• IOF killed 6 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip; a seventh Palestinian died of previous wounds.

• 3 of the victims, including a child, were killed when Israeli warplanes bombarded tunnel on the Egyptian border.

• 8 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

• IOF planes launched 7 air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.

• Two houses were completely destroyed and a third one was damaged.

• IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

• IOF arrested 16 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, in the West Bank.  

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

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

• IOF troops positioned at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 9 Palestinian civilians.

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

• IOF forced a Palestinian family to demolish its home in East Jerusalem.

• IOF demolished 12 houses and 13 animal sheds in Tana area near Nablus.

• IOF razed 3 donums[1] of agricultural land to the north of Hebron.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting period (06 – 13 January 2010):

Shooting: During the reporting period, Israeli occupation forces killed 6 Palestinians, including a child, in the Gaza Strip. A seventh Palestinian died of previous wounds.  Additionally, two Palestinian civilians were wounded.  

On 08 January 2009, 3 Palestinian civilians, including one child, were killed, and two others were wounded when Israeli warplanes bombarded a tunnel on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.  Another 6 civilians working in tunnels survived the attack as they crossed towards the Egyptian side of the border. 

On 10 January 2010, an Israeli aircraft fired a missile at 3 Palestinian resistance activists in Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip, killing them. 

On 06 January 2010, a Palestinian resistance activist died of wounds he had sustained on the preceding day, when IOF attacked a number of resistance activists. 

During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 7 air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.  As a result of these strikes, 6 Palestinians were killed (see above), two houses were completely destroyed and another one was heavily damaged.   

In the West Bank, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a journalist, were wounded when IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.  

Two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded by Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints. 

On 12 January 2010, two Palestinian children were wounded when Israeli troops fired at a number of children who demonstrated against them in Safa village, north of Hebron.

Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  IOF arrested 16, including 9 children.  One of the detainees was Ibrahim Mustafa 'Amira, 43, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah.   

Restrictions on Movement: Israel continued to impose a tightened blockade 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 two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed siege of Gaza, 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 fulfill their basic needs of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.

·      Israel has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza Strip for over two and a half years.

·      Israel has have 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 to the Gaza Strip.

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

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

·      IOF have imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats, journalists, and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from entering the Gaza Strip.

·      Living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated; levels of poverty and unemployment have increased significantly.

·      Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived for family visitation for more than two years. 

·      IOF have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the Gaza Strip’s coast.

West Bank

Israeli occupation 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.

·      IOF 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 630 permanent roadblocks, 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 IOF 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 have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.

·      At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (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 IOF. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

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

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

Settlement Activities: Israel has continued settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 

On 06 January 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement, northeast of Qalqiliya, attacked two Palestinian farmers while they were farming their land located to the east of Ematin village.  The settlers threw stones at the two farmers and violently beat them using sticks.  The two farmers sustained bruises and cuts.

On 09 January 2010, at least 30 Israeli settlers from "Beit 'Ain" settlement to the north of Beit Ummar village north of Hebron attacked a number of Palestinian farmers who were farming their lands in the Abu al-Reesh Valley.  The settlers threw stones at the farmers.  No injuries were reported.

On 10 January 2010, IOF, accompanied by a number of bulldozers, moved into the Kherbat Tana area northeast of Nablus.  They demolished the elementary school, 11 mud brick houses, 10 animal sheds, one greenhouse, and one tent.  At least 120 Palestinian civilians, mostly children, became homeless. 

Also on 10 January 2010, Israeli occupation authorities forced Khaled Yousef Abu Shousha to demolish his 35-square-meter house in al-Tour village near East Jerusalem.  A notice was delivered to him on Thursday, 07 January 2010, ordering him to demolish his house within 24 hours. 

On 11 January 2010, Israeli settlers from "Gilad" settlement, northeast of Qalqiliya, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers who were farming their lands.  Two farmers were injured.

On 13 January 2010, IOF, citing security reasons, razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives belonging to the Abu Maria family in Safa village, north of Hebron.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (06 – 13 January 2010)

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

Wednesday, 06 January 2010

·      At approximately 13:00, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Mahmoud Ahmed Daifallah 'Abdul Ghafour, 22, a resistance activist, died of wounds he had sustained on the preceding day.  According to PCHR's documentation, at approximately 22:10 on Tuesday, 05 January 2010, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  As a result, an activist, Jihad 'Abdul Karim al-Sumairi, 22, was killed and 3 others, including 'Abdul Ghafour, were wounded.  'Abdul Ghafour was admitted into the intensive car unit in the hospital as he was in a critical condition.

Thursday, 07 January 2010  

·      At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qatna village, northwest of Jerusalem.  They raided a house belonging to Diaa' Ahmed Houshiya, 27.  No arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 09:00, Israeli aircraft flying over Khan Yunis dropped thousands of leaflets warning the population.  One side of a leaflet read:

"To the population of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) repeat the warning not to get closer than 300 meters to the border.  Whoever approaches the border is in danger, as the IDF will take necessary measures to drive him away, including shooting if necessary.  Forewarned is forearmed!"

