The
Northern Gaza Strip is Transformed into an Open Area for Killing and
Destruction
· 33
Palestinians, 23 of whom are civilians, including 7 children and a mentally
disabled man, were killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
· 27
of the victims were killed during the Israeli offensive on the northern Gaza
Strip.
· One
of the victims was a schoolchild who was killed while sitting on her desk and
another child who was willfully shot dead.
· Israeli
troops conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip.
· 23
houses were destroyed and 156 donums[1]
of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip.
· Houses
were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested.
· 3
houses were destroyed in the West Bank in the context of retaliatory measures
against families of Palestinian activists.
· Continued
shelling of residential areas and civilian facilities; a Palestinian child was
killed and a number of other civilians were injured.
· Construction
of the “Annexation wall” in the West Bank has continued.
· Israeli
troops have continued to impose a total siege on the oPt; the Gaza Strip has
been divided into 3 separate zones; a shortage of basic foodstuffs and fuels in
the southern Gaza Strip; Israeli troops at military checkpoints fired at
Palestinian civilians and arrested a number of civilians while crossing
military checkpoints.
The
Outcome of 2 Weeks of the Israeli Offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip
· 97 Palestinians have been killed,[2]
including 49 civilians, 25 of whom are children.
· At least 420, including 150 children, have been wounded,
many of whom have been in a serious condition and some have been rendered
permanently disabled.
· At least 600 donums of agricultural land have been razed, 70
houses have been totally destroyed, 200 houses were severely damaged or
partially destroyed, and many civilian facilities, including kindergartens,
schools, mosques and factories, have been destroyed.
· Forcible migration of hundreds of Palestinian families due
to the wide scale destruction and shelling of houses.
· Retaliatory measures that have included the destruction of 3
houses belonging to the families of Palestinian militants.
· A total siege and isolation of several areas, such as
al-Bukhari, Sha’sha’a and ‘Asaliya areas in the east of Jabalya refugee camp;
and Quliabu area in Beit Lahia, denying access of these areas to medical or
humanitarian assistance.
· Expansion of the military campaign by seizing full control
over Beit Lahia.
· Education has been suspended
Introduction
IOF have more violations of human rights against
Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), especially
in the Gaza Strip. They have expanded the military campaign against the
northern Gaza Strip, causing more casualties among Palestinian civilians. This
week, 33 Palestinians, 23 of whom were civilians, including 7 children, were
killed by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. Human rights violations perpetrated
by IOF included willful and extra-judicial killings, incursions into
Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling, land leveling and total closure
imposed on Palestinian communities.
IOF have continued their wide scale offensive on the
northern Gaza Strip. During the period
covered by this report, 27 Palestinians, 18 of whom are civilians, including 5
children, were killed by Israeli troops. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of this
latest offensive on 28 September 2004 has mounted to 97, including 49
civilians, 25 of whom are children. In addition, at least 420 others, mostly
civilians, including at least 150 children, have been injured, many of them
have been in a serious condition. Israeli troops have attacked Palestinian
civilians, especially children, and escalated measures of retaliation and
collective punishment through the destruction of civilian property and the
internal and external closure.
Israeli troops increasingly attacked Palestinian
civilians, contrary to their claims that their military campaign against the
northern Gaza Strip targets members of the Palestinian resistance to prevent
them from launching the Qassam rockets at Israeli towns. For example, 2
civilians were killed when the Israeli air force shelled their house, and 2
children were killed by a tank shell. An
Israel F-16 fighter jet also attacked an industrial facility inside Jabalya
refugee camp. One civilian was killed and the facility and a number of
neighboring houses were totally destroyed. In addition, large destruction has
been afflicted to houses, agricultural land and the civilian infrastructure.
Israeli troops have destroyed ate least 70 houses and damaged dozens of others.
They have also razed at least 600 donums of agricultural land and partially
destroyed the civilian infrastructure and a number of civilian facilities,
including kindergartens, schools and mosques.
In other areas of the Gaza Strip, this week, 6
Palestinians, 5 of whom are civilians, including 2 children and a mentally
disabled man, were killed by Israeli troops. Two of the victims were
extra-judicially killed by Israeli troops on 9 October 2004. On 13 October
2004, a schoolchild died from a wound she had sustained on the previous
day. The child was hit by a live bullet
in the chest when she was sitting at her desk. The other child was killed on 13
October 2004, when Israeli troops fired at him and his friends while they were
playing football in Rafah refugee camp. A member of the Palestinian resistance
was killed in Deir al-Balah on 11 October 2004, when he clashed with Israeli
troops that moved into the town. On 8 October 2004, Israeli troops shot dead a
mentally disabled Palestinian civilian in the central Gaza Strip.
