Israeli Forces Continue Violations
of Human Rights in the OPT
· 4
new extra-judicial assassinations were perpetrated by Israeli forces, killing
10 Palestinians, including a child and an old man
· One
of the victims was a prominent leader of Hamas movement, Isma’il Abu Shanab
· In
an apparent willful killing, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in
Bethlehem
· Israeli
occupying forces invaded the northern West Bank towns of Nablus and Jenin
· Israeli
forces broke into a hospital in Nablus and kidnapped two Palestinians from the
intensive care unit
· Indiscriminate
Israeli shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued
· Israeli
forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
· A
number of houses were raided in the West Bank and a number of Palestinians were
arrested by Israeli forces
· 8
donums of agricultural land were razed in Rafah
· 7
houses in the West Bank were destroyed as Israel continued its campaign of
retaliation against the families of wanted Palestinians and those who
allegedly carried out armed attacks against Israeli targets
· Construction
on the separation wall in the West Bank continued
· Israeli
military forces maintained a total siege on the OPT
Introduction
This week,
Israeli occupying forces escalated their illegal military actions in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), causing more casualties among
Palestinian civilians. PCHR is concerned that further escalation may take
place, as Israeli officials stated that Israeli occupying forces would continue
to target Palestinian activists. In flagrant disregard for the lives of
Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces committed more extra-judicial
assassinations. They invaded the northern West Bank towns of Nablus and
Jenin. They also conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian
Authority controlled areas, during which they raided and destroyed houses and
arrested dozens of Palestinians. Israeli occupying forces continued to
shell Palestinian residential areas and have maintained the total siege imposed
on the OPT. This week, 21-27 August 2003, 11 Palestinians were killed and
approximately 50 others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces. 10 of
the victims were killed in extra-judicial assassinations perpetrated by Israeli
occupying forces.
In a
continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted
by the Israeli political and security establishments against Palestinian field
activists and political leaders, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4
assassination attempts in Gaza city and Nablus. One of these
assassination attempts failed and a passing Palestinian civilian was
killed. The other assassination attempts left 9 Palestinians dead.
6 targeted persons were extra-judicially assassinated in these attacks: a
prominent leader of Hamas movement, Isma’il Abu Shanab and two of his
bodyguards, 4 members of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of the
Hamas movement and 1 member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of
Fatah movement. In addition, approximately 50 Palestinians were injured,
two of whom were arrested while they were receiving medical treatment in an
intensive care unit at a hospital in Nablus.
During two of
these assassinations, Israeli warplanes were seen flying over the area, a
method used by Israeli occupying forces to hide the sounds of attacking
helicopters.
In violation
of international humanitarian law, especially 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. In this context, they destroyed 7
Palestinian houses in Hebron, Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarm and Tulkarm.
Three of the houses destroyed were located in Nablus.
Israeli
occupying forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, especially
in Rafah and Khan Yunis. Four Palestinian civilians, including a child,
were wounded and a number of houses were damaged. On 23 August 2003,
Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah and razed 8 donums of Palestinian
agricultural land. In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a
series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas, accompanied by
indiscriminate shelling and shooting. About 20 Palestinian civilians were
wounded. Israeli occupying forces also raided some houses and arrested a
number of Palestinians.
In an
apparent willful killing, on Wednesday, 27 August 2003, Israeli soldiers shot
dead a Palestinian civilian near Bilal Ben Rabah mosque in front of Rachel
Tomb, north of Bethlehem. They claimed that he was holding a knife, but
field investigators refuted this claim.
Israeli
occupying forces have continued work on the separation wall. They have
confiscated more areas of Palestinian land and isolated more Palestinian
residential areas for this purpose. In this context, they demolished
dozens of Palestinian houses and stores in Nazlat ‘Eissa village, north of
Tulkarm, and razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Abu Dis village,
east of Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing the wall.
Israeli
occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, especially in the West Bank. While Israeli forces redeployed
on the main roads in the Gaza Strip, they have restricted movement at border
crossings and have closed the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. They have
maintained the siege imposed on the al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip
and the al-Sayafa area in the north. They have also maintained the
closure of the Rafah-Khan Yunis western road, a part of Salah al-Din Street
near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central Gaza Strip, and closed Abu al-‘Ajin
road between Wadi al-Salqa village in Deir al-Balah and al-Qarara village in
Khan Yunis. On Friday, 22 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed
the junctions of al-Matahen, Abu Houli and al-Shuhada on Salah al-Din Street,
the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, partitioning the
Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. They prevented movement of Palestinian
civilians until 20:00. Israeli occupying forces have also blocked
al-Shuhada junction, south of Gaza city.
