March 20, 2002
Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (20 March 2002)
Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (20 March 2002)

 

 

· PCHR Investigation: Israel
Most Likely Responsible for Death of 5 Palestinian Civilians in Explosion

 

· 24 Palestinians, including 21
civilians, killed by Israeli occupation forces;

 

· two Palestinian civilians
killed in an assassination;

 

· more land leveling and
house demolition;

 

· dozens of Palestinians
arrested;

 

· continued attacks by
Jewish settlers on Palestinian civilians;

 

· medical personnel and
facilities attacked by Israeli occupation forces; and

 

· a continued total siege on
the OPT.

 

 
Introduction

 

This report covers human rights violations perpetrated by
Israeli occupation forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in the
period 14-20 March 2002. According to
PCHR’s documentation, 24 Palestinians, including 21 civilians, were killed and
dozens were wounded by Israeli occupation forces. Five of the victims were children under 18.

 

A
Palestinian widow and four children from her family in a powerful explosion
last week in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza strip. At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 15 March, a
powerful explosion occurred on a dirt path in an agricultural area 300m from
the eastern border of the Gaza strip, near the Wadi (valley) Gaza, outside
al-Bureij refugee camp. A widow, three
of her children, and her nephew riding together in a donkey cart were killed. A
preliminary PCHR investigation has found that Israeli occupying forces were
most likely responsible for the explosion. Israeli forces had withdrawn from positions very close to the site of
the explosion at approximately 0600 that day and remained nearby at all times,
and even fired at bystanders who tried to assist the victims in the immediate
aftermath of the explosion. Such a conclusion is not lacking in historical
precedent. On 22 November 2001, five
Palestinian schoolboys from the same family were killed by an exploding device
on a narrow dirt path while walking to school outside Khan Yunis, in the
southern Gaza. Strip. After an initial
denial, Israeli occupying forces later admitted responsibility for the incident,
saying that they had placed the bomb to ambush Palestinian gunmen.

 

In
a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli
government, on Thursday, 14 March, Israeli occupation forces assassinated two
Palestinians in ‘Anabta village near Tulkarm. 

 

This
week, Israeli forces invaded areas under the control of the Palestinian
National Authority (PNA) in the Gaza Strip under the cover of intensive
shelling. They demolished 25 Palestinian
houses and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land. They also maintained their control over some
Palestinian National Authority controlled areas, including Ramallah, where they
killed five Palestinians. 

 

In
violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention
of 1949, Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian medical personnel and
denied their access to the wounded. They
also shelled a hospital in Bethlehem. 

 

This
week, two Palestinian civilians were wounded by live bullets fired by Jewish
settlers in the West Bank. 

 

Israeli
forces tightened the siege imposed on the OPT. Israeli forces separated between Palestinian areas transforming them
into Bantustans.



 

Five Palestinian
Civilians Killed in an Explosion

 

At
approximately 16:00 on Friday, 15 March, a powerful explosion occurred on a
dirt path in an agricultural area 300m from the eastern border of the
Gaza strip, near the Wadi (valley) Gaza, outside al-Bureij refugee camp. A widow, three of her children, and her
nephew riding together in a donkey cart were killed:

1. Zeyna Salman Salmi
al-Awawdeh, 39;

2. Tehani ‘Oudeh Mohammed al-
Awawdeh, 17;

3. Salim ‘Oudeh Mohammed al-
Awawdeh, 10;

4. Amani ‘Oudeh Mohammed al-
Awawdeh, 12; and

5.  Tariq Mohammed Salman al- Awawdeh, 10, her
nephew.

 

A
bystander, Abdullah Samih Shehadeh Abu Khusa, 14, was injured in the ears and
legs. The victims were en route to a
plot of agricultural land owned by Ms. Al-Awawdeh several hundred meters away,
near the eastern border of the Gaza strip. The explosion left a crater approximately 6m wide and 3m deep. When local residents rushed to the scene to
provide assistance approximately five minutes after the explosion, they came
under fire from an Israeli tank stationed nearby and were forced to flee the
area. The bodies were not collected
until the next morning, after coordination with Israeli occupying forces. Unusually, no remains or shrapnel of the
explosive device were found.

 

PCHR
is deeply concerned that Israeli occupying forces may have removed, altered, or
destroyed evidence at the scene in the aftermath of the explosion. Soon after the killing of Mohammed al-Durrah
on 30 September 2000, an incident which was televised worldwide, Israeli forces
demolished the wall against which he was huddled when he was shot, removing a crucial
source of evidence.

