Weekly Report of Human Rights Violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 10 November 2006

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Launch an Offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip

86 Palestinians, 52 of whom including 16 children and 10 women are civilians, were killed by IOF.

70 of the victims killed by IOF in Beit Hanoun and other areas in the northern Gaza Strip.

17 of the victims, most of them are children and women, are from one same family and were killed when IOF shelled their house.

12 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in 5 attacks.

254 Palestinians, including 71 children and 58 women, were wounded by IOF.

IOF have continued to launch air strikes on houses and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip; a house was destroyed in Gaza City.

IOF conducted 34 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and invaded Beit Hanoun town in the Gaza Strip.

IOF arrested 123 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, 3 women and the Palestinian Minister of Housing, in the West Bank.

IOF razed large areas and destroyed several civilian facilities in Beit Hanoun and neighboring areas.

IOF razed at least 20 donums[1] of agricultural land and destroyed two factories and a house in the east of Gaza City.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; IOF arrested 7 Palestinian civilian, including two children, at checkpoints in the West Bank

IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF have closed the entrance of Dahiat al-Barid suburb to the north of occupied Jerusalem; and Palestinian farmers have been denied access to their agricultural lands to cultivate olives.

Summary

IOF have escalated attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property in the OPT. Israeli political and military officials have implemented their threats to launch a wide scale military campaign on the Gaza Strip. IOF invaded the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun and committed a series of crimes.

Israeli violations of international law continued in the OPT during the reported period (2 - 8 November 2006):

Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 86 Palestinians, 52 of whom including 16 children, 10 women and two paramedics , are civilians. This increase in the number of casualties has followed orders by Israeli political and military officials to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF killed 77 Palestinians, 48 of them, including 16 children, 10 women and two paramedics, are civilians. In addition, 228 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 67 children and 58 women, were wounded.

IOF continued their offensive (“Operation Autumn Clouds”) on the northern Gaza Strip town, which began on Wednesday morning, 1 November 2006. During the reported period, 70 Palestinians were killed, 48 of whom are unarmed civilians, including 16 children, 10 women, two old people and two paramedics. This number also includes 17 members of one same family, who were killed when IOF shelled their houses on 8 November 2006. In addition, at least 221 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 67 children and 58 women, were wounded. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF since the beginning of the offensive on Beit Hanoun has mounted to 78 Palestinians, including 51 civilians. In addition, 262 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 75 children and 60 women, have been wounded. IOF redeployed from the town on Tuesday morning, 7 November 2006.

During the reported period, IOF committed 4 extra-judicial executions in the Gaza Strip, which killed 7 members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and wounded 5 others and a civilian bystanders.

IOF also launched an air strike on a houses in the Gaza City. As a result, the house was destroyed and a number of neighboring houses were severely damaged.

In the west Bank, IOF killed 9 Palestinians, including two children and an old women, and wounded 21 others, including 4 children.
On 3 November 2006, IOF killed a Palestinian child and wounded his brother in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. On the same day, IOF killed a woman, a child and a member of the Islamic Jihad, and wounded 6 other Palestinians in Bethlehem. On 7 November 2006, IOF extra-judicially executed 4 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement, and a civilian bystander in al-Yamoun village, southwest of Jenin. Three civilians were also wounded and arrested by IOF. In addition,11 Palestinians were wounded by the IOF gunfire in other incidents in the West Bank.

Incursions: During the reported period, IOF conducted at least 34 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they raided dozens of houses and arrested 123 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 3 women. On Tuesday, 7 November 2006, IOF arrested Eng. ‘Abdul Rahman Zaidan, Minister of Housing and Public Works, in Ramallah. Thus, the number of Palestinian Ministers arrested by IOF since 25 June 2006 has increased 10. IOF also transformed two houses into military sites.

In the Gaza Strip, in addition to the offensive of Beit Hanoun, IOF conducted two military incursions into al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. During these incursions, IOF killed a number of Palestinians, razed at least 250 donums[2] of agricultural land; destroyed 136 houses, including 16 ones completely and a mosque; damaged 3 mosques, a number schools and a hospital; and arrested 22 Palestinians. They also razed at least 20 donums of agricultural land and destroyed two factories and a house in al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City.

Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

IOF have imposed a strict siege on the Gaza Strip. They have closed its border crossings as a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.

IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point since 25 June 2006, even though they do not directly control it. During this period, the crossing has been opened for 18 separate days. IOF have closed commercial crossings of the Gaza Strip, especially al-Mentar (Karni) crossing. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. During the reported period, IOF partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) crossing, east of Gaza City, and Sofa and Kerem Shalom crossings near Rafah. IOF have also continued to close Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing. With this closure, only few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. IOF have also continued to close Sofa and Kerem Shalom crossings near Rafah. In addition, IOF have continued to prevent Palestinian fishermen from fishing for 4 moths.

West Bank

IOF have tightened the siege imposed on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. They have isolated Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have continued to separate between the north and south of the West Bank. They have further prevented Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from entering Jerusalem to pray in al-Aqsa Mosque in the Holy Ramadan. IOF positioned at various checkpoints around Jerusalem imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints in the West Bank arrested 7 Palestinian civilians.

Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. During the reported period, IOF resumed the construction of sections of the Wall to the north of occupied Jerusalem. IOF placed high cement blocks near Dahiat al-Barid suburb and al-Ram village and. They closed the entrance to Dahiat al-Barid suburb with cement block, thus linking it with a section of the wall extending from Qalandya checkpoint on Ramallah - Jerusalem road to a checkpoint near Nsaiba neighborhood to the north of Beit Hanina suburb. Thus, IOF completely separated Dahiat al-Barid suburb and al-Ram village from Jerusalem, even though their residents have Israeli identity cards. Palestinian traders from the West Bank, who established businesses in the two areas in light of restrictions imposed by IOF on the movement of Palestinians in other areas to the West Bank, have been forced to close their businesses. Furthermore, IOF razed areas of agricultural land and uprooted hundreds of grape and almond trees in the west of Jourat al-Sham’a village, south of Bethlehem. They also dug foundations to construct a section of the Wall in the area. IOF also used forced to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 8 demonstrators, including a child and a French solidarity activist, were wounded. While they have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank, IOF have prevented Palestinian farmers in the north and south of the West Bank from reaching their agricultural lands, which are planted with olives, located behind the Wall. According to these farmers, IOF have refused to issue permits for them to be able to reach their lands. The farmers have expressed their concerns that they may lose the current olive season. IOF often fire at Palestinian farmers to drive them away from their lands.

