Israeli Forces escalate war crimes
in the OPT
· 20 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 4 women and a child,
were killed by Israeli forces
· 15
of the victims, including 2 brothers and 2 sisters, were killed in 4 targeted assassinations
in Gaza
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas
· More
than 40 houses were destroyed and large areas of agricultural land were razed
in the Gaza Strip
· Public
and private facilities at Rafah Terminal were destroyed
· Indiscriminate
shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued
· Israel
continues its campaign of retaliation against the families
of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly carried out armed attacks
against Israeli targets, resulting the destruction of 2 houses
· More
Palestinians were arrested
· Continued
siege on Palestinian communities; all Gaza Strip border crossings have been
closed; and Beit Hanoun has been under an Israeli military siege for the 4th
consecutive week
Introduction
Only days after the recent Aqaba summit, which was attended by both the
Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers in an effort to broker an agreement
between the two sides, Israeli occupying forces launched a dramatic escalation
in hostile military actions against Palestinians, including extra-judicial
assassinations. Israeli occupying forces
continue to conduct illegal actions and human rights violations against
Palestinian civilians, including collective punishment, shelling of and
incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions and agricultural land
leveling.
This week 5-11 June 2003, 20 Palestinians,
mostly civilians, including 4 women and a child, were killed and dozens
of others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.
The past 2 days witnessed an escalation in extra-judicial
assassinations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces against political and
field activists of the Intifada. Israeli forces carried out 4 assassinations in
Gaza City, which left dead 15 Palestinians, including 11 civilians. Two brothers and 2 sisters were among the
victims. These attacks came shortly
after the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
stated that they gave an order to the Israeli military to escalate what they
described as “qualitative acts” against Palestinian activists. The worst of these assassinations took place
on Wednesday evening, 11 June 2003, in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza City,
which left dead 8 Palestinians, including 6 passing civilians, 2 of whom were
brothers. In addition, more than 35
civilians, including 14 children, were wounded. Six hours later, Israeli occupying forces committed another
assassination also in Gaza City, which left dead 2 Palestinians. These assassinations came one day after 2 other
failed assassination attempts. One of
these attempts targeted Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantisi, a member of the political wing
of the Hamas movement, which left dead one of his bodyguards and as well as a woman
bystander. The other attempt targeted a
civilian car in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya, which left dead 3
passing civilians, including a woman, and wounded more than 20 others, while
those who were traveling in the car survived the attack by escaping.
The nature of the weapons employed by Israeli
occupying forces, such as combat helicopters and air-to-surface missiles, to
carry out attacks against moving cars in densely populated civilian areas,
reflects a flagrant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians and an
intention to cause maximum casualties among Palestinian civilians as a form of
retaliation.
In 4 cases of apparent willful killing, 4
Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupying forces in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip. A child also died from a previous
wound he sustained by Israeli Occupying Forces.
This week, Israeli occupying forces conducted a
series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces
conducted 7 incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed 42
Palestinian houses in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and Deir al-Balah. They also destroyed governmental and private
facilities at Rafah Terminal at the Egyptian border, in the southern Gaza
Strip. Israeli military bulldozers also
razed 40 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis and Deir
al-Balah.
In violation of international humanitarian law, which
prohibits collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures
against families of Palestinians who have carried out attacks against Israeli
targets in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli
forces. In this context, they destroyed 2 houses in the northern Gaza
Strip town of Beit Hanoun and in Hebron in the West Bank.
Israeli occupying forces have maintained a total
siege on the OPT. They have isolated
Palestinian communities from one another and have partitioned the Gaza Strip
into three separate zones, restricting the movement of people and goods.
They have also maintained curfews on some areas in the West Bank. On
Saturday, 7 June 2003, Israeli occupying authorities imposed a total closure on
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. For the 4th
consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a military siege on
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. They also restricted movement on Salah al-Din Street, the main road
between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. On Monday and Tuesday, 9 and 10 June 2003, Israeli forces closed
al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints and blocked and searched dozens
of cars.
