The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations

Affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists – Geneva

Member of the International Federation for Human Rights – Paris

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

Israeli Human Rights Violations Continue in the OPTs While The International Community Remains Silent

16 Palestinian civilians, including five children and three women, killed by Israeli occupying forces

A series of Israeli incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, accompanied by intense shelling and a number of Palestinians killed or wounded

Two new assassinations in Jenin and Bethlehem and three Palestinians killed

Large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the Gaza Strip razed

Continued Israeli retaliatory campaign against families of wanted Palestinians and those who carried out armed attacks against Israeli targets

Continued strict siege on the OPTs and arbitrary measures at military checkpoints

Introduction

Israeli occupying forces have committed further human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including apparent willful killings, extra-judicial assassinations, indiscriminate shelling, and incursions into Palestinian areas and the razing of agricultural land. This week, 16 Palestinian civilians, including five children and three women were killed.

In a continuation of the policy of assassinations, officially adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupying forces committed two assassinations this week in Jenin and Bethlehem, in which three Palestinians were killed. On 13 October, a Palestinian was killed when an explosion occurred in a telephone cabin. An Israeli helicopter was seen flying over the area shortly before the explosion occurred. Later, an Israeli military spokesman admitted responsibility for the assassination. On 14 October, Israeli occupying forces shot dead two Palestinians and arrested a third one, while they were traveling in a car on a branch road near Jenin.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces committed human rights violations against Palestinian civilians in Rafah. This week, Israeli forces moved into the town on two occasions, killing four Palestinian civilians, including a 3-year-old child, and wounding dozens of others. They also destroyed four houses and demolished eight others. In the first invasion of the town on 10 October, Israeli occupying forces shot dead two Palestinian civilians and destroyed and demolished six houses. A number of houses were also damaged. In the second invasion on 13 October, Israeli occupying forces killed two Palestinian civilians, and wounded more than 20 others. They also destroyed and demolished six houses, and arrested 10 Palestinian civilians. A number of houses were damaged. On 16 October, Israeli occupying forces shelled the town intensely, killing a Palestinian civilian and wounding 14 others, mostly children.

In five incidents of apparent willful killing, this week, Israeli occupying forces shot dead five Palestinian civilians. On 12 October, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian farmer in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. In the evening of the same day, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian woman in Nablus and wounded her husband and son. On 13 October, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian woman in Jenin, while she was traveling in a car on her way back to her village. On 13 and 15 October, Israeli occupying forces shot dead two Palestinian civilians in Tulkarm.

In a step apparently aimed at destroying the Palestinian economy and with the season of olive cultivation having just started, Israeli occupying forces razed hundreds of donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives in the Gaza Strip.

In violation of the international law and humanitarian law which prohibit collective punishment, Israeli occupying forces took retaliatory measures against families of wanted Palestinians and of those who have carried attacks against Israeli targets both inside the Green Line and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In this context, Israeli occupying forces destroyed three Palestinian houses this week, and used a Palestinian civilian as a human shield to arrest a wanted Palestinian.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT, collectively punishing Palestinian people. Israeli forces have partitioned Palestinian areas, transforming them into cantons, violating Palestinian civilians' economic, social and cultural rights. In the Gaza Strip, on 14 and 15 October, Israeli occupying forces closed Abu Houli and al-Matahen military checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis. They blocked cars between the two checkpoints, checked a number of Palestinian civilians, and arrested three of them. Between 7 to 15 October, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a curfew on al-Mawasi area to the west of Khan Yunis. Many people who exited the area before the curfew was imposed have been blocked outside the area.

Following are details of the human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces during the period 10-16 October 2002:

Destruction and Encroachment in the Palestinian Territories

Thursday, 10 October 2002

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and supported by combat helicopters, moved approximately 200m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli combat helicopters and heavy military vehicles shelled the area intensely. Israeli forces imposed a curfew and raided several houses. They proceeded to destroy two houses causing damage to a number of neighboring houses, and expelling the occupants. In the meantime, Israeli armored military bulldozers demolished four houses and destroyed electricity, water and telephone networks. As a result of the Israeli shelling, four Palestinian civilians were wounded while inside their houses, as an artillery shell hit the 130-square-meter, two-story house leaving it burnt out. Three families, making up 15 people, lived in the building, which is owned by Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed Barhoum. Residents of the house had left it when the Israeli invasion began. At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces started withdrawing from the area, under the cover of intense shelling. A Palestinian child, Tha'er Salah al-Hout, 12, was killed by a live bullet in the left eye, while on his way to school. At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces completed their withdrawal from the area although shelling continued for some time afterwards. Palestinian civilians left their houses to examine the damage left by the incursion. A number of them gathered near al-Tawhid Mosque, approximately 70m away from the border. Israeli occupying forces opened fire at the gathering, killing 18-year-old Eihab Fathi al-Moghayar, with a bullet in his back.

