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· Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces;

· massive shelling of Palestinian cities, villages and
refugee camps;

· three Palestinian civilians killed by flechette
shells;

· two assassinations in Jabalya and Jenin;

· more incursions into Palestinian National Authority
controlled areas;

· destruction of a building of Palestinian Broadcasting
Corporation in Gaza;

· a number of houses demolished and large areas of
agricultural land razed in the Gaza Strip;

· a strict siege on the OPT; Gaza Strip divided into
four isolated areas;

· in a violation of the right to free worship, dozens
of pilgrims denied travel to Saudi Arabia; and

· dozens of Palestinian civilians arrested.

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 This report covers Israeli violations of human
rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in the period 15-21
February 2002. Israeli occupation forces
launched a full-scale assault against Palestinian civilians and property
throughout the OPT this week using ground, air, and sea forces. This week, 39 Palestinians – 23 civilians and
16 members of PNA security services – were killed by Israeli forces.

 

 This morning, Israeli occupation forces moved
into Al-Brazil and Al-Salam neighborhoods in Rafah, under the cover of
intensive shelling that targeted Palestinian civilians and houses. Six Palestinian civilians, including a child,
were killed and two were injured.

 

 Also this morning, Israeli forces entered Gaza
City for the first time during the al-Aqsa Intifada, invading the eastern
section and destroying a Palestinian broadcasting station.

 

 This week, Israeli forces shelled some
Palestinian security and civilian sites in highly populated areas in the OPT,
using fighter jets, combat helicopters, gunboats, and tanks.

 

 On 18 February, Israeli forces, reinforced with
tanks, moved from “Morag” settlement, southeast of Khan Yunis, towards
Palestinian houses in Qizan Al-Najjar area, 200-300m north of the
settlement. According to residents of
the area, Israeli forces fired seven flechette shells at their tin houses. An artillery shell hit a house, killing a
woman and a child. The explosion of such
shells delivers about 5000 dart-like objects. Flechette weapons spread arrow-like shrapnel over a wide conical area
several hundred meters long; they are designed against concentration of
infantry in the battlefield and are inappropriate for use in civilian areas
because of their indiscriminate nature.

 

 Israeli forces first used flechette shells
against Palestinians in March 2001 against Palestinian civilians and
residential areas in the Gaza strip. Ten
Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured by these shells. In the past two weeks, the weapon appears to
have been used with increasing regularity.

 

 In a continuation of the policy of
assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli
forces carried out two assassination attempts in Jabalya in the Gaza Strip and
in Jenin in the West Bank. Three Palestinians
were killed in the two assassinations.

 

 Israeli forces continued to encroach into
Palestinian National Authority controlled areas in the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip. They demolished a number of
Palestinian houses and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land. Israeli forces encroached into Juhor Al-Dik
area in the southeast of Gaza on 15 February and demolished four houses and
razed large areas of agricultural land. On 19 February, Israeli forces warned residents of houses located near
the road linking between the “Gush Qatif” settlement block and “Kisssufim”
Crossing at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip that their houses would be
demolished.  They actually demolished one house before an emergency
decision by the Israeli Supreme Court, taken in response to an emergency appeal
by PCHR, temporarily halted the demolition.

 

 Israeli forces maintained a total, strict siege
on the OPT. They divided the Gaza Strip
into four separated areas and restricted the movement of Palestinian civilians
and good, in violation of Palestinian economic and social rights.

 

 In a violation of the right to free worship,
Israeli forces denied the travel of more than 20 Palestinians, members of
Martyrs’ families, to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. 

 

 

 

 

1.
Shelling of and Incursion into Palestinian National Authority Controlled Areas

 

Friday,
15 February 2002

 

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupation
forces, reinforced with tanks and bulldozers moved into Juhor Al-Dik area,
southeast of Gaza city. They thrust
approximately 1.5-3km into the area from two directions. According to PCHR’s investigation, Israeli
forces demolished four houses:

1) A 140-square-meter, in which 7 persons used to
live, owned by Hussein Hammad Thabet;

2)A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which
10 persons used to live, owned by Nayef Hammad Thabet;

3) A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by
Rami Nayef Thabet; and

4) A 200-square-meter house owned by Wajih Salim
‘Aashour.