Extra-Judicial Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassination
officially adopted by the Israeli political and military establishments against
Palestinian political and field activists of the Intifada, this week, Israeli
occupying forces committed 4 assassinations, which left dead 15 Palestinians,
including 11 passing civilians. Dozens
of others, including a number of children, were wounded.
On Tuesday, 10 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces carried out an
assassination attempt in Gaza City, which left dead 2 Palestinian civilians and
wounded more than 30 others, including a number of children. The failed
assassination attempt targeted Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantisi, a prominent leader
of the Hamas movement.
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitness
statements, at approximately 10:53 on Tuesday, 10 June 2003, 2 Israeli combat
helicopters launched 6 missiles at a civilian car – a blue Mitsubishi – that
was traveling in ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Street in a densely populated area in Gaza
City. Dr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantisi, 60, a prominent leader of the Hamas
movement, his son, Ahmed, 20, and two of his bodyguards were traveling in the
car.
The first missile hit the front of the car. Although
the passengers were wounded by the first strike, they managed to jump from the
vehicle. Shortly after, the helicopters launched more missiles, completely
destroying the car. The second strike killed a woman, who was passing by the
area. The woman has been identified as Khadra Yousef Abu Hamada, 30 from Al
Karama housing project, north of Gaza City. Dr. al-Rantisi survived the attack,
but was wounded in his left leg. More than 30 civilians, including 8 children,
were also wounded. Shortly after the attack the wounded were evacuated to
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. According to medical sources, 7 of the wounded
were in a serious condition, including one of al-Rantisi’s bodyguards, Mustapha
Abdul Rahim Saleh, 30, from Gaza City. An hour after the attack, Saleh
succumbed to his wound. Also among the wounded was PCHR staff member, Bassam
Abu Hashish, 40, from Gaza City, who was wounded by shrapnel throughout his
body, as he passed by the area.
In the evening of the same day, Israeli combat helicopters launched 3
missiles at a civilian car, in which 2 allegedly wanted Palestinians were reportedly
traveling. 3 Palestinian civilians from
one family were killed and the 2 targets, as well as a number passing
Palestinian civilians were wounded.
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitness reports, at
approximately 18:30, 2 Israeli combat helicopters flew over the northern Gaza
Strip town of Jabalya, apparently monitoring 2 Palestinian resistance men who
were traveling in a civilian car along Zimmu Street. The resistance men suspected
something, and escaped by jumping out of the car. Immediately, one of the helicopters launched
a missile at the car, destroying it. A
few minutes later, the helicopters launched 2 missiles, wounding the 2 targeted
men and 20 passing Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. Three of the wounded, including a woman,
died:
1. Mohammed Fayez Ahmed Saleh ‘Abed Rabbu,
25, hit by shrapnel in the head;
2. Hammouda Faraj ‘Abed Rabbu ‘Abed Rabbu,
19, hit by shrapnel in the chest and the abdomen; and
3. Miriam Rajab Ibrahim ‘Abed Rabbu, 35,
hit by shrapnel throughout the body.
On the following day, Israeli occupying forces
committed another assassination, which left dead 8 Palestinians, including 6
passing civilians. In addition, approximately
35 civilians, including 14 children, were wounded.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
18:00 on Wednesday, 11 June 2003, 2 Israeli combat helicopters launched 4
missiles at a civilian car that was traveling in Salah al-Din Street in the
densely populated al-Shojaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The missile hit the car and completely
destroyed the vehicle. The 2
Palestinians who were traveling in the car were killed:
1. Suhail
No’man Abu Nahel, 30, from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza; and
2. Titu
Mahmoud Mas’oud, 36, from Jabalya refugee camp.
Both were members of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the
military wing of the Hamas movement.