This week, Israeli troops conducted 6 incursions into
Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, especially in Rafah and Deir al-Balah.
During these incursions, Israeli troops destroyed 23 houses, including 15 in
Rafah, and razed 156 donums of agricultural land, including 86 donums in
Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.
In the West Bank, Israeli troops launched a series of
attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties. They moved into
various areas throughout the West Bank, injured a number of Palestinian
civilians, and arrested dozens of others. They also destroyed 3 houses
belonging to families of Palestinian activists. In addition, Israeli settlers
continued to attack Palestinian civilians. A number of civilians were injured.
IOF have continued to construct the annexation wall
inside the West Bank territory. This
week, this construction took place mainly in East Jerusalem and Hebron. Israeli
troops razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land and uprooted hundreds
of olive trees. They also prevented
Palestinian farmers in some areas from reaching their agricultural land to
cultivate olives.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the
OPT and have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. They have
divided the Gaza Strip into 3 separate zones by closing the coastal road
between Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip, and isolated several parts of the
northern Gaza Strip. They have also
continued to close most border crossings of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank,
Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They
have continued to impose a tightened siege on Hebron for the 2nd
consecutive month. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians and arrested some of them while crossing military
checkpoints. Israeli troops also imposed curfews on a number of Palestinian
communities.
Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas
and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israeli Offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip
IOF have continued their attacks on Palestinian
civilians in the northern Gaza Strip since Tuesday, 28 September 2004, in
disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. They have caused dozens of
casualties among Palestinian civilians and have largely destroyed civilian
facilities. During the period covered by
this report, 27 Palestinians, 18 of whom are civilians, including 5 children,
were killed by Israeli troops. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed since
the beginning of this latest offensive has mounted to 97, including 49
civilians, 25 of whom are children. In addition, at least 420 others,
mostly civilians, including at least 150 children, have been injured, and a
number of them have been rendered permanently disabled. In addition, large areas in the northern Gaza
Strip have been isolated, while Israeli troops have seized a number of
buildings, transforming their roofs into military sites. In the meantime,
electricity and water supplies have been cut from these areas.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 07:50 on Thursday, 7 October 2004, Israeli troops positioned to
the north of Tal al-Za’tar area fired an artillery shell at a number of
Palestinian children who were near a sports club nearly 300 meters away. Two children were killed:
1. Ra’ed Ziad Ahmed Abu Zaid, 15, from
Jabalya refugee camp; and
2. Suleiman ‘Abed Hussein Abu Ful, 16,
from Beit Lahia.
Also on Thursday morning, medical sources at Shifa
Hospital in Gaza City declared that Mohammed Tuhami Abu Saif, 16, from Jabalya
refugee camp, died from an injury he had sustained by Israeli troops on 1
October 2004.
At approximately 15:30, medical sources at Shifa
Hospital in Gaza City declared that Lu’ai Jamal Hamad, 22, from Beit Hanoun,
died from an injury he had sustained on 3 October 2004, when the Israeli air
force fired a missile at a number of Palestinians in Zimmu area.
At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned in Zimmu Street in the southeast of Beit Hanoun opened fire
at Palestinian houses in al-Qarman Street. A Palestinian child, 12-year-old Samah Mo’een ‘Ouda, was seriously
wounded by 2 live bullets in the head and the right shoulder, when she was
inside her house. Israeli troops
obstructed her evacuation to the hospital for one hour, causing further deterioration
to her health condition.
At approximately 23:00 on the same day, medical
sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that 13-year-old Hassan Joma’a
al-Sharatha, from Jabalya refugee camp, died from an injury he had sustained on
30 September 2004, when Israeli troops shelled the camp.
At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 8 October 2004,
Israeli troops positioned in a military post to the south of Erez industrial
zone, north of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the town. A Palestinian child, 10-year-old Siham Sameer
Musleh, was killed by a live bullet in the abdomen, when she was at the door of
her family home.
At approximately 19:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned near the directorate of education, east of Beit Lahia, fired
an artillery shell at a number of Palestinian boys near a mosque in Sheikh
Zayed housing project. Two boys were
killed:
1. Mohammed Nabil Motawe’ Subeh, 18; and
2. Yasser Saleh al-Khatib, 18, both from
Jabalya refugee camp.
Two children were also injured.
At approximately 22:00 on the same day, Israeli
troops fired an artillery shell at Sa’id al-Du’aifi’s house in Tal al-Za’tar
area, northeast of Jabalya refugee camp. The house was partially destroyed and
the owner and his daughter, Tahreer, 20, were injured.
At approximately 22:30 on the same day, the Israeli
air force fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Sikka
Street. One civilian, 25-year-old Salama Isma’il Abu Sala’a, was instantly
killed.
At approximately 03:30 on Saturday, 9 October 2004, a
number of Israeli military vehicles moved towards Zimmu Street in Beit Hanoun.
