[News] Palestine - Weekly report on human rights violations

[Anti-Imperialist News]

Weekly report on human rights violations
Report, PCHR, 5 January 2006

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4386.shtml

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 5 Palestinians, 
including 4 in the Gaza Strip. On 31 December 2005, IOF shelled the 
northern Gaza Strip and killed two Palestinian civilians, who were at 
least 2 kilometers away from the border between the Gaza Strip and 
Israel. On 1 January 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of 
the Islamic Jihad and a taxi driver. Another member of the Islamic 
Jihad and 3 civilian bystanders were injured. On 4 January 2006, IOF 
shot dead a Palestinian in Dura village near Hebron. In addition, 29 
Palestinian civilians, including 19 children, were wounded by the IOF 
gunfire. IOF aircrafts also shelled a civilian facility in Bani 
Suhaila village near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Incursions: IOF conducted 25 military incursions into Palestinian 
communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF raided 
houses and arrested 30 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children 
and a girl. IOF also transformed 5 houses into military sites. IOF 
used undercover units and trained dogs during these incursions.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a 
comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, 
economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, 
transforming it into a big prison. Rafah International Crossing Point 
on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the 
outside world, has been partially reopened. The crossing point is 
operated for 8 hours a day only. The Kerem Shalom border commercial 
crossing has not bee operated so far. IOF have closed Beit Hanoun 
(Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and traders since 16 December 
2005. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at 
commercial border crossings in the Gaza Strip. In addition, IOF have 
continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing by chasing and 
firing at Palestinian fishing boats.

IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on Palestinian 
communities in the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF 
tightened the siege imposed on occupied Jerusalem and isolated it 
from the rest of the West Bank. IOF also erected more checkpoints at 
the entrances to Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During the 
reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 4 
Palestinian civilians, including 'Abeer Qubti, the spokeswoman of the 
Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel (Mossawa). As the 
campaigns for the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections 
started, IOF have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of 
candidates and staff members of the Central Election Commission. 
During the reported period, IOF prevented the transportation of 
election materials from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall 
inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF 
continued to raze areas of Palestinian land in Beit Jala. They also 
razed areas of agricultural land and uprooted at least 400 olive 
trees in Sikka village, southwest of Hebron. Land leveling in the two 
areas aims at constructing new sections of the Wall. In addition, IOF 
razed areas of Palestinian land to establish a fence around "Shavi 
Shomron" settlement, northwest of Nablus. IOF also used force to 
disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians 
and international solidarity activists in protest to the construction 
of the Wall in Beit Jala. IOF arrested a candidate for the 
Palestinian parliamentary elections during this demonstration. 
Further, IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the 
movement of Palestinian civilians on both sides of the Wall.

Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of 
international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have 
launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and 
property. During the reported period, Israeli settlers attacked 
Palestinian civilians and property in Hebron. On 3 January 2006, IOF 
demolished a house in Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem. During 
the reported period, dozens of Israeli settlers moved back to the 
evacuated "Sanour" settlement, south of Jenin.


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