Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated
more human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including willful
killings, shelling of, and incursion into Palestinian areas and agricultural
land leveling. This week, 21-27 November
2002, 7 civilians – 6 Palestinians and an UNRWA official – and a security man
were killed by Israeli forces. This
number does not include Palestinians who were killed in military attacks.
On Friday, 22 November
2002, Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles,
invaded Bethlehem and surrounding towns, villages and refugee camp. They seized complete control over these areas
and imposed a curfew. Israeli forces
waged a campaign of arrests against Palestinian civilians. About 50 Palestinians have been arrested by
Israeli forces since the beginning of this new offensive. Israeli forces also took retaliatory steps
against families of wanted Palestinians. The Israeli invasion came shortly before the beginning of preparations
for Christmas.
This week, the Gaza Strip
was subjected to various kinds of attacks by Israeli forces. On Monday, 25 November 2002, Israeli forces
encroached into Deir al-Balah. They
opened fire everywhere wounding 5 Palestinian civilians. They also fired at a Palestinian ambulance
that tried to offer help to the wounded. The ambulance driver was hit by 2 live bullets. Israeli forces destroyed the house of the
family of a wanted Palestinian. They also
arrested his 4 brothers.
On Friday, 22 November
2002, Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles and 3
helicopters and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 3km into
al-Qarara village and al-Satar al-Sharqi area in the north of Khan Yunis. Israeli tanks took position on Salah al-Din
Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, and on
branch roads, so they tightened the grab on the area. During the 4-hour aggression, Israeli forces
destroyed 2 Palestinian houses and raided some other ones.
In addition to the 9 houses
that were destroyed in Deir al-Balah and al-Qarara village in the Gaza Strip,
and Bethlehem in the West Bank, Israeli forces destroyed three houses in Nablus
on the same ground.
This week, Israeli forces
razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the Gaza Strip,
especially in Deir al-Balah.
This week, Israeli forces
committed a series of apparent willful killings that left 6 Palestinians and an
UNRWA official dead. On Friday, 22
November 2002, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian child and an UNRWA official
in Jenin refugee camp. On Thursday, 21
November 2002, Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of
“Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City, shelled a Palestinian
security site. A Palestinian security
man was killed. On Sunday, 24 November
2002, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint west of Nablus fired at a
number of Palestinian civilians who attempted to travel to the city. An old man fell over, and smashed his head on
a large stone, which caused his death. On Monday, 25 November 2002, Israeli soldiers on tanks shot dead a
Palestinian child, when they opened fire at passing Palestinian school children
and civilians. On Wednesday, 27 November
2002, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian while he was on his way
to the mosque in ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus. On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was
killed in Bethlehem, when Israeli solders at a military roadblock opened fire
at his car.
Israeli forces have
maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT, collectively punishing the Palestinian
people. Israeli forces
have partitioned Palestinian areas, transforming them into cantons, violating
Palestinian civilians’ economic, social and cultural rights. They have also imposed curfews on several different areas.
Israeli Offensive on
Bethlehem
At
approximately 04:00 on Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli forces, reinforced
with dozens of heavy military vehicles, invaded the towns of Bethlehem, Beit
Jala and Beit Sahour, the refugee camps of al-Duheisha, al-‘Azza and ‘Aaida,
and the villages of al-Khader, al-Duha, al-‘Obeidia and Artas. They seized complete control over these areas
and imposed a curfew. Many Israeli tanks
and armored personnel carriers were positioned in the vicinity of the Church of
the Nativity in Bethlehem. Israeli
forces waged a campaign of arrests against Palestinian civilians. About 50 Palestinians have been arrested by
Israeli forces since the beginning of this new offensive. Israeli forces also took retaliatory steps
against the families of wanted Palestinians. Following are the most significant serious violations perpetrated by
Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in the Bethlehem District:
· House Demolition
At approximately 11:30 on
Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli forces surrounded a 150 square-meter house
rented by the family of
Na’el Nemer Mousa Abu Haulail, who carried out a bombing in Jerusalem recently,
in al-Balou’ neighborhood in al-Khader village. They forced the 5 residents of the house out and destroyed it. Israeli forces also arrested Abu Haulail’s
father.
At approximately 05:00 on
Saturday, 23 November 2002, Israeli forces raided the house of Riadh Dakhlallah
al-‘Amour, 36, in al-‘Amour neighborhood in Taqqou’ village, south of
Bethlehem. They forced the 10 residents
of the 100 square-meter, 2-story house out and destroyed it. Israeli forces claim that al-‘Amour, who has
been detained by them, is responsible for a series of resistance actions
against Israel.