They surrounded a house belonging to the family of Fadi Farid al-Za’anin, who
was killed in an armed clash with Israeli troops on 2 October 2004. Israeli troops forced the family out and
demolished the house. During this
operation, 2 members of the Palestinian resistance exchanged fire with Israeli
troops. The two members were wounded by
several live bullets throughout the body. Israeli troops pulled them on the
ground while they were bleeding and put them on ruins of the house that had
been demolished until they died. When
Israeli troops withdrew from the area, medical crews transferred the two
victims’ bodies to the hospital. There,
they were identified as:
1. Mohammed Yahia ‘Edwan, 22; and
2. ‘Arafat Fu’ad Nasser, 23, both from
Beit Hanoun.
At approximately 10:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops positioned on al-Kashef hill fired at ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Hassan Nabhan, 27,
from Jabalya, a field leader of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military
wing of Hamas, when he was near a factory of concrete, nearly 300 meters
away. He was instantly killed by 2 live
bullets in the head.
At approximately 19:30, Israeli troops fired 2
artillery shells at a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Zuhair Salem in
Beit Lahia. Salem was killed while
carrying out an attack against Ashdod Harbor several months ago. The two shells
hit the 5-storey house, where an extended family comprised of dozens of people
lives. Two members of the family were killed: Ameen Mahmoud Salem, 36; and
Sufian Mousa Salem, 28, were killed. Six
other members were seriously injured, and a baby in a neighboring house was
also injured. Israeli troops continued
to fire at the house, obstructing the evacuation of the victims to the
hospital.
In the hours of the day, Israeli troops shelled a
number of communities in Jabalya refugee camp and Beit Hanoun. Eight Palestinians were injured.
At approximately 07:40 on Sunday, 10 October 2004,
the Israeli air force fired a missile at a factory of concrete in Block 7 in
Jabalya refugee camp. The factory and 3 neighboring house were totally
destroyed. A Palestinian civilian, Maher Mahmoud Zaqqout, 39, was also
seriously injured by shrapnel throughout the body, when he was nearly 300
meters away. He died a few minutes upon
arrival at the hospital. The victim was
on his way to an UNRWA school, where he was teaching.
On Sunday morning, medical sources at Shifa Hospital
in Gaza City declared that Ra’ed Mohammed al-Mabhouh, 22, from Jabalya refugee
camp, died from an injury he had sustained on 1 October 2004, when Israeli
troops fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinians in the east of
Jabalya refugee camp.
At approximately 19:45 on the same day, Israeli
troops fired an artillery shell at a number of Palestinians in al-‘Ajarma
Street in the east of Jabalya refugee camp. Three young men were seriously injured, and one of them, Sameh Zamel
al-Wehaidi, 22, died at the hospital 2 hours later.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 11 October 2004,
medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Ahmed Zaki
Ramadan, 22, from Beit Hanoun, died fron an injury he had sustained on the
previous day, when the Israeli air force fired a missile at a number of
Palestinian civilians in the town.
At approximately 04:00, medical sources at Shifa
Hospital in Gaza City declared that Yousef Mamdouh Abu Saif, 21, from Jabalya
refugee camp, died from an injury he had sustained on the previous day, when
the Israeli air force fired a missile at the east of Jabalya refugee camp.
At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 12 October 2004,
Israeli troops escalated their attacks on Qualibu Hill in the east of Beit
Lahia. Israeli military vehicles moved
forward and opened fire at the area. No
casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians, especially children, were
extremely terrified.
On Tuesday evening, Israeli troops expanded their
military campaign inside Beit Lahia. More Israeli military vehicles moved from “Nissanit” and
“Elli Sinai” settlements into the town. They opened fire at houses
and seized complete control over the town. They seized a number of houses and
transformed them into military sites.
At approximately 02:30 on Wednesday, 13 October 2004,
the Israeli air force fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in
Jabalya refugee camp. Shrapnel from the
missile hit a number of houses. Two
Palestinian civilians – a man and his wife – were injured while they were
inside their house.
At approximately 03:30 on the same day, the Israeli
air force fired 2 missiles at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance
near al-Tawba mosque in Beit Lahia. A
member of the resistance, Mohammed Akram Ma’rouf, 25, was killed, and another
one was seriously injured.
At approximately 09:00 on the same day, medical
sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Kahder Mohammed
al-Talouli, 28, from Jabalya refugee camp, died from an injury he had sustained
on 9 October 2004 when an Israeli scouting aircraft fired a missile at a number
of members of the Palestinian resistance in the east of the camp. Another member of the resistance, Jihad Ameen
Abu Mousa, 37, died in the evening from an injury he had sustained in the same
attack.