 

Israeli
military sources claimed that Palestinians were responsible for the explosion.
Based on observations at the scene and eyewitness interviews, PCHR has
concluded that this is highly unlikely, as the site would be a far from ideal
place to ambush Israeli occupying forces. The path is not used by Israeli forces, and is too narrow for jeeps and
tanks. Moreover, the use of roadside
bombs in Palestinian military operations in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories has historically involved detonation either by wire or remote
control rather than booby traps.

 

Additional
circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Israeli occupying forces were
responsible for the explosion. Israeli
forces had withdrawn from positions very close to the site of the explosion at
approximately 06:00 that day and remained nearby at all times, as the shooting
encountered by bystanders in the aftermath of the explosion clearly
demonstrates. This would also have
deprived Palestinians the opportunity provided by cover of darkness to plant a
bomb in the area. The explosion took place near an outpost of the Palestinian
National Security Force that Israeli troops had seized earlier and then
abandoned during their withdrawal, suggesting that Israeli forces may have
planted a booby-trapped explosive to ambush returning Palestinian National
Authority (PNA) security personnel, whom Israel routinely targets, or
Palestinian gunmen on their way to attacking an Israeli military outpost on the
border of the Gaza strip.

 

Such
a conclusion is not lacking in historical precedent. On 22 November 2001, five Palestinian
schoolboys from the same family were killed by an exploding device on a narrow
dirt path while walking to school outside Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza strip.
After an initial denial, Israeli occupying forces later admitted responsibility
for the incident, saying that they had placed the bomb to ambush Palestinian
gunmen. The results of the Israeli army’s internal investigation remain secret;
according to an Israeli military spokesman, unspecified disciplinary measures
were taken against some army personnel in connection with the incident.

 

A
number of Palestinians have died in unexplained explosions during the al-Aqsa
Intifada. For example, on 25 April 2001,
four Palestinian civilians were killed when a mysterious object they were
inspecting on the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt exploded. Responsibility for this incident and similar
ones remains unclear, although circumstantial evidence in a number of these
cases also indicates Israeli responsibility.

 

A Palestinian Young Man
Killed in a Mysterious Explosion

 

At
approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 17 March 2002, Falah Kamel ‘Oudeh Safi al-‘Assa,
30, from al-‘Obeidia village in Bethlehem, was killed by an exploding device
while he was on his way back home from his work in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement.

 

In
his testimony to LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human
Rights and the Environment, chairman of ‘Anata local council Saleh Yousef said
that at approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 17 March, an explosion occurred in the
area between “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem, and ‘Anata
village. Local residents rushed to the
scene to check what happened. They found
three young man, one was killed, another was wounded, ‘Oudeh ‘Awadh Abu Sarhan,
28, from al-‘obeidia village, and the third was not hurt. According to the third young man, while the
three were back from their work they found a bag on the ground. Al-‘Assa moved towards the bag to open
it. Soon, the bag exploded and he was
killed. The body of the victim and the
other two young men were moved to their village, but Israeli occupation forces
imposed a curfew on the village, took the body of the victim and arrested the
other two young men. 

 

According
to investigations carried out by LAW, the bag contained an exploding device and
was put on a dirt road routinely used by Palestinian laborers. Israeli occupation forces and Jewish settlers
do not use this road. So, it is unlikely
that it was put by Palestinian gunmen to ambush Israeli occupation forces and
Jewish settlers; rather, the opposite is most likely. 

 

Two
weeks ago, an extremist Jewish organization called “Revenge of Children”,
planted explosives inside a Palestinian school in occupied Jerusalem targeting
teachers and pupils. A teacher and a
number of pupils were wounded. 