At approximately 10:00 on
the same day, Israeli forces surrounded the house of Ibrahim Mousa ‘Ebayat, 27,
in Wadi Shahin area, southeast of Bethlehem. They forced the 18 residents of the 180 square-meter, 2 story house out
and partially destroyed
it. An Israeli officer threatened to
come to the house again to destroy the remaining parts. ‘Ebayat is one of the 13 Palestinians who
were deported by Israeli forces from the Church of the Nativity to Europe on 10
May 2002.
At approximately 11:00 on
the same day, Israeli forces raided the house of the family of Walid No’man
Subeih in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem. They destroyed the 200 square-meter, 2 story house, where 2
families counting 13 persons lived. Subeih was assassinated by Israeli forces on 16 June 2002.
At approximately 14:00 on
the same day, Israeli forces raided the house of the family of Mahmoud ‘Abdul
Fattah Salah in Berak Suleiman neighborhood in al-Khader village. They forced the 5 residents of the 130 square-meter house out and
destroyed it. Salah is wanted by Israeli
forces for alleged resistance activities against them.
At approximately 20:00 on
the same day, Israeli forces surrounded a 5-story apartment building in Wadi
Shahin neighborhood in Bethlehem. They
raided the flat of ‘Abdullah Ahmed Nawawra, 35, wanted by Israeli forces for
alleged activities against
them. They planted bombs in the flat,
where 9 persons lived, and destroyed it.
During the Bethlehem
offensive, Israeli forces seized 15 houses and civilian and security
institutions and transformed them into military locations.
Thursday, 21 November 2002
At approximately 00:20,
more than 60 Israeli heavy military vehicles, reinforced with 3 helicopters and
covered by intense shelling, invaded ‘Abasan and Khuza’a villages, east of Khan
Yunis. Israeli military vehicles were
deployed throughout the two villages. In
‘Abasan, Israeli soldiers raided a 2 story house owned by Khaled Ibrahim
Mahmoud Qudeih. They held the 8
residents of the house in one room and used the owner as a human shield in
searching the house. They made 7 holes
in rooms to use them to fire at neighboring residential areas. Palestinian civilians noticed the presence of
Israeli soldiers in the house, so they remained in their houses to avoid being
shot at by Israeli soldiers. Israeli
military vehicles surrounded a number of houses, including the house of Talal
Khalil Mohammed Abu Zharifa, wanted by Israeli forces for allegedly being a
member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The 7 residents of the 140 square-meter house
had already evacuated expecting it would be demolished by Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers called on residents of the
house and neighboring houses through loudspeakers to leave their houses. Then, an Israeli military bulldozer made a
large hole in one side of the house. Dogs were sent into the house before Israeli soldiers got in and planted
bombs. Soon, Israeli soldiers destroyed
the house. A number of neighboring
houses were damaged. In another attack,
Israeli soldiers destroyed the entrance of a 4 story apartment building owned
by Salem Mohammed Ahmed Abu Salah. They
raided the empty building and broke into 2 flats on the first floor that served
in the past as offices for the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
and the Salvation Charity Society. Israeli soldiers opened fire at doors and inside the flats. In another attack, Israeli soldiers destroyed
the entrance of a 2 story apartment building owned by Mahmoud Ahmed Joma’a Abu
Mutlaq. They broke into offices of the
Fatah Movement and the Prisoners and Ex-prisoners Rehabilitation Society
(Hussam). They broke doors and
confiscated a computer and some documents and files.
Israeli soldiers on tanks
positioned at Khuza’a-‘Abasan junction opened fire at a number of Palestinian
ambulances that came to offer help to the wounded. Three ambulances were damaged and 2
paramedics were wounded:
1. Ahmed ‘Ali
Jasser, 28, wounded by a live bullet to the left thigh, while he was inside an
ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society; and
2. ‘Emad al-Din Mohammed Jodei’an Abu Jamous, 25, wounded by
shrapnel in the head, while he was inside an ambulance of the Qura’an and Sunna
Society.
Israeli forces also
destroyed a number of electricity towers, cutting off electricity from the
whole area. A number of houses and a
mosque were also damaged. Also as a
result of the Israeli shelling, fire broke out in a wood store in a 2 story house owned by
Isma’il Mohammed Khalil Tabash. The Fire
extended to the façade of the house, which was empty when fire broke out. The fire was later extinguished.
In Khuza’a, Israeli
soldiers raided the house of Walid Mohammed Ahmed Abu Rujeila. They forced the 7 residents out of the 3
story house. They then raided a flat on
the first floor that served in the past as offices for Fatah Movement. Israeli soldiers also raided the house of
Hussein Ahmed Hussein Abu Rujeila. They
forced the 10 residents of the 3 story house out. Then, they used Kamal Hussein Ahmed Abu
Rujeila, 23, as a human shield while searching the house.