In the West
Bank, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on Palestinian
communities, isolating them from one another. They have restricted movement of
Palestinians at military checkpoints, despite Israeli claims that a number of
military checkpoints were dismantled. They re-closed a number of roads
and erected dozens of roadblocks. They also moved into a number of towns,
and have imposed curfews on a number of villages.
Extra-Judicial
Assassinations
In a
continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted
by the Israeli political and security establishments against Palestinian field
activists and political leaders, Israeli occupying forces carried out 4
assassination attempts in Gaza city and Nablus. One of these
assassination attempts failed and a passing Palestinian civilian was killed.
The other assassination attempts left dead 9 Palestinians, including 6 targeted
persons; a prominent leader of the Hamas movement, Isma’il Abu Shanab, 4
members of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas movement and
1 member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement.
In addition, more than 40 Palestinians were injured, two of whom were arrested
while they were receiving medical treatment at an intensive care unit in a
hospital in Nablus.
On Thursday
afternoon, 21 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces committed a new
extra-judicial assassination, which left a prominent leader of the Hamas
movement dead, Isma’il Abu Shanab and 2 of his bodyguards. In addition,
19 passing Palestinian civilians were wounded.
According to
PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 13:15, Israeli helicopter gunships
launched 5 missiles at a civilian car that was traveling on UNRWA Vocational
Training Center Street opposite to the headquarters of the Gaza Governorate, a
densely populated area in Gaza City. The missile destroyed the car.
Ambulances and rescue teams arrived on the scene shortly after the attack. They
extracted 3 bodies from the car and transferred them to Shifa’ Hospital in Gaza
City. In addition, 19 passing Palestinian civilians were wounded.
Later, there
were reports that Isma’il Hassan Abu Shanab, 53, from Sheikh Radwan
neighborhood in Gaza City, a prominent leader of the Hamas movement and 2 of
his bodyguards had been traveling in the targeted car. The 2 bodyguards
have been identified as Mo’men Mohammed Baroud, 24, from al-Shati refugee camp
and Hani Majed Abu al-‘Amrain, 23, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
At the time
of the attack, Israeli warplanes were flying over Gaza City, apparently to
drown out the sounds of the approaching helicopter gunships. Israeli
occupying forces have used this method in several assassination attempts in the
past.
The second
extra-judicial assassination, reflecting Israel’s disregard for the Fourth
Geneva Convention which strictly forbids attacks on hospitals, patients and
medical personnel, on Friday, 22 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces
assassinated a Palestinian and seriously wounded two others in Rafidya Hospital
in Nablus. The two who were wounded were later kidnapped by Israeli
occupying forces.
According to
PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 17:10, Israeli occupying forces, which
had moved into Nablus on the preceding day, surrounded Rafidya Hospital in the
southwest of Nablus. In the meantime, a number of Israeli soldiers, who
had mounted the roof of a building under-construction approximately 70m away
from the northern entrance of the hospital, opened fire at 3 Palestinians who
were apparently hiding from Israeli occupying forces on the roof of the
hospital. One of the three, Khaled Amin Mohammed al-Namrouti, 35, from
‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, was killed by several live bullets in the chest
and the abdomen. The other two were seriously injured:
1. Fahed Mahmoud
Fahed Bani ‘Ouda, 24, from Tammoun village, wounded by several live bullets in
the chest, the right arm; and
2. ‘Othman
Younis Abu Romoush, 26, wounded by several live bullets in the abdomen, the
spleen, the pancreas and the kidney.
Israeli
occupying forces claimed that Abu Romoush was responsible for an attack that
took place inside Israel two weeks ago. Al-Namrouti and Bani ‘Ouda are
leaders of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of the Fatah movement in
the area.
At
approximately 03:20 on Tuesday, 26 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces raided
Rafidya Hospital. A number of Israeli soldiers went to the intensive care
unit, where Abu Romoush and Bani ‘Ouda were receiving medical treatment.
Israeli soldiers forced the nurses out, except for one, Wafaa’ Abu Lawi, whom
they insulted. Upon their withdrawal from the hospital, Israeli soldiers
kidnapped Abu Romoush and Bani ‘Ouda.
A few
hours following a statement issued by the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
on 24 August, in which he indicated that there would be a resumption of military
activities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including the assassination of
prominent activists of the Hamas movement and Islamic Jihad, Israeli occupying
forces committed another extra-judicial assassination, which left dead 4
members of ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of the Hamas
movement.
