Ref: 175/2003

The
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns an assassination
attempt carried out by Israeli occupying forces yesterday evening, 30 December
2003, in Gaza City.  The attack targeted a member of the ‘Ezziddin
al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of the Hamas movement.  The targeted
individual and 13 Palestinians civilians were injured.  Two civilians
sustained serious injuries.  This attack comes as further evidence of an
Israeli policy aimed at escalating tensions in the region.  According to
international law, extra-judicial assassinations and other attacks on
Palestinian civilians, are war crimes.  

PCHR
investigators discovered that at approximately 19:50 on Tuesday, 30 December
2003, a pair of Israeli helicopter gunships launched two missiles at a civilian
car in the center of Gaza City.  The vehicle (a white Peugeot 104) was
moving north on al-Jalaa’ street in densely populated area.  Four persons
were traveling in the car: Jamal ‘Abdullah Jarrah, 38, who is allegedly wanted
by Israeli occupying authorities for his activities in Hamas movement, his
brother Sa’id Jarrah and two other persons.  All are from Jabalya refugee
camp north of Gaza City. 

The two
missiles went astray and hit the ground near the vehicle.  The four
passengers immediately left the car and were able to escape.  According to
medical sources, all four were lightly injured.  In addition, 10
Palestinian civilian bystanders were injured by pieces of shrapnel from the two
missiles.  Medical sources report that two of these civilians are in
serious condition.  A number of shops and private residences in the area
were also damaged. 

PCHR
expresses its grave concern over this escalation by the Israeli government and
its occupying forces against Palestinian civilians.  PCHR stresses that
such war crimes, including extra-judicial and willful killings, further
demonstrate the Israeli government’s disregard for the principles of
international law and humanitarian law.  PCHR also reconfirms that the
policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli
government serves to increase tension in the region and threatens the lives of
Palestinian civilians.  PCHR reiterates its call for the High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under the
Convention and ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories.