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PALESTINIAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
PRESS RELEASE
Ref: 35/2004
Date: 02 March 2004
Time: 09:30 GMT
Israeli Occupying Forces Kill a Palestinian Civilian and Admit He was not Targeted
In complete disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, on Tuesday morning, 2 March 2004, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Yatta village, south of Hebron, and later admitted that he was not targeted. An Israeli military spokesman claimed that the victim did not obey orders by Israeli soldiers to halt, and as a result, shot him dead. However, investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 2 March 2004, 25 Israeli military vehicles moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron, and surrounded a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Abu Rajab, 25, in the east of the village. A number of Israeli soldiers advanced towards the house and then opened fire at it. As Abu Rajab attempted to leave the house through its main door, Israeli soldiers shot him dead, and then pulled the victim’s body 20m back. An Israeli military bulldozer proceeded to demolish the house, but suddenly stopped; Israeli forces then withdrew from the area. The victim’s body was transported to a hospital in Hebron. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 3 live bullets to the face and the head, which lays serious doubts to the Israeli claim that he was shot while attempting to escape.
PCHR strongly condemns this gross violation of international law and other such violations committed by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians. PCHR asserts that this action further proves Israeli occupying forces’ disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to immediately intervene and provide protection for Palestinian civilians and property.
Public Document
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For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:[email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