At approximately 00:25,
Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City, opened fire at a
mobile site of the Palestinian Military Intelligence in Sheikh ‘Ejlin area,
approximately 1300m north of the aforementioned settlement. Less than 15 minutes later, Israeli forces
fired 2 other artillery shells at the same site, where 4 Palestinian security
men were on duty. A security man was
wounded, while the other security men were able to escape. At approximately 01:00, 2 tanks and a
minesweeper of Israeli forces, covered by intense gunfire, moved into the area
and destroyed the small site. Approximately 2 hours later, the Israeli heavy military vehicles
withdrew from the area. The destiny of
the wounded security man was unknown. His body was discovered at approximately 04:30. It was clear that he bled intensely. The body was evacuated to Shifa’ Hospital in
Gaza City. The victim was identified as
Fahmi Mohammed Fahmi Abu Hussein (Nassar), 26, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in
Gaza. According to medical sources, he
was killed by shrapnel from a Fletchette shell. A PCHR field worker who saw the body reported that the victim’s face was
trodden on, which indicates he was still alive when Israeli forces arrived at the
area. Flechette darts were found on
electricity towers and trees in the place of the incident.
At approximately 11:00,
Israeli forces moved approximately 100m into Palestinian agricultural land
northeast of “Kfar Darom” settlement, east of Deir al-Balah. An Israeli military bulldozer razed areas of
agricultural land:
1. It razed a 15
donum area of agricultural land planted with palms and olives, and destroyed a
well and a water pump owned by Samir Mohammed Suleiman al-‘Azaiza.
2. It razed a 5
donum area of agricultural land, on which 5 greenhouses planted with vegetables
stood, owned by Mohammed Hamdi al-Sayed Abu Musabbeh.
3. It razed a 5
donum area of agricultural land, on which 5 greenhouses planted with tomatoes
stood, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Rajab al-Sayed Suleiman Abu
Musabbeh.
4. It razed a
4.5 donum
area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms, and destroyed an
agricultural pool, a water pump and a store owned by Mahmoud Mohammed Ahmed
al-‘Azaiza.
5. It razed a
4.5 donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms owned by
‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Azaiza.
6. It razed a 5 donum area of agricultural
land, on which 5 greenhouse planted with tomatoes stood, and destroyed an
irrigation network owned by Khaled Suleiman al-Sayed Musabbeh.
The Israeli attack on the
area continued until 09:00 on Saturday, 23 November 2002, during which the
Israeli military bulldozers cut electricity wires, leaving the 150 Palestinian
civilians living in the area without electricity.
At approximately 15:00,
Israeli forces moved into Palestinian agricultural land, north of Beit Lahia,
in the northern Gaza Strip. They
destroyed a number of greenhouses and wells. According to Palestinian farmers in the affected area, Israeli soldiers
standing on tanks and 2 military bulldozers informed them that all greenhouses
in the area would be bulldozed if they were not dismantled in 48 hours, but the
farmers were not able to dismantle all greenhouses in such a short period. Until Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli
forces demolished a number of buildings and razed areas of agricultural land:
1. They demolished a 140 square-meter building that
contained a well and a store of agricultural equipment owned by the family of
Abu Halima.
2. They demolished a 150 square-meter building that
contained a well and a store of agricultural equipment owned by Nabil and Sa’id
Mohammed al-‘Attar and ‘Ali Tamim al-‘Attar.
3. They demolished a 200 square-meter, 2 story building
that contained a 3 room house, a well and a store of agricultural equipment
owned by Suleiman Salman Abu Halima.
4. They demolished a 100 square-meter building that
contained a well and a store of agricultural equipment owned by Zuhair Edris
Khader.
5. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on
which 2 greenhouses planted withy vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network owned by Bassam Salem Sa’id Abu Halima.
6. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on
which 2 greenhouses planted withy vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network owned by Ra’ed Salem Sa’id Abu Halima.
7. They razed a 6 donum area of agricultural land, on which 6
greenhouses planted withy vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network
owned by Zuhair Edris Khader and farmed by Akram Saleh Tawfiq al-Nahhal.
8. They razed a 1.5 donum area of agricultural land, on
which a greenhouse planted with vegetables stood, owned by Taha Salman Suleiman
Abu Halima.
Also at approximately
15:00, Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve
Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses
in Khan Yunis refugee camp. Two
Palestinian civilians were lightly wounded:
1. Hassan Ahmed Abu ‘Azzoum, 50, wounded by shrapnel
from a bullet in the arm; and
2. Suleiman Mousa Abu Mousa, 31, wounded by shrapnel
from a bullet in his foot.
Friday, 22 November 2002
At approximately 00:00,
Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles and 3
helicopters and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 3km into al-Qarara
village and al-Satar al-Sharqi area in the north of Khan Yunis. Israeli tanks took position on Salah al-Din
Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, and on
branch roads, so they tightened the grab on the area. During the 4 hour aggression, Israeli forces
destroyed 2 Palestinian houses and raided other ones.