Shrapnel from the missile also killed 6 passing
Palestinian civilians, including 2 brothers and 2 sisters:
1. Yasser
Hassan Khalil Humaid, 35;
2. Khalil
Hassan Khalil Humaid, 33;
3. ‘Azzam
Husni al-Je’el, 40;
4. Majeda
Mahmoud Mohammed Dalloul, 20;
5. Samia
Mahmoud Mohammed Dalloul, 55; and
6. Rateb
Mahfouz al-Je’el, 55.
In addition, 35 civilians, including 14 children,
were wounded. A number of houses and
civilian facilities were also damaged.
Only 6 hours later, Israeli occupying forces
committed another assassination, which left 2 Palestinians dead.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
midnight, 2 Israeli combat helicopters launched 3 missiles at a civilian car, a
white Mitsubishi, which was parked near ‘Ali Ben Abi Taleb mosque in al-Zaytoun
neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. 2 Palestinians near the car were killed:
1. Mohammed
‘Aadel Doghmosh, 23; and
2. Rawi
Abu Kumail, 23, both from al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City.
Both were members of ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the
military wing of Hamas movement.
They had left their car to go for dinner in the
area.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
Thursday, 5 June 2003
At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with 30 heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 70m into Block
O in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They demolished 4 Palestinian houses:
1. They totally demolished a 180-square-meter
house owned by Zuhair Khamis Abu al-Zummar, in which 13 people (2 families)
lived.
2. They partially demolished a 120-square-meter
house owned by Mousa ‘Abdul Rahman Shaqfa, in which 15 people lived.
3. They demolished a 180-square-meter
house owned by Fathi Mohammed al-Qassas, in which 10 people lived.
4. They demolished a 180-square-meter
house owned by Khalil Mohammed al-Qassas, in which 10 people lived.
In the morning, medical sources at Rafidya Hospital
in Nablus declared that Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Habla, 15, from Tulkarm, succumbed
to a wound he had sustained by Israeli occupying forces a week earlier.
According to information available to PCHR, at
approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, 27 May 2003, Israeli soldiers in a military
jeep that was patrolling in the center of Tulkarm opened fire at Palestinian
secondary school students who threw stones at Israeli forces. One of the students, Mohammed Nassim Amin
Mahmoud, 16, was killed by 2 live bullets in the chest, and Abu Habla was
seriously wounded by a live bullet in the right eye. He was evacuated to the intensive care unit
at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus, where he succumbed to his wound a few days
later.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces at
military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement,
northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian farms and houses in
al-Rabwat area. A Palestinian civilian,
Amin Hadallah Yousef Killab, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the neck,
while he was working in a house, approximately 1km away from the source of the fire.
Approximately half an hour later, Israeli occupying
forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim”
settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian residential areas in
the town. A Palestinian civilian, Majed
Harb Khalil al-Bajja, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the chest, while he
was sitting in a park, approximately 900m away from the source of fire.
At approximately 21:30, Israeli occupying forces
positioned at the border with Egypt, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian
houses in Rafah refugee camp. A
Palestinian civilian, Bassel ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Abdul Hafez, 28, was wounded by a
live bullet in the left thigh, while he was sitting near his friend’s house in al-Shaboura
area, approximately 1km away from the source of fire.
At approximately 23:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 100m into Block O
in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They demolished 6 Palestinian houses:
1. They
totally demolished a 170-square-meter house owned by Bassam Mahmoud Abu Lebda,
in which 24 people (5 families) lived.
2. They
totally demolished a 180-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Aadel
Mohammed Abu Taha, in which 9 people (2 families) lived.
3. They
partially demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by
Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim Abu Taha, in which 2 people lived.
4. They
partially demolished a 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed
Sa’id Mohammed Abu Taha, in which 9 people (2 families) lived.
5. They
partially demolished a 270-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mahmoud
Mohammed Radwan, in which 13 people (2 families) lived.
6. They
partially demolished a 240-square-meter house owned by Mohammed ‘Omar ‘Omar, in
which 12 people (2 families) lived.
