Ref: 65/2003

In a measure unprecedented
since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada, Israeli occupying forces issued a
military order expelling a Palestinian from al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis,
giving him 24 hours to leave.  PCHR
condemns this measure which comes in the context of systematic
human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces against
Palestinians living in al-Mawasi area, to force them to leave the area for the
sake of illegal Israeli settlements. 

According to information
available to PCHR, on 13 May 2003, Moqbel Shurrab, a Palestinian farmer from
al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, married and father of 9 children, received a
military order that gave him 24 hours to leave, effectively expelling him from the area. The order also gave Shurrab 7
days to appeal against the decision to expel him from the area for 6 months.

PCHR is pursuing the case
and submitted an appeal to the Israeli military legal advisor to revoke the
order and ensure Shurrab’s right to remain in his place of residence. Today, 14
May 2003, PCHR will also submit a petition
to the Israeli
High Court demanding a temporarily injunction to explain the order and
ultimately leading to a cancellation of the decision. 

In 1993, Israeli settlers
from the “Neve Dekalim” settlement in al-Mawasi area were behind an
arson attack on Shurrab’s house. He rebuilt his home the following year. 

Al-Mawasi area is located
in the southwest of the Gaza Strip, extending from the south of Deir al-Balah
to the Palestinian-Egyptian border. About 15,000 Palestinians live in the
area.  Since
the beginning
of the Intifada, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a strict siege on the
area, especially in Khan Yunis and Rafah, isolating it from the rest of the
Occupied Palestinian Territories.
They have also
adopted arbitrary measures that threaten the lives and security of Palestinians
who live in the area. 

PCHR expresses its deep concern
about the Israeli military order to expel Moqbel Shurrab from al-Mawasi
area.  PCHR reiterates that this order
comes in the context of flagrant violations of human rights perpetrated by
Israeli occupying forces and settlers against Palestinians living in al-Mawasi
area.