Ref: 138/2003 

 Following an Israeli military
incursion that left dead 8 Palestinians, Israeli occupying forces finally withdrew
from Rafah refugee camp at midnight on Sunday, 12 October 2003.  Israeli
forces moved into the camp on Friday morning, 10 October 2003, in an operation
that resulted in wide-spread destruction to the densely populated area and left
over 2000 Palestinians homeless.

 According to
PCHR’s investigations, Israeli occupying forces completely or partially
demolished 168 Palestinian houses without permitting residents to remove their
belongings. Israeli forces used military vehicles, mortar shells, machine guns
and missiles launched from fighter jets during the operation. The demolition of
homes left over 2000 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, homeless
and greatly added to the increasing number of Palestinian families that have
been left homeless following similar Israeli operations since the beginning of
the Intifada. Israeli authorities claim that the operation was aimed at the
uncovering of tunnels that they claim are being used to smuggle weapons across
the Egypt-Gaza border. 

 PCHR strongly
condemns these latest actions of the Israeli occupying forces against
Palestinian civilians in the Rafah refugee camp.  These latest actions
constitute violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, including grave
breaches, particularly extensive destruction to civilian property carried out
wantonly and unlawfully, and without military necessity.  PCHR reiterates
that the ongoing failure of the international community to act to halt such
unlawful actions, serves only to encourage further violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law.  PCHR therefore reiterates its calls to
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their
legal obligation to ensure the respect for the Convention in all circumstances.