Friday, 6 June 2003
At approximately 16:15, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with 4 heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved
approximately 500m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They raided and searched 3 Palestinian houses
owned by Yousef Mahdi al-Banna, Nasser Mohammed al-Banna and ‘Abdul Karim
Mohammed ‘Omran. During the house raids
and searches, Israeli forces detained 20 Palestinian civilians on a space
area. An Israeli tank sporadically fired
over their heads to provide protection for the bulldozer that was razing
agricultural areas. The bulldozer razed
a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an
irrigation network owned by Mohammed Madiouf Mohammed Sha’at. The bulldozer also demolished a fence and
destroyed a water pump owned by the sons of Khamis Khalil Sha’at. Approximately 3 hours later, Israeli forces
withdrew from the area, arresting Salem Khamis Khalil Sha’at, 42, and releasing
the other civilians they had previously detained.
Saturday, 7June 2003
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately
700m into al-Fukhari area in the east of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural
land:
1. They
razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and wheat, on
which 2 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network and an agricultural pool owned by Suleiman Jibril Abu Tu’aima.
2. They
razed an 8-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and olives
and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Isma’il Abu Tu’aima.
3. They
razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an
irrigation network owned by Ziad Abu Tu’aima.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved into Abu Houli area in the south
of Deir al-Balah. They surrounded a
2-storey house owned by Mohammed Ahmed Saqer, in which 17 people (2 families)
live. They forced the residents of the
house to vacate the premises and held them until 03:30 the following day. Israeli forces searched the area. They also razed a 5-donum area of
agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed a fence
surrounding the land and the house, water tanks, a tractor and a room, owned by
Saqer. Israeli forces also destroyed a
170-square-meter house owned by Husni Mohammed Saqer, in which 7 people
lived.
Monday, 9 June 2003
In the morning, during an incursion into the northern
Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Israeli forces destroyed a house owned by Mousa
Suhwail’s family, who had allegedly participated in an armed attack against
Israeli forces in the Erez area, north of the town. They also totally demolished 8 neighboring
houses:
1. A
150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Badran Ibrahim Hammad Suhwail,
in which 3 people lived;
2. A
220-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by ‘Ouda Suleiman Musallam Abu Jarad,
in which 13 people lived;
3. A
150-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by Ahmed Suleiman Musallam Abu Jarad,
in which 11 people lived;
4. A
280-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fawzi Ahmed Ahmed Abu ‘Amsha,
in which 21 people (2 families) lived;
5. A
270-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ouda Eshtaiwi Mousa Abu ‘Aqel,
in which 13 people (2 families) lived;
6. A
270-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fayez Saleh Yousef Hassan, in
which 13 people (4 families) lived;
7. A
120-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned by Ramadan Ahmed Suleiman Abu Jarad,
in which 5 people lived; and
8. A
180-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Khader Saber ‘Abed Rabbu
Killab, in which 6 people lived.
Israeli forces also partially destroyed 22 houses in
the town.
In the evening, an Israeli undercover unit killed a
Palestinian civilian, wounded another and arrested 2 others in Kufor Ra’ei
village, southwest of Jenin.
According to information available to PCHR, at
approximately 21:40, 2 civilian cars that held Palestinian registration numbers
infiltrated the Kufor Ra’ei village. A
number of gunmen got out of the cars. They surrounded a house at the southern edge of the village. About 5 minutes later, more Israeli forces
moved into the area. As Israeli forces
began to surround the house, 4 Palestinian civilians tried to exit the property
but Israeli forces immediately opened fire. ‘Essam Ahmed al-Sheikh Ibrahim, 34, was wounded by a live bullet in the
chest, and Walid ‘Abdul Fattah Rashed Harazallah, 39, was wounded by a live
bullet in the left foot. Ibrahim bled to
death as Israeli forces did not offer medical assistance. Later, Israeli forces transferred the two to
the entrance of a mosque; an Israeli officer called the emergency center of
Palestine Red Crescent Society, which then sent 2 ambulances to the area to
collect the two wounded. Israeli forces
also arrested 2 Palestinians.