According
to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 21:40 on Sunday, 24 August 2003, 2
Israeli combat helicopters flew over Gaza City. The target was a blue
civilian car, in which 4 Palestinians were traveling along the coastal road
near the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) junction in the densely
populated Sheikh ‘Ejlin neighborhood in the southwest of Gaza City. When the
individuals in the car became aware of the approaching helicopters, they got
out of the car. The helicopters launched 4 missiles in the direction of
the fleeing passengers. The 4 Palestinians were instantly killed by the
missile strike and 2 passing civilians were wounded. Later, the victims
were identified as:
1. Ahmed Rushdi Mustafa
Eshtaiwi, 24, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City; allegedly wanted by
Israeli occupying forces;
2. Waheed Hamed Subhi
al-Hams, 21, from Rafah;
3. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Abu
Hilal, 23, from Rafah; and
4. Mohammed Kana’an ‘Abdul
Hai Abu Lebda, 20, from Rafah.
On
Tuesday, 26 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces failed to assassinate 3
members of the ‘Ezziddin al-Qassam, the military wing of Hamas movement.
A passing Palestinian civilian was killed and 23 others, including 5 children,
were wounded, one of them seriously.
According
to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 18:50 on Tuesday, 26 August 2003, 2
Israeli combat helicopters launched 3 missiles at a civilian car, a white
Renault 5, which was traveling on the Sea Street, west of the northern Gaza
Strip town of Jabalya, in a densely populated area. The first missile
fell in front of the car. Immediately, 3 persons who were traveling in
the car jumped out and escaped. The other two missiles hit the car directly,
burning it. A passing Palestinian civilian, Younis Hassan al-Hamalawi,
74, from Jabalya, was killed by shrapnel throughout the body. According
to eyewitnesses, al-Hamalawi was riding an animal cart when he was hit by
shrapnel. In addition, 28 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children,
were wounded. One of the wounded, Mohammed Ibrahim Ba’lousha, 17, from
Jabalya, who was wounded by shrapnel in the head, died from his wound on
Wednesday, 27 August 2003.
Excessive
Use of Force against Palestinian Civilians and Attacks on Their Property
This week,
Israeli occupying forces fired at Palestinian civilians, shelled Palestinian
residential areas and encroached into Palestinian Authority controlled
areas. Following are details of these human rights violations:
Thursday,
21 August:
Early
in the morning, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by dozens of heavy
military vehicles and jeeps, encroached into Nablus and its four refugee camps,
through all of the areas entrances. Israeli forces took control of the
entire area before imposing a curfew and conducting home raids and searches,
most of which took place in the old part of town. Simultaneously, Israeli
forces closed the entrances to the town, forbidding its residents from either
entering or leaving, while Israeli troops patrolled neighboring villages where
a curfew had also been imposed.
Early
in the morning, Israeli occupying forces raided three mosques in the towns of
Hebron and Dura, conducting searches and preventing the worshipers from commencing
with their prayers. According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
04:00, Israeli occupying forces raided three different mosques: Al-Haras mosque
north of Hebron; al-Ansar mosque west of Hebron; and Dura Mosque southwest of
Hebron. Israeli forces thoroughly searched the mosques and banned the
worshipers from praying.
According
to eyewitnesses, in addition to preventing worshipers from praying and
conducting searches, Israeli forces confiscated a number of religious and
non-religious books from the al Razi library of Dura mosque. In al-Ansar
mosque, they mistreated and threw copies of the Qura’an and other religious
books.
It is
worth noting that in a previous incident on Wednesday, 8 August 2003, Israeli
occupying forces closed down 2 mosques, al-Sheikh ‘Ali al-Baka’ in the Sheikh
neighborhood in the town center and al-Haras mosque in the northern part of the
town.
At
approximately 19:45, Israeli occupying forces positioned in the “Neve Dekalim”
and “Gadid” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian homes
in Khan Yunis refugee camp, al-Nimsawi neighborhood, Baten al-Samin and the
cemetery area, east of the settlements. Several live bullets reached the
front area of Nasser hospital, causing a state of panic among the patients and
civilians. During the three-hour indiscriminate shelling Samir Yahia al-Lahham,
19, was wounded by a live bullet in his right foot. Al-Lahham informed
the PCHR’s fieldworker that he was wounded while on the rooftop of his house in
Shubeir Street, about one kilometer east of “Neve Dekalim” settlement.