 

 They also destroyed the remains of a factory
owned by Fu’ad Ibrahim El-Samneh. The
factory was previously damaged by Israeli forces. 

 

 

 Israeli forces also razed large areas of
agricultural land, as shown in the following table:

 

 

 

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces, reinforced
with 24 armored vehicles and two bulldozers, moved into Saida village,
northeast of Tulkarm. They imposed a
curfew on the city and besieged the house of Anwar ‘Aadel Mustafa ‘Abdel-Ghani,
28. They called on him through
loudspeakers to surrender, but he escaped through the back door into a
neighboring house. An Israeli soldier
fired a live bullet and wounded him. When he fell onto the ground, Israeli forces opened fire on him. He was killed by five live bullets in the
head and the neck. According to
eyewitnesses, ‘Abdel-Ghani was suffering from a physical handicap in the left
foot and his house and the neighboring house were under a strict siege so that
it was easy for Israeli forces to arrest him instead of killing him. Israeli forces denied the access of his
family to his body, which was laid on the ground until they withdrew from the
village at approximately 10:00. According to the victim’s family, his body was mutilated and his face
was distorted. Also during this
incursion, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians, six of whom were released
later while the others remained in custody. 

 

 At approximately 19:30, two Israeli F-16
fighter jets fired three air-to-surface missiles at the headquarters of the
northern command of the Palestinian National Security Forces in the east of
Jabalya. Two missiles hit a building of
the Second Brigade, destroying it and killing a security man, ‘Abdel-Salam
Salah Jom’a Younis, 26, from Rafah. The
third missile hit a building of the Third Brigade. The building and five nearby houses were
damaged. In addition, 19 Palestinians,
14 security men and five civilians, were injured.

 

Saturday,
16 February 2002

 

 At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces,
reinforced with six tanks, moved from “Netzarim” settlement and thrust
approximately 2km into Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza. They raided the house of Sha’ban El-Dahdouh
and thoroughly searched it. During this
incursion, Israeli forces damaged large areas of Palestinian agricultural land
and destroyed a site of the Palestinian Military Intelligence. They also demolished a fence of a house and
destroyed a car owned by Mohammed ‘Ali El-Za’bout. 

 

 At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces,
reinforced with tanks, thrust approximately 1km into the east of Al-Boreij
refugee camp in the middle Gaza Strip. They occupied a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces and
fired live ammunition and artillery shells at houses and Palestinians who tried
to confront such incursion . Two
Palestinian civilians and a security man were killed:

1) Mas’oud Muhye El-Din Abu
Jalal, 17, from Al-Boreij refugee camp, killed by a live bullet in the head;

2) Na’el Lutfi Saqer, 28, from Nusseirat refugee
camp, killed by shrapnel in the head; and

3) Ramzi Mahmoud Khalil El-Masri, 30, from Deir El-Balah, a member of
the Palestinian National Security Forces, killed by a live bullet in the
abdomen. 

 

In addition, eight civilians, including four
children, were injured:

1) Jihad Yousef El-Qatshan, 4, injured by shrapnel in
the abdomen;

2) Mohammed Jamal Gharara, 13, injured by shrapnel in
the right shoulder;

3) Jihad Hamad Abu Khousa, 13, injured by shrapnel in
the right shoulder;

4) Mohammed Jamil Mansour, 15, injured by a live
bullet in the left foot;

5) Nader El-Deimi, 20, injured by a live bullet in
the abdomen;

6) Yousef Subhi Nour, 31, injured by shrapnel in the
left thigh;

7) Nader Jaber, 35, injured by shrapnel in the chest;
and

8) Mahmoud Ahmed El-Qatshan, 32, injured by a live
bullet in the left foot. 

