Israeli Forces continue to violate
human rights in the OPT
· 3
Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed by Israeli forces
· 1
of the children died in Nablus from a previous injury, while the other was
killed in an Israeli incursion into Rafah
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· 22
houses were destroyed by Israeli forces in Rafah and Khan Yunis leaving dozens
of Palestinian families homeless
· Houses
were raided and a number of Palestinian civilians were arrested
· Areas
of agricultural land were razed in the southern and central Gaza Strip
· 2
houses in Jenin and Hebron were destroyed by Israeli forces as part of the
continued campaign of retaliation against the families
of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly carried out armed attacks
against Israeli targets
· Construction
of the separation wall in the West Bank continued
· Indiscriminate
shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued
· 3
schools in Rafah were shelled, injuring a teacher and a student
· Israeli
forces continue to impose a comprehensive closure on the West Bank and Gaza
Strip
Introduction
As al-Aqsa Intifada approaches its 4th
year, the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) continues
to deteriorate due to ongoing assaults perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces
against Palestinian civilians. This
week, Israeli occupying forces perpetrated more violations of human rights
against Palestinian civilians in the OPT, including willful killings,
indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian
areas, house demolitions, land leveling and arrests. They also seized more Palestinian land for
the purpose of the construction of the separation wall in the West Bank and they
continue to maintain a total siege on the OPT. This week, 3 Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed and 28
others, including a number of children, were wounded by Israeli occupying
forces.
This morning, Thursday, 25 September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces killed 2 Palestinian activists in Hebron, during exchanges of
fire. The brother of one of the activists was wounded and arrested. Also, this morning, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles and 2 helicopters, moved into al-Boreij
refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. A Palestinian was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces after
they raided his house and another was killed when he confronted the Israeli
forces. Palestinian medical sources also
declared that a 3-year-old child died from a heart attack, after heavy Israeli
shelling of the area. 6 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded by the shelling
(see press release for further details.)
On Monday morning, 21 September 2003, Israeli occupying
forces surrounded a Palestinian home in Hebron, forcing the residents to
evacuate the building. The troops then demolished the house, killing 1
Palestinian, who was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for alleged
participation in attacks against Israeli targets. On the same day, medical sources at the Women’s
Union Hospital in Nablus declared that 16-year-old Shadi ‘Awni Mansour
succumbed to a wound he sustained by Israeli occupying forces last year in
Nablus.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted
13 incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed a number of
Palestinian houses. This week, Israeli occupying forces completely or
partially destroyed 22 Palestinian houses in Rafah and Khan Yunis. They also razed large areas of agricultural
land and destroyed a number of greenhouses. On Tuesday, 23 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces moved into
al-Manara neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. During the
operation that was claimed to be aimed at uncovering tunnels in the area,
Israeli occupying forces killed 1 Palestinian child, injured 8 civilians and
destroyed 14 Palestinian houses. In
another incident at approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 23 September 2003, the
residents of 4 houses in Khan Younis were notified by Israeli forces through
megaphones that their homes were to be demolished by the evening of the same
day. The homes, in which 30 people live, are located in Gizan Abu Rashwan area
in the southwest of the town. PCHR submitted an appeal to the Israeli military
legal advisor on behalf of the families to stop the demolition. In his
response, the Israeli military legal advisor claimed that Israeli military
activities in the area were aimed at exploding landmines, rather than
demolishing houses and if the Israeli military was to demolish the homes, the owners
would be sent official notification to allow them to appeal the order.
In the latest attack on Palestinian educational
institutions, on Tuesday morning, 23 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces
opened fire at 3 UNRWA schools in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. A
teacher and a student were wounded by Israeli gunshots.
On the same day, Israeli soldiers at a military
location in the vicinity of “Dogit” settlement in the northern Gaza Strip opened
fire at 4 PCHR staff members, including 2 internationals, who were in al-Sayafa
area to investigate the living conditions of Palestinian civilians in the area.
The Israeli gunfire continued for several minutes and the staff members were
forced to take shelter to avoid being injured.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted
a series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas, accompanied by
indiscriminate shelling and shooting. They raided houses and arrested a
number of Palestinians. On Thursday
morning, 18 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces invaded the northern West
Bank town of Jenin. They imposed a
curfew on the town and raided houses claiming to search for allegedly wanted
Palestinians. They opened fire at Palestinian civilians wounding 5, including 2
children. On Monday evening, 22
September 2003, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces raided a café in
Nablus. They assaulted several people in
the café, arresting 27; 22 of whom were later released. The 5 others remained
in custody.