In al-Qarara village,
Israeli soldiers surrounded the house of Fayez Ibrahim Mousa Abu Fayadh, uncle
of Amjad Fayadh who carried out an armed attack on “Gush Qatif”
settlement block in the southern Gaza Strip last year. They forced the 9 residents of the 185 square-meter house out. They used the owner as a human shield in
searching the house. They then planted
bombs in the house and destroyed it.
Israeli soldiers also
surrounded the house of Mousa Ibrahim Mousa Abu Fayadh, father of Eyad Fayadh,
whom Israeli forces had searched for since the first Palestinian Intifada, but
he was able to escape to Sudan. They
forced the 17 residents of the 350 square-meter, 3-story house out and raided
it. They planted bombs in the northern
side of the house and destroyed it. Two
flats and a store were destroyed. The
collapsed parts of the building hit a nearby greenhouse owned by Mohammed
Rashad Fayadh, completely destroying it.
Israeli forces also razed
areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land
planted with carrots and parsleys, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by
‘Awadh ‘Abdul Hadi Hamdan Fayadh.
2. They razed a 3 donum area of agricultural land
planted with vegetables, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Ibrahim
Ayoub Saleh Fayadh.
3. They razed a 2 donum area planted with spinaches, and
destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Musallam ‘Ali Fayadh.
In al-Satar al-Sharqi area,
Israeli soldiers raided the house of Dr. Younis Mohye al-Din Fayez al-Astal, a
Hamas leader. They held his family in
one room. When they did not find him,
they searched the house, destroyed some of its furniture and confiscated a
number of books. Then, they raided
houses of al-Astal’s brothers. Israeli
soldiers held the 30 family members in one room. They used Yousef Mohye al-Din Fayez al-Astal
as a human shield in searching the houses. They also interrogated the males and beat three members of the families,
to force them to reveal information about the place of Dr. al-Astal.
At approximately 06:30,
about 40 Israeli soldiers, reinforced with military vehicles and bulldozers,
moved approximately 500m into al-Birka area in the south of Deir al-Balah. They raided two houses owned by the families
of Shihada and al-Aa’raj. They forced
residents of the two houses out and searched them. Then, the Israeli military bulldozer moved
approximately 200m southward. They razed
areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 4 donum area of agricultural land, on
which 4 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network and a well owned by Hamdan ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Salqawi.
2. They razed a 5 donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives and palms, and destroyed a well and a water pump owned by
Jihad Mohammed Madhi.
3. They razed a 2donum area of agricultural land, on
which 2 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network,
a well and a water pump owned by Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim al-Salqawi.
4. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on which 2
greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network
owned by Ahmed ‘Abdul Karim al-Salqawi.
5. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on
which 2 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network owned by Hassan Ahmed al-Malliti.
6. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on
which 2 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and demolished 2 rooms owned
by Mohammed Yasser Mahmoud al-Salqawi.
7. They razed a 5 donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives and palms, and destroyed a water pump owned by Ahmed ‘Abdul
Karim Baraka.
8. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives and palms, and destroyed a water pump owned by Ahmed ‘Abdul
Karim Baraka.
9. They razed a 2 donum area of agricultural land, on which 2
greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation network and
a water pump owned by Yousef Mahmoud al-Salqawi.
10. They razed a 1 donum area of agricultural land
planted with olives owned by Na’im Mannaa’ Abu Shiha.
11. They razed a 1 donum area of agricultural land
planted with palms, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Sha’ban ‘Abdul
Karim al-Salqawi.
Israeli forces perpetrated
2 new war crimes that left a Palestinian child and a member of the UNRWA staff
dead. According to information available
to PCHR, at approximately 08:45, Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of
heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, invaded the West Bank
town of Jenin and its refugee camp. At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces surrounded the house of Ibrahim ‘id Hamda
Naghnina, 58, in Jenin refugee camp, claiming that wanted Palestinians were
hiding inside. A number of Israeli
snipers took position on the roofs of neighboring houses and opened fire on the
house and the whole area, so all those who were inside the house got out. Israeli forces arrested the owner’s son and
20 year-old ‘Abdullah Naji al-Wahesh. Then, an Israeli armored military bulldozer demolished the 150
square-meter, 3 story house, where 6 families counting 25 persons used to live. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian
children gathered in the area and threw stones towards Israeli forces, which
retaliated by opening fire at the children killing 12-year-old Mohammed Musleh
Balalwa with a live bullet in the left eye. According to eyewitnesses, the child was shot when he was approximately
100m away from the Israeli forces. In
addition, 3 children were wounded:
1. Jaber Tayseer Hassan, 12, wounded by a live bullet in
the left shoulder;
2. Zakria ‘Afif Hassan Sarhan, 13,
wounded by shrapnel in the back; and
3. Amjad Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Omar, 12, wounded by a live
bullet in the left leg.