 

Sunday,
17 February 2002

 

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli F-16 fighter
jets and combat helicopters shelled civilian buildings and police stations in
Nablus. They fired seven air-to-surface
missiles. One missile his a house. Two missiles hit mobile homes that serves as
clinics of the Palestinian military medical service. Two missiles hit the main police station of
the city. The station and nearby houses
and shops were damaged. Another missile
hit a six-story housing building, damaging it. In addition, 4-year-old Mohammed ‘Azmi Abu Shamat was injured by
shrapnel. 

 

Monday,
18 February 2002

 

 At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces razed
areas of Palestinian agricultural land east of Al-Boreij refugee camp, 500m
west of the eastern border of the Gaza Strip:

1) They razed a 6-donum area planted with almonds
owned by Ahmed Fureih Abu Middain.

2) They razed a 5-donum area planted with grapes
owned by ‘Abdel-Karim Hammad Abu Rabi’.

3) They razed a 6-donum area planted with olives
owned by ‘Abdel-Dayem Fureih Abu Middain. 

 

Israeli forces positioned in a site of the
Palestinian National Security Forces they had seized two days earlier fired at
Palestinian civilians in the area injuring three children:

1) Mohammed
Mahmoud El-Batran, 14, injured by a live bullet in the back;

2) Isma’il
‘Abdel-Wahab Khalaf, 16, injured by two live bullets in the thighs; and

3) Mahmoud
Wishah, 15, injured by a live bullet in the right foot.

 

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces, reinforced
with tanks moved from “Morag” settlement , southeast of Khan Yunis, towards
Palestinian houses in Gizan Al-Najjar area, 200-300m north of the
settlement. According to residents of
the area, Israeli forces fired seven artillery shells at their tin houses. An artillery shell hit the house of Sami
El-Bahaisa, in which he lives with his two wives and five children. His daughter Muna, 10, and his wife Miriam
‘Awad El-Bahaisa, 36, were killed by shrapnel throughout the body. Other members of the family were injured:

1) Ramadan, 3, injured by shrapnel in the back;

2) Mohammed, 10, injured by shrapnel in the chest;

3) Aamena, 12, injured by shrapnel throughout the
body;

4) Haida, 13, injured by shrapnel in the chest;

5) Sabrin, 17, injured by shrapnel in the abdomen;
and

6) Sa’dia Mohammed El-Bahaisa, 30, the second wife,
injured by shrapnel in the right foot.

 

In addition, a young man, ‘Abdel-Wahab Ziad
Al-Najjar, was killed by several live bullets throughout the body when Israeli
forces fired at him while on his way back home.

 

 According to medical sources at Nasser Hospital
in Khan Yunis, where all victims were evacuated, Israeli forces used
“fletchetes” (shells that contain dart-like objects) against the victims. This information was confirmed by PCHR’s
filed officer in Khan Yunis who was able to go the affected area in the
morning, where he saw dart-like shrapnel.

 

Tuesday,
19 February 2002

 

 Early in the morning, an Israeli F-16 fighter
jet fired an air-to-surface missile at the headquarters of the Palestinian
Military Intelligence in Rafah, destroying it and damaging a nearby site of the
Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) and a playground. Three Palestinians, including a civilian,
were injured:

1) Ziad ‘Abdullah El-Sha’er, 36, civilian, injured by
shrapnel in the left ear;

2) Salah Hashem El-Agha, 21, injured by shrapnel in
the chest; and

3) Maher ‘Ali El-‘Assar, 26., injured by shrapnel in
the right foot.

 

Also early in the morning, Israeli F-16 fighter jet
fired an air-to-surface missile at a Palestinian police station in Baten
El-Hawa area in Ramallah. The station
was destroyed and a number of nearby houses were damaged, but no casualties
were reported.