In violation of international humanitarian law, in
particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected
person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces
continued to take retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians
Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against
Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 2 Palestinian houses in
Jenin and Hebron.
While the media has focused on the alleged debate
between the Israeli government and the US administration on the issue of the
separation wall, Israel continues to execute plans to annex yet more
Palestinian land in violation of international law. Israeli occupying forces have
continued to build the separation wall in the West Bank, issuing new orders
concerning the confiscation of land privately owned by Palestinians. This
week, Israeli occupying forces issued a military order confiscating 150 donums
of land from Artah and Far’oun villages, south of Tulkarm, located east of the
wall, to use as a station for Israeli trucks and vehicles that participate in
the construction of the wall.
Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict
siege on the OPTs, particularly in the West Bank, restricting movement of
Palestinian civilians. This week, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces at
Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, on Salah al-Din Street
(the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) restricted
movement of Palestinian civilians traveling between the north and south of the
Gaza Strip.
Israeli occupying forces have also restricted
movement at border crossings of the Gaza Strip. Since 14 September 2003,
al-Mentar crossing has been closed; the only commercial crossing between the
Gaza Strip and Israel.
Although Israeli occupying forces reopened the Erez
crossing in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, 23 September 2003, after a
2-week closure, they continue to restrict the access of Palestinian workers to
their places of work in Israel. They
have stipulated that only individuals over the age of 35, with a valid work
permit will be permitted to cross the border. Workers from Rafah and Khan Yunis
have been totally prevented from working in Israel.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces continued
to tighten their military siege on Palestinian communities. Since Thursday, 18 September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces have imposed a strict siege on Jenin.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Thursday, 18 September 2003
Early in the
morning, Israeli occupying forces invaded the northern West Bank town of
Jenin. They imposed a curfew on the town
and raided houses claiming to search for allegedly wanted Palestinians.
According to
PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 04:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by approximately 30 military vehicles, moved into Jenin through the
eastern and western entrances. Israeli
soldiers took position on the roofs of a number of houses and public buildings,
particularly in the eastern part of the town. Israeli forces raided dozens of Palestinian houses and forced a number
of residents to evacuate the houses and held them for a number of hours to
check their identities. Later, a number
of Palestinian children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military
vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers
opened fire at the children and at houses in the vicinity. 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2
children, were wounded by Israeli gunshots:
1. ‘Essam
‘Ersan Souqia, 38, wounded by pieces of shrapnel in the legs;
2. Mahmoud
‘Abdul Nasser Gharib, 15, wounded by pieces of shrapnel in the abdomen and the
legs, and by a live bullet in the left thigh;
3. Adham
‘Ali Hassan Abu Rumaila, 6, wounded by shrapnel in the back;
4. Farah
Mohammed Saleh Abu Sorour, 8, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg; and
5. Ibrahim
Khalil Abu al-Rub, 23, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 150m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. Immediately, they leveled areas of
agricultural land they had razed in an operation last week and uprooted trees
from a tract of land owned by Khaled Yousef Mahdi al-Banna. They also damaged a room in an uninhabited
house owned by Mohammed Ahmed al-Masri.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military vehicles
often move into the area preventing Palestinian farmers from accessing their agricultural
lands. Israeli forces have also warned
residents of the area against providing any assistance to Palestinian gunmen
and that any attacks on the settlement will prompt the destruction of more
houses and agricultural land. Many
Palestinian families have been forced to leave the area as it has been subject
to frequent Israeli shelling.
Friday, 19 September 2003
At approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 150m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Younis. They destroyed a 1-donum[1]
greenhouse owned by Darwish Suleiman al-Masri.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 200m into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border,
south of Rafah. They demolished a
100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ramzi ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdul
‘Aal, in which 7 people lived.
At the same time, Israeli occupying forces moved into
Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They destroyed a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed
house owned by Muhareb Talal Muhareb Timraz, in which 5 people lived.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by a tank and 2 military bulldozers, moved approximately 100m into
the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. During the 4-hour incursion, the Israeli
military bulldozers razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They
razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives and a
200-meter-long barbwire fence owned by Jamal Hassan Yousef Abu Shanab and his
brothers
2. They
razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives owned
by Mahmoud Yousef Abu Shanab and his brothers
At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces in
military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan
Younis, opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in al-Rabwat area to the
east. Several live bullets hit houses in the centre of the town. As a result, a
Palestinian woman, Rizqa ‘Abed al-Saiqali, 42, was wounded by shrapnel from a
live bullet in her left shoulder, while she was inside her house approximately
2km away from the source of fire.