The outcome of crimes committed by IOF since 25 June 2006:

  • 342 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 64 children and 15 women, have been killed by IOF.
  • At least 1186 Palestinian civilians, including 344 children and 49 women, have been wounded by the IOF gunfire.
  • At least 292 air-to-surface missiles and hundreds of artillery shells have been fired at Palestinian civilian and military targets in the Gaza Strip.
  • Buildings of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National economy, the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister and a number of educational institutions have been destroyed.
  • The electricity generation plant, providing 45% of the electricity of the Gaza Strip, was destroyed, and electricity networks and transmitters have been repeatedly attacked.
  • 6 bridges linking Gaza City with the central Gaza Strip and a number of roads have been destroyed.
  • Hundreds of donums of agricultural land and dozens of houses have been destroyed.
  • Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including 10 ministers and 31 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary, have been arrested. Minster of Prisoners’ Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Labor and Second Deputy Speaker of the PLC were released.
  • The Palestinian governmental compound in Nablus has been destroyed.
  • Many families in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia have been forced to leave their houses.
  • IOF intelligence has warned some Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by phone to evacuate their houses, which would be attacked.
  • 58 houses belonging to activists of Palestinian factions were destroyed by IOF warplanes.
  • IOF have imposed a strict siege on the OPT, and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

    Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (2 - 8 November 2006)

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

    Israeli Offensive on Beit Hanoun and the Northern Gaza Strip

    During the reported period, IOF continued their offensive on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, and committed more acts of killing and destructions. They also moved into several areas in the neighboring towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalya, in the context of wide scale military campaign against the northern Gaza Strip, which was named “Autumn Clouds.” IOF initiated their offensive on the town on Wednesday morning, 1 November 2006. They seized complete control over the town and sealed it off from its surroundings. During the reported period, 70 Palestinians were killed, 48 of whom are unarmed civilians, including 16 children, 10 women, two old people and two paramedics. This number also includes 17 members of one same family, who were killed when IOF shelled their houses on 8 November 2006. In addition, at least 220 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 67 children and 58 women, were wounded. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF since the beginning of the offensive on Beit Hanoun has mounted to 78 Palestinians, including 51 civilians. In addition, 262 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 75 children and 60 women, have been wounded. IOF have also razed at least 250 donums of agricultural land; have destroyed 136 houses, including 16 ones completely, and a mosque; and damaged 3 mosques, a number of schools and a hospital. IOF have obstructed the work of medical crews and have prevented ambulances from the attending the wounded.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

  • In the early morning of Wednesday, 1 November 2006, at least 70 IOF military vehicles, covered by warplanes, moved into Beit Hanoun from various directions. They seized control over the town and sealed it off from the rest of the Gaza Strip. They raided and searched a number of houses and transformed them into military sites. They searched houses moving from one house to another by destroying walls separating between them. On the first day of the offensive, 8 Palestinians, including two unarmed civilians. A civilian was killed by a live bullet to the head when he was inside house, whereas the other one died from a heart attack when IOF soldiers raided his house.
  • On Thursday morning, 2 November 2006, IOF killed 4 Palestinians, including two unarmed civilians. One of the victims was an old man who was killed when he was in the balcony of his house. Ambulances were not able to attend to the wounded with coordination with IOF, which took at least an hour. As a consequence, the health conditions of 12 of the wounded seriously deteriorated. The victims were identifies as:

    1. Diab Ahmed al-Basiouni, 75, hit by a live bullet to the head;
    2. Yousef Rawhi ‘Aqel, 22, hit by a live bullet to the chest;
    3. ‘Essam Mohammed Abu ‘Ouda, 29, hit by several live bullets throughout the body; and
    4. Bassem Mohammed Mohammed al-Jammal, 21, hit by a live bullet to the chest.

  • At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 2 November 2006, IOF besieged al-Naser Mosque in the center of Beit Hanoun. There were a number of resistance activists inside the mosque. Approximately 150 women from the area around the mosque moved to lift the siege. IOF responded by heavy gunfire at the women. One woman was seriously wounded to the head. Medical crews were not reach the injured woman. She lay bleeding on the ground for a long time before she was transferred to the Beit Hanoun Hospital, where her wound was described as serious.
  • At approximately 21:25 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile at a group of resistance activists in the center of Beit Hanoun, killing one of them, Hasan Saleh Ahmad Salah, 22. Nearly 30 minutes later, an IOF warplane fired another missiles when civilians gathered in the scene of the first attack. Two civilians, including a child were killed:

    1. Sami ‘Abdullah Abu Sal’a, 28, from Jabalya town; and
    2. Mohammad Samir Mahmoud, 17, from Jabalya town.

  • At approximately 23:30 on the same day, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced the death of 4-year-old Baraa’ Riyad Mohammed Fayyad, from Beit Hanoun. He died from a wound he had sustained when his house was shelled by IOF on the preceding day.
  • At approximately 7:00 on Friday, 3 November 2006, a group of about 300 women from several areas in the northern Gaza Strip organized a demonstration and headed to Beit Hanoun. When the demonstration reached the outskirts of Beit Hanoun near ‘Izbit Beit Hanoun, IOF fired at them. Two women were killed and 40 others were wounded. Ambulances were not able reach the bodies of the dead. The wounded were evacuated to hospital at 20:00. The two women who were killed are:

    1. Rawda Ibrahim Jaber, 48, from Jabalya refugee camp; and
    2. Ibtissam Yousef Mas’oud, 44, from Jabalya refugee camp.

  • At approximately 11:00 on Friday, IOF continued indiscriminately shell of areas in the towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia. Four Palestinian civilians, including two children, were killed by the bombardment near ‘Abdullah ‘Azzam Mosque in Izbit Beit Hanoun:

    1. Ahmad Sahweel, 15, from Beit Hanoun, hit by a live bullet to the chest;
    2. Hamza Mohammed Karsou’, 18, from Beit Lahia, hit by a live bullet to the chest;
    3. Hamdi Ramadan ‘Abdul Dayem, 16, from Beit Hanoun, hit by a live bullet to the chest; and
    4. Mohammed Ahmad Sabbah, 20, from Jabalya, hit by a live bullet to the chest.

    In additions, scores of civilians were wounded, including a journalist of Ramatan news agency, Hamza al-‘Attar, 22.