At that
same time, Israeli soldiers positioned in “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of
Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in the western al-Rabwat area and
al-Amal neighborhood. There was a state of widespread panic in the two
areas although no casualties were reported.
Also in
the evening, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by tanks, armored personnel
carriers and dozens of military jeeps, moved into the northern West Bank town
of Jenin and its refugee camp from all four directions. Israeli forces
took complete control over the town, imposing a curfew and raiding and
searching Palestinian houses.
At
approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned near Salah al-Din Gate
on the Egyptian border south of Rafah, opened fire for ten minutes on
Palestinian houses to the north. No casualties were reported.
Friday
22 August, 2003
At
approximately 21:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned near Salah al-Din Gate
on the Egyptian border south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses to the
north. The shelling continued for one hour. No casualties were
reported. Two hours later, Israeli forces positioned in a military
location in Tel Zo’rob area in the southwest of Rafah, opened fire at near-by
Palestinian houses. Several houses were lightly damaged.
PCHR’s
field worker in that area reported that at 15:00, two armored personnel
carriers and five military jeeps of Israeli occupying forces moved 80m into
Istaih and the YMCA streets, in the east of Beit Sahour. At the same
time, an armored vehicle and two military jeeps moved 50 meters into the
Orthodox Club Street in the west of Beit Jala.
In the context of a systematic policy of opening fire
at Palestinian civilians crossing military checkpoints, Israeli soldiers
positioned around the Habla Gate, south of Qalqilya, opened fire at a number of
Palestinian civilians passing through the gate. Two civilians were wounded:
1. Ashraf
‘Abdullah Abu Khadija, 28, wounded by shrapnel in the face; and
2. Naseem Saleh
Hijazy, 18, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg.
At 21:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by
heavy military vehicles, a large bulldozer and an ambulance moved into the
neighborhoods of Khellat Hadour, Namra in the east, al Ramah, Ras al-Jorah, Bir
al-Mahjar and al-Ahli hospital in the northwest of Hebron. All these
areas are Palestinian controlled. The incursion continued until 03:00 in
the following morning and was accompanied by house raids.
Saturday 23 April, 2003
At approximately 01:30, Israeli soldiers
positioned in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan
Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Amal neighborhood to the
southeast of the settlement. At the same time, Israeli soldiers
positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood. No casualties
were reported, but a number of houses were lightly damaged.
Israeli occupying forces opened fire indiscriminately
at Palestinian civilians in Nablus, who had left their homes upon an
announcement that the curfew, imposed on the city and its refugee camps, was lifted.
17 Palestinians sustained various injuries.
According
to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitness’ reports, at approximately 17:00,
Israeli occupying forces lifted the curfew it had imposed on Nablus and its
refugee camps since it had regained control of the town on Thursday, 21 August
2003. During the first hour after lifting the curfew, Israeli forces
began to fire indiscriminately into the town streets. 19 civilians,
including 9 children, sustained various injuries. Two were wounded by gunfire,
seven by shrapnel and 10 by rubber-coated metal bullets. Note: A
list of names of the injured is available from PCHR per request.
At
approximately 21:55, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations
surrounding “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at
Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp and al-Nimsawi neighborhood, east
of the settlement. The indiscriminate shelling continued for half an
hour, during which several bullets reached the center of the town, hundreds of
meters away from the settlement. Mohammad Harb Sabah Abu Shanab, 21, was
wounded by a live bullet in the head. He was evacuated in a civilian car
to Nasser hospital, and afterwards to the Gaza European Hospital.
Nevertheless, he was in such a critical state that he had to be removed to the
Shifa’ Hospital in Gaza city. A PCHR field worker reported that the young man
was shot while in the Kala’a park in the town center, approximately 2000 meters
away from the source of fire.
An hour
later, Israeli soldiers on a tank, positioned in a military location near “Gani
Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, fired flare bombs and opened fire at
Palestinian houses in the western al-Rabawat area and al-Amal
neighborhood. This caused a widespread state of panic and terror among
civilians, though no casualties were reported.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
At
approximately 18:35, Israeli soldiers positioned 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. 3 hours later, Israeli
occupying forces resumed their shelling of the area. No casualties were
reported.
At approximately 23:30, Israeli occupying
forces in tanks at a military location west of Rafah, and at the Egyptian
border south of Rafah, shelled nearby Palestinian residential areas. The heavy
shelling continued for three hours. One of the shells hit an electricity
transmitter in Tal al-Sultan, causing a power shortage in the rest of the town.
Another shell hit the Rafah municipal electricity transmitter that provides
electricity to a Rafah Municipale well and pumping stopped leaving residents
with no water.