At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Israeli
troops fired an artillery shell at a number of the Palestinian resistance near
a school in Beit Lahia. Two members of
the resistance were killed:
1. Rezeq Hassan al-Zaini, 37, from Jabalya
refugee camp; and
2. Mohammed Sa’id al-Masri, 25, from Beit
Lahia.
At approximately 21:30 on the same day, the Israeli
air force fired a missile at a number of members of the Palestinian resistance
near Tal al-Dahab area, northwest of Beit Lahia. One member of the resistance, Ramzi Isma’il
Abu Shaqfa, 24, was killed.
Late at night, the Israeli air force fired a missile
at 2 Palestinian civilian who were distributing food aid inside Jabalya refugee
camp. The two civilians were killed:
1. Nidal Harb Mas’oud, 20; and
2. Mohye al-Din Maher al-Madhoun, 19, both
from Jabalya refugee camp.
Israeli troops were deployed in Beit Lahia on
Thursday morning, 14 October 2004. PCHR’s field worker in the northern Gaza Strip reported that Israeli
troops had destroyed 3 houses and razed at least 100 donums of agricultural
land. They had also destroyed 8 cars,
dozens of animal farms, the main road of the town and the electricity, water
and telephone networks.
PCHR’s field worker in the northern Gaza Strip
reported that several areas, such as Qulaibu area in Beit Lahia and Sha’sha’a
area in Jabalya refugee camp, had been under a tightened siege for the 2nd
consecutive week. No humanitarian
assistance had reached these areas. Other areas, such as al-Bukhari and
‘Asaliya, had suffered from severe living conditions, and only limited
assistance had been provided to the area by UNRWA and ICRC following advanced
coordination with Israeli troops.
Thursday, 7 October 2004
At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 500 meters into al-Birka area in the
southwest of Deir al-Balah. Immediately,
they started to raze areas of Palestinian agricultural land. By 03:00, they had
razed 25 donums of agricultural land planted with fruits and vegetables and destroyed
irrigation networks and an agricultural pool belonging to the families of
al-Riati and Abu Shimas.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli troops moved nearly
200 meters into al-Shouka area in the southeast of Rafah. They demolished a
120-square-meter house owned by ‘Abed Rabbu Ahmed al-Farra, that served as a
summer house.
At approximately 10:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 400 meters in Abu Tu’aima area in the
east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. This incursion followed an armed clash between Israeli troops and 2
members of the Palestinian resistance. Under the cover of intense shelling,
Israeli troops razed 86 donums of Palestinian agricultural land planted with
olives and vegetables and destroyed irrigation networks and agricultural pools
belonging to the Abu Tu’aima family.
At approximately 13:20, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Block J in Rafah refugee
camp, adjacent to the border. A Palestinian civilian, 20-year-old Yasser Ahmed
Barhoum, was injured by shrapnel in the head, when he was near his house.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli troops positioned in
a military post in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah opened fire at
Zo’rob neighborhood to the north. A
Palestinian child, 9-year-old Mahmoud Jamil Zo’rob, was seriously wounded by a
live bullet in the chest.
At approximately 17:00, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. Israeli troops opened fire at
houses. A number of Palestinian children
and young men gathered and threw stones at the jeeps. Immediately, Israeli
troops opened fire at the stone throwers, wounding ‘Abdul Rahman Hani So’ud,
18, with a live bullet in the left thigh.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli troops moved into
Tulkarm refugee camp, opening fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children
gathered and threw stones at the Israeli troops. Immediately, these troops
fired at the children, wounding 15-year-old Mohammed Farid Kannouh with a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the left hand.
In the hours of the day, Israeli troops moved into
the villages of Zawata, Bourin, ‘Assira and Salfit villages near Nablus; Jenin
refugee camp; Artah area in Tulkarm; and al-‘Arroub refugee camp near Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 11 Palestinian, including 3 children.
Friday,
8 October 2004
At approximately 10:00,
Israeli troops, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 800 meters
into Palestinian areas located to the northeast of “Kfar Darom”
settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They demolished 3 houses and razed 5 donums of agricultural land planted
with vegetables owned by the families of al-Fallit and Abu Mughassib.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli
troops positioned at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza Valley
village, opened fire at house in the village. A Palestinian civilian, Mabrouk Sabbah al-Hamran, 38, was wounded by a
live bullet in the left thigh, when he was inside his house nearly 1000 meters
away from the source of fire.
At approximately 18:30,
Israeli troops positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire
at houses in Block K in Rafah refugee camp. A Palestinian child, Sami ‘Ali ‘Aashour, was injured by shrapnel in the
face.