  • At approximately 20:30 on Friday, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a group of Palestinian resistance activists near the Military Intelligence compound in Tal al-Za’tar area east of Jabalia. One of the activists was killed: Basel Mohammad Ashour, 24.
  • At approximately 20:45, an IOF warplane fired a missile at another group of Palestinian resistance activists near Hammouda fuel station. One activist was killed: Eyad Sabri Abu al-Jedyan, 26, from Jabalya refugee camp.
  • At approximately 21:30 on the same day, an IOF plane fired a missile at a third group of Palestinian resistance activists and civilians in the Beir al-Na’ja area near Abu ‘Obaida Ibn al-Jarrah School in the west of Beit Lahia. A number of people were wounded. When medical crews arrived at the area, a second missile was fired at the area. As a result, two paramedics were killed: Mustafa Habib, 23; and Ahmed Shehda al-Madhoun, 43. Both were volunteer paramedics in the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Four others, including a child, were also killed in the bombardment:

    1. Ahmad Fathi Naji, 23;
    2. Suleiman ‘Abdullah ‘Elwan, 40;
    3. Ra’ed ‘Ali Yassin, 17; and
    4. Ayman ‘Ali Yassin, 19.

    In additions, 4 people were wounded.

  • At approximately 2:30 on Saturday, 4 November 2006, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on a house belonging to the Abu Harbid family. No one was in the house at the time. The house was completely destroyed, and a neighbor was killed: Marwan Mohammad Abu Harbid, 46. Three others were also wounded.
  • On the same day morning, Mohammad Ibrahim Ba’lousha, 17, was killed by indiscriminate IOF shelling and gunfire. He was hit by a live bullet to the head. In addition, a resistance activist was killed by a live bullet to the head: Ra’ed Helmi Siam, 32.
  • At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, a special unit of IOF moved from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northwest of Beit Lahia, moved towards al-Waha summer resort and a manege. During this incursion, IOF soldiers fired at Fayez Hussein Moufa, 24, a bodyguard of Nabil Sha’ath, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, wounding him with a live bullet to the right leg. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the area, and took position near the American School and the manege. They opened fire indiscriminately.
  • At approximately 16:20 on Saturday, IOF soldiers positioned atop of a number of houses near ‘Abdullah ‘Azzam Mosque in ‘Izbat Beit Hanoun opened fore at a number of Palestinian civilians who were in Salah al-Din Street which links the area with Beit Hanoun town, nearly 200 meters away of those houses. As a result, 8 civilians were wounded, the wound of one of them was described as serious and medical efforts to save his life failed. He was identified as ‘Ammar Rezeq ‘Omar, 21, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.
  • At approximately 20:00 on the same day, an IOF soldier willfully shot dead 13-year-old Israa’ Talal Nasser, with a live bullet to the head, when she was inside her family house in al-Amal neighborhood in the northeast of Beit Hanoun. The child was shot when she was near a window of the house as she and her family were attempting to get out of the house as IOF bulldozers moved to demolish it.
  • On Sunday morning, 5 November 2006, IOF expanded their incursion in the east of Jabalya. They moved up to 3 kilometers into the town, opening fire indiscriminately.
  • At approximately 09:20 on Sunday, IOF soldiers positioned atop of houses opened fire at a number of Palestinians who were near ‘Abdullah ‘Azzam Mosque in ‘Izbat Beit Hanoun. As a result, Mahdi Mohammed Khaled al-Hamadin, 23, a member of the Executive Force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed.
  • At approximately 14:30 on the same day, IOF soldiers who had already moved into the northwest of Beit Lahia town opened fire at a number of Palestinian resistance activists, who were near the American School. As a result, a resistance activist, ‘Aatef ‘Abdul Rahman al-Kahlout, 32, from Jabalya refugee camp, was wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He was evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, but medical efforts to save his life failed.
  • At approximately 06:45 on Monday, 6 November 2006, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Lahia town, fired a surface-to-surface missile at Jabalya Youth Club near Jabalya - Beit Lahia intersection. The missile fell nearly 15 meters away from a kindergarten bus that was at the intersection. A kindergarten supervisor, 20-year-old Najwa ‘Awad Ekhlaif, was seriously wounded. A schoolchild, 16-year-old Ramzi Mowaffaq al-Shrafi, who was on his way to school, was killed by shrapnel. In addition, 16 schoolchildren were wounded, the wound of one of them was described as serious.
  • At approximately 13:20 on Monday, IOF positioned near the American School in Beit Lahia opened fire at a Palestinian resistance activist, ‘Alaa’ Tawfiq Mustafa Siam, 24, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. He was instantly killed by a live bullet to the head and shrapnel throughout the body.
  • At approximately 13:30 on Monday, an IOF drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian resistance activists near al-Rayes Hill in the east of Jabalya. A resistance activist, Mahmoud ‘Awni Taha, 25, was instantly killed.
  • At approximately 18:00 on Monday, IOF soldiers positioned atop of a number of houses in ‘Izbat Beit Hanoun fired at Mohammed Ahmed ‘Aashour, 18, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, when he attempted to enter Beit Hanoun town through its western entrance. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the neck. He died from his wound on the following day morning.
  • At approximately 22:50, an IOF drone fired a missile at a Palestinian resistance activist near al-Qerem Square in the east of Jabalya. He was instantly killed. The victim was identified as Ra’ed Saleh ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 37, from Jabalya.
  • On Tuesday morning, 7 November 2006, IOF tanks moved towards Salah al-Din Street to the east of Jablya refugee camp. They took position on a hill located less than 200 meters away from the street. They opened fire indiscriminately. IOF also maintained their presence in the industrial zone to the southeast of Beit Hanoun. At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, IOF started to redeploy from Beit Hanoun.
  • At approximately 08:30, IOF positioned neat the American School in the northwest of Beit Lahia opened fire at a group of Palestinian resistance activists. As a result, two activists were killed:

    1. Hamdi Ibrahim al-Batash, 23, from Jabalya; and
    2. Ra’ed Mohammed al-Qerem, 24, from Jabalya.

  • At approximately 09:15 on Tuesday, IOF continued to shell Sha’sha’a area in the east of Jabalya. An artillery shell fell near a house belonging to Jameela al-Shanti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. As a result, her brother’s wife, 45-year-old Nahla Mohammed al-Shanti, and a neighbor, 25-year-old ‘Abdul Majid al-Gharbawi, were killed by shrapnel.
  • At approximately 09:20 on Tuesday, IOF that had already took position near Hammouda fuel station to the north of Jabalya fired a number of artillery shells at a group of Palestinian resistance activists in Tal al-Za’tar neighborhood in the east of Jabalya. An activist, 26-year-old Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Jabal, was killed, and another one was seriously wounded.
  • At approximately 12:40 on the same day, IOF positioned near the American School in Beit Lahia opened fire at a number of Palestinian civilians in the area. As a result, Nader Fathi Abu al’Amrain, 20, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, was killed by a live bullet to the head.
  • At approximately 12:45 on the same day, IOF fired an artillery shell at a group of Palestinian resistance activists near the American School in Beit Lahia. An activist, Ussama Mohammed al-Habeel, 30, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, was killed. In addition, 7 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded. In the evening, another resistance activists, Bader Faisal, 24, also from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, died from his wound.
  • In a serious escalation in crimes they commit in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), on Wednesday morning, 8 November 2006, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shelled a residential area in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, killing 18 Palestinian civilians, including 17 members of the al-‘Athamna family, and wounding 55 others. Most of the victims were sleeping in their homes when the attack took place. IOF fired at least 10 artillery shells at the area. This crime has come only one day after the IOF redeployment from the town, following a 7-day incursion.