 

Thursday, 14 March 2002

 

As
part of its large-scale warfare against Palestinian cities, villages and
refugee camps, Israeli occupation forces maintained their invasions of Ramallah
and Al-Bireh cities and al-Amari and Qaddura refugee camps. Israeli troops on tanks and the roofs of
houses opened fire at residents of these areas, killing 5 Palestinians, including
2 civilians, and wounding 5. Those
killed were:

1. Mohammed Faisal Abu
al-Nil, 26, from Abu Dis town near Jerusalem, killed by several heavy caliber
bullets throughout the body;

2. Maher Sharif Mohammed
al-Shu’aani, 29, from al-Amari refugee camp, killed by several heavy caliber
bullets in the abdomen and the limbs;

3. Fares ‘Abdel-Rahman Fares,
22, from Qaddura refugee camp, killed by two live bullets in the chest;

4. Mohammed Fa’eq Abu Latifa,
27, from Ramallah, killed by a live bullet in the chest; and

5. Ahmed Sa’di al-Gharabli,
21, from Gaza, killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the head. 

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation forces raided a number of Palestinian
houses south of the road leading to the “Gush Qatif” settlement block. They ordered residents of these houses, who
are subjected to a daily curfew imposed between 18:00 until 06:00, to gather in
a nearby yard. An Israeli intelligence
officer interrogated a number of them. In the meanwhile, Israeli troops searched the houses. Israeli occupation forces also gave residents
of 7 houses two hours to evacuate their belongings before demolition. They also arrested Talal ‘Aayesh Hamad
Musleh, 50, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) and
released him 10 hours later after he was beaten and humiliated.

 

At
approximately 07:00, Israeli occupation forces started demolishing a number of
Palestinian houses in al-Mughraqa area, south of Gaza City. Israeli forces demolished 15 houses after
they gave their residents several hours to evacuate them. They also warned residents of some other
houses that their houses would be demolished, but PCHR was able to obtain a
decision to stop the demolition of 4 of these houses. 

 

Following are details of
the houses that were demolished:

 

No.

Owner

Area in square meters

Number of residents

1

Mohammed Handhal Mutawe’

300

7

2

Ahmed Abu Wali

300

11

3

Qudsi al-Wiheidi

250

1

4

Suhail Qudsi al-Wiheidi

150

3

5

Musallam Mohammed Mutawe’

150, asbestos-roofed

5

6

‘Ali Mohammed Mutawe’

150, asbestos-roofed

2

7

Nassar ‘Abdel-Hadi Mutawe’

150, asbestos-roofed

10

8

Zeina al-Hassanat

100

1

9

Zayed al-Hassanat

100

Uninhibited

10

Mohammed ‘Ali al-Hassanat

100

Uninhibited

11

Jamil Zuhoud Abu Khubbeiza

150

Uninhibited

12

Salim al-Khurati

150, asbestos-roofed

Uninhibited

13

Ahmed Musleh al-Khurati

150, asbestos-roofed

Uninhibited

14

‘Eid Jom’a Abu Khubbeiza

A kiosk

 

15

‘Abdel-Karim Jom’a Abu Khubbeiza

A kiosk

 

 

In
the evening, medical sources at Ramallah Hospital announced that Jamil
‘Abdullah Jamil al-Nawawra, 33, from Bethlehem, succumbed to a wound he
received by shrapnel from an artillery shell fired by an Israeli tank on 12
March at the building of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation in Ramallah,
where the victim used to work. 

 

At
approximately 20:00, an Israeli tank fired a flechette shell and heavy caliber
bullets at Palestinian houses in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. Flechette shells spray dart-like shrapnel
across a wide conical area several hundred meters in length and are designed
for use against massed infantry targets, not civilian areas. A number of houses were damaged and 3
civilian were wounded:

1. Samir Suleiman Abu Haddaf,
37, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen, the chest and the right arm;

2. Yasmin Samir Abu Haddaf,
8, seriously wounded by shrapnel from the flechette shell in the head and the
neck; and

3. Hanan Sweilem Abu Haddaf,
31, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.

 

Friday, 15 March 2002

 

At
approximately 01:00, 6 Israeli military vehicles moved approximately 500m into
Palestinian National Authority controlled areas near Sofa crossing, east of
Rafah. They destroyed a site of the
Palestinian National Security Force. At
approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces withdrew from the area, leaving behind
the body of a Palestinian, who was identified as Isma’il Hamattu Abu Taha, 28,
from Rafah, shot in the chest. 

