Hiba Darawi, 13, lives in Nu’man, East Jerusalem. The village is completely surrounded by the Separation Barrier, so she and the rest of the children in the village have to cross a checkpoint and pass near the Separation Barrier every day on their way to school in a nearby village.

On 6 January 2008, Hiba and her friend returned home from school at 9:30 after taking a test. While walking, they got into an argument about the barrier. Her friend claimed it was an electric fence, and whoever touched it would die. Darawi argued that it wasn’t and went over and touched it. The two then continued on their way home.

Later that morning, Border Police officers came in search of the person who touched the fence. They they questioned (Hiba's cousin,?)Ahmad Darawi, 12, shouted at him and forced him to reveal that Hiba had touched the fence. After questioning him, they locked him in their vehicle. His father, Mahmoud Darawi, learned about what was happening and came home. He asked the officers why they were holding his son, and tried to free him. The policemen treated him violently. They let his son go but took the father to a hidden place, where one of the policemen beat him.

Meanwhile, other Border Police officers came to Hiba’s house. They forced  her and her friend to accompany them to Checkpoint 300, accompanied by Darawi’s father. At the checkpoint, Hiba was questioned as to why she touched the fence. At the end of the questioning, the interrogator threatened to arrest her.

B'Tselem wrote to the authorities regarding the assault of Mahmud Darawi, but has not yet received a response.