Monday 25 August, 2003
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupying forces,
accompanied by seven military bulldozers, committed widespread upheaval and
leveling of agricultural lands in the al-Sayafa area between the “Dogit” and
“Eli Sinai” settlements in the northern Gaza strip. These lands had
previously been leveled during the al-Aqsa Intifada. The land leveling
continued up to the following day, 26 August 2003. Israeli forces razed a
2-dunum area of agricultural land planted with citrus owned by Jamil ‘Abdul
Rahman al-Ghoul. The fence surrounding the land was also leveled.
At approximately midnight, Israeli occupying forces
positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis,
opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp, al-Amal
neighborhood, Baten al-Samin and the cemeteries area, east of the settlement.
Miriam Mahmoud Ahmad al-Lahham, 11, was wounded by a live bullet in the left
leg. A PCHR field worker reported that a live bullet had come through the
window and hit the child as she stood in her bedroom on the second floor of her
family home, 600m east of “Neve Dekalim” settlement. At approximately
17:00, Israeli forces resumed the shelling of the same area, but no casualties
were reported.
Tuesday 26 August, 2003
At approximately 07:30, Israeli occupying
forces positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan
Yunis, shelled and opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee
camp, al-Nimsawi neighborhood and the cemeteries area to the east of the
settlement. The heavy shelling resulted in the injury of two civilians
while severe damage was incurred to buildings no. 1 and 3 in al-Nimsawi
neighborhood. The fourth floor of building no. 1 caught fire. The
Palestinian civil defense personnel were unable to reach it due to heavy
shelling. Both buildings have sustained damages since the beginning of
the Intifada due to similar shelling, forcing Palestinian residents to evacuate
the buildings.
The two who were wounded are:
1. ‘Abdul Rahman
Khalil Ibrahim Shaqqura, 45, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand while he was
in his first floor balcony of the building no. 6 in al-Namsawi neighborhood;
and
2. ‘Eissa Ahmad
al-Akkad, 53, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand as he stood in a street in
the Namsawi neighborhood.
Wednesday, 27 August 2003
At
approximately 14:00, 10 Israeli military jeeps moved into Ramallah, taking a
position near the Chamber of Commerce and a post office in the center of the
town. Then, they broke into offices of the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine and arrested 15 Palestinians. Soon, some
Palestinian children and young men gathered and threw stones towards Israeli
soldiers. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire, wounding 14
Palestinian civilians. All injuries were treated in the field, except for
two children who were evacuated to the hospital:
1. Emile Ghassan ‘Abdu, 17,
from Jafna village, north of Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet
in the head; and
2. Ahmed Mahmoud Jasser, 11,
from Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head.
In an apparent
willful killing, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian near
Rachels Tomb, north of Bethlehem. Israeli military sources claimed that
“Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian who suspiciously attempted to stab
Israeli soldiers near Rachel Tomb, north of Bethlehem.” The uncertainty
of the Israeli narrative proves that Israeli forces used excessive force
against the victim.
According to
PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 14:20, a Palestinian civilian was
walking near Bilal Ben Rabah mosque. When he got approximately 20m away
from an Israeli bus parked near Rachels Tomb, north of Bethlehem, an Israeli
soldier shot him dead. Israeli forces closed the area and denied access
to ambulances. They took the victim’s body in a military jeep to an
unknown destination. Later that night, upon coordination between the
Palestinian and Israeli side, a Palestinian ambulance received the body.
The victim was identified as Mustafa Mohammed ‘Ali Salahat, 39. He was
shot by a live bullet in the chest.
Collective
Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried
out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets
In violation
of international humanitarian law, especially the Geneva Convention Relative to
the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, whose article 33
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. In this context, they destroyed 7
Palestinian houses in Hebron, Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarm.
On Thursday,
21 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed two houses in Hebron.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 00:10, Israeli occupying
forces moved into Kharas village, northwest of Hebron. They surrounded a
120-square-meter, 2-storey house belonging to the family of ‘Ali Yousef ‘Ali
Halahla, 17, who was killed in an armed clash with Israeli occupying forces
near “Beit Shemesh” settlement, west of Hebron, last year. They forced
the 8 residents of the house and planted explosives on the second floor of the
house, where the family lived. At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying
forces destroyed the second floor and all its contents. The first floor,
where Halahla’s brother and his wife and two children live, was severely
damaged.