 

At
approximately 05:00, Israeli occupation forces forced Palestinian civilians
living in al-Sayafa area in the north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip,
who had been under a strict siege for several month, exit their houses and
gather near a central gate at the border of the area. They checked identity cards of these
civilians. In the meantime, Israeli
occupation forces shot dead a Palestinian young man, claiming that he was
attempting to move into “Elli Sinai” settlement in the area. The young man was identified as Kamal
‘Abdel-Nasser Rajab, 18, from Beit Lahia, killed by several live bullets in the
head and the chest. Israeli occupation
forces, which arrested another young man, ‘Ali ‘Oweid Abu Khusa, 17, denied the
access of an ambulance to Rajab. Then,
Israeli occupation forces started demolishing a number of houses and razing
areas of agricultural land in the area. This
assault continued until 11:00, during which Israeli occupation forces demolished
4 Palestinian houses and razed 31 donums of Palestinian agricultural land.

 

Following are details of
the houses that were demolished in al-Sayafa area:

 

No

Owner

Area in square meters

Number of residents

1

Mohammed ‘Abdel-Hai
Ma’ruf

120 – 2 floors

9

2

Mahmoud Mohammed Bulbul

200

A summer cottage

3

‘Awadh Salim al-Sawarka

A tin made house

2

4

Mhfouzh Salim al-Sawarka

A tin made house

6

 

Following are details of
the areas of agricultural land that were razed in al-Sayafa area:

 

NO

Owner

Area in donums

Plantation

Other damage

1

Mohammed ‘Abdel-Hai
Ma’ruf

14

Vegetables

An
irrigation network and a well were destroyed

2

Mahmoud Mohammed Bulbul

17

Citrus, fruits, olives
and palms

An
irrigation network, an 80-square-meter, two-story building that contained a
well, and an animal farm were destroyed

3

Mousa Mahmoud al-Ghoul

12 (partially razed)

Potatoes

Two
caravans and an agricultural pool were destroyed

 

At
approximately 07:20, Israeli occupation forces in a military location near
Rafah border crossing, for no apparent reason, shot dead a Palestinian
policeman, Mousa Hassan al-Akhras, 29, with a live bullet in the back, while he
was in front of his house.

 

In
the morning, Majed Mohammed ‘Atteya Abu al-Jidyan, 25, from Jabalya refugee
camp in the northern Gaza Strip, was pronounced dead from a previous wound in
the chest by Israeli occupation forces that invaded the refugee camp on 11
March. 

 

At
approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces fired at 12-year-old Shaima’
Sa’id Hamad, from Rafah refugee camp, critically wounding her with a heavy
caliber bullet in the head. The child
was playing near her family’s house when she was wounded. She was evacuated to hospital where she was
pronounced dead on Sunday, 17 March.

 

At
approximately 18:40, Israeli occupation forces in military locations and
settlements inside Hebron shelled several Palestinian residential areas in the
city. The shelling lasted for several
hours, during which a Palestinian civilian, Majdi Fadhel ‘Ali al-‘Oweiwi, was
killed by 3 medium caliber bullets in the neck, the chest and the back, while
he was at home. In addition, 4 civilians
were seriously wounded:

1. Marwan ‘Omar al-Salima,
30, wounded by two live bullets in the chest and the left foot;

2. Baha’ Salah al-Qadhi, 21,
wounded by an explosive live bullet in the abdomen;

3. Suhair Rafiq Hijazi, 40,
wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen and the right ear; and

4. Jalal Mohammed al-Karaki,
25, wounded by shrapnel in the head.

 

Israeli
occupation forces razed more areas of Palestinian agricultural land in
al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, an action that began on 8 March. They also maintained a curfew on the
area. In the meanwhile, they initiated
the establishment on a new road at the seashore. The road is 1km long and 8m wide, and its
established on the expense of areas of agricultural land that were razed. Following are details of these tracts of
land:

 

 

No

Owner

Area in donums

Plantation

Other damage

1

Mohammed ‘Eid Zo’rob

1.5

Potatoes

An irrigation network
was destroyed

2

Mohammed Yahia al-Farra

5

Potatoes, guavas and
citrus

An irrigation network
was destroyed

3

Mustafa Kamel al-Farra

6

Guavas and potatoes

An irrigation network
was destroyed

4

Khaled Husni al-Agha

2

Palms

An irrigation network
was destroyed

5

Bassam Hassan al-Lahham

2

Olives

An irrigation network
was destroyed

6

Riadh Hassan al-Lahham

4

Olives

An irrigation network
was destroyed

7

Mohammed Fayez al-Najjar

1

Olives

8

Bassam Mohammed Abu
Nemer

1

Olives and guavas

9

Karam Mohammed Gannan

1

Olives and guavas

An irrigation network
was destroyed

10

Mohammed Ahmed Sha’at

1

Palms and guavas

An irrigation network
was destroyed

11

‘Alla’ Fahmi al-Agha

5

Guavas

12

Mustafa Qassem al-Astal

5

Guavas

An irrigation network
was destroyed



 

