:10, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at a training site used by the Izz Addin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Yafa Street, east of al-Tufah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, the windows in some of the surrounding houses and establishments, particularly Mohammed al-Durrah Hospital, crushed and locals were in panic. Additionally, 10 Palestinians sustained bruises and were transferred to al-Shifa Hospital for treatment:

1. Alaa Abed Abu Ghneima, 24;
2. Sharihan Uthman Hassan Abdul Al, 23;
3. Nader Ahmd Zaqzouq, 30;
4. Shaima Uthman Abdul Al, 14;
5. Maher Fadhel Ata Allah al-Jammal, 50;
6. Maher Yahya Jamal Khalaf, 40;
7. Mukarram Tawfiq Abdul Salam Hassouna, 54;
8. Asil Radi Abdul Al, 7;
9. Mohammed Ali Mahmoud Lubbad, 22, who is a paramedic of the civil defense service; and
Za10. kariya Said Helles, 21; who is a nurse at Mohammed al-Durrah Hospital and who sustained wounds in the nose as he was hit by glass shrapnel from the crushing windows.

Also at approximately 02:10, IOF warplanes fired three missiles at a training site used by Palestinian resistance groups, northwest of Nusseirat in the middle of the Gaza Strip. The site was damaged and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 08:15, IOF moved into Asala village, south of Qalqilya. Patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were arrested.

At approximately 08:50, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were arrested.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Beit 'or al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.


At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit Sira village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:25, IOF moved into al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and withdrew approximately two hours later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Zabuba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time. In the meanwhile, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and stoned IOF who replied by firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.  

Also at approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlik village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Asala village, south of Qalqilya, for the second time within hours. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:45, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time. Then they raided and searched a number of houses in al-Safha neighborhood. They held the residents of the raided house in the outdoors in cold and rainy weather. The raided houses include: the houses of Mesleh Mohammed Hussein, Salah Mohammed Hussein, Imran Abdullah Hussein, Mohammed Amin Abdullah Hussein, Mohammed Said Saleh Salim, Ali Abdul Hafez Odwan, Juma'a Yasin Inaya and Iyad Wasfi Hussein. They also searched a car repair workshop. IOF withdrew at around 21:30 and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya, for the second time in hours.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Tormos'aya village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into al-'Oja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:10, IOF an IOF warplane fired two missiles at Zuhdi Ashor & Sons Metal Workshop, east of al-Zaytoon headquarters in the east of Gaza City, which is owned by Eyad Zuhdi Rashad Ashour, 38. As a result, the workshop which measures 600 meters squared was totally destroyed. The windows of the house of Eyad Zuhdi Rashad Ashour which is built on top of the workshop were crushed as well. Additionally, Mohammed Salim Ramadan Ashour, 27, sustained light wounds.

Friday, 17 February 2012

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses belonging to the al-Halayqa family. Before withdrawing, IOF arrested Shadi Mohammed Ismail al-Halayqa, 18, and Anas Ahmed Ismail al-Halayqa, 21, and transferred them to "Kfar Etzion" detention center, southwest of Bethlehem.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kharabth al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time.  IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time. IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin. They stationed for some time in and then drove to the west. They raided a 4-storey house belonging to Fahmi Asaad Mustafa Jaradat, 53, a Sharia Judge, who is the President of the Sharia Court of Appeal. They

stationed in the fourth floor which is under construction and transformed it into military barracks. One of Jaradat's daughters told the PCHR fieldworker that IOF remained in their house until the evening and that the family remained without water and telephone. After IOF withdrew, the family fixed the water and telephone networks.

At approximately 10:10, IOF moved into Sonjol village, north of Ramallah.  They provocatively patrolled in the streets for some time.  IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 10:10, IOF moved into Kharabtha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Bir al-Basha village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:15, IOF positioned at the border in the east of al-Bureij, in the middle of the Gaza Strip, fired two shells at the Maqboula site, southeast of al-Bureij, which is used by the Palestinian National Security Service.