 

 Also in the morning, two Palestinians were
killed by an elite unit of Israeli forces which attempted to move into Balata refugee
camp, east of Nablus. According to
investigation carried out by LAW, at approximately 02:00, an elite unit of
Israeli forces, reinforced with large troops, attempted to move into Balata
refugee camp and raid its houses. A
woman, Leila Kamal Qattawi, 25, noticed the presence of Israeli forces, so she
started crying and calling on residents of the refugee camp and Palestinian
security men to be careful. Then,
Israeli forces moved towards her balcony and shot her dead with a live bullet
in the heart. They also shot dead Salah
Mohammed Mansour Farraj, 35, with a live bullet in the heart and two live
bullets in the legs, when he, together with other Palestinian gunmen,
confronted the invading forces. In
addition, five Palestinians were injured. 

 

 At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces
positioned on the roof of the house of Mohammed Saqer at the road leading to
Al-Matahen Company, north of Al-Qarara, fired heavy and medium caliber bullets
at the building of the company. Then,
Israeli forces, reinforced with tank and a bulldozer moved into the building
searching it and destroying and damaging a guardroom, a well, the fence of the
building, the electricity network and machines. They also arrested and interrogated 11 employees for six hours. 

 

Wednesday,
20 February 2002

 

 At approximately 01:50, an elite Israeli unit
attacked a checkpoint manned by the Palestinian National Security Force (NSF)
outside Nablus, in the northern West Bank, killing seven officers in an
apparent willful killing:

1) Zahi Mahmoud Zawatia, 26, from Zawata village in
Nablus;

2) ‘Awwad Mohammed Salim
Balawna, 47, from Tulkarm;

3) Mohammed Khalil Mohammed El-Najjar, 26, from Khan
Yunis;

4) Fu’ad Ya’qoub Mohammed Eshtayeh, 35, from Til
village in Nablus;

5) Ghanem Tayseer Ahmed Barham, 27, from Kufor
Qaddoum in Qalqilya;

6) Mahmoud ‘Abdel-Karim El-Ashqar, 20, from Gaza; and

7) Zuhair ‘Abdel-Rahman ‘Aqel, 24, mfrom Sabastia
village in Nablus. 

 

All of them received live bullets in the upper part
of the body. Then, Israeli forces,
reinforced with tanks and armored personnel carriers moved into the south of
Nablus. They thrust approximately 1km
into Jerusalem-Nablus road, while opening fire at Palestinian houses. They also seized two houses. Palestinian security men and policemen
confronted the invading forces. Three
Palestinians were killed:

1) Mohammed ‘Ali Hussein ‘Atallah Hashash, 19, a
policeman from Balata refugee camp, killed by a live bullet in the heart;

2) Mohammed ‘Abdullah Abu Mirsal, 18, a civilian from
Balata refugee camp, killed by a live bullet in the chest; and

3) Khalil Mohammed Mahmoud Harb, 22, a civilian from
Balata refugee camp. 

 

In addition, 8 Palestinians were injured.

 

 At approximately 02:15, Israeli gunboats opened
fire at a guard station of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) near
the Palestinian president’s office in Gaza, approximately 100m away from the
seashore. Members of Force 17 who were
at the station were all injured. When
other members of Force 17 came to the station to offer help for their
colleagues, Israeli gunboats fired at them. Four members of four 17 were killed:

1) Ibrahim Yousef ‘Abdel-Latif Abu Sharar, 27, from
Jabalya, killed by several live bullets in the chest;

2) Mahmoud
Mahanna ‘Abdel-Jaward ‘Atallah, 23, from Deir El-Balah, killed by several live
bullets in the chest;

3) Ibrahim Mahmoud Dhiab El-‘Ali, 38, from Gaza,
killed by several live bullets in the head and the chest; and

4) Mahmoud Sameh Mohammed El-Tatar, 22, from Gaza,
killed by several live bullets in the head and the chest.

 

In addition, three were injured:

 

1) Yousef Nabil El-‘Ajrami, 21, from Jabalya,
seriously injured by a live bullet in the chest;

2) Wisam Salah Abu Ghazza, 30, from Gaza, seriously
injured by a live bullet in the chest; and

3) Mohammed Fu’ad ‘Aabdin, 24, from Gaza, injured by
two live bullets in the thighs.