13

Suleiman Sa’id
al-Majaidi

2

Guavas, olives, mangos
and avocados

An irrigation network
was destroyed

14

Hidar Yousef Khudair

1

Potatoes

An irrigation network
was destroyed

15

Mohammed Isma’il Khaled

2

Olives

16

‘Abdel-‘Azziz Yousef
al-Agha

2

Olives

—-

 

Saturday, 16 March 2002

 

In
the evening, Israeli occupation forces in settlements inside Hebron shelled
Palestinian houses and buildings in the city. Bader building, which includes many offices, was severely damaged. 

 

Sunday, 17 March 2002

 

In
the morning, Israeli occupation forces in two armored personnel carriers at the
northeastern entrance to Nablus, in the northern West Bank, opened fire at
Palestinian houses in ‘Askar refugee camp. Eyad ‘Emad Mohammed al-Mughrabi, 9, was critically wounded by a heavy
caliber bullet in the head. He was
pronounced dead on Wednesday evening, 20 March. In addition, three other children were wounded:

1. Yousef Jamil Sharqawi, 14,
wounded by two live bullets in the left thigh and leg;

2. Samer Basel Hassouna, 9,
wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and

3. Rami Nasser Judeh, 10,
wounded by a live bullet in the head. 

 

At
approximately 08:30, Israeli occupation forces started demolishing three
Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, owned by
Yousef ‘Awad al-Sumeiri, ‘Awadh ‘Aayesh al-Sumeiri and ‘Oleyan Yousef
al-Sumeiri. 

 

At
approximately 14:45, dozens of Israeli military vehicles moved into the north
of Bethlehem, under the cover of intense shelling that targeted Palestinian
civilians and their houses. Mahmoud Mousa
‘Awad, 24, from Bethlehem, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the
head. In addition, a number of houses
and shops were damaged.

 

At
approximately 23:40, Israeli occupation forces in military locations inside
“Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled al-Nimsawi neighborhood
and Khan Yunis cemetery. Two Palestinian
civilians were wounded:

1. Khalil Hulayel Abu Sitta,
15, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and

2. Nabhan ‘Othman al-Tayeh,
35, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand. 

In
addition, apartment buildings of al-Farra Company in the neighborhood were
severely damaged. 

 

Monday, 18 March 2002

 

At
approximately 09:25, Israeli occupation forces positioned atop the
Intercontinental Hotel in Bethlehem opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Aaida
refugee camp. A mute child, Assil ‘Eissa
Qaraqe’, 8, was wounded by shrapnel from heavy caliber bullets in the right
knee.

 

At
approximately 23:00, three Israeli tanks supported by a helicopter moved
approximately 700m into al-Birka area, south of Deir al-Balah. Palestinians confronted the invading Israeli
forces, which fired several artillery shells. Suleiman Hassan al-Zurei’ei, 47, an officer of the Palestinian General Intelligence,
was killed by shrapnel from an artillery shell in the head. In addition, 4 other Palestinians were
wounded:

1. Eyad Killab, 30, from
Nusseirat refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

2. Ramzi Dugheim, 27, wounded
by shrapnel in the shoulder;

3. Khaled al-Masar’ei, 34,
from Deir al-Balah refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand; and

4. Nasri Mazrou’, 25, from
al-Birka area, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand and upper arm.

 

According
to PCHR’s information and testimonies of eyewitnesses, it is likely that a
fifth young man, Mamdouh ‘Ali Muhsen, 30, from al-Nusseirat refugee camp, was
wounded and Israeli occupation forces arrested him. His body was discovered in a nearby area this
morning. PCHR is concerned that Israeli
occupation forces killed him after he was arrested. PCHR has initiated an investigation into the
incident. 

 

Tuesday, 19 March 2002

 

At
approximately 11:30, four Israeli tanks moved into Palestinian National
Authority controlled areas to the south of “Dogit” settlement in the northern
Gaza Strip. They remained there for more
than an hour during which they opened fire indiscriminately, but no casualties
were reported. In the meanwhile, two
Israeli tanks moved into the north of Gaza, but soon they withdrew. 