At
approximately 04:20, Israeli occupying forces moved in Wad Abu Katila area in
the west of Hebron. They surrounded a 160-square-meter flat owned by the
family of Ra’ed ‘Abdul hamid Misk, 28, who was killed while carrying out a
bombing in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday, 19 August 2003. The flat lies
on the third floor of a 5-storey apartment building owned by ‘Abdul Muhsen
Salama Zughair. Israeli soldiers broke into the building and forced its
residents out. At approximately 05:00, they destroyed Misk’s flat.
As a result, 4 other flats were damaged.
In Jenin,
Israeli occupying forces destroyed 3 Palestinian houses on the same day.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 03:00, Israeli occupying
forces moved into Nazlat Zaid village, southwest of Jenin. They
surrounded a 140-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by ‘Abdul Samee’ Suleiman
Ziad. They called on the 8 residents of the house through megaphones to
leave it and they did. An Israeli officer informed the owner that his
house would be destroyed and gave the family 15 minutes to evacuate their
belongings. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house
and destroyed it. Israeli occupying forces claim that the owner’s son,
Sa’ed, 25, is wanted for his activities in the Intifada.
At the same
time, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian Authority controlled
al-Yamun village, west of Jenin. They surrounded an 80-square-meter house
owned by ‘Ali Mofleh ‘Abahra. They informed the owner that his house
would be destroyed and gave the 8-member family 15 minutes to evacuate their
belongings. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house
and destroyed it. A neighboring 150-square-meter, 3-storey house, in
which the families of three of the owner’s sons live, was severely
damaged. The owner is the father of Ahmed ‘Aabhra who carried out a
bombing in the Israeli town of Bissan on 19 June 2003.
At
approximately 03:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military
vehicles, moved into the Palestinian Authority controlled Kufor Ra’ei village,
southwest of Jenin. They surrounded a 110-square-meter house owned by
Khairi Fathi Yahia. They called on the 7 residents of the house through
megaphones to leave it. They gave the family 20 minutes to evacuate their
belongings before Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house and
destroyed it. A neighboring house owned by Ahmed Saleh Qassem Yahia was
severely damaged. Khairi Fathi Yahia is the father of Ahmed Yahia who
carried out a bombing in the Israeli town of Netanya on 7 July 2001.
On Friday, 22
August 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed two Palestinian houses in
Tulkarm and Nablus. According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately
01:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into the Palestinian National Authority
controlled Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They surrounded the southern
part of the village. They threw sound bombs on the house of Ibrahim Ahmed
Ebsais, 70. The owner’s son, Malek, 22, went out to check what was going
on. He was injured in the ears and left leg by a sound bomb.
Israeli soldiers broke into the 190-square-meter house and forced its 3
residents out. Then, they planted explosives inside the house and
destroyed it. The owner is the father of Zaid Ebsais, 26, who was
arrested by Israeli occupying forces on 9 December 2001, and was sentenced to
55 years in prison. Two neighboring houses were severely damaged.
At
approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces that had moved into Nablus on
Thursday, 21 August 2003, surrounded a 3-storey apartment building in Khellat
al-Iman owned by ‘Othman al-Busaili. They forced the 11-member family of
‘Emad Mohammed al-Nouri, which rents a 120-square-meter flat on the first floor
of the building out. They gave the family 10 minutes only to evacuate
their belongings. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the flat.
At approximately 03:10, they destroyed it. Al-Nouri is the father of
Samer al-Nouri who carried out a bombing in Tel Aviv on 5 January 2003.
The
Separating Wall in the West Bank
While Israeli
occupying forces have continued to perpetrate violations of human rights
against Palestinian civilians and property, they have continued to establish a
separating wall between the West Bank and Israel. For this purpose, on
Friday morning, 22 August 2003, they demolished dozens of Palestinians stores
and houses in Nazalat ‘Eissa village, north of Tulkarm.
According to
investigation conducted by PCHR and statements by eyewitnesses, including Ziad
al-Salem, head of the local council, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying
forces, accompanied by 5 military bulldozers, moved into Nazlat ‘Eissa village
and imposed a curfew. Then, the bulldozers started to demolish dozens of
commercial stores, workshops, plantation nurseries and houses along the
village’s border with the “Green Line.” They demolished 115 commercial
stores with a total area of 6874 square meters (PCHR has full details of those
stores). They also demolished 4 houses:
1.