The following are details of the houses that were either destroyed or demolished by Israeli occupying forces in the area:

1. Israeli forces destroyed a 250 square-meter, one-story house, in which 10 people used to live, owned by Yahia Hassan Khalil al-Masri.

2. Israeli forces destroyed a 247 square-meter, one-story house, in which three families comprised of 20 persons used to live, owned by Ibrahim 'Atallah Abu Sha'ar.

3. Israeli bulldozers demolished an 80 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which one person used to live, owned by 'Aaisha Suleiman Ahmed al-Tantawi.

4. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 100 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two persons used to live, owned by Eyad 'Ouda Mohammed Khafaja.

5. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 120 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which nine persons used to live, owned by Fatema 'Abdul Nabi al-Sheikh 'Eid.

6. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 150 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which two families comprised of eight people used to live, owned by 'Eid 'Aaref 'Abdul Jalil Hussein.

Those wounded were:

1. Yasser Mohammed al-Hams, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

2. Mohammed Mousa Abu Jazar, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh;

3. Mahmoud Mousa 'Aashour, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and

4. Shadi Mohammed al-Soufi, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.

With the apparent intention of further weakening the Palestinian economy, as the season of olive cultivation began, Israeli occupying forces continued their campaign of razing areas of Palestinian agricultural land planted with olives, which they initiated on 7 October. Up until Sunday 13 October, Israeli occupying forces razed more than 600 donums of agricultural land planted with olives, located east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, some of which were documented in last week's report. Five wells were also destroyed. Following are details of the areas of agricultural ground razed by Israeli occupying forces, which PCHR field workers were able to document:

1. Israeli occupying forces razed a 22-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Daoud Mohammed Khader, his brothers ‘Ali and Ibrahim and his niece Fatema Mahmoud Khader.

2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdul Nabi Mohammed Fadhel al-Bursh.

3. They razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned “Mohammed ‘Eissa” Dhib ‘Abdullah Hamada.

4. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Mahani.

5. They razed a 4.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and citrus, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Ahmed ‘Alloush.

6. They razed a 5.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with almonds, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Ali Yassin al-Sultan.

7. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Talal Musbah al-Zain.

8. They razed a 1.4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ziad Ahmed ‘Abdul Rahman Khader.

9. They razed an 11-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Mahmoud Mahani.

10. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu al-Husni.

11. They razed a 1.4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hosn Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu al-Husni.

12. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mustafa Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu al-Husni.

13. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Joma’a Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu al-Husni.

14. They razed a 1.4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fatema Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman al-Husni.

15. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Shukri ‘Abdullah ‘Elwan.

16. They razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Khair ‘Abdullah ‘Elwan.

17. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Kamela, Huda and Ne’ma ‘Abdullah ‘Elwan.

18. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Khadra Ahmed Mohammed ‘Elwan.

19. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Farah Mousa Nnabhan.

20. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Ata Nousa Nabhan.

21. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Aatef Mousa Nabhan.

22. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Abdullah Mohammed Rihan.

23. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hamed Mohammed Hamdi al-Jamal.

24. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Jamal ‘Aayesh Joma’a al-Najjar.

25. They razed a 2.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hhammouda Joma’a al-Najjar.

26. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Mohammed Joma’a al-Najjar.

27. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Fathi al-Najjar.

28. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by ‘Aayesh Abu Warda.

29. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Ahmed Abu Warda.

30. They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Arafa Sultan Mohammed Madani.

31. They razed a 7-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Salem Salama Suleiman and brothers.

32. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed an agricultural pool and a greenhouse owned by ‘Ouda Salama Suleiman.

33. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives, and destroyed a well owned by Shehda Mustafa Abu al-Kas.

34. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Shehda Abu ‘Obeid.

35. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Zaki Ramadan ‘Omar Juneid.

36. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Hafez Ramadan Juneid.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of the "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Ibrahim 'Abdul Fattah Huneideq, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the foot, while he was near his house.

At approximately 17:00, medical sources in 'Affoula Hospital inside the Green Line, declared that Bader Bader Rashed 'Amru, 30, from Hebron, succumbed to a wound he sustained by Israeli occupying forces a week earlier. According to information available for PCHR, at approximately 06:00 on Friday, 4 October, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into Jenin and took position in Abu Baker Street. They opened fire at passing Palestinians, wounding 'Amru, a member of the Palestinian National Security Force, with two live bullets to the head and the right shoulder. He was traveling in his car wearing civilian clothes when he was wounded. He was evacuated to a hospital in Jenin, and from there he was moved to Affoula Hospital, where he has remained until his death.

Friday, 11 October 2002

At approximately 03:00, medical sources at Shifa' Hospital in Gaza City declared that Tariq 'Abdul Karim Qudieh, 22, from Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis, succumbed to a wound he sustained in the head by Israeli forces last week. Qudeih was pronounced clinically dead. He was hit by shrapnel in the head when an Israeli combat helicopter fired a missile at Palestinian civilians, who gathered after an Israeli invasion of the town, leaving a total of 15 Palestinian civilians dead.

At approximately 14:00, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis declared that Fathia 'Abdullah Joma'a al-Soufi, 43, from Rafah, succumbed to a wound she sustained approximately two weeks ago. According to PCHR's investigation, al-Soufi was seriously wounded in the head on 30 September, when a flare bomb fired by Israeli occupying forces hit her house in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. The flare bomb penetrated the roof of her house and hit her in the head while she was making breakfast for her children.

Saturday, 12 October 2002

In an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian farmer in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers on a tank, positioned on the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of 'Abasan village, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers and workers, who were working on stabling water pipelines on a tract of agricultural land in al-Farrahin area, owned by Salim 'Abdul Rahman Qudieh, approximately 600m west of the border. 'Arafat Salim Qudeih, 21, the owner's son, was seriously wounded by a bullet to head. He was evacuated in a civilian car to hospital, but was dead upon arrival.

In a similar incident, at approximately 19:00, while four Israeli military jeeps were patrolling in (15) Street in Rafidya neighborhood in Nablus, a number of Palestinian children gathered and swore at Israeli soldiers. Immediately, Israeli soldiers chased and fired at the children, killing Shaden Abu Hajla, a well-known female figure in Nablus, with a live bullet in the heart. In addition, her husband, Dr. Jamal 'Abdul Karim Abu Hajla, 64, was wounded by shrapnel in the head, and her son, Sa'ed Abu Hajla, 32, was wounded by shrapnel in the chest. According to the son, three were hit by live bullets while they were sitting in the garden of their house.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 500m into Boba' area, west of "Kfar Darom" settlement in the southeast of Deir al-Balah. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:

1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives owned by Suleimna Mohammed Abu Salim.

2. They razed a 1-donum area of agricultural land planted with carrots, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by 'Othman Salama Baraka.

Sunday, 13 October 2002

In a new war crime committed by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians and their property, at approximately 01:00, Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 200m into Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah. They seized control of the area and imposed a curfew. They ordered residents of the area to stay in their houses, unless there were tunnels inside. Some residents were able to leave their houses, while others were not given the opportunity to leave. Israeli soldiers raided the houses and mounted roofs of some of them, transforming them into military locations from which they fired around the area. Ibrahim Mohammed Yousef al-Ghouti, 26, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the abdomen, while he was near his house searching for a more secure place. In addition, four civilians were wounded. At approximately 04:20, Israeli soldiers broke into two houses. They planted bombs inside and destroyed them both. More than 20 neighboring houses were damaged, and 2.5-year-old Tawfiq Hussam Bureika was killed, hit by collapsing parts of his family's house. In addition, 19 civilians, mostly women and children, including two pregnant women, sustained bruises and injuries. Upon their withdrawal from the area, Israeli occupying forces demolished four houses and razed 10 donums of agricultural land. They also arrested 10 Palestinians, including five brothers. According to a PCHR field worker, Israeli forces destroyed the electricity, water and telephone networks. After Israeli forces had withdrawn from the area, Palestinian civilians found a statement signed by the command of Israeli occupying forces, calling for Palestinians not to aide "terrorists" and claiming that the destruction they caused in the area was because Palestinian gunmen were among local residents.