At approximately 21:35, IOF moved into Bedia village, west of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 22:35. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 22:50.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Saturday, 18 February 2012 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Leqia village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho.  They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:  

1. Ahmed Ali al-Sheikh Ibrahim, 23;
2. Mohammed Ali al-Masri, 22; and
3. Ibrahim Walid Hmeidat, 22.

At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Mithlon village, southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time. Before leaving, they delivered a notice to Mahmoud Hassan requiring him to appear before the Israeli intelligence.

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Berham village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Beitin village, northeast of Ramallah.   They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:30, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew 30 minutes later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved again into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved for the third time within hours into B Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Sunday, 19 February 2012


At approximately 00:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a training site used by Izz Addin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Yafa Street, east of al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  The bombardment resulted in damages to the neighboring establishments, especially Gaza Martyrs Boys Basic School.  The windows of the school crushed and damages were caused to the exhibit, the library and the book store in the school. Around 600 students attend this school which employs 23 teachers.  The school which measures 4 donums is located 12 meters to the east of the targeted site.  No casualties were reported.  It should be noted that this site was targeted several times in the past, most recently on 16 January 2012.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched the house of Yahya Hassan al-Khatib, 20.  Before withdrawing, they arrested al-Khatib.

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Niam village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Alar village, northeast of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved Beit 'Aor al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:15, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:30, IOF moved into Sabah al-Kheir suburb, north of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:45, IOF moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF who replied by firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs.   IOF withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:10, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and established a checkpoint at the entrance of the village.  IOF withdrew at approximately 18:55 and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 20 February 2012

At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Jaba' village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.


At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qabatia, southeast of Jeni.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and then stationed in al-Zakarna neighborhood in the center of Qabatia.  They raided and searched the house of Shadi Talal Mahmoud Zakarna, 25.  Before withdrawing, IOF arrested Zakarna.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and raided a number of houses in different neighborhoods in Tulkarm.  According to PCHR investigations and to the statements by victims and eyewitnesses, IOF raided houses belonging to supporters of Islamic movements. Israeli officers from the Israeli intelligence service questioned the residents of the raided houses.  An officer who introduced himself as "Captain Burkan, responsible for the Islamic movements file in the Israeli intelligence" questioned residents from the raided houses.  Another officer who introduced himself as "Captain Itay, responsible for the Islamic Jihad file in the Israeli intelligence" questioned residents of the raided houses and supporters of the Islamic Jihad.  The questioning focused on the opinion of the questioned persons on the current economic and political conditions, the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas and the prospects for the success of this agreement.  The officers warned the questioned persons of engagement in any activities by Islamic groups.

At approximately 10:15, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They delivered notices requiring the demolition of barracks belonging to Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ju'eidi and an agricultural room belonging to Abdul Halim Hussein al-'Abah.

At approximately 12:50, an IOF undercover unit kidnapped Umar Khaled Abu Rweis, 23, from al-Am'ari refugee camp, west of al-Bireh.  The members of the undercover unit severely beat Abu Rweis while transferring him to Qalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and then to an unknown destination. According to investigations made by PCHR, at approximately 12:50, an IOF undercover unit consisting of five armed members traveling in two vehicles, a white Mercedes bus and a white lorry, with Palestinian registration plates, stopped near the main entrance of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in al-Bireh on the main road between Ramallah and Jerusalem.  Then the white Mercedes bus parked in front of PRCS main gate.  Abu Rweis who works as a guard at PRCS walked to the driver to tell him that he was not allowed to park in front of the gate.  At that moment, all the five armed members of the undercover unit stepped down and kidnapped Abu Rweis at gunpoint.  They took him to the bus and drove to Qalandia checkpoint. They severely beat Abu Rweis with their hands, legs and gun butts throughout the body.