The Arabic website of the Israeli daily Yediot
Aharanot quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying that his forces
“killed a Palestinian in Kufor Ra’ei village as he attempted to escape
arrest.” However, residents of the
village asserted that the victim was not wanted by Israeli forces.
Tuesday, 10 June 2003
At approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Birka
area, southwest of Deir al-Balah. Immediately, Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area. They raided the house of ‘Atiya
al-Sukkari. They searched the house and
arrested the owner’s 6 sons and a friend who was in the house:
1. Mohammed ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 35;
2. Ahmed ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 30;
3. Hamed ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 24;
4. Yusri ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 26;
5. Tayseer ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 18;
6. Yasser ‘Atiya al-Sukkari, 16; and
7. Eyad Abu Nasser, 22.
In the morning, an Israeli undercover unit chased and killed a
Palestinian farmer in Khan Yunis, apparently during an operation against wanted
Palestinians.
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitness’ reports, at
approximately 09:30, while Jihad Jasser Jaber Hassanain, 27, was farming his
agricultural land in Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis, 3
civilian cars with Palestinian registration numbers arrived at the area. Hassanain was suspicious about the car,
especially as one was moving very fast towards him. Immediately, he began to run. Another car followed him, while a number of
persons in civilian clothes got out of the other 2 cars and chased him on foot
and fired at him. He was wounded and
fell. Immediately, the persons
transferred him to one of the cars. Shortly after that, 5 tanks and 3 military jeeps arrived at the area and
began opening fire on houses and farms in the area. Israeli forces later withdrew from the area,
taking Hassanain with them. At
approximately 11:50, Israeli forces at Tal al-Sultan military checkpoint, west
of Rafah, delivered Hassanain’s body to the Palestinian authorities. The body was transferred to a hospital in
Rafah. According to medical sources, the
victim was hit by a live bullet that entered the back and exited the
abdomen. Later, Israeli radio in Arabic
reported that “the Israeli military killed a Palestinian gunman in Khan Yunis
as he attempted to infiltrate into Morag settlement,” south of Khan Yunis.
At approximately 18:20, Israeli occupying forces in
military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement,
northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the al-Rabwat and
al-katiba areas. A Palestinian civilian,
Nasser Ahmed Mansour Wafi, 39, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg as
he was standing approximately 1km away from the source of fire.
Approximately 2 hours later, Israeli occupying forces
in military locations in the vicinity of “Netser Hazani” settlement,
northwest of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara
village. A Palestinian civilian, Bassam
Sa’ad al-Lahham, 24, was wounded in the chest by shrapnel from a live
bullet.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including 3 bulldozers, moved
approximately 3km into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of
Jabalya. They razed areas of Palestinian
agricultural land:
1. a
500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by ‘Omar
Mohammed al-Jamal.
2. a
1-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Ibrahim ‘Eid.
3. a
3-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Rabi’ Dibbu.
4. a
1-donum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Musbah
al-Zain.
Shooting at Palestinian Civilians
Thursday, 5 June 2003
In the evening, Israeli occupying forces killed 2 Palestinians who were
in a deserted shack at the eastern edge of ‘Attil village, north of
Tulkarm. They also wounded and arrested
a third Palestinian.
According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 22:00,
Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and
helicopters, were seen moving towards the eastern edge of ‘Attil village, north
of Tulkarm. They surrounded a deserted
shack. They broke in, opening fire. When Israeli forces withdrew from the area, a
number of residents of the village and an ambulance went to the area. They found only two severed hands and traces
of blood. The severed hands were taken
to hospital. In the morning, it was
declared that 2 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli raid:
1. ‘Aadel Hadaida Abu Zaytoun, 18; and
2. Hani Khaled Kahrioush, 28, both from
Tulkarm refugee camp.