    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 05:15 on Wednesday, 8 November 2006, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east and north of Beit Hanoun, fired at least 10 artillery shells at a residential area in the northeast of the town. A number of these shells hit two apartment buildings belonging to the heirs of ‘Abdullah al-‘Athamna. As a result 16 members of the family were killed, and dozens of other were wounded. A number of neighbors, mostly relatives of the family, rushed to rescue the family. Immediately, IOF fired a number of shells at the area. As a result, a member of the al-‘Athamna family and another civilian were killed. In addition, at least 10 civilians, mostly members of the al-‘Athamna family, were wounded.

    Those killed by this attack are:

    1. Fatema Ahmed al-‘Athamna, 70;
    2. Sanaa’ Ahmed al-‘Athamna, 30;
    3. Ne’ma Ahmed al-‘Athamna, 55;
    4. Mas’oud ‘Abdullah al-‘Athamna, 55;
    5. Sabah Mohammed al-‘Athamna, 45;
    6. Sameer Mas’oud al-‘Athamna, 23;
    7. Fatema Mas’oud al-‘Athamna, 16;
    8. ‘Arafat Sa’ad al-‘Athamna, 17;
    9. Mahdi Sa’ad al-‘Athamna, 13;
    10. Mohammed Sa’ad al-‘Athamna, 14;
    11. Sa’ad Majdi al-‘Athamna, 8;
    12. Mahmoud Amjad al-‘Athamna, 12;
    13. Maram Ramez al-‘Athamna, 2;
    14. Maisaa’ Ramzi al-‘Athamna, 6 months;
    15. Nihad Mohammed al-‘Athamna, 33;
    16. Mohammed Ramadan al-‘Athamna, 28;
    17. Manal Mohammed al-‘Athamna, 35; and
    18. Saqer Mohammed ‘Edwan, 45.

  • At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, IOF positioned at near Jabalya town fired at Nemer Mohammed Abu Nadi, 17, from Beit Lahia, when he was in the east of Jabalya refugee camp. He was seriously wounded by a live bullet to the chest. He was evacuated to the hospital, but medical efforts to save his life failed.
  • At approximately 13:20 on the same day, IOF that had already moved into ‘Izbat ‘Abed Rabbu area to the east of Jabalya refugee camp opened fire at a group of Palestinian resistance activists. As a result, an activist, Eyad Nazir Swailem, 25, from Beit Lahia, was killed by a live bullet to the chest. IOF also fired the medical crew while evacuating the victim’s body to the hospital, but no casualties were reported. In addition, 6 Palestinians were wounded by the IOF shelling in the east of Jabalya and the northwest of Beit Lahia.
  • At approximately 21:00, IOF completed their withdrawal from various areas in the northern Gaza Strip to their military posts at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

    Other Incursions

    Thursday, 2 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Sofian Jaber, 24, in Kfar Saba neighborhood and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:15, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muhannda ‘Ammar Cana’an, 26, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus and the neighboring ‘Askar and Balata refugee camps. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Maher Jom’a Badawi, 30;
    2. Mohammed ‘Ali al-Sheikh Khalil, 23; and
    3. ‘Alaa’ Mustafa Abu Msallam, 25.

  • Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Thinnaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided Abu al-Aqran apartment building and transformed its roof into a military site. They forced the residents to stay in their flats. IOF left the building at 06:00.
  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Rakhma village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Ayman Khalil ‘Ali, 31; and
    2. ‘Essam ‘Ata al-Sha’er, 32.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Wad al-Fara’a village, southeast of Jenin. they raided and searched a house belonging to Kmayel Abu Hannouna, and arrested Mahmoud Suhail Daraghma, 22, a university student.
  • At approximately 12:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron broke into Jouha elementary school in Jabal Jouhar neighborhood in the southeast of Hebron firing sound bombs and rear gas canisters. They pointed their guns at schoolchildren and teachers, claiming that stones were thrown at their vehicles. As a result, 15 schoolchildren suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF soldiers obstructed access of medical crews to the children.
  • At approximately 14:00, an IOF undercover unit moved into Tulkarm, traveling in a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The car stopped near a house belonging to ‘Abdul Latif Abu Safaqa in the east of the town. Four armed persons got out of the car and raided the house and a neighboring supermarket. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the area. IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses in the area and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed ‘Abdul Latif Abu Safaqa, 23;
    2. Waleed Mahmoud Shqair, 22; and
    3. Waleed Hassan Nasasra, 19.

    Friday, 3 November 2006

  • In the early morning, IOF shot dead a Palestinian child and wounded hi brother seriously in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.
    According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:15 on Thursday, 2 November 2006, IOF moved into al-Quds Street near Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They took position at the southern entrance of the camp. IOF soldiers raided al-‘At’out apartment building and arrested two Palestinian civilians: Na’im al-Qattawi, 45; and Mohammed ‘Ennab, 41. Later, IOF withdrew from the area, but a number of IOF soldiers remained in a flat belonging to Mohammed ‘Ennab on the first floor of the building. At approximately 02:45 on Friday, 3 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned in the flat opened fire at Ahmed Mohammed Sanakra, 22, a resistance activist, when he was plating bombs nearly 150 meters away from the building. He was seriously wounded by 4 live bullets to the upper part of the body. Sanakra is a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement. He has been wanted by IOF for two years. IOF repeated attempted to arrests or extra-judicially execute him. He survived an attack by IOF on the Palestinian security compound in Nablus in the period 19-22 July 2006. When Sanakra was wounded, his brother, 15-year-old Ibrahim, moved to offer him help.

    Immediately, IOF soldiers shot him dead with a live bullet to the abdomen. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the camp to secure the withdrawal of IOF soldiers from the camp. At approximately 05:00, IOF released the two detainees.