A 180-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Tayseer Mohammed Taher Hussein and
rented by Sami Mohammed Sa’id Fayez Abu Mukh and his son, in which 8 people (2
families) lived;
2. A 200-square-meter,
2-storey house owned by Ahmed Mahmoud Asa’ad Ibrahim, in which 10 people (2
families) lived;
3. A 360-square-meter,
2-storey house owned by Asa’ad Mahmoud Asa’ad Ibrahim, in which 8 people (2
families) lived; and
4. A 180-square-meter,
under-construction house owned by Aabad Ma’rouf ‘Abdul Qader ‘Alloush.
The market’s
electricity and water supplies were also destroyed.
On
Sunday, 24 August 2003, the local council of Nazlat ‘Eissa village received an
Israeli military order (T/57/03) signed by Moshe Kiblensky, the Israeli
military commander of the West Bank, according to which Israeli occupying
forces would confiscate 16 donums of agricultural land in the village.
The recent land leveling and confiscation by Israeli occupying forces is due to
continued construction of part of the separating wall extending from Zeita
village in the south to Qiffing village in the north. This part of the wall
would completely isolate and cage Nazlat ‘Eissa village. It would also
seize approximately 360 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and isolate
another 500 donums. It is worth noting that Israeli occupying forces
demolished 62 Palestinian commercial stores in the same area earlier this
year. The area, which has been subject to destruction is a central market
for the region.
On the
same day, the local council of Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of Tulkarm,
received a similar Israeli military order, accompanied by maps, according to
which Israeli occupying forces would seize 300 donums of agricultural land
owned by a number of families in the village.
On Sunday
morning also, Israeli occupying forces started to raze areas of Palestinian
agricultural land in Abu Dis village, east of Jerusalem, for the purpose of the
establishment of the separating wall. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli
bulldozer started to raze more than 45 donums of Palestinian agricultural land,
whose owners had been informed by Israeli occupying forces in the previous week
that their lands would be confiscated for the purpose of establishing the
separating wall.
Continued
Siege on the OPT
Israeli
occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, especially in the West Bank. While Israeli forces redeployed
on the main roads in the Gaza Strip, they have restricted movement at border
crossings and have closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. They have
maintained the siege imposed on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and
al-Sayafa area in the north. They have also continued to close Rafah-Khan
Yunis western road, the part of Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the
north and south of the Gaza Strip), near “Kfar Darom” settlement in the central
Gaza Strip, and Abu al-‘Ajin road between Wadi al-Salqa village in Deir
al-Balah and al-Qarara village in Khan Yunis.
In violation
of the right of Palestinian civilians to free movement, at approximately 08:00
on Friday, 22 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the junctions of
al-Matahen, Abu Houli and al-Shuhada on Salah al-Din Street, the main road
between the north and south of the Gaza Strip This act effectively
partitions the Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. Israeli tanks were
positioned at al-Matahen junction, north of Khan Yunis and Israeli occupying
forces put cement blocks at Abu Houli junction, south of Deir al-Balah,
preventing movement of Palestinian civilians until 20:00. Israeli
occupying forces have also blocked al-Shuhada junction, south of Gaza
city.
Israeli
occupying forces have continued to restrict travel of Palestinians through
Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border, which is the only outlet for the Gaza
Strip to the outside world. On Monday and Tuesday, 25 and 26 August 2003,
Israeli occupying forces began work at the crossing 3 hours late. As a
consequence, many travelers were forced to go back to their homes and hundreds
of travelers were forced to spend the night at the Egyptian side of the
terminal under severe conditions. Israeli occupying forces have also
continued to check Palestinian policemen working at the terminal and force them
to enter the terminal in civilian clothes before putting on their official
uniforms. On Friday, 22 August 2003, Palestinian policemen refused to
undergo checking, so Israeli occupying forces denied them access to the
terminal. For further details on the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, see
PCHR’s Weekly Report issued on 22 August 2003.
Continued
Siege on the West Bank
Contrary to
Israeli claims regarding easing the siege imposed on the West Bank and easing
restrictions on internal movement, Israeli occupying forces have continued to
restrict movement of Palestinians at military checkpoints in the West
Bank.
Hebron
For the second
consecutive week, Israeli occupying forces have imposed a curfew on the old
town, the center and the south of Hebron. They have tightened the siege
imposed on the town through erecting more checkpoints and roadblocks at its
main and branch entrances. On Friday morning, 22 August 2003, Israeli
occupying forces expanded the curfew to include most neighborhoods in the
southeast and southwest of the town. According to Palestinian civilians
living in Jabal Jouhar neighborhood in the south and Wad al-Ghorous and
al-Masharqa al-Fouqa neighborhoods in the southeast, Israeli occupying forces
prohibited any movement in these area even for humanitarian purposes.