Israeli forces continued to
fire indiscriminately. An Irish citizen,
Caiomhe Butterly, 25, a member of the international public protection
committees who works as a volunteer in Palestine Red Crescent Society and UNRWA,
was wounded by a live bullet to the left leg, while she was attempting to offer
help to the wounded. Butterly has been
in Jenin refugee camp since April.
In the afternoon, Israeli
forces continued to fire at the refugee camp. The UNRWA compound was hit by live bullets. At
approximately 13:30, Iain Hook, 54, a British citizen and an UNRWA official got out of the compound and shouted to Israeli
soldiers, warning them of the danger they posed to UNRWA staff. He demanded coordination to evacuate the
staff from the compound. According to
eyewitnesses, Hook stood in fornt of the compound and called on Israeli
soldiers, including snipers, to cease fire, but they did not do
so. An Israeli soldier then fired at him
from a distance of approximately 20m, wounding him with a live bullet in the
abdomen. The UNRWA staff attempted to
offer him help, but Israeli soldiers prevented them from getting close to
him. Israeli soldiers also prevented
ambulances from evacuating him to hospital. So, the UNRWA staff made a large hole in the southern wall of the
compound and were able to reach hospital 30 minutes later. Hook died of his wounded before arriving at
hospital. According to medical sources,
Hook was shot by a live bullet that entered the abdomen and exited the back. Shrapnel was also found in the pelvis.
An Israeli
military spokesman claimed that a prolonged violent clash erupted between
Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen in the refugee camp, in a desperate
attempt to hold the Palestinian side responsible for Hook’s death. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw called upon the Israeli Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to investigate Hook’s
death. On the following day, Saturday,
23 November 2002, an Israeli military spokesman claimed an initial
investigation into Hook’s death revealed that that clashes erupted between
Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen. Two Israeli
soldiers identified a man holding an object, so they thought he was a
gunman. The soldiers opened fire towards
him and wounded him.
Saturday, 23 November 2002
At approximately 10:00,
medical sources at al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron declared that 15-year-old ‘Abdullah ‘Arafat Mahmoud ‘Abdul Nabi al-Natsha
succumbed to wound he sustained 3 days earlier. According to information available to PCHR, on Wednesday, 20 November
2002, there were rumors that the curfew imposed by Israeli forces on Hebron
since Friday, 15 November 2002, was lifted. As a result, thousands of Palestinian civilians rushed to markets to buy
foodstuffs. Immediately, Israeli
soldiers on tanks opened fire at civilians. Al-Natsha was critically wounded by a live bullet to the pelvis. He was evacuated to the intensive care unit
of al-Ahli Hospital, but all efforts made to save his life failed. Al-Natsha was wounded while he was on his way
to buy things required for his birthday party, which was on that day.
At the same time, Israeli
forces, reinforced with tanks, raided ‘Ein Sara neighborhood in Hebron. They surrounded the houses of Asa’ad Fakhri
Maraqa, 70, and his sons Khaled, 40, and ‘Aayed, 38. They forced the 15 residents of the three
houses out. Then, Israeli soldiers
destroyed doors and windows. They also
arrested the father and his son Khaled. The other son is wanted by Israeli forces for alleged activities in the
Intifada.
Sunday, 24 November 2002
At approximately 09:30,
Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles, moved into
Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas
canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian civilians who broke
the curfew imposed on the northern West Bank town. A Palestinian civilian, Majdi Riadh Mohammed
al-Sariri, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the right upper
arm.
At approximately 10:00,
Israeli soldiers on tanks positioned in al-Quds Street in the east of Nablus
opened fire at Palestinian houses. An
Israeli tank also fired a shell at a number of Palestinian civilians who got
out of their houses to buy some of basic needs. Two civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Khader, 19,
wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen and the legs; and
2. Sami Ziad ‘Awartani, 25, wounded by a
live bullet in the right hand.
At approximately 12:00,
Israeli forces in military locations near Salah al-Din Gate on the Egyptian
border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Rafah refugee
camp. A Palestinian civilian, ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mohammed ‘Awadh, 21, was wounded by a
live bullet in the left leg, while he was inside his house in Block O.
At approximately 14:00,
Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately
200m into al-Birka area in the south of Deir al-Balah. Two Israeli armored military bulldozers razed
areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 5-donum area of agricultural land, on
which 5 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network owned by Isma’il ‘Aashour al-‘Assar.
2. They razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land, on
which 3 greenhouses planted with vegetables stood, and destroyed an irrigation
network owned by Jamil Mohammed al-Salqawi.