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein Munjed area in Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul Rahman Fahmi Zaidan, Minister of Housing and Public Works and acting Minister of Local Government, and arrested him. Zaidan, 45, is originally from Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. Thus, the number of Palestinian ministers arrested by IOF since 25 June 2006, when IOF soldiers was captured from a military site in the Gaza Strip, has increased to 10.
  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF soldiers moved into Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Khaled Khader Abu Tabeekh, 42;
    2. Mohammed Khaled Abu Tabeekh, 16;
    3. Ahmed ‘Ezzat Abu Tabeekh, 23; and
    4. Nader Nayef Abu Zant, 21.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Saf neighborhood in the south of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They besieged a 4-storey apartment building and opened fire. Twelve families live in 10 flats in the building. Soon, more IOF troops, accompanied by bulldozers, arrived at the area. A number of IOF soldiers took position atop of a number of neighboring house. IOF soldiers ordered residents of the besieged building to get out of it in 5 minutes and they did. However, IOF soldiers continued to fire at the building. As a result, ‘Abdul Karim Mohammed Hassan, 55, was wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb to the right leg. IOF soldiers held residents of the building away from the building. Soon after, an IOF bulldozer started to demolish the building. IOF officer interrogated residents of the building about Tha’er Mohammed Hasan Souman, 25, allegedly wanted for being a member of the Islamic Jihad. In the meantime, IOF continued to fire at house. They also sent bloodhounds into the building and called on Souman to surrender. The IOF bulldozer also continued to demolish the building. a few hours later, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance of al-Saf Street. A number of children threw stones at IOF military vehicles. Immediately, IOF soldiers fired at these civilians. As a result, 16-year-old ‘Abdul Karim Khalil ‘Ayad Subeh was killed by a live bullet to the head. In addition, 5 civilians were wounded:

    1. Fatema Mohammed ‘Abdul Fattah Zahran, 79, seriously wounded by two live bullets to the abdomen and the pelvis (she died from her wound on the following day);
    2. Mohammed ‘Abed ‘Ebayat, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen;
    3. Mohammed Basheer al-Mousa, 26, wounded by a live bullet to the right foot (he was arrested by IOF soldiers during his evacuation to the hospital);
    4. Malek Fayez Je’idi, 10, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head; and
    5. Ibrahim Abu Sdoud, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot.

    At approximately 18:00, IOF raided the house of Dr. ‘Eissa Ja’neeni, Director of Beit Jala Hospital, in the Orthodox neighborhood in Bethlehem. They took him to the hospital. They searched the hospital and arrested Mohammed ‘Abed ‘Ebayat, who was wounded by a live bullet to the abdomen, and Salah ‘Atallah al-Lahham, 31. At approximately 23:00, after the bulldozer had demolished most of the besieged building, IOF fired a missile at the building. As a result, Tha’er Hassan Souman was killed. At approximately 23:30, IOF arrested 6 members of the Hassan Souman family: Mo’taz Ahmed Hassan Souman, 16; Mousa Ahmed Hassan Souman, 33; Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Souman, 23; Hmaid Suleiman Hassan Souman, 25; Deema ‘Abdul Karim Hassan Souman, 27; and Hilwa ‘Abdul Karim Hassan Souman, 23. IOF released the last three detainees in the early morning of Saturday, 4 November 2006.

  • At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Farkha village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Daoud ‘Abdul Hafez Rizqallah, 22, and arrested him.
  • At approximately 06:00, IOF, reinforced by heavy military vehicles and covered by helicopters, moved nearly 3 kilometers into al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They razed areas of agricultural land and demolished an agricultural store:

    1. They razed a 2-donum areas of agricultural land planted with lives owned by the heir of ‘Ayada Bakroun.
    2. They razed a 7-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Siham Mohammed al-Qerem.
    3. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Tayseer Abu ‘Eida.
    4. They demolished a 500-square-meter agricultural store and razed a one-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Abdul Karim Khader al-Sourani.

  • At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Ektaba suburb, northeast of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jaber Mohammed Jaber. They informed his family that he must surrender to them. IOF claim that Jaber is wanted for being a member of Hamas.
  • At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at agricultural area located nearly 400 meters away from the border. As a result, a Palestinian farmer, 30-year-old Maher Hasan Abu Khousa, was wounded by shrapnel to the right hand.
  • At approximately 22:50, IOF moved into ‘Azmout village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Aqab ‘Aayesh Samara, 25;
    2. ‘Abdul Ghani ‘Aayesh Samara, 22;
    3. ‘Abdul Ghani ‘Adnan Samara, 21; and
    4. Turki ‘Adnan Samara, 23.

    Saturday, 4 November 2006

  • At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Kufor ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Su’ad ‘Omar al-Sho’aibi, 19, and arrested her.

    Sunday, 5 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Kufor Ne’ma village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 19 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Hammam Ghaleb, 19;
    2. Majdi Ghaleb, 21;
    3. Rasheed Mohammed ‘Omar, 20; 3
    4. Talha Hatem, 22;
    5. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu ‘Aadi, 19;
    6. ‘Alaa’ Bahhour, 19;
    7. Malek Khamis, 20;
    8. Anas Khamis, 23;
    9. Haitham Mohammed ‘Ebra, 20;
    10. Hanafi Saleh Rasheed, 21;
    11. Zaid Mohammed al-Deek, 22;
    12. Daoud al-Sheikh, 22;
    13. Mohammed al-Shiekh, 20;
    14. Ahmed Rasheed, 23;
    15. ‘Ali Ahmed ‘Ataya, 20;
    16. Dirar ‘Aziz ‘Ataya, 19;
    17. ‘Abdullah ‘Aziz ‘Ataya, 21;
    18. ‘Esmat Fakhri, 22; and
    19. ‘Aaref Dar Khalifa, 19.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and forced their residents out. According to eyewitnesses, IOF soldiers handcuffed Mohammed ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Mar’ei, 38, and took him to the edges of the village. They forced him to take off his clothes and held him under the rain for several hours. They later released him later.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus. They besieged Fraitakh apartment building in Ras al-‘Ein neighborhood. They forced it residents out and interrogated them. IOF withdrew from the area a few hours later and no arrests were reported.