 At approximately 02:40, Israeli F-16 fighter
jets fired a rocket at the headquarters of the Palestinian police (Jawazat) in
Gaza. The rocket hit an 800-square-meter,
three-story building of the training unit. The third floor of the building was destroyed while the two other floors
and nearby houses and civilian facilities, including the house of Komal
Mohammed Abu Zayed, two schools and a rehabilitation center, were severely
damaged.

 

 At approximately 02:50, an Israeli combat
helicopter started attacking Ansar security compound and buildings and sites of
the Palestinian National Authority in the west of Gaza, a highly populated
area. The attack continued until 05:15,
during which 6 rockets were fired at these places. A site of the Palestinian
Naval Police and six vehicles of Force 17 were destroyed and the presidential
palace near Ansar was severely damaged.

 

 At approximately 04:00, three Israeli tanks moved
into Til village, south of Nablus, while firing at Palestinian houses. They besieged a Palestinian police station
and destroyed it.

 

 At the same time, Israeli forces thrust
approximately 100m into Deir Al-Sudan village north of Ramallah. They shelled a checkpoint of the Palestinian
National Security Forces, killing Shuqeir Samara Rezeq Samara, 40, officer of
the checkpoint, with two live bullets in the head and the chest. In addition, Hussein Fahad Hassan ‘Arar, 20,
from Qarawat Bani Zeid village, was injured by a live bullet in the leg. 

 

 At approximately 04:45, an Israeli combat
helicopter fired an air-to-surface missile at the building of Ramallah
Governorate. The missile hit a store of the Palestinian National Security
Forces, destroying it and injuring a security man, Hussein ‘Eid Bawatna, 32,
from Ramallah, with shrapnel in the right foot. 

 

 At approximately 05:20, Israeli combat
helicopter fired 6 rockets at a site of the Palestinian National Security
Forces in Khan Yunis. The site was severely
damaged, but no casualties were reported.

 

 At approximately 05:30, an Israeli combat
helicopter fired two rockets at a guard point of the Palestinian National
Security Forces at the southern entrance of Al-Bireh. A security man, Mohammed ‘Essam Abub Ramadan,
55, from Gaza, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body, while he was
preparing food for his colleagues.

 

 At approximately 11:00, Israeli tanks and
bulldozers moved into Al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. They razed areas of Palestinian agricultural
land:

1) They razed a 15-donum area of agricultural land
planted with oranges, olives and palms and destroyed an irrigation network
owned by Hafezh ‘Abdel-Karim Abu Hajjaj.

2) They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives and palms owned by Khaled Salman Abu Hajjaj.

3) They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network, an agricultural pool
and a water pump owned by Khalaf Hamdan Salman Abu Hajjaj. 

4) They demolished a bird farm owned by Ahmed Jom’a
Salama El-Sumeiri.

 

At approximately 14:30, two Israeli tanks moved from
the eastern border of the Gaza Strip and thrust approximately 200m into
Palestinian National Authority controlled areas east of Al-Maghazi refugee
camp. They besieged two Palestinians in
the area. According to eyewitnesses, an
Israeli combat helicopter flew over the area and shot dead the two
Palestinians:

1) Yasser Husni El-Musaddar, 18, from Al-Maghazi
refugee camp, killed by shrapnel throughout the body; and

2) Mahmoud Mutlaq Baker ‘Eissa, 36, from Al-Boreij
refugee camp, killed by shrapnel throughout the body. 

 

In addition, a passing Palestinian, Rami Hassan
El-Shureihi, 24, from Al-Maghazi refugee camp, was injured by a live bullet in
the right thigh. 

 At approximately 20:15, an Israeli F-16 fighter
jet launched a missile at a police station in Rafah. The station was totally destroyed and nearby
houses were damaged, but no casualties were reported. 