3. They razed a 1.5-donum area of agricultural land
planted with palms and olives and destroyed a water motor owned by Ahmed Baraka.
4. They razed a 4.5-donum area of agricultural land
planted with palms and olives owned by Sha’ban ‘Abdul Karim al-Salqawi.
Late at night, Israeli
forces moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They opened fire at houses wounding 2
Palestinian civilians:
1. Hilal Ahmed D’ib Hassan, 18, wounded by a live bullet
in the left leg; and
2. Amir Ahmed ‘Abdul Rahman Fawzi, 16,
wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder.
Monday, 25 November 2002
In another apparent willful
killing, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian child and wounded 13 other
civilians, when they fired at school children and passing civilians in Sheikh
Musallam neighborhood in Nablus. According to information available to PCHR, in the morning, Palestinian
civilians in Nablus went to their schools and work places, in protest to the
continuous curfew imposed on the city by Israeli forces. At approximately 11:30, some Israeli heavy
military vehicles moved from military locations around the city into its
streets. A number of those military
vehicles took position in Faisal Street in the center of Nablus, while school
children were on their way back home. Without any warning, Israeli soldiers on tanks opened fired
everywhere. A Palestinian child, Jihad
Tahsin Darwish al-Faqih, 8, was critically wounded by a live bullet in the
heart. He succumbed to his wound upon
arrival at hospital. According to
eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinian civilians from distances
ranged between 100 and 150m apparently to cause a maximum number of
casualties. In addition, 13 Palestinian
civilians, including 7 children and 2 women, were wounded. According to medical sources, one of the
wounded was in critical condition.
At approximately 12:00, an
Israeli tank moved into D’innaba neighborhood in Tulkarm. It moved into an alley close to a
school. The tank was stuck in the alley,
so Israeli military reinforcements were called to offer help. When school children exited their school,
some of them threw stones towards Israeli forces. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired at the
stone throwers, wounding 4:
1. Tha’er Mansour ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 13, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the right side;
2. Mohammed Wasef Mohammed Hamed, 15, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the left foot;
3. Adham Khaled ‘Anbas, 14, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the left forearm; and
4. Mujahed Mohammed Saleh ‘Attar, 13, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the left forearm.
At approximately midnight,
Israeli forces, reinforced with more than 30 heavy military vehicles and a
number of helicopters, invaded Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Some of those forces moved from “Gush Qatif”
settlement block, south of the city, approximately 3km into the town and took
position approximately 700m away from Deir al-Balah refugee camp, while other
forces moved from “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of the town, 1500m into
the north and took position on a branch road of Salah al-Din Street (the main
road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip). Israeli forces shelled the town, wounding 6
Palestinian civilians. They also fired
at an ambulance of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, wounding its
driver. After they had seized control
over the town and its refugee camp, Israeli forces surrounded the house of
Hamed Mohammed al-Houli bin al-Bassa area in the northwest of the town. They raided and searched the house and
arrested four sons of the owner: Ra’fat, 33; Ashraf, 32; Zaher, 25; and Naji,
25. They also forced the 22 residents of
the 350 square-meter, 3 story house out and destroyed it. About 20 neighboring houses were severely
damaged. The owner’s son Mohammed is
wanted by Israeli forces for alleged activities in the Intifada.
Those wounded were:
1. Ahmed Mohammed Abu ‘Eisha, 19, seriously
wounded by a live bullet in the chest;
2. Mohammed D’ib Salha, 50, an ambulance driver, wounded
by 2 live bullets in the right foot and left hand and 2 fingers of his right
foot were cut;
3. Ibrahim ‘Obeid Ramadan, 35, wounded
by a live bullet in the neck and by shrapnel in the legs;
4. Rami ‘Abdul Rahman al-Qedra, 28, wounded by a live bullet
in the left leg;
5. Ahmed Munir Shihada, 15, wounded by a live bullet in
the left leg; and
6. Ra’fat Hussein Shihada, 37, wounded by shrapnel in
the face.
Tuesday, 26 November 2002
At approximately 01:00,
Israeli forces in a military location in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of
Rafah opened fire at Palestinian houses at the nearby Tal al-Sultan
neighborhood. A Palestinian civilian,
Mohammed Mohammed al-Dabbas, 21, was wounded by a live bullet in the head.