    Monday, 6 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-‘Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Shiekh Yonis Mohammed al-‘Asa, 50, director of the religious endowments (Awqaf) department in Bethlehem;
    2. Bilal Yonis al-‘Asa, 20;
    3. Hisham Daoud Radaida, 26; and
    4. ‘Abdullah Hassan Radaida, 22.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Khassvillage, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Jamal ‘Aayesh Hamdan, 30.
  • Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Tariq ‘Abdullah Salem, 32.
  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qallil village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamza Nassar Mansour and arrested his two sons: Mahmoud, 20; and Mo’taz, 22.
  • Also at approximately 02:00, IOF military vehicles, covered by drones, moved nearly 600 meters into Sha’af al-Rayes area in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They razed areas of agricultural land. At approximately 07:00, a special unit of IOF raided a house belonging to Tayseer Abu ‘Eida and transformed it into a military site. On the following day morning, IOF destroyed a concrete factory, a citrus treatment factory and brick factory. At approximately 10:00 on the same day, IOF demolished a 3-storey house belonging to Hammad al-Sawarha. During the process of demolition, they killed some sheep. This incursion is still ongoing.
  • At approximately 02:15, an IOF infantry unit moved into ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. IOF soldiers took position near offices of the military medical services and opened fire at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces in the area. As a result, 3 members of the National Security Forces were wounded:

    1. Sa’ad Mahmoud Mosleh, 39, seriously wounded by two live bullets to the abdomen and the left foot;
    2. Eihab Jameel Dwaikat, 27, wounded by two live bullets to the left thigh and the buttocks; and
    3. Hassan Rajeh ‘Abdul Rahman, 25, wounded by shrapnel to the body.

    Soon after, IOF military vehicles moved into the camp to support the infantry unit. IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported. At approximately 05:00, IOF withdrew from the camp.

  • At approximately 14:00, IOF permanently positioned in the center and south of Hebron raided two houses belonging to Radwan and Nour al-Refa’ei al-Ja’bari, 35 and 31 respectively, police officers, in Khellat Hadour in the southeast of the town. They interrogated and abused residents of the two houses. They then searched the two houses and summoned the two brother for interrogation by the Israeli intelligence.

    Tuesday, 7 November 2006

  • At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Jouda Yousef Abu ‘Elaya, 22;
    2. ‘Ouda Fathi Abu ‘Elaya, 24;
    3. Khamis Mahmoud Abu ‘Elaya, 20;
    4. Sameer Mohammed Abu ‘Elaya, 22; and
    5. Mustafa As’ad Abu ‘Elaya, 25.

  • Also at approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Sheikh Riad ‘Abdullah Hamad, 38; and
    2. Muhareb ‘Abdul Qader ‘Ali, 29.

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:

    1. ‘Emad Hasan ‘Ayad, 40;
    2. Bahaa’ Hassan ‘Ayad, 24;
    3. Saleh Mahmoud Jawarish, 35;
    4. Jameel Mahmoud Jawarish, 33;
    5. Ussama Yousef Abu Jadu, 28; and
    6. Raja ‘Ata Harazallah, 33.

  • At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Hashem Tayem al-Rajoub, 49, director of the Islamic Charitable Society in the village; and
    2. Zauhair Hassan al-Hroub, 48.

  • At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including two children:

    1. Ibrahim Fawzi Abu al-Reesh, 17;
    2. Hakeem Sa’adat al-Salhi, 26;
    3. Ameen Sa’dat al-Salhi, 19;
    4. Hamdi Bassam Abu al-Reesh, 18;
    5. Mohammed Ameen Rammaha, 54;
    6. Anwar ‘Abdul Rahman al-Ashqar, 30;
    7. Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahman al-Ashqar, 28;
    8. Hamza Ahmed Abu Khamis, 17;
    9. Shadi Ahmed Abu Khamis, 19;
    10. Ahmed Shawqi Abu Khamis, 51;
    11. Sa’id Sa’adat al-Salhi, 28;
    12. Hazem Salah Khalifa, 20;
    13. Qassem Salah Khalifa, 21;
    14. Salah Khalifa, 53;
    15. Salah Mohammed al-Khatari, 45;
    16. Qais Mohammed Abu Leila, 29; and
    17. Marwan Mohammed Abu Leila, 37.

  • At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Jala town. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Zakariya Yousef Msallam, 31;
    2. Mousa ‘Abdullah al-Barmiz, 35;
    3. ‘Emad Hamza al-Masa’id, 27;
    4. Taleb Ahmed al-Walaji, 38; and
    5. Ahmed Saqer Khader, 20.

  • At approximately 23:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Qalqilya, traveling in a civilian vehicle with an Israeli registration plate. The vehicle stopped near the vegetables market in the center of the town. Six IOF soldiers got out of the vehicle and opened fire at a number of Palestinians in the area. As a result, Waleed Yousef ‘Abdul Latif Zaid, 25, a an intelligence officer, was wounded by a live bullet to the shoulder. IOF soldiers arrested him and 5 other Palestinians: Miqdam Ibraim Jaber, 29; Lu’ai Mustafa Hasayen, 25; Samer Hasan Wahdan, 17; Hashem ‘Abdul Karim Sabri, 30; and Mahmoud Yousef Melhem, 22. Two hours later, Sabri was released, while the other detainees were kept in custody.

    Wednesday, 8 November 2006

  • At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Harmala village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

    1. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sabbah, 23;
    2. Yasser Mahmoud al-Sabbah, 23; and
    3. Mohammed ‘Abed al-Sabbah, 44.

  • Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

    1. Nidal Hasan al-‘Omour, 28; and
    2. Mohammed Kamel al-Badan, 35.

  • At approximately 01:30, an IOF fighter jet drooped a bomb on a two-storey house belonging to Ahmed al-Ja’bari, a leader of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the rmed wing of Hamas, in which 8 people live, in al-Shjaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The house was destroyed and a number of neighboring houses were severely damaged. According to members of the family, a persons phoned the family 10 minutes before the attack, claiming that he is an Israeli officer. He informed them that IOF would bombard the house in a few minutes.
  • At approximately 02:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Yamoun village, southwest of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. They extra-judicially killed 5 Palestinians (see below). They also arrested 12 Palestinians:

    1. Yahia Shahin, 20;
    2. Ahmed Lutfi Labadi, 31;
    3. Mohammed Saim Tahboush, 24;
    4. Yahia Zakariya, 21;
    5. Farah Khamaisa, 24;
    6. Bashar Mohammed Qabala, 24;
    7. Muhannad Mohammed Qabala, 21;
    8. Salama Mohammed Qabala, 19;
    9. Mujahed Mohammed Qabala, 25;
    10. Ibrahim Mahmoud Nawahda, 30;
    11. Salim Ahmed ‘Awad, 27; and
    12. Mohammed Yousef Abu al-Haija, 27.

  • At noon, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration in Hebron, in protest to the killings committed by IOF in Beit Hanoun and Jenin. Immediately, IOF soldiers positioned in the center of the town opened fire at the demonstration, wounding 5 civilians, including a child:

    1. Murad Mohammed al-Ja’ba, 22, seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head and a rubber-coated metal bullet to the jaw;
    2. Murad ‘Abdul Rahman al-Halabi, 20, seriously wounded by several live and rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs;
    3. Ra’ed Mohammed Sharif, 17, wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs;
    4. Ussama Fawzi Jamjoum, 27, wounded by a live bullet to the left foot; and
    5. Ayman Isma’il ‘Owaidat, 22, wounded by a live bullet to the right leg.

