Press Release

The Israeli occupying forces continue their aggressions against Palestinian civilians

Ref: 132/2000

Date: October 16, 2000

Time: 12:30 GMT

PCHR’s field officers reported that the Israeli occupying forces started yesterday evening to reinforce its military outposts in the vicinity of the settlement of Netzarim and the junction leading to it, and in the areas adjacent to borders with Egypt in Rafah. PCHR’s field officers reported also that the Israeli occupation forces swept a 80-donum area in Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis this morning to annex it to the settlement of Neve’ Dekalim at its northern side.

In the meantime, several areas in the Gaza Strip witnessed clashes between the Israeli occupying forces and Palestinians who demonstrated in protest to the crimes and killings perpetrated by the Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians. This morning, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded by live ammunition shot by the Israeli occupying forces in Khan Yunis, and 12 were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. In addition, 20 Palestinian civilians were evacuated to hospitals in Khan Yunis as they were hurt due to inhaling tear gas used by the Israeli occupying forces. Clashes also erupted near the military outposts of the Israeli occupying forces in the areas of Salah El-Din Gate and Tal Zo’rob in Rafah. In Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, the Israeli occupying forces continued to provoke and assault citizens, and beat some of them.

During the past two days, Khan Yunis witnessed clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli occupying forces which resulted in injuring 19 Palestinian civilians by rubber-coated metal bullets. In addition, dozens of Palestinian civilians were evacuated to hospitals in the city as a result of inhaling tear gas.

The Israeli occupying authorities continue to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupying forces imposed a siege on Al-Mawasi areas in Rafah and Khan Yunis, denying access of farmers to their agricultural lands in these areas.