Saturday, 20 September 2003
At approximately 01:00, an infantry unit of Israeli
occupying forces moved approximately 300m into Abu Sabt area in al-Qarara
village, northeast of Khan Younis. Israeli
soldiers raided a 3-storey house owned by Salman ‘Ali Abu Sabt, in which 3
families (13 people) live. They held the
families in one room and mounted the roof, converting it into a military
site. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers
raided houses of Nawaf and D’iab ‘Abed Rabbu ‘Ali Abu Sabt. They forced the 16 residents of 2 of the
houses to evacuate the buildings and used Nawaf as a human shield while
searching his house and arrested his two sons; Rabi’, 20, and Nidal, 17.
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by 4 heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately
150m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the border. They destroyed
a 150-square-meter house owned by Jamal D’ib Hassan Jouda, in which 8 people
lived.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned
in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah and on
tanks positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at
Palestinian houses in Zo’rob neighborhood. A Palestinian woman, Ghalia Humaidan Zo’rob, 55, was seriously wounded
by a live bullet in the head, while she was inside her house.
At
approximately 16:30, a number of Palestinian children threw stones at an
Israeli military convoy on the main road near Balata and ‘Askar refugee camps,
east of Nablus. Immediately, Israeli
soldiers fired at the children and a number of other civilians in the
area. 4 Palestinian civilians, including
a child, were wounded by Israeli gunshots:
1. Yahia
Zakria Hussein al-Khatib, 15, from Balata refugee camp, seriously wounded by a
live bullet in the abdomen, which caused an acute internal hemorrhage;
2. Jalal
Mohammed ‘Aabed Abu Salem, 25, from ‘Askar refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel in
the right hand;
3. ‘Omar
Jamal ‘Omar Halloush, 19, from ‘Askar refugee camp, wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet in the left side;
4. ‘Emad
Jawdat Ahmed Saif, 18, from Burqa village, north of Nablus, wounded by shrapnel
throughout the body.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli soldiers in tanks
positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian
houses in al-Salam neighborhood to the north. A number of live bullets hit an electricity transmitter, cutting
electricity from the whole town until 09:00 the following day.
Sunday, 21 September 2003
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 200m into Zo’rob neighborhood in the south of Rafah. The destroyed a house and 2 greenhouses:
1. They
destroyed a 120-square-meter house owned by Mahrous Mohammed Khalil al-Dabbas,
in which 2 people lived.
2. They
razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land, on which 2 greenhouses stood, owned
by Mousa Mohammed Khalil Zo’rob.
At
approximately 16:00, 2 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Fourik village,
east of Nablus. Israeli soldiers in the
jeeps opened fire indiscriminately at the streets. A number of Palestinian children gathered and
threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately,
Israeli soldiers fired at the children, wounding 17-year-old Bader Hamdi Yousef
Nasasra with a live bullet in the right knee.
An hour
later, the 2 Israeli military jeeps moved to the nearby village of Beit
Dajan. Israeli soldiers fired at
Palestinian civilians in the center of the village for no apparent reason. Mohammed Sa’id Mustafa Abu Thabet, 18, was
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg.
At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupying forces in
military locations in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at Palestinian houses and farms in Gizan al-Najjar area to the
north. No casualties were reported, but
a house owned by Mohammed Mahdi ‘Aashour was damaged.