    2. Extra-Judicial Executions
    During the reported period, IOF committed 5 extra-judicial executions, which killed 7 members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, 4 members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement, and a civilian bystander. In addition, 9 Palestinians, including 4 civilian bystanders, were wounded.
    According to investigations conducted by PCHR:

  • At approximately 2:00 on Friday, 3 November 2006, an IOF drone fired a missile at a civilian vehicle near Hitteen School in al-Sheja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The missile hit the vehicle directly, killing 3 Hamas activists who were traveling in it:

    1. ‘Emad Riad Mushtaha, 30;
    2. Tamer ‘Ali Hilles, 23; and
    3. Mohammad Talal Farhat, 23.

  • At approximately 21:15 on the same day, an IOF drone fired a missile at a civilian vehicle in ‘Omar Bin al-Khattab Street near Khirbat al-Adas square in Rafah. The vehicle was directly hit by the missile. One Hamas activist in the vehicle was killed and 4 others were seriously wounded. A civilian bystander was also seriously wounded. The activist who was killed is Ahmad Mansour Abu Hmaid, 34.
  • At approximately 05:30 on Saturday, 4 November 2006, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a civilian vehicle in al-Jalaa’ Street in Gaza City. A number of Hamas activists were traveling in the vehicle. One activist was killed and another one was seriously injured. The activist who was killed is Lu’ai Mohammed al-Borno, 33, from al-Zaitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.
  • At approximately 02:30 on Wednesday, 7 November 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved into al-Yamoun village, southwest of Jenin, traveling in a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian registration plate. The vehicle stopped in the center of the village and immediately, IOF soldiers opened fire at a number of Palestinians who were sitting near al-Yamoun Bakery. Four Palestinians were wounded, but they were able to flee into a house belonging to Mohammed Salim Qabala. Soon, IOF military vehicles moved into the village. IOF pursued the wounded Palestinians into the aforementioned house and shot them dead:

    1. Salim Yousef Mahmoud Abu al-Haija, 24, hit by several live bullets to the neck and the legs;
    2. ‘Alaa’ Jameel Khamaisa, 24, hit by a live bullet to the head;
    3. Taher ‘Abed ‘Abahra, 25, hit by live bullets to the head, the chest and the legs; and
    4. Mahmoud Rajeh Abu Hassan, 25, hit by a live bullets to the head and the left leg.

    The four victims were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement. In the meantime, Ayman Suleiman Mahmoud Mustafa, 31, a worker at the aforementioned bakery, got out to check what happened. Immediately, IOF soldiers shot him dead with two live bullets to the chest and the shoulders. Before their withdrawal from the village, IOF arrested 11 Palestinians. The detainees included 3 wounded persons:

    1. Ibrahim Mahmoud Nawahda, 30;
    2. Salim Ahmed ‘Awad, 27; and
    3. Mohammed Yousef Abu al-Haija, 27.

  • At approximately 19:00, an IOF drone fired two missiles at a civilian car, in which two members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades were traveling, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. The two missiles hit the car directly, killing the two activists:

    1. Ahmed Rajab ‘Awad, 30; and
    2. Ramzi Yousef Shuhaiber, 23.


    3. Continued Siege on the OPT
    IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Occupied East Jerusalem.

    Gaza Strip
    Following an attack launched by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006 near the Israeli-Egyptian border, southeast of Rafah, which left two IOF soldiers and two of the attackers dead and a third IOF soldier missing, IOF have closed all border crossings of the Gaza Strip:

  • Rafah International Crossing Point: Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border is the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world. IOF have closed Rafah International Crossing Point, even though they do not directly control it. They have prevented European observers working at the crossing point form reaching it. The crossing point, which has been closed since 25 June 2006, has been opened for only 18 separate days. On Wednesday, 8 November 2006, the crossing point was reopened for a few hours to allow the transfer a number of Palestinians who were wounded in Beit Hanoun town to hospitals abroad.
  • Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: IOF have completely closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank. Before this latest closure, IOF had prevented Palestinian workers from reaching their work places inside Israel through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing since 12 March 2006. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip had been prevented from traveling through this crossing. IOF have allowed international workers to pass through the crossing. With this closure, few Palestinian patients have been able to travel to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank. Palestinian female patients aged under 40 from passing through the crossing, even though most of these patients are in serious conditions and suffer from serious diseases.
  • Al-Mentar (Karni) Commercial Crossing: IOF have closed the crossing, which is the main commercial crossing for the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, the economic situation inside the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated and many goods have been lacked in markets. During the reported period, IOF partially reopened the crossing. They allowed the importation of foodstuffs and medicines into the Gaza Strip, and the exportation of some goods from the Gaza Strip to Israel and the West Bank. IOF have also continued to close Sofa and Kerem Shalom crossings near Rafah.

    The closure of border crossings deprives the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip of their right to freedom of movement, education and health.

    IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on fishing in the Gaza Strip. Following the attack on IOF on 25 June 2006, IOF prevented fishing. Approximately 35,000 people in and around Gaza’s coastal communities rely on the fishing industry, including 2,500 fishermen, 2,500 support staff and their families. Fishermen have been subjected to intensive monitoring by IOF, which use helicopter gunships and gunboats to monitor the fishermen.
    The West Bank

    IOF have imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. They have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian communities.

  • Nablus: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday morning, 4 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Beit Eiba checkpoint, west of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They forced hundreds of Palestinians wishing to enter the city to wait for a longs time. IOF also imposed additional restrictions at the 17 checkpoint at the northern entrance of Nablus. According to a number of Palestinian civilians, they were forced to wait for at least 5 hours before being allowed to cross the checkpoint. On Sunday morning, 5 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Za’tara and Hawara checkpoints, south of Nablus, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF also imposed two military checkpoints at the entrances of Bazaria village, northwest of Nablus.