At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Deir Estaia village, northwest of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 23:15.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Imatin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 00:00.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tubas.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and raided and searched many houses.   They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into 'Aqaba village, northwest of Tubas.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  They then raided and searched the house of Mohammed Hassan Saleh Abu 'Arra, 30, in the center of 'Aqaba village.  Before withdrawing, IOF arrested Abu 'Arra and transferred him to "Salem" detention center. Northwest of Jenin

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and then raided and searched the house of Yousef Abdul Rahman Eshteiwi, 25, who was released recently from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap.  They forced the residents of the house to go out and stay in the outdoors in the cold weather.  IOF arrested Eshteiwi and withdrew at approximately 04:15.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and then raided and searched the house of Mahmoud Adnan Mahmoud Salim, 21, who was released recently from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap.  They forced the residents of the house to go out and stay in the outdoors in the cold weather.  IOF arrested Salim and withdrew at approximately 04:15.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved approximately 400 meters into Gaza International Airport, in the far southeast of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.  They arrested three Palestinians from al-Shoka village in the east of Rafah:

1. Mohammed Hussein Abu Athreh, 20;
2. Saddam Mohammed Abu Athreh, 21; and
3. Ashraf Hassan al-Soufi, 23.

According to testimonies made by the families of the arrested men, the three men used to hunt birds in the area.  PCHR was unable to collect any further information.

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:00, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.   They patrolled in the streets for some time.  Meanwhile a group of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at IOF who responded by firing tear gas canister and sound bombs.  Before withdrawing later, IOF raided and searched the house of Mahmoud Reyad Hussein Zaghal, 19, and arrested Zaghal.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Arraba, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm, for the second time within few hours.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Kafr Addik village, west of Salfit.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 00:30.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

At approximately 02:00, an IOF foot unit moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm.  An IOF undercover unit raided the hosue of Jihad Mohammed Abdul Latif Abu 'Asal, 22, in the eastern neighborhood in 'Anabta, and arrested Abu 'Asal.  At the same time, another undercover unit raided and searched the house of Abu Asal's brother, Rami, 33, in the center of 'Anabta, and arrested Rami. Also simultaneously, a third undercover unit was using a white civilian car and made an ambush on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus. This road crosses by the center of 'Anabta village.  When there were no other cars travelling on the road and no people were in the area, the undercover unit raided a grocery shop on the main road and kidnapped Anas Umar Mohammed Abu 'Asal, 20, who was in the shop.  IOF withdrew from the village after arresting the three Palestinians.

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time.  Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian boys gathered and stoned IOF who responded by firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs.  IOF withdrew later and no further incidents were reported.

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Qafin village, north of Tulkarm.  They surrounded the house of Majdi 'Ateya Suleiman Ajjouli, 50, in the eastern neighborhood of Qafin village.  They raided the house and arrested Ajjouli, his wife, Maysoon Ajjouli, 42, and his daughter, Dua'a, 23.  Eyewitnesses reported that they heard explosions as IOF where raiding Ajjouli's house.  It should be noted that Ajjouli was released from Israeli jails in the recent prisoner swap after serving 22 years in prison.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrators Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip.  IOF attacks on peaceful demonstrations resulted in wounding 7 civilians, including an Israeli peace activist.  Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders participating in peaceful demonstrations suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

Following the Friday Prayer on 17 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, protesting the construction of the annexation wall, marking the seventh anniversary of the popular resistance in Bil'in and in support of Khader Adnan, the Palestinian prisoner who has been holding an open-ended hunger strike in an Israeli jail.  They raised the Palestinian flag and the photos of the PLC member in Israeli jails Marwan al-Barghouthi and Khader Adnan.  They called for ending the political division and for releasing all the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, a number of Palestinians sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation. 


Also following the Friday Prayer, on 17 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall and in support of the Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan.  They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation.  They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall.  Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.  As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday prayer on 17 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities and in support of the Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan.  They raised the Palestinian flag and the photos of Palestinian Prisoner Khader Adnan and other prisoners.  The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers, who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.  Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.  As a result, 2 Palestinians (PCHR maintains their names) sustained wounds.  In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer, at approximately 12:45 on the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest against closing the eastern entrance of the village.  The demonstrators headed towards that entrance. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 5 demonstrators including an Israeli peace activist, were wounded.  (PCHR) maintains of the names of the wounded.

