Damaging the content of a house in Kafr Qaddoum village in Qalqilya while IOF moved into the village.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
A Palestinian civilian and two resistance activists were wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
5 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded.
Dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 52 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 32 Palestinians, including 6 children, in the West Bank.
A house was damaged and some jewelry was lost during house raids.
IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (05 – 11 April 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF wounded 8 Palestinians, including 6 civilians, one of whom is a journalist, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, IOF wounded 5 civilians, including journalist, during the dispersion of peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. Dozens of civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, on 07 April 2012, two Palestinian resistance activists were wounded by an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
On 08 April, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by IOF while he was collecting junks in the east of Gaza City.
During the reporting period, IOF opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
Israeli gunboats also opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip 3 times.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 52 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 32 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 31 March 2012, a number of Israeli settlers attacked 4 Palestinian civilians who were traveling near Mikhmas intersection, east of Ramallah. These civilians were on their way to an agricultural area in Deir Dibwan village, east of Ramallah. The settlers attacked them with iron tubes and bars and sprinkled a spicy material at them. As a result, Rajaa’ Sabri ‘Aridh, 57, sustained fractures to her left hand and bruises throughout the body, and Ahmed Muharram al-Zeer, 50, sustained bruises.
On the same day, a number of masked Israeli settlers from “Beit Ain” settlement attached a Palestinian farmer, Mohammed ‘Abdul Hamid al-Sulaibi, 67, and his family in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, while they were working on their land. Al-Suliabi’s children were extremely terrified.
On 02 April 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Ja’wana area in the east of Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. Without warning, they immediately dismantled and confiscated 6 tents and two water tanks. This attack had been the second of its kind in the area since 14 February 2012.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (05 – 11 April 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 05 April 2012
At approximately 00:10, IOF positioned in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the industrial zone located to the northwest of Beit Hanoun town. Palestinian civilians livening in the surrounding areas were extremely terrified. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 20 Palestinians, including 4 children:
1. Riad Mohammed Eshtaiwi, 38, a police officer;
2. Tha’er Bassim Eshtaiwi, 38, a police officer;
3. Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Aamer, 25;
4. Hikmat Mahmoud Eshtaiwi, 35;
5. Nasfat Mahmoud Eshtaiwi, 26;
6. Harb Mashour Jom’a, 18;
7. ‘Alqama Mahmoud Jom’a, 24;
8. Mohammed Majed Jom’a, 17;
9. Mujahed Hassan ‘Abbas, 34;
11. 10. Ahmed ‘Abdul Qader ‘Abdullah, 17;
12. Salam Tayseer Barham, 20;
13. Yousef Mustafa Eshtaiwi, 17;
14. Qais Shaher Jom’a, 16;
15. Raslan ‘Aladdin Jom’a, 25;
16. Wassim ‘Abdul Fattah Eshtaiwi, 25;
17. Aws ‘Abdul Raziq ‘Aamer, 24;
18. Mujahed Subhi Darwish, 22;
19. Sbari ‘Ata Eshtaiwi, 22;
20. Tariq Mohammed ‘Aamer, 19; and
21. Mahmoud Nasser Eshtaiwi, 19.
According to ‘Ata Sabri Eshtaiwi, 44, his wife lost her jewelry when IOF raided his house.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Ma’rouf Taqatqa, 37, and arrested him. They then raided and searched a house belonging to his father, M’oayad, 43, and arrested him
At approximately 08:40, IOF moved into Rammoun village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:20, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They opened fire indiscriminately. Consequently, Palestinian farmers and workers in the area were forced to leave it. IOF fired 4 artillery shells at the area and leveled areas of Palestinian land that had been already razed. IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 19:30. No casualties or damage were reported.
At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00, IOF positioned in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the industrial zone located to the northwest of Beit Hanoun town. Palestinian civilians livening in the surrounding areas were extremely terrified. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 06 April 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Jabriyat suburb, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Wajeeh Tamimi, 16, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither casualties nor damage were reported.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and transformed a house belonging to Bakr ‘Adnan ‘Ali into a military site. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:20, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. A number of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys. A number of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians. Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys. A number of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 07 April 2012
At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither casualties nor damage were reported.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:40, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Shaqba village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aaur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into ‘Aaboud village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:40, IOF moved into Khirbat Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at a motorcycle on which two activists of the Palestinian resistance who were traveling in Taha Hussein Street in Khirbat al-‘Adas area in the northeast of Rafah. The missiles exploded near the motorcycles and the two activists were wounded moderately by shrapnel throughout the body.
Also at approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Sunday, 08 April 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number o houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Mousa Ahmed al-Bulbol, 27;
2. Tariq Husni Abu al-Haija, 25; and
3. Wa’el Fakhri Turkman, 16.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ameen Ahmed al-‘Asafra, 23.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef Mahmoud Abu Shamla, 20, and arrested him. They released him at approximately 09:30 on the same day.
At approximately 02:35, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:
1. Ashraf Ahmed Hussein, 28;
2. ‘Alaa’ Bassem Hussein, 24;
3. ‘Abdul Hadi Mahmoud Shbaita, 26; and
4. Sa’id Wassef Radwan, 24.
At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and neither casualties nor damage were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys. IOF withdrew later and neither casualties nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:20, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a shop of car parts. They withdrew at approximately 15:00 and neither house raids no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:30, Ahmed Hussein Hassanain, 23, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, was admitted into Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, as he was wounded by a bullet to the right foot. Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at him when he was collecting junks in the east of Juhor al-Dik village, east of Gaza City.
At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Sirris village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:40, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:10, IOF moved into Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 09 April 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bilal ‘Abdul Salam Tamimi, 46, an activist of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Movement, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho and the neighboring ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. They withdrew from the area at approximately 14:00.