    At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 4 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at the 17 checkpoint at the northern entrance of Nablus beat, wounded and arrested Haitham Mahmoud Yassin, 22. In his testimony to PCHR, an eyewitness, Mohammed Siddiq Hanbla, 22, from Northern ‘Assira village, said:

    “At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 4 November 2006, it was our vehicle’s turn to be searched by IOF soldiers. We were 5 young men and 4 girls in the vehicles. The girls moved in front of us. One of the 4 soldiers at the checkpoint who checked the girls humiliated the girls and used naughty words. We got angry for that. When the soldiers finished checking the girls, Haitham Mahmoud Yassin, 22, who came from Algeria recently and lives at his uncle’s house, moved forward to be checked. The soldier ordered him to take his shirt up and he did and moved one step towards the soldier. Immediately, the soldier pushed him and ordered him to take his shirt up again. He refused and started to debate the soldier on his behavior with the girls. The soldier pushed him again. Yssin quarreled with the soldier. Immediately, two other soldiers came to support their colleague and violently beat Yassin. On of the soldiers fired into the air and then onto the ground, so we escaped. The soldiers also forces all those who were at the checkpoint away. When we moved away from the checkpoint, the soldiers surrounded Yassin. We were still hear sounds of shooting. We then heard saying: ‘There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet.” We called an ambulance. Soon, we saw an Israeli ambulance coming to the checkpoint. Yassin was put in the ambulance and taken to an unknown destination. I learnt that he was wounded, but I do not know the nature of his wound.”

  • Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. They have also continued to prevent Palestinians aged under 35 from crossing checkpoints around the town. On Thursday, 2 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. As a result, hundreds of civilians were not able to reach their work places. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Friday, 3 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Bal’a intersection, east of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilians vehicles, using bloodhounds. On Saturday, 4 November 2006, IOF closed Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, from 05:00 untill 09:00 and prohibited the movement of Palestinian civilians. When the checkpoint was reopened, IOF soldiers imposed severe restrictions on the movement of civilians. On Sunday, 5 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Wad al-Teen checkpoint, south of Tulkarm. Palestinian civilians were forced to wait for long hours before being allowed to cross the checkpoint. On Monday, 6 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection on Tulkarm - Nablus road. They stopped and checked dozens of Palestinian civilians and prevented them from crossing the checkpoint. They also prevented residents of Beit Leed village from crossing the checkpoint in the morning. On Tuesday, 7 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun intersection, south of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
  • Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in Jenin. On Saturday morning, 4 November 2006, IOF erected a number of checkpoints around Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. In the evening, IOF soldiers positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint at the entrance to the central Jordan Valley obstructed the passage of Palestinian civilian vehicles. On Sunday morning, 6 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at ‘Aqqaba village, southeast of Jenin, and another one on Qabatya - al-Zababda road. IOF soldiers positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint at the entrance to the northern Jordan Valley obstructed the passage of Palestinian civilian vehicles for several hours.

    On Thursday morning, 2 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at Tayaseer checkpoint at the entrance of the northern Jordan Valley, southeast of Jenin, arrested two Palestinian children, claiming that that they were carrying knives:

    1. Yasser Mahmoud Abu Mohsen, 16; and
    2. Kamal Jamal Abu Mohsen, 16, both from Tubas village.

    On Sunday morning, 5 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at the same checkpoint arrested an unknown Palestinian civilian.

    On Tuesday evening, 7 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin, arrested Taha Najeh Lutfi, 19.

  • Hebron: IOF have continued to imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians inside and outside Hebron. During the reported period, IOF erected a number of checkpoints inside the town and stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, allegedly to secure the movement of Israeli settlers. At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 3 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at Qizoun intersection in the northeast of Hebron, and a nother one at Be’r al-Mahjar intersection. They stopped, checked and interrogated many Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 5 November 2006, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Salam intersection in the northwest of the town, and another one at al-Maskoubiya intersection in the west of the town. They stopped, checked and interrogated a number of Palestinian civilians and arrested one of them, 25-year-old Ayman Mahmoud al-Ja’bari. At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Jeser intersection in the north of the town, and another one at al-Tahreer intersection. They stopped, checked and interrogated Palestinian civilians.
  • Bethlehem: at approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 7 November 2006, IOF soldiers positioned at the western entrance of Beit Jala town near Bethlehem arrested Mohammed Mahmoud al-Sabbah, 23, from Harmala village, east of Bethlehem.

    4. Construction of the Annexation Wall
    IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside West Bank territory.

  • At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 3 November 2006, about 400 Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists organized a peaceful demonstration in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Wall. IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, 8 demonstrators, including a child and a French solidarity activist were wounded:

    1. Jose, 70, a French solidarity activist, wounded by a live bullet to the hand;
    2. Amjad ‘Aayed Abu Rahma, 11, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder;
    3. ‘Omar Rida Nasser, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the shoulder;
    4. Ashraf Mohammed al-Khatib, 24, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to leg;
    5. Ibrahim ‘Abdul Qader Barnat, 25, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the hand;
    6. Bader ‘Ali al-Khatib, 35, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the leg;
    7. Sharar Jaber Mansour, 22, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh; and
    8. Wa’el Mustafa Nasser, 31, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the neck.

  • On Sunday morning, 5 November 2006, IOF resumed the construction of sections of the Wall to the north of occupied Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, IOF closed areas located near Dahiat al-Barid suburb and al-Ram village and placed high cement blocks. They closed the entrance to Dahiat al-Barid suburb with cement block, thus linking it with a section of the wall extending from Qalandya checkpoint on Ramallah - Jerusalem road to a checkpoint near Nsaiba neighborhood to the north of Beit Hanina suburb. Thus, IOF completely separated Dahiat al-Barid suburb and al-Ram village from Jerusalem, even though their residents have Israeli identity cards. Hundreds of Palestinian families have been forced to move to the city to preserve their vital interest and not lose their identity cards. Palestinian traders from the West Bank, who established businesses in the two areas in light of restrictions imposed by IOF on the movement of Palestinians in other areas to the West Bank, have been forced to close their businesses. It is worth noting that at least 70,000 Palestinians, most of them have Israeli identity cards, live in Dahiat al-Barid suburb and al-Ram village.
  • At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 6 November 2006, IOF razed areas of agricultural land and uprooted hundreds of grape and almond trees in the west of Jourat al-Sham’a village, south of Bethlehem. They also dug foundations to construct a section of the Wall in the area. IOF prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their lands, which are the main source of incomes for many families.

    Recommendations to the International Community
    1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

    2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

    3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

    4. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.

    5. 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.

    6. PCHR calls upon the member States of the EU, and all other states, to adopt a voting pattern at the UN bodies, particularly the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights which is keeping with international law.

    7. PCHR demands that the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion be immediately implemented by the international community.

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

    9. 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.

    10. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human rights in the OPT and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

    11. In light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupying forces on access for international organizations to the OPT, PCHR calls upon European countries to deal with Israeli citizens in a similar manner.

    12. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

    The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is an independent legal body based in Gaza City dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists, the Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network. PCHR is a recipient of the 1996 French Republic Award for Human Rights.

    Related Links

  • Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)