Following are details of the houses in the area that were either destroyed or demolished by Israeli occupying forces:[1]

1. Israeli forces destroyed a 250 sqaure-meter, one-story house, in which five families comprised of 20 persons used to live, owned by Ashraf Hussein 'Abdul 'Aziz Zo'rob.

2. Israeli forces destroyed a 150 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which six people used to live, owned by Yasser Hussein 'Abdul 'Aziz Zo'rob.

3. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 200 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which five people used to live, owned by Hamda Mansour Hadian Duheir.

4. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 230 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which seven people used to live, owned by 'Aliaa' Mansour Hadian Duheir.

5. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 150 square-meter, two-story house, in which two people used to live, owned by Sarari Joma'a 'Abdul Qader Duheir.

6. Israeli bulldozers demolished a 200 square-meter, one-story house, in which eight people used to live, owned by Mohammed Mansour Hadian Duheir.

Following are details of areas of agricultural land that were razed by Israeli occupying forces:

1. They razed a 1 donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse stood, owned by 'Abdul Hadi 'Aashour Duheir.

2. They razed a 1 donum area of agricultural land, on which a greenhouse stood, owned by Mohammed Mansour Duheir.

3. They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land, on which 4 greenhouses stood, owned by Shaker Nasser Duheir.

4. They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and onions owned by Shehda Ahmed Zo'rob.

Those wounded by the Israeli gunfire were:

1. Ramzi 'Ali Isma'il Zo'rob, 24, critically wounded by two live bullets in the chest and the left forearm;

2. Refa'at Mohammed Zo'rob, 23, seriously wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the right arm;

3. 'Aadel Ibrahim Zo'rob, 37, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm; and

4. 'Ammar Ibrahim Zo'rob, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

Those arrested by Israeli occupying forces were:

1. Zuhair Sabri Rajab Bureika, 45;

2. 'Aatef Sabri Rajab Bureika, 30;

3. Khaled Sabri Rajab Bureika, 22;

4. Ghassan Sabri Rajab Bureika, 30;

5. Mohammed Sabri Rajab Bureika, 18;

6. Riad Hussein 'Abdul 'Aziz Zo'rob, 50;

7. 'Alaa' Riad Hussein Zo'rob, 18;

8. Walid Salem Zo'rob, 40;

9. Sami Mahmoud Zo'rob, 30; and

10. Salim Ibrahim Saqer, 40.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 400m into al-Farrahin area in 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. Shortly an Israeli armored military bulldozer demolished three bird farms that stood on a 800 square-meter of land owned by Fu'ad Mohammed Ahmed Abu Farhana. It also demolished a 40 square-meter building that served as offices, and destroyed a water network and a number of water tanks. A PCHR field worker reported that the three farms had stopped working for more than a year, as they had been repeatedly fired at by Israeli forces from military locations on the eastern border of the Gaza Strip.

Also at approximately 13:00, a civilian car driven by Muthanna Mohammed Ahmed 'Obied, in which 10 civilians were traveling, was on its way from Jenin Kufor Ra'ei village through a branch road. When the car exited the branch road towards the Nablus-Jenin road, a number of Israeli soldiers, who were concealed in neighbouring fields, appeared and fired at the car without any prior warning. Yusra 'Abdul Rahman Sawalha, 45, who was traveling in the car, was killed by a live bullet in the chest. In addition two women were wounded:

1. Samah 'Aayed Faleh Sa'abna, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the side; and

2. Rahma Rida Mursehd, 55, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces from military locations in the vicinity of "Neve Dekalim" settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. Mahmoud Saleh al-Mubasher, 19, was wounded by shrapnel in the left ear while he was near his house. Live bullets hit UNRWA elementary schools and the Nasser Hospital building, damaging them, but no casualties were reported. The hospital was shelled by Israeli forces last week, and four Palestinian civilians, including two medical personnel, were wounded.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into the eastern part of Tulkarm. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones towards Israeli heavy military vehicles that were positioned 200m away from them. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding 18-year-old Taher Mohammed Hassan Qennab with a live bullet in the left leg. When he fell onto the ground, Israeli soldiers fired at him again, killing him with three live bullets in the neck, the chest and the right knee.