At approximately 12:30 on Tuesday, 21 February 2012, IOF positioned in watchtowers at the border fence near Beit Hanou (Erez) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, fired at a group of demonstrators and Palestinian and international activists in the vicinity of the crossing.  The demonstration was comprised of approximately 80 protestors, including 63 international activists, 10 journalists and representatives of Palestinian resistance groups.  When they approached to a distance of 150 meters from the border, IOF opened fire, but no injuries were reported.

Saber al-Za'neen, Coordinator of the Local Initiative in Beit Hanoun and the supervisor of the demonstration, said that at approximately 11:30 on the said day, a demonstration headed to the northern area.  When they reached the cement wall, at approximately 12:30, an activist planted the Palestinians flag. In response to this act the Israeli soldiers positioned in the watchtower opened fire.  The demonstrators were terrorized and fled out of the area. No injuries were reported. 


3. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrators Organized in Support of Palestinian Prisoner Khader Adnan

During the reporting period, many peaceful demonstrations were organized in support of and in solidarity with Khader Adnan , the Palestinian prisoner who has been holding an open-ended hunger strike in an Israeli jail since 17 December 2011.  IOF used excessive force against participants in these demonstrations which were called for by the student movement in Birzeit University, in front of "Ofer" prison, southwest of Ramallah. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 21 February 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails gathered to organize a peaceful demonstration in support of the Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Khader Adnan .  The demonstration was called for by the student movement in Birzeit University.  The demonstrators headed to "Ofer" prison in the southwest of Ramallah, and then they walked towards the gate of the prison.  IOF closed the gate.  Before the demonstrators arrived at the gate, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators who threw stones at IOF.  As a result, 4 students from Birzeit University were wounded.  The wounded students were transferred to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah for treatment. Additionally, many participants suffered from tear gas inhalation including Nawal Jamil Abdul Hamid, 52.  IOF also arrested Nidal Ahmed Abu 'Ein, 20, and Mahmoud Ghasan Dar al-Sheikh, 22, and took them to  "Ofer" prison.

4. Continued Closure of the OPT
­
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of 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 four 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 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, unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.


Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
15 – 21 February 2012

Day
Date
Traveling abroad
Coming into Gaza
Returned into Gaza
Wednesday
15 February 2012
582
509
21
Thursday
16 February 2012
837
711
39
Friday
17 February 2012
--
--
--
Saturday
18 February 2012
696
582 + the body of a dead Palestinian
48
Sunday
19 February 2012
538
444
50
Monday
20 February 2012
452
443
45
Tuesday
21 February 2012
256
567
--


Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
15-21 February 2012

Imports:

Date
Imports
Category
Amount
Tons
Number
Liters
15 February 2012
Foodstuffs
607


Agricultural materials
1,253


Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Washing machines
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Oxen

1,218
2,838
210
279
205
433



Humanitarian aid
3,876


Cooking gas
180.130



Diesel


114,000 for UNRWA
16 February 2012
Foodstuffs
837


Agricultural materials
1,143


Various goods
Cartons of clothe
Cars
Refrigerators
Cartons of shoes
Oxen
Washing machines
Plastic machines
Ovens  
1,315

4,167
20
188
4,114
383
252
14
672

Humanitarian aid
3,082


Cooking gas
182.390


19 February 2012
Foodstuffs
719


Agricultural materials
1.013


Various goods
Cartons of clothe
Refrigerators
Cartons of shoes
Oxen
Water tanks
Power generators
Boards of glass
790
1,459
167
2,016
380
218
455
520


Humanitarian aid
2,151


Cooking gas
157.000


20 February 2012
Foodstuffs
401


Agricultural materials
1,198


Various goods
1,279
1,154
21
132
520
489
238
48
870

Cartons of clothes
cars


Refrigerators
Boards of glass
Oxen
Washing machines
Power generators
Cartons of shoes



Humanitarian aid
2,998


Cooking gas
183.600


21 February 2012
Foodstuffs
648


Agricultural materials
1,080


Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Refrigerators
Ovens
Cartons of shoes
Boards of glass
952





960
120
945
1,944
520

Humanitarian aid
2,337


Cooking gas

187.970



Exports:

On Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 202,000 flowers.
On Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 223,000 flowers.
On Monday, 20 February 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of1.9 tons of bell pepper and 9 tons of cherry tomato.
On Tuesday, 21 February 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 175,000 flowers.