A map of the Gaza Strip was pictures below the text, which included the villages of 'Abassan and Khuza'a marked as part of the buffer zone.  The other side of the leaflet included a message to the population of the Gaza Strip, which read: 

"Terrorists, owners of tunnels and smugglers of weaponry know well that continued terrorist attacks, smuggling of weapons and digging tunnels always constitute targets for the IDF.  However, they continue to work from your area and hide among you.  By digging tunnels from your houses and their vicinity and smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip those who are involved in this industry are endangering your lives, those of your children and families and your property.  Do not remain passive towards being used by terrorists, as they will not support you when you are harmed or your property is damaged.  Be responsible for your future!" 

The leaflet included a telephone number and an e-mail address to be contacted to provide information about people who are involved in the tunnel industry, guaranteeing confidentiality.

·      At approximately 23:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  No casualties were reported.

·      Also at approximately 23:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an open area in Sheikh 'Ejlin neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.  No casualties were reported.

Friday, 08 January 2010

·      At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, fired 6 artillery shells that landed in an open area in the east of Jabaliya.  No casualties were reported.

·      At approximately 00:15, Israeli warplanes bombarded an open area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  A nearby house was partially destroyed.  Ten minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded two nearby houses, completely destroying them.  No casualties were reported as the five families living in the three affected houses had left them following the first attack.  Two of these families were renting two of the houses after IOF had demolished their houses during the offensive on the Gaza Strip in January 2009.  The following are details of the damage incurred to the area:

1.   A 100-square-meter house belonging to Nidal Jihad Abu 'Abed, in which 3 families counting 9 individuals used to live, was completely destroyed.

2.   A 180-square-meter house belonging to 'Abdullah 'Awad Abu Zaher, in which 10 individuals used to live, was completely destroyed.

3.   A 150-square-meter house rented by Suleiman 'Atwa al-Eimawi, in which 8 individuals live, was partially destroyed. 

·      At approximately 00:45, Israeli warplanes dropped one bomb on tunnels near Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians (two workers and a child) were killed, and two others were wounded.  Six workers survived the attack and were able to cross the border towards Egypt.  The victims are:

1.   Mubarak Rabba' Abu Shallouf, 27, who was beheaded;

2.   Nasser Jom'a al-Mahmoum, 21, whose body was found at approximately 09:00; and

3.   'Odai Mohammed Abu Hussein, 15, whose body was found beneath the sand, as he was sleeping in a tent at the entrance of the targeted tunnel.

Those who were wounded are:

1.   Hamad Salem Shallouf, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the face; and

2.   Ibrahim Nazmi Abu Tu'aima, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the head. 

In his testimony to PCHR, Hamada Salem Shallouf stated to PCHR: 

"At approximately 00:40 on Friday, 08 January 2010, I received a phone call from a friend of mine who told me that the area of the border with Egypt, southeast of Rafah, was evacuated as a precautionary measure in the face of Israeli air raids.  At that time, I was with other workers working in a tunnel near the Rafah Crossing.  My colleague, Mubarak Rabba' Abu Shallouf, 27, was near me, and 'Odai Mohammed Abu Hussein, 15, was sleeping in a tent at the entrance of the tunnel.  Abu Hussein used to work in tunnels sometimes.  I talked to Nasser Jom'a al-Mahmoum, 21, who was inside the tunnel, and told him that the tunnel might be targeted.  He got ready to get out of the tunnel.  Another six workers were with him.  I moved towards 'Odai to awake him, but at approximately 00:45, I was thrown into the air and then fell down.  I did not hear anything and I could not talk.  I saw fire breaking out in the tent that was set up at the entrance of the tunnel.  I walked a few meters and did not see anyone of my colleagues.  I then saw a car belonging to workers who work in another tunnel.  They brought me to the hospital.  About 15 minutes later, they brought the body of Mubarak Rabba’ Abu Shallouf who was beheaded. At approximately 02:30, doctors allowed me to leave the hospital."    

·      Also at approximately 00:45, Israeli warplanes bombarded a tunnel in Block J near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.  No casualties were reported.

Saturday, 09 January 2010

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fara’a refugee camp, south of Tubas.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

Sunday, 10 January 2010

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khalil Mohammed al-'Allami, 19, and arrested him.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, west of Jenin.  They raided and searched a taxi office, but no arrests were reported.

·      At approximately 18:30, an Israeli aircraft fired a missile at 3 Palestinian resistance activists, who where in an olive grove in Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip, attempting to launch home-made rockets at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, about 1,500 meters away.  The three activists were instantly killed:

1.   'Awadh Mohammed Abu Nsair, 25, from Deir al-Balah;

2.   Hassan Ibrahim al-Qatrawi, 24, from Nussairat refugee camp; and

3.   Huthaifa Mohammed al-Hams, 19, from Rafah.

Monday, 11 January 2010

·      At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Arraba village, southwest of Jenin.  The forces raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, northwest of Hebron.  They raided searched a number of houses and arrested Mo’tassem Jebril al-Jiyawi, 24.

·      At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

·      Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Raba village, east of Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to Tawfiq Ahmed Bazzour.  No arrests were reported.

· :: Article nr. 62170 sent on 14-jan-2010 21:16 ECT