At approximately 22:30,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts near “Kissufim” settler
road, south of Deir al-Balah, shot dead at a Palestinian civilian, Saleh
Ibrahim Hussein Abu al-Husain, 35, from Gaza Valley village, when he was near
the barbwire that surrounds the road. His body remained in the place until the following day morning, when
Israeli troops informed the Palestinian liaison that they had taken his body. According to the victim’s family and
neighbors, he was suffering from an acute psychological disorder.
Saturday, 9
October 2004
At approximately 12:15, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at a number of Palestinian children who gathered near
the aforementioned settlement and threw stones at these troops. Two children were wounded:
1. Jihad Yassin Barbakh, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the
right hand; and
2. Hassan Mohammed al-Qamhawi, 12, wounded by shrapnel in the
face and the hand.
A number of live bullets and some shrapnel hit Nasser
medical compound, damaging a number of its departments and an ambulance.
At approximately 17:15, 5 Israeli military jeeps
moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. Israeli troops opened fire at houses. A number of Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones
at the stone throwers, wounding 2, including a child:
1. Isma’il Mousa Abu ‘Alafa, 15, seriously wounded by a live
bullet in the abdomen; and
2. ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Sanakra, 27, wounded by a live bullet in the
left hand.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli troops, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, moved nearly 300 meters into ‘Oraiba area in the
northwest of Rafah. Under the cover of
indiscriminate shelling, they ordered residents of houses to leave their houses
without allowing them to take any of their belongings. Then, they destroyed 14 houses completely and
a 15th one partially, rendering 66 people (18 families)
homeless. These houses belong to the
families of Abu Samhadana, Abu Baten, Abu Zakkar, al-Tarabin and
al-‘Arjani.
Sunday, 10
October 2004
At approximately 04:00,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the west of Rafah opened fire at
houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood to the east. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Aadel Mutawe’
Miqdad, 42, was injured by shrapnel in the head when he was selpping inside his
house.
At approximately 08:30,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses
and schools in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian schoolchild, 16-year-old Jihad Sa’id Sarhan, was wounded
by a live bullet in the right hand while he was in a classroom in an UNRWA
preparatory school, nearly 600 meters away from the source of fire. Schools in this area have been targeted by
the Israeli gunfire, previously one schoolchild and an old man were killed when
they were inside the schools.
At approximately 22:30,
Israeli troops positioned in military posts in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled Palestinian houses in
Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood. A number of houses were damaged and an
artillery shell fell near the administration building in Nasser medical
compound, and damaged the building.
Monday, 11 October 2004
At approximately 00:00, Israeli troops positioned in
the vicinity of “Qatif” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, shelled
Palestinian houses in al-Satar al-Gharbi area. An artillery shell hit a 140-square-meter house owned by Najeh Swailem
al-Hameedi, in which 10 people live. The
house was severely damaged, but no casualties were reported. A number of artillery shells also hit a
mosque and severely damaged it. In
addition, a Palestinian civilian, Shadi Shu’aib al-‘Adini, 29, was injured by
shrapnel in the face and the chest.
At approximately 01:30, an infantry unit of Israeli
troops moved from “Kfar Darom” settlement nearly 600 meters into Deir
al-Balah. Israeli troops raided 3 houses
and transformed them into military sites after having held their
residents. Nearly 3 hours later, 11
heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, were brought to the area. During their movement forwards, the Israeli
troops opened fire at a member of the Palestinian resistance who tried to
confront this Israeli military incursion. He was wounded by a live bullet in the head. He bled to death and Israeli troops did not allow
ambulances to reach him during this incursion. The victim was later identified as Tamer Mohammed Khamash, 38. Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling,
Israeli troops destroyed 4 houses, in which 28 people (3 families) lived. They also razed 40 donums of agricultural
land at the entrance to Deir al-Balah. In addition, 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were injured
by the Israeli shelling. Before their
withdrawal from the town, Israeli troops moved into Abu ‘Oraif area. A tank fired a shell at Fayez ‘Abed Mohammed ‘Abdul
Hadi. One of the owner’s children, Ibrahim,
8, was injured by shrapnel in the right thigh.
At approximately 06:00, Israeli troops positioned in
military posts in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and
al-Nimsawi neighborhood. A Palestinian
civilian, Hussam Mohammed Abu Hatab, 29, was injured by shrapnel in the head,
when he was inside his house.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli troops, accompanied
by a bulldozer, moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They opened fire at houses. The bulldozer started to block the northern
entrance of the camp. A number of
Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli
troops. Immediately, Israeli troops
fired at the stone throwers, wounding 5, including 3 children.