Israeli forces also closed a number of roads, which they had reopened a month
ago, and erected checkpoints and roadblocks, especially in the areas of Wad
al-Nasara and al-Kassara in the east of the town, and the areas of Qalqas and
al-Fahes in the south. According to Palestinian civilians living in the
area of Halhoul and Beit Kahel bridges, north and northwest of Hebron
respectively, Israeli occupying forces fired at them in an attempt to prevent
their access to Hebron.
Bethlehem
On Saturday
evening, 23 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a strict siege on
Bethlehem. They closed all of its main and branch entrances.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces closed Wad al-Nar road,
which links between the north and south of the West Bank, and denied the
movement of dozens of cars. They also closed the area of Rachels Tomb.
Ramallah
and al-Bireh
On Thursday
morning, 21 August 2003, Israeli soldiers at Qalandya military checkpoint,
south of Ramallah, initiated a series of arbitrary measures against Palestinian
civilians moving through the checkpoint. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli
soldiers informed Palestinian civilians that they had decided to cancel their
“checkpoint permits.” Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinian civilians
who were on their way to hospitals from crossing the checkpoint. In the
same morning, Israeli occupying forces erected a roadblock at the junction of
Jaba’ village, east of Qalandya checkpoint, and blocked civilian cars for
several hours. They have also continued to close Ramallah-Bir Zeit road,
forcing Palestinian civilians to walk. They closed ‘Atara military
checkpoint and forced dozens of vehicles traveling to the northern West Bank to
travel back. In the meantime, Israeli occupying forces have tightened the
siege imposed on western and southern villages of Ramallah.
Nablus
Although
Israeli occupying forces withdrew from Nablus on Monday morning, 25 August
2003, they have imposed a strict siege on the town. PCHR’s field worker
in Nablus reported that a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles were
deployed at the junctions of the villages surrounding Nablus, which lead to the
town through rough mountainous roads. Israeli soldiers deployed around
these villages to prevent any attempt by Palestinian civilians to enter
Nablus.
Jenin
Israeli
occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Jenin. On
Saturday and Sunday, 23 and 24 August 2003, dozens of Palestinian civilian cars
were seen waiting in a long queue at al-Shuhada Triangle, south of Jenin,
without being allowed to cross into the town. In the meantime, Israeli
occupying forces imposed a curfew on the town. On Monday morning, 25
August 2003, Israeli occupying forces redeployed around Jenin, but maintained
the strict siege.
Tulkarm
On Saturday
morning, 23 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces erected a number of roadblocks
in al-Kafriyat area, south of Tulkram, denying movement of Palestinian
civilians from and into the town. Israeli soldiers were also deployed in
agricultural areas to prevent Palestinian civilians from using branch roads
leading to the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli occupying forces
closed the iron gates surrounding Baqa al-Sharqia village, north of
Tulkarm. They denied movement of Palestinians from and into the village
and Palestinian civilians who had already left the village were not able to go
back to their homes. Israeli occupying forces also closed the iron gate
at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm, and declared the village a
closed military zone.
Qalqilya
Israeli
occupying forces have maintained the siege imposed on Qalqilya. For the
second consecutive day, Israeli forces have continued to close Habla gate,
which is the only outlet leading to the town. According to eyewitnesses,
Israeli soldiers at the gate prevented Palestinian civilians from entering or
leaving.
Salfit
Israeli
occupying forces have maintained the siege imposed on Salfit and nearby
villages and closed Za’tara and Deir Ballout military checkpoints. They
prevented Palestinian civilians living in the villages of Bedia, Masha,
al-Zawia, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Deir Ballout and Rafat from crossing Rafat
military checkpoint. They also prevented Palestinian civilian vehicles
from traveling to Ramallah through Deir Ballout military checkpoint.
According to eyewitnesses, Za’tara military checkpoint was closed on Saturday
morning, 23 August 2003, by Israeli occupying forces, obstructing the passage
of ambulances. Israeli occupying forces also closed the entrance of Hares
village, and prevented Palestinian civilians from entering or leaving the
village.
* * * * *
PCHR calls:
1. Upon the
international community to provide immediate and independent international
protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories.
2. Upon the
High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to
take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1
and article 146, to ensure respect for the Convention.
3.
Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute before
international courts those believed to have committed war crimes in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories.
4.
Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its
field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
5.
Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association
Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.
6.
Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance
for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are continuing to
deteriorate as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation
forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“END”
Public Document
**************************************
For more
information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 –
2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer
El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