 

Thursday,
21 February 2002

 

 Early in the morning, Israeli occupation forces
thrust approximately 300m into Al-Salam and Al-Brazil neighborhoods in
Rafah. They took position on the roofs
of two Palestinian houses in the area after they had detained the two families
in rooms. Israeli forces opened fire at
Palestinian civilians in the area, while Israeli tanks shelled houses. Six Palestinian civilians were killed:

1) Ra’ed Mohammed Abu Louli, 25, killed by a live
bullet in the chest;

2) Mohammed ‘Abdel-Majid El-Nims, 21, killed by
several live bullets in the chest and the limbs;

3) Eihab Fathi ‘Abdel-Wahab, 16, killed by several
live bullets in the head;

4) Bassel Radwan El-‘Attar, 25, killed by a live
bullet in the back;

5) Samir Husni Abu El-‘So’ud, 39, killed with two
live bullets in the head; and

6) Mahmoud Mustafa Abu Taha, 19, killed by a live
bullet in the chest

 

In addition, eight Palestinian civilians were injured
including:

1) Mahmoud Ibrahim Abu Taha, 19, seriously injured by
a live bullet in the abdomen; and

2) ‘Omar Ghaleb Nasrallah, 20, injured by a live
bullet in the right arm.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces
thrust approximately 1km into the east of Gaza City. They moved towards the building of the
Palestinian broadcasting station and totally destroyed and damaging an adjacent
mosque. They also shelled Palestinian
houses in the area injuring:

1) Ra’fat Ramadan ‘Obeid, 27, injured by two live
bullets in the left leg and shoulder; and

2) ‘Oleyan Mohammed El-Dirdessawi, 50, injured by a
live bullet in the back. 

 

At approximately 05:00, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet
launched a missile at a police station in Khan Yunis, largely destroying it and
injuring four policemen:

1) Jihad Helmi El-Astal, 32, injured by shrapnel in
the head;

2) Musleh ‘Abdel-Jawad Abu El-‘Arja, 27, injured by
shrapnel in the right hand;

3) Nasser Sa’id Sadiq, 33, injured by shrapnel in the
right knee; and

4) Mohammed Kahlawi Abu Shab, 27, injured by shrapnel
in the right thigh and the buttocks.

 

 

2. Continued Assassinations and Extra-Judicial Killings

 

 In a continuation of the policy of
assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupation
forces killed three Palestinians in two assassination attempts in Jabalya in
the Gaza Strip and in Jenin in the West Bank.

 

 At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 16 February
2002,, an explosion was heard near the central market in Jenin. People rushed to the area where they found a
body of a young man, which was cut into pieces. He was identified as Nazih Mahmoud Abu Sibaa’, 29, from Jenin refugee
camp. 

 

 According to investigation carried out by LAW –
the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment,
at approximately 13:00, Abu Sibaa’ left Al-Iman School in the north of Jenin,
where he used to work as a teacher. He
walked towards the central market. When
he was close to a local car, a heavy explosion occurred. Abu Sibaa’ was hit and his body was thrown
sevral meters away. In addition, four
Palestinian civilians were injured, including 2-year-old Ayman Jihad Abu
Mashayekh. According to Palestinian
security services, two bombs were planted in the car, and according to
eyewitnesses, an Israeli scouting aircraft were seeen flying over Jenin since
the morning, and apparently it exploded the bombs.

 

 At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 19 February
2002, an Israeli combat helicopter fired a rocket at a media office of Hamas,
located on the first floor of a four-story building, in which three families
live, owned by Mohammed ‘Eissa Abu Salah in Jablaya in the northern Gaza
Strip. Two Palestinian civilians were
killed:

1) Eyad Khalil Abu Safeya, 23, an employee of the
office; and

2) Mohammed ‘Ali Hamdan, 25, a vistor. 

 

In addition, ten Palestinian civilians were injured,
including 9-year-old Einas Ibrahim Salah and 14-year-old ‘Eissa Mahmoud Salah,
who were injured by shrapnel throughout the body. The building and neighboring houses were also
damaged. 