 

Wednesday, 20 March 2002

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli occupation forces demolished three Palestinian
houses, north of “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah:

 

No

Owner

Area in square meters

Number
of residents

1

Suleiman Ibrahim Abu
‘Amra

220, asbestos-roofed

10

2

Salman Hamad Abu ‘Amra

220, asbestos-roofed

10

3

Mohammed Hamad Abu ‘Amra

220, asbestos-roofed

10

 

At
approximately 20:00, two Israeli military bulldozers, reinforced with military
vehicles, moved approximately 300m into Palestinian National Authority
controlled areas near the road leading to “Gush Qatif” settlement, north of
Khan Yunis. They razed a 30-donum area
of agricultural land planted with wheat and vegetables owned by the heirs of
Isma’il al-Farra, Hafezh Hamed al-Farra and Mustafa Hassan al-Farra. 

 

A
New Assassination

 

In a
continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, Israeli occupation forces killed
two Palestinians.

 

According
to LAW’s investigation, at approximately 14:45 on Thursday, 14 March 2002, two
Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a tin-roofed building that
served as a bird farm, in the west of ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. When
local residents rushed to the scene to provide assistance after the explosion,
the Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at them. Later, local residents were able to enter the
building, where they found three young men. One, Mu’tassem Mohammed ‘Abdullah Makhlouf, 27, from ‘Anabta village,
was killed, another one, Maher Subhi ‘Abdel-Karim Balbissi, 30, who was
critically wounded and then died at hospital, and the third, Rami ‘Abdel-Karim
Melhem, 24, was wounded by shrapnel in the face.

 

Shooting
at Palestinian Civilians

 

Saturday,
16 March 2002

 

At
approximately 06:00, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupation forces
fired at a civilian car in Wadi al-Nassara neighborhood in Hebron. Mohammed ‘Abdel-Salam Dhiab Da’na, 25, was
killed by two live bullets in the chest.

 

Monday,
18 March 2002

 

At
approximately 14:00, an elite Israeli unit in a civilian car, supported by
three military jeeps, moved into Um al-Dalia neighborhood in Hebron. They trapped Taleb Karam Abu Suneina, 30, and
severely beat him. When his
bother-in-law Mohammed Ishaq Abu Mayala, 18, from Hebron, protested this act,
Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the right
thigh. 

 

At
approximately 16:30, Israeli occupation forces at an iron gate at the entrance
to al-Sayafa area, north of Beit Lahia, detained seven children from the Zindah
family for more than two hours, during which they ordered them to lie on the
ground and then fired over their heads to terrify them. 

 

At
approximately 22:00, three Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron. They opened
fire indiscriminately and for no apparent reason at Palestinian civilians and
their houses. Amjad Bahjat Abu Sarah
al-‘Allami, 23, was killed by an explosive live bullet in the head. 

 

Tuesday,
19 March 2002

 

At
approximately 10:00, Israeli occupation forces at al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of
Khan Yunis refugee camp, fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting to be
allowed entry into al-Mawasi area. Mohammed ‘Omar al-Majaidi, 27, was wounded by shrapnel in the face and
the hand. 

 

Attacks
on Medical Personnel

 

In
violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva
Convention, Israeli occupation forces have attacked Palestinian medical
personnel since the beginning of the Intifada. 

 

Thursday,
14 March 2002

 

At
approximately 00:10, Israeli occupation forces shelled the Holy Family Hospital
and its church in Bethlehem. The statue
of Virgin Mary and the dormitory of nurses were damaged.

 

Monday,
18 March 2002

 

At
approximately 23:15, Israeli occupation forces detained medical personnel of
Palestine Red Crescent Society when they moved to al-Birka area, south of Deir
al-Balah, to evacuate those who were wounded in clashes in the area. They were released at 09:00 on the following
day.

 

Attacks
by Jewish Settlers

 

Saturday,
16 March 2002

 

At
approximately 15:00, a Jewish settler fired at 15-year-old Ra’eda ‘Abdel-Hamid
Tannina, from Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron, while she was with her family
going to their farm near bypass road 35. She was wounded in the chest. According to her mother, there were no clashes in the area. 

 

Tuesday,
19 March 2002

 

At
approximately 14:30, a number of Jewish settlers from “Homesh” settlement,
northwest of Nablus, opened fire at students of Seilat al-Zhaher school. Muntasser Walid Abu Diak, 12, was wounded by
a live bullet in the right thigh. 