Tuesday, 12 October 2004
In the morning, Israeli opened fire at an elementary
school in Khan Yunis, wounding an 11-year-old schoolchild when she was sitting
at her desk. The child died from her
wound on the following day morning. PCHR
is increasingly concerned at the number of attacks by IOF on educational
institutions, threatening the lives and safety of children. This schoolchild was the second to be killed
by Israeli troops while at school.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by
PCHR, at approximately 11:00, Israeli troops positioned in the vicinity of
“Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at an
UNRWA elementary school in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian schoolchild,
11-year-old Ghadeer Jaber Mukhaimer, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in
the chest while she was sitting at her desk. Medical efforts made to save her life failed and she was pronounced dead
on the following day morning.
During the day, Israeli troops moved into the
villages of Tammoun and Qabatya near Jenin; the villages of al-Duha and
al-Khader village near Bethlehem; Nablus and the neighboring refugee camps;
Qarawat Bani Zaid village near Ramallah; and Beit ‘Awa village near Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 24 Palestinians.
Wednesday, 13 October 2004
At approximately 17:00, Israeli troops positioned at
the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian
children who were playing football in Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent
to the border. Two children were
seriously wounded:
1. Jihad Hassan Barhoum, 16, hit by a live
bullet to the abdomen and died two hours later; and
2. ‘Abdul Rahman Sulieman Sha’at, 7, hit
by a live bullet to the back.
Extra-Judicial Execution
In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial
assassination officially adopted by the Israeli political and military
establishments, On Saturday morning, 9th October 2004, Israeli occupying troops
committed an extra-judicial execution in Khan Yunis refugee camp in the
southern Gaza Strip, which left 2 Palestinian activists dead (both were members
of the Palestinian National Security Force and of a Palestinian militant
group).
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 01:15 on Saturday, the Israeli air force fired a missile at 2
Palestinians who were walking in al-Furn Street, a branch road of the Sea
Street, in Khan Yunis refugee camp. The two were members of the Palestinian
National Security Force, and had just left their site in this capacity, which
is located near al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis. The missile
directly hit one of them, separating the upper part of his body from the lower
one, while the other Palestinian was hit by shrapnel from the missile and died
a few minutes later. The two victims were identified as:
1. ‘Emad Yahia Khalil Bader, 24, a member
of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement; and
2. Saqer ‘Awni Saqer, 23, a member of
Ahmed Abu al-Reesh Brigades, an armed group of Fatah movement.
A number of houses and civilian facilities were also
damaged.
Continued Siege on the OPT
This week, Israeli occupying forces have
continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,
including Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
This week, Israeli occupying troops have
imposed a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip. They have divided the Gaza Strip into 3 separate zones by closing the
coastal road between Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip, and at al-Matahen
and Abu Houli military checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street, the main road
between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. In addition, Israeli occupying troops have continued to close all border
crossings of the Gaza Strip either partially or completely. These measures violate the economic, social
and cultural rights of Palestinian people.
Since the beginning of their offensive
on the northern Gaza Strip on 28 September 2004, Israeli occupying troops have
seized control over several Palestinian communities in the area, isolating them
from their surroundings. They have also seized a number of buildings and
transformed their roofs into military posts. Electricity has been also cut from these areas. As a result of these measures, daily
activities in the area have been paralyzed. Access to food and medical services has been also obstructed by Israeli
troops.
As a result of the Israeli closure
measures imposed throughout the Gaza Strip, local markets have suffered a
shortage of basic foodstuffs, fuels and raw materials; the educational process
has been suspended; and access to medical services has been extremely
difficult.
Although Israeli troops reopened al-Matahen
and Abu Houli checkpoints and the coastal road on 9, 11 and 12 October 2004,
hundreds of Palestinian civilians have not been able to attend their jobs and
educational institutions.
Israeli troops have continued to impose a strict
siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. They have continued
to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and
from the area. Israeli troops reopened
al-Tuffah checkpoint at the entrance to the area on Wednesday, 6 October 2004,
after a 2-week closure. They have also
continued to prevent female Palestinians whose ages are between 16 and 25, and
male ones whose ages are between 16 and 30 from crossing al-Tuffah checkpoint,
when it is open, without prior coordination.
Israeli troops have also continued to impose a
tightened siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. They have
also imposed severe restrictions of the movement of Palestinian farmers. In the same context, Israeli troops have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians living in al-Ma’ni area near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central
Gaza Strip.
Israeli troops have continued to close
Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the sixth consecutive week. Even though Israeli occupying troops
partially reopened al-Mentar (Karni) commercial crossing to the east of Gaza
City, they have imposed severe restrictions on the flow of goods through the
two crossing. As result, the Palestinian
market has lacked several basic goods. On 3 October 2004, Israeli troops reopened Sofa crossing, northeast of
Rafah, and allowed the entry of construction raw materials, but the crossing
has remained closed in the face of Palestinian workers for the 3rd
consecutive week.