Notes:

On Wednesday, 15 February 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 2,520 tons of construction aggregate; 19 tons of stones and 40 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement and 350 tons of construction aggregate for the French Cultural Centre.  They also allowed the entry of 700 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP.  They allowed the entry of 34 tons of fodder and 1,092 tons of wheat.

On Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 2,660 tons of construction aggregate; 200 tons of cement and 82 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 70 tons of construction steel for the Water Authority.  In addition, the allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders.

On Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 1,911 tons of construction aggregate, 200 tons of cement, 40 tons construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders.

On Monday, 20 February 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 2,800 tons of construction aggregate; 160 tons of cement and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,092 tons of wheat.

On Tuesday, 21 February 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 1,820 tons of construction aggregate; 440 tons of cement and 44 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 975 tons of wheat.

Important note: IOF allowed the entry of the following on Tuesday, 07 February 2010. The items allowed to enter on this day were not inserted in the past report.

07 February 2012
Foodstuffs
654


Agricultural materials
1,430


Various goods
Cartons of clothes
Washing machines
Cartons of shoes
Refrigerators
Oxen  
1,020





124
128
960
96
441

Humanitarian aid
3,735


Cooking gas

159.310



  On this reporting day, IOF allowed the exportation of 150,000 flowers.

They also allowed the entry of 2,800 tons of construction aggregate, 440 tons of cement and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement for USAID.  IOF allowed the entry of 1,248 tons of fodders.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking. 
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
15 – 20 February 2012

Date
15 February
16 February
17 February
18 February
19 February
20 February
Patients
23
27
1
Nil
40
36
Companions
21
31
1
Nil
34
40
Arabs from Israel
5
Nil
10
Nil
32
17
Diplomats
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
International Journalists
3
3
1
Nil
1
Nil
International Workers
15
60
14
Nil
20
4
Travelers abroad
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Business People
97
74
56
Nil
85
82
Economic Meetings
9
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
Security Interviews
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
1
1
VIP's
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
3
2
Ambulances to Israel
Nil
2
Nil
1
3
4
Ambulances from Israel
2
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
1

The West Bank

Israel has imposed a tightened closure 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.

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF re-established their presence at 'Attarah checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Luqia village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Debwan village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Deair Masha'al village, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 17 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At the same time, they also established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance at Beit 'Aor al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mghair village, northeast of Ramallah.

At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kharbatha al-Mesbah, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:40 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kherbet Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF established 7 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya.
On Friday, 17 February 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya.
On Saturday, 18 February 2012, IOF established 7 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya; one of which was established at the entrance of 'Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. IOF detained Feras Abdul Hamid Za'rour at this checkpoint.  Za'rour was released later after IOF gave him a written notice to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service.
On Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF established 7 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya.
On Monday, 20 February 2012, IOF established 8 checkpoints throughout Qalqilya.

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Far'oun village, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 18 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm.  At approximately 15:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm.
At approximately 07:15 on Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 23:30 on Monday, 20 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on the road between 'Atel village and Deair al-Ghsoun village, north of Tulkarm.

Salfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 17 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Iskaka village, east of Salfit.  At approximately 22:45, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zaweya village, west of Salfit.

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 21 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at crossroads of 'Arraba village, south of Jenin. At the same time, IOF established a checkpoint at the crossroads of Kfert village, southwest of Jenin.

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 16 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 17:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 18 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbeidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marj Na'ja village, North of Jericho.      