Monday, 14 October 2002

At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces in military locations at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Beit Hanoun, shelled Palestinian residential areas adjacent to the border. Manwa Salim Sa'id al-Tarabin, 50, was wounded by shrapel from a fletchette shell in the left leg. A PCHR field worker reported that the shell penetrated the wall of a room in the house of 'Alaal Dalloul, in which al-Tarabin had sheltered, as her house is reputedly shelled by Israeli forces.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying soldier on a moveable observation tower at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of 'Abasan village in Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas and agricultural land. Suleiman Mahmoud Qassem, 17, was wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the right thigh, while he was in his house in Bani Suhaila village, approximately 1500m from the border. A number of houses were also damaged.

Tuesday, 15 October 2002

At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 400m into al-Birka area in the south of Deir al-Balah. An Israeli armored military bulldozer razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land listed below.

1. It razed a 1.5 donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives, on which a greenhouse stood, owned by Sha'ban 'Abdul Karim al-Salqawi.

2. It razed a 1 donum area of agricultural land planted with onions owned Hassan Ahmed al-Salqawi.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into the eastern district of Tulkarm. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones towards Israeli forces, which responded by opening fire at the stone throwers. Mahmoud Sabri Khalil Tammouni, 18, was critically wounded by three live bullets in the abdomen. He was evacuated to hospital, but efforts made to save his life were in vain.

Wednesday, 16 October 2002

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces in a military location near Salah al-Din Gate at the Palestinian-Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas adjacent to the border, wounding 15 Palestinian civilians in their houses and on the street, one of whom succumbed to his wound later that night. The Israeli gunfire, which continued until 18:00, affected an UNRWA elementary school, approximately 1500m north of the border. According to a PCHR field officer, Ahmed Salama 'Asfour, 53, was critically wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the head, while he was passing in 'Omar Ben al-Khattab Street, approximately 600m away from the border. He was going shopping in preparation for his daughter's wedding, which was to be held this weekend. He was evacuated to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah but so critical was his condition that he was moved to the Shifa' Hospital in Gaza, but all efforts made to save his life failed and he succumbed to his wound at approximately 21:30.

The others wounded were:

1. Ahmed Salah Abu Sha'ar, 12, wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the left shoulder and the chest while at school;

2. 'Abdullah Suleiman Radwan, 34, wounded by shrapnel in the right eye;

3. Akram Kamel Darwish, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the chest and the back;

4. Ra'ed 'Awni Duheir, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;

5. Ahmed Mahmoud al-Sha'er, 3, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh;

6. Jamal Sha'ban Radwan, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the right eye;

7. Hani 'Ouda al-Nahhal, 25, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg;

8. Khalil Khaled Mansour, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the legs;

9. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Nujili, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the legs;

10. Jihad 'Essam Hammad, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the right leg;

11. Mahmoud Mohammed al-Sidoudi, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the buttocks;

12. Mansour Mohammed Mo'ammar, 11, wounded by shrapnel in the back;

13. Ghada Yousef Qeshta, 7, wounded by two live bullets in the left leg; and

14. Lutfi Lutfi al-Barahma, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the back.

Assassinations

In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli occupying forces committed two new assassinations, in which three Palestinians were killed in Bethlehem and Jenin.

The first assassination took place on Sunday evening, 13 October, in which Mohammed Taleb Eshteiwi 'Ebayat, 27, from Bethlehem, was killed. According to information available for PCHR, 'Ebayat went in the evening to Beit Jala Hospital with his sick mother. At approximately 20:10, he exited the hospital to make a phone call from a public phone. As soon as he entered the phone cabin, a heavy explosion occurred and he was instantly killed. According to eyewitnesses, the sound of the explosion was heard from a distance of several kilometers, while the explosion threw 'Ebayat's body about 15m away from the phone cabin. An Israeli helicopter was seen flying over the area shortly before the explosion occurred. Later, an Israeli military spokesman admitted responsibility for assassinating 'Ebayat, according to the Israeli radio in Arabic. 'Ebayat was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for his activities in the Intiafada.