Monday, 22 September 2003
Early in the morning,
Israeli occupying forces surrounded a Palestinian home in Hebron, forced
residents out and then demolished the house, killing 1 Palestinian who Israeli
occupying forces claimed was wanted for alleged participation in attacks
against Israeli targets.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:15, Israeli occupying
forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved into al-Bassa neighborhood
in the west of Hebron. Covered by
indiscriminate shooting, Israeli troops surrounded the house of Akram Mustafa
‘Abdul Hafez Shahin, home to 5 people, including a handicapped child. Israeli soldiers opened fire at the house
from a distance of approximately 100m. At approximately 02:40, Israeli soldiers used megaphones to order
residents of the house to immediately evacuate the house. The residents left the property and Israeli
soldiers held the children in a neighboring house, and handcuffed and
interrogated the owner’s wife, Zohour Hanin Shahin, 55. At approximately 03:10, Israeli occupying
forces again opened fire at the house with heavy artillery, targeting it from 3
positions. At around 05:40, Israeli
forces, accompanied by a bulldozer demolished the remaining structure of the
house. At approximately 08:30, Israeli
occupying forces fired 5 shells destroying a water-well near the house. The bulldozer continued to level the remains
of the property and was later seen removing a body from the ruins. Witnesses reported seeing Israeli soldiers
mutilating the body before taking it to an unknown destination. At approximately 11:00, Israeli occupying
forces later identified the body as that of Bassel Shafiq ‘Abdul Qader
al-Qawasmi, 26, who was allegedly wanted by Israeli occupying forces for his
activities in the Hamas movement. Israeli occupying forces have kept the body
and refused to deliver it to the victim’s family.
At
approximately 10:00, medical sources at the Women Union Hospital in Nablus
declared that 16-year-old Shadi ‘Awni Mansour succumbed to a wound he sustained
by Israeli occupying forces last year in the old town of Nablus. According to PCHR’s investigations, on 25
December 2002, Israeli soldiers on tanks that had already moved into the old
town of Nablus opened fire indiscriminately. Manour was wounded by a live bullet in the neck while he was near his
house. He was evacuated to the
Specialized Hospital in Nablus. According to medical sources, he was then transferred
to a Jordanian hospital. On 17 July 2003,
he was brought to the Women Union Hospital in Nablus, where he remained until
he was pronounced dead.
Also at approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces
started to establish a military observation tower in the vicinity of “Gush
Qatif” settlement bloc, southwest of Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of
Rafah. Israeli soldiers in military
locations and on tanks positioned in the area opened fire at Palestinian houses
and streets in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Mohammed
‘Omar Abu al-‘Ouf, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the right leg;
2. ‘Ali
Yousef al-Balbaisi, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder; and
3. Einas
Sa’di Subeh, 12, wounded by shrapnel in the face.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces
started to establish a military observation tower north of “Morag” settlement,
south of Khan Yunis. Israeli levers were
seen erecting cement blocks, while Israeli soldiers fortified the site, which
would overlook al-Sha’er and al-Najjar neighborhood in the Gizan al-Najjar area
in the south of Khan Yunis.
In the
evening, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces raided a café in
Nablus. They beat people in the café’
and arrested 27 of them, 22 of whom were released later, while the others remained
in custody.
According to
PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 18:30, a Palestinian registered civilian
jeep stopped near Rabah al-Diwani café on Rafidya Street northwest of Nablus. 40 Palestinians were inside the café. Immediately, 4 persons in civilian clothes,
who were holding M16 guns, got out of the jeep. They pointed their guns at all of those present in the café and ordered
them to raise their hands. A few minutes
later, more Israeli forces arrived in the area to reinforce the undercover unit. Israeli soldiers forced the detained
Palestinians to get out of the café and stand near a wall with their hands
up. Israeli soldiers beat and
interrogated most of these Palestinians. Approximately half an hour later, Israeli soldiers released all of those
who were over 40. Then, they handcuffed
27 Palestinians and took them to Hawara detention center. There, Israeli soldiers blindfolded them and
left them without food until 10:00 on the following day. 22 of the detainees were released, while the
other 5 remained in custody.
Tuesday, 23 September 2003
At
approximately 08:00, an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved
approximately 200m into al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. Israeli soldiers raided the house of ‘Abdul
Ra’ouf al-Sheikh Mohammed, 70, in which 9 people live. They also raided a house that was
under-construction, owned by the same Palestinian. Israeli soldiers forced residents in near-by
houses and the workers of the house that was under-construction out into the
street. They checked the ID cards of the
14 males that were present, and then handcuffed and blindfolded them. Then, they took these males on foot to an
Israeli military location at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip. Israeli intelligence officers interrogated each
of these civilians. They were released
at approximately 12:00.
At the same
time, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles,
including a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into Gizan Abu Rashwan area in
the southwest of Khan Yunis, north of a settler road linking the “Morag”
settlement and “Gush Qatif” settlement blocs. They destroyed a rural house and leveled areas of Palestinian
agricultural land:
1. They
razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted with
tomatoes stood, and destroyed an 80-square-meter rural house, an agricultural
pool and an irrigation network owned by Mohammed ‘Abdullah al-Sha’er.