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 18 February 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, and arrested Samid Mohammed Ishtiwi, 22, from the said village.  Ishtiwi, who is a Palestinian policeman, was transported to an unknown destination.

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF who established a checkpoint at "Abu Georges" crossroads in the center of al-Eizareya village in the east of occupied Jerusalem, arrested Karim Zakareya Khalil Khalaf, 32, and Usama Karam Yousef Khalaf, 39, from al-Eizareya village.  IOF stopped their car, which was travelling through the crossroad and confiscated 80,000 NIS from Karim Zakareya Khalil Khalaf, who works in a money exchange office.

At approximately 16:15 on Sunday, 19 February 2012, IOF positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, told Farida Sa'eed al-Taramsi, 58, who was the companion of her son Kamel Hekmat Kamel al-Taramsi, 23, from Block 8 in Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, that she had to return to Gaza without giving her any information about her son.  It should be noted that Farida was accompanying her son in his travel to al-Maqased Hospital in Jerusalem for medical treatment.

In his testimony, Kamel al-Taramsi said that he has been suffering from tumors in the limbs for the past 8 years.  However, doctors in Gaza could not diagnose the disease.  He tried several times to obtain the papers needed to help him travel abroad, but in vain.  Finally, in mid January 2012, he obtained Form No. 1 to be referred to al-Maqased Hospital on 19 February 2012.  As a result, at approximately 08:00 on 19 February, al-Taramsi and his mother went to Beit Hanoun crossing.  After they reached the Palestinian Liaison Office "55" and waited for their coordination, they obtained it at 09:10.  When they approached the Israeli side, they handed their IDs and papers to the officers through a window.  After approximately 20 minutes, two persons in civilian clothes came to al-Taramsi and asked him to go with them to be searched.  He was put into a room, where he was asked to take all his clothes off except the underwear.  The two mobile phones were taken from him and after which he was asked to walk in an underground corridor.  Then he was taken upstairs again.  Al-Taramsi was put into another room, in which two persons were sitting behind a desk; one of whom was in civilian clothes and the other was in military uniform. There was also a secretary to write al-Taramsi's statement.  Al-Tarmsi was questioned about personal and family information and whether his brothers are members in Palestinian resistance groups.  They accused him of launching home-made rockets on Israel, but he denied the accusation.  Later, he was transferred to another room with an obscured window and two chairs.  He waited there for a long time and then was taken downstairs again.  They reached a car park, where a Savanna car stopped in front of him.  Israeli soldiers handcuffed him and put glasses on his eyes to prevent him from seeing anything.  He was put into the car and transported to an unknown destination.  There he stepped out of the car and was taken inside a building, where he saw an Israeli officer, a person in civilian clothes, and a translator.  The officer took al-Taramsi's personal information and then asked him to sign on a paper in Hebrew.  Al-Taramsi asked what the paper included; the officer replied via the translator that the paper was to refer him to the court and that he would be assigned a lawyer the day after.  Al-Taramsi asked the officer: "Do you judge the patients?" but the officer asked him to shut up and sign the paper.  He signed the paper and was then transported again to an unknown destination.  When he reached that place, he found himself in a long corridor.  He felt extremely exhausted, due to which he asked for a doctor.  A doctor came, examined him, and talked to the person who was accompanying him in Hebrew.  Later, an officer came and took al-Taramsi's belongings.  He was taken again to another place, but when he reached it, he realized that it was Beit Hanoun crossing.  At approximately 19:00 on the same day, they asked him to walk back to Gaza.  He went back to Gaza until he reached the Palestinian Liaison Office and then the Ministry of Interior checkpoint.  Al-Taramsi reached home at 21:15 on the same day. Upon his return, he learned that his mother had been returned to Gaza at approximately 16:15 on the same day.  Besides, his brother Kamal, who is a Director General in the Gaza sub office of al-Amal Society for Cancer Patients, had called a number of friends in human rights organizations for the release of his brother, including a women named Jameela, who works in a human rights organization in Israel.           

………………………………………………………
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 their 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 immediate 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 that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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

7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel 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 process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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