At approximately 09:00, a
number of Israeli military jeeps moved into Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinian
civilians who broke the curfew that had been imposed on the town by Israeli
forces for several weeks. Six civilians
were wounded:
1. ‘Essam ‘Azzam Amin al-Qudsi, 27,
wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
2. ‘Essam Ahmed Ra’fat Sa’ada,
18, wounded by a live bullet in the back;
3. Mo’men ‘Abdul Latif Abu Safaqa, 15, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the right leg;
4. Ahmed Ibrahim D’ib, 42, wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet in the right leg;
5. Mohammed Hussam Khalaf, 16, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand; and
6. Ahmed Hassan Rihan, 18, wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet in the right leg.
At approximately 15:15,
Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy militaryb vehicles, moved approximately
300m into al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis. Soon, Israeli soldiers raided the house of
Hamdi ‘Abdul Qader ‘Aamer al-Astal. They checked the identities of the 22 residents of the 3-story house and
held them in one room. Israeli soldiers
searched the house using dogs. They then mounted the roof and
transformed it into a military observation point. In the meanwhile, an Israeli military
bulldozer razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. It razed a 3-donum area of agricultural land planted
with olives, palms and vegetables, and destroyed an irrigation network and a
well owned by Younis Khalil al-Astal.
2. It razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted
with vegetables, and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Hamdi ‘Abdul Qader ‘Aamer al-Astal.
At approximately 19:00,
Israeli forces in military locations in Tal Zo’rob area in the southwest of
Rafah opened fired at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Awadallah Jaber ‘Othman, 28, wounded by a
live bullet in the foot; and
2. ‘Ali Hassan ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 29, wounded by
shrapnel in the arms and feet.
At approximately 22:30,
Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, south of Khan Yunis, opened fire at
Palestinian residential areas north of the settlement. A Palestinian civilian, Mohammed Yousef Abu
Jazar, 23, was wounded by shrapnel in the face and the arms, and Palestinian
civilians were terrified.
Wednesday, 27 November 2002
At approximately 01:00,
Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis, shelled
al-Rabwat and al-‘Araishia areas in the northwest of the town. A number of houses were damaged, but no
casualties were reported.
Approximately half an hour
later, after Palestinian gunmen attacked “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, with mortars,
Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of the mentioned
settlement and on a tank positioned near a military location, known as
“al-Nouria”, west of al-Amal
neighborhood, shelled Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. In a later development, 2 Israeli combat
helicopters launched 3 missiles at a civilian community and near an UNRWA
elementary school. The first missile
exploded near a 120 square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 2 families
counting 16 persons live, owned by Nahidh and Ramzi Shihada Hassan Abu
Sahloul. The house was severely
damaged. The second missile exploded in
the same area near a 100-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 2 families
counting 6 persons live, owned by ‘Abdul Karim Ibrahim ‘Ali Abu Mustafa. The house was also damaged. The third missile fell onto a space
area. The missiles and their heavy
explosions damaged 2 houses also:
1. A 128-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 2
families counting 5 persons live, owned by Maher Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Mustafa;
and
2. A 150-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 2
families counting 15 persons live, owned by Sabri and Sa’id Samari Ibrahim
al-Aa’raj.
In an apparent willful
killing, Israeli soldiers on tanks that invaded Nablus shot dead a Palestinian
civilian on his way to the mosque. According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 04:20,
while Jihad Mohammed Salim al-Natour, 24, from ‘Askar refugee camp, east of
Nablus, was on his way to the mosque to do the dawn prayer, when Israeli
soldiers on a tank surrounding the camp opened fire at him without prior
warning. He was instantly killed by
several live bullets throughout the body.
Shooting at Palestinian
Civilians
Israeli forces fired at a
number of Palestinian civilians who wanted to cross an Israeli military
checkpoint towards their village. An old
man fell onto the ground and his head collided with a big stone, so he died.
According to information
available to PCHR, at approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 23 November 2002, Ahmed
Mahmoud Hamad Eshtayeh, 70, traveled from his house in Nablus village, east of
Nablus to visit his daughter in Til village, south of the city, through the city itself. At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 24 November
2002, he traveled towards his village. He was not able to enter Nablus through its southern entrance, so he
resorted to the western entrance of the city. At approximately 08:00, he and a number of Palestinian civilians arrived
at Qussin-Beit Eiba junction. Israeli
soldiers at a military checkpoint in the area held them until 09:30 and forced
them to travel back. Those civilians
tried to enter Beit Eiba village through agricultural roads. Israeli soldiers fired at them. While they were trying to escape, Eshtayeh
fell onto the ground and his head collided with a large stone. At approximately 10:45, an ambulance
evacuated him to hospital. According to
medical sources, Eshtayeh suffered from an internal hemorrhage in the brain,
which caused his death.
On Wednesday evening, 27
November 2002, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint east of Bethlehem
opened fire suddenly at a civilian car that was traveling from Bethlehem to
al-‘Obeidia village. The driver was
killed by a live bullet in the head.