2. They
razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted
with cucumbers stood, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fadhel
Hijazi ‘Ouda Hijazi.
3. They
razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted
with cucumbers stood, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Khaled
Hijazi ‘Ouda Hijazi.
4. They
razed a 3.5-donum area of agricultural land, on which 3 greenhouses planted
with cucumbers stood, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hussein
Hijazi ‘Ouda Hijazi.
Israeli
occupying forces informed 30 residents of 4 houses in Khan Yunis through
megaphones that their houses would be demolished by the evening. PCHR, on behalf of these families, submitted
an appeal to the Israeli military legal advisor to stop the demolition. In his response, the Israeli military legal
advisor claimed that Israeli military activities in the area were at exploding
landmines, rather than demolishing houses, and if the Israeli military was to
demolish them, it would send official notifications to their owners to allow
them to reject before relevant official parties. However, in the evening, Israeli occupying
forces blocked a branch road leading to these houses with sand barriers. As a result, residents of the houses were not
able to reach their houses and were forced to spend the night outdoors.
Following are
details of these houses:
1. A
120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Salema Suleiman ‘Ali al-Tarabin,
in which 8 people live. The house stands
on a 500-square-meter area of land, which also includes an animal farm.
2. A
120-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned Saleh Jermi ‘Atiya al-Tarabin, in
which 7 people live. There is also an
animal farm near the house.
3. A
120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Zer’eia Musleh ‘Ouda al-Tarabin,
in which 6 people live.
4. A
120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Fyez Jermi ‘Atiya al-Tarabin, in
which 9 people live.
In another
attack on Palestinian educational institutions, Israeli occupying forces opened
fire at 3 UNRWA schools in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. A teacher and a student were wounded by
Israeli gunshots.
According to
PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces
positioned in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah
opened fire at Palestinian houses and 3 UNRWA schools in Tal al-Sultan
neighborhood to the north. A teacher and
student in one of these schools were wounded:
1. Isma’il
‘Awadh Mansour, 26, a teacher, wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks; and
2. Mohammed
Haidar al-Bouji, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right leg.
In addition,
10 students fainted and the three schools were damaged. The three schools are located approximately
700m away from the Israeli military location. They are clearly marked with UNRWA flags.
Approximately
an hour later, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles,
including a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into Khuza’a village, east of
Khan Yunis. They razed areas of
agricultural land and demolished a rural house and a bird farm:
1. They
demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed rural house and a
150-square-meter, iron-roofed bird farm, razed a 500-square-meter area of
agricultural land and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mahmoud Suleiman
Qudaih.
2. They
razed a 1–donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and a
100-meter-long row of wild figs, and demolished 2 rooms owned by Amin Sa’adat
Salman Rouk.
3. They
razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an
irrigation network owned by Rasmia Suleiman Mohammed Qudaih.
Overnight, in a serious escalation of attacks against
Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Manara
neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. During an operation that
was claimed to be aimed at uncovering tunnels in the area, Israeli occupying
forces killed one Palestinian child, injured 8 civilians and destroyed 14
Palestinian houses.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
23:30 on Tuesday, 23 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with
around 20 tanks and a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into al-Manara
neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. The incursion was
accompanied by indiscriminate shelling during which Israeli forces raided a
house and used it as a military site, from which they shot at Palestinian
civilians and exchanged gunfire with a number of Palestinian gunmen.
The Israeli
military operation, which continued until 05:30, left dead 16-year-old Mohammed
‘Eissa Hamdan, who was hit by shrapnel throughout the body. 8 other Palestinians were also wounded:
1. ‘Essam
‘Omar al-Mughayar, 18, seriously wounded by shrapnel in the right hand;
2. Ashraf
Fathi Abu Hilal, 23, seriously wounded by shrapnel in the head and the right
leg;
3. Salah
Isma’il Abu Hilal, 23, seriously wounded by shrapnel;
4. Mohammed
Rajab al-Najjar, 21, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
5. Munir
Fathi al-Qassas, 25, wounded by a live bullet in the chest;
6. Yousef
Farouq ‘Abdul ‘Aziz, 18, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
7. Hamada
Mahmoud al-Sindi, 23, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and
8. ‘Ali
Mahmoud Abu Taqiya, 28, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.
