Press Release
Israeli Occupation Authorities Splinter Gaza into Three Separate Cantons:
Clashes and Sweeping of Land Continue
Ref.,: 146/2000
Date: 26th October, 2000
Time: 15:00 GMT
17:00 Palestine time
Israeli occupation forces have blocked Salah Al-Dein Street, the main road connecting the north and south of the Gaza Strip, since early in the morning of October 26. The blockade was carried out in two parts of the street (near Gush Qatif settlements and Kfar Darom settlement). As a result of this blockage, the Gaza Strip has been splintered into three separate cantons. Movement of people and vehicles has been denied. The occupied Palestinian territories also witnessed clashes between Palestinian civilians and occupying military forces. Another martyr was reported this morning from Hebron. Meanwhile, more land was swept by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. The amount of land leveled by Israel since the beginning of this month is now up to 837 dunams.
A strong explosion was heard this morning on the road leading from Gush Qatif settlement to Kissufim border crossing in the eastern part of Gaza. Israeli occupation forces claimed the explosion was a failed attempt to commit a suicide bombing by a Palestinian near a military post on the road. No Palestinian sources have confirmed this account. Soon after the explosion, Israeli reinforcements arrived to strengthen their presence on Salah Al-Dein Street. More tanks and military vehicles were brought to the junction. Israeli occupying forces put cement blocks on the road and shut off traffic in both directions. In the last few days, the minor roads in the area were also closed off through the placement of large cement blocks. The southern portion of the Gaza Strip (Khan Younis and Rafah districts) is now sealed.
During the day, Israeli occupation forces continued sweeping Palestinian land. Thirty dunams of Palestinian olive trees, palm trees, and vegetables were leveled and a one-story house was demolished. Water facilities suffered damage as well.
Cement blocks were also placed near the bridge that connects the western and eastern portions of Kfar Darom settlement. This bridge passes directly over Salah Al-Dein Street. The road is now blocked in both directions. Palestinians face a logistical nightmare in trying to travel from one part of Gaza to another.
Clashes erupted today in many parts of the Gaza Strip between Palestinian civilians and occupying Israeli forces. In Khan Younis 12 civilians were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets and five by live ammunition while many others suffered health difficulties from inhaling tear gas. Fifteen houses adjacent to the settlement of Neve Dekalim were damaged in Khan Younis refugee camp last night as a consequence of Israeli shooting.
In Rafah at Salah Al-Dein Gate six Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition this afternoon as a result of Israeli occupation forces firing at protesters. Among the wounded are three children under the age of 14. Two of them were shot in the abdomen and the third was shot in the thigh. Two Palestinians were also injured by rubber-coated metal bullets at Tal Sultan checkpoint between Rafah and Al-Mawasi (agricultural area under Israeli security jurisdiction) to the west of Rafah.
In the early evening two more Palestinians were injured by live ammunition near the Kfar Darom settlement.
This morning PCHR learned that the child Ala Mohammed Mahfouz, 14 years old from Hebron, died as a result of an injury to the head incurred from Israeli occupying forces on October 6, 2000. Mahfouz had gone to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.
PCHR expresses its deep concern over the new escalation by Israeli occupation forces through additional restrictions on freedom of movement and the transformation of the Gaza Strip into three separate cantons. PCHR also condemns the ongoing sweeping of Palestinian land and the creation of new facts on the ground through the expansion of settlements, the widening of bypass roads for settlers to use, and the expansion of military posts. Finally, PCHR calls upon the international community to protest the excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians and to move forthwith to uphold the Fourth Geneva Convention.
