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Press Release
Three Palestinian women killed by Israeli shelling
Ref: 31/2001
Date: June 10, 2001
In the most recent development of violations against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by the Israeli occupation forces, three Palestinian women from a single family were killed, and two other civilians were wounded by shrapnel from an artillery shell fired by the Israeli forces on 9 June 2001. According to an investigation conducted by a PCHR field officer, the Israeli occupation forces fired a number of artillery shells at a Palestinian residential area in the south of Gaza City, where Bedouin families are living in tents. There were no reported clashes in the area at the time of the shelling. This incident indicates that the pattern of shelling of Palestinian residential areas by the Israeli occupation forces has not ceased, despite Israeli government statements to the contrary.
A PCHR investigation revealed that at approximately 23:00 local time on Saturday, June 9, 2001, Israeli occupation forces, positioned in the vicinity of Netzarim settlement south of Gaza City, fired four artillery shells at tents housing Palestinian Bedouin families located approximately 2km north of the settlement. According to eyewitnesses, this was an unprovoked attack on a civilian residential area.
One artillery shell exploded near where four women of the El-Malalha family were sitting. Three of the women were killed:
1) Nasra Salem Hafezh El-Malalha, 65, from multiple shrapnel wounds;
2) Hekmat ‘Attallah El-Malalha, 17, the first victim’s daughter, from multiple shrapnel wounds; and
3) Selmia ‘Omar Ghanem El-Malalha, 37, the two victims’ relative, from multiple shrapnel wounds.
Hekmat ‘Attallah El-Malalha and Selmia ‘Omar Ghanem El-Malalha died instantly. Nasra Salem Hafezh El-Malalha was pronounced dead early this morning. The fourth woman, Nasra Salem Hussein El-Malalha, 65, sustained shrapnel wounds to the back and the chest.
A second artillery shell exploded near Hussein Mohammed Hussein El-Atram, a 28-year-old disabled civilian, while he was making his way towards a tent near his own. Hussein Mohammed Hussein El-Atram sustained a shrapnel injury in the right thigh.
A third artillery shell exploded near a flock of animals owned by Mohammed Hussein El-Atram and Hassan Salem El-Hawari. Thirteen sheep were killed.
A fourth artillery shell exploded in an open area. No casualties were reported.
According to medical sources at Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City where the dead and injured were taken, the wounds sustained were created by dart-like shrapnel 3cm long and 3ml in diameter. According to PCHR’s on-going investigations, such artillery shells, which have come to be known as “dart-like shells”, have been frequently used by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians.
PCHR strongly condemns this latest in a series of attacks by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians. Since a statement issued by the Israeli authorities on May 22, 2001, proclaiming a cease-fire in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, ten Palestinians, including eight civilians, have been killed and more than 100 have been injured by live bullets and by shrapnel from artillery shells fired by the Israeli occupation forces. In addition, three Palestinian civilians have been killed by settlers who have intensified their attacks on Palestinian civilians and property in recent days.
PCHR calls on the international community to provide immediate international protection for Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. PCHR also calls on the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to convene their adjourned conference to address measures to implement the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to meet their obligations under the Convention to ensure the respect and implementation of the Convention in regard to Palestinian civilians and their property.
