The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupying forcers increases to13, Including 3 Brothers

May 1, 2003

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PALESTINIAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

PRESS RELEASE

Ref: 57/2003

Date: 1 May,2003

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupying forcers increases to13, Including 3 Brothers The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupying forcers in Al shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City on Thursday, 1 May 2003, has Increased to 12, Including 3 Brothers form the Abu Hain family. The number of Palestinian Victims mentioned in PCHR’s Press Release 56, Which was issued today at about 15:00, was 8, mostly civilians. Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the neighborhood at approximately 16:20, leaving large destruction to a number of houses that were shelled by Israeli tanks and helicopter.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:45, shortly after they had moved into the area, Israeli occupying forcers surrounded a number of houses belonging to Abu Hain family until their withdrawal from the area. They threw hand grenades at one of those houses, where 3 brothers – Yousef, Ayamn and Mahmoud – from the family had shelter. They called on the 3 brothers through megaphones to get out of the house, but they refused. In the afternoon, Israeli Forces fired several artillery and tank shells, heavy machine guns at the house, although they were aware of the presence of the 3 brothers inside the house. The roof of the house collapsed over Yousef and Mahmoud, whereas the body of the third brother Ayman, was found near the house. He was shot by several live bullets throughout the body. Israeli occupying forces claimed that Yousef was wanted for his activities in Hamas movement. Israeli forces also arrested two members of the family:

1) Yasser Abu Hain, 25, A journalist; and

2) Ussama Hassan Abu Hain,28.

As a result of the Israeli intensive shelling, 8 Palestinian houses, owned by the families of Abu Hain and Al – Sersawi, were severely damaged.

The 12^th victim, Rami Khader Sa’ad,25, was killed by Israeli forces 5 minutes before their withdrawal from the area. He was shot by several live pullets throughout the body while he was exchanging fire with the Israeli occupying Forces.

PCHR strongly condemns this aggression. against Palestinian civilian. PCHR asserts that the high number of Palestinian civilian victim is another proof for the policies of killing and destruction practiced by Israeli occupying forcers against Palestinian Civilians and property. Which turned to be pattern in the O.P.T specially in Gaza. PCHR reminds the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of their legal obligations under the Convention to ensure respect for the Convention and take effective steps to stop violations of human rights perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.