At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved hundreds of meters into Khuza’a village and al-Fukhari area, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. They withdrew from these areas in the evening.
At approximately 11:45, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Budros village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:10, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:05, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the southern Gaza Strip of Khan Yunis opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the Khuza’a village. Two houses belonging to the al-Najjar family were damaged.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 demonstrators and a journalist were wounded, and dozens of others suffered from tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 06 April 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending the political split. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 March 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and called for national unity and for the release of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. They moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday prayer on 06 April 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. A result, 3 civilians, including Ahmed Jamal Dgahlas, 27, a freelance journalist, were wounded, and other demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation (PCHR keeps names of the wounded).
At approximately 01:20 on Friday, 06 April 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. IOF fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, two demonstrators, including a child, were hit directly by tear gas canisters. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 57 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
04 – 10 April 2012
| Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
| Wednesday | 04 April 2012 | 700 | 813 | 28 |
| Thursday | 05 April 2012 | 653 | 693 | 53 |
| Friday | 06 April 2012 | -- | 1 and the body of a dead one | -- |
| Saturday | 07 April 2012 | 527 | 600 | 28 |
| Sunday | 08 April 2012 | 430 | 476 | 34 |
| Monday | 09 April 2012 | 637 | 463 | 43 |
| Tuesday | 10 April 2012 | 593 | 519 | 52 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
02 – 09 April 2012
Imports:
| Date | Imports | |||
| Category | Amount | |||
| Tons | Number | Liters | ||
| 02 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 706 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,151 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of shoes Electricity towers Refrigerators Electricity generators Glass boards Cars Washing machines | 1,093 | 472 60 116 27 520 20 238 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 3,868 | |||
| Cooking gas | 184.170 | |||
| Diesel | 143,200 | |||
| 03 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 723 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,020 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Water tanks | 971 | 1,348 60 100 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 2,387 | |||
| Cooking gas | 138.480 | |||
| Benzene | 16,500 | |||
| Diesel | 62,200 | |||
| 04 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 904 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 168 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Washing machines Car tires Water tanks | 1,244 | 1,217 211 162 114 1,120 256 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 3,661 | |||
| Cooking gas | 184.910 | |||
| Diesel | 36,000 | |||
| Benzene | 77,000 | |||
| 05 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 604 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,122 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Refrigerators Water tanks Cartons of shoes Cars Electricity generators Cows Air conditioners | 1,463 | 1,463 273 80 362 20 24 348 209 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 2,944 | |||
| Cooking gas | 211.060 | |||
| Industrial fuel | 595,582 | |||
| 08 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 422 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 915 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Cartons of shoes Refrigerators Photocopiers Water tan | 826 | 391 4,883 88 17 132 | ||
| Humanitarian aid | 4,439 | |||
| Cooking gas | 210.060 | |||
| Industrial fuel | 573,065 | |||
| Benzene | 80,021 | |||
| 09 April 2012 | Foodstuffs | 604 | ||
| Agricultural materials | 1,122 | |||
| Various goods Cartons of clothes Bakery machines Refrigerators | 1,463 | 1,144 1 50 | ||
| Humanitarian aid Electricity transmitters | 3,924 4 | |||
| Cooking gas | 184.820 | |||
| Benzene | 42,030 | |||
| Diesel | 73,000 | |||
| Industrial fuel | 584,393 | |||
Exports:
On Tuesday, 03 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 513,000 flowers.
On Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 252,000 flowers.
On Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 211,000 flowers.
Notes:
On Monday, 02 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 456 tons of cement and 2,030 of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 160 tons of cement and 840 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders and 120 tons of wheat.
On Tuesday, 03 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 330 tons of cement, 1,820 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRAW. They also allowed the entry to 39 tons of construction steel, 702 tons of fodders and 156 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 04 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 318 tons of cement, 2,730 tons of construction aggregates and 82 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 39 tons of construction steel, 936tons of fodders and 78 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 464 tons of cement and 2,100 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 702 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 640 tons of cement, 3,430 tons of construction aggregates and 54 tons of construction steel. They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 09 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 400 tons of cement, 3,150 tons of construction aggregates and 70 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of fodders and 109 tons of wheat.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
04 – 10 April 2012
| Date | 04 April | 05 April | 06 April | 07 April | 08 April | 09 April | 10 April |
| Patients | 21 | 25 | Nil | Nil | 30 | 18 | 33 |
| Companions | 27 | 29 | Nil | Nil | 27 | 19 | 30 |
| Arabs from Israel | 2 | 16 | Nil | Nil | 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Diplomats | 5 | 7 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 6 | 3 |
| International Journalists | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| International Workers | 32 | 65 | Nil | Nil | 13 | 22 | 15 |
| Travelers abroad | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Business People | 93 | 78 | Nil | Nil | 89 | 107 | 74 |
| Economic Meetings | 5 | 3 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Security Interviews | 1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 2 | 1 |
| VIP's | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Ambulances to Israel | 2 | 2 | Nil | 1 | 1 | 2 | Nil |
| Ambulances from Israel | 3 | 1 | 1 | Nil | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
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, confiscating more Palestinian land.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing young Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. On Monday morning, 09 April 2012, IOF closed all entrance of the old town of Jerusalem. They established several checkpoints to allow thousands of Jews to celebrate the Jewish Easter. At night, IOF closed the main entrance of al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem, with cement blocks.
Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30, they established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 06 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah, and another one at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 20:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. s
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin. At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 09 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. At the same time, IOF positioned at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus, east of Tulkarm, impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 09 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Allr intersection, north of Tulkarm.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 19:30, IOF established a checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road. At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 06 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 07 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 11:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 08 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893). 
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