Israeli troops have continued to impose severe
restrictions on traveling through Rafah Terminal, which has been the only
outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world since 14 February 2001,
when Israeli occupying troops destroyed the runway of Gaza International
Airport. The number of
Palestinians allowed to travel through the terminal daily is very limited. As a result, many patients who are badly in
need for special medical treatment abroad have not been able to travel.
The West Bank
Israeli occupying troops have continued to impose a
strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.
Jerusalem
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. This
week, Israeli troops erected a number of temporary checkpoints at the entrances
to villages near the city. They stopped
dozens of Palestinian vehicles and checked the ID cards of passengers. Israeli troops also took similar measures
inside the city, especially inside and around the old town. On Sunday morning, 10 October 2004, Israeli
troops moved into Wadi ‘Ayad areas in the northeast of Jerusalem and imposed a
curfew.
Ramallah
Israeli troops imposed more restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians, especially at Qalandya checkpoint, south of
the town. On Thursday, 7 October 2004,
Israeli troops closed the checkpoint and forced hundreds of Palestinian
civilians to back home. Israeli troops
closed the entrances to the villages of Bani Zaid area. They also closed the iron gate between Nabi
Saleh village and “Halmish” settlement, prohibiting movement of more
than 12000 Palestinians living in the area. This closure continued until Monday morning, 11 October 2004. Throughout the week, Israeli troops
positioned at various checkpoints around the town imposed severe restrictions
on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Hebron
For the 2nd consecutive month, Israeli
troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on Hebron. They have isolated the town from its
surroundings. They chased Palestinian
civilians who attempted to travel to and from the town. Israeli troops also imposed restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians inside the town. They stopped and checked dozens of
Palestinian civilians in various areas in the town. On Sunday morning, 10 October 2004, Israeli
troops erected a number of checkpoints on the roads leading to al-Quds Open
University and Hebron University. They
stopped, checked and humiliated dozens of students.
Bethlehem
Since Thursday morning, 7 October 2004, Israeli
occupying troops have imposed a tightened siege on the district. They have closed all entrances to the
district. Israeli troops positioned at
various checkpoints around Bethlehem imposed severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.
Nablus
Israeli troops erected a number of temporary
checkpoints on the main roads. They
stopped and checked Palestinian civilians, and held dozens of young men for
long hours for no apparent reason.
Jenin
On Thursday morning, 7 October 2004, Israeli troops
closed the iron gate at the entrance to Tayaseer village, east of Jenin,
prohibiting the movement of Palestinian civilians. This closure continued until Monday morning,
11 October 2004. They also closed the
entrance to Tubas village, east of the town.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
On Monday morning, 11 October 2004, Israeli troops
positioned at a military checkpoint at the northwestern entrance to al-Khader
village, southwest of Bethlehem, arrested 2 unidentified Palestinians.
Also on Monday morning, Israeli troops positioned at
a military checkpoint at the entrance of Jericho arrested Ibrahim ‘Abdul Muhsen
Farraj, 38, from al-Duhhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.
Curfews
On Thursday, 7 October 2004, Israeli troops imposed
a curfew on Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.
On Monday morning, 11 October 2004, Israeli troops
imposed a curfew on Deir Abu Masha’al village, west of Ramallah.
Continued Construction of the Annexation Wall
Israeli troops have continued to construct the
annexation wall inside the West Bank territory, especially in East Jerusalem
and Hebron.
Israeli troops continued to construct the section of
the wall extending from Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, and Dahiat
al-Barid checkpoint, north of Jerusalem. They have divided the main road linking between the two checkpoints into
two sections, an eastern one and a western one. Palestinian vehicles coming from Qalandya checkpoint have to go into
al-Ram village through its northeastern entrance in order to travel southward,
which creates large queues of traffic, resulting in chaotic scenes as the
movement of traffic is so restricted.
In Hebron, on Thursday morning, 7 October 2004,
Israeli military bulldozers started to raze areas of agricultural land in the
villages of Deir al-‘Asal al-Fouqa and Deir al-‘Asal al-Tahta, southwest of the
town. These operations of land leveling
took place 500 meters inside the West Bank territory. The Israeli military bulldozers razed at
least 60 donums of agricultural land. A
section of the wall will be constructed to the south of the two villages at a
length of more than 5 kilometers. According to the Israeli maps, this section of the wall will seize at
least 500 donums of the Palestinian land.
On Saturday morning, 9 October 2004, Israeli troops
prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their agricultural land in Toura
al-Ghrabiya village, west of Jenin, to cultivate olives, even though they have
valid permits. Israeli troops claimed
that they would allow these farmers to go to their land when the total closure
imposed on the OPT is lifted.
