Press Release

The Continuation of Land Confiscation In the Gaza Strip

Ref: 105/99

Date: 19 October 1999

The formal support of the Israeli government for the expansion of settlements in the Palestinian Territories is evidenced by the decision of the Israeli Kenesset to approve the building of 22 housing units in Nefi Deraliim settlements, located to the west of Khan Younis camp in the Gaza Strip.

The settler’s bulldozers, with the support and the protection of the Israeli military soldiers have been excavating the lands of the Mawasi of El Qurara in Khan Younis governate since 14 October 1999. The land involved is about 1500 dunnams in size, and is located alongside, and to the west of, Katif and Netzaer Hazani settlements.

This follows action taken by settlers in the last year to control about 500 dunnams from the above-mentioned land. In June 1999 they surrounded it with barbed wire fences, and built about 20 greenhouses on the land, the last of which was built last week.

These excavating activities are part of the recent dramatic and intensive wave of settlement activities carried out by Gush Qatif settlers in the Gaza Strip, since the Labour party, under the leadership of Barak, came to power. This wave of activities aims to control more of the Palestinian Territories and to build new settlement units. The total amount of land which has been taken control of by settlers in the south of the Gaza Strip since Barak took power is approximately 3500 dunnams.

PCHR reaffirms its condemnation of Israel’s expansionist settlement policy. A policy which is illegal under international law, particularly the IVth Geneva Convention. In this regard, PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Convention to take all necessary measures to stop the settlement attacks against the Palestinian Territories in compliance with their obligations under the Convention.

For More Information Contact:

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Tel/Fax: (+) 9727 2824776 / 2823725

E-mail: [email protected]