 

 

 

 

3. Shooting at Palestinian Civilians

 

Friday,
15 February 2002

 

 In the afternoon, Israeli forces positioned
near the house of the Palestinian president in Ramallah fired rubber-coated
metal bullets and tear gas at a Palestinian demonstration in solidarity with
the president. Nine demonstrators were
wounded:

1) Eyad ‘Abdel-Rida Fares, 12, from Qaddoura refugee
camp, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right knee;

2) Ibrahim Nabih Khamis, 12, from Al-Am’ari refugee
camp, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left leg;

3) Riham ‘Abdel-Latif Mohammed, 20, from Ramallah, ,
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left foot;

4) Shadi Faisal Bani Fadel, 22, from Bitounia, ,
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;

5) ‘Alla’ ‘Aadel Makhlouf, 15, from Qaddoura refugee
camp, , wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left thigh;

6) ‘Ali ‘Aadel Makhlouf, 14, from Qaddoura refugee
camp, , wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left hand;

7) Bilal Shehada El-‘Ajouli, 36, from Ramallah, ,
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;

8) Mousa Sadiq Washma, 18, from Ramallah, , wounded
by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and

9) Joel Mathew, a Belgian member of the European
Popular Protection Campaign, , wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the
right forearm. 

 

 

Late at night, Israeli forces at the eastern border
of the Gaza Strip shot dead Hussein Mohammed Hussein El-Mabhouh, 24, from
Al-Boreij refugee camp. They kept his
body until the following day. According
to Palestinian medical sources, El-Mabhouh received three live bullets in the
head and the chest. The Israeli military
spokesman stated that Israeli forces fired at tow Palestinian young men who
were attempting to sneak into Israel. One was killed and the other was able to escape. However, the victim was unarmed and was not a
member of any political faction. 

 

Thursday,
21 February 2002

 

 At approximately 10:10, Israeli forces at a
roadblock north of Jerusalem fired at a Palestinian taxi that was traveling to
Ramallh. Walid Mohammed El-Sheikh, 29,
was killed by a live bullet in the head.

 

 

4. Arrests

 

This week, Israeli occupation forces arrested more
Palestinians. The arrests took place in
the following ways:

1. Arrests at international border crossings, which
are under control of Israeli occupation forces.

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

3. Arrests in Palestinian towns and villages, often
during house raids.

4. Arrest during incursions into Palestinian National
Authority controlled areas.

 

Following are significant arrests that took place
this weeek:

 

Friday,
15 February 2002

 

 At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved
into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They
raided some houses and arrested three Palestinians:

1) Fadi Husni Hassan, 27;

2) ‘Abdullah ‘Abdel-Qader ‘Alawna, 22; and

3) ‘Ali ‘Abdel-Qader ‘Alawna, 25.

 

Sunday,
17 February 2002

 

 At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved
into Um Al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They besieged the house of ‘Abdel-Rahman Salem Musleh and arrested two
of his sons: Sami, 25, and Mohammed 26.

 At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved
into Madama village, southeast of Nablus, and arrested 21-year-old Fakher Samir
Dhib, 21.

 

Monday,
18 February 2002

 

 At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved
into ‘Anza village, south of Jenin, and arrested Ahmed Yousef ‘Amour, 25. 

 

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 PCHR calls upon the international community:

 

 1. To provide immediate and independent
international protection for the Palestinian people in the OPT.

2. To ensure that the High Contracting Parties to the
Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 in order to take effective measures to protect
Palestinian civilians in the OPT.

3. To investigate and prosecute those believed to
have committed war crimes in the OPT before international courts.

4. To ensure that the ICRC enhances its presence,
expands its activities and intensifies its field observations throughout the
OPT.

5.  To ensure that the European Union activates
Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel
must respect human rights.

6. To provide humanitarian and medical assistance for
the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are increasingly deteriorating
as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the
entire OPT.