A third Palestinian, Kamal al-Shalabi, 19, from Tulkarm refugee camp,
was wounded and arrested by Israeli forces. Israeli military sources claimed
that “Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian gunmen and wounded and arrested a
third, during an arrest attempt. The
Palestinian gunmen fired at the Israeli forces as they attempted to raid a
deserted shed in the ‘Attil area where the men were hiding.” The sources claimed that the 3 Palestinians
were planning an attack against Israeli targets. However, locals asserted that the fire came
from one direction only.
Friday, 6 June 2003
At approximately 21:30, 3 Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Fourik
village, east of Nablus, and imposed a curfew. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered in the center of
the village and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the stone throwers, wounding 3:
1. Ibrahim ‘Abed ‘Ali Hanani, 12, wounded
by a live bullet in the right foot;
2. Ramaz Wajdi Hanani, 10, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the back; and
3. Ahmed ‘Abdul Latif Hanani, 24, wounded
by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the back.
Saturday, 7 June 2003
At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces at the southern
entrance of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, which has been under
an Israeli military siege, fired at a number of Palestinian boys who were demonstrating
in the area. One of the demonstrators,
Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Awadh, 17, was wounded by a live bullet in the left
foot.
Sunday, 8 June 2003
In the afternoon, Israeli soldiers on a tank positioned at the entrance
of al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin, fired at a civilian car that had been
forced to travel along a muddy road on its way towards Jenin because of road
closures. Two Palestinian civilians who
were traveling in the car were wounded:
1. Tariq Ziad Ahmed Jaradat, 25, wounded
by a live bullet in the head; and
2. Nabil Ahmed Yousef Jaradat, 25, wounded
by a live bullet in the head.
Monday, 9 June 2003
At approximately 18:30, Israeli occupying forces positioned south of the
northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun fired at Palestinian civilians who had
gathered in one of the main streets of the town. A child, Ghassan Khalil Hamdan, 15, was
wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.
Wednesday, 11 June 2003
At approximately 13:45, Israeli occupying forces in a military location
near “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired live
ammunition and tear gas at Palestinian civilians who were participating in the
funeral procession of Jihad Jasser Hassanain, who was killed by an undercover
unit of Israeli forces on the preceding day. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Emad Darwish Miqdad, 20, was wounded by a live
bullet in the left thigh.
Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Alleged
too Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets
In violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits
collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families
of Palestinians alleged to have carried out attacks against Israeli targets in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli forces
At approximately 04:25 on Monday, 9 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces surrounded
a deserted house in the old town of Hebron owned by the al-Harbawi family. They planted explosives inside the
400-square-meter house and destroyed it. Israeli forces claimed that 2 Palestinian activists: Walid Mohammed
Hijazi ‘Obaido, 19; and ‘Alaa’ al-Din ‘Abdul Mun’em al-Fakhouri, 23, had taken
shelter in the house before they were killed in an exchange of fire with
Israeli forces in Hebron on Sunday, 8 June 2003.
At approximately 11:00 on the same day, Israeli occupying forces,
reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including bulldozers, moved
approximately 400m into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. They surrounded a house belonging to the
family of Mousa Ibrahim Suhwail. He had
allegedly participated in an armed attack against Israeli forces at the Erez
crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip on the preceding day. They forced the 13 residents of the
300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house out without permitting them to retrieve
their belongings. During the incursion,
which continued until 13:00, Israeli forces demolished Suhwail’s house and 8
neighboring houses, and partially destroyed 22 other homes.
* * * * *
PCHR calls:
1. Upon the international community to
provide immediate and independent international protection for
the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to
the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective
measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article
146.
3. Upon the international community to
investigate and prosecute before international courts those believed to have
committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence,
expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the
Occupied Palestinian Territories.
5. Upon the European Union to activate
Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel
must respect human rights.
6. Upon the international community to
provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose
living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued
siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
“END”
Public
Document
**************************************
For more
information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 –
2825893
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