During this
incursion, Israeli occupying forces completely demolished 3 Palestinian houses:
1. A
300-square-meter house owned by Faraj Khalil Ahmed al-Sha’er, in which 29
people (4 families) lived;
2. A
130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Akram Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Abu Taqiya, in which 13 people (2
families) lived; and
3. A
130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Majed Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Abu Taqiya, in which 9 people (2
families) lived
In addition,
they partially destroyed 11 other houses, leaving 185 people (24 families)
homeless. Israeli forces also destroyed fences surrounding land in the area.
Wednesday, 24 September 2003
At midnight,
an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 100 meters
into the Gizan al-Najar area, west of “Morag” settlement south of Khan Yunis. Israeli occupying soldiers raided al-Aqsa kindergarten,
where they took position until 08:00. Israeli forces had previously raided the kindergarten and used windows
in the second floor classrooms to shoot at nearby areas. The kindergarten has been evacuated due to
the dangerous situation in the area.
At
approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations
around “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, shelled and opened fire
at homes and agricultural areas in the western Rabawat area to the east. No casualties were reported.
At
approximately 21:45, Israeli occupying forces, positioned in military locations
in the vicinity of the “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah, opened
fire at Palestinian homes west of the settlement. A Palestinian civilian, Majid ‘Abdul ‘Aziz
Abu ‘Amra, 16, was wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
At
approximately 23:00, Israeli soldiers positioned in military sites around and
between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, West of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at Palestinian homes east of the settlements. A number of bullets reached the center and
outskirts of Khan-Yunis. A Palestinian
woman, Mariam Khalil al-Masri, 51, was wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet
in the left shoulder while in her home in the center of Khan Yunis.
Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted
Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli
Targets
In violation of international humanitarian law, in
particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected
person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces
took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered,
facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.
On Friday morning, 19 September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces destroyed the home of ‘Abdul Qader Mohammad abu-Salim, 45,
from Rantis, northwest of Ramallah. Israeli forces claimed that his son Ehab,
19, carried out a bombing in Tel Aviv on 9 September 2003.
According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’
reports, at approximately 23:15 on Thursday, 18, September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces, reinforced by heavy vehicles, moved into Rantis village,
northwest of Ramallah. Israeli forces
raided the home of ‘Abdul Qader Mohammad Abu Salim, 45, in the east of the
village, ordering its residents to evacuate without taking anything with
them. Israeli forces planted explosives
in the house and blew it up at 01:20 on the following morning, 19 September
2003, destroying it completely.
The 120 square-meter, one story house was home to a
family of 9 members including 3 children. Ten days ago, Israeli occupying forces arrested ‘Abdul Qader Abu Salim
and his eldest son Mohammad, 21, on grounds of this case. The farther was released at the night his
home was destroyed, while the son remained in custody.
Following the re-invasion of the town of Jenin on
Thursday, 18 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces, on the following day,
Friday 19 September 2003, destroyed the home of Zakaria Sa’id al-Tubasy in Wadi
Burqin neighborhood, west of the town. Israeli forces claimed that his son Shadi, 18, carried out a bombing in
Haifa a year and a half ago. According
to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 01:00, an Israeli military unit of 5
jeeps and 2 armored personnel carriers surrounded the home of al-Tubasy. Israeli soldiers raided the house, forcing
its residents to evacuate it within 10 minuets. Israeli soldiers then planted explosives in the house, and blew it up at
03:00. The 150-square-meter, 2-story
house was a home to 2 families, totaling 20 people, including 3 children.
Closure of Two Houses in Hebron
In the context of collective punishment measures, Israeli
occupying forces closed 2 Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Nasara neighborhood in
Hebron, to allegedly ensure security for Israeli settlers in the town.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately
16:00, Israeli occupying forces closed 2 Palestinian houses, which are located
at the road linking the Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of the town and “Kiryat
Arba” settlement, east of the town:
1. A
150-square-meter house owned by Munther Mohammed ‘Ali Da’na, in which 8 people
live; and
2. A
200-square-meter, under-construction house owned by Nafez Mohammed ‘Ali
Da’na.
Israeli occupying forces claimed that the two houses
were closed to ensure protection for Israeli settlers while traveling in the
area.
The
Separation Wall inside West Bank Areas
While the media has focused on the “debate” between
the Israeli government and the US administration on the tract of the separation
wall, Israel continues to execute plans to annex more Palestinian land in
violation of international law. Israeli occupying forces have continued to
build the separation wall in the West Bank, issuing new orders concerning the
confiscation of land privately owned by Palestinians.