Less than 24 hours later, Israeli occupying forces committed another assassination in Jenin. According to information available for PCHR, at approximately 17:00 on Monday, 14 October, three Palestinians: Wassim Ahmed Saba'na, 23; Mohammed Faisal Tawfiq Nazzal, 24, both from Jenin; and Mohammed Nafe' Mousa, 27, from Marka village, were traveling in a civilian car on branch road between the villages of Kufor Qoud and Kafirat, southwest of Jenin. When they arrived in the al-Manshia area a civilian car that had a Palestinian number intercepted them. Eight veiled and armed people, an undercover unit of the Israeli occupying forces, got out of the car. Three Israeli helicopters flew over the area and four Israeli armored personnel carriers arrived to reinforce the undercover unit. At approximately 19:30, the Israeli liaison phoned its Palestinian counterpart, informing that Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, and requesting an ambulance to come to a Israeli military base, south of Jenin, to retrieve the bodies. The two bodies were moved to hospital in Jenin, where the two victims were identified as Wassim Ahmed Saba'ana, who was shot by seven live bullets in the head, the chest, the back and the left shoulder and leg, and Mohammed Mousa Nafe', 27, who was shot by two live bullets in the head and the chest. The third Palestinian was seriously wounded and arrested. The three were activists of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin.

Collective Punishment Measures against Families of Palestinians Who Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

In violation of international law and humanitarian law, which prohibit collective punishment and punishing any protected person for an offense he or she has not personally committed, Israeli occupying forces took retaliatory measures against families of Palestinians who have carried attacks against Israeli targets in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by those forces.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 14 October, Israeli occupying forces moved into Maraqa village, east of Jenin. They surrounded the house of Anwar Ibrahim Abu Jalboush and opened fire at the house. A Palestinian civilian was wounded inside the house. Israeli forces arrested three Palestinians:

1. Wa'el Kamel Ahmed Abu Jalboush, 26, who was wounded by two live bullets in the legs;

2. Muntasser Ahmed Mustafa Mousa, 24; and

3. Salah Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Jalboush, 25.

At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Israeli occupying forces moved into the same village again, and destroyed a 150-square-meter, two-story house, owned by Anwar Abu Jalboush, claiming that wanted Palestinians had shelter in it.

At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 15 October, Israeli occupying forces surrounded the house of 'Abdul Hadi Suleiman Ahmed Habiba, 52, in Sanour village, southwest of Jenin. They forced the 10 residents of the house out onto the street. They used the owner and his wife, Zeinab Ahmed Saleh Habiba, 50, as human shield to enter the house of his son Nasser, 24. Israeli soldiers ordered the two spouses to call on their son to surrender. When he exited, Israeli soldiers handcuffed the father and four of his sons and detained them for three hours. Then, Israeli forces moved the family 500m away and partially destroyed the first floor of the family's house. Upon their withdrawal, Israeli forces arrested Nasser Habiba and Najeh Hussein Qe'dan, 34.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Qabatya village, east of Jenin. They surrounded the house of Yousef Mohammed 'Abdullah Tazaza'a and demolished it, claiming that the owner is wanted by them.

Continual Total Siege

Israeli forces have maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT, collectively punishing Palestinian people. Israeli forces have partitioned Palestinian areas, transforming them into cantons, violating Palestinian civilians' economic, social and cultural rights.

On Monday and Tuesday, 14 and 15 October, Israeli occupying forces closed Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, on Salah al-Din Street linking between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. They searched cars and checked Palestinian civilians. They detained some civilians in an Israeli military location where they were interrogated. Israeli soldiers beat some of the detainees and cut identity cards of some, including Mohammed Abu Fayadh, a journalist of the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa). Then, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinians. According to some people, they were forced to spend the night at the checkpoints in very tough conditions.

From 7th to 15th October, Israeli occupying forces imposed a curfew on al-Mawasi area in the west of Khan Yunis, disrupting all daily activities. More than 1000 school children were not able to go to school, and university students were not able to exit the area or to attend their universities. Many people, including women and children, who were outside the area when the curfew was imposed were not able to return home.

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PCHR calls:

1. Upon the international community to provide immediate and independent international protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146, to ensure the respect of the Convention.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute those believed to have committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories before international courts.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

5. Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.

6. Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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[1] PCHR has a list of the houses that were damaged and names of those who were injured as a result of destroying houses.