According to information
available to PCHR, at approximately 17:30, while ‘Ateya ‘Oleyan Rabai’aa, 33,
from al-‘Obeidia village, east of Bethlehem, was traveling in his private car
from the town towards his village, Israeli soldiers at a military roadblock
erected suddenly in Qaber Hilwa area, opened fire at the car without prior
warning. Rabaia’a was killed by a live
bullet in the head.
Collective Punishment
Measures against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Carried out Armed
Attacks against Israeli Targets
In violation of international and humanitarian law which prohibits
collective punishment, Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against
families of Palestinians who have carried attacks against Israeli targets in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories and those wanted by Israeli forces. Under this context, Israeli forces destroyed
3 houses in Nablus, in addition to the houses that were destroyed in Bethlehem
and the Gaza Strip (see this report above).
According to information
available to PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Friday, Israeli forces, reinforced
with heavy military vehicles, surrounded the house of the family of Amjad
Mustafa al-Qutob in al-Makhfia neighborhood in Nablus. They forced the 3 families counting 13
persons, who live in the 175-square-meter, 2-story house, out. They took photos for the house and for the
families. At approximately 04:30, they
destroyed the house. It is worth
mentioning that Amjad al-Qutob was killed while carrying out an armed attack
against Israeli forces at al-Hamra military checkpoint in the northern Jordan
Valley in the West Bank on 12 May 2002.
At approximately 05:00 on
the same day, Israeli forces surrounded the house of Asa’ad Sadiq Sweisa, 70,
in al-Ma’ajin area in the north of Nablus, where the 10-member family of ‘Anad
Rashid Shuqeirat lived. Similarly, they
destroyed the 120-square-meter house. It
is worth mentioning that ‘Anad Shuqeirat when carrying out a bombing in
‘Affoula city in the north of Israel earlier this year.
At approximately 03:30 on
Tuesday, 26 November 2002, Israeli forces, reinforced with tanks and armored
personnel carriers, surrounded the house of ‘Aadel Ahmed Mansour al-Qanni, 42,
from Kufor Qallil, south of Nablus. They
forced the 18 residents of the 125-square-meter, 2-story house out and
destroyed it. Al-Qanni is wanted by
Israeli forces for being a member of Fatah Movement.
Continued Total Siege
Israeli forces have
maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT, collectively punishing
Palestinian people. Israeli forces have partitioned Palestinian areas,
transforming them into cantons, and have imposed curfews on some areas, violating Palestinian
civilians’ economic, social and cultural rights. The Gaza
Strip is still partitioned into three isolated zones.
This week, Israeli forces
imposed a curfew on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip. At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 21
November 2002, they declared the area a closed military zone.
On Friday, 22 November
2002, Israeli forces closed al-Tuffah checkpoint separating Khan Yunis from its
al-Mawasi area. Dozens of people were
not able to go back home and were forced to spend the night at houses of their
relatives and friends. The checkpoint
was reopened on Monday, 25 November 2002 according to strict conditions imposed
recently by Israeli forces, which include that anyone wants to cross the
checkpoint must be at least 40 and the strict checking of people.
This week, Israeli forces
have regularly closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints on Salah
al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip,
disregarding the sacredness of the month of Ramadan. On Saturday morning, 23 November, Israeli forces closed
al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints. They reopened the two checkpoints 2 hours later. The searched a number of cars randomly. Israeli soldiers searched cars and checked the identity
cards of passengers. Two ambulances of
the Palestinian Ministry of Health were among the cars that were searched by
Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces closed the
two checkpoints also on the following day and cars were searched.
At approximately 07:00 on
Sunday, 25 November 2002, Israeli soldiers
positioned near al-Matahen checkpoint, north of Khan Yunis, fired at a number
of Palestinian civilians who gathered near the checkpoint, which Israeli forces
had closed earlier. A Nader Ziad Shu’aib
al-Farra, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the right foot. The checkpoint was reopened 2 hours later, and again cars were searched
and people were checked.
Two
Palestinians Killed in Circumstances that raise suspicion on the Methods of
Engagement used by Israeli Forces
At approximately 11:00 on
Tuesday, 26 November 2002, a heavy explosion occurred in al-Hawashin quarter in
Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank. A number of Palestinian civilians and ambulanced rushed to the area. They discovered bodies of two young men on
the under-construction first floor of a 2-story house owned by ‘Abdul Rahman
Mohammed al-Zubeidi, where the family of al-Zubedi lives. The bodies were evacuated to hospital. The victims were identified as ‘Alaa’ Ahmed
Mahmoud al-Sabbagh, 22, commander of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade of Fatah Movement
in Jenin, and ‘Emad Farouq Mahmoud al-Nasharti, 26, commander of ‘Ezziddin
al-Qassam Brigade of Hamas in Jenin. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military vehicles were seen moving
around and the refugee camp, while 2 Israeli helicopters were flying over the
area when the explosion occurred.
*****
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”