In the same context, for the 2nd
consecutive week, Israeli troops have prevented Palestinian farmers from
‘Azzoun ‘Atma village in Qalqilya to go to their agricultural land to cultivate
olives. According to the local council
of the village, Israeli troops positioned at an iron gate that separates between
the village and nearly 350 donums of agricultural land have prevented
Palestinian farmers from reaching their land.
Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted
Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli
Targets
In violation of international humanitarian law, in
particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected
person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces
took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered,
facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.
At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 12 October 2004,
Israeli troops moved into Beit Wazan village, west of Nablus. They surrounded a 300-square-meter, 2-storey
house owned by Mohammed Abu ‘Eisha and his sons. They forced the residents of the building,
which includes 7 flats, out. Then,
Israeli troops planted explosives inside Mohammed Abu ‘Eisha’s flat. At approximately 04:00, they destroyed the
flat. Other parts of the building were
severely damaged. Israeli occupying
troops declared that they had destroyed Muhannad’s Mohammed Abu ‘Eisha’s house,
and claimed that he is a member of the Islamic Jihad.
At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 13 October 2004,
Israeli troops, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved in Dwairban Street in the
southwest of Hebron. They surrounded a
120-square-meter house owned by Hafez Naji al-Khatib. They opened fire at the house and blew up its
entrance. Then, they called through
megaphones on the 8 residnets of the house and ‘Emad Salah ‘Abdul Fattah
al-Qawasmi, 32, who was hiding in the house, to get out. Residents of the house got out with their
hands up. Israeli troops checked them
and held them in a neighboring house. Nearly half an hour later, Israeli troops resumed firing at the
house. At approximately 05:30, the
bulldozer moved towards the house and demolished the fences of its garden and
started to demolish the house itself. At
approximately 09:40, al-Qawasmi surrendered to the Israeli troops. At approximately 10:30, the bulldozer
demolished the house completely. Al-Qawasmi had been wanted by Israeli troops for 2 years. He is married and a father of 3
children. He has 3 brothers who have
been detained in Israeli prisons. Israeli troops claim that he is the leader of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam
Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Hebron.
At approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 13 October 2004,
Israeli troops moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They surrounded a 120-square-meter house
belonging to the family of Eyad Mohammed Ahmed Abu al-Rub, 27. They forced his two sisters who live in the
house out. Then, they planted explosives
inside the house and destroyed it. They
claim that Abu al-Rub is wanted for being a member of the Islamic Jihad.
Settlement Activities and Settlers’ Attacks on
Palestinian Civilians and Properties
Israeli troops have pursued settlement activities in
the OPT and settlers who live in the OPT in violation of international
humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and their
properties.
At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 11 October 2004, a
number of Israeli settlers from “Yitshar” settlement, south of
Nablus, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers who were cultivating olives in
‘Assira village to the west of the aforementioned settlement. The settlers beat the farmers and ordered
them to leave their land. The farmers
refused this order and quarreled with the settlers. At approximately 11:30, an Israeli military
unit arrived at the area to end the quarrel. Soon, one of the settlers opened fire at the farmers. One farmer, Hani ‘Abdul Ra’ouf ‘Abdul Rahman
Shehada, 28, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the neck. According to eyewitnesses, the settler fired
at the farmer from a distance of approximately 300 meters. Israeli military sources stated to Associated
Press that a settler from “Yitshar” settlement fired at a Palestinian
and wounded him.
*****
Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral
obligations under article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel’s respect for
the Convention in the occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls on the international community to
immediately “ensure respect” for the Convention.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take
effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention in the oPt and to
provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with its legal obligations
detailed in article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those
responsible for grave breaches.
4. PCHR recommends international civil
society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations
and NGOs to participate in the process of searching for Israeli war criminals
and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
5. PCHR calls upon the European Union to
activate article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides
that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic
cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods
produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the oPt. PCHR also requests the
application of the EU Guidelines on Arms Sales and requests that EU Missions
and Embassies in Israel and the oPts press the Israeli government to apply and
implement in full the recently agreed EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.
6. PCHR calls upon European governments to
change their positions towards the Palestinian cause at UN bodies, particularly
the General Assembly, Security Council and Commission on Human Rights.
7. PCHR requests that the international
community follow the advisory opinion of the ICJ when it called on the High
Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, through the UNGA and UNSC, to
take effective measures to stop the construction of the annexation wall in the
West Bank.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian
of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff
and activities in the oPt, including for facilitating family visitations to
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of
international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar
associations, trade unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in
pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human rights in the
oPt and to end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10.In
light of the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its
occupying forces on access of international solidarity groups to the oPt, PCHR
calls upon European countries to deal the same way with Israeli citizens.
11.PCHR
reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human
rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of
the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further
suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be
based on respect for international law, including international human rights
and humanitarian law.
“END”
Public
Document
**************************************
For more
information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 –
2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328
Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:[email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