This week, Israeli occupying forces issued a military
order confiscating 150 donums of land from Artah and Far’oun villages, south of
Tulkarm, located east of the wall, to use it as a station for Israeli trucks
and vehicles that participate in the construction of the wall.
The Arabic web site of Israeli daily Yediot
Aharanot reported that the section of the separation wall being constructed
in the “Gilboa” area (Jenin) would be equipped with highly developed weaponry,
including mounted machine guns that are operated by remote control, to be used
to fire at any Palestinian who may attempt to infiltrate into Israel. The newspaper further added that according to
the Israeli military Deputy Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, the official in
charge of the separation wall project, that he received instructions to install
“smart” machine guns on certain sections of the wall, which can be controlled
by observation sites along the wall.
Continued Siege on the OPT
Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict
siege on the OPTs, particularly in the West Bank, restricting movement of
Palestinian civilians, and goods and services.
In the Gaza Strip, this week, Israeli occupying
forces at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, on Salah
al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip)
restricted movement of Palestinian civilians traveling between the north and
south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli
occupying forces have also maintained the closure of the western road between
Rafah and Khan Yunis; a section of Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza
Strip; Abu al-‘Ajin road between Wadi al-Salqa and al-Qarara villages, north of
Khan Yunis; and a number of branch roads. In addition, Israeli occupying
forces have maintained a strict siege on the al-Mawasi area in the southern
Gaza Strip and al-Sayafa area in the north.
Israeli occupying forces re-erected 2 observation
towers at Abu Houli and al-Matahen junctions on Salah al-Din Street north of
Khan Yunis on Tuesday, 9 September 2003, and have once again placed sever
restrictions on movement of Palestinian civilians in this area. Vehicles
are stopped at each checkpoint. Only 5
vehicles are allowed to cross a checkpoint at a time, as such Palestinian
attempting to drive through the area are forced to wait in long lines.
Traffic congestion and delays at these checkpoints are particularly serious in
the morning and the afternoon, which are the periods that witness active
movement of Palestinian civilians. Palestinian civilians are allowed to cross the two checkpoints between
03:00 and 20:00.
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 19 September 2003,
Israeli occupying forces closed Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints. They blocked 7 Palestinian vehicles between
the two checkpoints and searched them. No arrests were reported and the two checkpoints were reopened at
approximately 10:30.
At approximately 13:15 on Monday, 22 September 2003,
Israeli occupying forces again blocked and searched a number of Palestinian
vehicles between the two checkpoints. Hundreds of Palestinian vehicles were forced to wait at both sides in
long rows. The closure of the
checkpoints coincided with the passage of a convoy that included Cardinal
Bernardlo of Boston State, Michelle Sabbah, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Manuel
Musallam, Pastor of the Latin Sect. The
convoy was on its way to Gaza city after a visit to Gaza International
Airport. It had to wait at al-Matahen
checkpoint until it was reopened.
At approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, 23 September 2003,
Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints again and blocked and
searched a number of Palestinian vehicles. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers arrested a Palestinian, who
has not been identified. The two
checkpoints were reopened at approximately 13:30.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a
strict siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. Since the
beginning of this school year, Israeli occupying forces have delayed opening
the gates at entrances of the area, which has forced school children in the area to arrive at
school late.
Israeli occupying forces have also restricted
movement at border crossings of the Gaza Strip. They have closed
al-Mentar crossing, the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and
Israel, since 14 September 2003.
Although Israeli occupying forces reopened Erez crossing
in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, 23 September 2003, after a 2-week
closure which prevented Palestinians in
Gaza from reaching their work places in Israel. Furthermore, a worker who wishes to go to work in Israel must have a
valid work permit and must be over 35. Workers from Rafah and Khan Yunis have been totally prevented from
working in Israel.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces continued
to tighten their military siege on Palestinian communities. Since Thursday, 18 September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces have imposed a strict siege on Jenin.
On Monday morning, 22 September 2003, Israeli
occupying forces imposed a curfew on the southwest of Hebron during a military
operation they conducted in the area. The curfew was lifted 10 hours later.
*****
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 respect for the Convention.
3. Upon the international community to
investigate and prosecute before international courts those believed to have
committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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.
“END”
Public Document
**************************************
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:pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
