Ref: 79/2003

PCHR condemns the latest
war crime perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces this morning, which left dead
2 Palestinian civilians and wounded more than 30 others, including a number of
children. The failed assassination attempt targeted Dr. ‘Abdul
‘Aziz al-Rantisi, a prominent leader of the Hamas movement. This latest attack
is further evidence of the continuous escalation of illegal actions perpetrated
by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians, including
extra-judicial killings (assassinations).

According to PCHR’s
investigation and eyewitness statements, at approximately 10:53 on Tuesday, 10
June 2003, 2 Israeli combat helicopters launched 6 missiles at a civilian car – a blue Mitsubishi – that was traveling in ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Street in a densely populated
area in Gaza City.  Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz
al-Rantisi, 60, a prominent leader of the Hamas movement, his son, Ahmed, 20,
and two of his bodyguards were traveling in the car. 

The first missile hit the front of
the car. Although the passengers were wounded by the first strike, they managed
to jump from the vehicle. Shortly after, the helicopters launched more
missiles, completely destroying the car. The second strike killed a woman, who
was passing by the area. The woman has been identified as Khadra Yousef Abu
Hamada, 30 from Al Karama housing project, north of Gaza City. Dr. al-Rantisi
survived the attack, but was wounded in his left leg. More than 30 civilians,
including 8 children, were also wounded. 
Shortly after the attack the wounded were evacuated to Shifa Hospital in
Gaza City. According to medical sources, 7 of the wounded were in a serious
condition, including one of al-Rantisi’s bodyguards, Mustapha Abdul Rahim
Saleh, 30, from Gaza City. An hour after the attack, Saleh succumbed to his
wound. Also among the wounded was PCHR staff member, Bassam Abu Hashish, 40,
from Gaza City, who was wounded by shrapnel throughout his body, as he passed
by the area.

PCHR expresses deep concern
over the escalation in unlawful killing of Palestinians, which constitute
war crimes under international humanitarian law. PCHR refers particularly to the illegal actions
perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces since the recent Aqaba summit, which
was attended by both the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers in an effort
to broker an agreement between the two sides. PCHR believes that this latest
assassination attempt is further evidence of Israel’s disregard for
international human rights and humanitarian law and asserts that the policy of
extra-judicial assassinations adopted by the Israeli government serves to
escalate tension in the region and poses a grave threat to the lives of
Palestinian civilians. PCHR reiterates its call upon the High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal obligations to
ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.