 

Arrests

 

This
week, Israeli occupation forces arrested a number of Palestinians. The arrests took place in the following
circumstances:

1. At international border
crossings, under the control of Israeli occupation forces.

2. At Israeli military
roadblocks on main and branch roads at the entrances to Palestinian cities and
villages.

3. In Palestinian towns and
villages, often during house raids.

4. During incursions into
Palestinian controlled areas
.

 

The following are
significant arrests that took place this week
:

 

No

Name

Age

Place of Residence

Date
of Arrest

Manner
of Arrest

1

Ahmed Moahmmed Hamad

31

Al-Naqura, Nablus

14
March

Arrested
at his house

2

‘Azziz As’ad al-‘Ammuri

14

Su’fat, Jerusalem

14
March

Arrested
at his house

3

Mahmoud As’ad al-‘Ammuri

15

Su’fat, Jerusalem

14
March

Arrested
at his house

4

Mohammed Kamel al-‘Awis

23

Tulkarm

14
March

Arrested
by an undercover unit

5

Wajdi Ahmed Jallad

22

Tulkarm

14
March

Arrested
by an undercover unit

6

‘Emad Hamad Rabai’a

27

Maithalun, Jenin

16
March

Arrested
at his house

7

Yousef Hamdi al-Astal

37

Khan Yunis

17
March

Arrested
from his work at “Kfar Darom” settlement

8

Yousef ‘Oudeh al-Huroub

18

Kharas, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at his house

9

Yousef ‘Abdel-Hadi
Halahla

50

Kharas, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at his house

10

Shaher ‘Azziz Halahla

25

Kharas, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at his house

11

Mahmoud Sa’id al-Huroub

30

Kharas, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at his house

12

Walid ‘Abdel-Rasul
Masalma

25

Beit ‘Awa, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at his house

13

Yousef Mousa ‘Asakra

15

Su’fat, Jerusalem

17
March

Arrested
at his house

14

Mohammed Amir
‘Oudetallah

15

Su’fat, Jerusalem

17
March

Arrested
at his house

15

Mohammed Yousef Abu
Khdeir

17

Su’fat, Jerusalem

17
March

Arrested
at his house

16

Mohammed Sami Sab Laban

14

Su’fat, Jerusalem

17
March

Arrested
at his house

17

Sami Samih ‘Awadallah

12

Su’fat, Jerusalem

17
March

Arrested
at his house

18

Mohammed ‘Abdel-Malek
al-Hour

23

Surif, Hebron

17
March

Arrested
at al-Karama border crossing

19

Kamal Mohammed al-‘Aqqad

44

Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis

18
March

Arrested
at his house

20

Murad Nafez Abu Samra

19

Al-Judaida, Jenin

18
March

Arrested
at his house

21

Shaher Suleiman Qalalwa

27

Al-Judaida, Jenin

18
March

Arrested
at his house

22

Mohammed Ishaq ‘Eissa

17

Su’fat, Jerusalem

18
March

Arrested
by Israeli intelligence

23

Mousa Suleiman
al-Bashiti

16

Su’fat, Jerusalem

18
March

Arrested
by Israeli intelligence

24

Daoud Mohammed ‘Obeid

37

Deir Estia, Salfit

19
March

Arrested
at his house

25

Nassim Mohammed ‘Obeid

28

Deir Estia, Salfit

19
March

Arrested
at his house

26

Hassan ‘Ali al-Najjar

32

Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis

20
March

Arrested
from his work at “Gan Ur” settlement

27

Mohammed Sa’id ‘Abdu

23

Khan Yunis

20
March

Arrested
at Rafah border crossing

28

Wa’el Jibril al-Tal

22

Al-Zhahireya, Hebron

20
March

Arrested
at his house

29

‘Omar Musbah al-Battat

21

Al-Zhahireya, Hebron

20
March

Arrested
at his house

30

Ahmed Mohammed al-Battat

20

Al-Zhahireya, Hebron

20
March

Arrested
at his house

 

 

 

******

 

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 in order to take
effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, in accordance with their obligations under Article 1, to ensure
the respect of the Convention.

3.  Upon the international
community to investigate and prosecute those believed to have committed war
crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories before international courts.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance
its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field observations
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”

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